13. The B-52 became a movie star early in production
In 1957 the first of several films in which the B-52 Stratofortress played a prominent role was released by Warner Brothers. Bombers B-52 featured Karl Malden and Natalie Wood and focused on the introduction of the new bomber into the Air Force inventory. The film also depicted the difficulties encountered by the service in retaining experienced, highly trained personnel. Made with the full support of the Air Force, Bombers B-52 was filmed at Castle Air Force Base in California, with some shots of operational B-52s made at March Air Force Base. Of the moderately successful film, TIME Magazine wrote it was a “…want ad for Air Force technicians.” It was the first of many Cold War era films centering around the B-52 and the men who operated them. Many were made with the support and approval of the US Air Force.
One which most decidedly did not have the support of the Air Force was 1964’s Dr. Strangelove or: How I learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb. The B-52 played a prominent role, with its crew led by Major Kong (Slim Pickens) following through emotionless, deadpan recitations of checklists as they prepare to drop a nuclear weapon on the Soviet Union. Another memorable scene has General Buck Turgidson (George C. Scott) demonstrating to the President (Peter Sellers) how a B-52 could fly in low, avoiding radar, and destroy its target. The B-52s used in the film were mockups on a British soundstage. B-52 bombers continued to feature in Cold War films, often using recycled stock footage when the Air Force did not approve of the premise of the film.