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Short filmTranscript
00:00:00The program you're about to see is a recreation of the War of the Worlds panic broadcast of 1938.
00:00:07It is based on fact. All interruptions for news bulletins are simulated,
00:00:12and certain names, characters, and incidents are changed in the interests of dramatization.
00:00:20In the late years of the 1930s, we were witness to our world gripped in the first agonies of invasion and war.
00:00:30No section of the Earth seemed free from these terrors, or from the nightmares of what was to come.
00:00:37Nightmares that for the first time were brought vividly into every home by the force of a new medium.
00:00:44Radio.
00:00:46This is Alan Field, reporting to you by radio.
00:00:48For the first time, this ancient Ethiopian capital has experienced the modern day high with fire.
00:00:55I can see them now!
00:00:57They've been dreaming.
00:00:59Three функções of capital in the midst of the war.
00:01:02A in forward AI.
00:01:04The Frenchies are now.
00:01:05New galmen.
00:01:06Rediff, no.
00:01:07Deep line Germany.
00:01:08Chancellor Adolf, the Kerstromster at this moment marching in to Wall Street.
00:01:12The Kerstromouk and Svia is complete.
00:01:14The Kerstromouk and Svia is complete.
00:01:15And this is done.
00:01:16The Kerstromouk has been averted.
00:01:17And this is the Kerstromouk and Svia.
00:01:18The Kerstromouk has been assured.
00:01:19It is the Kerstromouk of the Kerstromouk.
00:01:20And America listened to the distant thunder brought by this medium, wanting desperately
00:01:43to believe that they were secure from the lightning that was to come.
00:01:46It is October 30th, 1938, 623 Eastern Standard Time.
00:01:55An invasion is being planned by a small group, and this man is part of it.
00:02:01Not the invasion one might expect, but an unwitting invasion of the mind that will send
00:02:06a panicked nation fleeing out into the streets.
00:02:09In exactly one hour and 37 minutes, the nightmare will begin.
00:02:14A fitting night has been picked.
00:02:18It is Halloween Eve.
00:02:19The world's late.
00:02:21Yeah.
00:02:22What's the show tonight?
00:02:27Our version of War of the Worlds.
00:02:29War.
00:02:30H.G. Wells.
00:02:32Ain't there enough war on the radio as it is?
00:02:34Now, this is a different kind of war.
00:02:35Different.
00:02:36How different?
00:02:37Either got Germans, Japanese, or Italians.
00:02:39We're different.
00:02:40We got Martians.
00:02:41How hauntingly will go.
00:02:50How hauntingly will go.
00:02:54Now to those thrilling days of yesteryear.
00:02:57Out of the back come the thundering hope beach of the great horse Silsner.
00:03:00All over Europe, all over Germany, Hitler moves.
00:03:04The underworld has a shadow never seen on the earth.
00:03:09The strong, the strong, the strong, the strong.
00:03:13Well, there's good news tonight.
00:03:16Washington, D.C.
00:03:20I wonder how many of you can get myself.
00:03:23Nobody will hear.
00:03:25Nobody.
00:03:25Aren't you going to do anything for a little itsy-bitsy challenge on this Halloween?
00:03:33I may tell you a ghost story?
00:03:35A ghost story.
00:03:36Do you think you're going to...
00:03:38What?
00:03:41Now, what is what you're doing about call prevention?
00:03:46Oh, my God, it's crashing.
00:03:47Oh, this is the worst catastrophe in the world.
00:03:50The flames are 500 feet in the sky.
00:03:52It's smoke and flames now.
00:03:54Oh, the humanity, those passengers.
00:03:57I can't talk, ladies and gentlemen.
00:03:59Oh, this is a mass of smoke.
00:04:01Correct me, lady, I'm sorry.
00:04:02Oh, listen, I can hardly...
00:04:04I'm going to step inside where I can't see it.
00:04:07Charlie, this is terrible.
00:04:09Listen, I'm going to have to stop for a minute.
00:04:10Isn't it going to crash?
00:04:13That's incredible.
00:04:15He never had an inkling that he was going to crash.
00:04:17You know what he's doing when he goes off the air for 15 seconds?
00:04:21Growing up.
00:04:22Well, you're not going to do that on the air, are you?
00:04:24Orson wants reality.
00:04:25Well, it's not that much.
00:04:26Monsters from Mars are burning up hundreds of people right in front of his mic.
00:04:30What would you do?
00:04:35It's bursting into flames.
00:04:37This is terrible.
00:04:38This is one of the worst catastrophes in the world.
00:04:40The flames are 100 feet in the sky.
00:04:42It's smoke and flames.
00:04:44Oh, the humanity.
00:04:45Those passengers, I can't talk.
00:04:47Hey, Paul.
00:04:51Hello, Norm.
00:04:51How are you?
00:04:52Listen, about the...
00:04:53Hey, Paul, I've got to talk to you for a minute.
00:04:55Do we have to run like this?
00:04:57Well, every minute counts, Norm.
00:04:59We're less than two hours to air time.
00:05:00What's up?
00:05:00Well, you know darn well what's up.
00:05:02It's these last-minute changes.
00:05:03Now, why do we have to go through this every week, huh?
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.
00:05:12Wait a second.
00:05:12In the first place, you can't say the Biltmore Hotel.
00:05:15Okay, it's out.
00:05:16Yeah, in the second place, no Columbia Broadcasting Building.
00:05:19I suggest just Broadcasting Building.
00:05:21Broadcasting Building, it is.
00:05:22Now, there's one other thing.
00:05:23Now, we have...
00:05:23Oh, yes.
00:05:24For Pete's sake, Paul, no Roosevelt.
00:05:29No Roosevelt?
00:05:30Why?
00:05:31You ought to be able to think around why.
00:05:33Just think for a minute.
00:05:33Don't you guys ever think around here?
00:05:35I mean, no Roosevelt.
00:05:36You can use some other high-government-mucky-muck, but no Roosevelt.
00:05:41Now, come on, Paul.
00:05:42It's not the end of the world.
00:05:43Is that some kind of joke?
00:05:44Oh, no, why do you get so upset?
00:05:46Why do you have to get so upset?
00:05:47Why do you get upset?
00:05:47Because we've got an actor who does a great Roosevelt.
00:05:50That's why he's going to hit the ceiling.
00:05:51Yeah, well, I'm sorry, but that's the way it's got to be.
00:05:54Listen, you tell us.
00:05:55Paul, I need you to listen to something, please.
00:05:57Just a second.
00:05:58Come on in.
00:05:58Anything else?
00:05:59No, nothing as far as continuity acceptance is concerned.
00:06:02Okay, listen.
00:06:03But there is some concern from programming.
00:06:05Programming, right.
00:06:06Mm-hmm.
00:06:06They feel it, given the Charlie McCarthy competition, that they'd like to be an old show.
00:06:15What?
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.
00:06:24Norman, one minute, please.
00:06:25Just listen.
00:06:25What do you think?
00:06:33Sounds like you're trying to open a pickle jar.
00:06:35What is it, huh?
00:06:37Paul, what do you want from me?
00:06:38I can't visualize what a Martian's going to sound like.
00:06:40It's got to be terrifying.
00:06:41It's got to be huge, ponderous.
