Night That Panicked America
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00:00:00The program you're about to see is a recreation of the War of the Worlds panic broadcast of
00:00:061938. It is based on fact. All interruptions for news bulletins are simulated, and certain
00:00:13names, characters, and incidents are changed in the interests of dramatization.
00:00:21In the late years of the 1930s, we were witness to our world gripped in the first agonies
00:00:26of invasion and war. No section of the earth seemed free from these terrors, or from the
00:00:34nightmares of what was to come. Nightmares that for the first time were brought vividly
00:00:39into every home by the force of a new medium, radio.
00:01:09The U.S. troops are at this moment marching into Oslo. The U.S. troops are at this moment marching into Oslo.
00:01:12The U.S. troops are at this moment marching into Oslo.
00:01:14The U.S. troops are at this moment marching into Oslo.
00:01:16The U.S. troops are at this moment marching into Oslo.
00:01:18The U.S. troops are at this moment marching into Oslo.
00:01:20The U.S. troops are at this moment marching into Oslo.
00:01:22The U.S. troops are at this moment marching into Oslo.
00:01:24The U.S. troops are at this moment marching into Oslo.
00:01:26The U.S. troops are at this moment marching into Oslo.
00:01:28The U.S. troops are at this moment marching into Oslo.
00:01:30The U.S. troops are at this moment marching into Oslo.
00:01:32The U.S. troops are at this moment marching into Oslo.
00:01:34People! People! People!
00:01:37And America listened to the distant under broth by this medium,
00:01:40And America listened to the distant under broth by this medium,
00:01:42wanting desperately to believe that they were secure from the lightning that was to come.
00:01:50It is October 30th, 1938. 623 eastern standard time.
00:01:52It is October 30th, 1938. 623 eastern standard time.
00:01:54An invasion is being planned by a small group.
00:01:56An invasion is being planned by a small group.
00:01:58And this man is part of it.
00:02:00part of it. Not the invasion one might expect, but an unwitting invasion of the mind that
00:02:06will send a panicked nation fleeing out into the streets. In exactly one hour and thirty-seven
00:02:12minutes, the nightmare will begin. A fitting night has been picked. It is Halloween Eve.
00:02:19The world's late. What's the show tonight? Our version of War of the Worlds. War! H.G.
00:02:31Wells. Ain't there enough war on the radio as it is? No, this is a different kind of
00:02:35war. Different? How different? Either got Germans, Japanese, or Italians. No, we're
00:02:40not. We got more. Now to those thrilling days of yesteryear. Out of the back comes a thundering
00:02:58hoofbeat of the great war silver. Today, all over Europe, all over Germany, Hitler moves
00:03:05to the underground. A shadow never seen before. Well, good news tonight. Washington DC. I
00:03:20wonder how they're going to get back there. Ain't you going to do anything for a little
00:03:30itsy bitsy Charlie on this Halloween? I may tell you a ghost story. A ghost story? Yes.
00:03:36Do you think you're going to... What is Washington doing about call prevention? Oh my God, it's
00:03:46crashing. This is the worst catastrophe in the world. The flames are 500 feet in the
00:03:51sky. It's smoke and flames now. Oh, the humanity. Those passengers. I can't talk, ladies and
00:03:58gentlemen. There's a mass of smoke. Lady, I'm sorry. I can hardly... I'm going to step
00:04:05inside where I can't see it. Charlie, this is terrible. I'm going to have to stop for
00:04:10a minute. It's incredible. He never had an inkling it was going to crash. You know what
00:04:17he's doing when he goes off the air for 15 seconds? Throwing up. Hey, you're not going
00:04:22to do that on the air, are you? Orson wants reality. Well, perhaps not that much. Monsters
00:04:26from Mars are burning up hundreds of people right in front of his mic. What would you
00:04:30do? It's bursting into flames. This is terrible. This is one of the worst catastrophes in the
00:04:39world. The flames are 100 feet in the sky. It's smoke and flames. Oh, the humanity. Those
00:04:45passengers. I can't talk. Hey, Paul. Hello, Norm. How are you? Listen about the... Hey,
00:04:53Paul, I've got to talk to you for a minute. Do we have to run like this? Well, every minute
00:04:58counts, Norm. We're less than two hours to air time. What's up? You know darn well what's
00:05:01up. It's these last minute changes. Now, why do we have to go through this every week,
00:05:05huh? Now, why should this week be different from every other one? What do you want me
00:05:08to tell them? Well, in the first place... Excuse us, please. Wait a second. In the
00:05:12first place, you can't say the Biltmore Hotel. Okay, it's out. Yeah. In the second place,
00:05:17no Columbia Broadcasting Building. I suggest just Broadcasting Building. Broadcasting Building
00:05:21it is. Now, there's one other thing. Now, where... Oh, yes. For Pete's sake, Paul. No
00:05:26Roosevelt. No Roosevelt? Why? You ought to be able to figure out why. Just think for
00:05:33a minute. Don't you guys ever think around here? I mean, no Roosevelt. You can use some
00:05:37other high-government mucky-muck, but no Roosevelt. Now, come on, Paul. It's not the
00:05:42end of the world. Is that some kind of joke? Oh, now, why do you get so upset? Why do you
00:05:46have to get so upset? Why do I get upset? Because we've got an actor that does a great
00:05:49Roosevelt. That's why. He's going to hit the ceiling. Yeah, well, I'm sorry, but that's
00:05:52the way it's got to be. Listen, you... Paul! Paul, I need you to listen to something, please.
00:05:57Just a second. Come on in. Anything else? No, nothing as far as continuity acceptance
00:06:01is concerned. Okay, listen. But there is some concern from programming. Programming, right.
00:06:07They feel that given the Charlie McCarthy competition... What do you think? Great. What
00:06:13about the Martian Cylinder? What? The Martian Cylinder. Oh, don't look. Something more dramatic.
00:06:17I don't want you to be prejudiced. Just turn around. Norman, you too. Come on, turn around
00:06:20over here. More dramatic than a weather-reported dance band playing in the air. Norman, one
00:06:24minute, please. Just listen. What do you think? Sounds like you're trying to open a pickle
00:06:34jar. What is it? Paul, what do you want from me? Come on. No, no, no, no. It's got to be
00:06:40terrifying. It's got to be huge, ponderous. I mean, it hasn't opened in a million light
00:06:44years. Hey, what about the prison effects from the counter-monocrystal? Now, that worked
00:06:48very well. Oh, come on, not the toilet again. Oh, it worked, didn't it? Oh, listen, I have
00:06:52less than two hours to spare. Tony, Tony, you can do it. I know you can. Maybe not another
00:06:56sound man in the business, but you can. Trust me. Use the toilet. Okay, you can use the
00:07:01toilet. Ted! They didn't buy it, huh? Here, run a wire to the men's room again. I just
00:07:17got to explain it to him. I know that Orson strives for reality, but he's got to understand.
00:07:26Who's that, Orson? I'll see you later. Relax, Norman, it's only a rehearsal record. It's
00:07:31all right, I've got a meeting, I'm going. Hi. How are the inserts coming? Tag it with
00:07:40in the 39th year of the 20th century came the great disillusion, and then blend it in
00:07:46with the rest of the opening. All right. Now, what's next? Let's see. Oh, Orson wants to
00:07:50change the landing site of the first machine from Newark to some other small town. That
00:07:55means changing the whole location of the combat zone in the first sequence. Legal department,
00:07:59please. Well, anyway, Newark is spared. Yeah, but I promised it to the Martians. Well, we'll
00:08:04do Newark in later. Did Norman get a clearance on the Park Plaza Hotel? Okay, where then?
