La Circulaire - No 34 - 1994 Aout

Magazine Overview

This issue of LA CIRCULAIRE (August 1994, No. 34) provides a comprehensive overview of UFO-related news, observations, media reviews, and research from July and August 1994, with a focus on European and North American reports.

New Observations and Details

Spain

A New Observation from Campo Amore, Spain, on July 16, 1994, describes a luminous triangle with flashing lights seen by a witness. The sighting was followed by a 5-minute power outage. The witness, William Martinez, also noted other people nearby.

France

Precisions are offered regarding the film 'l'Attaque de la femme de 50 pieds' and a book by M. Felden, 'Et si l'homme était seul dans l'univers?', which critically examines UFO phenomena, labeling UFO folklore as based on impressions and rumors, and finding no scientific evidence for extraterrestrial intelligence.

A Rencontre section details an impromptu ufological meeting in Paris on July 21, 1994, attended by ufologists from Belgium, Italy, England, and Spain. Discussions covered current events in each country, classic cases, and thematic research, including rumors and the 'SLI' effect.

A Cercle report describes a pictogram discovered in Novéant-sur-Moselle (57680) around July 12-13, 1994. The pictogram, measuring over 16 meters, consists of 5 circles and a triangle. It was featured in the 'Républicain Lorrain' newspaper and on F3 Metz.

A Message section includes a request for slide exchanges and announces a forthcoming book by Gildas Bourdais titled 'Enquête sur l'existence des êtres célestes et cosmiques', expected in September 1994.

A Conférence held in Epinal on April 23, 1994, featured JC. Ribes and JJ. Velasco discussing space research, extraterrestrial life, and UFO phenomena. A related article in 'Est Républicain' on April 25, 1994, also covered this conference.

An announcement regarding the circulation notes that due to unforeseen circumstances, the monthly dispatch of two issues will be skipped, and the next circular will be a double issue (35/36: September-October 1994), to be sent in November.

A JEU question from 3615 Grolo/3Suisses asks about the historical term for inhabitants of the Moon.

Media Reviews (MEPRISES - Potentielles)

This section extensively reviews various media, including films, TV series, and documentaries, that touch upon UFOs and extraterrestrial themes.

Films and TV Series

• 'SOS météores: la carte secrète des impacts' (Sky and Telescope) discusses extraterrestrial bombardment and US military involvement.
• 'Météorites. Les Américains lèvent le secret' (Science et Vie) covers US military detections of meteorite explosions.
• 'Prototype de l'avion hypersonique américain Aurora' is mentioned as a model available for purchase.
• A meteor fall near Kusaie (Micronesia) on February 1, 1994, is detailed, noting its brilliance and explosive energy.
• Reports on the recovery of a meteorite fragment in Montreal and a meteor causing a tremor in Australia are included.
• TV reports on the Trocadéro fireworks in Paris mention helium balloons.
• A lost dirigible in Chambourcy is reported, with a reader claiming to have seen it.
• A report on 12,000 lightning strikes in France is noted.
• A circular trace in a field in Grues, France, is presented.
• Reports on flying objects at an aeromodelling event in Vendée are cited.
• A reader claims to have seen Mr. Theuveny's dirigible.

UFO-Themed Media

• 'Cosmos 1999' (M6) and 'La Quatrième Dimension' (F3) episodes are reviewed.
• 'Golden Girls' (F3) featured an episode with a UFO sighting.
• 'Mystères à Twin Peaks' (Canal Jimmy) is highlighted for its ufological themes.
• 'Destinations séries' (Canal Jimmy) also touched upon ufological elements.
• Films like 'Phantom from space', 'L'enfant venu d'ailleurs', 'E.T. Der Ausserirdische', 'La petite boutique des horreurs', 'les envoutées de l'espace', 'Predator', 'L'invasion des profanateurs', 'Superman III', 'Wonder Woman', and 'Rendez-vous avec la peur' are listed with broadcast details.
• 'La cinquième dimension' episode 'les extraterrestres' is discussed, involving a simulated alien invasion.
• 'Unknown world', 'Alien', and 'Invasion vom Mars' are also mentioned.
• 'Kampfsten Galactica' and 'The Sweeney' episode 'Abduction' are noted.
• 'Enemy' and 'L'homme qui venait d'ailleurs' are listed.

