1966 10 18 Look John Fuller Aboard UFO 2 Lagrange scan

Magazine Overview

This issue of LOOK magazine, dated October 18, 1966, is a comprehensive publication featuring a variety of articles, including a prominent piece on the alleged UFO abduction of Barney and Betty Hill, an in-depth look at the marriage of Somerset Maugham, and the eleventh annual preview of 1967 cars. The magazine also includes sections on national and world affairs, sports, entertainment, science, and food.

"Aboard a Flying Saucer" - Part Two: An "abducted" woman describes her incredible experience by John G. Fuller

This is the second part of an article detailing the experiences of Barney and Betty Hill, who reported a UFO sighting and subsequent abduction in September 1961. The article focuses on the hypnotic regression sessions conducted by Dr. Benjamin Simon, a psychiatrist with extensive experience in hypnosis. Dr. Simon taped these sessions to help the Hills reconstruct the event more clearly.

Barney Hill initially described seeing a UFO following their car and later, under hypnosis, recounted being abducted by humanoid creatures and taken aboard the craft for a physical examination. Betty Hill, also questioned under hypnosis, provided a story remarkably similar to her husband's. She described being taken from the car, entering a clearing where the UFO was on the ground, and undergoing a strange physical examination. This included having her skin examined, a piece of her fingernail taken, and a needle-like instrument inserted into her navel for what she believed was a pregnancy test.

Betty's account detailed the examination process, including the use of a machine resembling a microscope and a scraping of her arm. She also described being shown a map of the universe with dots and lines, which the abductor explained as trade routes and expeditions. She was told to forget the experience, but she expressed a desire for proof.

Barney Hill's account under hypnosis corroborated many details, including being examined and having his spinal column counted. He also described being led to a door and feeling the pressure of arms holding him. He recalled the men's odd-shaped heads, eyes that seemed to see beyond normal vision, and mouths with no muscles. He also noted the grayish, almost metallic skin texture and the slits for nostrils.

Dr. Simon noted inconsistencies and paradoxes, particularly regarding the transfer of memories and the possibility of Betty influencing Barney's recollections. Barney reported experiencing UFO-related dreams for the first time after the sessions, leading to questions about whether the experience was a shared hallucination or reality.

As the sessions progressed, both Barney and Betty recalled more details. Barney described feeling a soreness in his neck and the lifting of heavy chains, suggesting a release from anxiety. Betty felt the pressure of the arms and the sensation of being suspended, reinforcing her belief that it was not a fantasy or dream.

Barney's account of the examination included a detail about his teeth not coming out when examined, while Betty's did not. He also recalled being told in his mind that he would forget the experience. He expressed confusion about whether Betty had influenced him and admitted to being irritated by her focus on the UFO sighting.

Dr. Simon explored the possibility of telepathic communication and whether Betty had planted thoughts in Barney's mind. Both maintained that they had not hypnotized each other. Barney's recall of the events under hypnosis seemed to be triggered by the playback of the recordings, bringing back details he had previously forgotten.

Barney described the men as having "odd-shaped heads, with a large cranium, diminishing in size as it got toward the chin. And the eyes continued around to the sides of their heads..." He also noted the lack of a nose, only "two slits that represented the nostrils." He was impressed by a short table that caused his legs to dangle over the end.

Dr. Simon concluded that while a sighting of some sort likely occurred and caused a severe emotional reaction, the abduction itself was improbable. However, he acknowledged that the Hills had no ulterior motives and that their story had been investigated by several technical and scientific persons. The case presented a measurable amount of direct physical circumstantial evidence.

Ultimately, Dr. Simon stated that he could not definitively say whether the experience was illusion or reality, and that the Hills, along with himself, would have to continue to reason for the truth. The article ends with a quote from Tennyson: "Maybe wildest dreams are but the needful preludes of the truth."

The National Scene

This section includes articles on "Rocky's Roughest Round" by Gerald Astor, a look at the "Second Decade for the Ann Landers Style," a piece on "What's Happened to Latin?", the "Look 1967 Automotive Preview: The Big Swing to Sport," an article on "Accent on Safety," and the continuation of "Aboard a Flying Saucer, Part II" by John G. Fuller.

The World

Features include "A Sunday with Westmoreland: The General Who Runs Our War in Vietnam" and "The Twisted Marriage of Somerset Maugham" by Beverley Nichols.

Sports

Articles cover "The Richey Kids: Tennis Is Their Business" and "Pat Fischer: The Cardinals' Bantam Rooster," along with "Language of Pro Football."

Entertainment

This section includes a profile of "Stefanie Powers: The U.N.C.L.E. Doll" and an article titled "How to Kill God" by Harvey Cox.

Science

"Looking at Science and Medicine: Are Germs Winning the War Against People?" is featured.

Humor

Includes "Look on the Light Side" with contributions from Smits, Ruge, Graham, Handelsman, William Thurber, and Jack Montgomery, as well as "Back-Talk."

Food

"The Fruits of Autumn" is presented.

Departments

This section contains "Letters to the Editor."

America's Family Magazine - 30th Year of Publication

This issue highlights the cover photograph of autos by Reid Miles and an inside cover feature of Stefanie Powers by Bob Lerner.

Picture Credits

A detailed list of photographers and sources for the images used throughout the magazine is provided.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around personal stories, societal issues, and the burgeoning interest in the unexplained. The article on Ann Landers highlights the role of advice columnists in modern society, while the piece on Somerset Maugham delves into the complexities of human relationships. The "Flying Saucer" article, a significant portion of the magazine, reflects the era's fascination with UFOs and extraterrestrial encounters, presenting a detailed account of a purported abduction and the psychological aftermath. The automotive preview indicates a focus on consumer interests and trends. The editorial stance appears to be one of exploring diverse topics, from personal dramas and societal commentary to the more speculative realms of unexplained phenomena, aiming to engage a broad readership with compelling narratives and investigative journalism.