War of the Worlds: 1938 Radio Broadcast

Unrated (1938) 59 mins, Audio
War of the Worlds, the 1938 radio broadcast directed and narrated by Orson Welles.

We're kicking off the "Universe of Stories" Adult Summer Reading Program with the original 1938 radio broadcast of War of the Worlds, as delivered by Orson Welles. There will be a brief historical lecture by librarian Doug Swiszcz before the broadcast, and a discussion afterwards. 

"On the evening of Sunday, October 30, 1938, a young Orson Welles directed and narrated a radio adaption of H. G. Wells’ novel, “The War of the Worlds” for his radio series “The Mercury Theatre on the Air.”

Published in 1898, Wells’ science-fiction work depicts an alien invasion of southern England by Martians. The radio dramatization told a similar tale in a series of news bulletins and eyewitness accounts that added to the story’s realism. Despite repeated warnings about the fictional nature of the broadcast, some listeners believed that a small town in New Jersey was in the midst of an alien invasion. The legend goes that the misunderstanding led to mass panic." from a Library of Congress news article (10/31/16)

Free and open to all
Due to some intense sequences, it's not recommended for ages 5 and under. 

Event Location: 
Salem Family Auditorium (Second Floor)
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