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00:00:01The program you're about to see is a recreation of the War of the Worlds panic
00:00:05broadcast of 1938. It is based on fact. All interruptions for news bulletins are
00:00:11simulated, and certain names, characters, and incidents are changed in the interests
00:00:16of dramatization. In the late years of the 1930s, we were witness to our world
00:00:24gripped in the first agonies of invasion and war. No section of the earth seemed
00:00:31free from these terrors, or from the nightmares of what was to come. Nightmares
00:00:37that for the first time were brought vividly into every home by the force of
00:00:42a new medium, radio.
00:00:54I can see them now.
00:00:56Maybe?
00:00:57Three but two of the captains in the history of the war.
00:01:01The train is coming out.
00:01:03Going past the sea-file fence in front of the war.
00:01:06Deep line, Germany. Chancellor Eddorf and his troops are at this moment,
00:01:10marching into Wall Street.
00:01:12The national security is coming.
00:01:15What is that scene?
00:01:17It is a tight-east tight-blocks.
00:01:19The record of the target is there.
00:01:21And America listened to the distant thunder brought by this medium, wanting
00:01:42desperately to believe that they were secure from the lightning that was to come.
00:01:46It is October 30th, 1938, 623 Eastern Standard Time.
00:01:53An invasion is being planned by a small group, and this man is part of it.
00:01:59Not the invasion one might expect, but an unwitting invasion of the mind that will send
00:02:05a panicked nation fleeing out into the streets.
00:02:07In exactly one hour and 37 minutes, the nightmare will begin.
00:02:14A fitting night has been picked.
00:02:16It is Halloween Eve.
00:02:18We're late. The world's late.
00:02:20Yeah.
00:02:21What's the vignette?
00:02:22Say it to yourself.
00:02:24What's the show tonight?
00:02:26Our version of War of the Worlds.
00:02:28War.
00:02:29H.G. Wells.
00:02:30Ain't there enough war on the radio as it is?
00:02:33Now, this is a different kind of war.
00:02:34Different. How different.
00:02:36Either got Germans, Japanese, or Italians.
00:02:38We're different.
00:02:39We got Martians.
00:02:40We got Martians.
00:02:41How haunting we will go.
00:02:50How haunting we will go.
00:02:53Now to those thrilling days of yesteryear.
00:02:56Out of the back come the thundering hopebeats of the great horse Silver.
00:02:59Today.
00:03:00All over Europe.
00:03:01All over Germany.
00:03:02Hitler Moon.
00:03:03The plumb.
00:03:04Oh no.
00:03:05The underworld has.
00:03:06The shadow.
00:03:07Never seen on the earth.
00:03:08The strong.
00:03:09The strong.
00:03:10The strong.
00:03:11The strong.
00:03:12The strong.
00:03:13The strong.
00:03:14Well there's good news tonight.
00:03:16Washington D.C.
00:03:20I wonder how many of these kids like that.
00:03:23There's no party in here.
00:03:24There's no party.
00:03:25No party.
00:03:26Uh huh.
00:03:27Aren't you going to do anything for a little itsy-bitsy challenge?
00:03:31Are this Halloween?
00:03:32I may tell you a ghost story?
00:03:34A ghost.
00:03:35Here.
00:03:36Do you think you're going to-
00:03:37What?
00:03:38What is Washington doing about call prevention?
00:03:44Oh my god it's crashing.
00:03:46Oh this is the worst catastrophe in the world.
00:03:49The flames are 500 feet in the sky.
00:03:51It's smoke and flames now.
00:03:53Or the humanity.
00:03:54Those passengers.
00:03:55I can't talk ladies and gentlemen.
00:03:58Oh this-
00:03:59There's a mass of smoke.
00:04:00Correct me.
00:04:01Lady I'm sorry.
00:04:02Honestly.
00:04:03I-I can hardly.
00:04:04I'm going to step inside where I can't see it.
00:04:06Charlie this is terrible.
00:04:08Listen.
00:04:09I'm going to have to stop for a minute.
00:04:10Can you burn a crash?
00:04:13That's incredible.
00:04:14He never had an inkling he was going to crash.
00:04:17You know what he's doing when he goes off the air for 15 seconds?
00:04:20Showing up.
00:04:21You're not going to do that on the air are you?
00:04:23Orson wants reality.
00:04:24Well it's not that much.
00:04:25Monsters from Mars are burning up hundreds of people right in front of his mic.
00:04:29What would you do?
00:04:34It's bursting into flames.
00:04:36This is terrible.
00:04:37This is one of the worst catastrophes in the world.
00:04:39The flames are 100 feet in the sky.
00:04:41It's smoke and flames.
00:04:43Or the humanity.
00:04:44Those passengers.
00:04:45I can't talk.
00:04:49Hey Paul.
00:04:50Hello Norm.
00:04:51How are you?
00:04:52Listen about the...
00:04:53Hey Paul.
00:04:54I've got to talk to you for a minute.
00:04:55Do we have to run like this?
00:04:56Well every minute counts Norm.
00:04:58We're less than two hours to air time.
00:04:59What's up?
00:05:00You know darn well what's up.
00:05:01It's these last minute changes.
00:05:02Now why do we have to go through this every week?
00:05:05Now why should this week be different from every other one?
00:05:07Well...
00:05:08What do you want me to tell them?
00:05:09Well in the first place...
00:05:10Excuse us please.
00:05:11Wait a second.
00:05:12In the first place you can't say the Biltmore Hotel.
00:05:14Okay it's out.
00:05:15Yeah in the second place no Columbia Broadcasting Building.
00:05:18I suggest just Broadcasting Building.
00:05:20Broadcasting Building it is.
00:05:21Now there's one other thing now.
00:05:22We have...
00:05:23Oh yes.
00:05:24For Pete's sake Paul.
00:05:25No Roosevelt.
00:05:28No Roosevelt?
00:05:29Why?
00:05:30You ought to be able to figure out why.
00:05:32Just think for a minute.
00:05:33Don't you guys ever think around here?
00:05:34I mean no Roosevelt.
00:05:36You can use some other high government mucky muck but no Roosevelt.
00:05:40Now come on Paul.
00:05:41It's not the end of the world.
00:05:42Is that some kind of joke?
00:05:43Oh no why do you get so upset?
00:05:45Why do you have to get so upset?
00:05:46Well why do you get upset?
00:05:47Because we've got an actor who does a great Roosevelt.
00:05:49That's why he's gonna hit the ceiling.
00:05:50Yeah well I'm sorry but that's the way it's gotta be.
00:05:53Listen.
00:05:54Paul.
00:05:55Paul I need you to listen to something please.
00:05:56Just a second.
00:05:57Come on in.
00:05:58Anything else?
00:05:59No.
00:06:00Nothing as far as continuity acceptance is concerned.
00:06:01Okay listen.
00:06:02But there is some concern from programming.
00:06:04Programming right.
00:06:10They feel that given the Charlie McCarthy competition...
00:06:12Great.
00:06:13What about the Martian cylinder?
00:06:14What?
00:06:15The Martian cylinder.
00:06:16Oh don't look.
00:06:17Something more dramatic.
00:06:18I don't want you to be prejudiced.
00:06:19Just turn around.
00:06:20Norman you two come on turn around over here.
00:06:21More dramatic than a weather reported dance band playing.
00:06:23Norman.
00:06:24Norman.
00:06:25One minute please.
00:06:26Just listen.
00:06:29What do you think?
00:06:32Sounds like you're trying to open a pickle jar.
00:06:34What is it?
00:06:35Paul.
00:06:36What do you want from me?
00:06:37I can't visualize what a Martian cylinder sounds like.
00:06:38Come on.
00:06:39No.
00:06:40No.
00:06:41No.
00:06:42It's gotta be terrifying.
00:06:43It's gotta be huge.
00:06:44Ponderous.
00:06:45I mean it hasn't opened in a million light years.
00:06:46Hey what about the prison effects from the counter-monic crystal?
00:06:48Now that worked very well.
00:06:49Oh come on.
00:06:50Not the toilet again.
00:06:51It worked.
00:06:52Didn't it?
00:06:53Now Tony.
00:06:54Tony.
00:06:55You can do it.
00:06:56I guess I'm in the business but you can.
00:06:58Trust me.
00:06:59Use the toilet.
00:07:00Okay.
00:07:01You can use the toilet.
00:07:04Ted!
00:07:09They didn't buy it huh?
00:07:10Here.
00:07:11Run a wire to the men's room again.
00:07:17I just gotta explain it to him.
00:07:18I know that Orson strives for reality but he's gotta understand.
00:07:21Hmm?
00:07:22Is that Orson?
00:07:23I'll see you later.
00:07:24Relax Norman.
00:07:25It's only a rehearsal record.
00:07:26It's all right.
00:07:27I got a meeting I'm going to.
00:07:28Hi.
00:07:29Hi.
00:07:30How are the inserts coming?
