That Notorious Radio Broadcast

You’ve all heard of it – the radio broadcast that supposedly sent thousands of Americans into a panic. But what really happened that night? Let’s dive into one of the most fascinating moments in radio history.

First off, let’s clear something up, as there’s often confusion on this point:

H.G. Wells is the author of the original book “The War of the Worlds,” published in 1898. A prolific science fiction pioneer, he gave us classics like “The Time Machine” and “The Invisible Man” as well.

Orson Welles (note the ‘e’) adapted the book into the now-infamous radio broadcast 40 years later, airing it on October 30, 1938 – the night before Halloween. No coincidence there!

Now that we’re clear on which Well(e)s did what, let’s dive into the broadcast itself.

The first words of the broadcast were exactly as stated: “The Columbia Broadcasting System and its affiliated stations present Orson Welles and the Mercury Theatre on the Air in The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells.” This disclaimer, contrary to some myths, wasn’t hidden or rushed – it was clearly stated at the start.

The broadcast’s genius lay in its format. After the introduction, Welles presented a seemingly ordinary evening of radio programming, beginning with weather reports and dance music. Then, around the 3½-minute mark, the first “interruption” came: a news bulletin about strange observations from Mars. From there, the broadcast escalated into a full-scale alien invasion narrative, told entirely through news reports, interviews, and on-the-scene coverage.

Interestingly, around 38 minutes into the broadcast, there was another announcement identifying the program as H.G. Wells’ “War of the Worlds,” followed by an intermission and yet another announcement before resuming. However, by this point, many listeners were already caught up in the panic – a testament to how convincing the first half-hour had been. Those who had been genuinely frightened had likely already called the police, woken up their neighbors, or even fled their homes before these later disclaimers aired.

Here’s how the two versions differ…

H.G. Wells’ Original Novel:

– Narrated as a first-person account by an unnamed protagonist, with a parallel story from his brother

– Set in Victorian-era England, specifically around London and Surrey

– Told as a historical account of events that had already happened

– Detailed descriptions of the Martians and their technology, including the iconic tripods

Orson Welles’ Broadcast:

– Presented as breaking news bulletins and live reports

– Relocated to New Jersey and New York, specifically starting in Grover’s Mill, NJ

– Broadcast as if happening in real-time

– Used familiar radio formats: news breaks, interviews, remote reporters, and “expert” commentary

The panic that followed has become legendary, though modern historians suggest it wasn’t as widespread as initially reported. Contemporary newspapers may have exaggerated the extent of the panic, though there were definitely some frightened listeners who called police stations or fled their homes.

What made the broadcast so convincing? Several factors:

1. The timing – 1938 was a tense period, with war looming in Europe and Americans increasingly anxious about foreign threats

2. The format – Breaking news bulletins were still a relatively new radio technique, recently used to cover the Munich Crisis

3. The talent – Welles and his Mercury Theatre team were masters of radio drama, making the performances incredibly realistic

4. Channel surfing – Many listeners tuned in late, missing the introduction, as they were switching over from a popular program on another network (Edgar Bergen’s Chase and Sanborn Hour)

One fascinating detail: the broadcast actually stayed remarkably true to Wells’ original story in terms of the Martians’ capabilities and eventual defeat (by Earth’s microorganisms). The main changes were the setting and the storytelling method.

If you want to experience this landmark moment in radio history for yourself, the War of the Worlds broadcast is now in the public domain and widely available online through various archives. It remains a powerful example of radio’s influence—even when you know it’s fiction. To make it easy, I’ve embedded a YouTube version right here on this page. It runs just under an hour and is worth every minute.

The broadcast launched Orson Welles to national fame, leading directly to his opportunity to make “Citizen Kane” – widely considered one of the greatest films ever made. Not bad for a Halloween eve radio show!

Wondering if the broadcast stayed true to the book? See how it stacks up to our True Adaptation Checklist.

If you want even more details about this broadcast and the ensuing public reaction, check out this great article on wikiwand!