Ladybug, Ladybug

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Ladybug, Ladybug

1963

1h 24m

Drama

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4 Reviews

88%

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Fewer than 50 Ratings

The teachers and students of a countryside elementary school are thrown into a panic when an air raid siren goes off, warning them of a imminent nuclear attack. They are unaware that it has gone off by mistake, and separate the children into groups -- one of which is headed by the anxious Mrs. Andrews (Nancy Marchand) -- to take them home. Harriet (Alice Playten) invites her classmates into her family's bomb shelter, but tragedy strikes when she won't allow one of her classmates to enter.

Bosley Crowther

New York Times

These are respectable intentions, but, unfortunately, the film is too slight in dramatic structure and too prosaic, really, to carry much punch.

Rated: 2.5/5

May 9, 2005

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Strange thought provoking arty drama about the fear of a nuclear war in an elementary school and the misguided use of civil defense alarm boxes.

Rated: B-

Jul 16, 2017

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TV Guide

This terrifying account of life under the fear of nuclear war successfully illustrates the harm undue panic and thoughtlessness can provoke.

Rated: 2.5/4

Oct 30, 2007

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Pablo Villaça

Cinema em Cena

Um triste retrato da parania que dominou o mundo (especialmente os EUA) durante a Guerra Fria - e que, nos ltimos anos, vem ganhando uma lamentvel sobrevida.

Rated: 4/5

Jan 14, 2004

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Audience Member

As someone who went to school in the '50s and did "duck and cover" exercises I can understand the sense of dread the teachers and students felt. The final seen of the boy looking up at the jets and not knowing whether they were missiles or enemy planes, and having no place to hide: harrowing.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/19/23

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michael e

A timeless classic of our basest fears and childhood concerns. Very well done!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

interesting only because of how it captures the paranoia of the Cold War.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/15/23

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Audience Member

Having waited with my childrens wearing gas masks for Saddam Hussein's WMD missles on 91, I found this movie moving.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/12/23

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Frank Perry

Director

Jane Connell

Mrs. Maxton

William Daniels

Mr. Calkins

Alice Playten

Harriet

James Frawley

Truck Driver

Richard Hamilton

JoAnn's Father

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Synopsis

The teachers and students of a countryside elementary school are thrown into a panic when an air raid siren goes off, warning them of a imminent nuclear attack. They are unaware that it has gone off by mistake, and separate the children into groups -- one of which is headed by the anxious Mrs. Andrews (Nancy Marchand) -- to take them home. Harriet (Alice Playten) invites her classmates into her family's bomb shelter, but tragedy strikes when she won't allow one of her classmates to enter.

Director: Frank Perry
Producer: Frank Perry
Screenwriter: Eleanor Perry
Production Co: Frank Perry Films Inc.
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Runtime: 1h 24m