# Orson Welles and War of the Worlds broadcast

> Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/orson-welles-and-war-of-the-worlds-broadcast
> Updated: 2026-10-30T07:00:02.000Z. Sources: 3. Developments: 2.

Orson Welles was a transformative figure in 20th-century culture, known for his work in film, theater, and radio. He is widely recognized as the author of ‘Citizen Kane’, which is considered one of the most influential films in history.

A landmark moment in his career occurred in 1938 when he directed a radio adaptation of H.G. Wells’ ‘War of the Worlds’ for CBS. The Mercury Theatre on the Air production presented the Martian invasion as a series of live news bulletins. This style caused widespread confusion among listeners who believed the fictional event was a real emergency.

While some historical accounts suggest the scale of public panic was amplified by the press, the broadcast remains a significant event in communication history. It demonstrated the power of radio and is studied regarding media credibility and the spread of misinformation. The success of this broadcast helped launch Welles' career.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-30: Orson Welles radio broadcast of The War of the Worlds anniversary

The 1938 radio broadcast of The War of the Worlds, directed by Orson Welles, famously used news bulletin formats to depict a Martian invasion, becoming a landmark moment in media history.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/orson-welles-radio-broadcast-of-the-war-of-the-worlds-anniversary

### 2026-10-10: Orson Welles: The revolutionary filmmaker and radio innovator

Orson Welles, the visionary creator of ‘Citizen Kane’, left an indelible mark on film and radio, notably through his controversial ‘War of the Worlds’ broadcast.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/orson-welles-the-revolutionary-filmmaker-and-radio-innovator

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Cite as: Orson Welles and War of the Worlds broadcast. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/orson-welles-and-war-of-the-worlds-broadcast