Phenomena 7.7?

[Errol Bruce-Knapp]

James Fox messaged me on Facebook, yesterday evening, asking if I knew of a copy of Frank Stranges' film Phenomena 7.7. Its apparently rare as hen's teeth. It features an examination of verified sightings of unidentified flying objects, this film is based on an actual incident in 1964 involving Lonnie Zamora, a Socorro, New Mexico, policeman, who claimed to see a UFO alight and take off. Approximately 7.7 percent of the reported sightings cannot be explained by the Federal Government. James is on FB at: www.facebook.com/Mr.JCFox?fref=ts&ref=br_tf

[Isaac Koi]

On Wednesday, March 19, 2014 7:24:08 AM UTC, Errol Bruce-Knapp wrote:

>James Fox messaged me on Facebook, yesterday evening, asking if I knew of a copy of Frank Stranges' film Phenomena 7.7. Its apparently rare as hen's teeth. 

I haven't got (or seen any reference to anyone having) a copy of Phenomena 7.7, although I have got a copy of a 12 minute audio recording sold as "Flying Saucers Unlimited" by Frank Stranges. 

The back cover of the album of that recording refers to Phenomena 7.7 as being among the previous works of Dr Stranges and an ebay listing for the recording refers to this "ultra rare" recording as being "based on Phenomena 7.7" and "Excerpts from Dr. Strange's own motion picture, 'Phenomena 7.7', of which no original or copies exist!": 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/FLYING-SAUCERS-UNLIMITED-UFO-Dr-Frank-Stranges-based-on-Phenomena-7-7-RARE-/111011427290 

Obviously, I don't know if the blurb about "no original or copies" existing of Phenomena 7.7 existing is correct.

A few more bits of information:

(1) A website apparently run by Julie Ann Stranges can be found at the link below. (From her name, I presume she is Frank Stranges' widow or other relative). The website sells various CDs, books and videos associated with Frank Stranges - but NOT Phenomena 7.7. Her email address is 

Jules...@yahoo.com: 

http://www.nicufo.org 

(2) Ole Henningsen posted back in September 2000 that he attended a lecture in 1967 at which Frank Stranges presented his film Phenomena 7.7 - so Ole may be able to add some recollections of the content. 

(3) A couple of issues of Flying Saucer Review in 1968 includes an advertisement for various items including "Flying Saucers Unlimited" which (in similar terms to the Ebay auction I mentioned yesterday) describe it as a "record dramatised and based on documentary film 'Phenomena 7.7'. 

(4) The November/December 1965 issues of NICAP's "The UFO Investigator" includes an article on page 6 entitled "Film '7.7' Disappointment', which I'll cut and paste the OCR-generated text of the article below for ease of reference. 

(The text generated by the OCR process is less than perfect, but I don't think the various transcription errors affect understanding the comments). 

[quote from NICAP article] 

Film "7.1" Disappointment In Vol. Il, No. 2, we announced that a documentary film built around the UFO landing at Socorra, N. M. in April 1964, would be released in 1965 and might have a strong impact because the AF has accepted the report by Socorro Police Officer Lonnie Zamora as genuine and has stated that he saw an "unknown vehicle." 

We regret that our expectations were not fulfiled. The Socorro case is treated, briefly no mention is made of the AF conclusion. Instead, the film has a commercial twist, showing motel and restaurant owners as highly pleased that so many tourists come to see the landing site. 

But this is not the worst. The film, we have learned, was produced by "Dr." Frank. Stranges, evangelist, who frequently uses contactee stories in platform discussions of UFOs. Several years ago, before NICAP knew of Stranges' activities, he became a NICAP member. Later, he claimed personal friendship with the director, though they had never met, and implied NICAP approval of his cantactee reports. NICAP canceled his membership, returned his fee, and has disavowed any approval of his UFO claims. 

The 7.7 film (referring to the approximate AF percent of unsolved UFO cases) includes shots of various contactees, including Dan Fry, who claims a remote controlled flying saucer landed near him in the desert, toak him aboard and flew him to New York; also George van Tassel, builder of a so-called 'rjuvenation machine', which allegedly resulted from information given him by outer space beings. Also appearing in the film is a shot of an attractively dressed blond busily taking notes - UFO connection not mentioned. NICAP representatives present said the press seemed more amused than impressed. 

But the most unfortunate angle is that the film is narrated by Los Angeles columnist George Todt, who has written many fine, factual columns supporting NICAPs investigation over a period of years. Mr. Todt has an excellent record in WW 11; as a broadcaster and newspaperman; he has fought Communism, opposed suppression of UFO information and has crusaded for another important American objectives. We are sure that Mr. Todt was completely unaware of the producer's background or the nature of the film when he signed up as narrator. 

In the press showing mentioned, Empire Studios publicity men stated the narrator was the 'personal representative of Major Donald E. Keyhoe' implying approval of the film. Under the cir- cumstances, NICAP must put these points on record: 

1. Neither NICAP nor the director was ever consulted about the film. 

2. When we first mentioned it, we did not know the producer. 

3. Although Mr.Tadt has been a good fried to NICAP, and he served as a public relations adviser, he is not the personal representative of the director, and he has not been authorized to mention NICAP Or the director in regard to this film. 

We have heard '7.7' is being offered for TV use and we have informed network heads of the facts. 

If l,'Phenomena 7.7' is scheduled at your local theater please show thls statement to the manager and to newspaper film reviewers, to prevent NICAP's being untruthfully linked with this film. 

[/quote from NICAP article] 

All the best, 

Isaac

[Curt Collins]

I tried finding this in Dec. 2012

I emailed Julie Ann Stranges of 
nicufo.org/dr_stranges.htm
and asked her about video of the film. She said:
"only have orig 35 mm of Phenomena 7.7. Sorry"

So, it still exists, but just not in a form easily shared.

Nice job tracking down that information, Isaac, you found much more than I did. a few more fragments may be found by spelling out "Seven.Seven," I think. I remember seeing mention of the film having been shown at the Giant Rock festival, but no useful details.

[Ole Henningsen]

The lecture by Frank E. Stranges was held in Mainz, Germany, in November 1967, during the Convention arranged by German DUIST organization and I don’t recall any more whether Stranges showed his film or just some stillpictures from the production.

I enclose for your information two photos taken by myself during his lecture and after his presentation.

 

Best regards,

Ole

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[sgt...@aol.com]

There is a site that specializes in odd and out of print programs and films. You might try there.

http://www.mediaoutlet.com/

I have found some interesting items there in the past.

Wayne Langman