The Broadcast That Terrified A Nation - Inside A Mind

Summary

This video explores the infamous 1938 'War of the Worlds' radio broadcast by Orson Welles, which simulated an alien invasion causing panic. It delves into Welles' background, the creation of the Mercury Theatre on the Air, and the controversial aftermath, questioning the extent of the public's reaction and media exaggeration.

Takeaways

• 🎬 The 'War of the Worlds' radio broadcast by Orson Welles and the Mercury Theatre on October 30, 1938, is considered one of the most significant events in broadcasting history.
• 🌟 Orson Welles, born on May 6, 1915, was a passionate performer and radio enthusiast who started his career at the Gate Theatre in Dublin at the age of 16.
• 📻 Welles' success with the Mercury Theatre led to CBS offering him his own radio show, 'The Mercury Theatre on the Air,' which aired weekly adaptations of historical literature.
• 🔄 The original script for the first episode was 'Treasure Island,' but Welles changed it to 'Dracula' shortly before the premiere, which was well-received by audiences and critics.
• 👽 For the 'War of the Worlds' episode, Welles aimed to create the illusion of a real alien invasion by using news bulletins and eyewitness accounts to make the story believable.
• 📡 The first read-through of 'War of the Worlds' was deemed dull and lacked urgency, leading to significant script restructuring to add more realism and pace.
• 🎵 The broadcast began with 40 minutes of music interrupted by news bulletins, simulating the common practice of breaking news during radio programming in the 1930s.
• 🚨 The 'War of the Worlds' broadcast reportedly caused widespread panic, with people leaving their homes, forming mobs in the streets, and even taking their own lives, although these claims have been disputed.
• 📰 The media, particularly newspapers, may have exaggerated the panic caused by the broadcast to discredit radio as a news source and regain their audience.
• 📈 Despite the controversy, the 'War of the Worlds' broadcast is remembered for its impact on the public and its role in shaping the perception of radio as a powerful medium.

Q & A

Who was Orson Welles and what was his role in the War of the Worlds broadcast?

Orson Welles was a prominent actor, writer, and director born on May 6, 1915. He was the mastermind behind the Mercury Theatre on the Air and the director of the War of the Worlds radio broadcast.

What was the Mercury Theatre on the Air?

The Mercury Theatre on the Air was a radio series created by Orson Welles, known for adapting historical pieces of literature into hour-long live broadcasts. It first aired in the summer of 1938 on CBS.

What was the original reaction to the War of the Worlds broadcast?

The original reaction was reported to be widespread panic, with people believing that an actual alien invasion was happening. Newspapers claimed that people were forming mobs, calling the police, and even committing suicide.

How did the broadcast of War of the Worlds create such a realistic portrayal of an alien invasion?

Orson Welles used a series of news bulletins, eyewitness accounts, and realistic sound effects to create a sense of urgency and authenticity. The broadcast was designed to mimic the format of real news interruptions.

Was the widespread panic caused by the War of the Worlds broadcast as extensive as reported?

Later studies suggested that the panic was greatly exaggerated. Research indicated that the actual number of listeners was much lower than reported, and the level of panic was not as widespread as initially claimed.

What was the media's role in exaggerating the panic caused by the broadcast?

The newspapers, which saw radio as a competitor, had a vested interest in portraying radio negatively. They exaggerated the panic to discredit radio as a reliable source of news and to drive audiences back to print media.

How did Orson Welles respond to the backlash from the War of the Worlds broadcast?

Publicly, Orson Welles was very apologetic, expressing shock at the reaction. However, privately, those who worked with him noted that he seemed to enjoy the attention and recognized the broadcast's historical significance.

What methods did Orson Welles and his team use to improve the authenticity of the broadcast after the first read-through?

They added more realistic news bulletins, increased the number of eyewitness accounts, and made dialogue more natural. They also drew inspiration from real-life disaster reports, like the Hindenburg disaster, to enhance the performances.

What impact did the War of the Worlds broadcast have on Orson Welles' career?

The broadcast significantly raised Orson Welles' profile, marking him as a talented and innovative figure in entertainment. Despite the controversy, it cemented his reputation and paved the way for future successes.

What evidence exists to suggest that the actual number of listeners to the War of the Worlds broadcast was lower than initially reported?

The C.E. Hooper rating service, which was conducting research on the night of the broadcast, found that less than 2% of 5,000 surveyed homes were listening to the War of the Worlds, with no mentions of an alien invasion.