the 1938 radio broadcast of
photo of album cover by Styrous®
Orson Welles was born one hundred years ago today on May 6, 1915, in Kenosha, Wisconsin. He
began his career in the theater and his stage manner of acting
in his films gave him a hammy style by today's standards but I consider him a
brilliant director; his filmography is astounding (link below).
Orson Welles on March 1, 1937 (age 21)
photo by Carl Van Vechten
(click on any image to enlarge)
His most famous (notorious) oeuvre was on October 30, 1938, when Orson Welles and his Mercury Theatre actors terrified the nation with their broadcast on CBS of a dramatization of the H. G. Wells 1898 novel, The War of the Worlds.
It was the most infamous radio broadcasts of all time; delivered as a news bulletin, it sent thousands of people into a panic. By today's standard of lightning-fast communication and multiple sources of information it may seem impossible such a thing can happen but it was a simpler time and such an event really did take place (link below to the broadcast on YouTube).
The first two thirds of the one-hour broadcast were presented as a series of simulated news bulletins, which suggested an actual alien invasion by Martians was currently in progress. Compounding the issue was the fact that the Mercury Theatre on the Air was a sustaining show without commercial interruptions, adding to the program's realism. Much of the radio audience was listening to Edgar Bergen and only tuned in to "The War of the Worlds" during a musical interlude, thereby missing the introduction that proved the show was a drama.
After the broadcast, Welles met with reporters in an effort to explain that no one connected with the War of the Worlds radio broadcast had any idea the show would cause panic.
Headline for The New York Times, Oct 31, 1938
Orson Welles, October 30, 1938
CBS radio broadcast
Associated Press photo
Orson Welles & cast, October 30, 1938
CBS radio broadcast
Associated Press photo
It was the most infamous radio broadcasts of all time; delivered as a news bulletin, it sent thousands of people into a panic. By today's standard of lightning-fast communication and multiple sources of information it may seem impossible such a thing can happen but it was a simpler time and such an event really did take place (link below to the broadcast on YouTube).
The first two thirds of the one-hour broadcast were presented as a series of simulated news bulletins, which suggested an actual alien invasion by Martians was currently in progress. Compounding the issue was the fact that the Mercury Theatre on the Air was a sustaining show without commercial interruptions, adding to the program's realism. Much of the radio audience was listening to Edgar Bergen and only tuned in to "The War of the Worlds" during a musical interlude, thereby missing the introduction that proved the show was a drama.
After the broadcast, Welles met with reporters in an effort to explain that no one connected with the War of the Worlds radio broadcast had any idea the show would cause panic.
Welles with reporters
13 December 1938
Acme News Photos
Prints & Photographs
Division,
[reproduction number, e.g., LC-USZ62-123456]
Headline for The New York Times, Oct 31, 1938
Editorial cartoon by Les Callan (1905–1986),
reprinted from The Toronto Star in Radio Digest (February 1939)
Orson Welles actually met H.G. Wells in San Antonio, Texas, on October 28, 1940, two years after his notorious radio broadcast. Local radio station KTSA recorded the conversation. That conversation can be heard on YouTube (link below).
Orson Welles, left, and H.G. Wells, right, Nov. 30, 1940
The Grover's Mill, New Jersey, landing site is marked by a monument at the current day Van Nest Park in West Windsor Township, New Jersey.
Grover's Mill landing site monument
Van Nest Park
photo by ZeWrestler
Title page of the original typescript for The War of the Worlds,
used in the actual broadcast and featured on the front cover of the
catalog for Sotheby's auction of Fine Books, Manuscripts and Original
Drawings, dated December 14, 1988.
Wednesday, December 14, 1988
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About Orson Welles
Welles first film was Citizen Kane (1941), which he co-wrote, produced, directed, and starred in as Charles Foster Kane; now, that's impressive. He was an outsider to the studio system and directed only 13 full-length films in his career. Because of this, he struggled for creative control from the major film studios, and his films were either heavily edited or remained unreleased. His distinctive directorial style featured layered and nonlinear narrative forms, innovative uses of lighting such as chiaroscuro, unusual camera angles, sound techniques borrowed from radio, deep focus shots, and long takes.
On September 15, 1926, he entered the Todd Seminary for Boys in Woodstock, Illinois. At Todd School, Welles came under the influence of Roger Hill, a teacher
who was later Todd's headmaster. Hill provided Welles with an ad hoc
educational environment that proved invaluable to his creative
experience, allowing Welles to concentrate on subjects that interested
him. Welles performed and staged theatrical experiments and productions
there.
Welles had a troubled and difficult childhood.
"In some ways, he was never really a young boy, you know," said Roger
Hill, who became a lifelong friend.