00:07:31And slowly and surely threw their plans against us.
00:07:32Uh.
00:07:33It's Haggett with.
00:07:34In the 39th year of the 20th century came the great disillusion.
00:07:36And then uh blended in with the rest of the opening.
00:07:37All right.
00:07:38Now what's next?
00:07:39Uh let's see.
00:07:40Oh Orson wants to change the lens.
00:07:41Uh let's see.
00:07:42Oh Orson wants to change the lens.
00:07:43I don't know.
00:07:44I don't know.
00:07:45I don't know.
00:07:46I don't know.
00:07:47I don't know.
00:07:48I don't know.
00:07:49I don't know.
00:07:51It's the landing site of the first machine from Newark to some other small town.
00:07:54Oh Lord.
00:07:55That means changing the whole location of the combat zone in the first sequence.
00:07:58Legal department please.
00:07:59Well anyway.
00:08:00Newark is spared.
00:08:01Yeah.
00:08:02But I promised it to the Martians.
00:08:03Well.
00:08:04We'll do Newark in later.
00:08:05Did Norman get a clearance on the Park Plaza Hotel?
00:08:07Okay.
00:08:08Where then?
00:08:10Right.
00:08:11There.
00:08:12Wait a minute.
00:08:13I can't see what it says.
00:08:14Will you try to get clearance a little earlier please?
00:08:16Grover's Mill?
00:08:17Grover's Mill.
00:08:18I like that.
00:08:20Sounds real.
00:08:21Thanks.
00:08:22You got it.
00:08:23I have no idea how you did all this in six days.
00:08:25Orson said the world was created in six days.
00:08:27No reason it shouldn't take any longer than that to destroy it.
00:08:30And you're sitting on the Princeton Observatory.
00:08:32Right.
00:08:33Sorry.
00:08:34Hi.
00:08:35Grover's Mill, huh?
00:08:37I'm curious, Howard.
00:08:38How come you picked New Jersey in the first place?
00:08:40I got lost out there last weekend.
00:08:41They gave me the map of the gas station.
00:08:43I had the art department blow it up for me.
00:08:45Um, uh, what else?
00:08:47Oh, um, Hausman felt we could do better on the description of the Martian machine.
00:08:52It's on page 17.
00:08:53Yeah, yeah.
00:08:54It's the Army's captain.
00:08:55You should be tall.
00:08:56Just before they got him.
00:08:57You should be tall on metal legs.
00:09:00I wonder how they're gonna take all this.
00:09:01Sorry.
00:09:02I don't know.
00:09:03Every time I turn on the radio, I can't believe what's happening over there in Europe.
00:09:07However, back to the real world.
00:09:11The Martian machine seemed to be standing up on legs,
00:09:18rising out of the cylinder on a sort of metal framework,
00:09:23reaching above its feet.
00:09:26At 6.49 Eastern Standard Time,
00:09:33Walter Wingate was milking his cow just outside Grover's Mill, New Jersey.
00:09:37Acknowledging their response.
00:09:39There can be no doubt from this demonstration
00:09:42that the Italian people, at least here in law,
00:09:45are totally behind your two chains.
00:09:48If this is...
00:09:49There is a dog set.
00:09:50I'm finished in the middle of it.
00:09:52We take you direct to Berlin where a dog hit first.
00:09:55How many times I got to tell you,
00:09:58that's for the cows, not for the damn war news.
00:10:02There's gonna be a war.
00:10:04Anybody can see that.
00:10:06Oh, anybody can see that.
00:10:08Well, then how come we ain't in it?
00:10:10We will be.
00:10:12Any day now.
00:10:13In Canada right now, Americans are...
00:10:15Anybody any day now.
00:10:16All I know is we got a farm to run here.
00:10:19And you ain't in Canada.
00:10:21Anyhow.
00:10:22No.
00:10:24No.
00:10:25But I'm gonna be.
00:10:31You mean you're giving up your citizenship?
00:10:35If that's what it takes...
00:10:37If that's what...
00:10:38What is that supposed to mean?
00:10:41What are you in such an all-fired hurry to fight about?
00:10:44What do you want to get killed for?
00:10:45It's Hitler or us, Paul.
00:10:46Can't you ever see that?
00:10:47And he's not making any secret of it.
00:10:49I want my dinner.
00:10:50And I ain't making no secret of that.
00:10:56Every night we have the same dumb talk.
00:10:58Every night.
00:10:59Every night.
00:11:04You ain't of age yet.
00:11:05And you ain't giving up your citizenship till you are.
00:11:09Come and eat.
00:11:10.
00:11:207.01 Eastern Standard Time.
00:11:23Now!
00:11:24No! No! Try a bigger one! Try the biggest jar you've got!
00:11:41More reverb! Put it in lower!
00:11:58Yeah! The Martians have just landed.
00:12:09Newark, New Jersey. 7.15 Eastern Standard Time.
00:12:16Mark! Mary! Get up here!
00:12:20I said get up here!
00:12:23No, I didn't say that!
00:12:39They'll be up in a minute.
00:12:50It's not their fault.
00:12:54Sure.
00:13:01They're playing Halloween. They're just kids.
00:13:0728. 28!
00:13:10You look 40, don't tell me about kids.
00:13:14Will you at least wait till they're asleep?
00:13:20Everything for them. Right to the bitter end.
00:13:35I said get up here!
00:13:38My dad! You heard that!
00:13:40I've seen you so I need to get it!
00:13:42Give me your heart!
00:13:43No!
00:13:44Sheila, I love you, but I could have the blue chair this time, did you?
00:13:49No, I didn't say that was the chair that was the chair!
00:13:52I'm not!
00:13:53But you promised me the dog's dead!
00:13:55Oh, you shut up. Shut up once it's wrong.
00:14:02Mommy, remember the time you had to buy your milk candy, ma'am?
00:14:06Give him the chair, Sheila. Go in and wash your hands, will you?
00:14:09And don't use both those towels.
00:14:12Hank's supper's ready.
00:14:14My dad, you want to get it next time.
00:14:16She's never got it here.
00:14:18I would like you, but I could have a good job that's right here.
00:14:21I don't want to get it.
00:14:23What if I never gave you my roll of cake?
00:14:27That was fun, Sarah.
00:14:28No, no.
00:14:41Honey, go get a rag and I'll put the milk in.
00:14:53See, I just, I think maybe we should wait for a while.
00:14:58Yeah, but why? Why? Now, come on.
00:15:00We've already got the license and we got our blood tests and everything
00:15:03and now you're, out of the blue, you're telling me that you don't want to get married anymore?
00:15:07Oak Park, Illinois.
00:15:0826 minutes to wear time.
00:15:10I mean, I'm supposed to be at the dorm right now, studying for an exam.
00:15:14So please, please, tell me what's going on here.
00:15:19I mean, you know that there's a war just around a corner.
00:15:23Do you realize that?
00:15:24I mean, there'll be a conscription.
00:15:25I'll be called up problems.
00:15:27You couldn't possibly bring the war into our problems now.
00:15:30What?
00:15:30That's what problem.
00:15:33Why should we wait?
00:15:35She's not asking you to wait.
00:15:37She's asking you to call it off, dear David.
00:15:40Father.
00:15:41Oh, what?
00:15:42Stephen, uh, I guess that's not at all what I want, see.
00:15:45I just want to...
00:15:46You would be doing Stephen a favor if you were to tell him the real truth
00:15:50and stop beating about the foolish.
00:15:53Truth?
00:15:54What?
00:15:54What?
00:15:56Do me a favor?
00:15:57What?
00:15:57What?
00:15:58Why, what truth?
00:15:59The truth is, I will not give Linda permission to marry you.
00:16:03The reason is, you are a Catholic.
00:16:05Surely that's not an unnatural position to assume for a Protestant minister?
00:16:13As Linda is well aware.
00:16:17Linda.
00:16:20Linda.
00:16:21In the three years I've known you, I've never known you to go to church once.
00:16:24It doesn't make any difference.
00:16:24You can't explain anything to it.
00:16:26Linda, that is not the point.
00:16:29You're of age, you know.
00:16:30You're old enough to make your own views.
00:16:33Now, I just want to know, does it make any difference to you that I'm Catholic?
00:16:39It makes a difference to him!
00:16:41I'm not marrying him.
00:16:44Young man, I will not have my daughter marry a papist.
00:16:50Oh, wait, wait, wait, a papist?
00:16:54A papist?
00:16:55Who do you think you are, Martin Luther?
00:16:58The fact is, is that you just don't want to let your daughter go.
00:17:01That's what's at stake here.
00:17:02You don't want her to marry anyone, right?
00:17:04Linda, come in to supper.
00:17:05Now uphill, San Francisco.
00:17:23Stay tuned.
00:17:30In 15 minutes, it's Orson Welles and the Mercury Theater's own dramatization of H.G. Welles' War of the Worlds.
