Public Domain Playhouse

The Martians are on the march and London is just waking to the news. It's all manner of confusion; police knocking on doors warning everyone to leave, carts and wagons loaded with our lives. But where are we supposed to go? A city this size... all moving at once. What's to become of this? What' to become of us?

Scorched from my surfing expedition, riding the boiling hot waves of destroyed Martian, I crawl away with just my pants. How am I going to explain this to the wife, wherever she is? And now I wake to this mumbling man of God questioning everything. Very unlike a Curate. Where do we go from here? What's to happen next?

I've decided to throw caution to the wind and reach my wife. Myself and the artilleryman have packed some snacks to sustain us. Time to venture forward! Good lord! Are we the only ones left alive?? Hopefully there is a smashing good fight scene as our brave British military gets their shot at these Martian brutes! And how does the sound man get so close? It's like a death beam right in your own living room for those listening at home. 

Also, we discuss Orson Welles and his presentation of War of the Worlds.

Since I crashed my cart and killed the horse, I don't know how I'll get home with those... giant, Martian heat ray tripods stalking the countryside. I know... I'll just crawl to the house. And when I get there, I'll just stare furtively out the window. I just hope company doesn't stop by. The place is a real mess!

I wish my chimney hadn't gotten blown apart right in the middle of tea. That's really quite rude of those... those... giant, storm-making, Martian-made machines! I know, I'll go rent the horse and cart and get my petrified wife out of this village. Giant tripods that are now co-mingling! There goes the neighborhood!

It starts as a slow news day. Chatting with the neighbor over the fence, a jaunty breakfast with tea and crumpets. Nothing really to report. Besides, the military has got the Martians surrounded. Perhaps I can chat with them and get some news. But, just as I figured, they know less than me. Ah, well. Time to stroll back for dinner. I hear it's supposed to be a good night for artillery fire...

After a bloody good meal, I've had a chance to reflect on that massacre. I've decided... it wasn't that bad. Stiff upper lip, you know?

In my mind, I'm going back to the pit to see - wow! Everyone's here! Everyone, that is except for the handful of people who were incinerated last night. And what's that sound of boots on the ground?

Since the Martians have that heat ray, I am using humanity's greatest skill- running away. I need to get home to see my wife, let her know what is happening on Horsell Common! Maybe I'll have a glass of wine and a nice meal to put tonight behind me. I mean... was what I saw even real? 

Well, My wife will listen to me, even if no one else will.

Wow- that Martian heat ray really set the place on fire, including most of the people standing near. I ran for cover but had to stop and collect my thoughts. Eh... what's that? More folk are showing up? Everyone, it seems, but the military. I recall that annihilation, that sweeping circle of death. How on Earth does that thing work?

So, the cylinder shot from Mars opened and out came something dripping saliva and waving oozing tentacles about. Everyone ran, screaming,  for cover, but no one seems to be able to come to grips with their their fear versus curiosity. Maybe folks just misunderstood the poor thing in the pit and should go back for another look. I mean, just bvecause this chapter is titled, "The Heat Ray" doesn't mean it's something bad. Maybe Martians use a heat ray to keep snacks fresh, or to dry their drippy fangs. I guess you'll have to listen to find out!

Hmmm... the crowd is growing down at Horsell Commons. Everyone's clamoring to get a glimpse at the cylinder shot from Mars. Well, even though it's not a meteorite like I had hoped... it can't be anything alive after that landing!

Wait a minute... what's that sound?

(cue TENTACLES)

Public Domain Playhouse; your cross between a podcast, an ebook, and a teleplay... bringing you the great works of antiquity, today.

Huh. Go figure. A few months ago, we saw some flashes of light on the surface of Mars. Now a meteorite lands right here, in Horsell Commons! Weird that it's a cylinder though. Told those lads to stop throwing stones at it too, not sure what to make of the bloody thing. Pretty boring really. Not much more to see than if it were a downed tree or overturned cart... 

Now... why the newsboys cried "Extra! Extra! Message from Mars!" is another mystery.

So, did you see that falling star last night? Yeah, some crazy old bloke said it landed over there in Horsell Common and that there were actually men inside! Haha! He must be drunk! But, me and a bunch of the guys are going to go over there and see what's the fuss. You can come along for the ride too if you want.

War is coming. We know this because it's in the chapter title. Also, "War" is in the book's title too, so there are a lot of hints that war is a big part of this story. This chapter, the unnamed narrator tells us about Mars as though we already know it. "Mars is running out of resources as everyone knows..." In this chapter, the narrator is lucky enough to see Mars from an observatory with his old pal Ogilvey. This is a good place to start, as they just happen to be witnesses to bright flashes of light on the planet, one a day for 10 days. I'm sure it's nothing...

The Call of the Wild- Summary and Wrap Up

Jack London writes a classic story that remains in our lexicon of euphemisms today, although it was written in 1906. Set during the Klondike gold rush of the 1890s, the story follows Buck, a huge half Saint Bernard, half Scottish shepherd dog who, in Chapter One, starts his story in sunny California.

So, how does "The Call" capture Buck in the wilds of the Canada? Listen to find out!

Public Domain Playhouse brings you great works of literary history from the bosom of antiquity. We provide an entertaining and informative cross between an e-book experience and a fully theatrical production. This is the way e-lit should be.