00:08:10Right there. Wait a minute, I can't see what it says. Will you try to get clearance a little
00:08:15later, please? Grover's Mill? Grover's Mill. I like that. Sounds real. Thanks. You got
00:08:22it. I have no idea how you did all this in six days. Orson said the world was created
00:08:27in six days. No reason it shouldn't take any longer than that to destroy it, and you're
00:08:31sitting on the Princeton Observatory. Right. Grover's Mill, huh? I'm curious, Howard, how
00:08:38come you picked New Jersey in the first place? I got lost out there last weekend. They gave
00:08:42me the map of the gas station. I had the art department blow it up for me. Um, what
00:08:47else? Oh, um, Hausman felt we could do better on the description of the Martian machine.
00:08:52It's on page 17. Yeah. It's the Army's captain. It should be tall. Just before they got him.
00:08:57It should be tall, on metal legs. I wonder how they're gonna take all this. I don't know.
00:09:04Every time I turn on the radio, I can't believe what's happening over there in Europe. However,
00:09:10back to the real world. The Martian machine seemed to be standing up on legs, rising out
00:09:20of the cylinder on a sort of metal framework, reaching above the ceiling.
00:09:31At 6.49 Eastern Standard Time, Walter Wingate was milking his cow just outside Grover's Mill, New Jersey.
00:09:39There can be no doubt from this demonstration that the Italian people, at least here in
00:09:45Rome, are totally behind Il Duce. It's just history. I'll be finished in a minute.
00:09:57How many times I've got to tell you, that's for the cows, not for the damn war news. There's
00:10:03gonna be a war. Anybody can see that. Oh, anybody can see that.
00:10:09How come we ain't in it? We will be, any day now. In Canada right now, Americans are easy.
00:10:15Anybody, any day now. All I know is we got a farm to run here, and you ain't in Canada. Anyhow.
00:10:24No. But I'm gonna be.
00:10:32You're giving up your citizenship.
00:10:36If that's what it takes. That's what it means.
00:10:39What is that supposed to mean? What are you in such an old-fired hurry to fight about?
00:10:44What do you want to get killed for? It's Hitler or us, Paul. Can't you ever see that?
00:10:48And he's not making any secret of it. I want my dinner, and I ain't making no secret of that.
00:10:56Every night we have the same dumb talk. Every night.
00:11:04You ain't of age yet, and you ain't given up your citizenship till you are.
00:11:09Come and eat.
00:11:19701 Eastern Standard Time.
00:11:23Now!
00:11:31No! No!
00:11:35Try a bigger one!
00:11:38Try the biggest jar you got!
00:11:49More reverb! Put it in lower!
00:11:58Yeah! The Martians have just landed.
00:12:09Newark, New Jersey. 715 Eastern Standard Time.
00:12:15Mark, Mary, get up here!
00:12:20I said get up here!
00:12:23No, I didn't say that.
00:12:44They'll be up in a minute.
00:12:51It's not their fault.
00:12:55Sure.
00:13:01They're playing Halloween. They're just kids.
00:13:0828. 28!
00:13:12You look 40. Don't tell me about kids.
00:13:18Will you at least wait till they're asleep?
00:13:24Everything for them. Right to the bitter end.
00:13:29I can't do it again!
00:13:32You weren't fast enough, so I'm going to get it!
00:13:36Get it!
00:13:37No!
00:13:38Sheila, I love you, but I could have the blue chair next time, didn't you?
00:13:43No, I didn't say you could have the blue chair next time.
00:13:46You promised me not!
00:13:48But you promised me to go.
00:13:50Get out of my house now!
00:13:52I said go!
00:13:53I said go!
00:13:54I said go!
00:13:55I said go!
00:13:56I said go!
00:13:57I said go!
00:13:58I said go!
00:13:59I said go!
00:14:00I said go!
00:14:02Mommy, remember the time you had to buy me a new teddy bear?
00:14:05Take that thing off your face!
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.
00:14:14But you weren't fast enough, so I'm going to get it next time, didn't you?
00:14:17You never got it, did you?
00:14:19I love you, but I could have the blue chair next time, didn't you?
00:14:22No, I didn't say you could have the blue chair next time!
00:14:25I gave you my roller skates!
00:14:27No, it's my boots, Tara!
00:14:29No, don't!
00:14:41Honey, go get a rag and I'll put the milk in.
00:14:55It's fine, Izzy. I just 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?
00:15:06Oh, Clark, Illinois.
00:15:08Twenty-six 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 the corner.
00:15:23Do you realize that? I mean, there'll be a conscription.
00:15:25I'll be called up.
00:15:27You couldn't possibly bring the war into our problems now.
00:15:29What? What problem?
00:15:32Why should we wait?
00:15:35She's not asking you to wait.
00:15:37She's asking you to call it off.
00:15:39Father?
00:15:41Yes, that's not at all what I want, see.
00:15:44I just want to...
00:15:46You would be doing Stefan a favor
00:15:48if you were to tell him the real truth
00:15:50and stop beating about the bush.
00:15:52The truth?
00:15:55Do me a favor, what?
00:15:57What? Why, what truth?
00:15:59The truth is, I will not give Linda permission to marry you.
00:16:02The reason is, you are a Catholic.
00:16:07A Catholic?
00:16:08Surely that's not an unnatural position to assume for a Protestant minister.
00:16:12As Linda is well aware.
00:16:16Linda.
00:16:20Linda, in the three years I've known you,
00:16:22I've never known you to go to church once.
00:16:24Not to his church, not to anybody's church.
00:16:26Linda, that is not the point.
00:16:29You're of age, you know.
00:16:31You're old enough to make your own views.
00:16:33Now, I just want to know,
00:16:36does 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,
00:16:46I will not have my daughter marry a papist.
00:16:51Wait, wait, wait.
00:16:53A papist?
00:16:54A papist?
00:16:56Who do you think you are, Martin Luther?
00:16:59The 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.
00:17:17North Hill, San Francisco.
00:17:25Stay tuned.
00:17:26In 15 minutes, it's Orson Welles and the Mercury Theater's
00:17:29own dramatization of H.G. Welles' War of the Worlds.
00:17:33Must we?
00:17:34I want to hear it.
00:17:35This is one of my favorite programs.
00:17:37Sure.
00:17:38Madeline's taking me on the world,
00:17:39and you want to listen to fantasy.
00:17:42Quiet, quiet.
00:17:44Marvin Catwell in London, England.
00:17:47This is Marvin Catwell speaking to you
00:17:50directly from London, England.
00:17:52Neville Chamberlain, Britain's Prime Minister,
00:17:55is just about to begin a critical speech
00:17:58before the House of Commons.
00:17:59Must we?
00:18:00Oh, I'm sorry, sir.
00:18:02I thought that perhaps since it was a voice,
00:18:04it was just a voice,
00:18:05it was a voice,
00:18:06it was a voice.
00:18:07I'm sorry, sir.
00:18:08Oh, I'm sorry, sir.
00:18:09I thought that perhaps since it was of world importance,
00:18:11some of the guests might be interested.
00:18:13To that, I think not.
00:18:16These people have heard enough of this wartime scare
00:18:20bugaboo during the day.
00:18:22They say, sir, there may be a final Hitler ultimatum
00:18:25from tonight's speech.
00:18:26Hitler ultimatum, nonsense.
00:18:29Absolutely ridiculous.
00:18:31These people understand that he simply wants
00:18:34living room for his people.
00:18:36That's all.
00:18:38He saved them from economic disaster,
00:18:41Bolshevik threat.
00:18:43He's lifting them up by their bootstraps.
00:18:51It's 7.49, 11 minutes to airtime.
00:18:56Good evening, Mr. Wells.
00:18:58Good evening, sir.
00:18:59Good evening, sir.
00:19:05How do you know what goes on out there?
00:19:07We go first class.
00:19:13Here they are, revised cue sheets.
00:19:27Paul, I've been working on the book.
