DIRTY HARRY - When the American Dream Became a Nightmare

Fifteen years ago, on September 23, 1992, the latest nuclear weapon was detonated at the
Nevada Test Site. For forty years, this expanse of sage brush and sand was ground zero for U.S.
testing.

The award winning documentary "Dirty Harry" describes the early years of testing and how it
affected people working at, and living nearby the test site. It tells the stories of growing up
in the shadow of the mushroom cloud, what the government knew, and what they told the public.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

"Dirty Harry" is hosted by Jon Beaupre, who is Professor of Communication Studies at
California State University, Los Angeles. Nevada born, Jon is an award winning journalist
whose work has been broadcast on NPR, BBC and on syndicated radio programs around
the world.

On several occasions, over almost two decades, producer Claes Andreasson has interviewed
test site workers, "downwinders," scientists, legal scholars and test officials. Claes is a
native Swede, he has worked for public radio since 1979, with fifteen years as a correspondent
in California. He is an award winning journalist, who produces news, features and documentaries
for both Swedish and American public radio.

Janet Gordon, Las Vegas, NV Claudia Peterson, St George, UT Kern Bulloch, Cedar City, UT

In June of 2007, "Dirty Harry" received an award for "Best Investigative Story" from
the Los Angeles Press Club. The judges comment: "John Beaupre and Claes
Andreasson bring alive the devastating, long-lasting
and tragic effects of America's above-ground nuclear
testing program in the Nevada desert of the 1950s
and early 60s. Beaupre and Andreasson contrast the
horrific experiences of survivors, both at the test site
and those downwind from the mushroom clouds,
with the bogus official government assurances that
the radioactive fallout was safe. It's a haunting story
of cancer, death and the long search for justice in the
wake of more than 900 nuclear detonations. It was an
American embarrassment and an American tragedy.
But Beaupre and Andreasson do it justice."

- WEB Extra: Extended Interviews:-

Janet Gordon Part 1
Janet Gordon Part 2
Patricia Gordon Dominguez
"Mike Willcox"
Troy Wade

Dirty Harry
- When the American Dream Became a Nightmare -

Hosted by Jon Beaupre
Written and Produced by Claes Andreasson
Special thanks to KNPR-Las Vegas for production assistance
Support for this program comes in part from the Public Radio Exchange's Reversioning Project.

In order of appearance:

Kern Bulloch, sheep farmer Cedar City, Utah
Hal Curtis, iron worker, Las Vegas, Nevada
Troy Wade, test manager, Las Vegas, Nevada
Elmer Picket, "downwinder," St George, Utah
Claudia Peterson, "downwinder," St George, Utah
Michelle Thomas, "downwinder," St George, Utah
Janet Gordon, "downwinder," Las Vegas, Nevada
Patricia Gordon Dominguez, Las Vegas, Nevada
'Mike Wilcox.' telecommunication worker, Las Vegas, Nevada
Joseph Lyon, professor, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
John Gofman, professor emeritus, San Francisco, California
Bruce Jenkins, judge U.S. District Court, Salt Lake City, Utah

Musical work:
"Upstairs" (Jeff Beal)
"Letter from Lee" (Jeff Beal)
"Downwinders" (unknown)
"To a Wild Rose" (MacDowell) performed by Lorelle Nelson, Las Vegas, Nevada
"Duck and Cover" (Atomic Energy Commission film)
"Old Man Atom" (The Sons of the Pioneers)