Created by the Christophers, “Atomic Energy as a Force for Good” dates to 1955 and stars Paul Kelly as ranch owner John Vernon. It also stars Regis Toomey, Carl Benton Reid, Will H. Wright, Emerson Treacy, and Beverly Washburn. It was directed by Robert Stevenson and written by Eugene Vale. “The Christophers” was a television program that focused on social issues and presented different perspectives on them. This episode dramatizes a town debating the potential benefits and dangers of nuclear energy, showcasing its potential for good in areas like medicine and agriculture. The film opens with a father and daughter discussing the illness of a girl named Vivian and the hope for her recovery, though they ultimately come to terms with the grim reality of her condition. As they witness an atomic bomb test, the father reflects on the destructive power of atomic energy and its potential benefits. The story then shifts to the issue of a proposed atomic plant in the area, which sparks a debate about whether to sell the family ranch. Some argue that the plant could bring prosperity, while others fear the destructive potential tied to atomic energy. As the story progresses, it touches on the ethical implications of using atomic energy, with concerns over its dangerous applications and the responsibility humanity holds in its use. Through discussions at town meetings and interactions with outsiders, the narrative highlights the tension between the promise of atomic energy for medical and societal advancements and the fear of its misuse. Ultimately, it underscores the need for careful choices in how atomic energy is managed, recognizing its potential to both harm and heal.

00:00: A father and daughter are traveling in Nevada by car. They discuss a friend named Vivian, who is very ill. The father hopes for her recovery.

0:40: The father accepts Vivian’s condition has no miracle cure. They stop at a roadblock. As it turns out, they are about to witness an atomic bomb test.

1:40: They prepare to see an atomic bomb test; the son worries about Vivian’s reaction.

3:20: The father gifts his granddaughter a pony, exciting her despite her inexperience.

4:01: The grandfather admits Vivian’s serious diagnosis is real. Miss Ashley arrives to discuss selling the ranch for a new atomic plant.

5:40: Harry pushes selling the ranch for the atomic plant’s prosperity, but the father resists losing family land.

7:01: Harry touts the plant’s benefits (schools, hospitals), while the father fears its link to atomic destruction.

8:35: Townspeople debate the ethics and dangers of profiting from atomic energy.

10:35: Vivian’s illness may soon confine her to bed; surgery is considered but risky.

12:26: The father vents guilt over science’s harmful uses, like atomic energy.

13:17: A town meeting debates opposing the atomic plant; Harry’s resolution faces hesitation.

14:59: A congressman argues nuclear energy’s benefits, like medical advances, outweigh fears.

16:22: A film shows atomic energy aiding cancer detection and surgery, aiming to sway the town.

19:20: Nuclear medicine is shown in use at a hospital.

24:01: Jim questions atomic energy’s creation post-Hiroshima; another blames human misuse, not God.

24:28: Reflection on whether atomic energy’s risks outweigh its invention.

24:44: A Washington rep frames atomic energy as a global issue, a dual-edged tool for good or harm.

25:19: Humanity must responsibly manage atomic energy’s power, balancing Hiroshima’s lessons with hope.

25:58: The speaker urges global wise choices, seeing atomic energy as God-given potential for elevation or ruin.

27:00: Music as the film comes to an end.

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