00:19:28I understand, Clarence.
00:19:29I'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.
00:19:35Norman 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.
00:19:42Secretary of Interior would be acceptable to continuity.
00:19:45The Secretary of the Interior?
00:19:47I don't know what he looks like,
00:19:48much less what he sounds like.
00:19:49No, no, I do Roosevelt.
00:19:50That's it.
00:19:53There's no way on this one, Orson.
00:19:55Norman says he's given us all he's going to give us.
00:20:05It's all right?
00:20:08Secretary of the Interior, what does he sound like?
00:20:12Orson said he sounds like Roosevelt.
00:20:21I think we'll have a good one tonight.
00:20:23Looks like another big night for Charlie McCarthy.
00:20:27Please stand by.
00:20:46The Columbia Broadcasting System and its affiliated stations presents
00:20:50Orson Welles and the Mercury Theatre on the air
00:20:53in a radio play by Howard Koch
00:20:55suggested by the H.G. Welles novel
00:20:57The War of the Worlds.
00:21:21Ladies and gentlemen, the director of the Mercury Theatre
00:21:24and star of these broadcasts, Orson Welles.
00:21:30We know now that in the early years of the 20th century
00:21:35this world was being watched closely by intelligences
00:21:39greater than man's
00:21:42and yet as mortal as his own.
00:21:45We know now that as human beings
00:21:47busied themselves about their various concerns
00:21:51they were scrutinized and studied
00:21:53perhaps almost as narrowly as a man with a microscope
00:21:56might scrutinize the transient creatures
00:21:59that swarm and multiply in a drop of water.
00:22:02With infinite complacence
00:22:04people went to and fro over the earth
00:22:06about their little affairs
00:22:09serene in the assurance of their dominion
00:22:11over this small, spinning fragment of solar driftwood
00:22:16which by chance or design
00:22:18man has inherited out of the dark mystery of time and space.
00:22:23Yet across an immense ethereal gulf
00:22:26minds that are to our minds
00:22:28as ours are to the beasts in the jungle
00:22:32intellects vast, cool and unsympathetic
00:22:37regarded this earth with envious eyes
00:22:40and slowly and surely
00:22:42drew their plans against us
00:22:46In the 38th year of the 20th century
00:22:48came the great disillusionment
00:22:50it was near the end of October
00:22:53business was better
00:22:55Hey Oral
00:23:00Hey it's alright
00:23:01let me have some of that action you can get through with
00:23:06There you go
00:23:10What's in that machine that's got you so excited about, buddy Joe?
00:23:13I ate them candies, that's the story
00:23:18The war scale was over
00:23:20the poor men were back at work
00:23:22the sales were picking up
00:23:38You gonna sulk all night on account of I won't let you go over there and fight Germans?
00:23:44No
00:23:50More men were back at work
00:23:52on this particular evening
00:23:54October 30th
00:23:56the Crossley service estimated
00:23:58a slight atmospheric disturbance of undetermined radio
00:24:00reported over Nova Scotia
00:24:02causing a low pressure area to move down
00:24:04rather rapidly over the northeastern states
00:24:13Stephan! Stephan!
00:24:16Stephan!
00:24:35causing a low pressure area to move down
00:24:37bringing the forecast of rain
00:24:39accompanied by winds of light gale force
00:24:41maximum temperature 66
00:24:43minimum 48
00:24:44this weather report comes to you
00:24:46from the Government Weather Bureau
00:24:48we now take you to the Meridian Room
00:24:50in the Hotel Park Plaza
00:24:52in downtown New York
00:24:53where you'll be entertained by the music
00:24:55of Raymond Rickello and his orchestra
00:25:12Good evening ladies and gentlemen
00:25:14from the Meridian Room in the Park Plaza
00:25:16in New York City
00:25:17we bring you the music of
00:25:19Raymond Rickello and his orchestra
00:25:21with a touch of the Spanish
00:25:23Raymond Rickello leads off with La Paloma
00:25:37I hate that music
00:25:40I hate that music
00:25:42Harrison would you please
00:25:44play something on the radio
00:25:46oh all this is awful
00:25:48would you please get these out of my life now
00:25:50no I mean it
00:25:52I mean this isn't the kind of music
00:25:54I'd recommend for a party
00:25:55don't you all agree
00:26:00oh I love it
00:26:02it's so awful
00:26:04I absolutely love it
00:26:06come on put those down and dance with me
00:26:08all right
00:26:10now
00:26:19what the devil is she doing
00:26:21anyway
00:26:23the sailors were there for over a month you know
00:26:25and they said that at least the passage
00:26:27made the trains run on time
00:26:29Kelly what are you doing
00:26:31we interrupt our program of dance music
00:26:33to bring you a special bulletin
00:26:35from the Intercontinental Radio News
00:26:3820 minutes before 8 central time
00:26:40Professor Farrell of the Mount Jennings Observatory
00:26:42Chicago, Illinois
00:26:44reports observing several explosions
00:26:46of incandescent gas
00:26:48occurring at regular intervals on the planet Mars
00:26:50the spectroscope indicates the gas to be
00:26:52hydrogen and moving toward the earth
00:26:54with enormous velocity
00:26:56Professor Pearson of the Observatory of Princeton
00:26:58confirms Farrell's observation
00:27:00and describes the phenomenon as quote
00:27:02like a jet of blue flame shot from a gun
00:27:04unquote
00:27:06I return you to the music of Ramon Mariano
00:27:08playing for you in the Meridian Room
00:27:10of the Park Plaza Hotel
00:27:12situated in downtown New York
00:27:26I thought you gave up smoking
00:27:28how would you know
00:27:36I want to know where you're going
00:27:38I don't know
00:27:40I know where I can find a job
00:27:44I don't believe that
00:27:46I don't believe one word you've said to me
00:27:48I want the kids to hear this
00:27:54sure you got everything
00:28:00how about this Mr. Free Spirit
00:28:02you want to be invited
00:28:04I don't remember hearing that
00:28:06not in the car at the palace
00:28:08I don't remember hearing that
00:28:10where were you
00:28:20how do you remember that
00:28:24how do I remember
00:28:32I don't remember
00:28:52I just turned it on
00:28:54honest
00:29:02how many times have we told you
00:29:04your mother and me
00:29:06that when you go to sleep
00:29:08there's no way you're going to sleep
00:29:10because you're
00:29:12your sister
00:29:20you go to sleep now
00:29:22no more radio
00:29:32in a few moments
00:29:34we will take you to the Princeton Observatory
00:29:36at Princeton, New Jersey
00:29:38we return you until then
00:29:40to the music of Ramon Recallo
00:29:42and his orchestra
00:30:03we are ready to take you
00:30:05to the Princeton Observatory at Princeton
00:30:07where Carl Phillips, our commentator
00:30:09will interview Professor Richard Pearson
00:30:11famous astronomer
00:30:13we take you now to Princeton, New Jersey
00:30:19good 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
00:30:27this is such a bore
00:30:29come on let's get some fresh air
00:30:31in this opening I can see a sprinkling of stars
00:30:33that cast a kind of frosty glow
00:30:35over the intricate mechanism
00:30:37of the huge telescope
00:30:39the ticking sound you hear
00:30:41is the vibration of the clockwork
00:30:43Professor Pearson stands directly above me
00:30:45on a small platform
00:30:47peering through the giant lens
00:30:49I ask you to be patient ladies and gentlemen
00:30:51during any delay that may arise
00:30:53during our interview
00:30:55besides his ceaseless watch of the heavens
00:30:57Professor Pearson may be interrupted
00:30:59by radio or other communications
00:31:01during this period he is in constant touch
00:31:03with the astronomical centers of the world
00:31:05Professor may I begin our questions
00:31:07at any time Mr. Phillips
00:31:09Professor would you please tell our radio audience
00:31:11exactly what you see
00:31:13as you observe the planet Mars
00:31:15through your telescope
00:31:17nothing unusual at the moment Mr. Phillips
00:31:19a red disc swimming in a blue sea
00:31:21transfer stripes across the disc
00:31:23quite distinct now
00:31:25because Mars happens to be
00:31:27Earth in opposition as we call it
00:31:29in your opinion what do these
00:31:31transverse stripes signify
00:31:33Professor Pearson
00:31:35they're not clouds I can assure you Mr. Phillips
00:31:37although that's the popular conjecture
00:31:39of those who imagine Mars
00:31:41to be inhabited
00:31:43from a scientific viewpoint the stripes
00:31:45are merely the result of atmospheric conditions
00:31:47peculiar to the planet
00:31:49and you're quite convinced as a scientist of living intelligence
00:31:51as we know it does not exist on the planet Mars
00:31:53I should say the chances against it
00:31:55are a thousand to one
00:31:57how do you account for these gas eruptions
00:31:59occurring on the surface of the planet at regular intervals
00:32:01Mr. Phillips
00:32:03I cannot account for it
00:32:05by the way Professor
00:32:07for the benefit of our listeners
00:32:09how far is Mars from the Earth
00:32:11approximately 40 million miles
00:32:13well that seems a safe enough distance
00:32:15just a moment ladies and gentlemen
00:32:17someone has just handed Professor Pearson a message
00:32:19while he reads it let me remind you
00:32:21that we are speaking to you from the observatory
00:32:23in Princeton, New Jersey
00:32:25where we are interviewing the world famous astronomer
00:32:27Professor Pearson
00:32:29one moment please
00:32:31Professor Pearson has passed me a message which he has just received
00:32:33Professor may I read the message
00:32:35to the listening audience
00:32:37certainly Mr. Phillips
00:32:39ladies and gentlemen I shall read you a wire addressed to Professor Pearson
00:32:41from Dr. Gray of the National History Museum
00:32:43New York
00:32:45of course I don't agree with everything Hitler does
00:32:47but he's got to understand his position
00:32:49especially considering who he is
00:32:51seismograph registered shock of almost
00:32:53earthquake intensity occurring within a radius
00:32:55of 20 miles of Princeton
00:32:57please investigate
00:32:59What's that about Princeton?
