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Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100
THE NIGHT AMERICA TREMBLED
In 1938 my dad sprang for a new RCA Victor 7K1 console.
The radio took a prominent place in our home. President Roosevelt’s voice filled our living room. I loved Charlie McCarthy. My sister adored Bing Crosby.
One night, putting the finishing touches on my Halloween costume, mom turned the dial. “Ramon Raquello and his orchestra.”
I rolled my eyes. “Boring.”
A panicked voice interrupted. “Ladies and gentlemen this is the most terrifying thing I’ve ever witnessed…”
We cowered, believing, as many Americans did, invaders from Mars had landed. What a pity they weren’t real and didn’t devour the Reichstag.
.
.
.
“…it was intended to be the Mercury theater’s own version of dressing up in a sheet and jumping out of a bush and saying, ‘Boo!’ Starting now we couldn’t soap all your windows and steal your garden gates by tomorrow night so we did the next best thing.” Orson Welles, October 30,1938
I was amused by that story the first time I heard it, I think today aliens would have a hard time convincing us they are really aliens. Fun story, Rochelle.
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Dear Loré,
It turns out that the panic wasn’t as widespread as the media would’ve had us believe. Still there were lots of phone calls to the studio and concern. Blessed are the gullible for they shall keep the media alive. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Love this line ‘Blessed are the gullible for they shall keep the media alive. Thank you.’
Brilliant fun story as well Rochelle.
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I love that you used the War of the Worlds scare. I’d be tempted to take out the last sentence
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Dear Neil,
It turns out that the War of the Worlds scare wasn’t nearly as widespread as the news media wanted people to believe. As for the last line…it’s important. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That happened before I was born and I’ve heard about it all my life. My parents weren’t worried by it as they probably weren’t listening to it. They were probably busy handing out treats for Halloween to kids who would come to the door in costumes. They could have also been listening to another station. Good story based on the facts, Rochelle. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Dear Suzanne,
This was one of my father’s favorite stories. Of course it happened a long time before I was born, too. 😉 Glad you enjoyed it, Suzanne. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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This is a story i have heard so much… and I do love that last line… puts so much more meaning into the text… sometimes we do need those.
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Dear Björn,
I’m so pleased that you get my meaning in the last line. In 1938, the world was on the verge of global war and one of the most heinous massacres of all time. It needed to be said. 😉 Thank you for understanding.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I got that one at once… and I’m thinking there might be other places where we need some aliens today…
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Perhaps if we give the aliens a road map. 😉 Just sayin…
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Let’s just hope they don’t get their road map from ISIS.
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I was thinking that they should get a road map TO ISIS.
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I always enjoy listening to that broadcast. I can see how people believed. Orson Welles is very convincing.
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Dear Bernadette,
Having just listened to the broadcast I can see why someone might be sucked in. The way it was presented, if you hadn’t caught the intro…Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Terrific piece of writing, as always.
If I ever knew this started as a Hallowe’en prank, I had forgotten it.
Very clever.
The last line is perfect, gives your story power and meaning.
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Dear CE,
I’m glad you saw the meaning in my very deliberate last line. Thank you for your sweet words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I like the allusion. The Reichstag fire was indeed an attack on the German people, but not in the way they thought. How it came to be known as a false flag operation is interesting, since such tactics rarely are exposed (the Maine in Havana Harbor and the Tonkin incident are now known to be fabrications, but 9/11 and 7/7 are never questioned as being anything other than attacks on Americans by outsiders).
Funny how the narrative of the Welles broadcast has been altered over time. In reality, not very many people heard it at the time. It certainly wasn’t a national panic, as even a cursory glance at the newspapers of the next day will show. But the legend has lived on despite an inconvenient truth. The legend has a more compelling story.
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Dear J Hardy,
I love it that you got my story in such a big way.
All my life I’ve believed the myth about War of the Worlds. At any rate, it did cause some concern and few phone calls to the CBS studio that night. It could’ve been convincing to a gullible few who tuned in after the introduction. The truth is, very much like today, the news media jumped on the hype wagon.
And to think that, as a kid, I found history boring. What was I thinking?
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I liked this – especially the last line. If only, hey!
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Dear Louise,
So glad you liked. If only is right. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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The last line is quite right. Perhaps the aliens had a strict intervention code, only go for the innocence. That seems to be most dictators strategy, for if they went for the bad guys they would soon put themselves out of business.
