In this 1988 documentary, award-winning NPR producer Joe Bevilacqua looks at how the landmark broadcast came about and examines its impact on broadcast history. The half-hour program includes rare interviews with Mercury Theater producer John Houseman, writer Howard Koch, actor Arthur Anderson, and the people of Grover’s Mill, NJ, who lived through the 'Martian Invasion.'



Ladies and Gentlemen, I’ve just been handed a message that came in from Grover’s Mill by telephone. Just one moment please. At least forty people, including six state troopers, lie dead in a field east of the village of Grover’s Mill, their bodies burned and distorted beyond all possible recognition.



On October 30, 1938, during a regular airing of Mercury Theatre on the Air, a CBS Radio Network news correspondent broke in with the devastating story of an apparent Martian invasion near the unincorporated township of Grover’s Mill, New Jersey. Over the course of the one-hour program, the incoming bulletins grew more and more terrifying as the Martian war machines defeated army units and marched on New York City, their heat rays and deadly poison gas leaving a wake of death and destruction behind them.



Just minutes into the broadcast the phone lines began to jam with listeners trying to reach the CBS offices, the police, family members, or friends. It is reported that many people in the immediate vicinity of the “attack” evacuated their homes, taking as many of their possessions with them as they could carry. The extent of the panic has been, and is still debated but radio broadcasting would be forever changed. The value of radio as a source of news and dramatic entertainment was suddenly apparent.



In 1988, award-winning journalist and voice-over artist Joe Bevilacqua created this thirty-minute special for NPR in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the historic event. It is available now as an audio download for the first time. Contained herein are exclusive interviews with John Houseman, who produced the program, Howard Koch, who was the primary writer of the radio script, and Arthur Anderson, one of the primary actors. You’ll learn about Orson Welles’ involvement in the project. You’ll also hear interviews and commentaries from real-live people who lived in and around the Grover’s Mill area relating their memories of the event, not to mention several clips from the original broadcast itself.



This thirty-minute feature is packed with more information and entertainment than you can shake a heat ray at. Don’t miss out on a unique behind-the-scenes look at one of the more fascinating pieces of American history and pop-culture.



Steven Brandt - Audiobook Heaven

http://www.audiobook-heaven.com/2013/03/we-take-you-now-to-grovers-mill-making.html



and



War of the Welles

Part of Old-Time Radio Parodies: The Best of the Comedy-O-Rama Hour, Season Two [Unabridged] [Audible Audio Edition]

by Mr. Joe Bevilacqua (Author, Narrator), William Melillo (Author, Narrator), Robert J. Cirasa (Author), Rick Ramos (Narrator), Alison Nead (Narrator), Cathi Tully (Narrator), Jay Snyder (Narrator), Peter Cummings (Narrator), Thomas Babakowski (Narrator)

http://www.downpour.com/old-time-radio-parodies-1



Old Time Radio Parodies

by Joe Bevilacqua

performed by a Full cast

Series: Comedy-o-Rama Theater

Copyright: 2011 Waterlogg Productions

Duration: 2 hours 53 minutes unabridged

Genres: humor, radio production



Old Time Radio Parodies, Volume Two of The Best of the Comedy-O-Rama Hour, produced and directed by Joe Bevilacqua, written by Joe Bevilacqua, William Melillo, and Robert J. Cirasa. These are not old-time radio shows but incredible simulations! Created by veteran audio theater producer Joe Bevilacqua, these humorious half-hours take off on such classic old time radio shows as The Shadow, The Lone Ranger, The Green Hornet, War of the Worlds, Suspense and The Jack Benny Program. The fine cast includes Joe Bevilacqua, Rick Ramos, Alison Nead, Cathi Tully, William Melillo, Jay Snyder, Peter Cummings, Thomas Babakowski, Peter Nevargic and James Cronin.



Stories include: "The Silhouette", "The Old Ranger", "The Red Hornet", "Brute Ballingham, Private Detective", "Suspension: Waiting for Rochester - To Stop", and "War of the Welles". For more about The Comedy-O-Rama Hour, go to: http://www.comedyorama.com.





AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: Fans of old-time radio classics are in for a real treat. From Joe Bevilacqua and his Waterlogg Productions, makers of the hilarious Misadventures of Sherlock Holmes, and Uncle Dunkle and Donnie, comes volume 2 in the Best of the Comedy-o-Rama Hour. And it couldn’t come at a better time. The current trend in audiobooks is the revitalization of the classic radio program, and all the publishers are doing it. From Doc Savage, to The Black Mask, to NPR’s Car Talk, it seems that America is rediscovering the joys of the spoken word. And Joe Bev is adding some very worthwhile products to the market.



This audio collection includes clever and witty parodies of old-time classics including The Old Ranger, The Red Hornet, The Silhouette, Brute Ballingham Private Detective, Suspension, and War of the Welles.



Highlights of the set include:



The Old Ranger: He retired more than 60 years ago, but now the masked rider is back (sort of), for his greatest (not really) and final (most likely) adventure. It’s the Old Ranger! Of course, before the masked rider can hit the trail again, he’ll need his mask (now more gray than black), his trusty steed Aluminum (have you seen the price of silver these days?), and his faithful companion Toronto (now a wealthy silver magnate and businessman). This is a superbly funny parody of one of the greatest radio heroes of all time.



The Red Hornet: It’s time for another action-packed episode of The Red Hornet, but there’s a small problem: the star is mysteriously absent. The show must go on, however, and so the director goes out to the street to pull in the first actor he sees. The episode is recorded, therefore, with a stand-in who sounds very much like W C Fields. Can you imagine W C Fields in the serious and dramatic role of the crime-fighting hero The Red Hornet? Yeah, it’s just as funny as what you’re imagining, and then some.



Old-time Radio Parodies is up to the usual Waterlogg Productions high standards, featuring a full cast of talented voice actors, and cinema quality music and sound effects. I promise you’ll never be disappointed with how a Waterlogg Production sounds. They even have parodies of commercials like Shouty-O’s (shout for Shouty-O’s!) cereal, and Blue Coal Tires (the only tires you can burn in your furnace after they go flat). We’re talking three hours of non-stop laughs here. Don’t miss out!

Halloween Happening

A Spooky Story by the Voice of Yogi Bear

By Daws Butler

Performed by Joe Bevilacqua and Lorie Kellogg

Produced with wonderful sound effects and music by Joe Bevilacqua.

More about Waterlogg Productions at http://www.waterlogg.com.

Comedy-O-Rama Podcast on iTunes

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-comedy-o-rama-hour/id572142422

Jazz-O-Rama Podcast on iTunes

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-jazz-o-rama-hour/id611001393

Cartoon Carnival Podcast

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/cartoon-carnival-with-joe-bev/id624696898

Joe Bev Experience Podcast

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-joe-bev-experience/id627773341

and check out Rick Oveton's podcast too! Overview with Rick Overton http://goo.gl/OM2mD