W A R   O F   T H E   W O R L D S
                  -----   ---   -----   -----------

                          1967 BBC Version

First Show: 09 Jun, 1967                      Last Show: 14 Jul, 1967
Number Shows: 6                                   Audition Show: none


Series Description:

The most well-known radio show of all time is THE MERCURY THEATER OF
THE AIR presentation of "War of the Worlds" directed by Orsen Welles,
scripted by Howard Koch.  This H. G. Wells classic science fiction 
story may also be one of the most-often dramatized work on radio.  
Besides Welles' October 30, 1938 rendering, there is:
* a 1957 Australian version (in 6 30-minute episodes), 
* a 1955 Lux Radio Theater adaptation of George Pal's film (1 hour), 
* a 1961 West Coast version centered on San Francisco (1 hour), 
* a 1957 South African version (in 30-minute episodes),
* a 1964 WPEN, Portland OR. re-enactment of the Koch script,
* a 1968 WKBW, Buffalo, NY re-make of the Koch script,
and numerous others.  There are others plus a couple of readings done
on radio.

The British Broadcasting Corporation presented there version first in 
1950 and again in 1967, both times as a series of 6 30-minute episodes.
The 1950 version is not believed to have survived.  The 1967 version 
has survived.  It places the action in 1967 but stays close to H.G. 
Wells' original.  Portraying it in 6 30-minute episodes offers ample
oppurtunity to develop characters and plots.  Sound effects and
acting are first rate, making it an enjoyable listen.  The only flaw
is that most copies available are not of pristine quality.  In 1995,
the 1968 series aired over National Public Radio stations in the US,
so it should be available in good quality audio.

If you've only heard the Orsen Wells version, you owe it to yourself
to try this one.  It's one of the BBC's better science fiction
dramas.


Chronological Log:

         Date          Day  Num  Title
         ------------  ---  ---  -----------------------
         09 Jun, 1967  Fri    1  "The Red Planet"
         16 Jun, 1967  Fri    2  "The First Deaths"
         23 Jun, 1967  Fri    3  "The Fighting Machines"
         30 Jun, 1967  Fri    4  "The Black Smoke"
         07 Jul, 1967  Fri    5  "The Red Weed"
         14 Jul, 1967  Fri    6  "Conclusion"


Last Update: Aug 08, 2005


This log is informational only and does not imply that I have these
shows for trade or sale.  The shows are still protected under
copyright law and should be obtained only from authorized dealers.

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Please send error corrections or additional information to Frank M.
Passage, 109 Elmwood Road, Verona, NJ 07044 (email: wb2ntp@arrl.net).