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"The War of the Worlds" - A Remembrance
By Roger Hall
On the 125th anniversary of
the 1898 novel, "The War of the Worlds," by H.G. Wells
Also on the
85th Anniversary of the Mercury Theater CBS radio program in 1938
and
70th anniversary of the 1953 film version
with a memorable film score by Leith Stevens.
The 1898 novel
To read a detailed description of the novel
by Herbert George Wells (1866-1946),
see the Wikipedia article
-- click here
Original radio program on October 30, 1938
This special 2-CD collection was released in 2005
by Larry King Audio
CD 1: Complete original 1938 radio program from The Mercury Theatre
CD 2: Orson Welles Press Conference, 10-30-1938
H.G. Wells Meets Orson Welles, 10-28-1940
Radio Historian Bill Nadel interviews
last surving radio cast member: William Herz, 6-23-2005
To listen to the complete 1938 radio broadcast -- click here
To read about the radio drama -- click here
Two of the featured performers in the 1938 radio play:
Orson Welles (producer, narrator and actor)
Bernard Herrmann (orchestra conductor)
First film version released in 1953
and available on this DVD
From FMR Editor, Roger Hall:
I believe the 1953 version is the best one yet filmed of the fantastic novel by Herbert George Wells. It is far more effective than the later film version directed by Steven Spielberg from 2005, because it shows more effectively the human elements of the story and not focus on mainly the macho man character obnoxiously played by Tom Cruise in the 2005 version. I also believe the score by Leith Stevens is more intense and impressive than the less effective one by John Williams for the 2005 version.
What is your opinion?
Send them to the Contact address listed below
Film Soundtrack Recording
This recommended 2-CD set includes music from the following films:
CD 1:
THE WAR OF THE WORLDS (1953) -
Music by Leith Stevens (tracks 1-7)
WHEN WORLDS COLLIDE (1951) -
Music by Leigh Stevens (tracks 8-28)
CD 2:
THE NAKED JUNGLE (1953) - Music by Daniele Amfitheatrof
(trans 1-16, extras: 33-34)
CONQUEST OF SPACE (1954) - Music by Van Cleave
(tracks 17-30, extras: 31-32)
INTRADA SPECIAL COLLECTION - Volume 202
Note:
There is also a new release of THE WAR OF THE WORLDS soundtrack
for the 70th anniversary
released by La-La Land -- click here
To read the perevious article on THE WAR OF THE WORLDS -- click here
Contact for comments or questions -- click here
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