The Mercury Theatre on the Air Orson Welles

welles @ press conference after war of worlds broadcast (october 31, 1938)

after theatrical successes of mercury theatre, cbs radio invited orson welles create summer show 13 weeks. series began july 11, 1938, titled first person singular, formula welles play lead in each show. months later show called mercury theatre on air. weekly hour-long show presented radio plays based on classic literary works, original music composed , conducted bernard herrmann.

the mercury theatre s radio adaptation of war of worlds h. g. wells october 30, 1938, brought welles instant fame. combination of news bulletin form of performance between-breaks dial spinning habits of listeners later reported have created widespread confusion among listeners failed hear introduction, although extent of confusion has come question. panic reportedly spread among listeners believed fictional news reports of martian invasion. myth of result created combination reported fact around world , disparagingly mentioned adolf hitler in public speech.

the mercury theatre on air became campbell playhouse in december 1938

welles s growing fame drew hollywood offers, lures independent-minded welles resisted @ first. mercury theatre on air, had been sustaining show (without sponsorship) picked campbell soup , renamed campbell playhouse. mercury theatre on air made last broadcast on december 4, 1938, , campbell playhouse began 5 days later.

welles began commuting california new york 2 sunday broadcasts of campbell playhouse after signing film contract rko pictures in august 1939. in november 1939, production of show moved new york los angeles.

after 20 shows, campbell began exercise more creative control , had complete control on story selection. contract campbell came end, welles chose not sign on season. after broadcast of march 31, 1940, welles , campbell parted amicably.