Specific UFO/Alien Themed Series and Films:

• 'Aux frontières du réel' (M6) is frequently referenced, with episodes like 'Espace', 'L'ange déchu', and 'Gorge Profonde' discussed for their UFO and extraterrestrial content. The series is noted for its investigation into government cover-ups and alien encounters.
• 'Cosmos 1999' (M6) and 'La Quatrième Dimension' (F3) episodes are reviewed.
• 'Wonder Woman' episode 'l'affaire du Triangle des Bermudes' is mentioned.
• Italian film 'Uno sceriffo extraterrestre...' is listed.
• 'Ils sont grands ces petits' is also noted.
• 'L'empire contre-attaque', 'Indiana Jones et la dernière croisade', and 'SOS fantômes' are listed under TSR's 'Cinéma à la carte'.
• 'Roger Ramjet' animated series episode involving a mission to Mars is mentioned.
• 'E.T. l'extraterrestre' (1982) is listed.
• 'La planète inconnue' is mentioned in relation to a book review.

Press and Publications

UFO Press Clippings

• LOLN No. 325 is reviewed, covering the Roswell crash, UFO observations, and potential landing sites.
• UFO Newsclipping Service reports from March and April 1994 detail sightings in Montana, Colorado, and Wyoming, including luminous objects and potential crashes.
• A sighting in Florida (Pensacola Beach) involving red and white lights is reported, along with rumors of Air Force tests near Groom Mountains.

Books Reviewed

• 'Les deux faces de l'ufologie en Russie' by B. Chourinov is summarized, covering UFO cases and history in the ex-Soviet Union.
• 'Des dieux regardent les étoiles' by C. and M. Orliac discusses the island of Easter Island and theories about "unknown cosmonauts."
• 'Contacts Supra-Terrestres' by J. Sider is the first volume of a series on UFOs, covering topics like the Roswell crash, MIBs, and telepathic exchanges.
• 'Et si l'homme était seul dans l'univers' by M. Felden is mentioned, noting the author's past hypothesis about plasmas explaining UFOs.
• 'Intelligences étrangères' by Stuart Holroyd suggests that multiple intelligences are operating behind the scenes, with the UFO phenomenon being part of this.
• 'Les nourritures extraterrestres' by René and Dona Sussan is a fictional work about intergalactic gastronomy.
• 'Gilles et les mystères de l'observatoire' by J.C. Deret is a children's book involving UFO sightings and aliens.
• 'Mon prof est un extraterrestre' (original title: 'My teacher is an Alien') is a children's book with illustrations of flying saucers.
• 'Les Inconnus du ciel' by Armand Toupet is a collection of stories involving mysterious disappearances and extraterrestrial elements.

Other Media

• 'Science et Vie' magazine is cited for an article detailing possible hoaxes related to UFOs.
• 'Envoyé spécial' on TV5 Europe featured a report on sects and inventors.
• 'E.T. téléphone planète Terre' on Planète is a documentary on the search for extraterrestrial life.
• 'Les extraterrestres' on TMC is a documentary by E. Von Daniken.
• A report on CNN about a man allegedly irradiated at Groom Lake is mentioned.

Research and Miscellaneous

• 'Recherche Ufologique' announces an updated exposé by O. Herman on canulars and manipulation.
• 'Actualités hebdo' reports on a supposed extraterrestrial letter debunking UFO debates and a mention of Nicolas Sarkozy meeting with "French extraterrestrials."
• 'Infos du monde' mentions the passage of John Kennedy in Paris and a meeting with Nicolas Sarkozy.
• 'Actualités hebdo' also reports on a new zone of unexplained disappearances, comparing it to the Bermuda Triangle.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the reporting of recent UFO sightings, the analysis of media (films, TV, books) that explore UFOs and extraterrestrial life, and discussions on the scientific evidence (or lack thereof) for these phenomena. The magazine appears to present a wide range of information, from eyewitness accounts to critical analyses, and includes a significant focus on fictional portrayals of aliens and UFOs. The editorial stance, as suggested by the inclusion of critical viewpoints like M. Felden's, seems to encourage a balanced and sometimes skeptical approach to UFO phenomena, while still documenting reported events and related cultural products.

This issue of Télérama, dated July 1994, features a cover story titled "Des tics bizarres, bizarres" which reviews visual "quirks" in three films from the Cannes Festival. The magazine also includes a significant section dedicated to UFOs and extraterrestrial phenomena, drawing from various media including cinema, specialized press, radio, television, and academic research.

