‘Little Boy,’ a remarkable film by Downey’s Alex Caron, hits YouTube

Alex Caron stars in “Little Boy,” a short film now streaming on YouTube. Photo by Adrian Hernandez.

DOWNEY — Downey’s Alex Caron is best known locally as a stand-up comedian. But there is a serious side to him too.

Under the watchful eye of director Adrian Hernandez, Caron gives a memorable performance in their new film, “Little Boy.”

After its premiere at Downey’s Epic Live on 2nd Street, it received a standing ovation from a full house. And now it’s available for everyone to view for free on YouTube.

Eighty years ago, the world’s first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, Japan on Aug. 6, 1945. An estimated 210,000 Japanese civilians perished in the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and three days later, Nagasaki. “Little Boy” tells the story from the perspective of Sgt. George Robert “Bob” Caron as he was the first to witness and take photos of the bomb from the B-29 Enola Gay. “Little Boy” was the code name of that bomb.

There is a family connection here. Bob Caron is Alex Caron’s third cousin twice removed.

As he boarded the plane, Bob Caron was handed a camera and told to take photographs.  Because of his position as tail gunner, Bob was the only member of the crew to witness the view of the explosion as the Enola Gay raced away from the scene to avoid being blown from the sky.

Bob’s images of the climbing mushroom cloud were the only photographs that turned out. Within days they would end up on flyers being dropped over Japan, and on the front pages of newspapers around the world.

This is a short film that focuses on one particular moment. It is meticulous in detail, well researched and executed. Who said a picture is worth a thousand words?

Shot throughout in a beautiful monochrome tone inspired by Howard Hughes’s WWII films, the film opens on Caron in uniform, wide eyed, taking notes at a briefing two days before their departure. With the crew, he starts to watch a film of atomic bomb tests. The projector malfunctions and the crew doesn’t get to see it.

In that moment the light is blinding to Caron. It’s as if he is in a spell. We see images of the mushroom cloud, destruction, and hear haunting music playing on an old scratchy 78 rpm record.

Hernandez’s use of close ups, editing, lighting and sound is painstakingly diligent. His secret sauce is his authenticity.

Still focused on his notebook, Caron is jolted into reality on the plane by Captain Tibbits, played brilliantly by Aaron Smithson. The historical dialogue goes something like this:

Tibbits: “Hey. Have you figured out yet what we’re doing up here?”

Caron: “Figured a security run. Didn’t want to be shot up front.”

Tibbits: (checking Caron’s notebook): “It doesn’t matter what you’re guessing. We’re on our way now.” (Tossing it back)

Caron: “Is this thing we’re carrying a chemist’s nightmare?”

Tibbits: “No. Nothing like that.”

(As Tibbits is returning to the cockpit, Caron pulls him back)

Caron: “Paul, is this thing a physicist’s nightmare?”

(With the crew looking on)

Tibbits: “Yeah. You might call it something like that.”

(As Tibbits heads for the front of the plane, Caron pulls him back)

Caron: “Paul, are we spitting atoms today?”

Tibbits: “Yeah”

It took a year and a half for Hernandez and Caron to complete the film. They persuaded the March Field Air Museum to grant them permission to use their historic Army Air Forces B-29 plane for an eight-hour shoot. The bulk of the remaining shoots concentrated on Bob in the tail.

One problem. The tail of the B-29 was damaged and not suitable to film the tail gunner scenes. They asked Warren High School drama teacher Kyle Deichman to make one for them. It looked perfect to me.

Approaching Hiroshima, Tibbits announces to the crew that they are about to drop the first atomic bomb. The film focuses on Caron’s internal musings and his reactions to what he sees with remarkable close ups.

Taking pictures, he is asked to report what he sees.

Caron: “I see a giant column of smoke, like a mushroom, purple, grey, red, black and white. And fires spreading out everywhere.”

Tibbits: “Count the fires.”

Caron: “There’s too many.”

In his biography, Bob Caron included this: “I hope no-one else will ever have to see the sight I saw that morning from the tail of the Enola Gay.”

This is a beautifully made film by talented local filmmakers. It’s well worth your time.