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Dear Mike,
You make some good points concerning aliens. But I can dream, can’t I? 😉 Thank you for your affirming comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Just lost my previous comment, so apologies if this appears twice. Loved the story, last line and all, and loved the clip. Nemesis can be fairly selective as to where it strikes, sadly. Is it just me, or is Orson Welles hamming it up in an overly contrite manner in that clip?
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Dear Sandra,
Oh I don’t think it’s just you. I had the exact same thought concerning Mr. Welles. I’ve no doubt that he was enjoying the spotlight and playing to his audience.
As I said before, the last line is important to the story. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
PS We’ll make it through November. 😉
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I was thinking the same thing, Sandra!
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I have to concur with the masses. That last line changes everything.
Fabulous job – as per usual – Madame FFF!
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Dear Dale,
Thank you. Your comment, particularly on the last line, means a lot. 😀 😉 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Well… it would not be you if there were not something to make us think
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We were told about that broadcast in school, as an example as to how easily people can be influenced by the media, and how easily the masses develop a dynamic of their own. But then, in my time, people were still anxious to teach (German) kids these things, to prevent this from ever happening again. So of course I think the last line is important. Great story, Rochelle.
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Dear Gabriele,
Without the last line the story would be pointless. I can’t imagine the stress of growing up in post war Germany and bearing the weight of what happened. Hugs to you.
Media has so much influence…particularly on the gullible. It was actually the newspapers that perpetuated the myth of Nationwide panic following WOTW. A fact I’ve learned recently.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I never learned more about the story than what I learned back then. It’s interesting to know that it wasn’t such a nationwide panick at all.
About growing up in post war GErmany–most of my classmates felt like I did: shame and horror about what my people, my country had done. There never was a sense of patriotism or pride. It’s one of the reasons why many Germans (despite the claims of the far right) are passionate Europeans. I always defined myself as European. And finding my country doing well within that context was a hopeful feeling. I’m rather shocked about what is going on, right now. But enough of that.
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I believe Welles claimed they had no intention of trying to fool the public … Myself, I think he was the ultimate showman, even at that young age! Anxiety had been growing globally about events unfolding in Germany, so I’m guessing the world was a little on edge anyway. Still no one could have imagined the awful reality of what was to come. You’re right – that last line puts the rest in context. Powerful story, Rochelle.
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Dear Lynn,
No argument. I agree, Mr. Welles was playing to an audience. Somehow I don’t believe he was all that concerned or frightened about public reaction. And I’m glad that you got the major point of my story which is really about the global unrest and threat of war. Without the last line, it would be pointless.
Thank you very much.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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My pleasure Rochelle and an atmospheric, poignant read it was too
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Dear Rochelle, What a touching tale from the past. And the last line was the grand finale. You couldn’t have narrated it any better. Hats off!
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Dear Neel,
What a lovely comment/compliment. Thank you very much.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wonderful! Even though this is my first time participating, I’ve been reading your stuff for awhile. You are a brilliant
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Dear Rosemary,
You made me blush. I’m glad you decided to join in. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Nothing like a scare story to keep people on their toes!
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Dear Keith,
Perhaps it was the times…no social media and the world in turmoil…that set people up for a scare. Thank you for coming by.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Using the War of the Worlds story was a great idea!
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Thank you, J.A. It’s always been a favorite bit of history for me.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Excellent slice of history. That radio broadcast is still well known and heard often to this day, what a lasting impact it has had.
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Dear Iain,
That broadcast, due to its innovative presentation and the effect it had on a cross-section of the population will continue to impact, I think. Although, it didn’t cause the widespread panic the media reported, it certainly made a point. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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“We annihilated the world before your very ears and utterly destroyed the CBS.” Shoot! I wish I had written this story. I have known the background on this since high school. It was a lot of fun to listen to, I had the recording, the book from the library, etc. Orson did one memorable radio broadcast that changed everything and a movie that also changed everything. After that? Eh.
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Great line. I can’t take credit for that. I’ve had a few years on you to have heard about it all my life. Thanks for coming by.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You’re welcome. Oh, nice pic of you in the link-up page. When was that taken?
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At the kids’ house in CA a few years back.
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Cool.
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What a crazy experiment that was. How fun that the photo prompt took you to Orson.
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Dear Alicia,
Actually I’m surprised that no one’s asked how I got there. 😉 I’ll share it with you anyway…you wanted to know, right? When I first looked at this photo, my eyes went the ‘RCA Victor Radio’ sign which eventually took me to WOTW. My dad used to love to share the story of how he’d heard the broadcast and the panic it caused. The rest is…um…er…history. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Yes, indeed, I did want to know, as I’m sure many others did. Thanks for sharing.
