Orson Welles was never one to follow the rules, and his broadcasting style at CBS was a clear testament to that.
In fact, what was most talked about during Orson Welles' time at CBS was the later 'Martian Invasion' incident.
At the time, to achieve a realistic effect, Orson Welles deliberately modified the landing location of the Martians in the radio drama, changing it from Britain in Herbert George Wells' "The War of the Worlds" to New Jersey. He also used real place and street names throughout the drama.
Welles' intention was to create a greater sense of immediacy for the radio play.
However, it unexpectedly caused public panic. It was said that many listeners who tuned in fainted beside their radios. A large number of people took to the streets, not forgetting to bring handkerchiefs, because the broadcast mentioned that the 'Martians' would release poison gas.
Although, as planned, at the beginning of the story, at the forty-minute mark, and at the end, Orson Welles, who served as the announcer, issued reminders: "This is a radio drama, and everything is fictional."
But the vast majority of the panicked American public did not hear these words.
On the night of the 'Martian Invasion' incident, many American families stayed up all night, enduring a difficult night in fear.
It wasn't until the next morning, when they saw the headline news in The New York Times, that they learned the truth and understood that it was all just a radio drama.
The 'Martian Invasion' incident concluded with the host, Orson Welles, issuing an apology.
Afterward, this event became a classic example in American communication studies, and it also propelled Orson Welles to fame. Using this as a stepping stone, he successfully entered Hollywood and produced a classic work in film history that would later be widely known to the public – "Citizen Kane."
Because of "Citizen Kane," Orson Welles became a household name as a cinematic genius.
However, this genius's later years were not as smooth as one might imagine, especially his struggles with Hollywood.
...
Dismissing his memories of Orson Welles, Colin looked up at the man before him, who appeared somewhat youthful yet already full of spirit.
"I am not a professional voice actor, and if I were to suddenly appear in the radio drama, it might affect the overall atmosphere of the script."
Facing Colin's concerns, Orson Welles appeared particularly confident: "Regarding this, Mr. Collin Roper, you don't need to worry too much. You just need to be yourself in the radio drama. In fact, your guidance to the theater actors just now perfectly fits the image of Superman in the script."
"Moreover, as the creator of Superman, all the voice acting is merely to align with your vision for this work."
From this conversation, it was clear that Orson Welles was clearly creator-driven.
This might also explain his later films, over ninety percent of which he wrote and directed himself.
"Alright, since you insist."
Colin was actually quite interested in participating in the voice acting for "The Adventures of Superman."
Therefore, persuaded by Orson Welles, he only demurred a few times before nodding in agreement.
He also offered a slight apology to the actor who was originally scheduled for Superman's opening voice, but the latter clearly lacked the courage to object to Colin's approach.
Furthermore, Colin's voice acting in "The Adventures of Superman" was less of a performance and more of a cameo-like 'easter egg,' with subsequent voice-acting work still handled by the actors. Thus, it didn't cause too many issues.
Standing in the CBS radio voice-acting booth, Colin made a small gesture to Orson Welles outside, then looked down at the script in his hand before beginning to read the opening line for Superman, which he had personally written: "Good morning, Jonathan, good morning, Martha..."
...
On Tuesday night at eight o'clock, countless Americans, as usual, turned on their radios to listen to the radio drama program broadcast by CBS Radio.
Announcer: "Featuring incredible, unbelievable adventures, faster than a speeding bullet, stronger than a locomotive, and even exploding bombs cannot penetrate his tough skin."
Passerby A: "Look up in the sky!"
Passerby B: "Is that a bird?"
Passerby C: "Is that a plane?"
Passerby D: "That's Superman!"
"It's Superman!"
In a cramped one-bedroom apartment in New York.
Stanley and his newborn brother Larry were squeezed into the only living room, exclaiming as they listened to "The Adventures of Superman" on the radio.
Beside him was his newborn brother Larry, still oblivious, while his father sat in a foldable chair cutting clothes, and his mother was sewing buttons.
Affected by The Great Depression, Stanley's father, a tailor, saw his income plummet. Despite working desperately, the family could barely make ends meet.
As the eldest son in a poor family, Stanley had loved reading mystery novels and adventure stories since childhood.
The radio drama "The Adventures of Superman" broadcast by CBS became his favorite program.
He had even written several small stories about Superman after the radio drama aired, which circulated among his classmates.
The description of Superman in the radio drama left a profound impression on Stanley's young mind.
It was also through "The Adventures of Superman" that he first learned the term "Superhero."
For some reason, though it was the first time he had heard the name "Superhero," Stanley found he couldn't forget it.
Announcer: "...On a normal farm in Smallville, Kansas, America, our Kryptonian baby has grown up healthy and become an ordinary young man. However, we all know that he is not ordinary at all, even though this young man looks no different from us on the outside."
The announcer set the stage for the story in the radio drama.
"Stanley, bring me the buttons..."
"Okay, Mom."
Hearing his mother's call, Stanley reluctantly moved away from the radio and went to the cabinet to find some buttons, handing them to his mother. His ears, however, remained fixed on the radio drama.
Then, to Stanley's anticipation, Clark's voice came from the radio drama.
Clark Kent: "Good morning, Jonathan, good morning, Martha..."
Jonathan Kent: "Good morning."
Martha Kent: "Good morning, sleep well, Clark."
