UFO History: December 1, 1977

For today, December 1st, I decided to go a little different direction with the historical sighting. While there were a bunch, one report on Think AboutIts caught my eye for many reasons.

While this one didn’t have lights, or an airborne craft, this one hits home for many different reasons. Reported by famed Cryptozoologist Loren Coleman, this report has some eerie similarities to a creature that does share some UFO history. 

The report surfaced in Mysterious America and hails from an area near Beason, Illinois. What is strange is no time of day was given, but there was a hospitalization involved. 

A woman on her way to work spotted a tall figure standing on the roadway; it resembled a man with a pair of huge dark wings. The witness reportedly collapsed and had to be hospitalized. No other information was available. 

In fact, a deeper dive into this story yields basically no other information, although it will lead you into accounts of large winged humanoids inside Illinois. 

While this may not be a traditional report, there are many times where a connection between UFO activity and strange creatures can be found. Do you have either type, or both? If so, drop us a line and we will follow up on it.  

The Dismal Swamp Monster

Located on Virginia's southeastern border with North Carolina, between Norfolk, Virginia, and Elizabeth City, North Carolina, is famous for its unique wilderness. The swamp encompassed millions of acres of marshy land.  

Today, it is home to one of the largest Black Bear populations on the East Coast, subtropical birds, butterflies, bobcats, white-tailed deer, and other unknown animals. Sightings of strange creatures and mysterious sounds coming from the swamp are being reported every year to well-known and established websites. 

These sightings coexist with the other events of high strangeness that have been reported through the years. The lady of the lake, the disappearing cemetery, the rise of a thunderbird from Native American lore are but a few of the tales.

The tales of the swamp are well known, yet, this is one of the least explored areas of the United States. The Dismal Swamp has been home for mysteries for centuries and reports of strange creatures have existed for generations. 

One of the oldest reports comes from a 1902 Newspaper article from the Richmond Dispatch.

The creature was larger than a wolf, with shaggy yellow hair, long hair and sunken eyes. In 1981, Ranger Pat Higgins reported in a Washington Post article that there is a creature 7 1/2-feet tall, hairy as a shag rug and smelling like a sewer that comes out of Dismal Swamp periodically to stomp through his park at night.He called it Skunk Foot. 

In folklore, one of the most famous cases of the dogman comes from Michigan and dates  back to the 1880s. Described as a seven-foot tall bipedal canine-like animal with the torso of a man and a fearsome howl that sounds like a human scream. There are similarities to reports. Dogmen have also been reported in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, and Kentucky. 

Also in folklore, Bigfoot is often described as a large, muscular, and bipedal human or ape-like creature covered in dark brown or black hair. Descriptions estimate a height of roughly 6–9 feet. Common descriptions include broad shoulders, no visible neck, and long arms,with some nighttime sightings mentioning yellow or red glowing eyes. There is also a putrid smell associated with sightings. While there are thousands of reports, the most famous is from the Patterson-Gimlin film in California from the late 1960s.  

Mothman TNT Area - Investigation Pictures

Having stopped by Point Pleasant,  WV for a day of exploring the myth of the Mothman, I was extremely excited. Not only do I love the story of the Mothman, this makes the first time since my transplant that I was able to venture out into the wild.  Sure,  I didn't go crazy. Hell, I didn't even make it a night expedition, but I did get va shall hike in and go check out one of the famous sighting locations: the TNT Area.

Now part of the McClintic Wildlife Management Area, the TNT bunkers may be run down, but I will say they still hold a creepy energy.  It did send chills down my spine. Of course,  whatever small animal that was stalking me from the treeline helped with that.  But oh well.  

If you aren't familiar with Mothman or the sightings in and around Point Pleasant,  this is a great rabbit hole and a tremendous amount of lore. This area,  known then as the West Virginian Ordnance Works, was reported to be the home of this game red-eyed cryptid from late 1966 until early 1967. In fact,  to many researchers,  the first recorded sighting of Mothman took place near the gate of one of the abandoned munition shortage facilities. 

While there were also many other strange phenomena that took place during this period in and around the area,  it was the Mothman, not Indrid Cold, or the Men in Black, or even the ultraterrestrials, that wove its way into the fabric of the region.  A 7-to-10 foot-tall winged entity with glowing red eyes has become part of the folklore and at one point America's most famous cryptid. 

Here are some pictures from that area and some motivation for me to get back into the field.  