00:33:01Professor Pearson could this occurrence
00:33:03possibly have something to do with the disturbance
00:33:05observed on the planet Mars
00:33:07hardly Mr. Phillips
00:33:09this is probably a meteorite of unusual size
00:33:11and its arrival at this
00:33:13particular time is merely a
00:33:15coincidence
00:33:17however we shall conduct the search
00:33:19as soon as daylight permits
00:33:21thank you Professor
00:33:23ladies and gentlemen for the past 10 minutes we've been speaking to you
00:33:25from the observatory at Princeton
00:33:27bringing you a special interview with Professor Pearson
00:33:29noted astronomer
00:33:31this is Carl Phillips speaking
00:33:33we now return you to our New York studio
00:33:35Charlie McCarthy
00:33:45I couldn't figure out what it was
00:33:47maybe you had a snoop
00:33:49oh now see what you did
00:33:51you made me miss the opening
00:33:53he'll be back
00:33:57I don't care I ain't going to listen to that
00:34:01now if you're at home
00:34:03comes a special announcement from Trenton New Jersey
00:34:05it's reported that at 8.50pm
00:34:09hey turn that back
00:34:11or forward
00:34:13let's hear that report
00:34:15a huge flaming object
00:34:17believed to be a meteorite
00:34:19fell on a farm in the neighborhood of Grovers Mill
00:34:21New Jersey 22 miles from Trenton
00:34:23the flash in the sky
00:34:25within a radius of several hundred miles
00:34:27and the noise of the impact was heard
00:34:29as far north as Elizabeth
00:34:31we've dispatched a special mobile unit to the scene
00:34:33and we'll have our commentator Mr. Phillips
00:34:35give you a word description as soon as he can
00:34:37reach there from Princeton
00:34:39in the meantime we take you to the hotel
00:34:41Martinette in Brooklyn where Bobby Mallette
00:34:43and his orchestra are offering a program of dance music
00:35:07we take you now to
00:35:09Grovers Mill New Jersey
00:35:13ladies and gentlemen
00:35:15this is Carl Phillips again at the Wilmot Farm
00:35:17Grovers Mill New Jersey
00:35:19Professor Pearson and myself may be 11 miles
00:35:21from Princeton in 10 minutes
00:35:23well I hardly know where to begin
00:35:25to paint for you a word picture
00:35:27of the strange scene before my eyes
00:35:29like something out of a modern
00:35:31Arabian Nights
00:35:33well I just got here I haven't had a chance to look around yet
00:35:35I guess that's it
00:35:37yes I guess that's the
00:35:39thing
00:35:41in a vast pit
00:35:43must have struck a terrific force
00:35:45the ground is covered with splinters of a tree
00:35:47it must have struck on its way down
00:35:49what I can see of the object itself
00:35:51doesn't look very much like a meteor
00:35:53or at least not the meteors I've seen
00:35:55it looks more like a huge cylinder
00:35:57it has a diameter of
00:35:59what would you say Professor Pearson
00:36:01about 30 yards
00:36:03about 30 yards
00:36:05the metal on the sheath is
00:36:07well I've never seen anything like it
00:36:09curious spectators now are
00:36:11pressing close to the object in spite of the
00:36:13efforts of the police to keep them back
00:36:15they're getting in front of my line of vision
00:36:17would you mind standing on one side please
00:36:21while the policemen are pushing
00:36:23the crowd back
00:36:25I guess that's about enough of that
00:36:27no leave that
00:36:29I thought you wanted to hear Charlie McCarthy
00:36:31oh never mind Charlie McCarthy
00:36:33for once will you
00:36:35go get the tables
00:36:37in your own backyard ain't you interested
00:36:39closer and louder please
00:36:41louder please
00:36:43ah yes sir
00:36:45all while I was listening to the radio
00:36:47it was kind of drowsing
00:36:49that Professor fellow was talking
00:36:51about morms so I was
00:36:53half dozing
00:36:55then what happened
00:36:57there was no one named Wilmer
00:36:59that means Wilson
00:37:01can't figure how he missed that
00:37:03I heard something
00:37:05and what did you hear
00:37:07a hissing sound
00:37:09I didn't see it
00:37:11kind of like a 4th of July rocket
00:37:13then what
00:37:15oh I turned my head out the window
00:37:17and would have swore I was to sleep and dreaming
00:37:19I seen a kind of greenish streak
00:37:21and then a zingo or something
00:37:23smacked the ground
00:37:25knocked me clear out of my chair
00:37:27were you frightened Mr. Wilmer
00:37:29oh I'm quite sure I reckon I was
00:37:31kind of riled
00:37:33do you want me to tell you something
00:37:35no that's fine all right
00:37:37ladies and gentlemen we just heard Mr. Wilmer
00:37:39owner of the farm where this thing has fallen
00:37:41I wish I could convey the atmosphere
00:37:43the background of this fantastic scene
00:37:45hundreds of cars are parked in a field
00:37:47in back of us
00:37:49police are trying to rope off the roadway
00:37:51leading into the farm but it's no use
00:37:53they're breaking right through
00:37:55their headlights throw an enormous spot on the pit
00:37:57where the object is half buried
00:37:59some of the more daring souls are venturing near the edge
00:38:01against the metal sheen
00:38:03one man wants to touch the thing he's having an argument
00:38:05with a policeman
00:38:11I like you
00:38:13yeah I do that
00:38:15I mean I'll let you know where I am
00:38:17ladies and gentlemen there's something I haven't
00:38:19mentioned in all this excitement but it's becoming
00:38:21more distinct perhaps you've caught it
00:38:23already on your radio
00:38:31do you hear it
00:38:33it's a curious humming sound that seems to come
00:38:35from inside the object
00:38:37I'll move the microphone nearer here
00:38:41there's nothing to be frightened about
00:38:43they just fill those things up
00:38:45Professor Pearson
00:38:47can you tell us the meaning of that scraping noise
00:38:49inside the thing
00:38:51it's possibly the unequal cooling of its surface
00:38:53still think it's a meteor professor
00:38:55I don't know what to think
00:38:57the metal casing is definitely
00:38:59it is just a radio show
00:39:01so when are you going 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 ladies and gentlemen this is
00:39:13terrific this end of the
00:39:15thing is beginning to flake off
00:39:17the top is beginning to rotate like
00:39:19a screw the thing must be hollow
00:39:29scraping noise
00:39:31scraping noise
00:39:33scraping noise
00:39:35scraping noise
00:39:37scraping noise
00:39:39scraping noise
00:39:41scraping noise
00:39:43scraping noise
00:39:45scraping noise
00:39:47scraping noise
00:39:49scraping noise
00:39:51scraping noise
00:39:53scraping noise
00:39:55scraping noise
00:39:57scraping noise
00:39:59scraping noise
00:40:01scraping noise
00:40:03scraping noise
00:40:05scraping noise
00:40:07scraping noise
00:40:09scraping noise
00:40:17ladies and gentlemen
00:40:21this is the most terrifying thing I've ever witnessed
00:40:23Something's falling out of the hollow trunk.