00:17:37Must we?
00:17:38I want to hear it.
00:17:39This is one of my favorite programs.
00:17:41Sure.
00:17:42Madeline's taking over the world, and you want to listen to fantasy.
00:17:45Mr. Matlock doesn't think he's mad.
00:17:46Mr. Matlock doesn't think he's mad.
00:17:48He doesn't think he's mad.
00:17:49He doesn't think he's mad before the gas.
00:17:50Shh! Quiet, quiet!
00:17:51You...
00:17:52Marvin Catwell in London, England.
00:17:54This is Marvin Catwell speaking to you directly from London, England.
00:18:00Neville Chamberlain, Britain's Prime Minister, is just about to begin a critical speech...
00:18:07Must we?
00:18:08Oh, I'm sorry, sir.
00:18:10I thought that perhaps since it was of world importance, some of the guests might be interested.
00:18:14To that?
00:18:15I think not.
00:18:16These people have heard enough of this wartime scare bugaboo during the day.
00:18:23They say, sir, there may be a final Hitler ultimatum from tonight's speech.
00:18:27Hitler ultimatum?
00:18:28Oh, it's absolutely ridiculous.
00:18:32These people understand that he simply wants living room for his people.
00:18:37That's all.
00:18:37He saved them from economic disaster, the Bolshevik threat.
00:18:44He's lifting them up by their bootstraps.
00:18:52It's 7.49, 11 minutes to air time.
00:18:57Good evening, Mr. Wells.
00:18:58Good evening, sir.
00:18:59How do you know what goes on out there?
00:19:07We go first class.
00:19:12They are revised cue shoots.
00:19:15Paul, I've been working on the boy...
00:19:28I understand, Clarence.
00:19:30I'm sorry.
00:19:30No, I really have it down good.
00:19:31I really have it.
00:19:32Here, why don't I do some of it for you?
00:19:34It's from the network.
00:19:36Norman says you cannot do Roosevelt.
00:19:38Well, it's an insult.
00:19:39That's what it is.
00:19:40I'll talk to Orson about it.
00:19:41We'll see what he has to say.
00:19:42The Secretary of Interior would be acceptable to continuity.
00:19:45The Secretary of the Interior?
00:19:47I don't know what he looks like, much less what he sounds like.
00:19:49No, no, I do Roosevelt.
00:19:51That's it.
00:19:54There's no way on this one, Orson.
00:19:55The Norman says he's given us all he's going to give us.
00:20:06It's all right?
00:20:08Uh, Secretary of the Interior.
00:20:10What does he sound like?
00:20:13Orson said he sounds like Roosevelt.
00:20:22I think we'll have a good one tonight.
00:20:23Looks like another big night for Charlie McCarthy.
00:20:27Please stand by.
00:20:28The Columbia Broadcasting System and its affiliated stations presents Orson Welles and the Mercury
00:20:52Theatre on the Air in a radio play by Howard Koch, suggested by the H.G. Wells novel, The War of the Worlds.
00:20:59Ladies and gentlemen, the director of the Mercury Theatre and star of these broadcasts, Orson Welles.
00:21:28We know now that in the early years of the 20th century, this world was being watched closely by intelligences greater than man's and yet as mortal as his own.
00:21:44We know now that as human beings busy themselves about their various concerns, they were scrutinized and studied, perhaps almost as narrowly as a man with a microscope might scrutinize the transient creatures that swarm and multiply in a drop of water.
00:22:02However, with infinite complacence, people went to and fro over the earth about their little affairs, serene in the assurance of their dominion over this small, spinning fragment of solar driftwood, which by chance or design, man has inherited out of the dark mystery of time and space.
00:22:22Yet across an immense ethereal gulf, minds that are to our minds as ours are to the beasts in the jungle, intellects vast, cool and unsympathetic, regarded this earth with envious eyes and slowly and surely drew their plans against us.
00:22:44In the 38th year of the 20th century came the great disillusionment. It was near the end of October. Business was better.
00:22:54More scale was over. More men went back at work. The sails were picking up.
00:23:00It's all right. Let me have some of that action and get through with me.
00:23:04There you go.
00:23:06What's in that machine that's got you so excited now, buddy, Joe?
00:23:08Ain't them candy, that's the door.
00:23:10More scale was over. More men went back at work. The sails were picking up.
00:23:14It's all right. Let me have some of that action and get through with me.
00:23:16There you go.
00:23:18You're gonna sulk all night on account of I won't let you go over there and fight Germans.
00:23:48More men were back at work. On this particular evening, October 30th, the Crossley service estimated that 32 million people were listening in on radios.
00:24:00...reported over Nova Scotia, causing a low-pressure area to move down rather rapidly over the northeastern states.
00:24:06...reported over Nova Scotia, causing a high-polling place.
00:24:12Stefan? Stefan? Stefan?
00:24:27Stefan?
00:24:30...causing a low pressure area to move down, bringing the forecast of rain accompanied by winds of light gale force.
00:24:42Maximum temperature 66, minimum 48.
00:24:45This weather report comes to you from the Government Weather Bureau.
00:24:49We now take you to the Meridian Room in the Hotel Park Plaza in downtown New York,
00:24:53where you'll be entertained by the music of Raymond Raquello at his orchestra.
00:25:00Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.
00:25:16From the Meridian Room in the Park Plaza in New York City, we bring you the music of Raymond Raquello and his orchestra.
00:25:22With a touch of the Spanish, Raymond Raquello leads off with La Paloma.
00:25:30I hate that music. I hate that music.
00:25:43Harrison, would you please buy something on the radio?
00:25:45Yes, ma'am.
00:25:46Oh, all this is awful.
00:25:47Kelly, really?
00:25:48Would you please get these out of my life now?
00:25:50Kelly.
00:25:51No, I mean it.
00:25:53I mean, this isn't the kind of music I'd recommend for a party. Don't you all agree?
00:25:55Oh, I love it. It's so awful. I absolutely love it.
00:26:05Come on, put those down and dance with me.
00:26:08Come on.
00:26:10Now.
00:26:10What the hell is she doing?
00:26:22Anyway, the girls were there for over a month, you know, and they said that at least the fascists made the trains run on fire.
00:26:30Kelly, what are you doing?
00:26:30Ladies and gentlemen, we interrupt our program of dance music to bring you a special bulletin from the Intercontinental Radio News.
00:26:3620 minutes before 8 central time, Professor Farrell of the Mount Jennings Observatory, Chicago, Illinois, reports observing several explosions of incandescent gas occurring at regular intervals on the planet Mars.
00:26:50Daddy, what's a little gas?
00:26:50The spectroscope indicates the gas to be hydrogen and moving toward the Earth with enormous velocity.
00:26:55Professor Pearson of the Observatory of Princeton confirms Farrell's observation and describes the phenomenon as, quote, like a jet of blue flame shot from a gun, unquote.
00:27:05We now return you to the music of Ramon Ragnano, playing for you in the meridian room of the Park Plaza Hotel, situated in downtown New York.
00:27:26So she gave up smoking.
00:27:28How would you know?
00:27:34Come on.
00:27:35I want to know where you're going.
00:27:39I don't know.
00:27:40I don't know where I can find a job.
00:27:43Oh, I don't believe that.
00:27:46I don't believe one word you've said to me.
00:27:48You just take it easy.
00:27:49I want the kids to hear this.
00:27:54Sure you got everything?
00:27:59How about this, Mr. Free Spirit?
00:28:01You want to be invited?
00:28:05I don't remember hearing that.
00:28:07That night in the car at the Palisade.
00:28:09I don't remember hearing that.
00:28:11And now a few...
00:28:12Where were you?
00:28:13...us as favor of the ever-popular cocktails for to Ramon Roqueo and his orchestra.
00:28:21How do you remember that?
00:28:24How do I remember?
00:28:25I just turned it on.
00:28:52Ernest!
00:29:01How many times have we told you?
00:29:04Your mother and me, that when you go to sleep...
00:29:07There's no way you're going to understand that.
00:29:10Because you're...
00:29:11...occurring on the planet Mars.
00:29:13Your sister is...
00:29:14...unusual nature of this occurrence.
00:29:16We've arranged an interview with a noted astronomer, Professor Pearson,
00:29:19who will give us his...
00:29:20You go to sleep now, huh?
00:29:22Mm-hmm.
00:29:24No more radio.
00:29:24In a few moments, we will take you to the Princeton Observatory at Princeton, New Jersey.
00:29:46We return you until then to the music of Ramon Roqueo and his orchestra.
00:29:49We are ready to take you to the Princeton Observatory at Princeton,
00:30:07where Carl Phillips, our commentator,
00:30:09will interview Professor Richard Pearson, famous astronomer.
00:30:12We take you now to Princeton, New Jersey.
00:30:14Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.
00:30:21This is Carl Phillips.
00:30:23Daddy, must be listening to this.
00:30:25I'm standing in a large, semi-circular room.