Mothman: Beyond the Legend (2023)

I just found out yet I'll be heading off to Point Pleasant, WV at the end of the week for a quick birthday trip and I can't wait.  If you have ready my blog from the outset,  you will already know about my fascination with Mothman and most of the world of cryptids. I can't wait to explore the birthplace of a legendary cryptid.  To help prepare,  I searched out a documentary that I hadn't watched yet and found this 2023 entry,  Mothman: Beyond the Legend. 

Plot: Global sightings challenge the notion that the Mothman is a figment of imagination, but rather an omen of change—or simply beyond our understanding.

This was an interesting documentary on the Mothman that prevents information in a straightforward manner.  While it does lack some of the flair of many of the higher budgeted entries in the topic,  this one definitely takes on quite a bit of material and methodically produces it in a way that flows together quite well. Not only do they discuss the besieging of Point Pleasant, they discuss how the myth has endured and its impact on pop culture.  They also present some cases from all over that have similar characteristics such as the Owlman of Cornwall. In the end,  this was a simple refresher for me that came across pretty good.  Yes,  it is definitely completed on a low budget featuring some and stock footage,  but for informational purposes it served us purpose. In the end, if you are looking for reenactments or craft effects this one may not be for you,  but if you are simply looking for information, give this one a shot.  

Mountain Devil 3: The Bigfoot Invasion (2021)

As I stated yesterday,  I didn't the day inside a Mountain Devil marathon.  Actually being a bit jealous,  as I know and have didn't time in the field with some of the researchers featured in the series.  Oh well,  that's what I get for moving away from the area a few years ago.  With they being said,  here is Mountain Devil 3: The Bigfoot Invasion from 2021.

Plot: This mockumentary explores the sightings of Aliens and Alien Spacecraft in Pennsylvania in the 1970's. While at the same time, sightings of a large hairy creature many know as Bigfoot were sighted at the same time.

I really liked the source material in this one.  Being from the area,  I am familiar with many of these cases and absolutely loved the content.  However,  while the interviews and stories were good,  the execution of the reenactments were hit and miss.  The performances by the cat were uneven to say the least.  Since of them were just bad. While txt did take away of the effectiveness of the source material.  The effects and costuming were also rather uninteresting and to me tom away from the quality of the film.  I understand this is a low budget entry,  but the creatures looked really bad and unbelievable. In the end, while I did enjoy it,  it was hard to watch.  While I understand what was intended,  the validity of the true stories was easily overlooked by the attempt at over the top dramatizations. It definitely isn't for everyone. 

Mountain Devil 2 (2022)

The cold is starting to frustrate me a little,  although it is so much warmer here in Virginia Beach than it was when I was at home in Pennsylvania last week.  While I was there I didn't time thinking about my days in the cryptid and paranormal community.  When I got back yesterday I decided to continue that with a Mountain Devil marathon. Next up is 2022s Mountain Devil 2. 

Plot: In 1976 a book was published titled "The Creature" that swept over Bigfoot enthusiasts and researchers all over the state of Pennsylvania. Since then, it has been the most quoted work on the subject of Bigfoot. But, who was the author and was there any truth in the story?

To me,  movies like this are more about the information and story than the overall quality and technical aspects. This low budget investigative docudrama has an interesting story and drives into a unique piece of Pennsylvanian lore. While less about Bigfoot itself and more of an investigation into the origin and Prentiss truths in the book The Creature, this one is a mixture of interviews and dramatizations based on excerpts from the book.  Featuring a large group out local investigators,  it movie does provide some insight into the research that has taken place. Unfortunately,  this one did drag a little and did not really drive into the Bigfoot mythos. Something that will definitely turn off some enthusiasts that are looking for a straight forward documentary.  Fortunately for me,  having grown up in the area, the focus on the local lore kept me engaged throughout. While there are side solid cinematography aspects,  some of the material feels underwhelming and that does seem to impact the pace.  In the end,  this one won't be for all cryptid enthusiasts,  but if you enjoy a piece based on a legend and the potential research of that legend,  give it a shot.  

Bigfoot Creek (2011)

I know, it's been a while since I reviewed anything.  That didn't mean,  I haven't been watching anything. In fact,  I've logged quite a few hours watching some stuff over the past few weeks.  Unfortunately,  I just haven't felt like sitting down and taking the time to jot down my thoughts.  That changed this afternoon as I wait for a Cthulhu idol to finish printing.  So,  I settled on the 2011 mockumentary Bigfoot Creek.

