Page 24 - 2011 - The 'X' Chronicles Newspaper - January 2011

Is The Patterson Film Too Good A Hoax? Is The Patterson Film Too Good A Hoax? Continued from Page 21 And, finally, what of the logistical problems such a shoot would entail? If one were to commission a special effects artist to produce a convincing suit and find someone large enough to wear it, why shoot the production in Bluff Creek, a full 500 air miles from Hollywood? Setting the production so far from "headquarters" would make the entire affair a logistical nightmare. First, as the suit would have been expensive to construct and maintain, it's hard to imagine its creator would have subjected it to the kind of wear and tear such a rugged locale would demand. Additionally, transporting the "ape guy" along with his hot, bulky costume—as well as several assistants (remember, our hoaxer needed someone to drive him out to the site and then pick him up again immediately afterwards)—could not be easy or few sources of water in the area—which, as a enough to satisfy most skeptics. People tend to inexpensive. Does it make sense to spend the result of a particularly heavy spring funoff, now believe what they want, as this remarkable piece time and money to drag this entire ensemble all had broad, exposed banks. This would have of footage vividly demonstrates. To the Bigfoot the way to the Oregon border when they could forced any creature to cross nearly 100 feet of proponent, it is clear and concise "proof" that a have done the shoot much closer to home-say in open space before reaching the cover of the massive, unknown primate lurks in the forests of the nearby Sierra Nevadas-a vast area also forest. All these factors, combined with a bit of North America awaiting imminent discovery. To known for Bigfoot sightings, or, for that matter, luck, are what gave Patterson his opportunity. the skeptic, it is a clever fraud that beautifully even the forests of nearby Santa Barbara and He was simply rewarded for doing everything illustrates the gullibility of the ignorant and the Ventura counties, a mere two hour drive from right-a lesson many modern Bigfoot hunters naïve. Which position one embraces says less Hollywood? It would have made the fraud far should take note of. about Roger Patterson's remarkable footage than easier and less expensive to pull off, particularly But what about the money? Didn't it does the power of belief—or disbelief. [] when the results would have been just as good. Patterson make a fortune off his film? While it is true the man did make money This article first appeared in Fate Patterson Had an Agenda from the rights to his footage, it was scarcely a Magazine in March of 2002. fortune, and he lost most of that in later, The fact that Patterson actually made unsuccessful Bigfoot expeditions. But even so, ABOUT THE AUTHOR: money from his film is, in the minds of some, is that enough to question his ethics? The film automatically enough to dismiss the film out of after all, was his personal property, and the J ALLAN DANELEK hand as an obvious fake. The idea that a Bigfoot expedition was undertaken at his own expense, "hunter" actually found what he was searching so was he not within his rights to take advantage A native Minnesotan who currently resides in for is looked upon with suspicion, for clearly no of the situation? He took the risks and did the Colorado, Jeff Allen Danelek has been working one could be that lucky. This deadly work, precisely the same as does a scientist who as a graphic artist and technical illustrator since combination—luck and fortune—is enough, wins a Nobel Prize. Are we to assume a leaving the Navy in 1984. While he has been apparently, to seal its fate. researcher in the field of chemistry, for writing as a hobby for fifteen years, it is only in No one denies that Patterson was lucky. example, who receives prize money for his the last few years that he began pursuing it as a He set out to find a Bigfoot and actually found effort, is to be considered unethical for keeping full-time vocation. Besides writing, his hobbies one. But it wasn't pure luck. He had been his winnings? include military history, religion and spirituality, searching for the creature for years and pursued Additionally, consider the personal risks numismatics (coin collecting), general science his quarry with considerable skill. He chose to Patterson ran had he hoaxed the event. He took and things like Bigfoot and other mysterious search an area known for Bigfoot activity—a a risk his companion wouldn't shoot the beasties, Atlantis, UFO's and anything that goes "hot spot," in modern bigfoot hunter parlance— impostor (couldn't he have at least made certain bump in the night. An avid reader and careful and he further chose the perfect means of doing Gimlin's rifle was empty before they started researcher, he enjoys presenting alternative so: searching on horseback. out?) as well as the risk the hoax wouldn't be theories on increasingly popular subjects Packhorses gave Patterson a tremendous exposed, thus subjecting himself to ridicule and dealing with the strange and inexplicable world advantage in searching for a creature like possible legal action. When one considers the around us. Danelek is regularly featured at Bigfoot. Vehicles make noise and would be number of people likely involved in the fraud seminars and conferences around the country, detected by a reasonably alert Bigfoot at some (at least two others besides Patterson himself, speaking on the topics of ghosts, reincarnation distance, while horses are quiet and would be unless one assumes the guy in the monkey suit and UFOs. He has been published in FATE able to cover much larger areas than a man on is also the designer and fabricator of the suit, magazine and has been a frequent guest on foot. Horses might also have one other subtle which seems unlikely) what are the chances the Coast to Coast AM with George Noory and The advantage: Whereas a man, being bipedal, deception would never be exposed? It's just too 'X' Zone Radio Show with Rob McConnell. He might be interpreted by a Sasquatch as an good a joke to keep to oneself. And, finally, has also been a guest on Dreamland with "unnatural" creature, a horse would look-and Patterson himself died in 1972 after a long Whitley Strieber, the Hilly Rose show, Erskine smell-more like a "natural" animal of the forest. illness without recanting his story. Hadn't he Overnight, and many popular podcasts. His In fact, this natural "camouflage" may be what heard that confession was good for the soul, or books include The Case for Ghosts, Atlantis: allowed Patterson and Gimlin to get as close as did he simply have nothing to confess? Lessons from a Prehistoric Civilization, and they did. By the time the Bigfoot noticed the UFOs: The Great Debate. His latest book is horses had human riders, it had already Fraud or Science? 2012: Extinction or Utopia. Danelek is also a compromised its position. novelist and instructor at Colorado Free Plus, Patterson and Gimlin were Could the Patterson film be a fraud? University. following a nearly dry creek bed—one of the Of course it could. Unfortunately, that's www.ourcusiousworld.com