War of the Worlds Scandal

On Oct. 30, 1938, families throughout New York state fled their homes, fearing an alien attack -- thanks to the all-too-convincing "War of the Worlds" radio broadcast by Orson Welles. This documentary recounts the events of that extraordinary day. The program examines not only the details of the broadcast itself, but also the wider social context of the frail world in 1938, the kind of world that would give way to even greater hysteria.