Today's edition of The Weekly Standard carries my review of the new book by A. Brad Schwartz, Broadcast Hysteria: Orson Welles War of the Worlds and the Art of Fake News. It's far and away the definitive history of Welles's infamous 1938 radio adaptation of H. G. Wells's The War of the Worlds. Schwartz's meticulous research has uncovered some surprises that challenge much of the received wisdom about the broadcast and the national "panic" it supposedly caused. To read the online version of my review, click on "When Earthlings Panic."
May 6th would have been Orson Welles's 100th birthday. The great actor, director, writer, producer, magician, and world-class raconteur died 30 years ago but is still a vivid presence to those of us who cherish his films. The Wall Street Journal has published my tribute to him a day early, so we'll all have more time to celebrate, just as Orson would have wanted us to. My piece is a rather unusual take on the kid from Kenosha, and I'm sure it will inspire as many brickbats as hosannas, if not more. Join the argument: "On His 100th Birthday, Rethinking Orson Welles."