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Great story! I had heard about this, and loved the way you used it and how the last line puts the story in a new context.
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Dear Emily,
Thank you for your affirming comments. Glad you enjoyed.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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“blessed are the gullible” indeed
I loved your story from this photo. You took me down a different road.
Tracey
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Dear Tracey
I wonder if I can copyright that blessed are the gullible…somehow it popped into my head. 😉 And…if there’s a different road to follow, I try to find it. 😀 Wow, do I ever sound arrogant…ick. At any rate, I’m glad you liked the story. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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In just 100 words you took me from the mellow voice of Bing to the chomping of aliens eating the Reichstag! Incredible!
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Dear Chris,
I’m pleased that you went where I wanted you to go. Thank you very much.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It must have been quite something to have turned on the radio and heard that! Great last line on a more serious note to finish.
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Dear Ali,
Although the broadcast was introduced with a disclaimer, some tuned in later and thought it was real. I can only imagine how they felt later as they mopped the egg from their faces. As for the last line…glad you caught it and understood. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great tale Rochelle. The news still has the power to terrify.
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Dear Lindsay,
Anymore I almost hate to watch the news. And there’s so much flying it’s hard to know what to believe, it’s it? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That panicked the whole English-speaking world. Perhaps the Martians would have been preferable to the NAzis – on the other hand, to them we might all have been expendable – billions rather than millions.
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Dear Liz,
We’ll never know will we? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Well that was awesome! I was on the roof of the Reichstag this last summer having a marvelous dinner! It had an incredible view! I wrote a story based on it.. my last post.
I hope you are well Miss Rochelle and having a fantastic fall! 🙂 ❤
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Dear Courtney,
I’m glad you liked the story and took the time to say so. Sounds like a wonderful time in Germany. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It was.. we took a Viking Cruise for our 30th anniversary 🙂
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Dear Double Bubble,
I read the book when I was in Jr. High.–very entertaining.
Talk about wide-spread panic, I remember on 9-11 how everyone ran to the gas stations to fill up, fearing we would have a gasoline shortage. It was ridiculous, but fear has a way of stripping common sense and turning sensible people into blathering idiots. (Not that I’ve ever been considered a sensible person).
Off to the outhouse,
Margo
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Dear Margo,
My dad used to talk about this story. He got to hear it first hand. Naturally the news media perpetuated the story of the widespread panic. In reality there were some who bought the Martian story but most didn’t. I think Orson Welles played the frightened, exhausted young man to the hilt. I’m not buying it. 😉
Sensible? Whassat?
Shalom,
DB
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Querida Rochelle,
Another walk down memory lane for me. I was too young to know about this but my father-in-law loved to talk about it in a very humorous way. He liked to kibbitz (kibets).
He recanted the story each time one of my children reached an age where they could understand. The tings that come to mind when an image is presented for us to write about. MUY BUENO, mi amiga, como siempre.
Gracias … buen fin de semana 😍
Abrazos Bubela,
Isadora 😎
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Querida Isadora,
My dad talked about it a lot. I’m too young to have heard the broadcast firsthand. But even in listening to it in retrospect it’s disconcerting. Muchas gracias. Your comments make me smile.
Shalom y Abrazos, mi amiga,
Rochelle
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I love the story of War of the Worlds! Too much social media today for it to work. A great story Rochelle!
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Dear Laurie,
Way too much social media. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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it must be before trump was born. otherwise, he’d be saying, “don’t be fooled. they’ve come from across the border.” 🙂
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Dear Plaridel,
You can’t build a wall to keep out Martians. A ceiling perhaps?
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I didn’t know anything about the War of the Worlds until reading this and the comments. I love reading your stories. As well as being beautifully written, they are very informative!
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Dear Clare,
Some stories are more fun to write than others. This was one of those. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hi Rochelle – I’ve just joined Friday Fictioneers and look forward to joining in.
Love the nostalgic and playful nature but how you manage to turn that on it’s head with that poignant last line. Fab!
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Dear Poppy,
I’ve seen you ‘lurking about’ so I’m glad you finally jumped in. I’ll check out your story soon. Thank you for your affirming comments re my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
A brilliant take on the prompt. I love the last sentence in particular! Such a young looking Orson Wells there on that video. War of the Worlds is a brilliant book. My husband used to live next to Horsell Common in Woking, Surrey, UK, the original landing site of the martians! http://www.thewaroftheworlds-woking.com/war_of_the_worlds_landmarks_woking.html
Sorry, I haven’t got around to doing a FF story yet again, as my week was gobbled up with reviewing and okaying the recording of the audio version of my latest novel. It arrived unexpectedly, a month early, thanks to my wonderfully enthusiastic narrator. And today, I’ve been busy sorting out your guest storyteller post for tomorrow. Exciting stuff.
