Looks like this is my first blog entry of a duplicate title - I've posted about War of the Worlds before.
Spielberg's movie is being released today, and Linda and I are going to see it tonight before she goes to her sister's wedding shower and leaves me alone with my video games and my new computer for the weekend.
I just stumbled across the Mercury Theatre website, where you can listen to the original 1938 broadcast of War of the Worlds in either mp3 or RealAudio format. (if you use RealAudio, I recommend Real Alternative rather than RealOne.) Optionally, you can also use the torrent, if you're into such things.
Although the special effects were there, they didn't distract from the story, which was primarily character-based, but also did a great job of showcasing humanity's panic and hysteria.
This is one of the few movies which is truly worth seeing on the big screen. Just hope that you don't get some inconsiderate jerk in the seat behind you who comments loudly on everything until he's been shushed four times and then asked (more politely than he deserves) to PLEASE BE QUIET.