Describes the panic induced when listeners believed Orson Welles' radio broadcast of "The War of the Worlds" to be news of an alien invasion, discussing the context in which the broadcast was aired and why it was so convincing.

Haunted on Halloween Eve -- Mercury rises -- Taking to the air -- Blood-red planet -- Plotting the invasion -- The final day -- The attack -- Panic -- "Wreckage" -- It's all over -- Extra! Extra! Read all about it! -- Dear Mr. Welles -- Fallout -- Dear FCC -- "Too darn realistic" -- Soft landing.