This is a really unnerving entry, probably because it hits so close to home for not just Cold War 1961, but even now. Nonetheless, 1961 was a time when a Hot War could break out at any moment, which the 30-minutes capitalizes on. Note how the opening shows our typical suburban community in joyous abandon. That sets up the tragedy that follows, when reports of atomic missiles striking are broadcast. Immediately, the boisterous good feeling collapses into panic as family survival suddenly becomes uppermost. The problem is that only one of the families has followed Civil Defense instructions to construct a bomb shelter. Thus the Stocktons rush to their shelter, while the others frantically mill about. Having nowhere obvious to go, the panicked, folks plead with the Stocktons to share their shelter. But the confines are too small, so Dad Stockton refuses. But what will happen now that suburban comity has collapsed into sheer clamor for survival.
As I recall, this was a 'water cooler' episode that attracted considerable attention, as folks wondered what they would do in similar circumstances. However, the underlying subtext could apply to any calamitous situation, and what a person or family would do once ordinary bonds are shattered. Thus, the theme has much broader application than Cold War 1961.
The acting here is first-rate, making us feel the desperate fright. Given the alarming relevancy to the time, I expect the producers were especially concerned how the results would be popularly taken. After all, the topic was not really about another time or another place far away. All in all, it's a riveting, if unsettling, 30-minutes.