The Call of the Wild

Jack London writes a classic story that remains in our lexicon of euphemisms today, although it was written in 1906. Set during the Klondike gold rush of the 1890s, the story follows Buck, a huge half Saint Bernard, half Scottish shepherd dog who, in Chapter One, starts his story in sunny California.

So, how does "The Call" capture Buck in the wilds of the Canada? Listen to find out!

Public Domain Playhouse brings you great works of literary history from the bosom of antiquity. We provide an entertaining and informative cross between an e-book experience and a fully theatrical production. This is the way e-lit should be.

The Call of the Wild

Jack London writes a classic story that remains in our lexicon of euphemisms today, although it was written in 1906. Set during the Klondike gold rush of the 1890s, the story follows Buck, a huge half Saint Bernard, half Scottish shepherd dog who, in Chapter One, starts his story in sunny California.

So, how does how does the love of a man affect Buck's story in the wilds of the Canada? Listen to find out!

Public Domain Playhouse brings you great works of literary history from the bosom of antiquity. We provide an entertaining and informative cross between an e-book experience and a fully theatrical production. This is the way e-lit should be.

The Call of the Wild

Jack London writes a classic story that remains in our lexicon of euphemisms today, although it was written in 1906. Set during the Klondike gold rush of the 1890s, the story follows Buck, a huge half Saint Bernard, half Scottish shepherd dog who, in Chapter One, starts his story in sunny California.

So, how do the wilds of the Canada create the Toil of Trace and Trail? Listen to find out!

Public Domain Playhouse brings you great works of literary history from the bosom of antiquity. We provide an entertaining and informative cross between an e-book experience and a fully theatrical production. This is the way e-lit should be.

The Call of the Wild

Jack London writes a classic story that remains in our lexicon of euphemisms today, although it was written in 1906. Set during the Klondike gold rush of the 1890s, the story follows Buck, a huge half Saint Bernard, half Scottish shepherd dog who, in Chapter One, starts his story in sunny California.

So, Who has won to mastership in the wilds of the 1896 gold-rush Canada? Listen to find out!

Public Domain Playhouse brings you great works of literary history from the bosom of antiquity. We provide an entertaining and informative cross between an e-book experience and a fully theatrical production. This is the way e-lit should be.

The Call of the Wild

Jack London writes a classic story that remains in our lexicon of euphemisms today, although it was written in 1906. Set during the Klondike gold rush of the 1890s, the story follows Buck, a huge half Saint Bernard, half Scottish shepherd dog who, in Chapter Three, gets him to the wilds of the Canada? 

What is the Call of the Wild? Listen to find out!

Public Domain Playhouse brings you great works of literary history from the bosom of antiquity. We provide an entertaining and informative cross between an e-book experience and a fully theatrical production. This is the way e-lit should be.

The Call of the Wild

Jack London writes a classic story that remains in our lexicon of euphemisms today, although it was written in 1906. Set during the Klondike gold rush of the 1890s, the story follows Buck, a huge half Saint Bernard, half Scottish shepherd dog who, in Chapter One, starts his story in sunny California.

So, how does he get to the wilds of the Canada? Listen to find out!

Public Domain Playhouse brings you great works of literary history from the bosom of antiquity. We provide an entertaining and informative cross between an e-book experience and a fully theatrical production. This is the way e-lit should be.

The Call of the Wild

Jack London writes a classic story that remains in our lexicon of euphemisms today, although it was written in 1906. Set during the Klondike gold rush of the 1890s, the story follows Buck, a huge half Saint Bernard, half Scottish shepherd dog who, in Chapter One, starts his story in sunny California. 

So, how does he get to the wilds of the Canada? Listen to find out!

Public Domain Playhouse brings you great works of literary history from the bosom of antiquity. We provide an entertaining and informative cross between an e-book experience and a fully theatrical production. This is the way e-lit should be.

Written by Clement Clarke Moore in 1823 under the original title "A Visit From St. Nicholas."

The exciting conclusion of the Public Domain Playhouse rendition of the famous gothic novella written by Robert Louis Stevenson. This podcast performance features the final chapters of the book including, "Dr. Lanyon's Narrative," and "Henry Jeckyll's Full Statement of Case."

Second Installemnt of Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde. This podcast performance includes the Chapters, "The Incident of the Letter," "Remarkable Incident of Dr. Lanyon," "Incident at the Window," and "The Last Night." These chapters detail how Hyde has murdered a proninent man and is now hunted. It also explains why Dr. Lanyon has died a premature death as well as what everyone thinks Hyde has done to Jeckyll.

The first four chapters of the classic Robert Louis Stevenson gothic novella, Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde. Brought to you courtesy of PublicDomainPlayhouse. The first chapters include Story of the Door," "Search for Mr. Hyde," "Dr. Jeckyll was Quite at Ease," and "The Carew Murder Case."

The exciting finale of the Charles Dickens' classic holiday story of redemption, "A Christmas Carol." Stave 5, "The End of It," shows that Ebeneezer Scrooge has indeed taken the message of the Christmas Spirits to heart, and thus changed his ways.  

The fourth chapter of the timeless Charles Dickens' classic holiday story, "A Christmas Carol," is titled, "The Last of the Spirits." In it, Scrooge meets "The Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come," and sees what will happen if he doesn't change his ways.