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 Orson Welles Radio DramaThe War of
the Worlds
The Original Broadcast
EDITOR'S NOTE: For several years running now, we have presented this feature about the historic original broadcast of Orson Welles' adaptation of H.G. Wells "War of the World". It has become a favorite of our readers, both nostalgic radio buffs and the average Joe & Jane looking for a themed program in the Halloween season. Alas, we would be remiss if we didn't offer this feature each fall season as both a reminder of the Golden years of Radio, and to prepare you for the unlikely but feasible possibility of all out alien invasion of the planet earth by a group of lizard-looking foul-smelling and slimy creatures from Mars with technology far superior to our own. You choose the reason - just read and listen to the audio feature below... and enjoy! -- EDITOR.
From the New York Times, Oct. 31, 1936 -- "A wave of mass hysteria seized thousands of radio listeners between 8:15 and 9:30 o'clock last night when a broadcast of a dramatization of H. G. Wells' fantasy, "The War of the Worlds," led thousands to believe that an interplanetary conflict had started with invading Martians spreading wide death and destruction in New Jersey and New York.
 The broadcast, which disrupted households, interrupted religious services, created traffic jams and clogged communications systems, was made by Orson Welles, who as the radio character, "The Shadow," used to give "the creeps" to countless child listeners. This time at least a score of adults required medical treatment for shock and hysteria.
 In Newark, in a single block at Heddon Terrace and Hawthorne Avenue, more than twenty families rushed out of their houses with wet handkerchiefs and towels over their faces to flee from what they believed was to be a gas raid. Some began moving household furniture.Throughout New York families left their homes, some to flee to near-by parks. Thousands of persons called the police, newspapers and radio stations here and in other cities of the United States and Canada seeking advice on protective measures against the raids.
The program was produced by Mr. Welles and the Mercury Theatre on the Air over station WABC and the Columbia Broadcasting System's coast-to-coast network, from 8 to 9 o'clock." -- The NY Times
 The ability to confuse audiences en masse may have first become obvious as a result of one of the most infamous mistakes in history. It happened the day before Halloween, on Oct. 30, 1938, when millions of Americans tuned in to a popular radio program that featured plays directed by, and often starring, Orson Welles.
The performance that evening was an adaptation of the science fiction novel The War of the Worlds, about a Martian invasion of the earth. But in adapting the book for a radio play, Welles made an important change: under his direction the play was written and performed so it would sound like a news broadcast about an invasion from Mars, a technique that, presumably, was intended to heighten the dramatic effect.
Listen now to that original broadcast from the Mercury Theatre and decide for yourself, our Halloween treat to you...
(Be patient, this is a one-hour program and download time takes a few minutes. But it's well worth it!)
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Rio Grande Valley