00:06:43I mean, it hasn't opened in a million light years.
00:06:45Hey, 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.
00:06:52Oh, no, it worked, didn't it?
00:06:52Oh, listen, I've listened to all this.
00:06:54Now, Tony, Tony, you can do it.
00:06:55I know you can, maybe not another sound man in the business, but you can.
00:06:58Trust me, use the toilet.
00:07:00Okay, you can use the toilet.
00:07:05Ted!
00:07:09They didn't buy it, huh?
00:07:11Here, run a wire to the men's room again.
00:07:17I've just got to explain it to him.
00:07:19I know that Orson strives for reality, but he's got to understand.
00:07:22Oh, my.
00:07:24Oh, my.
00:07:25Is that Orson?
00:07:28I'll see you later.
00:07:30Relax, Norman.
00:07:30It's only a rehearsal record.
00:07:32It's all right.
00:07:32I've got a meeting I'm going.
00:07:33Envious eyes.
00:07:35Hi.
00:07:35Hi.
00:07:36How are the inserts coming?
00:07:37And slowly and surely through their plans against us.
00:07:39Uh, tag it with,
00:07:40in the 39th year of the 20th century came the great disillusion.
00:07:44And then, uh, blend it in with the rest of the opening.
00:07:47All right.
00:07:48Now, what's next?
00:07:49Uh, let's see.
00:07:50Oh, Orson wants to change the landing site of the first machine from Newark to some other
00:07:54small town.
00:07:55That means changing the whole location of the combat zone in the first sequence.
00:07:59Legal department, please.
00:07:59Well, anyway, Newark is spared.
00:08:01Yeah, but I promised it to the Martians.
00:08:03Well, we'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 there.
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?
00:08:17Grover's Mill?
00:08:18Grover's Mill.
00:08:19I like that.
00:08:21Sounds real.
00:08:21Thanks.
00:08:22You got it.
00:08:23I have no idea how you did all this in six days.
00:08:26Orson said the world was created in six days.
00:08:29No reason it shouldn't take any longer than that to destroy it.
00:08:31And you're sitting on the Princeton Observatory.
00:08:33Right.
00:08:34Sorry.
00:08:35Right.
00:08:36Grover's Mill, huh?
00:08:38I'm curious, Howard.
00:08:39How come you picked New Jersey in the first place?
00:08:41I got lost out there last weekend.
00:08:43They gave me the map of the gas station.
00:08:44I had the art department blow it up for me.
00:08:46Um, uh, what else?
00:08:48Oh, um, Hausman felt we could do better on the description of the Martian machine.
00:08:52It's on page 17.
00:08:54It's the Army's captain.
00:08:56You 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 going to take all this.
00:09:02Sorry.
00:09:03I don't know.
00:09:04Every time I turn on the radio, I can't believe what's happening over there in Europe.
00:09:08However, back to the real world.
00:09:13The Martian machine seemed to be standing up on legs, rising out of the cylinder on a sort of metal framework, reaching above his feet.
00:09:26At 6.49 Eastern Standard Time, Walter Wingate was milking his cow just outside Grover's Mill, New Jersey.
00:09:38Acknowledging their response.
00:09:40There can be no doubt from this demonstration that the Italian people, at least here at all, are totally behind.
00:09:47No, do change.
00:09:48If this is...
00:09:49The dinner is about set.
00:09:51I'll finish in the middle.
00:09:52We want.
00:09:52We take you direct to Berlin, where Hedal Kipfer is about to...
00:09:57How many times I got to tell you, that's for the cows, not for the damn war news.
00:10:02There's going to be a war.
00:10:05Anybody can see that.
00:10:07Oh, anybody can see that.
00:10:09Well, then how come we ain't in it?
00:10:11We will be.
00:10:13Any day now.
00:10:14In Canada right now, Americans are...
00:10:15Anybody any day now.
00:10:17All I know is we got a farm to run here.
00:10:20And you ain't in Canada.
00:10:22Anyhow.
00:10:24No.
00:10:25But I'm going to be.
00:10:32You mean you're giving up your citizenship?
00:10:36If that's what it takes.
00:10:38If that's what it takes.
00:10:39What is that supposed to mean?
00:10:42What are you in such an all-fired hurry to fight about?
00:10:45What do you want to get killed for?
00:10:46It's Hitler or us, Paul.
00:10:47Can't you ever see that?
00:10:49And he's not making any secret of it.
00:10:50I want my dinner.
00:10:52And I ain't making no secret of that.
00:10:55Every night we have the same dumb talk.
00:10:59Every night.
00:11:04You ain't of age yet.
00:11:06And you ain't giving up your citizenship till you are.
00:11:09Come and eat.
00:11:207.01 Eastern Standard Time.
00:11:22Now.
00:11:24Now.
00:11:32No.
00:11:34No.
00:11:36Try a bigger one.
00:11:39Try the biggest jar you got.
00:11:42More reverb.
00:11:52Put it in lower.
00:11:59Yeah.
00:12:00The Martians have just landed.
00:12:02Newark, New Jersey.
00:12:127.15 Eastern Standard Time.
00:12:17Mark, Mary, get up here.
00:12:20I said get up here.
00:12:23No, I didn't say that.
00:12:25I'll be up in a minute.
00:12:51It's not theirs, Walt.
00:12:52Sure.
00:13:01They're playing Halloween.
00:13:04They're just kids.
00:13:0928.
00:13:1028.
00:13:12You look 40.
00:13:13Don't tell me about kids.
00:13:14Yes.
00:13:14Will you at least wait till they're asleep?
00:13:24Everything for them.
00:13:27Right to the bitter end.
00:13:28.
00:13:39My dad, you weren't bended in your環境.
00:13:40You don't need to get it.
00:13:42No.
00:13:43Ha-ha.
00:13:44No.
00:13:44No.
00:13:45Sheila, I didn't like you said I could have the blue chair this time.
00:13:47Did you?
00:13:48No.
00:13:49I didn't say it was a chair this time.
00:13:51Should I have to get out of the chair?
00:13:55He'll help me not!
00:13:56Like you promised me the dough!
00:13:59Get out of my hands!
00:14:01My dough!
00:14:02Oh, you shut up!
00:14:04Shut up once and all!
00:14:05Mommy, remember the time you had to buy your new baby?
00:14:07Take that thing off your face!
00:14:08Give him the chair, Sheila.
00:14:10Go in and wash your hands, will you?
00:14:11And don't use both those towels.
00:14:14Thanks, supper's ready!
00:14:15We can't, you won't!
00:14:17I can't, you've never got it, too!
00:14:20I could have the glue together.
00:14:21I could have the glue together.
00:14:21I could have the glue together.
00:14:24What if I never gave you my roller skates?
00:14:26That was my little terror.
00:14:28No, no.
00:14:41Honey, go get a rag and I'll put the milk up.
00:14:50See, I just, I think maybe we should wait for a while.
00:14:58Yeah, but why?
00:14:59Why?
00:14:59Now, 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.
00:15:20I 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.
00:15:26I'll be called to the problem.
00:15:27You couldn't possibly bring the war into our problems now.
00:15:30What?
00:15:30What 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 at the occasion.
00:15:40Father?
00:15:42Stephen, 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 bush.