00:30:28This is such a bore.
00:30:29Come on, let's get some stress here.
00:30:31Come on.
00:30:31Through this opening, I can see a sprinkling of stars
00:30:33that cast a kind of frosty glow
00:30:36over the intricate mechanism of a huge telescope.
00:30:39The ticking sound you hear is the vibration of the clockwork.
00:30:42Professor Pearson stands directly above me on a small platform,
00:30:46peering through the giant lens.
00:30:49I ask you to be patient, ladies and gentlemen,
00:30:50during any delay that may arise during our interview.
00:30:54Besides his ceaseless watch of the heavens,
00:30:56Professor Pearson may be interrupted by telephone or other communications.
00:31:01During this period, he is in constant touch
00:31:03with the astronomical centers of the world.
00:31:06Professor, may I begin our questions?
00:31:08At any time, Mr. Phillips.
00:31:10Professor, would you please tell our radio audience
00:31:12exactly what you see as you observe the planet Mars
00:31:15through your telescope?
00:31:16Nothing unusual at the moment, Mr. Phillips.
00:31:18A red disc swimming in a blue sea,
00:31:21transverse stripes across the disc.
00:31:24Quite distinct now,
00:31:25because Mars happens to be at the point nearest the Earth,
00:31:27in opposition, as we call it.
00:31:29In your opinion,
00:31:30what do these transverse stripes signify, Professor Pearson?
00:31:34Not canals, I can assure you, Mr. Phillips,
00:31:37although that's the popular conjecture
00:31:39of those who imagine Mars to be inhabited.
00:31:43From a scientific viewpoint,
00:31:44the stripes are merely the result
00:31:46of atmospheric conditions peculiar to the planet.
00:31:48In your point,
00:31:49convinced as a scientist,
00:31:50believing intelligence as we know
00:31:52it does not exist on the planet Mars.
00:31:54I should say the chances against it
00:31:55are a thousand to one.
00:31:56How do you account for these gas eruptions
00:31:59occurring on the surface of the planet
00:32:00at regular intervals?
00:32:01Mr. Phillips, I cannot account for it.
00:32:06By the way, Professor,
00:32:07for the benefit of our listeners,
00:32:08how far is Mars from the Earth?
00:32:10Approximately 40 million miles.
00:32:12Well, that seems a safe enough distance.
00:32:15Just a moment, ladies and gentlemen.
00:32:17Someone has just handed Professor Pearson a message.
00:32:20While he reads it,
00:32:20let me remind you that we are speaking to you
00:32:22from the observatory in Princeton, New Jersey,
00:32:25where we are interviewing
00:32:26the world-famous astronomer, Professor Pearson.
00:32:29One moment, please.
00:32:30Professor Pearson has passed me a message
00:32:32which he has just received.
00:32:34Professor, may I read the message
00:32:35to the listening audience?
00:32:37Certainly, Mr. Phillips.
00:32:38Ladies and gentlemen,
00:32:39I shall read you a wire addressed
00:32:40to Professor Pearson
00:32:41from Dr. Gray of the National History Museum, New York.
00:32:45Of course I don't agree with everything Hitler does,
00:32:47but you've got to understand his position,
00:32:48especially concerning this list.
00:32:51Seismogram, registered shock
00:32:53of almost earthquake intensity
00:32:54occurring within a radius
00:32:55of 20 miles of Princeton.
00:32:57Please investigate.
00:32:58What's that about Princeton?
00:33:01Professor Pearson,
00:33:02could this occurrence possibly have something to do
00:33:04with the disturbance observed on the planet Mars?
00:33:06Ah, hardly, Mr. Phillips.
00:33:09This is probably a meteorite of unusual size,
00:33:12and its arrival at this particular time
00:33:14is merely a coincidence.
00:33:17However, we shall conduct the search
00:33:19as soon as daylight permits.
00:33:21Thank you, Professor.
00:33:22Ladies and gentlemen,
00:33:23for the past 10 minutes,
00:33:24we've been speaking to you
00:33:25from the observatory at Princeton,
00:33:27bringing you a special interview
00:33:28with Professor Pearson, noted astronomer.
00:33:31This is Carl Phillips speaking.
00:33:33We now return you to our New York studio.
00:33:36Charlie McCarthy.
00:33:37I couldn't figure out what it was.
00:33:47Maybe you had a snoot for me.
00:33:48Oh, now see what you did.
00:33:50You made me miss the opening.
00:33:52He'll be back.
00:33:52I don't care.
00:33:58I ain't gonna listen to that.
00:34:01Now, here at home comes a special announcement
00:34:03from Trenton, New Jersey.
00:34:05It's reported that at 8.50 p.m.
00:34:09Hey, turn that back.
00:34:12What for?
00:34:12Let's hear that report.
00:34:13A huge flaming object
00:34:17believed to be a meteorite
00:34:19fell on a farm
00:34:20in the neighborhood of
00:34:20Grover's Mill, New Jersey,
00:34:2222 miles from Trenton.
00:34:24The flash in the sky
00:34:25was visible within a radius
00:34:26of several hundred miles
00:34:27and the noise of the impact
00:34:29was heard as far north
00:34:30as Elizabeth.
00:34:31We've dispatched
00:34:32a special mobile unit
00:34:33to the scene
00:34:33and we'll have our commentator,
00:34:35Mr. Phillips,
00:34:35give you a word description
00:34:37as soon as he can reach there
00:34:38from Princeton.
00:34:39In the meantime,
00:34:40we take you to the Hotel
00:34:41Martinette in Brooklyn
00:34:42where Bobby Malatin
00:34:43and his orchestra
00:34:44are offering a program
00:34:45of dance music.
00:35:08We take you now
00:35:09to Grover's Mill, New Jersey.
00:35:10Ladies and gentlemen,
00:35:15this is Carl Phillips again
00:35:16at the Wilma Farm,
00:35:17Grover's Mill, New Jersey.
00:35:19Professor Pearson and myself
00:35:20may be 11 miles
00:35:21from Princeton
00:35:21in 10 minutes.
00:35:23Well, I hardly know
00:35:24what it began
00:35:25to paint for you
00:35:26a word picture
00:35:27of the strange scene
00:35:28before my eyes,
00:35:29like something
00:35:30out of a modern
00:35:31Arabian Nights.
00:35:32Well, I just got here.
00:35:33I haven't had a chance
00:35:34to look around yet.
00:35:35I guess that's it.
00:35:37Yes, I guess that's the thing.
00:35:39In front of me,
00:35:40half buried in a vast pit
00:35:42must have struck
00:35:43a terrific force.
00:35:45The ground is covered
00:35:45with splinters of a tree
00:35:46it must have struck
00:35:47on its way down.
00:35:48What I can see
00:35:49of the object itself
00:35:50doesn't look very much
00:35:51like a meteor,
00:35:52or at least not
00:35:53the meteors I've seen.
00:35:54It looks more like
00:35:55a huge cylinder.
00:35:57It has a diameter of,
00:35:58uh, what would you say
00:35:59Professor Pearson?
00:36:01About 30 yards.
00:36:02About 30 yards.
00:36:03The metal on the sheath
00:36:04is, uh, well,
00:36:06I've never seen
00:36:07anything like it.
00:36:07The color is sort
00:36:08of a yellowish white.
00:36:10Two inspectors
00:36:11now are pressing
00:36:11close to the object
00:36:12in spite of the efforts
00:36:13of the police
00:36:14to keep them back.
00:36:15They're getting
00:36:16in front of my line
00:36:16of vision.
00:36:17Would you mind
00:36:18standing on one side,
00:36:19please?
00:36:22While the policemen
00:36:23are pushing the crowd
00:36:23back,
00:36:26I guess that's
00:36:27about enough of that.
00:36:27No, only that.
00:36:29I thought you wanted
00:36:30to hear Charlie
00:36:30McCartney.
00:36:31Oh, never mind.
00:36:32Charlie McCartney
00:36:33for one's with you.
00:36:34Go get the table.
00:36:36Something's happening
00:36:36right in our own
00:36:37backyard.
00:36:38Ain't you interested?
00:36:39Closer and louder,
00:36:40please.
00:36:42Louder, please.
00:36:44Yes, sir.
00:36:45One one was, uh,
00:36:46listening to the radio.
00:36:48Really?
00:36:48Kind of drowsing
00:36:49that, uh,
00:36:50Professor Fella
00:36:50was talking about moms.
00:36:52So I was half dozing.
00:36:54Yes, Mr. Wilmoth.
00:36:55Then what happened?
00:36:56I heard something.
00:37:05And what did you hear?
00:37:07A hissing sound.
00:37:08Like this.
00:37:08You didn't see it,
00:37:09neither.
00:37:10Don't sure.
00:37:11Kind of like a
00:37:12Fourth of July rocket.
00:37:13Then what?
