Long Island’s Frank Flynn took to Facebook on Christmas Eve to announce he was starting a petition to rename Bay Shore’s South Saxon Avenue to Oppenheimer Avenue – after theoretical physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer. “Why? I’m glad you asked,” the Bay Shore native wrote on the “Original Islip This & That” Facebook group Tuesday, Dec. 24. “Well it turns out, world-renowned scientist and father of the A-bomb, Robert Oppenheimer, lived in a vacation house on Saxon Avenue! So why not dedicate a portion of Saxon Ave to him and his accomplishments?”
A follow-up post stated Flynn had “sent an email” to Gov. Kathy Hochul with plans for “Oppenheimer Memorial Park.” Oppenheimer spent more than a decade summer vacationing at the Bay Shore residence starting at age 13. His family purchased the home in 1917, attracted by the hamlet’s lack of malaria and the townspeople's acceptance of Jewish people, according to the Bay Shore Historical Society. “The family chose a two-and-a-half-story Colonial Revival house built in 1896. The Saxon Ave. house was purchased from the Knapp Family. The bay front estate spanned seven acres and had 25 rooms. The family spent 12 summers vacationing here,” the organization shared.
Flynn’s proposal sparked plenty of reactions online, with most expressing opposition: - “A shrine for Oppenheimer??? How about no thanks? Make one in your backyard.” - “You can’t be serious about this.” - “Nah.” But it turns out, the proposal was made in jest. “I have to be up front about this and tell you this is 100% satirical,” Flynn later clarified to Daily Voice.
Oppenheimer earned his “father of the A-bomb” title after directing the Manhattan Project’s Los Alamos Laboratory during World War II, leading to the creation of the first nuclear weapon. His life story was spotlighted as the subject of the critically-acclaimed 2023 biographical drama film, Oppenheimer, featuring Cillian Murphy, which has received significant recognition, including Academy Awards for Best Picture and Best Actor for Murphy.
Meanwhile, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has publicly acknowledged the unexpected inspiration behind his upcoming action Christmas movie Red One: Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer. The professional wrestler turned Hollywood star shared how viewing Oppenheimer at IMAX made him rethink his own film. “I had the opportunity to watch Oppenheimer and I watched it at the IMAX theater where Christopher Nolan screens his movies,” Johnson revealed. He even requested to sit where Nolan typically views his films. “I even asked to let me sit where Chris sits. They said, ‘Chris sits here,’” Johnson recounted.
That IMAX screening clearly left quite the impression. Johnson went on to muse, “Holy s**. Red One on this screen and with this technology could be game over.” His comments have since gone viral, making waves across social media platforms. Despite Oppenheimer achieving accolades, Johnson’s Red One has received lukewarm reviews and holds only 34% on Rotten Tomatoes, with critiques labeling it as “ugly, artificial and overlong.”
“Comparing OPPENHEIMER to RED ONE is absolutely insane,” one user commented on X/Twitter. Others echoed sentiments of disbelief and amusement at Johnson's comparisons of his holiday action flick to what many deem a cinematic masterpiece. Red One, which is slated for release on November 15, centers on Johnson’s character Callum Drift, head of North Pole security tasked with rescuing Santa Claus, portrayed by Oscar winner JK Simmons.
Further solidifying the cultural significance of Oppenheimer, director Christopher Nolan and producer Emma Thomas were recently honored by King Charles at Buckingham Palace. They received knighthood and damehood for their contributions to the film industry. “He said he had seen Oppenheimer and enjoyed it,” Nolan shared with reporters after the ceremony, according to Sky News Australia. “It was very nice he knew our work and was aware of it. He was hoping this would encourage me to do more of it.”
The U.K. government announced Nolan and Thomas’s honors back in March, coinciding with Oppenheimer sweeping the Academy Awards. Nolan won Best Director and Oppenheimer took home Best Picture. “Arise, Sir Christopher Nolan and Dame Emma Thomas!” the Royal Family posted on their official social media accounts, celebrating their exceptional film contributions, including the Dark Knight trilogy and Oppenheimer.
Nolan and Thomas’s partnership dates back to their days as university students, marrying before the release of their first film Following* in 1998. Since then, their collaborations have yielded numerous blockbuster hits. Their recent knighthood and damehood come on the heels of reports about their next top-secret project, which is expected to feature Tom Holland, Zendaya, Anne Hathaway, Matt Damon, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, and Lupita Nyong’o, with the film scheduled for release on July 17, 2026. The legacy of Oppenheimer continues to resonate deeply, intertwining historical impact with contemporary cinematic achievements, showcasing how his story breathes life and inspiration across various narratives today.