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.
00:16:08A Catholic?
00:16:09Surely 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.
00:16:23It doesn't make any difference.
00:16:24You can't explain anything to it.
00:16:26Linda, that is not the point.
00:16:27I'm talking to you, Linda.
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?
00:16:40It 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.
00:16:51Wait, wait, wait.
00:16:52A papist?
00:16:54A papist?
00:16:55Who do you think you are?
00:16:57Martin Luther?
00:16:57The 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?
00:17:04Then, uh, come in to supper.
00:17:21Nard Hill, San Francisco.
00:17:27Stay tuned.
00:17:30In 15 minutes, it's Orson Welles and the Mercury Theatre's own dramatization of H.G. Wells' 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...
00:17:49Shh!
00:17:50Quiet, quiet!
00:17:51You...
00:17:52Marvin Catwell in London, England.
00:17:53This 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...
00:18:06Must 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. Welch.
00:18:58Good evening, sir.
00:18:59Good evening, sir.
00:19:29Clarence, I'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 the interior would be acceptable to continuity.
00:19:45The secretary of the interior?
00:19:47Mm-hmm.
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.
00:19:55Norman says he's given us all he's going to give us.
00:19:59It's all right?
00:20:08Uh, secretary of the interior.
00:20:11What does he sound like?
00:20:13Orson said he sounds like Roosevelt.
00:20:15I 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 Theatre on the Air.
00:20:53in a radio play by Howard Koch, suggested by the H.G. Wells novel, The War of the Worlds.
00:20:58Ladies 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.
00:22:02With 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,
00:22:15which 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.
00:22:43In the 38th year of the 20th century came the greatest illusion. It was here the end of October. Business was better.
00:22:50It was here the end of October. Business was better.
00:22:55Hey Oral?
00:23:00Hey, it's all right. Let me have some of that action and get through with me.
00:23:06There you go.
00:23:07There you go.
00:23:10What's in that machine that's got you so excited about, buddy Joe?
00:23:13Ain't them candy, that's the door.
00:23:18Business was better. More scale was over. More men were back at work. Sales were picking up.
00:23:24You're gonna sulk all night on account of I won't let you go over there and fight Germans.
00:23:41More men were back at work. On this particular evening, October 30th, the Crossley service estimated that 32 million people were listening in on radio reported over Nova Scotia, causing a low-pressure area to move down rather rapidly over the northeastern states.
00:24:06...
00:24:11...
00:24:14...
00:24:17...
00:24:24...
00:24:28...
00:24:29...
00:24:31...
00:24:35causing a low-pressure area to move down,
00:24:38bringing a 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.
00:25:05Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.
00:25:16From the Meridian Room in the Park Plaza in New York City,
00:25:18we 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.
00:25:35I hate that music.
00:25:40I hate that music.
00:25:43Harrison, would you please want 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.
00:25:55Don't you all agree?
00:26:01Oh, I love it.
00:26:02It's so awful.
00:26:03I absolutely love it.
00:26:05Come on, put those down and dance with me.
00:26:08Come on.
00:26:10Now.
00:26:19What the devil is she doing?
00:26:22Anyway, the girls were there for over a month, you know,
00:26:25and they said that at least the fascists made the trains run on fire.
00:26:30Kelly, what are you doing?
00:26:32We're doing a program of dance music to bring you a special bulletin
00:26:34from the Intercontinental Radio News.
00:26:3620 minutes before 8 central time,
00:26:40Professor Farrell of the Mount Jennings Observatory, Chicago, Illinois,
00:26:44reports observing several explosions of incandescent gas
00:26:47occurring at regular intervals on the planet Mars.
00:26:50The spectroscope indicates the gas to be hydrogen and moving toward the Earth
00:26:54with enormous velocity.
00:26:56Professor Pearson of the Observatory at Princeton confirms Farrell's observation
00:26:59and describes the phenomenon as, quote,
00:27:02like a jet of blue flame shot from a gun, unquote.
00:27:05We now return you to the music of Ramon Ragnano
00:27:08playing for you in the meridian room of the Park Plaza Hotel,
00:27:11situated in downtown New York.
00:27:13I want to know where you're going.
00:27:38I 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 that hear this.
00:27:54Sure you got everything?
00:27:59How about this, Mr. Free Spirit?
00:28:03You want it, if I did.
00:28:05I don't remember hearing that.
00:28:07I'm not in the car at the palace,
00:28:09but I don't remember hearing that.
00:28:11And now, where were you?
00:28:21I don't remember that.
00:28:25I don't remember.
00:28:25I don't remember.
00:28:35I just turned it on.
00:28:53Honest!
00:28:54How many times have we told your mother and me
00:29:06that when you go to sleep,
00:29:08there's no way you're going to watch
00:29:10on any further disturbances occurring on the planet Mars.
00:29:13Your sister is going to sleep.
00:29:16You go to sleep now, huh?
00:29:22No more radio.
00:29:41In a few moments,
00:29:42we will take you to the Princeton Observatory
00:29:44at Princeton, New Jersey.
00:29:46We return you until then
00:29:47to the music of Ramon Raquello
00:29:48and his orchestra.
00:30:03We are ready to take you
00:30:05to the Princeton Observatory
00:30:06at Princeton
00:30:07where Carl Phillips,
00:30:08our commentator,
00:30:09will interview Professor Richard Pearson,
00:30:11famous astronomer.
00:30:12We take you now
00:30:13to 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,
00:30:26semi-circular room.
00:30:28Pinch black.
00:30:28This is such a bore.
00:30:29Come on, baby.
00:30:29Let's get some stress in here.
00:30:31Come on.
00:30:31Through this opening,
00:30:32I can see a sprinkling of stars
00:30:33that cast a kind of frosty glow
00:30:36over the intricate mechanism
00:30:37of the huge telescope.
00:30:39The ticking sound you hear
00:30:40is the vibration of the clockwork.
00:30:42Professor Pearson
00:30:44stands directly above me
00:30:45on a small platform
00:30:46peering through the giant lens.
00:30:49I ask you to be patient,
00:30:50ladies and gentlemen,
00:30:50during any delay
00:30:51that may arise
00:30:52during our interview.
00:30:54Besides his ceaseless
00:30:55watch of the heavens,
00:30:56Professor Pearson
00:30:57may be interrupted
00:30:58by telephone
00:30:59or other communications.
00:31:01During this period,
00:31:02he is in constant touch
00:31:03with the astronomical
00:31:04centers of the world.
00:31:06Professor,
00:31:07may I begin our questions?
00:31:08At any time, Mr. Phillips.
00:31:10Professor,
00:31:10would you please tell
00:31:11our radio audience
00:31:12exactly what you see
00:31:13as you observe the planet Mars
00:31:15through your telescope?
00:31:16Nothing unusual at the moment,
00:31:18Mr. 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
00:31:26at the point nearest the Earth.
00:31:27In opposition,
00:31:29as we call it.
00:31:29In your opinion,
00:31:30what do these transverse stripes
00:31:32signify, Professor Pearson?
00:31:34Not now,
00:31:36I can assure you,
00:31:37Mr. Phillips,
00:31:37although that's the popular
00:31:39conjecture of those
00:31:40who imagine Mars
00:31:41to be inhabited.