00:37:14Oh, I turned my head
00:37:15out the window
00:37:15and would have swore
00:37:17I was to sleep
00:37:18and dream this.
00:37:18I seen a kind of
00:37:20greenish streak
00:37:21and then a zingo
00:37:22or something
00:37:22smacked the ground
00:37:23knocked me clear
00:37:24out of my chair.
00:37:25Well, were you
00:37:26frightened, Mr. Wilmoth?
00:37:27Oh, I ain't quite sure.
00:37:29I reckon I was, uh,
00:37:30kind of riled.
00:37:31Thank you, Mr. Wilmoth.
00:37:33Oh, you want me
00:37:33to tell you something?
00:37:34No, that's fine.
00:37:35All right.
00:37:35That's a blessing.
00:37:36Ladies and gentlemen,
00:37:36I just heard Mr. Wilmoth
00:37:38owner of the vine
00:37:39where this thing has fallen.
00:37:40I wish I could convey
00:37:41the atmosphere,
00:37:42the background
00:37:43of this fantastic scene.
00:37:45Hundreds of cars
00:37:46are parked in a field
00:37:47in back of us.
00:37:48Police are trying
00:37:49to rope off the roadway
00:37:50leading into the farm,
00:37:51but it's no use.
00:37:52They're breaking right through.
00:37:53Their headlights throw
00:37:54an enormous spot
00:37:55on the pit
00:37:55where the objects
00:37:56have buried.
00:37:57Some of the more daring
00:37:58souls are venturing
00:37:59near the edge.
00:38:00Their silhouettes
00:38:00stand out against
00:38:01the metal sheen.
00:38:03One man wants
00:38:03to touch the thing.
00:38:04He's having an argument
00:38:05with a policeman.
00:38:08You can't tell me
00:38:09where I just don't
00:38:10put your hand on.
00:38:11I'll write you.
00:38:14Yeah, I do that.
00:38:15I mean,
00:38:16I'll let you know
00:38:16where I am.
00:38:17Ladies and gentlemen,
00:38:18there's something
00:38:19I haven't mentioned
00:38:19in all this excitement,
00:38:21but it's becoming
00:38:21more distinct.
00:38:22Perhaps you've caught it
00:38:23already on your radio.
00:38:25Listen.
00:38:31Do you hear it?
00:38:32It's a curious
00:38:33humming sound
00:38:34that seems to come
00:38:35from inside the object.
00:38:37I'll move the microphone
00:38:38nearer.
00:38:38Here.
00:38:41There's nothing
00:38:42you're flirting about.
00:38:43They just fill those
00:38:43things up, you know.
00:38:44Can you hear it now?
00:38:45Oh, Professor Pearson.
00:38:46Yes, Mr. Phillips.
00:38:47Can you tell us
00:38:48the meaning of that
00:38:49scraping noise
00:38:49inside the thing?
00:38:50It's possibly
00:38:51the unequal cooling
00:38:52of its surface.
00:38:53Still think
00:38:54it's a meteor, Professor?
00:38:55I don't know
00:38:56what to think.
00:38:57The metal casing
00:38:58is definitely...
00:38:59It is just a radio show.
00:39:01So when are you
00:39:02going to tell them?
00:39:04I'll tell them
00:39:05as soon as they ask me.
00:39:06This thing is smooth.
00:39:08And as you can see,
00:39:09a cylindrical...
00:39:10Just a minute.
00:39:11Something's happening.
00:39:12Ladies and gentlemen,
00:39:13this is terrific.
00:39:14This end of the thing
00:39:15is beginning to flake off.
00:39:17The top is beginning
00:39:18to rotate like a screw.
00:39:20The thing must be hollow.
00:39:21The thing must be hollow.
00:39:51This music must be hollow.
00:39:53Oh, see, back.
00:39:54Let's go.
00:39:55Let's go.
00:39:55Get the camera out.
00:40:18Ladies and gentlemen,
00:40:19this is the most terrifying thing
00:40:21I've ever witnessed
00:40:22wait a minute
00:40:23someone's falling out of the hollow top
00:40:26someone or something
00:40:28peering out of that black hole
00:40:30two luminous discs
00:40:32are the eyes
00:40:33it might be a face
00:40:34it might be
00:40:35good heavens
00:40:37something's wriggling out of the shadow
00:40:40like a grey snake
00:40:42now it's another one
00:40:43and another
00:40:45they look like tentacles to me
00:40:47there I can see the thing's body
00:40:49it's large as a bear
00:40:51and it glistens like wet leather
00:40:54but that face
00:40:56it's indescribable
00:40:58I can hardly force myself
00:41:02to keep looking at it
00:41:03the eyes are black
00:41:04and gleam like a serpent
00:41:06the mouth is V-shaped
00:41:07saliva
00:41:08it seems to quiver and pulsate
00:41:13the monster or whatever it is
00:41:15can hardly move
00:41:15it seems weighed down
00:41:17by possibly gravity or something
00:41:19the thing's raising up
00:41:21the crowd falls back
00:41:22they've seen enough
00:41:23this is the most extraordinary experience
00:41:26I can't find words
00:41:27I'm pulling this microphone with me
00:41:30as I talk
00:41:30I'll have to stop the description
00:41:33until I've taken a new position
00:41:34hold on will you please
00:41:36I'll be back in a minute
00:41:37oh my god Hank
00:41:48what is it
00:41:50what's happening
00:41:51nothing you see
00:41:53just take it easy
00:41:53now
00:41:54it's
00:41:55it's just
00:41:56probably one of those
00:41:57things from media
00:41:59but didn't you hear what he said
00:42:00we are bringing you an eyewitness account
00:42:07of what's happening
00:42:08on the Wilmoth farm
00:42:09Grover's Mill, New Jersey
00:42:10let's see what else
00:42:22don't touch that dial
00:42:23maybe they know more about it
00:42:24on another station
00:42:25turn it back
00:42:40they don't even know
00:42:41it's happening
00:42:41wait a minute
00:42:42will you
00:42:43Walter
00:42:43come on
00:42:44okay
00:42:46ladies and gentlemen
00:42:50we now return you
00:42:52to Carl Phillips
00:42:53at Grover's Mill
00:42:54ladies and gentlemen
00:42:58am I on
00:42:59ladies and gentlemen
00:43:01here I am
00:43:02back to the stone wall
00:43:03that adjoins
00:43:03Mr. Wilmoth's garden
00:43:04from here I get a sweep
00:43:06of the whole scene
00:43:07I'll give you every detail
00:43:08as long as I can talk
00:43:09as long as I can see
00:43:11more state police
00:43:12have arrived
00:43:13they're drawing up a cordon
00:43:14in front of the pit
00:43:15about 30 of them
00:43:16no need to push the crowd
00:43:17back now
00:43:18they're willing to keep
00:43:18the distance
00:43:19the captain is conferring
00:43:20with someone
00:43:21we can't quite see who
00:43:22oh yes
00:43:23I believe it's
00:43:24Professor Pearson
00:43:25yes it is
00:43:25now they've parted
00:43:27the professor moves
00:43:28around one side
00:43:29studying the object
00:43:30while the captain
00:43:30and two policemen
00:43:31advance with something
00:43:32in their hands
00:43:33I can see it now
00:43:34it's a white handkerchief
00:43:36tied to a pole
00:43:37a fighting
00:43:38those creatures
00:43:39know what that means
00:43:40what anything means
00:43:42wait
00:43:43something's happening
00:43:44a hump shake
00:43:47is rising
00:43:47shut that thing off
00:43:48what are you thinking
00:43:49Joey
00:43:49what's that
00:43:51there's a jet of flames
00:43:53swinging from that mirror
00:43:55and it leads us
00:43:56right at the advancing men
00:43:58and strikes them
00:43:59all right buddy
00:44:04what's going on
00:44:06there
00:44:06huh
00:44:07don't you know
00:44:14what's happening
00:44:15come on
00:44:15come on
00:44:16you'll have to move the car
00:44:17there's no parking along
00:44:18there's no parking along
00:44:18now the whole field's caught fire
00:44:28when that gets right
00:44:29you'll throw me
00:44:30it's spreading everywhere
00:44:36it's coming this way
00:44:38about 20 yards
00:44:40to my right
00:44:40let's go
00:44:55ladies and gentlemen
00:45:00due to circumstances
00:45:01beyond our control
00:45:02we are unable to continue
00:45:03the broadcast from
00:45:04Grover's Mill
00:45:05planet
00:45:26we continue now
00:45:28with our piano interlude
00:45:30columbia broadcasting system
00:45:45what
00:45:46well not that I know of
00:45:48I believe it's only a play
00:45:51that's right
00:45:53it's just a play
00:45:53that's what's on our program schedule
00:45:56you're welcome
00:45:57ladies and gentlemen
00:46:05I've just been handed a message
00:46:07that came in from
00:46:07Grover's Mill by telephone
00:46:09at least 40 people
00:46:10including six state troopers
00:46:12lie dead in a field
00:46:13east of the village
