DBWI: Welles' Halloween broadcast

The Vulture

Banned
With Halloween coming up, anyone remember the famous 1938 Halloween broadcast from Mercury Theatre, Orson Welles in particular? I'm surprised CBS let them do something so topical.

In hindsight, it's hard to believe how much panic there was. We know Japan and Germany couldn't have invaded the continental United States. But, at the time, people had very real concerns about an Axis invasion like the one portrayed in the show.

Besides, it's just so well-written. The "news broadcasts" are just fantastic. With scenes like the battle for San Francisco against the Japanese and the Germans' use of gas on New York, it's not hard to see how people who thought it was a news flash to run for the hills like they did.

Any plans for a rebroadcast in your area?
 
Yeah, that's one of the reasons people believed that that meteorite landing in California in 1953 was a hoax. Always did wonder why that nearby town burn down shortly after...

Anyway, I hear they may as well broadcast it. Nobody's going to take it in this day and age.
 
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