MovieChat Forums > Ladybug Ladybug (1963) Discussion > A True Story?

A True Story?

posted 21 years ago by dksg
8 replies | jump to latest

Several people have mentioned that this movie was based on a true story. Does anyone have any information about the actual event? What town, etc.?

Thanks, all!

[–] NewYorkGrove 20 years ago

the way I understand (I read about it in a revieew of the movie) the true story was it happend in a California communty during the Cuban Missle Crisis theier REAL LIFE civil defense nuclear attack alram went off but they got to the botton of it and got the children back. and the produces of "Ladybug Ladybug" decied to see what would happen IF they were UNABLE to found out intime and sent the children home not knowing if the alert Real a Drill or a mistake

[–] Xcalat3 13 years ago

interesting.

When there's no more room in hell, The dead will walk the earth...

[–] lroy77 11 years ago

Welcome to my infanthood. I was only 13 months when it came out and my brother was barely even born. I'm not sure if it was fall or spring. My house was built in 1961 and I still have a booklet published by the DoD on how to convert your basement into a nuclear shelter. Never did, but I'm told the safest corner is the most northeast corner.

[–] rand9999 18 years ago

Yes, I wrote the story when I was a reporter for the Los Angeles Times.It was during the Cuban Missile Crisis, when the air raid alarm sounded at a school in Palos Verdes, California, near the Pacific Coast. Apparently a reader used that to write a novel about the incident that was sold to a motion picture company. I have never seen thee picture, but would like to buy it if anyone can tell me where it can be purchased.

[–] bobwestal-2 18 years ago

Rand --

The movie screened last weekend (March 18, 2006) at the Egyptian/American Cinematheque in Hollywood.

I'm actually about to post about it on my blog, www.forwardtoyesterday. I had mixed feelings about the film, but obviously worth seeing for you. BTW, according the film's credits, it's actually based on a short story "inspired by true events." Hope you were able to see it!

[–] ad_maggies 14 years ago

The movie is available by Netflex streaming, now.

The Bellingham, WA library has McCall's Magazines from 1950 - March 2001 and can be requested through Interlibray Loan. The article, "They Thought the War Was On" is in the April 1963 issue, page 96, 97, con't on pages 201-203.

Los Angeles Times article:
How Morning of Terror Hit War-Alerted School
Principal, Teachers Got Children Away, Thinking Attack Would Come Within Hour ALERT

Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) - Los Angeles, Calif.
Author: PAUL WEEKS
Date: Nov 1, 1962
Start Page: A1
Pages: 2
Text Word Count: 1059

Abstract (Document Summary)

Shortly before 9 a.m. Tuesday, the children in the homegoing group assigned to teacher Betty Scott of the Miraleste Elementary School on Palos Verdes Peninsula walked over a rise in the ground, 35 or 40 heads bob-...

This will cost money to buy from LA Times or you can order the microfilm from the library through InterLibrary Loan.

[–] shandy8 12 years ago

Wow, I went to Miraleste Elementary! I didn't go there until 1968, though, but I'll bet a lot of my teachers were there when it happened.

"What do you want me to do, draw a picture? Spell it out!"

[–] rschoof 18 years ago

I was a fifth grader at that school (Miraleste Elementary in what is now Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif.) and remember being escorted about halfway home before the principal drove around and told us to head on back as it was a drill or false alarm. I don't remember us being scared, but probably a little unsure about the whole thing.