Famous hoaxes

Seventy years ago today Orson Welles and his Mercury Theatre broadcast their adaptation of "The War of the Worlds" as a fake news broadcast. Welles' broadcast was so real sounding that Americans across the country believed it.

Last night Senator Barack Obama purchased air time on the major networks to air a 30-minute infomercial promising to provide a "middle class" tax cut for 95% of the people while launching new spending programs and only raising taxes on the remaining top 5% of taxpayers, all while saving the economy. Millions of Americans will believe it.

The irony is that 70 years ago we had nothing to fear but our imaginations and the convincing words of a great script reader on the radio. Today we should be fearing the great script reader on television. I wonder how convincing he was last night?

Up late?

The Third Man is on over at Google Video in it's entirety.

Aside from the music, what do you like best about the movie? I love the very end. I won't spoil it for you.

My legitimacy is questioned

This picture was sent to me by my friend Dave in SF:

As many of you know, Orson Welles was from Wisconsin. Mom, Dad, something you're not telling me? After all, it would explain my addiction to old movies.

Maybe I should practice my theatric skills:

Charles Foster Kane: Are we going to declare war on Spain, or are we not?
Jed Leland: The Inquirer already has.
Charles Foster Kane: You long-faced, overdressed anarchist.
Jed Leland: I am not overdressed.
Charles Foster Kane: You are too. Mr. Bernstein, look at his necktie.

It even sounds like me!