00:31:43From a scientific viewpoint,
00:31:44the stripes are merely
00:31:45the result of atmospheric conditions
00:31:47peculiar to the planet.
00:31:48And you're quite convinced
00:31:49as a scientist
00:31:50believing intelligence
00:31:51as we know it
00:31:52does not exist
00:31:53on the planet Mars.
00:31:54I should say
00:31:54the chances against it
00:31:55are a thousand to one.
00:31:56How do you account
00:31:57for these gas eruptions
00:31:59occurring on the surface
00:32:00of the planet
00:32:00at regular intervals?
00:32:01Mr. Phillips,
00:32:02I cannot account for it.
00:32:06By the way, Professor,
00:32:07for the benefit
00:32:07of our listeners,
00:32:08how far is Mars
00:32:09from the Earth?
00:32:10Approximately
00:32:1140 million miles.
00:32:12Well, that seems
00:32:14a safe enough distance.
00:32:16Just a moment.
00:32:16Ladies and gentlemen,
00:32:17someone has just handed
00:32:18Professor Pearson a message.
00:32:20While he reads it,
00:32:20let me remind you
00:32:21that we are speaking to you
00:32:22from the observatory
00:32:23in Princeton, New Jersey,
00:32:25where we are interviewing
00:32:26the world-famous astronomer
00:32:27Professor Pearson.
00:32:29One moment, please.
00:32:30Professor Pearson
00:32:31has passed me a message
00:32:32which he has just received.
00:32:34Professor, may I read
00:32:35the message
00:32:35to the listening audience?
00:32:37Certainly, Mr. Phillips.
00:32:38Ladies and gentlemen,
00:32:39I shall read you
00:32:40a wire addressed
00:32:40to Professor Pearson
00:32:41from Dr. Gray
00:32:42of the National History
00:32:43Museum, New York.
00:32:45Of course I don't agree
00:32:46with everything Hitler does,
00:32:47but you've got to
00:32:47understand his position,
00:32:48especially considering
00:32:49this list.
00:32:51Seism a grand
00:32:52registered shock
00:32:53of almost earthquake
00:32:54intensity occurring
00:32:55within a radius
00:32:55of 20 miles
00:32:56of Princeton.
00:32:57Please investigate.
00:32:58Signed Lloyd Gray,
00:32:59chief of astronomical...
00:33:00What's that about Princeton?
00:33:01Professor Pearson,
00:33:02could this occurrence
00:33:03possibly have something
00:33:04to do with the disturbance
00:33:05observed on the planet Mars?
00:33:06Ah, hardly, Mr. Phillips.
00:33:09This is probably
00:33:10a meteorite
00:33:11of unusual size,
00:33:12and its arrival
00:33:13at this particular time
00:33:14is merely a coincidence.
00:33:17However,
00:33:18we shall conduct
00:33:19the 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
00:33:26at Princeton,
00:33:27bringing you
00:33:27a special interview
00:33:28with Professor Pearson,
00:33:30noted astronomer.
00:33:31This is Carl Phillips
00:33:32speaking.
00:33:33We now return you
00:33:33to our New York studio.
00:33:36Charlie McCarthy.
00:33:37I couldn't figure out
00:33:46what it was.
00:33:47Maybe you had a snoot for me.
00:33:48Oh, now,
00:33:49see what you did?
00:33:50You made me miss the opening.
00:33:52They'll be back.
00:33:57I don't care.
00:33:58I ain't gonna listen to that.
00:33:59You too.
00:34:01Now, here at home
00:34:02comes a special announcement
00:34:03from Trenton, New Jersey.
00:34:05It's reported
00:34:05that at 8.50 p.m.
00:34:08Hey, turn that back.
00:34:12What for?
00:34:12Let's hear that report.
00:34:16A huge flaming object
00:34:17believed to be a meteorite
00:34:19fell on a farm
00:34:20in the neighborhood
00:34:20of Grover's Mill, New Jersey,
00:34:2222 miles from Trenton.
00:34:24The flash in the sky
00:34:25was visible
00:34:25within a radius
00:34:26of several hundred miles.
00:34:28And 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 Millett
00:34:43and his orchestra
00:34:44are offering a program
00:34:45of dance music.
00:34:57We take you now
00:35:09to Grover's Mill, New Jersey.
00:35:14Ladies and gentlemen,
00:35:15this is Carl Phillips
00:35:16again at 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.
00:35:22Well, I hardly know
00:35:24what again
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.
00:35:40In 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,
00:35:58what 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, 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 back,
00:36:26I guess that's
00:36:27about enough of that.
00:36:27No, leave it.
00:36:29I thought you wanted
00:36:30to hear Charlie McCarthy.
00:36:31Oh, never mind.
00:36:32Charlie McCarthy,
00:36:33for one's with you.
00:36:34Go get the table.
00:36:36Something's happening
00:36:36right in our own backyard.
00:36:38Ain't you interested?
00:36:40Closer and louder,
00:36:40please.
00:36:42Louder, please.
00:36:44Yes, sir.
00:36:45Oh, I was listening
00:36:47to the radio.
00:36:48Really?
00:36:48Kind of drowsing
00:36:49that the professor
00:36:50fellow was talking
00:36:51about moms.
00:36:52So I was half dozing.
00:36:54Yes, Mr. Wilma.
00:36:55Then what happened?
00:36:56I was listening
00:36:57to the radio.
00:36:58Yes, Mr. Wilma.
00:36:59Yes, Mr. Wilma.
00:37:00What do you mean,
00:37:01Wilson?
00:37:01Can't figure how
00:37:02he missed that.
00:37:03First off,
00:37:04I 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 shoot it.
00:37:11Kind of like
00:37:12a Fourth 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.
00:37:18Yes.
00:37:18I seen a kind
00:37:20of greenish 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. Wilma?
00:37:27Oh, I ain't quite sure.
00:37:29I reckon I was
00:37:30kind of riled.
00:37:31Thank you, Mr. Wilma.
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
00:37:37Mr. Wilma
00:37:38owner of the vine
00:37:39where this thing
00:37:39has fallen.
00:37:40I wish I could
00:37:41convey the atmosphere
00:37:42of the 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
00:37:52right through.
00:37:53Their headlights
00:37:54throw an enormous spot
00:37:55on the pit
00:37:55where the objects
00:37:56have buried.
00:37:57Some of the more
00:37:57daring souls
00:37:58are venturing
00:37:59near the edge.
00:38:00Their silhouettes
00:38:00stand out
00:38:01against the 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.
00:38:07You can't tell me
00:38:09where I just don't
00:38:10put your hand on.
00:38:11Oh, Roger.
00:38:14Yeah, I do that.
00:38:16I mean,
00:38:16I'll let you know
00:38:16where I am.
00:38:18And there'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
00:38:37the microphone nearer.
00:38:38Here.
00:38:39There's nothing
00:38:42you're flirting about.
00:38:43They just fill
00:38:43those things up,
00:38:44you 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
00:38:48of that scraping 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?
00:39:03Well, I'll tell them
00:39:05as soon as they ask me.
00:39:09Just 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.
00:39:33the metal silo.
00:39:55The metal silo.
00:39:58The metal silo.
