This is from 1939. Pour yourself some egg nog, get comfy, and enjoy!

It’s time to turn off the lights to let the candles flicker and make shadows on the walls. Sit close to each other. Watch out behind you!

This comes complete with commercials!

No music today but two radio dramas. Pop some corn, sit around and listen.

http://atomic-temporary-5444514.wpcomstaging.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/suspense-onacountryroad2.mp3

Turn off the lights and sit by candlelight to listen to this Inner Sanctum radio play!

Turn off the lights, close your eyes and imagine…..

On October 30, 1938, The Mercury Theatre, a young drama troupe under the direction of Orson Welles, performed a radio play called “War of the Worlds” on WABC, New York, and over the Columbia Broadcasting System network, coast-to-coast.

It was based on a science fiction story by H.G. Wells (no relation) which entailed Martians landing in New Jersey to take over the world. The broadcast imagery produced through sound effects and acting was so powerful, it caused mass hysteria. Thousands of listeners panicked nationwide, not realizing it was just a radio play, even though disclaimers were announced before and during the production.

How bad was it? The next day, The New York Times ran this headline:

Radio Listeners in Panic,Taking War Drama as Fact

Many Flee Homes to Escape `Gas Raid From Mars’ — Phone Calls Swamp Police at Broadcast of Wells Fantasy