00:40:26Someone or something is peering out of that black hole.
00:40:30Two luminous disks are behind.
00:40:33It might be a face. It might be...
00:40:36Good heavens!
00:40:38Something's wriggling out of the shadow like a grey snake.
00:40:42Now it's another one. And another.
00:40:45They look like tentacles to me.
00:40:47There, I can see the thing's body.
00:40:50It's large as a bear, and it glistens like wet leather.
00:40:54But that face...
00:40:56It's indescribable.
00:40:59I can hardly force myself to keep looking at it.
00:41:03The eyes are black and gleam like a serpent.
00:41:06The mouth is V-shaped with saliva dripping out.
00:41:09It must be a creature.
00:41:11The feet are quivering, pulsate.
00:41:13The monster, or whatever it is, can hardly move.
00:41:15It seems weighed down by, possibly, gravity or something.
00:41:19The thing's raising up.
00:41:21The crowd falls back. They've seen enough.
00:41:24This is the most extraordinary experience.
00:41:26I can't find words.
00:41:28I'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.
00:41:39Oh, my God, Hank.
00:41:42What is it? What's happening?
00:41:44Nothing to see. Just take it easy now.
00:41:46Oh, it's...
00:41:48It's just probably one of those things from a media report.
00:41:51But didn't you hear what he said?
00:41:53I heard what he said.
00:41:54Well, what's happened?
00:41:58We are bringing you an eyewitness account of what's happening on the West Coast.
00:42:03We are bringing you an eyewitness account of what's happening on the Wilmoth Farm, Grover's Mill, New Jersey.
00:42:19Let's see what else.
00:42:20Don't touch that dial!
00:42:21Maybe they know more about it on another station.
00:42:24What are they saying?
00:42:26What are they saying, Nody?
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.
00:42:42Wait a minute, will you?
00:42:43Walter, come on.
00:42:46Okay.
00:42:50Ladies and gentlemen, we now return you to Carl Phillips at Grover's Mill.
00:42:56Ladies and gentlemen...
00:42:58Am I on?
00:42:59Ladies and gentlemen, here I am, back at the stone wall that adjoins Mr. Wilmoth's Garden.
00:43:04From here, I get a sweep of the whole scene.
00:43:06I'll give you every detail as long as I can talk, as long as I can see.
00:43:10More state police have arrived.
00:43:12They're drawing up a cordon in front of the pit, about 30 of them.
00:43:15No need to push the crowd back now.
00:43:17They're willing to keep their distance.
00:43:18The captain is conferring with someone.
00:43:20We can't quite see who.
00:43:22Oh, yes, I believe it's Professor Pearson.
00:43:24Yes, it is.
00:43:25Now they parted.
00:43:26The professor moves around one side, studying the object,
00:43:29while 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.
00:43:38Those creatures know what that means, what anything means.
00:43:42Wait!
00:43:43Something's happening.
00:43:45A hump shape is rising...
00:43:47Shut that thing off!
00:43:48What do you think, Joey?
00:43:50What's that?
00:43:52There's a jet of flame swinging from the mirror.
00:43:55And it leans right at the advancing men.
00:43:58It strikes them head on.
00:44:04All right, buddy.
00:44:05What's going on in there?
00:44:06Huh?
00:44:13Don'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, listen.
00:44:21Fire!
00:44:22Fire!
00:44:23Fire!
00:44:24Fire!
00:44:25Fire!
00:44:26Now the whole field's caught fire!
00:44:28That's just regular programming.
00:44:30What's that?
00:44:31The barge!
00:44:32The barge!
00:44:33The barge!
00:44:34The barge!
00:44:35It's spreading everywhere!
00:44:36It's spreading everywhere!
00:44:37It's coming this way, about 20 yards to my right!
00:44:52Let's go.
00:44:56Ladies and gentlemen, due to circumstances beyond our control,
00:44:59we are unable to continue the broadcast from Grover's Mill.
00:45:02We are unable to continue the broadcast from Grover's Mill.
00:45:27We continue now with our piano interlude.
00:45:33We continue now with our piano interlude.
00:45:44Columbia Broadcasting System.
00:45:46What?
00:45:47Why, not that I know of.
00:45:49I believe it's only a play.
00:45:52That's right, it's just a play.
00:45:55That's what's on our program schedule.
00:45:57You're welcome.
00:46:03Ladies and gentlemen, I've just been handed a message
00:46:06that came in from Grover's Mill by telephone.
00:46:08At least 40 people, including six state troopers,
00:46:11lie dead in a field east of the village of Grover's Mill,
00:46:14their bodies burned and distorted beyond all possible recognition.
00:46:17The next voice you hear will be that of Brigadier General Montgomery Smith,
00:46:21commander of the state militia at Trenton, New Jersey.
00:46:25Okay, General.
00:46:26Over here.
00:46:27Now.
00:46:28Over here.
00:46:29Yeah.
00:46:31I have been requested by the governor of New Jersey
00:46:34to place the counties of Mercer and Middlesex
00:46:36as far west as Princeton
00:46:38and east to Jamesburg under martial law.
00:46:41No one will be permitted to enter this area
00:46:44except by special pass issued by state or military authorities.
00:46:48SIREN BLARES
00:46:57Head for cover. It's on the radio. Quick!
00:47:02SIREN BLARES
00:47:08Mommy.
00:47:11I had a bad nightmare.
00:47:14I want to sleep in your room.
00:47:16Oh, it's all right.
00:47:19It's all right.
00:47:20I want to sleep in here.
00:47:23No.
00:47:25The strange creatures, after unleashing their deadly assault,
00:47:28crawled back in their pit and made no attempt
00:47:30to 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! Come on!
00:47:36Come on! Come on!
00:47:37Take your clothes off!
00:47:42Ladies and gentlemen, I've just been informed
00:47:44that scientists have finally established communication
00:47:46with an eyewitness of the tragedy.
00:47:48Professor Pearson has been located at a farmhouse near Grover's Mill
00:47:51where he's established an emergency observation post.
00:47:54As a scientist, he will give you his explanation of this calamity.
00:47:58The next voice you hear will be of Professor Pearson,
00:48:00brought to you by direct wire.
00:48:02Professor Pearson.