00:40:01The metal silo.
00:40:02Ladies and gentlemen, this is the most terrifying thing I've ever witnessed.
00:40:22Wait a minute, someone's falling out of the holocaust, someone or something's tearing out of that black hole, two luminous discs are the eyes, it might be a face, it might be, good heavens, something's wriggling out of the shadow like a grey snake.
00:40:42No, it's another one, and another, they look like tentacles to me, there, I can see the thing's body.
00:40:49Oh, it's large as a bear and it glistens like wet leather.
00:40:55But that face, it's indescribable.
00:41:00I can hardly force myself to keep looking at it, the eyes are black and gleam like a serpent, the mouth is V-shaped with saliva.
00:41:08It seems to quiver and pulsate, the monster, or whatever it is, can hardly move, it seems, weighed down by possibly gravity or something.
00:41:20The thing's raising up, the crowd falls back, they've seen enough.
00:41:24This is the most extraordinary experience, I can't find words, I'm pulling this microphone with me as I talk.
00:41:31I'll have to stop the description until I've taken a new position.
00:41:35Hold on, will you please, I'll be back in a minute.
00:41:38Oh my God, Hank.
00:41:50What is it, what's happening?
00:41:52Nothing, you see, just take it easy now.
00:41:54Oh, it's, it's just probably one of those things from, from media.
00:41:59But didn't you hear what he said?
00:42:00I heard what he said.
00:42:01Well, what's happening?
00:42:02We are bringing you an eyewitness account of what's happening on the Wilmoth Farm, Grover'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 on another station.
00:42:26The only thing, no.
00:42:29Pattern, couldn't eat.
00:42:31Six, nine.
00:42:34I'm not going to finish this story.
00:42:36Well, why not?
00:42:37Well, I'm not going to make a fool of myself.
00:42:39Turn it back, they don't even know it's happening.
00:42:41Wait a minute, will you?
00:42:43Walter, come on.
00:42:44Well, it certainly took you long enough to be wise.
00:42:47Ladies and gentlemen, we now return you to Carl Phillips at Grover's Mill.
00:42:56Ladies and gentlemen, am I on?
00:43:00Ladies and gentlemen, here I am, back to the stone wall that adjoins Mr. Wilmoth's garden.
00:43:05From here, I get a sweep of the whole scene.
00:43:07I'll give you every detail as long as I can talk, as long as I can see.
00:43:11More state police have arrived.
00:43:13They're drawing up a cordon in front of the pit, about 30 of them.
00:43:16No need to push the crowd back now.
00:43:18They're willing to keep the distance.
00:43:19The captain is conferring with someone.
00:43:21We can't quite see who.
00:43:23Oh, yes, I believe it's Professor Pearson.
00:43:25Yes, it is.
00:43:26Now they parted.
00:43:27The professor moves around one side, studying the object,
00:43:30while the captain and two policemen advance with something in their hands.
00:43:33I can see it now.
00:43:34It's a white handkerchief tied to a pole.
00:43:37A flying team.
00:43:39Those creatures know what that means, what anything means.
00:43:42Wait!
00:43:44Something's happening!
00:43:46A hump sheet is rising up...
00:43:47Shut that thing off!
00:43:49No, you betty, Joey!
00:43:49...against a mirror.
00:43:50What's that?
00:43:52There's a jet of flames swinging from that mirror.
00:43:55And it leads us right at the advancing men.
00:43:58Oh, my God!
00:43:59It strikes them in.
00:44:00Oh, my God!
00:44:04All right, buddy.
00:44:05What's going on in there?
00:44:07Huh?
00:44:07Don't you know what's happening?
00:44:15Come on, come on.
00:44:16You'll have to move the car.
00:44:17There's no parking along.
00:44:18Listen!
00:44:18Listen!
00:44:18Listen!
00:44:19Listen!
00:44:22Now the whole field's caught fire!
00:44:28That's just regular program.
00:44:30It's coming this way, about 20 yards to my right.
00:44:40Let's go.
00:44:55Let's go.
00:44:55Ladies and gentlemen, due to circumstances beyond our control, we are unable to continue
00:45:03the broadcast from Grover's Mill.
00:45:05We continue now with our piano interlude.
00:45:30Columbia Broadcasting System.
00:45:46What?
00:45:47Well, not that I know of.
00:45:49I believe it's only a play.
00:45:52That's right.
00:45:53It's just a play.
00:45:54That's what's on our program schedule.
00:45:57You're welcome.
00:46:05Ladies and gentlemen, I've just been handed a message that came in from Grover's Mill
00:46:08by telephone.
00:46:09At least 40 people, including six state troopers, lie dead in a field east of the village of Grover's
00:46:14Mill, their bodies burned and distorted beyond all possible recognition.
00:46:18The next voice you hear will be that of Brigadier General Montgomery Smith, commander of the
00:46:23state militia at Trenton, New Jersey.
00:46:26Okay, General.
00:46:27Over here.
00:46:28Over here.
00:46:29Yeah.
00:46:31I have been requested by the Governor of New Jersey to place the counties of Mercer and
00:46:36Middlesex as far west as Princeton and east to Jamiesburg under martial law.
00:46:41No one will be permitted to enter this area except by special pass issued by state or military
00:46:47authorities.
00:46:48Head for cover.
00:46:59It's on the radio.
00:47:00Quick.
00:47:00Mommy.
00:47:12I'm going to sleep in your room.
00:47:16Oh.
00:47:16Oh.
00:47:17It's alright.
00:47:18It's alright.
00:47:19It's alright.
00:47:20It's alright.
00:47:21Let's sleep in here.
00:47:22Can I understand?
00:47:23No.
00:47:23No.
00:47:25The strange creatures after unleashing their deadly assault crawled back in their pit and
00:47:30They've made no attempt to prevent the efforts of firemen to recover the bodies and extinguish the fire.
00:47:34Let's get out of here!
00:47:35Come on!
00:47:36Come on!
00:47:37Let's go!
00:47:38Let's go!
00:47:39Let's go!
00:47:40Ladies and gentlemen, I've just been informed that we have finally established communication with an eyewitness of the tragedy.
00:47:47Professor Pearson has been located at a farmhouse near Grover's Mill, where he's established an emergency observation post.
00:47:54As a scientist, he will give you his explanation of this calamity.
00:47:57The next voice you hear will be of Professor Pearson, brought to you by Direct Wire.
00:48:02Professor Pearson.
00:48:04Of the creatures in the rocket cylinder at Grover's Mill, I can give you no authoritative information,
00:48:09either as to their nature, their origin, or their purposes here on Earth.
00:48:14Of their destructive instrument, I might venture some conjectural explanation.
00:48:19So what would they have in turn?
00:48:21I don't know what they're doing for the addiction brain.
00:48:24It's all too evident that these creatures have scientific knowledge far in advance of our own.
00:48:32They are able to generate an intense heat in a chamber of practically absolute non-conductivity.
00:48:37This intense heat they project in a parallel beam against any object they choose by means of a polished parabolic mirror of unknown composition,
00:48:47much as the mirror of a lighthouse projects a beam of light.
00:48:51And that is my conjecture of the origin of the heat ray.
00:48:55Thank you, Professor Pearson, bulletin.
