QUEST

Magazine Overview

QUEST, Volume Four, Number One (Whole Number 20), is a magazine published in September-October 1972, priced at 50¢. It is presented as a bi-monthly UFO report from UFO Research and Investigation-Australia, with a quarto size and approximately 15 pages per issue, featuring photographs, diagrams, book and magazine reviews, and articles by celebrated authors. The cover prominently displays the title 'QUEST' and features a collage of unsettling imagery, including a woman in a bikini, a skull, a monstrous figure, and a man's face, hinting at the diverse and often dark themes within.

Key Articles and Features

The Deadly Saucer Terrorists by Tony Kimery

This extensive article delves into the phenomenon of the 'Men in Black' (MIB), tracing their alleged origins back to the closing of the International Flying Saucer Bureau in 1953 by Albert K. Bender. Kimery argues that the MIB are a real and intelligent force actively suppressing UFO data and harassing witnesses, scientists, and media. He suggests that the MIB, or 'Silencing Intelligent Forces,' have been active for centuries, possibly linked to historical esoteric orders, witchcraft, and even biblical figures like the 'three wise men from the East.' The article recounts various alleged MIB encounters, including sightings of hooded beings with silver-grey hair, grinning figures, and instances of unexplained phenomena like objects disappearing and reappearing. Kimery posits that MIB manifestations might be a form of 'psychic attack' or related to demonic phenomena, capable of manipulating reality and human minds. He cites historical accounts, including a newspaper report from 1880 about an 'aerial ship' and subsequent retrieval of dropped articles by a mysterious man.

U.F.O. Detector

An advertisement for the 'U.F.O. Detector' by Aerial Research Systems is featured, describing it as a device for serious researchers that responds to magnetic fields. Purchasing the detector also makes the owner a member of 'The U.F.O. Patrol.'

Subscription Information

The magazine includes subscription details for the 'AUSTRALIAN BI-MONTHLY UFO REPORT,' published by UFO Research and Investigation-Australia. It is described as a quarto-sized publication of about 15 pages, containing photographs, diagrams, reviews, and articles. Annual subscriptions are $1.50 domestic and $2.20 (U.S.) foreign.

Project Magnet by Kurt Glemser

This section, written by the editor, critiques the way some UFO researchers twist facts, specifically addressing claims made in the advertising for Wilbert Smith's 'Boys From Topside.' Glemser clarifies that Wilbert Smith was not appointed by the Canadian government to study UFOs but was an engineer who, in the early 1950s, used surplus government material for his own project to detect UFOs. Glemser highlights that the Canadian UFO Project Magnet indicated a 91% probability that sightings were of real objects of unknown origin and a 60% probability that UFOs are alien vehicles, but notes these were Smith's conclusions, not necessarily the official government findings. He questions why Gray Barker, a UFO researcher, would not know these facts.

Newsfront

This section presents a collection of brief news items from various publications:

• Second Natural Satellite: The Sunday Express reports on a second natural satellite of Earth named Toro, discovered in 1964.
• Rape Case: The Ontario Supreme Court gave a suspended sentence to a father for the rape of a 15-year-old girl, a sentence being appealed.
• Grave Robbery: An 18-year-old girl in New Brunswick stole a skull from a grave for witchcraft rites and received a two-year sentence.
• Sales Promotion: Harold Arviv hired topless clerks for his clothing store, resulting in a significant increase in sales.
• Misprint: A newspaper misprinted a politician's speech, stating he was in bed with a 'heavy co-ed' instead of 'heavy cold.'
• Predictions: Clairvoyant Kenny Kingston predicted Nixon's re-election with Reagan or Connally as his running mate.
• Obscene Language: Germaine Greer was charged with using 'bullshit' and obscene language in a lecture in New Zealand.
• Police Shootout: A poker game involving sheriff's deputies and others resulted in a gun battle with two deaths.

Anyone There? by Alan Burns

This article discusses a new initiative by top scientists from America and Russia to find extraterrestrial life in outer space by looking for signals and exploring ways to contact alien intelligence. The initiative, termed 'Communication with Extraterrestrial Intelligence,' was decided at a meeting in Armenia. Dr. Carl Sagan suggests looking for electrical or engineering activity on planets near other stars, and mentions plans for a new radio telescope in Montgomeryshire, England.

Monster-Hunter: Frank Searle

This piece profiles Frank Searle, a Londoner who gave up his job and home to live in a tent near Loch Ness for over two years to hunt for the Loch Ness Monster. He has logged thousands of hours of observation and claims 13 sightings, mostly of objects resembling upturned boats. His best sighting involved what he believed was the monster's tail.

Shot witch has a spell

An article reports on a millionaire sorceress in Southern Italy who was shot by a client, Francesco Manganella, after failing to make him rich. Police suspect the attack may have been orchestrated by rival witches.