00:46:14of Grover's Mill
00:46:15their bodies burned
00:46:16and distorted
00:46:16beyond all possible recognition
00:46:18the next voice you hear
00:46:19will be that of
00:46:20Brigadier General Montgomery Smith
00:46:22commander of the state militia
00:46:23at Trenton, New Jersey
00:46:25I have been requested
00:46:32by the governor of New Jersey
00:46:34to place the counties
00:46:35of Mercer and Middlesex
00:46:37as far west as Princeton
00:46:38and east to Jamiesburg
00:46:40under martial law
00:46:41no one will be permitted
00:46:43to enter this area
00:46:44except by special pass
00:46:46issued by state
00:46:47or military authorities
00:46:48head for cover
00:46:58it's on the radio
00:46:59quick
00:47:00mommy
00:47:07I have a bad nightmare
00:47:13I want to sleep in your room
00:47:16oh
00:47:17it's alright
00:47:18it's alright
00:47:20I'm sleeping here
00:47:22no
00:47:22I understand
00:47:23no
00:47:24no
00:47:25the strange creatures
00:47:27after unleashing
00:47:27their deadly assault
00:47:28crawled back in their pit
00:47:30and made no attempt
00:47:30to prevent the efforts
00:47:31of firemen
00:47:32to recover the bodies
00:47:33and extinguish the fire
00:47:34let's get out of here
00:47:35come on
00:47:36let's go
00:47:38ladies and gentlemen
00:47:43I've just been informed
00:47:44that we have finally
00:47:45established communication
00:47:46with an eyewitness
00:47:46of the tragedy
00:47:47professor Pearson
00:47:48has been located
00:47:49at a farmhouse
00:47:50near Grover's Mill
00:47:50where he's established
00:47:51an emergency observation post
00:47:53as a scientist
00:47:55he will give you
00:47:55his explanation
00:47:56of this calamity
00:47:57the next voice you hear
00:47:59will be of professor Pearson
00:48:00brought to you
00:48:01by direct wire
00:48:02professor Pearson
00:48:03of the creatures
00:48:05in the rocket cylinder
00:48:06at Grover's Mill
00:48:07I can give you
00:48:07no authoritative information
00:48:09either as to their nature
00:48:10their origin
00:48:11or their purposes
00:48:12here on earth
00:48:13of their destructive instrument
00:48:16I might venture
00:48:17some conjectural explanation
00:48:19it's all too evident
00:48:26that these creatures
00:48:26have scientific knowledge
00:48:27far in advance
00:48:28of our own
00:48:29they are able
00:48:33to generate
00:48:33an intense heat
00:48:34in a chamber
00:48:35of practically
00:48:35absolute non-conductivity
00:48:37this intense heat
00:48:39they project
00:48:40in a parallel beam
00:48:41against any object
00:48:42they choose
00:48:43by means of a polished
00:48:44parabolic mirror
00:48:45of unknown composition
00:48:47much as a
00:48:47the mirror
00:48:49of a lighthouse
00:48:49projects
00:48:50a beam of light
00:48:51and that is my
00:48:53conjecture
00:48:53of the origin
00:48:54of the heat ray
00:48:55thank you
00:48:56professor Pearson
00:48:57bulletin
00:48:57ladies and gentlemen
00:49:01here is a bulletin
00:49:02from Trenton
00:49:02it is a brief statement
00:49:03informing us
00:49:04that the charred body
00:49:05of Carl Phillips
00:49:06has been identified
00:49:06in a Trenton hospital
00:49:08we have received
00:49:09a request
00:49:10from the militia
00:49:11at Trenton
00:49:12to place
00:49:13at their disposal
00:49:14our entire
00:49:15broadcasting facilities
00:49:16in view of the
00:49:18gravity of the situation
00:49:19and believing
00:49:20that radio
00:49:21has a definite
00:49:22responsibility
00:49:22to serve in the
00:49:23public interest
00:49:24at all times
00:49:25we are turning
00:49:27over our facilities
00:49:28to the state
00:49:29militia Trenton
00:49:30well it's about
00:49:31time they got
00:49:32the military involved
00:49:33Mr. Matlock
00:49:37we take you now
00:49:41to the field headquarters
00:49:42of the state militia
00:49:42near Rogers Mill
00:49:43in Jersey
00:49:44I need some artillery
00:49:46of the earth
00:49:47of the sky
00:49:47this is Captain Lansley
00:50:00the signal corps
00:50:00in the state militia
00:50:02now engaged
00:50:02in military operations
00:50:03in the vicinity
00:50:05of Grover's Mill
00:50:06the situation arising
00:50:07from the reported
00:50:08presence of certain
00:50:09individuals
00:50:10of unidentified nature
00:50:12is now under
00:50:12complete control
00:50:13the cylindrical object
00:50:16which lies in a pit
00:50:17directly below our position
00:50:18is surrounded now
00:50:20on all sides
00:50:21by eight battalions
00:50:22daddy what's the matter
00:50:23you go to sleep
00:50:24why is mommy crying
00:50:26oh mommy has a headache
00:50:28that's why
00:50:28mommy's crying
00:50:29I can't go to sleep
00:50:30I'm afraid my bad dream
00:50:32will come back
00:50:33oh no what
00:50:34you know why
00:50:34you come in the other room
00:50:36with daddy
00:50:36you sleep on the couch
00:50:38sure
00:50:38I can see their hiding
00:50:39where the searchlights
00:50:41with all their reported
00:50:42resources
00:50:42these creatures
00:50:44can scare you
00:50:45you'll be alright
00:50:46everywhere it's an
00:50:48interesting outing
00:50:49for the troops
00:50:50back and forth
00:50:55now in front of the lights
00:50:56you know it's almost
00:50:57like a real war
00:50:58what
00:50:59oh yeah
00:51:01there appears to be
00:51:02some slight smoke
00:51:03in the woods
00:51:03watering the bill
00:51:04snow
00:51:04how are we going to
00:51:06fight these things
00:51:07just where our shots
00:51:08you just keep your eyes
00:51:09with you for this
00:51:10don't you worry
00:51:11about that heat
00:51:12right here
00:51:12first let's just fight
00:51:14and we'll give them
00:51:16something to worry about
00:51:17you looking for a fight
00:51:20mr. matlock sir
00:51:24please
00:51:25harrison don't get
00:51:26involved in things
00:51:27you don't understand
00:51:27what are you going to do
00:51:46I don't know what to do
00:51:47you know the piercers
00:51:49down the hall
00:51:49they're putting everybody
00:51:51in the car
00:51:51they figure they'll be
00:51:53safer across the river
00:51:54in new york
00:51:55they're going to new york
00:51:56we're leaving here now
00:51:57what do you mean
00:51:57we're leaving here now
00:51:58me too
00:51:59we're leaving here now
00:52:00i'm gonna pack up the kids
00:52:01you don't feel good
00:52:02right now
00:52:02you put a light blood
00:52:03down on you
00:52:03you don't feel
00:52:04just like
00:52:04what is it
00:52:06you know pete the handyman
00:52:08he says it's the germans
00:52:10it's the germans
00:52:11wait a minute
00:52:12see something on the
00:52:14top of the cylinder
00:52:15nah nothing but a shadow
00:52:16well troops are on the edge
00:52:19of the wilma's farm
00:52:20we have 7000 armed men
00:52:22closing in on a
00:52:24old metal tub
00:52:25wait a minute
00:52:27that wasn't a shadow
00:52:30something moving
00:52:32solid metal
00:52:34kind of a steel-like affair
00:52:36rising up out of the cylinder
00:52:37going high and higher
00:52:39standing on legs
00:52:41actually rearing up
00:52:42on a sort of metal framework
00:52:43while it's reaching
00:52:45above the trees
00:52:46look like you're at it
00:52:48hold on
00:52:49hold on
00:52:49ladies and gentlemen
00:52:58i have a grave announcement
00:52:59to make
00:52:59incredible as it may seem
00:53:01both the observations of
00:53:02science and the evidence of
00:53:03our eyes
00:53:04lead to the inescapable
00:53:05assumption that those
00:53:06strange beings who landed
00:53:07in the jersey farmlands
00:53:08tonight
00:53:09are the vanguard of an
00:53:10invading army from the
00:53:11planet mars
00:53:12the battle which took place
00:53:13tonight at grover's mill
00:53:14has ended in one of the
00:53:15most startling defeats
00:53:16ever suffered by an army
00:53:17in modern times
00:53:187000 men armed with
00:53:20rifles and machine guns
00:53:22hit it against a single
00:53:23fighting machine of the
00:53:24invader from mars
00:53:25120 known survivors
00:53:27the rest strewn over the
00:53:28battle area from grover's