00:48:04Of the creatures in the rocket cylinder at Grover's Mill,
00:48:07I can give you no authoritative information,
00:48:09either as to their nature, their origin,
00:48:12or their purposes here on Earth.
00:48:14Of their destructive instrument,
00:48:16I might venture some conjectural explanation.
00:48:25It's all too evident that these creatures have scientific knowledge
00:48:28far in advance of our own.
00:48:32They are able to generate an intense heat
00:48:34in a chamber of practically absolute non-conductivity.
00:48:38This intense heat they project in a parallel beam
00:48:41against any object they choose
00:48:43by 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.
00:49:00Ladies and gentlemen, here is a bulletin from Trenton.
00:49:02It is a brief statement informing us
00:49:04that the charred body of Carl Phillips
00:49:06has been identified in a Trenton hospital.
00:49:08We have received a request from the militia at Trenton
00:49:11to place at their disposal our entire broadcasting facilities.
00:49:16In view of the gravity of the situation
00:49:19and believing that radio has a definite responsibility
00:49:22to serve in the public interest at all times,
00:49:25we are turning over our facilities to the state militia at Trenton.
00:49:29Well, it's about time they got the military involved.
00:49:34Mr. Matlock.
00:49:36Shh!
00:49:38We take you now to the field headquarters of the state militia
00:49:41near Grover's Mill, New Jersey.
00:49:43I need some artillery up there!
00:49:56This is Captain Lance Ely,
00:49:58signal cortest of the state militia now engaged in military operations.
00:50:02Military operations in the vicinity of Grover's Mill.
00:50:06Situation arising from the reported presence of certain individuals
00:50:10of 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 battalion...
00:50:21Daddy, what's the matter?
00:50:23You go to sleep.
00:50:25Why is Mommy crying?
00:50:27Well, Mommy has a headache. That's why she'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, you know why?
00:50:35You come in the other room with Daddy,
00:50:37and you sleep on the couch, huh?
00:50:44Everything's gonna be all right.
00:50:47Everywhere, it's an interesting outing for the troops.
00:50:52We've got exact uniforms crossing back and forth now in front of the lights.
00:50:56It almost looks like a real war.
00:50:58What?
00:51:00Oh, yeah. There appears to be some slight smoke in the woods bordering the building.
00:51:05How are we gonna fight these things just with our shotguns?
00:51:08You just keep your eyes peeled, boy.
00:51:10Don't you worry about that heat ray.
00:51:12First, let's just fight.
00:51:14Then we'll give them something to worry about.
00:51:19Aren't you looking for a fight?
00:51:22Mr. Matlock, sir, please.
00:51:24Harrison, don't get involved in things you don't understand.
00:51:31I need some more men over here.
00:51:37Say, Hank, have you been listening?
00:51:39Shh.
00:51:44What are you gonna do?
00:51:46I don't know what to do.
00:51:48You 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 gonna pack up the kids.
00:52:01Honey, you don't feel good right now.
00:52:02You better lie down.
00:52:03You don't feel just like...
00:52:05What 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.
00:52:13I see something on the top of the cylinder.
00:52:15No, nothing but a shell.
00:52:17Well, troops are on the edge of the Wilmers Farm.
00:52:20We have 7,000 armed men closing in on an old metal tower.
00:52:26Wait a minute.
00:52:29That wasn't a shadow.
00:52:31Something moving.
00:52:33Solid metal.
00:52:34Kind of a shield-like affair rising up out of the cylinder.
00:52:38Going higher and higher.
00:52:40Standing on legs, actually rearing up on a sort of metal framework.
00:52:44Now it's reaching above the trees.
00:52:47Hold on!
00:52:51Ladies and gentlemen, I have a grave announcement to make.
00:52:55Incredible as it may seem, both the observations of science and the evidence of our eyes
00:52:59lead to the inescapable assumption that those strange beings who landed in the Jersey farmlands tonight
00:53:04are the vanguard of an invading army from the planet Mars.
00:53:07The battle which took place tonight at Grover's Mill
00:53:09has ended in one of the most startling defeats ever suffered by an army in modern times.
00:53:147,000 men are on the verge of death.
00:53:187,000 men armed with rifles and machine guns
00:53:22pitted against a single fighting machine of the invader from Mars.
00:53:25120 known survivors.
00:53:27The rest thrown over the battle area from Grover's Mill to Plainsboro,
00:53:30crushed and crumpled to death under the metal feet of the monster
00:53:33or burned to cinders by its heat ray.
00:53:36The 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...
00:53:45Call Chief Lawrence at the police station.
00:53:47Yes, sir.
00:54:09Hey, Orville, it is a radio program, ain't it?
00:54:12There ain't no radio show. Now, shut up, will you?
00:54:15The Secretary of the Interior.
00:54:18Citizens of the nation,
00:54:20I shall not try to conceal the gravity of the situation
00:54:27that confronts the country,
00:54:30nor the concern of your government...
00:54:34It's Roosevelt.
00:54:36What's that idiot 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,
00:54:50to urge and plead a calm and resourceful attitude.
00:54:56Fortunately, this formidable enemy
00:54:59is still confined to a comparatively small area,
00:55:06and we may place our faith in the military forces
00:55:11to keep them there.
00:55:14In the meantime, placing our faith in God,
00:55:19we must continue the performance of our duties,
00:55:23each and every one of us,
00:55:26so that we may confront this destructive adversary
00:55:32with a nation united, courageous,
00:55:36and consecrated to the preservation of human supremacy
00:55:41on this earth.
00:55:43I thank you.
00:55:49You have just heard the Secretary of the Interior
00:55:51speaking from Washington.
00:55:52Bulletins too numerous to read
00:55:54are 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
00:56:00due to the effect of the heat ray
00:56:01upon power lines and electrical equipment.
00:56:07Here is a special bulletin from New York.
00:56:09It was received from English, French,
00:56:11and 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 crush
00:56:28the resistance to Mars.
00:56:34Hey, boy, where you stopping me 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 were going about 80 miles.
00:56:43Are you crazy? Don't you know what's happening?
00:56:45Ain't you hurt? Just listen.
00:56:47...to blow up second invading unit
00:56:49before a cylinder can be opened
00:56:50on the Martian fighting machinery.
00:56:52Martians, yeah, sure.
00:56:54They've landed on Earth.
00:56:55New Jersey's under Martian law.
00:56:57I'm serious.
00:56:58Just listen, just listen, listen.
00:57:02Another bulletin from Langham Field, Virginia.
00:57:04Scouting planes report enemy machines...
00:57:06Now, will you let me go?
00:57:07I got to get back to the farm.
00:57:11I got to get out of here.
00:57:12We got to save the planet.
00:57:16Hold it.
00:57:18...within 10 miles of plainfields.
00:57:21Here is a bulletin from Winston's Field...
00:57:22That's a radio play, everybody.
00:57:24...carrying heavy explosives...
00:57:25Excuse me.
00:57:26...by storm to pursue the enemy.
00:57:27Young Martians act as guides.
00:57:29Well, thank you.
00:57:30They keep seeing enemies...
00:57:31Turn around.
00:57:32Just a moment, please.
00:57:33Atta boy.
00:57:34Oh, hell, I know it was a radio play.
00:57:37...the artillery line and adjacent villages
00:57:39to give you direct reports
00:57:40in the zone of the advancing enemies.
00:57:42First, we take you to the battery
00:57:44of the 22nd Field Artillery
00:57:45located in the Washington Mountains.
00:57:53Range, 32 meters.
00:57:5532 meters.
00:57:56Projection, 39 degrees.
00:57:5839 degrees.
00:57:59Fire.
00:58:00Fire.
00:58:04140 yards to the right, sir.
00:58:07Shift range, 31 meters.
00:58:0931 meters.