Farmhand said he was a vampire

Alan Dyche, a labourer, became interested in black magic and vampires. He killed several animals, drank their blood, and told people he was a vampire. He was admitted to five charges and put on probation.

Ice fall probe

Scientists were called to analyze a 4ft. square block of ice that fell near Shirley, Surrey, with one theory suggesting it came from an aircraft.

The Occult Conceit by Owen S. Rachleff (Book Review)

Robert Betts reviews Owen S. Rachleff's book, which argues that astrology, palmistry, witchcraft, and other occult practices are bunk, attributing phenomena to psychology, autosuggestion, hypnosis, or fakery. The book claims that modern witchcraft flourishes in numerous covens but that witches cannot perform magic. Rachleff, who teaches 'Witchcraft, Magic and Sorcery' at New York University, offers explanations for paranormal events, suggesting drug use for 'astral projection.' The review notes that while Rachleff dismisses many phenomena as fraud or delusion, his book offers a fresh outlook on the subject.

Haunted Firehall Has Firemen Edgy

Firemen in Great Yarmouth, England, report experiencing ghostly phenomena in their newly-opened firehouse, which stands on a former friars' burial ground. They have heard whistling noises, footsteps, and unexplained bumps in the night.

Ness monster has rival named Morag

This short piece mentions reports of a creature similar to the Loch Ness Monster in Loch Morar, Scotland, nicknamed 'Morag.' Rumors of its presence date back to 1887, and the loch may harbor a family of monsters.

Liveliest Letters

This section features reader-submitted letters detailing personal experiences with alleged paranormal phenomena:

• Ghost Daughter: A woman claims her flat is haunted by a woman who talks, makes rooms cold, and once tipped her daughter out of bed.
• Dish: A reader reports a dish being knocked out of their husband's hand and flying into the air.
• Lights: A demon is said to have pushed books off shelves and turned lights on and off.
• Hands: A man alone in his house experienced a door opening and closing by itself, and a chair rising off the floor.
• Evil: A reader describes a tension in a room, with their cat and dog reacting to an unseen presence.
• Dwarf: A reader recounts a dwarf-like figure with a huge face waking their sons and pulling their hair.
• A Sad Visitor: A reader describes seeing a woman, identified as a former resident named Mrs P-, bending over her son, who has also seen her.
• Giant: A minister claims to have cast out demons for 60 years and recounts seeing an 'evil spirit—a black giant.'
• Devil car: A reader believes their old Ford car was possessed, causing the starting handle to kick and the steering wheel to wrench.

8MM Movies

This section reviews several 8mm films:

• "Airport Saucer": Described as a color film from Saucerian Publications, it is criticized for its short length and the saucer appearing like a model thrown in the air, with poor footage and no background.
• "By Car to the Craters of the Moon": Available from Moon Productions, this film shows the moon as seen by astronauts.
• "Classic Film Sampler": From Blackhawk Films, this sampler includes a 150-foot film and a six-month subscription to the 'Blackhawk Bulletin.'
• "Likity Split": An adult film described as a 50-foot black & white movie from Santana Ltd., featuring a strip tease.
• Manson Family Films: According to Ed Sanders' book 'The Family,' films taken by the Manson 'family' are available and allegedly depict disturbing scenes like animal sacrifice, human sacrifice, and a girl being killed by black-hooded figures.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue of QUEST magazine are UFOs, the 'Men in Black' phenomenon, witchcraft, occultism, and various unexplained or monstrous entities. The magazine appears to lean towards presenting these topics as genuine mysteries or threats, with a particular focus on the MIB as a sinister force. The editorial stance, as indicated by the content and the 'Editor's Note' in 'Project Magnet,' seems to be one of exploring these phenomena, sometimes critically examining claims (as in the 'Project Magnet' section), but generally embracing the mysterious and the unexplained. The inclusion of reader letters detailing personal paranormal experiences further reinforces this stance, suggesting an open-mindedness to anecdotal evidence and subjective accounts of the unusual.

Title: Saturday Titbits
Issue Date: March 4, 1972
Publisher: Titbits (England)
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of Saturday Titbits, dated March 4, 1972, presents a collection of articles exploring paranormal phenomena, unusual beliefs, and contemporary social issues. The cover prominently features the headline "Face to face with a monster," hinting at the issue's focus on cryptids and unexplained creatures.

Monsters and Cryptids

The lead article, "Face to face with a monster," by Peter Robson, delves into various alleged monster sightings from around the world. It highlights Nessie from Loch Ness and the lesser-known Morag from Loch Morar, noting the increasing number of sightings for the latter. Russia claims the largest monster in Lake Labynkyr. The article recounts an encounter with the Lake Chini monster in Malaya, where an engineer reported his bungalow roof being ripped off by a creature with large, red eyes. A fisherman's claim of being seduced by mermaids in the same lake is also mentioned.

