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American Experience

A Grave Announcement

In Oct. 1938, a panicked radio announcer reported that Martians had landed in New Jersey.

Aired 10/29/2013 | Rating NR

American Experience

A Grave Announcement

Clip: Season 25 Episode 6 | 22s

In Oct. 1938, a panicked radio announcer reported that Martians had landed in New Jersey.

Shortly after 8 p.m. on the Halloween Eve, 1938, the voice of a panicked radio announcer broke in with a news bulletin reporting strange explosions taking place on the planet Mars, followed minutes later by a report that Martians had landed in the tiny town of Grovers Mill, New Jersey. "War of the Worlds" premieres October 29, 2013 at 9pm ET on PBS.

Aired 10/29/2013 | Rating NR

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Corporate sponsorship for American Experience is provided by Liberty Mutual Insurance and Carlisle Companies. Major funding by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.

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Dear Mr. Welles: Uncovering Original Material

Clip: S25 Ep6 | 2m 59s | Letters from a library archive come alive in the American Experience documentary. (2m 59s)

Fear and the Great Depression

Clip: S25 Ep6 | 18s | Americans were living in fear during the height of the Great Depression. (18s)

From Martian to German

Clip: S25 Ep6 | 48s | "Alien army invader in the late '30s was quickly translatable from Martian to German." (48s)

Making War of the Worlds

Clip: S25 Ep6 | 2m 59s | Actors, antique radios, and the greatest prank of all times. (2m 59s)

Orson Welles' Best Performance

Clip: S25 Ep6 | 32s | The press conference was one of Welles great performances as an actor. (32s)

Orson Welles' Press Conference

Clip: S25 Ep6 | 23s | Orson Welles could not imagine how anyone could believe that Martians had really landed. (23s)

The Power of Propaganda

Clip: S25 Ep6 | 18s | Many Americans were in awe that some people had believed the War of the Worlds broadcast. (18s)

Radios by the Millions

Clip: S25 Ep6 | 29s | During the height of the Great Depression, radios were being purchased by the millions. (29s)

There Was No Stopping Orson Welles

Clip: S25 Ep6 | 26s | CBS network executives ordered a break in the broadcast, but Welles could not be stopped. (26s)

War of the Worlds Chapter 1

Clip: S25 Ep6 | 7m 16s | Watch chapter 1 of War of the Worlds, premiering on PBS October 29, 2013 at 9/8c. (7m 16s)

War of the Worlds: Outtakes

Clip: S25 Ep6 | 1m 18s | Outtakes from the recreation shoot for War of the Worlds. (1m 18s)

War of the Worlds Preview

Preview: S25 Ep6 | 30s | Airing October 29, 9/8c. The most famous invasion that never happened. (30s)

We Interrupt this Program...

Clip: S25 Ep6 | 16s | In the 1930s, Americans worried when radio programs were interrupted by news bulletins. (16s)

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Corporate sponsorship for American Experience is provided by Liberty Mutual Insurance and Carlisle Companies. Major funding by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.

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