Clark Kent: "I always sleep very well, Mom."
The third episode of "The Adventures of Superman" radio drama opened with a warm family dialogue, showcasing the deep affection between Clark and his adoptive parents on Earth.
While the story lacked the thrilling sense of Kryptonian disaster, it was unexpectedly peaceful. Yet, this very tranquility made people even more curious about the story's future developments.
After all, everyone knew that Clark Kent was destined to become Superman.
In the radio drama, after the warm breakfast conversation, Clark and his adoptive father, Jonathan, began working on the farm. Clark's powers as Superman were also revealed for the first time in the story.
As Jonathan strained while carrying heavy loads, Clark appeared remarkably relaxed.
Jonathan Kent: "Phew, phew, let's take a break, Kent."
Clark Kent: "You know, Jonathan, I have endless energy, so leave the rest to me."
Refusing his adoptive father's suggestion, Clark took on all the remaining farm work himself.
"His voice sounds a little different?"
In this part of the radio drama, Clark's extraordinary strength was primarily depicted. However, Stanley noticed that Clark Kent's voice seemed to have subtly changed, different from how it sounded at the very beginning.
Although he sensed a slight difference, Stanley didn't know the reason behind it. Coupled with the captivating nature of the radio drama, he could only suppress the thought and continue listening intently to the content.
Jonathan Kent: "Clark, you have to remember many things, and not everything can be solved with just strength."
Clark Kent: "At least on the farm, most things can be solved with strength."
Jonathan Kent: "Perhaps it's my fault, I've limited your abilities. I shouldn't have kept you confined to the farm."
Clark Kent: "What?"
Jonathan Kent: "Nothing, let's finish the remaining farm work."
Clark Kent: "No problem!"
Announcer: "That evening, Jonathan Kent and Martha Kent had a profound conversation."
Jonathan Kent: "I think it's time for Clark to venture out."
Martha Kent: "Why? Isn't it good for Clark to live with us?"
Jonathan Kent: "I know, but we both know Clark is destined to be no ordinary person. That was decided the moment he landed in his spaceship. He has extraordinary abilities, and I selfishly kept him on the farm. This isn't what a qualified father should do."
Martha Kent: "It's not your fault, Jonathan. In fact, we all love Clark, no matter where he comes from."
The sound of sobbing came from the radio background.
Jonathan Kent: "It's time to make a decision, Martha. We should tell Clark the truth!"
Martha Kent: "Jonathan, are you saying...?"
Jonathan Kent: "That's right, Martha. We should tell Clark the truth about his origins. We are not his biological parents."
Martha Kent: "But, Jonathan, what if Clark leaves us? What if he goes looking for his parents?"
Jonathan Kent: "Trust me, Martha, Clark won't do that. He's a good young man. Don't you remember what we've taught Clark all these years? We've raised him into a good young man, so how could he do something like that?"
Announcer: "Jonathan Kent and Martha Kent were discussing cautiously, unaware that their conversation had already been overheard by Clark. In the bedroom next door, listening to his adoptive parents' talk, Clark replied quietly in his heart."
Clark Kent: "Yes, I won't do that. You are my parents."
...
Jonathan Kent: "Clark, I have something to show you."
Announcer: "The next day, Jonathan and Martha called Clark with heavy hearts. Led by their adoptive parents, the three arrived at the farm's barn. Jonathan lifted a trapdoor, revealing a long-hidden underground room. Upon entering the basement, Clark saw a spaceship."
Background sound: Clang, clang—
Clark Kent: "What is this?"
Jonathan Kent: "Clark, this is the spaceship you traveled in as a child. In fact, we are not your biological parents."
Martha Kent: "We're sorry, Clark, we've been keeping it from you all this time."
Background sound: Sobbing.
Announcer: "Clark approached the spaceship and looked at the battle-scarred vessel, imagining the difficulties he must have encountered traveling through the universe in it."
*Hiss—*
Announcer: "Clark extended his hand and gently touched the spaceship in the basement. With a startup sound, the spaceship, which had been dormant on the farm for many years, slowly opened, revealing a Kryptonian suit inside, with a large 'S' insignia on the chest shield. Thus, Clark's journey as Superman began..."
As the radio drama's popularity grew, the episode length increased from twelve minutes to nearly forty minutes. Despite the longer runtime, the tight storytelling firmly held the listeners' attention.
Before they knew it, the third episode of "The Adventures of Superman," "Farm Youth Clark," had come to an end.
The closing remarks began to play on the radio.
Passerby A: "Look up in the sky!"
...
Passerby D: "That's Superman!"
Announcer: ""Superman" is a copyrighted work, serialized in newspapers and magazines distributed by the Messenger Newspaper. Special thanks also go to Mr. Collin Roper, who provided the opening voice for Superman and is also the original creator of Superman."
At the end of the broadcast, accompanied by Superman's iconic slogan, the announcer Orson Welles expressed his gratitude to Colin, and Stanley finally understood why he felt Superman's voice acting was different.
"So, the person who did the initial voice acting was the creator of Superman!"
This situation of a creator appearing in their own work was a novel experience for Stanley. He even began to fantasize about what it would be like if, one day in the future, he could appear in his own created works like Colin.
Thanks for the 500 Qidian Coin reward from "doing it all with full effort."
(end of chapter)