If you aren’t already familiar with the Patterson-Gimlin film, let me introduce you by way of a couple of not-great YouTube versions, variously “stabilized” (not sure what this means) for closer analysis. I’m not sure where/how you can access the original footage, which is perhaps unsurprising, given it was filmed in 1967.
As you’ll see, the footage is exactly as convincing as you want it to be. As far as Bigfoot suits go, it would be pretty high caliber — particularly for its era. In a 2017 story for Oregon Public Broadcasting, Jeffery Meldrum, a professor of anatomy and anthropology at Idaho State University (and “one of few academics to openly study Sasquatch”) compares this Bigfoot to the apes seen in Planet of the Apes, a film which came out a year later, in 1970.
On the other hand, a costume manufacturer Phillip Morris claimed he sold the suit to Roger Patterson (one of the two filmmakers, alongside Bob Gimlin) himself, thinking it would be used in a prank. He made his claim in 2002, 30 years after Patterson died; Patterson insisted upon the film’s authenticity until his death, as has Bob Gimlin (who is currently 91 years old, omg, I need to interview him). However, another guy named Bob Heironimus claims to have been the guy inside the suit. (For more detail, I highly recommend the film’s Wikipedia page.)
Despite the naysayers — or maybe because of them — the Patterson-Gimlin footage has become the iconic image of Bigfoot. And because the figure depicted appears to have breasts typically described as “pendulous,” many have decided she’s a girl, and nicknamed her Patty. Her silhouette is all over, and often-iterated upon, perhaps most famously in 2003’s Elf.
Bigfoot is my second favorite paranormal phenomenon after aliens, and perhaps second-most plausible to me, too. (Or maybe a Nessie type creature is second? Certainly there is much more unexplored water on Earth, but there is a lot of barren land, too!) Jane Goodall would also like him (or her) to exist, noting that every single continent has legend of a Bigfoot equivalent. It’s romantic!
Sometimes I can’t tell, however, if some people mostly want her dead. Bigfoot enthusiasts often refer to their work (?) as “hunting” Bigfoot, and ultimately I do think many Americans would shoot her on sight. One such man: Tim Peeler, feature in probably my favorite local news interview of all time.
I don’t think these people intend to murder Bigfoot, but there is also a semi-regular Bigfoot hunt at the Allerton Park and Retreat Center outside Monticello, Illinois, and I need to go. Per the local news story:
At this second hunt for Bigfoot, officials said guests can check in to their discounted rooms ($130/night + tax) anytime after 3 p.m. on April 28. When you show your hotel room key at the check-in station, you’ll receive a map. Then you can grab your flashlights and headlamps, and get ready to find Bigfoot.
Allerton Park said there might even be two or three Bigfoots lurking around too.
Everyone must search for clues through the trails and find treats along the way, while supplies last. Officials warn that there may be some tricks out there to fool you.
This sounds like heaven to me. (I love Bigfoot, I love to be fake-scared and I love treats!) If you live at all near there, I hope you will go and report back. I am not sure when I can realistically make it to Monticello, IL.
Odds & Ends
A new UFO documentary called Accidental Truths: UFO Revelations (made in partnership with MUFON) will be released on April 18, and I will of course review it here. I am cautiously excited, though most UFO documentaries are disappointing if you are a person who a) cares and b) has seen at least one other UFO documentary.
xo,
Katie