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HG Wells Collection

The stories of H.G. Wells approach the future from a slightly different angle, Wells wrote less about wondrous devices and more about the future of people.

H.G. Wells

31 old time radio show recordings
(total playtime 16 hours, 1770 min)
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1 MP3 CD
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19 Audio CDs


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"Orson Welles meets HG Wells"



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Text on OTRCAT.com ©2001-2024 OTRCAT INC All Rights Reserved. Reproduction is prohibited.

HG Wells
(1866 – 1946)

HG WellsThe stories of science fiction are a way for us to imagine the future of our species so that we can strive toward the most enlightened and glorious future possible. When we take the time to enjoy a science fiction story, most of us expect to be entertained by visions of a technologically advanced future, one of faster-than-light starships and whiz-bang devices. In short, the "space opera". However, the stories of H.G. Wells approach the future from a slightly different angle, Wells wrote less about wondrous devices and more about the future of people.

Herbert George Wells was the youngest of four children born to Joseph and Sarah Wells of Bromley in Kent, England, 1866. An inheritance had allowed the Wells family to invest in a small shop selling knickknacks, china, and sporting goods, but the stock was out of date, the shop in a poor location, and rarely profitable. Robust Joseph Wells was able to occasionally supplement his income as a batsman and bowler for the Kent County Cricket Club, but cricket was considered a gentleman's pastime in Victorian Britain, and pay for "professionals" came from donations after the match.

HG Wells Books"Bertie" was apparently not as robust as his father, and an accident in 1874 left him with a broken leg and bedridden. Joseph brought him books from the local library. The younger Wells read voraciously and developed a desire to write. When his leg was sufficiently healed, he entered Thomas Morley's Commercial Academy. The family's fortunes took a turn for the worse when Joseph fractured his femur, ending his career as a cricketer.

The boys were forced to take apprenticeships in various trades, and Bertie worked as a draper under harsh conditions in Southsea. The experience would color his novels The Wheels of Chance (1896) and Kipps (1905). Sarah took a position as a lady's maid at Uppark house in Sussex but was not afforded lodging for her children or disabled husband. However, Bertie was allowed access to Uppark's extensive library, and he was introduced to Plato's Republic and More's Utopia, marking the beginning of Wells' entry into the world of literature.

For a short time, Wells was able to join the National School as a pupil-teacher. In this manner, he was able to pay for his advanced education by teaching the basics to younger children, but the situation closed over irregularities in his qualifications. He was eventually able to leave the draper's emporium and secured a position at Midhurst Grammar School where he continued his self-education, eventually winning a scholarship to the Royal College of Science where he studied biology under Thomas Huxley ("Darwin's bulldog", an outspoken advocate of the theory of evolution). Wells joined the Debating Society and began to develop ideas for reforming society in a Utopian image.

The Time Machine (1895) was one of Wells’ first "scientific romance" novels, and has become a classic of the science fiction genre. Best remembered for its exploration of the Time Travel concept, the story is also a showcase for Wells' developing Socialist ideals. Wells called The Island of Dr. Moreau (1896) "an exercise in youthful blasphemy", but the novel deals with a number of moral and philosophical themes, including moral responsibility, pain and cruelty, human interference with nature, and the values and traits which give us our human identity. The Invisible Man (1897) became one of the foundations of the science fiction genre and the greed for power of its protagonist make it a story of "science without humanity".

For fans of Old Time Radio, Wells' most notorious story is The War of the Worlds (1898, although that notoriety is better credited to Orson Welles than H.G. Wells). It is one of the earliest literary examples of a conflict between mankind and an extraterrestrial race. The tale was written while the British Empire was engaged in a Dreadnought arms race with Imperial Germany and the popular press was filled with jingoistic fears of invasion of the British Isles from a Continental power. Orson Welles' infamous 1938 broadcast of the story took place while the Fascist powers in Europe were employing a policy of expansion into neighboring territories, generating similar fears in America.

In 1940, H.G. Wells was visiting San Antonio, Texas, to address a group of brewers. He became lost and asked a stranger for directions. The stranger turned out to be none other than Orson Welles who was in town for a town hall address. The pair got along immediately and spent the day together and were interviewed on local station KTSA.  While Wells was generous about the liberties Welles took with the story, he did appreciate the renewed interest in his work.

