Martian Attack Radio Broadcast . Orson Wells . H.G.Wells October 31 1938 B50 For Sale

The first half of the program was deliveredin a realistic \"breaking news\" format. Since theMercuryTheatre on the Airhad few commercial interruptions, the first breakcame after fictional reporters had described a devastating alien invasion andthe fall of New York City. This apparently caused some confusion and fear amongits listeners, though the scale of the panic is disputed.[1]Popularlegend holds that some of the radio audience may have been listening to themuch more highly rated showThe Chase andSanborn HourwithEdgar Bergenon NBC and switched to \"The War of theWorlds\" during a musical interlude, thereby missing Welles\'s introductionof his show as a work of science fiction. However, modern research suggeststhat this happened only in rare instances.[

Officials with CBS became aware of thepublic\'s growing reaction while the show was still being performed live, andthough there was some pressure to stop the production, it continued to itsplanned conclusion. There was widespread media outrage in the hours and daysthat followed. The program\'s news-bulletin format was described as deceptive bysome newspapers and public figures, leading to an outcry against thebroadcasters and calls for regulation by the FCC.

Welles apologized at a hastily called newsconference the next morning, and no punitive action was taken. The broadcastand subsequent publicity brought the 23-year-old Welles to the attention of thegeneral public and gave him the reputation of an innovative storyteller and\"trickster\".