As an American and World History teacher, I find that cartoons like DUCK AND COVER are wonderful windows into the 1950s. Nowadays, kids have no idea of the fear about nuclear war that gripped the world as well as the insane belief that perhaps such a war would be survivable and perhaps even fun! Fun?! Well, that's what many kids might just take from this film. With a cute turtle, a very catchy song and its direct appeal to children, this public service film distributed to schools must have made the prospect of such an awful war a bit exciting! Today, when you watch it, you can't help but laugh at the ridiculous methods by which kids will supposedly survive an atomic blast. By covering your face with a newspaper or lying crouched under a desk, you'll apparently survive and thrive such an attack according to this film!! Such naive notions perhaps were intended to give people a false sense of control so they wouldn't panic when Armageddon arrives--but newspapers are actually not the best blast-resistant devices, believe me (though it is true, I am no expert--maybe there's something in the ink that will block all the radiation and 10,000,000,000 degree wall of heat).
Overall, a stupid film that manages to entertain even if it is giving you rather shabby advice.
Overall, a stupid film that manages to entertain even if it is giving you rather shabby advice.