Orson Welles' Best Performance
Clip: Season 25 Episode 6 | 32s
The press conference was one of Welles great performances as an actor.
After the "War of the Worlds" radio broadcast, CBS execs hastily convened a press conference for Orson Welles. It "was one of Welles great performances as an actor. And he knew that his whole career was on the line here," said Media Historian Paul Heyer. Welles had to sound sincere in his apology, which he may not necessarily have been, according to co-producer John Houseman.
Corporate sponsorship for American Experience is provided by Liberty Mutual Insurance and Carlisle Companies. Major funding by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.
Support provided by:
Orson Welles' Best Performance
Clip: Season 25 Episode 6 | 32s
After the "War of the Worlds" radio broadcast, CBS execs hastily convened a press conference for Orson Welles. It "was one of Welles great performances as an actor. And he knew that his whole career was on the line here," said Media Historian Paul Heyer. Welles had to sound sincere in his apology, which he may not necessarily have been, according to co-producer John Houseman.
How to Watch American Experience
American Experience is available to stream on pbs.org and the free PBS App, available on iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Android smartphones, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, and Vizio.
Buy Now
When is a photo an act of resistance?
For families that just decades earlier were torn apart by chattel slavery, being photographed together was proof of their resilience.Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship
Dear Mr. Welles: Uncovering Original Material
Letters from a library archive come alive in the American Experience documentary. (2m 59s)
Americans were living in fear during the height of the Great Depression. (18s)
"Alien army invader in the late '30s was quickly translatable from Martian to German." (48s)
In Oct. 1938, a panicked radio announcer reported that Martians had landed in New Jersey. (22s)
Orson Welles' Press Conference
Orson Welles could not imagine how anyone could believe that Martians had really landed. (23s)
Many Americans were in awe that some people had believed the War of the Worlds broadcast. (18s)
During the height of the Great Depression, radios were being purchased by the millions. (29s)
There Was No Stopping Orson Welles
CBS network executives ordered a break in the broadcast, but Welles could not be stopped. (26s)
Watch chapter 1 of War of the Worlds, premiering on PBS October 29, 2013 at 9/8c. (7m 16s)
Airing October 29, 9/8c. The most famous invasion that never happened. (30s)
In the 1930s, Americans worried when radio programs were interrupted by news bulletins. (16s)
Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship
Corporate sponsorship for American Experience is provided by Liberty Mutual Insurance and Carlisle Companies. Major funding by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.