00:49:00Ladies and gentlemen, here is a bulletin from Trenton.
00:49:03It is a brief statement informing us that the charred body of Carl Phillips has been identified in a Trenton hospital.
00:49:08We have received a request from the militia at Trenton to place at their disposal our entire broadcasting facilities.
00:49:16In view of the gravity of the situation and believing that radio has a definite responsibility to serve in the public interest at all times,
00:49:26we are turning over our facilities to the state militia, Trenton.
00:49:30Well, it's about time they got the military involved.
00:49:37Mr. Matlock.
00:49:37We take you now to the field headquarters of the state militia, near Grover's Mill, New Jersey.
00:49:45I need some more artillery of the air to the sky!
00:49:58This is Captain Lansley, the single corps attached to the state militia,
00:50:02now engaged with military operations in the vicinity of Grover's Mill.
00:50:06The situation arising from the reported presence of certain individuals of unidentified nature is now under complete control.
00:50:14The cylindrical object which lies in a pit directly below our position
00:50:18is surrounded now on all sides by eight battalions...
00:50:22Daddy, what's the matter?
00:50:24You go to sleep.
00:50:25Oops.
00:50:25Why is Mommy crying?
00:50:27Well, Mommy has a headache.
00:50:28That's why Mommy's crying.
00:50:29I can't go to sleep.
00:50:31I'm afraid my bad dream will come back.
00:50:33Oh, no, what?
00:50:34You know why?
00:50:34You come in the other room with Daddy?
00:50:37You sleep on the couch, huh?
00:50:38I can see they're hiding.
00:50:39It's plainly glare the searchlights.
00:50:41With all their reported resources, these creatures can scare us.
00:50:45It is going to be all right.
00:50:48Everywhere it's an interesting outing for the troops.
00:50:52We've got an exact bit of work across the back and forth now in front of the lights.
00:50:56You know it's almost like a real war?
00:50:59What?
00:50:59Oh, yeah.
00:51:01Yeah, there appears to be some slight smoke in the woods watering the bills, you know?
00:51:05How are we going to fight these things?
00:51:07Just where our shots are...
00:51:08You just keep your eyes peaceful at this point.
00:51:10Don't you worry about that heat right here.
00:51:13First, let's just fight.
00:51:15And we'll give them something to worry about.
00:51:19You looking for a fight?
00:51:20Mr. Matlock, sir.
00:51:24Please.
00:51:25Harrison, don't get involved in things you don't understand.
00:51:37Say, have you been listening?
00:51:40Shh.
00:51:40All right.
00:51:41All right.
00:51:42The boys are going to work.
00:51:44I'm the wrestling boss.
00:51:45What are you going to do?
00:51:46I don't know what to do.
00:51:47You know the piercers down the hall?
00:51:50They're putting everybody in the car.
00:51:52They figure they'll be safer across the river in New York.
00:51:55They're going to New York?
00:51:56We're leaving here now.
00:51:57What do you mean we're leaving here now?
00:51:58Me too.
00:51:59We're leaving here now.
00:52:00I'm going to pack up the kids.
00:52:01Honey, you don't feel good right now.
00:52:02You put a light blood down on you.
00:52:03You don't feel just like...
00:52:05What is it?
00:52:06What?
00:52:07You know Pete the handyman?
00:52:08He says it's the Germans.
00:52:11It's the Germans?
00:52:12Wait a minute.
00:52:13I see something on the top of the cylinder.
00:52:16Hey, nah, nothing but a shadow.
00:52:17Well, troops are on the edge of the Wilma's farm.
00:52:20We have 7,000 armed men closing in on a old metal tub.
00:52:27Wait a minute.
00:52:29That wasn't a shadow.
00:52:31Something moved.
00:52:33Solid metal.
00:52:34Kind of a steel-like affair rising up out of the cylinder.
00:52:38Going high and higher.
00:52:40Standing on legs actually rearing up on a sort of metal framework.
00:52:44How it's reaching above the trees.
00:52:47First off the unit.
00:52:49Hold on.
00:52:57Ladies and gentlemen, I have a grave announcement to make.
00:53:00Incredible as it may seem, both the observations of science and the evidence of our eyes
00:53:04lead to the inescapable assumption that those strange beings who landed in the Jersey farmlands tonight
00:53:09are the vanguard of an invading army from the planet Mars.
00:53:12The battle which took place tonight at Grover's Mill has ended
00:53:15in one of the most startling defeats ever suffered by an army in modern times.
00:53:197,000 men armed with rifles and machine guns
00:53:22hit it against a single fighting machine of the invader from Mars.
00:53:25120 known survivors.
00:53:28The rest strewn over the battle area from Grover's Mill to Plainsboro,
00:53:31crushed and crattled to death under the metal feet of the monster,
00:53:34or burned to cinders by its heat ray.
00:53:35The monster is now in control of the middle section of New Jersey
00:53:39and has effectively cut the state through its center.
00:53:42Communication lines are down from Pennsylvania to the Atlantic Ocean.
00:53:45Call Chief Lawrence to the police station.
00:53:47Yes, sir.
00:53:49Discontinued except rooting some of the trains through Allentown and Phoenixville.
00:53:53Highways to the north, south, and west are clogged with frantic human traffic.
00:53:56Police and army reserves are unable to control the mad flight.
00:54:00By morning, the fugitives will have swelled Philadelphia, Camden, and Trenton
00:54:03in his estimated to twice their normal population.
00:54:05At this time, martial law prevails throughout New Jersey and...
00:54:09Hey, Orville, it is a radio program, eh?
00:54:11It ain't no radio show.
00:54:14Now shut up, will you?
00:54:15The Secretary of the Interior.
00:54:18Citizens of the nation,
00:54:21I shall not try to conceal the gravity of the situation
00:54:27that confronts the country,
00:54:30nor the concern of your government...
00:54:33It's Roosevelt.
00:54:36What's that idiom doing now?
00:54:38...of its people.
00:54:40However, I wish to impress upon you
00:54:44private citizens and public officials...
00:54:47There is no answer, sir.
00:54:48...all of you
00:54:49The urgent need of calm and resourceful passage.
00:54:56Fortunately, this formidable enemy is still confined to a comparatively small area.
00:55:06And we may place our faith in the military forces to keep them there.
00:55:13In the meantime, placing our faith in God,
00:55:18we must continue the performance of our duties,
00:55:24each and every one of us,
00:55:26so that we may confront this destructive adversary
00:55:31with a nation united,
00:55:35courageous,
00:55:36and consecrated to the preservation of human supremacy on this earth.
00:55:43I thank you.
00:55:44You have just heard the Secretary of the Interior speaking from Washington.
00:55:53Bulletons too numerous to read are piling up in the newsroom here.
00:55:56We are informed that the central portion of New Jersey
00:55:58is blacked out from radio communication
00:55:59due to the effect of the heat ray upon power lines and electrical equipment.
00:56:07Here is a special bulletin from New York.
00:56:09It was received from English, French, German, scientific bodies offering assistance.
00:56:16Astronomers report continued gas outbursts
00:56:18at regular intervals on the planet Mars.
00:56:23Majority vote opinion...
00:56:26Their apparent objective is to proxy resistance to the airline.
