What was the name of the movie that documented (dramatized) the Orson Wells radio play of War of the Worlds?

Question

I saw a movie once about the radio play Wells did that caused all the panic in the 40s(?) but I cant remember the name of it! Anyone know??

Answer 1

...actually, the film is called "The Night That Panicked America", an ABC Movie of the Week from 1975; the film starred Vic Morrow, Eileen Brennen, and small bevy of known, or soon-to-be-known T.V. actors, including Will Geer (The Waltons), Tom Bosley (Happy Days), John Ritter (Three's Company) and Meredith Baxter (Family Ties).

Although it is unknown, as to whether or not the dramatizations depicting how Welles' radio broadcast affected the local populace, were based on fact, the reenactments taking place at the radio station, showing everything Welles had to go though, to present his controversial radio show, were pretty much right on the money.

An interesting note: one of the writers of this film, Nicholas Meyer, would go on to scribe the screenplays for "The Seven Percent Solution" (1976), "Time After Time" (1979) and several of the "Star Trek" movies.

Unfortunately, the film has never been released on VHS tape, nor DVD (I've almost worn out the 'duped' tape I pulled off a commercial broadcast).

Answer 2

The Night That America Trembled

you can look at this website for a lot of info on O. R.'s War of the Worlds

http://www.war-ofthe-worlds.co.uk/