Not too far back, we revisited some Cold War propaganda that taught upstanding American citizens How to Spot a Communist Using Literary Criticism. It’s a gem, but it has nothing on the 1954 film, The House in the Middle. Selected for preservation in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress, the short documentary makes the ultimate case for cleanliness. Bringing viewers to the Nevada Proving Grounds, the 12-minute film shows what happens when clean, white houses are subjected to heat waves from an atomic blast, versus what happens when a dingy, ill-kept house goes through the same drill. It turns out that neat people can not only claim moral victory (as they always do). They also get to live another day. Consider it proof of the survival of the tidiest.The film was produced by the National Clean Up-Paint Up-Fix Up Bureau with support from the Federal Civil Defense Administration. The National Paint, Varnish and Lacquer Association also apparently played a role, suggesting that corporate interests were capitalizing on wartime fear. Not the first time that’s happened in America. Or that last…If you would like to sign up for Open Culture’s free email newsletter, please find it here. It’s a great way to see our new posts, all bundled in one email, each day.If you would like to support the mission of Open Culture, consider making a donation to our site. It’s hard to rely 100% on ads, and your contributions will help us continue providing the best free cultural and educational materials to learners everywhere. You can contribute through PayPal, Patreon, and Venmo (@openculture). Thanks!Note: An earlier version of this post appeared on our site in 2013.Related Content:Watch Ducked and Covered: A Survival Guide to the Post Apocalypse (A Little NSFW)How to Spot a Communist by Using Literary Criticism: A 1955 Manual from the U.S. MilitaryAnimated Films Made During the Cold War Explain Why America is Exceptionally ExceptionalThe Red Menace: A Striking Gallery of Anti-Communist Posters, Ads, Comic Books, Magazines & FilmsWatch “Don’t Be a Sucker!,” the 1947 US Government Anti-Hatred Film That’s Relevant All Over AgainHow Disney Fought Fascism with Propaganda Cartoons During World War II & Averted Financial Collapse