More for my "War of the Worlds" radio broadcast archive

[kestrell]

Jeff Wayne releases new "War of the Worlds" musical
https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/jeff-wayne-releases-new-war-of-the-worlds-musical-drama-exclusive-clip#main-content
My favorite paratext on the subject is still the TV documentary
The Night that Panicked America (TV movie, 1975, screenplay by Nicholas Meyer)
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073454/
screenplay by Nicholas Meyer, screenwriter of "The Seven Percent Solution" and many Star Trek movies
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0583292/?ref_=tt_ov_wr#writer

Comments

[negothick]

So, Kes, we're approaching the 80th anniversary of that broadcast. I saw a stage musical, totally different from this Jeff Wayne musical. I think it was called "Panic." and yes it was called Panic. A revised version is playing in New York: this article mentions the 80th anniversary. https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/PANIC-THE-STORY-BEHIND-THE-WAR-OF-THE-WORLDS-BROADCAST-Adds-Performance-Extended-Through-October-30-20180906

[duskpeterson]

I am excited beyond words to hear about the new Jeff Wayne musical. Also, "The Night That Panicked America" is one of my favorite movies. I still watch it every October.

I was introduced to the original War of the Worlds broadcast by my sixth-grade teacher, who decided that playing the broadcast at our Halloween party, with the lights turned off, would be a neat way to terrify our class. I have fond memories of that teacher.

[kestrell]

So glad someone else fan this movie! I remember seeing it on TV as a little kid, and immediately falling in love with Orson. When I went to grad school for media studies, this was the first project I proposed doing and was amazed at how few students in my media studies class knew about it, other than believing the myth that it caused widespread panic.
If you are up for a doorstopper of a book, I recommend Barton Whaley's _The Man Who Was magic_, which focuses on Orson's use of magic and deception in his work.

[duskpeterson]

Thanks much for the recommendation!

[kestrell]

Btw, I have this in ebook format, if that's your preferred medium.

[duskpeterson]

Thanks much for the offer, but my To Be Read list has exploded to massive proportions. :)