Engaging, Informational, Sound Rich

Though 20 years old, this program, like the original War of the Worlds, still rates a listen. Thankfully, the producer interviewed WOW producer John Housman not long before he died (on Halloween of 1988). The story of this legendary Orson Welles broadcast is for the most part allowed to unfold through descriptions by Housman, and writer Howard Koch, along with voices recorded at Grover?s Mills 50th anniversary event. You can hear traces of amazement in the voices of people who heard that broadcast 70 years ago. Housman, reflecting 20 years ago on why the program still holds fascination, said: "It's history. It's one of the great events of the new age of mass communications." True still.

Sydney Lewis , Atlantic Public Media
October 1, 2008

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