Alas, Babylon

Alas, Babylon

90 mins | Thriller, TV Movie | April 3, 1960

The Playhouse 90 teleplay of “Alas, Babylon” unflinchingly portrays the tragic aftermath of a major nuclear conflict with the U.S.S.R, including scenes featuring a child being rendered blind from a violent bomb flash and a character severely disfigured by radiation burns.  Narrated in flashback with solemn resignation by noir veteran Dana Andrews, who announces in the play’s first lines that he is already dead (à la Sunset Boulevard), the controversial drama was both lauded and criticized for its grim, daringly honest exploration of a scenario in which “92 percent of the world’s people were killed.”

Alas, Babylon

90 mins | Thriller, TV Movie | April 3, 1960

Alas, Babylon
The Playhouse 90 teleplay of “Alas, Babylon” unflinchingly portrays the tragic aftermath of a major nuclear conflict with the U.S.S.R, including scenes featuring a child being rendered blind from a violent bomb flash and a character severely disfigured by radiation burns.  Narrated in flashback with solemn resignation by noir veteran Dana Andrews, who announces in the play’s first lines that he is already dead (à la Sunset Boulevard), the controversial drama was both lauded and criticized for its grim, daringly honest exploration of a scenario in which “92 percent of the world’s people were killed.”
Producers Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS)
Original title Alas, Babylon
Directors Robert Stevens
Writers Pat Frank, David Shaw

Cast

Dana Andrews

as Mark Bragg

Judith Evelyn

as Lavinia

Robert Crawford Jr.

as Richard

Gina Gillespie

as Laura

Don Gordon

as Pete

Kim Hunter

as Helen Bragg

Burt Reynolds

as Ace

Don Murray

as Randy Bragg

Rita Moreno

as Rita

Joy Richardson

as Himself

Barbara Rush

as Liz

Everett Sloane

as Dr. Gunn