Duration: 0:59

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By: fuzzymemories

Description: Here's the opening moments of The ABC Friday Night Movie presentation of the made-for-TV movie "The Night That Panicked America" on WLS Channel 7. This telepic dramatized the behind-the-scenes events regarding Orson Welles' October 30th 1938 Mercury Theatre broadcast of H.G. Wells' "The War of the Worlds," and the panic that ensued across the nation. Mr. Welles was played in this telepic by Paul Shenar; also featured were Tom Bosley, Vic Morrow, Meredith Baxter, Eileen Brennan, Will Geer, and a pre-Three's Company John Ritter. Includes:

Opening The ABC Friday Night Movie titles (which premiered this season) and preview of "The Night That Panicked America" (voiceover by Joel Crager)

Start of opening titles of "The Night That Panicked America," which starts off with disclaimer on screen: "The program you are about to see is a recreation of the "War of the Worlds" Panic Broadcast of 1938. It is based on fact. All interruptions for News Bulletins are simulated and certain names, characters and incidents are changed in the interests of dramatization." (set in Futura Demi Bold)

This aired on local Chicago TV on Friday, October 31st 1975 at 8pm.