Wells was a Socialist and a member of the Fabian Society, but his political views outran those of the Fabians. He was especially sensitive to the British class system. Surprisingly, he surrendered his pacifist views and supported Britain's role in the First World War. Wells is credited with the originating the term "the War to end all Wars", and was sorely disappointed with the failure of the post-war League of Nations. It was his strong belief that the formation of a World State was inevitable.

While most of his wealthy neighbors retired to their country estates during the Blitz, Wells remained in his Regent's Park flat and walked his own fire watch as part of the civil defense effort.

Text on OTRCAT.com ©2001-2024 OTRCAT INC All Rights Reserved. Reproduction is prohibited.

These classic recordings are available in the following formats:

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  • MP3 CDs are delivered by mail. These archival quality MP3 CDs are playable in your computer and many MP3 player devices.



    31 recordings on 1 MP3 CD for just $5.00. Total playtime 16 hours, 1770 min
    31 recordings on 1 MP3 CD for just $5.00
    total playtime 16 hours, 1770 min
    Add MP3 CD Collection to Cart

    1. 31 shows – total playtime 16 hours, 29 minutes
    2. Authors Playhouse 441016 194 Country Of Blind.mp3
    3. Authors Playhouse 441204 200 Inexperienced Ghost.mp3
    4. Cbs Radio Mystery Theater 760826 Man Who Could Work Miracles.mp3
    5. Cbs Radio Mystery Theater 761104 City Of Dead.mp3
    6. Cbs Radio Mystery Theater 761105 Secret Chamber.mp3
    7. Cbs Radio Mystery Theater 790307 Watchers Of Living.mp3
    8. Cbs Radio Mystery Theater 790507 Search For Eden.mp3
    9. Escape 471029 Pollock And Porrah Man.mp3
    10. Escape 471126 Country Of Blind.mp3
    11. Escape 480307 God Jimmy Goggles.mp3
    12. Escape 480509 Time Machine.mp3
    13. Escape 480627 Country Of Blind.mp3
    14. Escape 480905 Dream Of Armageddon.mp3
    15. Escape 480919 Man Who Could Work Miracles 1948 Broadcast.mp3
    16. Escape 490320 Country Of Blind.mp3
    17. Escape 501022 Time Machine.mp3
    18. Escape 501231 Man Who Could Work Miracles 1950 Broadcast.mp3
    19. Favorite Story 490423 Strange Valley.mp3
    20. Favorite Story 490528 089 Time Machine.mp3
    21. H G Wells Meets Orson Welles 491028.mp3
    22. Lux Radio Theater 550208 909 War Of Worlds.mp3
    23. Mercury Theater 381030 17 War Of Worlds.mp3
    24. Nbc University Theater 481017 012 History Of Mr Polly.mp3
    25. Nbc University Theater 500305 078 Tono Bungay.mp3
    26. Orson Wells Meets HG Wells.mp3
    27. Sleep No More 570424 Evening Strange Orchid.mp3
    28. Suspense 571027 Country Of Blind.mp3
    29. Suspense 591213 Country Of Blind.mp3
    30. Theatre Royal 540102 14 Country Of Blind.mp3
    31. Theatre Royal 540616 37 Man Who Could Work Miracles.mp3
    32. Voices Of History Hg Wells On Economics And Politics.mp3
  • MP3 downloads are available instantly after purchase!



    31 recordings on 1 MP3 Collection Download for just $5.00. Total playtime 16 hours, 1770 min
    31 recordings on 1 MP3 Collection Download for just $5.00
    453 MB – total playtime 16 hours, 29 min
    Add Instant Download Collection to Cart