00:58:10Projection, 37 degrees.
00:58:1237 degrees.
00:58:13Fire.
00:58:14Fire.
00:58:20I hit, sir.
00:58:21We got a tripod at one of them.
00:58:22They've stopped.
00:58:23Come on, come on.
00:58:24The others are trying to repair it.
00:58:25Go inside and get your gun out.
00:58:26No, honey, you can't take doors, I'm afraid.
00:58:29Projection, 27 degrees.
00:58:31Fire.
00:58:32You're not a goby.
00:58:35You gotta be kidding.
00:58:36They're letting off a 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.
00:58:46All right, I'll see what I can do.
00:58:48Paul, we got trouble.
00:58:50Listen, people are taking this thing seriously.
00:58:52That's ridiculous.
00:58:53Well, we gotta do something about it.
00:58:54Well, we'll give them a disclaimer.
00:58:56Where?
00:58:57Well, where else?
00:58:58At the station break.
00:59:0023 meters.
00:59:0223 meters.
00:59:05Projection, 22 degrees.
00:59:0722 degrees.
00:59:14Harrison, don't just stand there.
00:59:16Call someone.
00:59:28Mr. Matlock.
00:59:29Let me go.
00:59:30Mr. Matlock, perhaps we're reacting precipitously.
00:59:32What are you talking about?
00:59:33Perhaps we should try to understand them.
00:59:35Understand them?
00:59:36The Martians.
00:59:37They may have been forced into this glass of living space.
00:59:41Glass of living space.
00:59:43You're mad.
00:59:44Perhaps they could even try to help us.
00:59:47Pull us up by our bootstraps, so to speak.
00:59:53Maybe they could even help us to get the trains to run on time.
00:59:59Come on.
01:00:01Come on.
01:00:07Army bombing plane V-843 off Bayonne, New Jersey.
01:00:10Lieutenant Voight commanding eight bombers.
01:00:12Reporting command of Fairfax Langham Field.
01:00:14Let's see what's going on, Pa.
01:00:16Go ahead.
01:00:19This is Voight reporting command of Fairfax Langham Field.
01:00:22Enemy tripod machines are now in sight.
01:00:25Reinforced by three machines from the Morristown cylinder.
01:00:28There are six now altogether.
01:00:30One machine partially crippled.
01:00:32Believed hit by a shell from army gun.
01:00:36Where, damn it?
01:00:37Where?
01:00:39Guns now appear silent.
01:00:41A heavy black fog is hanging close to the earth now.
01:00:45Extreme density.
01:00:46Nature unknown.
01:00:48No sign of heat ray.
01:00:50Enemy now turns east.
01:00:52Crossing Mosaic River into Jersey Marshes.
01:00:55Another straddles the Pulaski Skyway.
01:00:58They're on the skyway.
01:01:01They're pushing down a high tension power station now.
01:01:04Machines are close together.
01:01:06We are ready to attack.
01:01:07Planes circling, ready to strike.
01:01:14A thousand yards and we'll be over the French.
01:01:20Eight hundred yards.
01:01:23Linda.
01:01:25Linda!
01:01:26Hey!
01:01:39Four hundred.
01:01:44Two hundred.
01:01:53Linda!
01:01:55Is that me?
01:01:57Do you know?
01:01:58Oh my God!
01:02:01Come on, we got to get out of here.
01:02:03By the sacred place.
01:02:05This is not a home.
01:02:06This is a sacred place.
01:02:08No harm can come to you.
01:02:09No harm?
01:02:10The Martians are taking over.
01:02:12Martians?
01:02:13No, no.
01:02:14They are the angels of darkness.
01:02:15The forces of evil.
01:02:17We're getting married.
01:02:18What?
01:02:19We're getting married right now.
01:02:20Now?
01:02:21Now.
01:02:22I love you.
01:02:23We're getting married.
01:02:24Under the resurrection there shall be no marriage or giving of hands unto marriage.
01:02:28You'll be like the angels.
01:02:29I love you.
01:02:30Please.
01:02:32Stefan.
01:02:33We wrestle not against flesh and blood.
01:02:35Okay, the first church we fought, okay?
01:02:36Are you coming with us?
01:02:37Against the forces of darkness.
01:02:39Talk to him.
01:02:40Every war and ruin.
01:02:42But take ye no heed.
01:02:44There shall no harm come to us.
01:02:46For I see it now.
01:02:48Alpha and Omega.
01:02:50It is the beginning and the end of the revelation.
01:02:54Let it come down like buckets of blood.
01:02:58There shall be a new heaven and a new earth.
01:03:02Let it come down.
01:03:03Give it to us, oh Lord.
01:03:05No, no, no.
01:03:07This is my home.
01:03:08My sanctuary.
01:03:09There is no sanctuary.
01:03:10No antichrist.
01:03:11This is an invasion from Mars.
01:03:13No.
01:03:21If you will, I want you to listen.
01:03:26They're spraying us with flames.
01:03:282,000 feet.
01:03:30Engines giving out now.
01:03:32No chance to release bombs.
01:03:35Only one thing left.
01:03:37Drop on them, plane and all.
01:03:42We are diving on the first one.
01:03:44Do you understand?
01:03:45We're helpless against them.
01:03:46Listen.
01:03:47Listen.
01:03:48Give me that.
01:03:49This is the end of the world.
01:03:50No, no.
01:03:51It's not the end of the world.
01:03:52It's the end of our world.
01:03:53They're going to be all right.
01:03:54They'll still be here when they're done with us.
01:03:56Get in.
01:03:57No man was made in God's image.
01:04:00These are mechanical monsters, bugs.
01:04:03Maybe God is a mechanical bug.
01:04:05Would you get in?
01:04:06No.
01:04:07No.
01:04:08No.
01:04:09No.
01:04:10No.
01:04:11No.
01:04:12No.
01:04:13No.
01:04:14No.
01:04:15No.
01:04:16No.
01:04:17No.
01:04:18No.
01:04:19Father.
01:04:20No.
01:04:21Come on.
01:04:22Come on.
01:04:26Not bugs.
01:04:27Sanctuary.
01:04:29Reverend Davis.
01:04:30Father.
01:04:31Reverend Davis.
01:04:32Come on.
01:04:33Come on.
01:04:34Come on.
01:04:35Come on.
01:04:36Father.
01:04:37Father.
01:04:38We have to clear that up at the house.
01:04:43This is Bayona Jersey calling Langham Field.
01:04:46This is Bayona Jersey calling Langham Field.
01:04:47Come in, please.
01:04:48We've had no calls from the airport.
01:04:49It's the Mercury Theater.
01:04:50That's correct.
01:04:51No, there's no need to call the police.
01:04:52It's just a play.
01:04:53Good evening.
01:04:54Columbia Broadcasting System.
01:04:55You're welcome.
01:04:56Columbia Broadcasting System.
01:04:57Disconnected on that.
01:04:58It's a play called War of the Worlds.
01:04:59Sorry, I can't give you that information.
01:05:00You're welcome.
01:05:01They all act like the world is coming to an end.
01:05:02What in the hell are they doing up there?
01:05:03This is Bayona Jersey calling Langham Field.
01:05:04This is Bayona Jersey calling Langham Field.
01:05:05Come in, please.
01:05:06This is Bayona Jersey calling Langham Field.
01:05:07Come in, please.
01:05:08This is Bayona Jersey calling Langham Field.
01:05:09This is Bayona Jersey calling Langham Field.
01:05:10Come in, please.
01:05:11This is Bayona Jersey calling Langham Field.
01:05:12Come in, please.
01:05:13This is Bayona Jersey calling Langham Field.
01:05:14Come in, please.
01:05:15This is Bayona Jersey calling Langham Field.
01:05:16Come in, please.
01:05:17This is Bayona Jersey calling Langham Field.
