And so began the biggest controversy of the decade as millions of Americans shrieked in terror to what they thought was the world coming to an and! It was actually a very well-acted radio play that put the nation into a perilous frenzy. It also changed how we approached radio and television forever. On October 30, 1938, normally discerning Americans become so totally captivated by Orson Welles' dramatic radio show that they forgot that it was the night before Halloween. Listeners were moved to hastily get into their cars and try to escape. Throughout New York, families left their homes in a panic. Some began moving household furniture. Thousands called the police, radio stations and newspapers seeking advice on protective measures against the raids. Phone lines were overloaded. Scores of people required medical treatment for shock. The real horror of the 1930's only escalated with this broadcast. The world was about to enter into a new phase of terror in which 'the war of the Worlds' Mercury Theatre broadcast was simply the metaphor of what was to come - World War II and the Rise of the Third Reich! This program explains much of the hysteria caused by this broadcast, the scandal that followed, and the question of whether it could ever happen again...
We use cookies to help you navigate our website and to keep track of our promotional efforts. Some cookies are necessary for the site to operate normally while others are optional. To find out what cookies we are using please visit Cookies Policy.