    1. 31 shows – 453 MB – total playtime 16 hours, 29 minutes
    2. Authors Playhouse 441016 194 Country Of Blind.mp3
    3. Authors Playhouse 441204 200 Inexperienced Ghost.mp3
    4. Cbs Radio Mystery Theater 760826 Man Who Could Work Miracles.mp3
    5. Cbs Radio Mystery Theater 761104 City Of Dead.mp3
    6. Cbs Radio Mystery Theater 761105 Secret Chamber.mp3
    7. Cbs Radio Mystery Theater 790307 Watchers Of Living.mp3
    8. Cbs Radio Mystery Theater 790507 Search For Eden.mp3
    9. Escape 471029 Pollock And Porrah Man.mp3
    10. Escape 471126 Country Of Blind.mp3
    11. Escape 480307 God Jimmy Goggles.mp3
    12. Escape 480509 Time Machine.mp3
    13. Escape 480627 Country Of Blind.mp3
    14. Escape 480905 Dream Of Armageddon.mp3
    15. Escape 480919 Man Who Could Work Miracles 1948 Broadcast.mp3
    16. Escape 490320 Country Of Blind.mp3
    17. Escape 501022 Time Machine.mp3
    18. Escape 501231 Man Who Could Work Miracles 1950 Broadcast.mp3
    19. Favorite Story 490423 Strange Valley.mp3
    20. Favorite Story 490528 089 Time Machine.mp3
    21. H G Wells Meets Orson Welles 491028.mp3
    22. Lux Radio Theater 550208 909 War Of Worlds.mp3
    23. Mercury Theater 381030 17 War Of Worlds.mp3
    24. Nbc University Theater 481017 012 History Of Mr Polly.mp3
    25. Nbc University Theater 500305 078 Tono Bungay.mp3
    26. Orson Wells Meets HG Wells.mp3
    27. Sleep No More 570424 Evening Strange Orchid.mp3
    28. Suspense 571027 Country Of Blind.mp3
    29. Suspense 591213 Country Of Blind.mp3
    30. Theatre Royal 540102 14 Country Of Blind.mp3
    31. Theatre Royal 540616 37 Man Who Could Work Miracles.mp3
    32. Voices Of History Hg Wells On Economics And Politics.mp3
  • Standard Audio CDs are delivered by mail on archival quality media with up to 60 minutes on each CD and play in all CD players



    31 recordings on 19 Audio CDs. Total playtime 16 hours, 29 min
    31 recordings on 19 Audio CDs
    total playtime 16 hours, 29 min

    H.G. Wells Disc A001

    1. Orson Wells Meets HG Wells
    2. Voices Of History Hg Wells On Economics And Politics
    3. Mercury Theater 381030 17 War Of Worlds

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    H.G. Wells Disc A002

    1. Authors Playhouse 441016 194 Country Of Blind
    2. Authors Playhouse 441204 200 Inexperienced Ghost

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    H.G. Wells Disc A003

    1. Escape 471029 Pollock And Porrah Man
    2. Escape 471126 Country Of Blind

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    H.G. Wells Disc A004

    1. Escape 480307 God Jimmy Goggles
    2. Escape 480509 Time Machine

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    H.G. Wells Disc A005

    1. Escape 480627 Country Of Blind
    2. Escape 480905 Dream Of Armageddon

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    H.G. Wells Disc A006

    1. Escape 480919 Man Who Could Work Miracles 1948 Broadcast

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    H.G. Wells Disc A007

    1. Nbc University Theater 481017 012 History Of Mr Polly

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    H.G. Wells Disc A008

    1. Escape 490320 Country Of Blind
    2. Favorite Story 490423 Strange Valley

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    H.G. Wells Disc A009

    1. Favorite Story 490528 089 Time Machine
    2. H G Wells Meets Orson Welles 491028

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    H.G. Wells Disc A010

    1. Nbc University Theater 500305 078 Tono Bungay

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    H.G. Wells Disc A011

    1. Escape 501022 Time Machine
    2. Escape 501231 Man Who Could Work Miracles 1950 Broadcast

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    H.G. Wells Disc A012

    1. Theatre Royal 540102 14 Country Of Blind
    2. Theatre Royal 540616 37 Man Who Could Work Miracles

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    H.G. Wells Disc A013

    1. Lux Radio Theater 550208 909 War Of Worlds

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    H.G. Wells Disc A014

    1. Sleep No More 570424 Evening Strange Orchid
    2. Suspense 571027 Country Of Blind

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    H.G. Wells Disc A015

    1. Suspense 591213 Country Of Blind
    2. Cbs Radio Mystery Theater 760826 Man Who Could Work Miracles

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    H.G. Wells Disc A016

    1. Cbs Radio Mystery Theater 761104 City Of Dead

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    H.G. Wells Disc A017

    1. Cbs Radio Mystery Theater 761105 Secret Chamber

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    H.G. Wells Disc A018

    1. Cbs Radio Mystery Theater 790307 Watchers Of Living

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    H.G. Wells Disc A019

    1. Cbs Radio Mystery Theater 790507 Search For Eden

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00

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