Plot: Since the 1970s he has roamed the countryside, watching...and waiting. This all-new docudrama chronicles these true events that occurred throughout the Midwest.

Also known as the Legacy of Boggy Creek, this movie attempted to follow the baseline established by original cryptid classic,  the Legend of Boggy Creek. Unfortunately,  this one did not quote resonate the same way and definitely did not spark the same amount of interest in the subject.  While I do applaud the independent origins and low budget nature of the film,  it was just a tough watch from start to finish.  The effects and costuming were bad, the pacing uneven,  and the overall feel lacked the rustic good natured realism of the source. As a researched myself,  it just took way too much effort to watch this one,  especially on a subject the I love.  In the end,  I understand what was trying to be accomplished with this film and appreciate it, it is just that the execution didn't allow me to enjoy a film that I could have really got behind.  Please,  do yourself a favor and just watch the Legend of Boggy Creek. It is a better flick. 

The Ringmaster's Cryptid Museum - Chessie

Sea Serpent

(Photo Credit: Olaus Magnus’s book History of the Northern People)

One of the things I have been working on at the Ringmaster's Realm is a line of cryptid figures that will become the heart of our crptid museum set. While this has been a slow undertaking because of equipment issues, my research into what will become series one, is ongoing. The first creature I have settled on is Chessie.

For centuries, tales of incredible sea monsters have been woven into cultures from around the world by brave and seasoned mariners. The strange tales have been passed down for generations, backed up by words captured in deck logs and depictions described verbally around many feasts at the dinner table. While some, like the Loch Ness Monster, have found their way into the fabric of pop culture, others survive in obscurity awaiting the day they receive their just due. One such creature is Chessie, the Chesapeake Bays' Sea Monster.

With sightings dating back to 1846, the first widely accepted reported sighting was recorded by a military helicopter sighted during military exercises over the Bush River in 1936. These reports described a large unknown reptilian creature taking refuge in the depths of the river. Yes, that report lacks description, but the fact that this report was made by soldiers on an official exercise add credence and believability to the validity. 

In 1943, a better description was made by a couple of fishermen near Baltimore. Described as black and large, roughly 12 foot long, with a football sized head akin to a horses head, stories of Chessie began to permeate through towns and cities along the Bay. 

Leading up to the current day, sightings of this mysterious serpent have been recorded by people of all walks of life with the similarities between them creating a vivid picture of Chessie. Complete with black skin, the football sized head, and a lack of fins, the existence of this Sea Monster has started to gain acceptability to many that call this region home. But, what is it?

Some experts believe that it is just a manatee the made its way North from the coasts of Florida, others disagree. The fact that the manatee lacks the snake-like movements described in many sightings, seem to put that theory to bed. Others believe that Chessie could be a Basilosaurus, that somehow survived extinction thousands of years ago. In many ways, Chessie does share many characterics with this ancient creature making it an interesting possibilty. Plus, the discovery of the Coelacanth, an ancient dinosaur era fish, does give this theory some legs. But, until one is discovered intact, we will never know for sure. 

Whether a manatee or ancient sea serpent, the legend of Chessie will continue to grow. Here is to hoping a definitive explanation can be made. Until then, keep you eyes and minds open and if you are near the Bay, scan the murky depths for proof that Chessie exists.

Bigfoot: The Movie (2015)

As I sit down and try to catch up on some of the flicks I missed reviewing over the past week, I would be out of my mind to forget this one. While it is far from Oscar worthy, it is what it is. This is the local (for me) 2015 creature feature Bigfoot: The Movie.

Plot/ Bigfoot has come to the town of Ellwood City, PA and is causing BIG problems. Now it's up to four town locals, Chuck, Dale, Burl, and Kate to take him down.

When I rented this one at Family Video, I expected a no-budget schlockfest that would harken back to some of the great low-budget, straight to VHS entries, and that is exactly what I got. This Kickstarter-funded entry may not be the best movie, it may be completely unbelievable, and it may lack the big budget effects that many films have, but it is funny. Being from SW PA, I could relate to the characters as I see many of those stereotypical characterizations in real life on a daily basis (believe me, these people are real and this is likely how some would act if a sasquatch was on the loose. The performances are definitely uneven and the there are some head scratching moments, but honestly, this adds to the campy fun that is contained within the storyline. Who knew that a female Bigfoot could become a potential tourist destination? In the end, if you are searching for a serious Bigfoot flick, this one is definitely not for you. However, if you are looking for a creature feature that is more camp than substance, this one is for you; especially if you are from Southwestern Pennsylvania and grew up with some typical yinzers and jagoffs.