00:53:30mill to plainsboro
00:53:30crushed and grappled to
00:53:32death under the metal
00:53:33feet of the monster
00:53:33or burned to cinders
00:53:35by its heat ray
00:53:35the monster is now in
00:53:37control of the middle
00:53:38section of new jersey
00:53:39and has effectively cut
00:53:40the state through its
00:53:41center
00:53:41communication lines are
00:53:43down from
00:53:44harrison to the
00:53:44atlantic
00:53:45call chief lawrence
00:53:46the police station
00:53:46yes sir
00:53:47discontinued except
00:53:49routing some of the
00:53:50trains through allentown
00:53:51and phoenixville
00:53:52highways to the north
00:53:54south and west are
00:53:54clogged with frantic
00:53:55human traffic
00:53:56police and army
00:53:57reserves are unable
00:53:58to control the mad
00:53:59flight
00:53:59by morning the
00:54:01fugitives will have
00:54:01swelled philadelphia
00:54:02camden and crenton
00:54:03it is estimated to
00:54:04twice their normal
00:54:05population
00:54:05at this time
00:54:07martial law prevails
00:54:08throughout new jersey
00:54:09hey orwell it is a
00:54:11radio program
00:54:11it ain't no radio
00:54:13show
00:54:13now shut up
00:54:14will you
00:54:15the secretary of the
00:54:16interior
00:54:17citizens of the
00:54:19nation
00:54:20i shall not try
00:54:23to conceal the
00:54:24gravity of the
00:54:26situation
00:54:27that confronts the
00:54:29country
00:54:29nor the concern
00:54:32of your government
00:54:34it's close
00:54:35what's that idiot
00:54:37doing now
00:54:38however i wish to
00:54:42impress upon you
00:54:44private citizens
00:54:46and public officials
00:54:47there is no answer
00:54:48sir
00:54:48all of you
00:54:49all of you
00:54:49to urgent need
00:54:52a calm
00:54:53and resourceful
00:54:54passage
00:54:55fortunately this
00:54:58formidable enemy
00:54:59is still confined
00:55:01to a comparatively
00:55:03small area
00:55:05and we may place
00:55:08our faith
00:55:09in the military
00:55:10forces
00:55:11to keep them
00:55:12there
00:55:13in the
00:55:15meantime
00:55:15placing our
00:55:17faith in god
00:55:18we must
00:55:20continue
00:55:21the performance
00:55:22of our
00:55:23duties
00:55:23each and
00:55:24every one
00:55:25of us
00:55:26so that
00:55:27we may
00:55:28confront
00:55:29this destructive
00:55:30adversary
00:55:31with a nation
00:55:33united
00:55:34courageous
00:55:35and consecrated
00:55:38to the preservation
00:55:39of human
00:55:40supremacy
00:55:41on this earth
00:55:42i thank you
00:55:44you have just heard
00:55:49the secretary
00:55:50of the interior
00:55:51speaking from
00:55:51washington
00:55:52bulletins too
00:55:53numerous to read
00:55:54are piling up
00:55:54in the newsroom
00:55:55here
00:55:55we are informed
00:55:56that the central
00:55:57portion of new jersey
00:55:58is blacked out
00:55:58from radio communication
00:55:59due to the effect
00:56:00of the heat ray
00:56:01upon power lines
00:56:02and electrical equipment
00:56:03here is a special
00:56:08bulletin from new york
00:56:09cables received
00:56:10from english
00:56:10french german
00:56:11scientific bodies
00:56:12offering assistance
00:56:13astronomers report
00:56:17continued gas
00:56:18outbursts
00:56:18at regular intervals
00:56:19on the planet
00:56:19far
00:56:20majority vote
00:56:24opinion
00:56:24their apparent objective
00:56:27is the proxy
00:56:28resistance
00:56:28of the terror
00:56:29line
00:56:29hey boy
00:56:35where are you
00:56:35stopping this
00:56:36for
00:56:36we gotta get
00:56:36out of here
00:56:37i just want to
00:56:38find out
00:56:38where the fire
00:56:39is at
00:56:39that's on
00:56:40fire
00:56:40are you serious
00:56:41yeah you see
00:56:42you're going
00:56:42about 80 miles
00:56:43are you crazy
00:56:44don't you know
00:56:44what's happening
00:56:45ain't you heard
00:56:46just listen
00:56:46you blow up
00:56:48second invading unit
00:56:49before a cylinder
00:56:50can be opened
00:56:51and the martian
00:56:51fighting machine rigged
00:56:52martian yeah
00:56:53yeah
00:56:54they've landed
00:56:54on earth
00:56:55new jersey's
00:56:56under martial law
00:56:57i'm serious
00:56:58just listen
00:56:58just listen
00:56:59listen
00:56:59the foothills
00:56:59of the watch
00:57:00mountains
00:57:00another bulletin
00:57:02from langham
00:57:03field virginia
00:57:04scouting planes
00:57:05report enemy
00:57:06machines
00:57:06that way
00:57:07you let me go
00:57:07i gotta get back
00:57:08to the farm
00:57:09i gotta get out
00:57:11of here
00:57:12we gotta save
00:57:12this
00:57:12hold it
00:57:16that's a radio
00:57:23play
00:57:24buddy
00:57:25in adjacent villages
00:57:40to give you direct
00:57:40reports in the zone
00:57:41of the advancing enemy
00:57:42first we take you
00:57:44to the battery
00:57:44of the 22nd field
00:57:45artillery located
00:57:46in the watch
00:57:47mountains
00:57:48range 32 meters
00:57:5532 meters
00:57:56projection 39 degrees
00:57:5839 degrees
00:57:59fire
00:58:00fire
00:58:00fire
00:58:01no honey you can't
00:58:27take doors
00:58:28you gotta be kidding
00:58:36they're letting off
00:58:37the smoke
00:58:38well how could they
00:58:40a black smoke
00:58:40sir
00:58:41moving this way
00:58:42well what do you
00:58:42want me to do
00:58:43it's moving fast
00:58:45oh okay
00:58:46all right
00:58:47i'll see what i can
00:58:47do
00:58:48paul
00:58:48we got trouble
00:58:49listen people are
00:58:51taking this thing
00:58:52seriously
00:58:52that's ridiculous
00:58:53well we gotta do
00:58:54something about it
00:58:54well we'll give him
00:58:55a disclaimer
00:58:56well where
00:58:57well where else
00:58:59at the station break
00:59:0023 meters
00:59:0123 meters
00:59:0322 degrees
00:59:0722 degrees
00:59:08Harrison don't just
00:59:17stand there
00:59:18call someone
00:59:19mr matlock
00:59:30mr matlock
00:59:32perhaps we're reacting
00:59:33precipitously
00:59:33what are you talking
00:59:34perhaps we should try
00:59:35to understand them
00:59:36understand the martians
00:59:39they may have been
00:59:40forced into this
00:59:41last of living space
00:59:43perhaps they could even
00:59:45try to help us
00:59:46pull us up by our
00:59:48bootstraps so to speak
00:59:49maybe they could even
00:59:54help us to get the
00:59:55trains to run on time
00:59:57army bombing plane
01:00:09v843 off bay on new
01:00:10jersey lieutenant boy
01:00:11commanding eight bombers
01:00:12reporting command of
01:00:13fairfax langham field
01:00:14let's see what's going
01:00:16on
01:00:16go ahead
01:00:17this is mort
01:00:20reporting command of
01:00:20fairfax langham field
01:00:22enemy tripod machines
01:00:23are now in sight
01:00:25reinforced by three
01:00:26machines from the
01:00:27morstown cylinder
01:00:28there are six now
01:00:29altogether
01:00:30one machine partially
01:00:32crippled
01:00:32believed hit by a shell
01:00:34from army gun
01:00:34where dammit
01:00:37where
01:00:38guns now appear silent
01:00:41a heavy black fog is
01:00:43hanging close to the
01:00:44earth now
01:00:45extreme density
01:00:46nature unknown
01:00:47no sign of heat ray
01:00:49enemy now turns east
01:00:52crossing
01:00:53pesaic river into
01:00:54jersey marshes
01:00:55another straddles the
01:00:57pulaski skyway
01:00:58they're on the skyway
01:01:00they're pushing down a
01:01:02high tension power station
01:01:03now
01:01:03machines are close
01:01:05together
01:01:05we are ready to attack
01:01:08planes circling ready
01:01:09to strike
01:01:10a thousand yards
01:01:15and we'll be over
01:01:16the first
01:01:16800 yards
01:01:21Linda
01:01:24Linda
01:01:26hey
01:01:57come on we gotta get
01:02:02out of here
01:02:03safe
01:02:03this is our home
01:02:06this is a safe
01:02:07place
01:02:08no harm can come to
01:02:09you
01:02:10no harm
01:02:10the martians are
01:02:11taking over
01:02:12martians
01:02:12no
01:02:13no
01:02:13they are the angels
01:02:15of darkness
01:02:15the forces of evil
01:02:17come on
01:02:17we're getting married
01:02:18we're getting married
01:02:19right now
01:02:20now
