The Manhattan Project was an American film released on June 13, 1986. Named after the World War II-era program, the plot revolves around a gifted high school student who decides to construct a nuclear bomb for a national science fair. The film's underlying theme involves the 1980's Cold War when government secrecy and mutually assured destruction were key political and military issues. Costing $500,000 to produce, the film grossed $3,900,000 USD at the box office. It was directed by Marshall Brickman, based upon his screenplay co-written with Thomas Baum, and starred Christopher Collet, John Lithgow, John Mahoney, and Cynthia Nixon.
The back office bathroom can be a dangerous place, especially if you're unfortunate enough to share the lavatory with the infamous Bill (a.k.a. the Manhattan Project). When Jim becomes trapped in a stall privy to co-worker Bill's explosive gastrointestinal disturbances (on a par with earthquakes, volcanoes, and nuclear winters), he loses a bit of his innocence. Bill's aromatic flatulence is only the beginning, a precursor to the monumental bowel movements to come. To make the already disgusting situation even worse, Bill provides a narrative to accompany the rumbling roars of his innards. Bill's commentary covers what he's eaten as well as sporadic exclamations of relief. Deciding to go on the offensive, Jim and his friend Ed discuss methods of deterring Bill's future eruptions. They draw up a list of rules for bathroom etiquette and hang several copies in the lavatory. Will Bill heed their advice, or use it when he runs out of toilet paper? Written by Peter John Ross
Boy meets scientist. Boy breaks into lab. Boy steals plutonium. Boy builds nuclear device. Scientist becomes mildly alarmed. Boy enters bomb in Science Fair. For the rest of the saga, you just have to see it to believe it. Written by Tim Kretschmann
