Calling Dr. Strangelove

Stanley Kubrick’s Dr. Strangelove, or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb is one of the most celebrated and significant films ever made. This book traces the movie’s origins as a thriller novel through its evolution into a devastating black comedy, to its ultimate reception as an undisputed cinema classic. A wealth of fresh detail is provided on Dr. Strangelove’s production, its initial reception and its lasting influence. The book also examines the film within the context of the real-life superpower standoff it satirized and evaluates its place alongside director Kubrick’s entire catalog of famous works. Drawn from interviews, biographical research and extensive cultural analysis, this work is an indispensable resource for Kubrick fans, movie buffs and students of Cold War history. Instructors considering this book for use in a course may request an examination copy here.

George Case is the author of several books on 20th century popular culture. He lives in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

George Case

Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages: 212
Bibliographic Info: 14 photos, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2014
pISBN: 978-0-7864-9449-1
eISBN: 978-1-4766-1848-7
Imprint: McFarland

Acknowledgments  v
Introduction: The Doomsday Machine  1
1. Red Alert  9
2. The War Room  34
3. Peace Is Our Profession  69
4. Hi There!  110
5. We’ll Meet Again  140
Chapter Notes  187
Bibliography  195
Index  201

• Many nuggets of fascinating information”—SRFA Review
• “A useful and entertaining tour through the iconic 1964 film directed by Stanley Kubrick. Case explores thoroughly the making of the film, from its initial origins as a pulp novel authored by Peter George, through its legacies in contemporary American culture…valuable connections between the black comedy and the equally absurd reality it parodied…valuable”—Jewish Film & New Media