The War of the Worlds (radio)

:{{Otheruses3|The War of the Worlds}}

Broadcast

H. G. Wells' novel is about a Martian invasion of Earth at the end of the nineteenth century, as related by a narrator seeing the events unfolding in England. The story was adapted by and written primarily by Howard Koch, with input from Welles and the staff of CBS's Mercury Theatre On The Air. The action was transferred to contemporary Grover's Mill, a section of West Windsor Township, New Jersey, and the radio program's format was meant to simulate a live newscast. To this end, Welles even played recordings of the radio reports of the famous Hindenburg disaster to the cast to demonstrate the mood he wanted.

Related Topics:
Nineteenth century - England - Howard Koch - CBS - Grover's Mill - West Windsor Township - New Jersey - Newscast - ''Hindenburg'' disaster

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Approximately two thirds of the 50-minute play was a contemporary retelling of the events of the novel, presented as a series of news bulletins in documentary style. This approach to radio drama had never been done before (at least not with as much continued verisimilitude), and the innovative format has been cited as a key factor in the confusion that would follow.

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The program started with an introduction and a short introduction to the intentions of the aliens and then continued as an apparently ordinary music show, only occasionally interrupted by news flashes. Initially, the news is of strange explosions sighted on Mars. The news reports grew more frequent and increasingly ominous after a "meteorite"--later revealed as a Martian rocket capsule--lands in New Jersey. A crowd gathers at the landing site, and the events are related by reporter "Carl Philips" up until the Martians incinerate curious onlookers with their "heat rays". (Later surveys indicate that many panicked or worried listeners heard only this five-minute portion of the show before calling police or family, and contributing to the later confusion.)

Related Topics:
Mars - Meteorite - Rocket - New Jersey - Heat rays

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More Martian ships land, and then proceed to wreak havoc throughout the United States, destroying bridges and railroads, and spraying a poison gas into the air. An unnamed Secretary of the Interior advises the nation on the growing conflict. (The "Secretary" was originally intended to be a portrayal of then-President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, but CBS insisted this detail, among others, be changed. The "Secretary" did, however, end up sounding very much like Roosevelt.)

Related Topics:
Poison gas - Secretary of the Interior - Franklin Delano Roosevelt

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Military forces attack the Martians, but are unable to fight them off. People flee or gather in churches to pray as the Martian's machines head towards New York City, spraying a poison gas in the air.

Related Topics:
Church - New York City

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This section ends famously: a news reporter atop a large building narrates as events unfold, then he too collapses from the poison gas, and a radio operator is heard desperately calling out "2X2L calling CQ? Isn't there anyone on the air? Isn't there anyone on the air? Isn't there? anyone?"

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The less famous last third was a monologue and dialogue featuring Welles, portraying "notable astronomer" Professor Peirson, who had earlier commented on the strange Martian explosions. The story ends as does the novel, with the Martians falling victim to earthly germs and bacteria. Following the conclusion of the play, Welles breaks character to remind listeners that the play was only a Halloween concotion, the equivalent of dressing up in a sheet and saying "Boo" like a ghost; reportedly, this "disclaimer" was added to the broadcast at the insistence of CBS executives as they became aware of the panic ensuing during the program.

Related Topics:
Monologue - Dialogue

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