Further into the world of cryptids, the piece discusses the "sasquatch" or "Wild Man of the Mountains" from the American continent, citing Rene Dahinden's 18 years of research and plaster casts of "Bigfoot" footprints, which are described as enormous (30in long, 7in wide). Australia's "Stone Man" is also introduced, with aborigines identifying it as a "ngajunangalgu" or "gunadalgadara," a man-eating spirit being with long claws. The article also touches upon the "Hairy Fang Men of Malaya," who reportedly emerged from the jungle in 1954 and were seen by villagers and a police sergeant. An anecdote describes a Fang Man chased near the Sarawak border, who died from injuries sustained during the pursuit.

Witchcraft and the Occult

Page two features a story titled "The case of Mrs Street and the WHITE WITCH," detailing an incident involving David Farrant, a hospital porter and self-proclaimed "white witch." Farrant attempted to cure Mrs. Edna Street's decade-long headaches through a ritual involving a St. Christopher medallion. Mrs. Street subsequently experienced a choking sensation, which she attributed to Farrant's actions, though her doctor suggested it was due to overweight and flu. Mrs. Street has asked Farrant not to try to help her again. The article also mentions Farrant's previous legal troubles, including being found not guilty of trespassing in Highgate Cemetery while allegedly hunting a vampire, and being stopped by police with other witches in the cemetery to "combat black magic."

Another article, "Anyone want a spooky house?" reports on alleged hauntings. Workers at London's Somerset House are complaining about poor conditions and a ghost, described as an old lady in flowing robes, on the third floor. A security officer quit and a cleaner requested a transfer after claiming to have seen the ghost. Separately, postman Walter Johnson claims a "mad old woman" ghost is pestering his family in their council flat in Harold Hill, Essex, causing them to ask for a transfer.

Page three introduces "Giving Satan a good name.." by Ray Bogart, who identifies as a Satanist and runs the New Order of Satanic Templars from his Manchester home. Bogart asserts that Satanists are misunderstood and that their practices are not about frenzied orgies but about worshipping Satan as the son of God and ruler of Earth. He claims Satanism is a force for good, used for curing people and performing rituals. He mentions that while some covens have engaged in wife-swapping, his group focuses on positive actions. Bogart explains that initiations can involve sexual relations between the High Priest/Priestess and the initiate, and that live, naked volunteers are sometimes used for "stronger magic" in do-gooding rituals. He also discusses the use of blood sacrifices (hens or doves, never cats or dogs) for curing the very sick, stating it's a difficult but necessary choice. The article notes that Bogart also edits his own Satanist magazine and hopes to make enough money from occult items to devote himself fully to Satanism.

A brief mention is made of the commercial side of witchcraft, with George Alexander selling occult items in London and Campbell Wilson and his wife Monique running a witchcraft museum on the Isle of Man.

Drug News and Social Commentary

Pages five and six focus on "DRUG NEWS." An article reports on two studies concerning marijuana. One study by British doctors suggested evidence of serious, irreversible brain damage, including cerebral atrophy, in heavy smokers. However, other physicians noted the small sample size and the fact that the subjects already had severe mental problems and had used other drugs. A second study, released by the Ontario Addiction Research Foundation, indicated that regular marijuana use does not create short-term medical or psychological problems and does not affect a user's willingness or ability to work. President Nixon is quoted calling drug trafficking a crime worse than murder.

Further drug-related news includes a report on the US National Commission on Marijuana & Drug Abuse recommending the repeal of penalties for private pot smoking and possession of small amounts. The commission estimated 24 million Americans have tried marijuana and found no evidence of permanent physical or mental injury. The article also discusses the development of a test for detecting marijuana traces in the body, potentially aiding police in identifying impaired drivers. The issue references previous advocacy for making heroin medically legal, citing a judge who called for free or cheap heroin to be sold in community centers to cut organized crime and heroin-related crimes. The Toronto Star and the Canadian LeDain commission are also mentioned for recommending legally available heroin for addiction treatment, noting that abstinence programs have had limited success.

Other Content

A "BIRTHDAY SALE" advertisement on page four lists numerous magazines for sale, primarily related to flying saucers and UFOs, with prices at 25 cents each. A book advertisement on page three promotes "ROUND TRIP TO HELL IN A FLYING SAUCER" by Cecil Michael.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine covers a wide range of topics often considered fringe or controversial, including alleged monster sightings, witchcraft, Satanism, and ghosts. There is a clear interest in the paranormal and unexplained. The reporting on drug news presents a balanced view, including studies that suggest harm from marijuana alongside research indicating minimal negative effects, and discusses the ongoing debate about drug legalization and control. The overall stance appears to be one of reporting on diverse phenomena and beliefs, allowing readers to draw their own conclusions, though the inclusion of detailed accounts of witchcraft and Satanism suggests an openness to exploring alternative spiritualities and practices.