RUSC MAILING

Written by Ned Norris

This Halloween, I have something very special for you on RUSC. On 30 October 1938, Orson Welles and the Mercury Theatre on the Air presented The War of the Worlds, a radio drama that would become one of the most famous broadcasts in radio history. Reports of a Martian invasion sounded so convincing that, by the following morning, the story had made headlines across America.

But how much of the story about mass panic was true?

To mark the 88th anniversary of the broadcast, I’m delighted to introduce The RUSC Guide to The War of the Worlds, a new twelve-chapter series available exclusively to RUSC members from Friday, 30 October.

Over approximately three hours and fifteen minutes, we’ll explore how the broadcast came together, from Howard Koch’s six days of scriptwriting to the unforgettable performances and sound effects that brought the Martian invasion to life. You’ll hear clips from the original 1938 recording and discover what really happened that night, how newspapers helped shape the story, and how a remarkable piece of radio drama grew into a lasting legend.

Did millions of listeners really believe the Martians had landed? What happened behind the scenes at CBS? And why does this broadcast continue to fascinate us nearly nine decades later? The series explores these questions and much more.

So, as Halloween approaches, why not settle back and join me for a fascinating journey into the golden age of radio? Whether you know the original broadcast well or are discovering its story for the first time, there’s plenty to uncover.

The RUSC Guide to The War of the Worlds will be available from 30 October, exclusively for RUSC members.

So check in at RUSC.COM and discover the true story behind the night the Martians supposedly landed.

Happy listening,

RUSC Old Time Radio
www.rusc.com

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