Moth (2016)

Having just watched the documentary The Mothman of Point Pleasant as well as following the Owl Man sightings in Chicago, I have been motivated to spend some time in the field doing some research. Unfortunately, with this being the middle of travel softball season, this has not worked out the way I had hoped. To help ease some of the disappointment, I decided to kick back and watch the 2016 flick Moth.

Plot/ A teacher and her student travel to the European countryside to investigate 22 recent Mothman sighting reports, but what begins as an attempt to stop a catastrophe becomes a nightmarish fight for survival.

This found footage film does suffer through some of the typical problems that seem to always pop up in this realm; yet, it does add some elements that are not typically seen in the genre. More of a slow burn drama than straight found footage horror flick, this one comes away with a more realistic feel because of the dated look it has. Plus, there is an interesting twist added in that actually works within the storyline. Yes, the performances are uneven (especially with the lead actress); the dialog is laughable at best, and as usual, there are clichéd moments littered throughout. For me, this did not ruin the film, as the subject interests me and the low budget nature does allow for some flaws to be overlooked. In the end, this movie is far from perfect, but it is also far from the worst film in the found footage arena. Is it for everyone, no way, but it is somewhat entertaining and a decent way to pass some mindless time recovering from a long day.

Hunting Grounds (2015)

Now that I am settling in after my cold weekend camping trip, I have one last Cryptozoological based movie to finish before moving on to another genre. This one I actually finished last Thursday before the trip, the 2015 Bigfoot themed movie Hunting Grounds (AKA Valley of the Sasquatch).

Plot/ After losing their home following a devastating tragedy, a father and son are forced to move to an old family cabin. Neither reacts well to being thrown into this new world. The son's attempts to relate to his father are complicated when two old friends arrive for a weekend of hunting.

I am usually all for low budget B-movie creature features, especially if the creature is Bigfoot. Unfortunately, this one did not resonate with me in any way. Yes, the setting and cinematography seemed to be above average considering the genre and some of the storyline was interesting, but those elements could not overcome some of the flaws and allow this film to reach its potential. The character development was slow, the effects (especially the Bigfoot creatures) are poor and unbelievable, and while they tried to break some of the clichéd moments, it does not work in a coherent manner. In the end, while this one is not a complete waste of time, it is far from memorable. While it did not really strike a cord with me, I could see how some viewers would enjoy it as a mindless creature feature. If that is what you are looking for as a midnight movie, give it a shot. But, id you are like me and want something more believable, stay away.

The Mothman of Point Pleasant (2017)

Last night, I had the chance to review the Boggy Creek Monster, a documentary based on the legend/movie that left a lasting impression on me and I loved it. Today, I have the opportunity to review a screener for the next documentary from Seth Breedlove and Small Town Monsters, 2017s The Mothman of Point Pleasant.

Plot/ Have you heard of the Mothman, the urban legend that seemed to be a harbinger of doom for the small town of Point Pleasant, WV in the mid-60’s? If not, producer/director Seth Breedlove and Small Town Monsters will explore the history of Point Pleasant and the 13-month period of odd occurrences that left a devastating imprint on this small Appalachian town.

While I am familiar with the Mothman and have done some research into the subject, I will be the first to admit that I do not have the same knowledge and understanding of the topic as I do with cryptids such as Bigfoot or the Jersey Devil. That all changed as I watched this documentary. Following a similar formula to the Boggy Creek Monster, the movie sets out to explore the historic profile of Point Pleasant as well as revisiting the mysterious happenings surrounding the Mothman and the potentially cursed town. This material is tremendous and provides a great background for investigators and viewers to dive into.

With this being the second film I have watched from Small Town Monsters, I can see a consistency with the production values that make their documentaries an easy and entertaining watch. The interviews are well done, the cinematography is outstanding, and the overall feel of the material makes you want to see more. One thing that jumped out was the use of CGI reenactments to marry some of the interviews together; this technique offers a great visual representation that allows the interviews sink in. More importantly with this entry, the material seems to flow in a logical manner and provides some insights and reports that are often overlooked when the story is told; this is impressive considering the short run time (72 minutes). As with every movie, there are some small technical issues with the CGI, but that is clearly budget related and is easily overlooked.