Cinema

The cinema section highlights several films and television productions related to UFOs. "Roswell" is reviewed in Mad Movies, described as a telefilm that "lifts the veil on one of the numerous manipulations concerning extraterrestrial life fomented by American military authorities." Another article in Mad Movies lists films with extraterrestrial themes, including "Munchie strikes back," "Aux Frontières du réel," "Seaquest," "Galaxy invader," and "The cosmic man." A general report notes a method for ranking the most popular films based on spectator numbers and revenue.

Specialized Press

Coverage from specialized magazines includes "Science et Magie," which features a witness account of an "invisible aggression" and details research into UFOs, with the witness having led a ufological group in 1979. "Mystères" magazine is reviewed for articles on "the stones of the apocalypse" (meteoritic collisions), J. Mack's book on human abductions by aliens, the "return of the astronaut gods" theory, an alleged attack by an alien/salamander, the "Hurricane" project, the presence of water on Mars, a UFO model advertisement, and a presentation of the revue "Lumières Dans La Nuit."

L'Inconnu

The magazine "L'Inconnu" features UFO-related imagery and articles. A photo of an extraterrestrial from the film "Invasion of the Saucer Men" is integrated into a dossier on "Rites and Mysteries of the Moon." Another photo from "The Thing" appears in a dossier on "Moon of Blood." An article discusses actor D. Ayckroyd's belief that his house is haunted and mentions his past UFO sightings. The "Enigme de Nazca" section reports on the latest dating of the Nazca figures to 2200 years ago, with an allusion to extraterrestrial theories. "Fous de dieu" discusses the inclusion of the paranormal in the DSM-IV. The "Bermudes" section explores the theory of underwater gases. A book by J. Guieu, "la force noire," is presented. A reader's letter about seeing transparent beings in dreams receives a response suggesting extraterrestrial hypotheses. Finally, an article on the Moon discusses strange occurrences during lunar expeditions and proposes a theory of the Moon being an extraterrestrial vessel.

Lettre Zététique

"Lettre Zététique" reports on a meeting between the Cercle Zététique (CZ) and the CNEGU, and includes publicity for LLBS and contact with the "Boutique des Sciences."

Radio and Television

Radio segments are noted, including a sketch on "Rire et chansons" featuring "four gnomes" and their planet being "8 hours from Paris by saucer." "France Infos" reports on a segment about the human heart and the pulsations of cyclists, humorously comparing them to "real extraterrestrials." "Europe 1" covers a spectacular storm over Paris, with listeners questioning if it was related to a comet impact. "RFM" had a "Mysteries" segment that was temporarily suspended.

Education

The "Encyclopédie 'Explorons'" is mentioned, specifically a volume on "the mysteries of the world," which covers 30 archaeological mysteries with rational and strange explanations, including Atlantis, Stonehenge, Giza, and Nazca, with references to extraterrestrials.

Art

An explanation is provided for Clovis Trouille's painting "le poète rouge," noting that while it was initially thought to contain ufological elements, verification suggests it dates from 1949 and does not depict a UFO. However, the artist was known to retouch his works. The Galerie "1900-2000" is cited for this information.

Commerce

A store named "Les Envahisseurs" in Thiais features clothing and plastic bags decorated with planets and the slogan "Invaders." The store's theme includes spaceships and asteroids, with a tagline "Prices from elsewhere."

Archives

The "Revue PILOTE" special issue on the fantastic, specifically a mini-dossier "OVNI l'officiel de la Soucoupe," is mentioned as a satirical five-page feature.

Humour

A sketch on "Rire et chansons" by Popeck humorously compares street cleaners to Martians.

Science Fiction Description

A partial physical description of "Kanamites," extraterrestrials from a Damon Knight science fiction story, is provided: they are described as small, very hairy, with thick, bristly fur, and "abominably plump" bodies. This description is noted to differ from the "Little Grey" aliens.

Master's Thesis

A Master's thesis from Paris 8 University, titled "The proof of proof, photography and the UFO phenomenon," by Jean-Philippe Dain, is summarized. The thesis analyzes George Adamski's use of photography in his UFO accounts and examines photographs and discourses from ufological publications, aiming for a comprehensive and rigorous approach.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the intersection of UFOs and popular culture, particularly cinema and media. There is a consistent exploration of extraterrestrial life, ancient mysteries, and unexplained phenomena. The editorial stance appears to be one of reporting and analysis, presenting various perspectives from film reviews, specialized articles, and academic research without necessarily endorsing any single theory. The magazine seems to encourage critical examination, as seen in the analysis of photographs and the presentation of different explanations for reported phenomena.