01:02:21stop
01:02:21now
01:02:21i love you
01:02:22we're getting married
01:02:23under the resurrection
01:02:25there shall be no
01:02:26marriage or giving of
01:02:27hands
01:02:27until marriage
01:02:28you'll be like the
01:02:29angels
01:02:29i love you
01:02:30please
01:02:31oh yes
01:02:32stephan
01:02:33we wrestle not
01:02:34against
01:02:34okay the first church
01:02:35we find
01:02:36okay are you coming
01:02:37with us
01:02:37against the forces
01:02:38of darkness
01:02:39talk to him
01:02:40there shall be
01:02:41war
01:02:42and rumors of war
01:02:43but take ye no heed
01:02:44there shall no harm
01:02:45come to us
01:02:46for i see it now
01:02:48alpha
01:02:49and omega
01:02:50it is the beginning
01:02:51and the end
01:02:52as in revelation
01:02:53let it come down
01:02:55let it come down
01:02:56let it come down
01:02:57like buckets of blood
01:02:58precious and flooding
01:02:59there shall be a new
01:03:00heaven
01:03:01and a new earth
01:03:02let it come down
01:03:03give it to us
01:03:04oh lord
01:03:05no
01:03:06no
01:03:07this is my home
01:03:08my sanctuary
01:03:09there is no sanctuary
01:03:10no anti-crisis
01:03:11this is an invasion
01:03:12from mars
01:03:13how are you
01:03:14no
01:03:26they're spraying us
01:03:27with flame
01:03:282,000 feet
01:03:30engines giving out now
01:03:31no chance to release bombs
01:03:34only one thing left
01:03:37they left
01:03:38drop on them
01:03:39plain and off
01:03:42we are dabbing on the first one
01:03:44you understand
01:03:45we're helpless against them
01:03:46listen
01:03:47listen
01:03:48get in
01:03:49congratulations
01:03:50this is the end of the world
01:04:00no no it's not the end of the world
01:04:01it's the end of our world
01:04:02they're gonna be alright
01:04:03they'll still be here
01:04:04when they're done with us
01:04:05get in
01:04:06no man was made in god's image
01:04:09these are mechanical monsters
01:04:11bugs
01:04:12come on
01:04:13maybe god is a mechanical bug
01:04:14would you get in
01:04:15no
01:04:16no
01:04:17no
01:04:18no
01:04:19no
01:04:20no
01:04:21come on
01:04:22come on
01:04:23come on
01:04:24come on
01:04:25come on
01:04:26come on
01:04:27come on
01:04:28come on
01:04:29come on
01:04:30come on
01:04:31come on
01:04:32father
01:04:39i have to keep it out of the house
01:04:43this is bayonne new jersey calling langham field
01:04:47this is bayonne new jersey calling langham field
01:04:48come in please
01:04:49this is the columbia broadcasting system
01:04:50no we've had no calls from the airport
01:04:53it's just a plane box
01:04:54it's the mercury theater
01:04:55that's correct
01:04:56no there's no need to call the police
01:04:57it's just a play
01:04:58good evening columbia broadcasting system
01:05:00you're welcome
01:05:01columbia broadcasting system
01:05:02columbia broadcasting system
01:05:03columbia broadcasting systems
01:05:04disconnected on that one
01:05:05oh
01:05:06it's a play called the war of the world
01:05:07sorry i can't give you that information
01:05:09you're welcome
01:05:10i think all i thought the world is coming to an end
01:05:12what the hell are they doing up there
01:05:14this is bayonne new jersey calling langham field
01:05:16this is bayonne new jersey calling langham field
01:05:18come in please
01:05:19come in please
01:05:20this is langham field
01:05:21go ahead
01:05:22eight army bombers in engagement with enemy tripod machines over jersey flats
01:05:26engines incapacitated by heat rays
01:05:28all crashed
01:05:29one enemy machine destroyed
01:05:32enemy now
01:05:33just got to be like
01:05:34cool
01:05:35there's a warning
01:05:36causing this black smoke
01:05:37burrowing in from the crazy marshes
01:05:39there's the old shadows when the gas is here
01:05:41they used to use birds
01:05:43for poison gas detection
01:05:45automobiles is right
01:05:47seven twenty three twenty four
01:05:49destroyed congested areas
01:05:51smoke now spreading over raymond boulevard
01:05:53phil is
01:05:56phil is
01:06:04phil is
01:06:10see
01:06:12ction
01:06:15Come on, come on.
01:06:17Come on, come on.
01:06:19Come on, come on.
01:06:21Come on, come on.
01:06:23Come on, come on.
01:06:25We'll get it.
01:06:27See this.
01:06:29All right, though, look.
01:06:31We're getting out of the car.
01:06:33I want everybody to hurry up.
01:06:35Leave everything in. Hurry up now.
01:06:37Take it easy. Hurry up.
01:06:39Come on, come on. Let's go. Everybody out.
01:06:41Don't take everything.
01:06:43Come on, come on. You don't need this. Come on.
01:06:45Hurry up, come on. Take it easy.
01:06:47Direct well.
01:06:49Calling C2.
01:06:51Direct well.
01:06:53Calling C2.
01:06:55Oh, no.
01:06:57Oh, no!
01:06:59Oh, no!
01:07:01No!
01:07:02No!
01:07:03Oh, no!
01:07:05Oh.
01:07:06Oh.
01:07:07Oh, no!
01:07:08Oh, no!
01:07:10Okay.
01:07:11Oh, my father!
01:07:15Hey, please!
01:07:17Oh, no!
01:07:19Please!
01:07:21Okay.
01:07:23Okay, outside.
01:07:25Outside.
01:07:332X2L,
01:07:358X3R.
01:07:37Make peace.
01:07:392X2L,
01:07:41calling 8X3R.
01:07:43Come in, please.
01:07:45This is 8X3R, coming back
01:07:47at 2X2L.
01:07:49How's reception?
01:07:51How's reception?
01:07:53Kay, please.
01:07:55Where are you, 8X3R?
01:07:57What's the matter?
01:07:59Where are you?
01:08:03I am speaking from the roof
01:08:05of Broadcast Building New York City.
01:08:07The bells you hear are ringing to warn the people
01:08:09to evacuate the city as the Martians approach.
01:08:11Estimated in the last 2 hours,
01:08:133 million people have moved out along the roads to the north.
01:08:15Hutchinson River Parkway was kept open
01:08:17and motor traffic is still moving along nicely.
01:08:19Avoid bridges to Long Island.
01:08:21Hopelessly jammed.
01:08:23All communication with Jersey Shore closed 10 minutes ago.
01:08:25No more defenses.
01:08:27Army wiped out.
01:08:29Artillery, Air Force, everything wiped out.
01:08:31This may be the last broadcast.
01:08:33We'll stay here to the end.
01:08:35As you can hear, a holding service below
01:08:37in the cathedral.
01:08:41Now I look down the harbor.
01:08:43All metal boats overloaded with fleeing population,
01:08:47pulling out from the docks.
01:08:49The streets are jammed.
01:08:51Noise in the crowds like New Year's Eve and...
01:08:55Wait a minute.
01:08:57Let me now in sight above the Palisades.
01:08:59Three, four, five great machines.
01:09:01The first one is crossing the river.
01:09:03I can see it from here.
01:09:04Wading the Hudson like a man wading through a brook.
01:09:07Seems to be time. There's fate.
01:09:09Now the first machine reaches the shore.
01:09:14Oh, no.
01:09:16All right, thanks.
01:09:18That was the switchboard.
01:09:20Now the police are starting to call.
01:09:21I can't talk now.
01:09:22We're running almost two minutes over.
01:09:24Well, where's that disclaimer?
01:09:25I forgot.
01:09:26I didn't have enough time to finish it.
01:09:27Oh, all right, all right.
01:09:28I'll take care of it.
01:09:31My God, how did you think this was real?
01:09:33You're not gonna scrub the second half of the show.
01:09:35I don't know.
01:09:37Austin's not gonna like a disclaimer.
01:09:39Domitization.
01:09:40Repeat, radio domitization.
01:09:47Stand watching.
01:09:49Looking over the city.
01:09:51This steel collage head is even with the skyscrapers.
01:09:54Two H for the others.
01:09:56They rise like a line of new towers on the city's west side.
01:10:00They're lifting their metal hands.
01:10:02Smoke is coming out.
01:10:06Black smoke drifting over the city.
01:10:08of the city. People in the streets see it now. They're running towards the East River, thousands
01:10:14of them dropping in like rats. And now the smoke is spreading faster. It has reached
01:10:20Times Square. People trying to run away from it, but it's no use. They are falling like
01:10:28flies. And now the smoke is crossing 6th Avenue, 5th Avenue, 100 yards away, 50 feet.
01:10:382X2L, calling CQ. 2X2L, calling CQ. 2X2L, calling CQ.
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