All best wishes
Sarah
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Dear Sarah,
It does sound like you’ve been busy. I’d really love to talk to you about doing audio versions. I’ve been asked about it and I have no answer. At any rate, how exciting for you.
I do appreciate you’re swinging by to read and comment. I always found it interesting and fun that WOTW was written by H.G. Wells and broadcast by Orson Welles. Perhaps one day I’ll read the book.
Hmmm…I’ll have to check out that guest storyteller. 😉
Thank you and shalom.
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle
The recording to my book was done through acx.com. Basically, you (or possibly your publisher or literary agent) submit your book details to the site, plus a short excerpt for auditions, and a request for the type of narrator you would like (age, gender, accent etc). Then you hope that someone suitable applies to narrate for you. You state whether you’re looking to do a royalty share with the narrator, or pay an upfront one-off fee. There’s also stuff such as whether you grant exclusive distribution rights to Audible or not, but whatever you opt for, you are the rights holder to the book, which includes the recording. Anyway, have a look at the site, as all will be revealed. But be warned, resizing your book cover image to turn it into a perfect square, whilst not losing its definition, is a total nightmare with which I’m currently grappling!
Hmmm…my guest storyteller is a most talented lady. 🙂
All best wishes
Sarah
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I will add my praise to the long list of others. Nice take on the prompt. You set the scene beautifully. I like that it was from the perspective of a little girl.
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Dear Cindy,
Thank you for such a nice comment. This story was fun to research and write.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great story. I really enjoy reading your stories. I like the historical aspects.
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Dear Connie,
You’ve given me a smile. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It is a pity they didn’t devour the Reichstag, Rochelle. Well told as always.
I’ve been in Prague this week and whilst there heard an anecdote you may appreciate if you haven’t heard it before.
On top of the concert hall are 4 statues of famous composers. One is Wagner who the Nazis revered and another is Mendelssohn. The Nazi commander at the time of occupation ordered Mendelssohn to be taken down as he was a Jew. The soldiers arriving on the roof realised they didn’t know which statue was which, all they had to help them was their anti-Semite lessons which told them Jews have big noses. So they took down the one with the biggest nose, Wagner.
I liked this as a small victory and exposure of their ridiculousness and ignorance.
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Dear Michael,
I hadn’t heard that one. Thank you for sharing. It made me laugh.
Thank you for your comments re my story, too. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I find this quite interesting. I’ve always wanted to write these stories that are banging around inside my head. Now…I’m having trouble finding inspiring ideas, since I’ve lost some memory and cognitive abilities over the past 6 or 8 months ago. I’m still interested, though.
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Dear Karen,
These are bite-size stories. You’re most welcome anytime. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, what a great way to capture the invasion from Mars.I wonder, too, if we would be a lot better off had they really invaded. Maybe they could help us! Oh, what lies ahead, I don’t know. Imaginative take.
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Dear Amy,
It would’ve been nice if Martians would just come and devour our enemies, wouldn’t it? As for what lies ahead…?
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I love the story of the Orson Welles broadcast (although I’ve never believed it really was millions panicking) and enjoyed your story of that night too! Nice original take
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Dear RG,
I think the people in New Jersey were a little nervous. Again, blessed are the gullible for they shall keep the Media alive. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Did they not check Facebook to confirm it? It must have spread like wildfire on Whatsapp, right? Ah! The those days of radio. I remember as a kid listening to reruns of some classic shows on BBC Radio – the Goon show still stands out in my memory. Nice one.
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Dear Subroto,
Can you imagine Facebook or Twitter in 1938? I love listening to some of those old radio broadcasts. What fun. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Today’s version would no doubt be zombies rather than aliens and probably just as believed! lol
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Dear Dawn,
Of course it would be all over FB and Twitter to make it even more convincing. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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LOL..of course.
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Such a brilliant bit of history and fun story telling to honor it! Admittedly, having spent the day calling swing state voters, and the evening drinking wine, I’m not sure how the prompt got you here… but I always love your stories, so it barely matters! May we all survive the next few days! Nice story telling, Rochelle.
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Dear Dawn,
I’m always happy to share my process. The first thing that caught my eye in the photo (aside from the obvious, of course) was a sign over the window that says, “RCA Victor Radio.” The rest is history. LOL. I hope today affords you some rest and relaxation.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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