Lawrence.com

In the summer of 1983 parts of Lawrence were transformed by Hollywood into a nuclear wasteland and many townspeople became actors, wearing rags and bearing wounds, for the making of the feature film "The Day After." Now, over twenty years later, the film returns to its birthplace for two special showings. The first will take place on Wednesday, October 20, at 7:00 pm in Woodruff Auditorium of the Kansas Union. The second, also at 7:00 pm, will occur Thursday, October 21, in Liberty Hall, downtown Lawrence. The campus showing is part of the "Three Weeks of Peace" project sponsored by Delta Force, and the town showing is hosted by the Lawrence Coalition for Peace and Justice. A grim warning of what still could happen, the film graphically depicts Kansas City leveled by two hydrogen bombs and the battered, bewildered horde of survivors that straggles into Lawrence. The immediate cause of the war is never made clear, but its consequences are devastating. A follow-up panel and public discussion of issues raised by the film and the nuclear threat today will take place at 2:00 pm Sunday, October 24, in Unity Church, 9th and Madeline.There is no admission charge for any of the events, but donations are requested to help defray to cost of the license to show the film and the rental of Liberty Hall. For further information: Allan Hanson, 841-3026 or 864-2636, ahanson@hansoninfo.com or Louise Hanson, 841-3026 or 843-0230 ext. 113, lhanson@hansoninfo.com.