On this day in 1938 Orson Welles and the Mercury Theater thru our country into a panic because of a live radio play based on a novel by H.G. Wells called WAR OF THE WORLDS.
I assume most people have heard the broadcast and although it doesn't have the power it did back in 1938, it's still a very good broadcast and extremely well done.
Welles was only 23 when he updated the story to modern times and did the radio play. The main panic was caused by those who tuned in late and actually thought they were hearing a Martian invasion.
Radio back in 1938 was the main form of mass communication and the world was much different than it is today. However, it does draw some frightening parallels to today. We have tins of fake news circulating everyday and most people tend to believe that as well, so I ask, Have things really changed that much?
I listen to the broadcast every October 30th and it still shines as a monument to how powerful radio was. If you haven't heard it, give it a listen. Welles was worried that the show would ruin his career, but instead he was invited to Hollywood and three years later he made CITIZEN KANE.
No comments:
Post a Comment