This radio play, based on author H.G. Wells’ “War of the Worlds” novel, has stood the test of time. We are presented with a gripping tale of alien invasion by a seemingly unstoppable force that brings the Earth to its knees but not before a wholly unexpected ally assists us in eluding planetwide destruction.
Based loosely on Wells’ classic science fiction novel, upstart talent, Orson Welles and his Mercury Theater production cast of radio and ultimately theater and film performers, craft a masterful adaptation of the story. America is the spot of a succession of meteorite impacts across the country which house metallic vessels hiding Martians. Not only are the Martians intent on dominating our planet and its resources but they have a penchant for human flesh as well. Not a pleasant prospect for the average Earthling.
This is a well-paced and cleverly designed radio program that initially masquerades as being a typical evening in front of the radio (These were the days before television and computers and when the mind’s eye was actively utilized to visually interpret the words coming out of the radio’s speaker.): Dance band music is interrupted by increasingly intense news broadcasts and the interjected opinions and reporting from experts who are analyzing what the whole invasion thing means and if the Human Race stands a chance of survival.
Very vital and well structured, this is one of the best radio plays in my mind. Not only that, but this production caused quite a stir with late tuners-in of the broadcast back in 1938. An actual panic ensued in certain populations of listeners who actually believed the radio drama was truly happening! What better endorsement to the authenticity and melding of fantasy radio play, gritty news programming, and outrageous showmanship. Hollywood was soon to open its doors wide to welcome Orson Welles’ creative vision and bless him to bestow his magic on Tinseltown. He managed to pull off another legendary artistic masterwork with film “Citizen Kane” but after that, the door slammed shut on his theatrical nose.
