War Of The Worlds... - U.S. Politics Online: A Political Discussion Forum

Steve · #1 (**permalink**) 10-31-2008

Wasn't sure where to put this; opted for here.

This is the 70th anniversary of Orson Welles' "War Of The Worlds", originally broadcast October 30, 1938.

Listening to it, it makes you think about how far we've come in 70 years. If this were done today, it would be viewed simply as a fun diversion. No one would take this seriously, as happened in 1938. It's not hard to imagine, though, how some believed wha they were hearing, given the time it was happening, and the fact that we didn't have 24 hour news services, the web, or television.

Anyway, this is kinda' cool to listen to. For some reason, the first video link isn't working, but the others seem to be working.

War Of The Worlds

moon · #2 (**permalink**) 10-31-2008

I heard the opening scenes on the radio this morning. That scream and the cutting off of the broadcast still grabs .

I've also just heard a track based on The Martian Chronicles by a band calling themselves Dimension X and basing the music on the Dimension X radio broadcasts. Far out. Mr. Magneto and the Bako-Foil jumpsuits ride again.

....not these dudes;

DIMENSION X music, discography, MP3, videos and reviews

....these dudes;

Dimension X- Dimension X Review

Steve · #3 (**permalink**) 10-31-2008

I remember my Grandparents telling me about that. My Dad was only six at the time and, while he listened to it, he really doesn't have any recollection of it.

My Grandfather told me that people in their neighborhood (they lived in Bellrose, NY at the time) most definitely took it seriously...

moon · #4 (**permalink**) 10-31-2008

Quote:

Thousands of people, believing they were under attack by Martians, flooded newspaper offices and radio and police stations with calls, asking how to flee their city or how they should protect themselves from "gas raids." Scores of adults reportedly required medical treatment for shock and hysteria.

"War of the Worlds": Behind the 1938 Radio Show Panic

The dance music was soon interrupted by a series of increasingly alarming news bulletins. An astronomer, played by Welles, commented on reports that several explosions of "incandescent gas" had been observed on the planet Mars.

Then a news bulletin reported that a "huge flaming object" had struck a farm near Grovers Mill, New Jersey. A "newscaster" described seeing an alien crawl out of a spacecraft. "Good heavens—something's wriggling out of the shadow," he reported. "It glistens like wet leather. But that face—it … it is indescribable."

All that and a guy playing a saw. Brrrrrrrrrrrrrr. I'd have been heading for the hills.

'Grovers Mill, New Jersey' ? Oy !

Mrs. M · #5 (**permalink**) 10-31-2008

Back in 1972, my history teacher brought the recording of "War of the Worlds" for the class to hear. I found it so fascinating! The book nor the movie can't compare to the actual radio recording in the sense that people didn't realize they were listening to fiction. Thanks for the link, Steve....

BTW, the same teacher brought in the radio broadcast of the Hindenburg explosion.
"Radio Days - Hindenburg"

moon · #6 (**permalink**) 10-31-2008

Quote:

The Martian landings were centered around the little-known but real town of Grovers Mill, near Princeton.

Today, there's not a whole lot to see, but it's worth a stop if you're in the neighborhood visiting Elsie the Cow's grave. At the intersection of Cranbury, Clarksville, and Grovers Mill Rds. you can peek at what remains of the water tower that was shot to pieces by nervous residents in 1938.

1938 Martian Landing Site Monument, West Windsor Township - Grovers Mill, New Jersey

Far out. It was a bad time for tall thin guys with bulgy eyeballs.

Imperator · #7 (**permalink**) 10-31-2008

I think it still holds up well.....orson, houseman were genius's

moon · #8 (**permalink**) 10-31-2008

Genius's what ?

Yeah, I still get that creepy feeling everytime I see a fireball.

Imperator · #9 (**permalink**) 10-31-2008

uhm, end of stateament genuis's....forgot the period sorry.

moon · #10 (**permalink**) 10-31-2008

Quote:

uhm, end of stateament genuis's....forgot the period sorry.

It was the 1930's.

Imperator · #11 (**permalink**) 10-31-2008

uh yes and, I knw when it was done? You asked genuis what? that was the end of my statement....

moon · #12 (**permalink**) 10-31-2008

I get it. You meant that Wells and the other dude were geniuses, not that they were genius' anything at all and the period was a dot , not an era. Gotcha.

All these death rays must be fouling up the communications.

Imperator · #13 (**permalink**) 10-31-2008

yes john houseman the later screen and TV actor was one of the producers of the original and I think part of owner of the mercury theatre.

Tautog · #14 (**permalink**) 10-31-2008

Neat - I've never listened to the broadcast in its entirety before, thanks for posting.

Tanngrisnir3 · #15 (**permalink**) 10-31-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve

Wasn't sure where to put this; opted for here.

This is the 70th anniversary of Orson Welles' "War Of The Worlds", originally broadcast October 30, 1938.

Listening to it, it makes you think about how far we've come in 70 years. If this were done today, it would be viewed simply as a fun diversion. No one would take this seriously, as happened in 1938. It's not hard to imagine, though, how some believed wha they were hearing, given the time it was happening, and the fact that we didn't have 24 hour news services, the web, or television.

Anyway, this is kinda' cool to listen to. For some reason, the first video link isn't working, but the others seem to be working.

War Of The Worlds

If you can find it, there's an audio version of Stephen King's 'The Mist' that was on the radio back in the late 80's (I think). One of the best audio theater pieces I've ever heard, and light years better than that sack of steaming, nugget-laden ass-effluvia that the recent movie was.

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