For me, possibly because of my knowledge level on the subject, I found this one much more informative than the Boggy Creek Monster, and a movie that created a timeline that I could use to base my own research into the subject on. In the end, this exploration of the legendary Mothman is one of the best documentaries on the subject I have seen and is an entry that anyone interested in Cryptozoology or urban legends must watch. Check it out when it is released on DVD and streaming platforms on June 2, 2017.

Boggy Creek Monster (2016)

One of the great things about attending events such as the Pennsylvania Bigfoot Camping Adventure is the knowledge you can gain on different facets of the unexplained. At these outings, not only are there great speakers on these different subjects; there are usually some interesting documentaries that can be watched. One such documentary is the 2016 film, Boggy Creek Monster.

Plot/ The third Small Town Monsters film dives into the long history of sightings of the legendary Fouke Monster spotlighted in the classic horror film, the Legend of Boggy Creek. Boggy Creek Monster shows the decades-long search for an unknown creature said to exist in the swamps and forests around the tiny town of Fouke Arkansas.

The Legend of Boggy Creek in many ways started me down the path that I am on today. When I saw that movie as a kid, it not only spawned my love of horror films, it got me interested in the strange creatures that exist in the dark corners of out society. This documentary does a great job at taking a modern look at the incident that inspired that film and the creature that many believe still walks the back wood of Fouke. Written and directed by Seth Breedlove, this documentary offers a unique look at the area, including interviews and updates on some of the people who experienced the ordeal decades ago. While this may not be a perfect documentary, the technical aspects of the film are top-notch. Between the editing, narration, sound, and the visuals, everything is there that a person could ask for. Unfortunately, with a roughly 70-minute run time, the amount of information explored was a touch scattered within the documentary with short interview segments and the history of Fouke and the movie, there was really nothing new or groundbreaking in the film. In the end, this documentary does do a great job at revisiting the cult classic The Legend of Boggy Creek and would be a great introduction documentary into the movie and the legend. I definitely recommend it.

Pennsylvania Bigfoot Camping Adventure - 2017

Today ended my trip to the Pennsylvania Bigfoot Camping Adventure. While the weather was not the greatest, it in no way ruined the amazing conference organized by researcher Eric Altman. Overall, the weekend, despite the cold and rain, was packed full of interesting speakers and some great presentations. Most importantly, all of the proceeds benefitted three great charities: Unity A Journey of Hope, Lucky Paws Animal Rescue, and Fayette Friends of Animals. 

Here are some random shots caught during the weekend.

Chupacabra Territory (2016)

I am always a fan of movies that enter into the cryptozoological realm. With my weekend trip to the Pennsylvania Bigfoot Camping Adventure nearly here, I decided to start getting into the mood with some movies that carried that theme. The first one for the week was the 2016 entry Chupacabra Territory (AKA Lair of the Beast).

Plot/ A group of friends take a trip to the country in search of the elusive Chupacabra.

Found footage movies are a polarizing topic. Personally, I think that they have run their course and are becoming more of a challenge to watch. That thought was definitely backed up by this film, as much of it was incoherent and difficult to sit through. Between the poor scripting, uneven performances, out of place scenes that were just thrown it, and the poor execution, the movie never became entertaining in any way. This is unfortunate, as there is an interesting story hidden inside this abomination and the overall look shows that the materials were in place to make something much better than what hit the screen. In the end, there really is nothing here that would make this film worth watching. In fact, I already regret sitting through it.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016)

Things have been a little uneven this week as I have been working on a few side projects. However, I did have some time to catch a few flicks. One of the first of the weekend in the 2016 Harry Potter prequel Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

Plot/ The adventures of writer Newt Scamander in New York's secret community of witches and wizards seventy years before Harry Potter reads his book in school.

Let me start by saying that I am not the biggest Harry Potter fan, although I did enjoy the movies. Unfortunately, this movie in no way captures the atmosphere or depth that made the movies entertaining. While some of the visuals are solid and the theme was interesting, everything else felt flat. The characters were uneven, mostly unlikable, and often made little sense, the CGI was miserable and felt extremely rushed, and the production quality and attention to detail demonstrated in the Harry Potter series was nowhere to be found. In no way does this film do any justice for the franchise and it should be skipped. In the end, this one was a huge disappointment, and a film that would probably be totally dismissed had it not been for the Harry Potter moniker. Unless you are a complete diehard fan, stay away!