00:56:34Hey, boy, where are you stopping this for?
00:56:36We got to get out of here.
00:56:37I just want to find out where the fire is after it's on.
00:56:40Fire, are you serious?
00:56:41Yeah, you see, you're going about 80 miles.
00:56:43Are you crazy?
00:56:44Don't you know what's happening?
00:56:45Ain't you heard?
00:56:46Just listen.
00:56:48You blow up second invading units
00:56:49before a cylinder can be opened
00:56:51and the Martian fighting machine rigged.
00:56:53Martians, yeah.
00:56:54Yeah.
00:56:54They've landed on Earth.
00:56:55New Jersey's under martial law.
00:56:57I'm serious.
00:56:58Just listen, just listen, listen.
00:56:59...the foothills of the Watchung Mountains.
00:57:02Another bulletin from Lyonfield, Virginia.
00:57:04Scouting planes report enemy machines...
00:57:06Is that where you let me go?
00:57:07I've got to get back to the farm.
00:57:09You ain't getting over there.
00:57:10I've got to get out of here.
00:57:12We've got a favorite thing.
00:57:13Stop.
00:57:16Hold it.
00:57:23That's a radio play, old buddy.
00:57:24Here.
00:57:25Here.
00:57:25Here.
00:57:29Here.
00:57:30Here.
00:57:30Here.
00:57:31Turn around.
00:57:33That a boy.
00:57:35Oh, hell I had known it was a radio play.
00:57:38...the artillery line...
00:57:39...and adjacent villagers to give you direct reports
00:57:41in the zone of the advancing enemy.
00:57:43First, we take you to the battery
00:57:44of the 22nd Field Artillery
00:57:46located in the Watchung Mountains.
00:57:47There.
00:57:49There.
00:57:49Here.
00:57:53Range, 32 metres.
00:57:5632 metres.
00:57:56Projection, 39 degrees.
00:57:5839 degrees.
00:57:59Fire.
00:58:00Fire.
00:58:01Fire.
00:58:06Shift range, 31 metres.
00:58:09Fire.
00:58:10Fire.
00:58:10荧, 30 metres.
00:58:1135 metres.
00:58:12Fire.
00:58:12Fire.
00:58:13Fire.
00:58:13Fire.
00:58:14Fire.
00:58:14I hit Sarah. We've got a tripod of one of them. They've stopped.
00:58:22Come on. We've got us to try to repair it.
00:58:24No, honey, you can't take doors, I'm afraid.
00:58:28Projection, 27 degrees.
00:58:30Hi, honey.
00:58:32You're not a baby.
00:58:34You gotta be kidding me.
00:58:36They're letting off the smoke.
00:58:38Well, how could they?
00:58:40A black smoke, sir, moving this way.
00:58:42Well, what do you want me to do?
00:58:43It's moving fast.
00:58:45Oh, okay. All right, I'll see what I can do.
00:58:48Paul, we've got trouble.
00:58:50Listen, people are taking this thing seriously.
00:58:52No, that's ridiculous.
00:58:53Well, we've got to do something about it.
00:58:54Well, we'll give them a disclaimer.
00:58:56Well, where?
00:58:57Well, where else? At the station break.
00:59:00Twenty-four, three meters.
00:59:02Twenty-three meters.
00:59:05Projection, 22 degrees.
00:59:07Twenty-two degrees.
00:59:13Harrison, don't just stand there.
00:59:17Call someone!
00:59:18Mr. Matlock.
00:59:19Mr. Matlock, perhaps we're reacting precipitously.
00:59:20What are you talking about?
00:59:22Perhaps we should try to understand them.
00:59:23Understand?
00:59:24The Martians!
00:59:25They may have been forced into this.
00:59:27Lack of living space.
00:59:28You're mad!
00:59:29Perhaps they could even try to help us.
00:59:30Pull us up by our bootstraps, so to speak.
00:59:31Maybe they can even help us to get the trains to run on time!
00:59:38Oh, my, my...
00:59:40That's the thing.
00:59:41Mr. Matlock, perhaps we're reacting precipitously.
00:59:43What are you talking about?
00:59:44Perhaps we should try to understand them.
00:59:45Understand?
00:59:46The Martians!
00:59:47They may have been forced into this.
00:59:48Lack of living space.
00:59:49You're mad!
00:59:50Perhaps they could even try to help us.
00:59:51Pull us up by our bootstraps, so to speak.
00:59:53Maybe they could even help us to get the trains to run on time!
00:59:58Army bombing plane, V-843, off Bayonne, New Jersey.
01:00:11Lieutenant Boyd, commanding eight bombers.
01:00:12Reporting command at Fairfax, Langham Field.
01:00:15Let's see what's going on, Bob.
01:00:16Go ahead.
01:00:19This is Boyd, reporting command at Fairfax, Langham Field.
01:00:22Enemy tripod machines are now in sight.
01:00:25Reinforced by three machines from the Morstown cylinder, there are six now altogether.
01:00:30One machine partially crippled, believed hit by a shell from Army gun.
01:00:36Where, dammit, where?
01:00:39Guns now appear silent.
01:00:42A heavy black fog is hanging close to the Earth now.
01:00:45Extreme density, nature unknown.
01:00:48No sign of heat ray.
01:00:49Enemy now turns east, crossing Pazeg River into Jersey Marshals.
01:00:56Another straddles the Pulaski Skyway.
01:00:59They're on the skyway.
01:01:01They're pushing down a high-tensin power station now.
01:01:04Machines are close together.
01:01:06We are ready to attack.
01:01:08Plane circling, ready to strike.
01:01:10A thousand yards, and we'll be over the first.
01:01:20Eight hundred yards.
01:01:24Linda.
01:01:25Linda!
01:01:26Hey!
01:01:33Hmm.
01:01:34Come on, we gotta get out of here.
01:02:03We gotta save this place.
01:02:04Save it.
01:02:05This is our home.
01:02:06This is a sacred place.
01:02:08No harm can come to you.
01:02:10No harm?
01:02:10The Martians are taking over.
01:02:12Martians?
01:02:13No, no.
01:02:14They are the angels of darkness.
01:02:16The forces of evil.
01:02:17We're getting married.
01:02:18Stop.
01:02:18What?
01:02:19We're getting married right now.
01:02:20No, stop it.
01:02:21I love you.
01:02:22We're getting married.
01:02:23Under the resurrection, there shall be no marriage or giving of hands unto Mary.
01:02:28You'll be like the angels of heaven.
01:02:29I love you, please.
01:02:31Oh, yes.
01:02:32Stephen.
01:02:33We wrestle not against...
01:02:35Okay, the first church is fine.
01:02:36Are you coming with us?
01:02:37Against the forces of darkness.
01:02:39Talk to him.
01:02:40War and rumors of war.
01:02:43But take ye no heed.
01:02:44There shall no harm to come to us.
01:02:47But I see it now.
01:02:48Alpha and Omega.
01:02:50No.
01:02:50It is the beginning and the end.
01:02:53It is the revelation.
01:02:54We need to come.
01:02:55Let it come down.
01:02:56Let it come down like buckets of blood.
01:02:58Come on.
01:02:58There shall be a new heaven and a new earth.
01:03:02Let it come down.
