The “War of the Worlds” radio broadcast was a dramatic adaptation of H.G. Wells’ 1898 science fiction novel, aired by Orson Welles and the Mercury Theatre on the Air on October 30, 1938. The story is about a Martian invasion of Earth, and Welles’ broadcast presented it as a series of real-time news bulletins, which made it sound like an actual emergency.
The broadcast begins with normal music programming, which is interrupted by increasingly alarming news reports. The reports describe Martians landing in Grover’s Mill, New Jersey, attacking humans with heat rays and poisonous gas, and devastating cities.
Though the program stated at the beginning (and a few times during) that it was fiction, many listeners tuned in after the disclaimer and mistook it for real news.
Some listeners panicked, believing that an actual alien invasion was underway. Reports from the time describe people fleeing homes, clogging highways, or calling police and newspapers. In some towns, people packed churches or tried to evacuate.
However, later research suggests the panic may have been exaggerated by the media. Newspapers, in particular, may have played it up to undermine the credibility of radio, a rising competitor in news delivery.
War Of The Worlds – Original 1938 Radio Broadcasts
Charles R
Orson Wells was a master actor, writer, producer, etc with a voice made for radio, movies and TV. We will sell no wine before its time.