THE WAR OF THE WORLDS for a SCIENCE FICTION HALLOWEEN

111 Years ago: It is 1898 and the Martians have landed on Horsell Common, near Woking, in England. The events of those days were witnessed and recorded by a man named Herbert George Wells.

71 Years ago: It is 1938 and the Martians have landed once again in the town of Grover’s Mill, New Jersey. The events of those days were witnessed, recorded and broadcast by a man named Orson Welles.

31 Years ago: It is 1978 and the Martians appear once again, this time in musical, narrated form. These events were recorded by a man named Jeff Wayne.

These three events have occurred at 40 year intervals. Two of the three principals involved share a last name, with minor variation. The third has a last name that also begins with a ‘W’.

These are not coincidences.

The next 40 year anniversary will occur in 2018. (Those people interpreting Nostradamus, the Bible Code and Mayan calendars are all WRONG!) Keep a close watch of people who’s last name begins with ‘W’.

Until then, enjoy this collection of materials related to H.G. Well’s THE WAR OF THE WORLDS.

This week’s movie is George Pal’s version from 1953.

This week’s TV show is the opening episode of the television show.

This weeks radio program is the Mercury Theater on the Air’s radio adaptation by Orson Welles.

The image accompanying this post is a collage of artwork and clips from various incarnations of the novel (several movies, a television show, comics, musical adaptations and more).

Below are links to other versions, including the novel itself.

Parts 1 through 6 of a recent video based on the music from Jeff Wayne’s musical War of the Worlds.

The Novel itself

The Librivox audio version of the original novel HERE (Multiple files)

WKBW’s 1973 version

A radio interview with Mr. Wells and Mr. Welles