70 years ago today, Orson Wells and the Mercury Theater broadcast an adaptation of H.G. Wells’ War Of The Worlds. It was presented as a series of news bulletins that interrupted a music show, depicting the Martian invasion of Earth.
A lot of people missed the notices that were included in the broadcast stating that it was a work of fiction, due to the timing of the notices, which may have been timed deliberately so that listeners changing stations would miss them on purpose.
Either way, common sense did not prevail and people panicked. Concerned citizens called hospitals, police stations, relatives in the affected areas and other places. Despite being told (by those who knew what was actually going on) that it was a dramatization, some people still refused to believe that it was a hoax until the show drew to a close.
I think the 1938 broadcast of War Of The Worlds is one of the defining moments of mass media, or more specifically, its impact on people. I’d have to say it ranks up there with the explosion of the Hindenburg as one of the most significant broadcasts of all time. Ss far as the use of mass media that is – there are many more (countless, really) events that are considered much more important, but these two are are very important milestones in the evolution of broadcasting.
Needless to say, something like this could probably never be pulled off today, thanks to the internet, widespread use of cell phones and 24/7 news channels. Still, it’s kind of neat to think about. Do a search and find out what happened during and after the broadcast if you want to know more.
If you haven’t heard it, or want to hear it again, click here.
Oh, and read the book too. Or go track down a copy of Jeff Wayne’s Musical Version Of The War Of The Worlds”, which turned 30 this year, by the way. You can also go to waroftheworlds.com and listen to tracks from the album (the music player link is in the upper right). I don’t know if every song is there or if they’re in their entirety, but last time I was there, I could listen to a fair amount from the album.