01:03:03Give it to us, O Lord.
01:03:05Let it go.
01:03:06No.
01:03:06No.
01:03:07No.
01:03:07This is my home.
01:03:08My sanctuary.
01:03:09There is no sanctuary.
01:03:10No anti-twice.
01:03:12This is an invasion from Mars.
01:03:13Howard.
01:03:14No.
01:03:14They're spraying us with flame.
01:03:292,000 feet.
01:03:30Engine's given out now.
01:03:32No chance to release bombs.
01:03:36Only one thing left.
01:03:37Drop on them, plane and all.
01:03:40We are dabbling on the first one.
01:03:45Do you understand?
01:03:45We're helpless against them.
01:03:47Listen.
01:03:47Listen.
01:03:48Get in.
01:03:49Revelation.
01:03:51We'll do it.
01:03:51Get it going.
01:03:53This is the end of the world.
01:04:00No, no.
01:04:00It's not the end of the world.
01:04:01It's the end of our world.
01:04:02They're going to be all right.
01:04:03They'll still be here when they're done with us.
01:04:06Get in.
01:04:06No man was made in God's image.
01:04:09These are mechanical monsters.
01:04:12Maybe God is a mechanical bug.
01:04:14Would you get in?
01:04:15No.
01:04:16No.
01:04:17No.
01:04:19No.
01:04:19Father.
01:04:20No.
01:04:21Come on.
01:04:21Come on.
01:04:26Not bug.
01:04:28Thank you, baby.
01:04:29Reverend Jesus.
01:04:30Father.
01:04:31Reverend Jesus.
01:04:33Come on.
01:04:34Come on.
01:04:34Come on.
01:04:35Come on.
01:04:36Come on.
01:04:38Father.
01:04:41I have to keep it out of the house.
01:04:45This is Bayonne, New Jersey, calling Langham Field.
01:04:47This is Bayonne, New Jersey, calling Langham Field.
01:04:49Come in, please.
01:04:51We've had no calls from the airport.
01:04:54It's just a plane break.
01:04:54It's the Mercury Theater.
01:04:56That's correct.
01:04:56No, there's no need to call the police.
01:04:58It's just a play.
01:04:59Good evening, Columbia Broadcasting System.
01:05:01You're welcome.
01:05:02Columbia Broadcasting System.
01:05:03Disconnected on that.
01:05:05Oh, it's a play called Board of the Worlds.
01:05:08Sorry, can I give you that information?
01:05:09You're welcome.
01:05:11They all life like the world is coming to an end.
01:05:12What the hell are they doing up there?
01:05:15This 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 class.
01:05:31One enemy machine destroyed.
01:05:33Enemy now just got to be like cool.
01:05:34There's a warning.
01:05:36Poisonous black smoke burrowing in from the crazy marshes.
01:05:39They'll see old fellows when the gas is here.
01:05:41They used to use birds for poison gas detection.
01:05:46Automobiles is right 7, 23, 24.
01:05:49Exploring congested areas.
01:05:51Smoke now spreading over Raymond Boulevard and PV.
01:05:54Raymond, go on.
01:05:56Mommy.
01:05:56Hold on.
01:06:04You okay?
01:06:06Yeah.
01:06:07Where is it going?
01:06:08Where is it going?
01:06:11Daddy, you're stepping the bus, Daddy.
01:06:13Where is it going?
01:06:14Where is it going?
01:06:15John, come on.
01:06:20Where is it going?
01:06:20Where is it going?
01:06:22I know.
01:06:22Where is it going?
01:06:23Where is it going?
01:06:24John, come on.
01:06:26We'll get it.
01:06:30See this.
01:06:30Look, we're getting out of the car.
01:06:32I want everybody to hurry up.
01:06:33Leave everything in.
01:06:34Hurry up now.
01:06:35Take it easy.
01:06:35Hurry up.
01:06:36Come on.
01:06:37Come on.
01:06:37Let's go.
01:06:38Everybody out.
01:06:39Don't take everything.
01:06:41Don't take the food.
01:06:43Come on.
01:06:43You don't need this.
01:06:44Come on.
01:06:44You don't need this.
01:06:45Come on.
01:06:45Hurry up.
01:06:46Take it easy.
01:06:46Come on.
01:06:47Direct to all.
01:06:49Calling C2.
01:06:51Direct to all.
01:06:52Calling C2.
01:07:10Father.
01:07:11I'll stay!
01:07:15Hey!
01:07:17No!
01:07:19Please!
01:07:21Okay.
01:07:23Okay, outside.
01:07:25Outside.
01:07:312X2L,
01:07:331X3R,
01:07:351X3R,
01:07:371X3R,
01:07:392X2L calling
01:07:418X3R.
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?
01:07:53Okay, 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.
01:08:28Artillery, Air Force,
01:08:29everything wiped out.
01:08:31This may be the last broadcast.
01:08:33We'll stay here to the end.
01:08:35People, as you can hear, are holding service below in the cathedral.
01:08:39Now I, I look down the harbor.
01:08:43All matter of boats overloaded with fleeing population,
01:08:46pulling out from the docks.
01:08:48The streets are jammed.
01:08:51Noise in the crowds like New Year's Eve and...
01:08:54Wait a minute.
01:08:56Enemy now in sight above the Palisades.
01:08:58Three, four, five great machines.
01:09:01The first one is crossing the river.
01:09:03I can see it from here.
01:09:04Waiting the Hudson like a man wading through a brook.
01:09:07Seems to be time, there's fate.
01:09:10Now the first machine reaches the shore.
01:09:14Oh, no.
01:09:16All right, thanks.
01:09:19That 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.
01:09:23Well, where's that disclaimer?
01:09:25I forgot.
01:09:26I didn't even have time to finish it.
01:09:27Oh, all right, all right.
01:09:28I'll take care of it.
01:09:31Oh, my God, how did he think this was real?
01:09:33You're not going to scrub the second half of the show.
01:09:35I don't know.
01:09:37Orson's not going to like a disclaimer.
01:09:39Dramatization.
01:09:41Repeat.
01:09:42Radio dramatization.
01:09:48Sam Watson, looking over the city.
01:09:51His steel, collish head is even with the skyscrapers.
01:09:54Who waits 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.
01:10:04Smoke is coming out.
01:10:06Black smoke drifting over the city.
01:10:09People in the streets see it now.
01:10:12They're running towards the East River.
01:10:14Thousands of them dropping in like rats.
01:10:17And now the smoke is spreading faster.
01:10:19It has reached Times Square.
01:10:21People trying to run away from it.
01:10:24But it's no use.
01:10:26They are falling like flies.
01:10:28And now the smoke is crossing Sixth Avenue.
01:10:30Fifth Avenue.
01:10:31A hundred yards away.
01:10:34Fifty feet.
01:10:36Fifty feet.
01:10:37Fifty feet.
01:10:38Fifty feet.
01:10:39Fifty feet.
01:10:43In the street.
01:10:44One, 2L.
01:10:454X-CQ.
01:10:46Twoül, 4X-CQ.
01:10:47Two-X-two-L, 4X-CQ.
01:10:48Two-X-two-L, 4X-CQ.
01:10:492L, call on CQ, 2X2L, call on CQ, 2X2L, call on CQ.