"The War of The Worlds" - Orson Welles and The Mercury Theatre on the Air: October 30th, 1938

"The War of The Worlds," as originally heard on CBS' "Mercury Theatre On The Air," October 30th, 1938. The broadcast originated at 8 pm EST on Sunday, October 30, 1938 from CBS' Studio One on the 20th floor of 485 Madison Avenue, New York, NY.
Unlike most copies available on KZbin, this is truly the 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘵𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘶𝘯𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘥 broadcast, taken from 1st generation dubs of the original CBS 16" lacquer discs (as well as other sources.)
Remastered for KZbin: October 2020. Happy Halloween!
Further reading:
leeclarke.com/courses/disaste...
www.smithsonianmag.com/histor...
jeff560.tripod.com/wotw.html
randsesotericotr.podbean.com/...

[@Jason1920]

This is not meant to be a "restoration," so there are _many_ artifacts left behind, and you can clearly tell when I switch sources (four of which were used for this version.) Having said that, I just wanted there to be a _complete_ version available for all to hear. This version contains small things that are left out of all other versions: single lines and words cut due to damage in previous copies, lines of dialogue lost to a side change during dubbing, the silence for affiliate station breaks. This version includes them all, just as it was broadcast in 1938.

[@jeenkzk5919]

Considering it was broadcast through AM radio I’d say it sounds great! I had a chance to hear it on AM a couple of years ago on an AM easy listening station here in DFW. It’s a great experience

[@justjackiehealy]

This is the absolute best version I have ever heard. Thank you Jason. I started listening to this radio program every Halloween night about 45 years ago on a radio station out of NJ I think who played old radio broadcasts. My Dad was a great radio program aficionado. He grew up in the late 1920s into the '30s and '40s when all they had was radio. Some of my favorite memories are he and I listening to The Shadow, Green Hornet, Mercury Theatre etc. Orson Welles was always a favorite of ours. Thank you again Jason for this lovely evening of memories of Halloweens past.

[@Jason1920]

@@justjackiehealy _This comment._ This comment is why I did this "restoration." I wanted to hear it in the best possible way, just like you. Glad I could give you a 'lil bit 'o happiness, and... thanks for listening! Also... search for Rich Conaty's "The Big Broadcast" show that originated from WFUV. There are many airchecks on KZbin, and I think it'd be right up your alley!

[@robertszvetics210]

THE BEST VERSION EVER.

[@Jason1920]

@@robertszvetics210 Thank you. I worked hard on this one... and I appreciate your comment. More than you'll ever know. Share it far and wide.

[@spencersmith2798]

My high school English teacher, Betty Lee, shared with our sophomore English class a story from when she was 5 years old and living with her family in Atlanta, GA...she recalled the panic and fear that gripped Atlanta that night...apparently thousands tuned in to CBS and unknowingly joined a radio play, “War of the Worlds”, in progress. Mrs. Lee told the story in such a convincing way that it has stayed with me for nearly 50 years.

[@robertszvetics210]

This is the best version of the broadcast.

[@JosephRGrych]

A Halloween tradition - thank you!

[@jamesallen327]

Excellent! Full version! Thank you!

[@rareblues78daddy]

You outdid yourself on this one. Best version I've ever heard.

[@mrnavy2]

I think there was a black n white movie done with Wells walking in to Start the Broadcast. It shows him walking into the Radio Station and even saying hello to the Guard at the door. Wish I knew the name of it.

[@rareblues78daddy]

You're thinking of the "made for TV movie" that portrays the events of that evening, not an actual film of the event. It's called "The Night That Panicked America." Aired on ABC in 1975. It _is_ available here on KZbin. You're welcome.

[@longhaul3586]

Well Done!

[@NickV-ez4be]

This radio play is almost a hundred years old, but it's still scary as if it's happening now. Good job guys (though you're probably not alive anymore)

[@dlausactor6373]

The birth of unfiction and analog horror, right here. The Blair Witch Project, The 15 Experience, Marble Hornets, EverymanHYBRID, BEN Drowned, Local58, and countless other analog horror and unfiction projects that demolish the fourth wall took direct inspiration from this broadcast.