His most famous film was his first one, Citizen Kane (1941). This was followed by The Magnificent Ambersons in 1942 and Touch of Evil in 1958. He directed The Lady from Shanghai (1947) and Chimes at Midnight (1966); Shanghai starred his ex-wife, Rita Hayworth.
His most famous film was his first one, Citizen Kane (1941). This was followed by The Magnificent Ambersons in 1942 and Touch of Evil in 1958. He directed The Lady from Shanghai (1947) and Chimes at Midnight (1966); Shanghai starred his ex-wife, Rita Hayworth.
On the evening of October 9, 1985, Welles recorded his final interview on the syndicated TV program, The Merv Griffin Show,
appearing with biographer Barbara Leaming. "Both Welles and Leaming
talked of Welles's life and the segment was a nostalgic interlude,"
wrote biographer Frank Brady. Welles returned to his house in Hollywood
and worked into the early hours typing stage directions for the project
he and Gary Graver were planning to shoot at UCLA the following day.
Welles died sometime on the morning of October 10, following a heart
attack. He was found by his chauffeur at around 10 a.m.
"We're born alone, we live alone, we die alone. Only through our love and friendship can we create the illusion for the moment that we're not alone."
"We're born alone, we live alone, we die alone. Only through our love and friendship can we create the illusion for the moment that we're not alone."
- Orson Welles
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The album
The War of the Worlds vinyl LP recording
the 1938 radio broadcast of
detail photo by Styrous®
The War of the Worlds vinyl LP recording
the 1938 radio broadcast of
photo of album back cover by Styrous®
The album design is a gatefold format. A gatefold cover, when folded, is the same size as a standard LP cover
(i.e. a 12½ inch, or 32.7 centimetre, square). The larger gatefold cover
provided a means of including artwork, liner notes, and/or song lyrics which would otherwise not have fit on a standard record cover. It is a Duophonic processing of a monaural recording.
The War of the Worlds vinyl LP recording
gatefold album open (front & back)
photo of album by Styrous®
The War of the Worlds vinyl LP recording
gatefold album open (interior)photo of album by Styrous®
The War of the Worlds vinyl LP recording
album interior detail
detail photo by Styrous®
The War of the Worlds vinyl LP
photo by Styrous®
The War of the Worlds vinyl LP label detail
detail photo by Styrous®Tracklist:
| A | War Of The Worlds (Part 1) | 13:18 |
| B | War Of The Worlds (Part 2) | 15:55 |
| C | War Of The Worlds (Part 3) | 14:06 |
| D | War Of The Worlds (Part 4) | 14:17 |
Credits
- Effects – Ora Nichols
- Executive-Producer – John Houseman
- Music By – Bernard Herrmann
- Script By, Liner Notes – Howard Koch
- Voice Actor [Brigadier General Montgomery Smith, Langham Field Operator, Voice Of Newark] – Richard Wilson
- Voice Actor [Captain Lansing, Secretary Of The Interior, Bayonne Radio Operator, Policeman] – Kenny Delmar
- Voice Actor [Carl Phillips, Operator 2x2l] – Frank Readick
- Voice Actor [Meridian Room Announcer, Gunner] – William Alland
- Voice Actor [New York Weather Announcer, Studio Announcer No. 3], Directed By – Paul Stewart (15)
- Voice Actor [Observer] – Stefan Schnabel
- Voice Actor [Operator 8x3r] – William Herz
- Voice Actor [Professor Richard Pierson], Directed By – Orson Welles
- Voice Actor [Studio Announcer No. 2, Stranger] – Carl Frank
- Voice Actor [Wilmuth, Harry Mcdonald, Rooftop Announcer] – Ray Collins (2)
Label: Evolution (3) – 4001,
Stereo Dimension Records – 4001
Country: US
Released: 1969
Genre: Non-Music
Style: Radioplay
Released by arrangement with Manheim Fox Enterprises, Inc.
This album has been rechanneled to simulate stereo.
This album has been rechanneled to simulate stereo.
Net links:
H.G. Wells and Orson Welles Radio KTSA interview on YouTube
The War Of The Worlds on Film
The War of the Worlds ~ Jerzy Maksymiuk & Józef Skrzek
Orson Wells Filmography
Orson Wells in the theater
Articles on Orson Welles:
Rethinking Oson Welles: Wall Street Journal
How Orson Welles’ narcissism sabotaged his career: New York Post
He was bigger than life!
Happy birthday, Mr. Welles, Orson, that is!
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I
started the Vinyl LPs series because I have a collection of over 20,000 vinyl vinyl LP albums I am
selling; each blog entry is about an album from my collection. Inquire
for information here.
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