01:05:18Come in, please.
01:05:19This is Bayona Jersey calling Langham Field.
01:05:20Come in, please.
01:05:21This is Bayona Jersey calling Langham Field.
01:05:22Come in, please.
01:05:23This is Bayona Jersey calling Langham Field.
01:05:24Come in, please.
01:05:25This is Bayona Jersey calling Langham Field.
01:05:26Come in, please.
01:05:27This is Bayona Jersey calling Langham Field.
01:05:28Come in, please.
01:05:29This is Bayona Jersey calling Langham Field.
01:05:30Come in, please.
01:05:31This is Bayona Jersey calling Langham Field.
01:05:32This is Bayona Jersey calling Langham Field.
01:05:33Come in, please.
01:05:34This is Bayona Jersey calling Langham Field.
01:05:35Come in, please.
01:05:36This is Bayona Jersey calling Langham Field.
01:05:37Come in, please.
01:05:38This is Bayona Jersey calling Langham Field.
01:05:39Come in, please.
01:05:40This is Bayona Jersey calling Langham Field.
01:05:41Come in, please.
01:05:42This is Bayona Jersey calling Langham Field.
01:05:43Come in, please.
01:05:44This is Bayona Jersey calling Langham Field.
01:05:45Come in, please.
01:05:46This is Bayona Jersey calling Langham Field.
01:05:47Come in, please.
01:05:48This is Bayona Jersey calling Langham Field.
01:05:49Come in, please.
01:05:50This is Bayona Jersey calling Langham Field.
01:05:51Come in, please.
01:05:52This is Bayona Jersey calling Langham Field.
01:05:53Come in, please.
01:05:54This is Bayona Jersey calling Langham Field.
01:05:55Come in, please.
01:05:56This is Bayona Jersey calling Langham Field.
01:05:57Come in, please.
01:05:58This is Bayona Jersey calling Langham Field.
01:05:59Come in, please.
01:06:00This is Bayona Jersey calling Langham Field.
01:06:01Come in, please.
01:06:02This is Bayona Jersey calling Langham Field.
01:06:03Come in, please.
01:06:04This is Bayona Jersey calling Langham Field.
01:06:05Come in, please.
01:06:06This is Bayona Jersey calling Langham Field.
01:06:07Come in, please.
01:06:08This is Bayona Jersey calling Langham Field.
01:06:09Come in, please.
01:06:10This is Bayona Jersey calling Langham Field.
01:06:11Come in, please.
01:06:12This is Bayona Jersey calling Langham Field.
01:06:13Come in, please.
01:06:14This is Bayona Jersey calling Langham Field.
01:06:15Come in, please.
01:06:16This is Bayona Jersey calling Langham Field.
01:06:17Come in, please.
01:06:18This is Bayona Jersey calling Langham Field.
01:06:19Come in, please.
01:06:20This is Bayona Jersey calling Langham Field.
01:06:21Come in, please.
01:06:22This is Bayona Jersey calling Langham Field.
01:06:23Come in, please.
01:06:24This is Bayona Jersey calling Langham Field.
01:06:25Come in, please.
01:06:26This is Bayona Jersey calling Langham Field.
01:06:27Come in, please.
01:06:28This is Bayona Jersey calling Langham Field.
01:06:29Come in, please.
01:06:30This is Bayona Jersey calling Langham Field.
01:06:31Come in, please.
01:06:32This is Bayona Jersey calling Langham Field.
01:06:33Come in, please.
01:06:34This is Bayona Jersey calling Langham Field.
01:06:35Come in, please.
01:06:36This is Bayona Jersey calling Langham Field.
01:06:37Come in, please.
01:06:38This is Bayona Jersey calling Langham Field.
01:06:39Come in, please.
01:06:40This is Bayona Jersey calling Langham Field.
01:06:42Take the food.
01:06:43Come on.
01:06:44You don't need this.
01:06:45Come on.
01:06:46You don't need this.
01:06:47Come on.
01:06:48Hurry up.
01:06:49Take it easy.
01:06:502X2L calling C2.
01:06:512X2L calling C2.
01:06:52Father.
01:06:53Mother.
01:06:54Mother.
01:06:55Mother.
01:06:56Mother.
01:06:57Mother.
01:06:58Mother.
01:06:59Mother.
01:07:00Mother.
01:07:01Mother.
01:07:02Mother.
01:07:03Mother.
01:07:04Mother.
01:07:05Mother.
01:07:06Mother.
01:07:07Mother.
01:07:08Mother.
01:07:09Mother.
01:07:10Father.
01:07:11Out there.
01:07:12Hey.
01:07:13No.
01:07:14No.
01:07:15Okay.
01:07:16Okay, outside.
01:07:17Outside.
01:07:18Out, out.
01:07:19Okay.
01:07:202X2L calling X3R.
01:07:21Make pace.
01:07:242X2L on C4, coming hot.
01:07:32Maxim.
01:07:35Maxim.
01:07:392X2L calling 8X3R. Come in, please.
01:07:45This is 8X3R coming back at 2X2L.
01:07:49How's reception? How's reception?
01:07:52Kate, please. Where are you, 8X3R?
01:07:58What's the matter? Where are you?
01:08:04I am speaking from the roof of Broadcast Building, New York City.
01:08:07The bells you hear are ringing to warn the people to evacuate the city as the Martians approach.
01:08:11Estimated in the last two hours, three million people have moved out along the roads to the north.
01:08:15Hutchinson River Parkway was kept open and motor traffic is still moving along nicely.
01:08:20Avoid bridges to Long Island. Hopelessly jammed.
01:08:23All communication with Jersey Shore closed ten minutes ago.
01:08:26No more defenses. Army wiped out. Artillery, Air Force, everything wiped out.
01:08:30This may be the last broadcast. We'll stay here to the end.
01:08:34People, as you can hear, are holding service below in the cathedral.
01:08:41Now, I look down the harbor.
01:08:43All manner of boats overloaded with fleeing population pulling out from the docks.
01:08:49The streets are jammed.
01:08:51Noise in the crowds like New Year's Eve and...
01:08:55But...
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. I can see it from here.
01:09:03Wading the Hudson like a man wading to a brook.
01:09:07Seems to be timed. There's faith.
01:09:09Now the first machine reaches the shore.
01:09:13Oh, no.
01:09:15All right, thanks.
01:09:18That was the switchboard. Now the police are starting to call in.
01:09:20I can't talk now. We're running almost two minutes over.
01:09:23Well, where's that disclaimer?
01:09:24I forgot. I didn't have enough time to finish it.
01:09:26Oh, all right, all right. I'll take care of it.
01:09:28My God, how did he think this was real?
01:09:30You're not going to scrub the second half of the show.
01:09:32I don't know.
01:09:34Austin's not going to like the display.
01:09:46Looking over the city.
01:09:48His steel, polished head is even with the skyscrapers.
01:09:52He waits for the others.
01:09:54They rise like a line of new towers on the city's west side.
01:09:58They're lifting their metal hands.
01:10:01Smoke is coming out.
01:10:03Black smoke drifting over the city.
01:10:06People in the streets see it now.
01:10:09They're running towards the East River.
01:10:11Thousands of them dropping in like rats.
01:10:14And now the smoke is spreading faster.
01:10:16It has reached Times Square.
01:10:19People trying to run away.
01:10:22People trying to run away from it.
01:10:24But it's no use.
01:10:26They are falling like flies.
01:10:29And now the smoke is crossing Sixth Avenue.
01:10:31Fifth Avenue.
01:10:34A hundred yards away.
01:10:36Fifty feet.
01:10:522L.
01:10:542XCQ.
01:10:562X.
01:10:572L.
01:10:582XCQ.
01:11:012X.
01:11:022L.
01:11:032XCQ.