THIS IS NOT A TEST

Seamon Glass as Deputy Sheriff Colter

THIS IS NOT A TEST (1962). Director: Fredric Gadette. Colorized. 

Deputy Sheriff Dan Colter (Seamon Glass) stops a motley group of people on the highway when he gets news of an impending nuclear attack on a nearby city. These people include Sam and Karen Barnes (Norman Winston and Carole Kent); truckdriver Al Weston (Alan Austin); Junie (Aubrey Martin) and her grandfather, Jake (Thayer Roberts); fast-driving Cheryl (Mary Morlas) and her boyfriend Joe (Michael Greene); and an honest-to-goodness serial killer escapee, Clint (Ron Starr). 

Aubrey Martin and Ron Starr

Colter thinks that the little group may survive if they empty out Al's truck and take shelter inside it, an idea that both Jake and Sam find ludicrous. They figure the blast will probably obliterate the entire countryside and Junie hates the idea of being shut up in the truck with little food, water or air. As tensions arise both inside and outside of the truck, Al and Karen form a sexual connection that leads to tragedy. There are other surprising developments as the picture proceeds; one of the movie's assets is its general unpredictability. 

Carole Kent and Alan Austin

This is Not a Test is clever and memorable low-budget filmmaking. The screenplay, which is generally well-done (if not exactly Oscar-worthy), does not require massive sets or special effects. Most of the story takes place at night time, so there are no worries about inappropriate objects in the background, and a genuine truck serves as the only real set. The cast consists of some talented amateurs mixed in with a couple of professionals and some who'd never make another movie. Seamon Glass, who had many credits afterwards, is perfect as the stalwart, by-the-book, semi-psychopathic police officer, Colton. Aubrey Martin makes perhaps the best impression as Junie, although the other ladies also have their moments. This was the last performance for Carole Kent, who had a number of television credits. This was also true of Alan Austin, who is quite notable as Al, with Michael Greene almost as good; he amassed 120 credits during a long career. Ron Starr had a memorable guest-spot on a classic episode of Perry Mason. This was director Fredric Gadette's only movie. 

While watching This is Not a Test one must remember that back in the day children were instructed to sit under their desks in the event of a nuclear attack, or in the hallway with their heads bent, as if that would do the slightest good. The movie accurately reflects the attitudes that many people had back in that time period. 

Verdict: Surprisingly watchable melodrama with an uncompromising finale. ***.