A Look Behind Orson Welles’ War of the Worlds Broadcast – BMW of Elmhurst Dealer

Get ready for Halloween with A Look Behind Orson Welles’ War of the Worlds Broadcast, a presentation hosted by the Elmhurst Public Library on Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021, at 7 p.m. This hybrid in-person and virtual lecture will explore one of the most infamous events in radio history. At BMW of Elmhurst, we think this program sounds like a fun way to kick off October. We invite you to check it out.

On the evening of Oct. 30, 1938, CBS Radio broadcast an adaptation of H.G. Wells’ novel “The War of the Worlds” on an episode of The Mercury Theatre on the Air. Directed by a young Orson Welles, the Halloween-themed program transformed the novel’s plot into a simulated newscast describing a Martian invasion in rural New Jersey. Some members of the listening audience believed the newscast was real and anxiously phoned the police for help. This led many journalists to claim the broadcast caused nationwide panic. However, historians dispute the true scale of the alleged hysteria. While Welles initially feared the incident would ruin his career, it helped launch his legendary career as a Hollywood actor and director.

During A Look Behind Orson Welles’ War of the Worlds Broadcast, lecturer Laura Keyes will examine this event’s impact on American culture. She will also discuss whether Orson Welles intended to scare his audience and whether newspapers exaggerated reports of widespread terror. This spooky lecture will be a great way to get into the Halloween spirit.

Date and Time:
A Look Behind Orson Welles’ War of the Worlds Broadcast will take place on Oct. 5, 2021, at 7 p.m.

Location:
Elmhurst Public Library
Large Meeting Room
125 S. Prospect Avenue
Elmhurst, IL 60126

Admission:
Free. You can attend this event in person or virtually on Zoom. Register at https://tinyurl.com/3kktx67b to attend in person or at https://tinyurl.com/hs243zz7 to attend on Zoom.

For More Information:
Please contact [email protected] or call 630-279-8696.