Friday, October 30, 2009

"Orson Welles' Original War of the Worlds Broadcast Returns"

Per FirstShowing.net:

With our society's extensive use of the internet, viral marketing has become an invaluable tool for movie marketing. In recent years I think it's safe to say The Dark Knight is the reigning champion for best viral marketing campaign which inspired activity from people all over the world. However, the greatest publicity stunt ever achieved goes all the way back to 1938, when Orson Welles' radio broadcast of H.G. Wells novel War of the Worlds created unparalleled panic and fear of a real alien invasion. Now, exactly 71 years later, the broadcast will return as a live stream brought to you by the upcoming film Me and Orson Wells.

The original broadcast aired as an episode of the American radio drama anthology series Mercury Theatre on the Air as part of their Halloween show. The first two thirds of the 60-minute broadcast were presented as a series of simulated news bulletins, which suggested to many listeners that an actual Martian invasion was in progress. Adding to the illusion of an invasion was that the program was a "sustaining show" which means it ran without commercial breaks, and thus created a certain amount of urgency and realism. Though many people were scared, there is still dissension amongst historians as to exactly how much panic and chaos resulted from the broadcast.

You can hear the original broadcast in its entirety right here or at waroftheworldstribute.com exactly 71 years later, to the minute, on Friday, October 30th at 8pm EST.
In 2 hours, go to the site and check it out. I've heard the broadcast a couple of times. It's fantastic.

2 comments:

kgmadman said...

Radiolab did a live episode about the War of the Worlds broadcast that was incredible:

http://www.wnyc.org/shows/radiolab/episodes/2008/03/07

Why it worked, how it worked, and people who have tried (successfully) to do it again. I highly recommend it. Their show is like This American Life for weird science.

Scott said...

Thanks, kgmadman. Have to check that out.