Wednesday, April 25, 2012
A Radical Decision
I have come to what some might consider a radical decision!
As you may know, I have so many blogs right now that it's sometimes hard to keep track of what's going on and where. So, I am bringing all my current blogs to a halt. I'm not deleting them. But, I am folding them as of today. In their place, I have set up a new blog titled Nick Redfern's Fortean World.
Yeah, I know: it's hardly the most original or imaginative title, but it is accurate and to the point! So, from now on, while all my existing blogs will remain archived, here's the address for the new blog, Nick Redfern's Fortean World.
As you'll see, the design and style has not been completed yet, and there's no content yet either. But, bear with me, and over the next few days you'll see it start to develop its life and character!
Friday, February 10, 2012
Celebrity Secrets and the BBC
Yesterday I was interviewed about my Celebrity Secrets book by the BBC, during which we discussed the FBI's files on such characters as Abbott & Costello, Marilyn Monroe, Jimi Hendrix, the Kingsmen, Errol Flynn and more.
The interview was turned into an article, which you can find at this link. Not a bad summary of how and why certain stars of the stage and the screen were secretly watched by J. Edgar Hoover's finest!
The interview was turned into an article, which you can find at this link. Not a bad summary of how and why certain stars of the stage and the screen were secretly watched by J. Edgar Hoover's finest!
Saturday, February 19, 2011
The Ripper File
Some might dispute the notion that Jack the Ripper qualifies as being a celebrity or not. But, as someone who, since his notorious killings of 1888, has become the subject of dozens of books and more than a few movies, the Ripper is without doubt an integral part of popular culture. And here's his FBI file/profile.
Jackson's FBI File
Wacko-Jacko's FBI file has now been posted online, and is now available for scrutiny and entertainment at the Bureau's website. And if the man and his bizarre life interest you, here's where you will find the file.
Sonny Bono News
It's been a while since I last updated this blog, mainly because of the lack of interesting stories to relate linking the world of celebrities to that of the government. But, here's one that caught my eye: on whether or not the death of Sonny Bono really was an accident, or something more sinister. I relate the details of Bono's FBI file in my Celebrity Secrets book.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Michael Jackson and the FBI
As this new story shows, the FBI has confirmed it has a substantial file on Michael Jackson. It will be interesting to see what the file reveals on the now-dead pop-star...
Monday, January 5, 2009
The Pistols & The Police
Formerly secret Irish Police papers reveal an intriguing story about how they kept a close watch on the antics of Britain's mightiest punks: the Sex Pistols. Here's the story in all its strange glory...
Monday, December 1, 2008
Not Fade Away
One of the strangest celebrity secrets of all is in the news again: the death of Rolling Stones guitarist Brian Jones. A very intriguing article and one that is well worth reading.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Evel & The FBI
The FBI has just declassified portions of its file on motorcycle legend Evel Knievel - much of which is focused upon the issue of whether or not Knievel was implicated in a string of beatings. As is typically the case with such celebrity files, a great deal of Knievel's is heavily redacted, with only 202 of its 290 pages having been released by the FBI.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Celebrity Spying: 21st Century-Style
My Celebrity Secrets book reveals the extraordinary extent to which the FBI went to spy on Hollywood stars of the 1940s, 50s, 60s and 70s. But, as this new story shows, celebrity-snooping by the official world is still on-going. Will they never stop poking their noses where they're not needed? Nope: probably not!
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Rowan & Martin and the FBI...and the CIA...and the Mob...
The death a couple of days ago of Dick Martin - of Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In fame - reminds me to tell you that copies of the FBI's disapproving file on the comedic pair can be found within the pages of my Celebrity Secrets book.
As I note within its pages:
"Laugh-In, the comedy series that debuted on NBC on January 22, 1968, and that ran until March 12, 1973, turned its hosts, Dan Rowan and Dick Martin, into stars across the length and breadth of the entire United States.
"Although both Rowan and Martin had wide experience as comedy writers, the appeal of Laugh-In stemmed largely from the cast’s ability to improvise rather than to read from pre-planned scripts. And it was this fresh, new approach, coupled with vibrant and entertaining characters, unique skits, and memorable catchphrases that attracted a young audience and ensured the show its phenomenally successful five-year run.
"But not everyone was pleased by Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In, and, least of all, the CIA and FBI. In fact, what is particularly intriguing about Rowan and Martin is the sheer number of references to the pair that can be found in intelligence files."
Indeed, the pair were the subject of several official files (and possibly several unofficially-sanctioned investigations, too) in the secretive arena of U.S. Intelligence.
Hotel-Sex, the Mob, the CIA, and J. Edgar Hoover: it's all there...
As I note within its pages:
"Laugh-In, the comedy series that debuted on NBC on January 22, 1968, and that ran until March 12, 1973, turned its hosts, Dan Rowan and Dick Martin, into stars across the length and breadth of the entire United States.
"Although both Rowan and Martin had wide experience as comedy writers, the appeal of Laugh-In stemmed largely from the cast’s ability to improvise rather than to read from pre-planned scripts. And it was this fresh, new approach, coupled with vibrant and entertaining characters, unique skits, and memorable catchphrases that attracted a young audience and ensured the show its phenomenally successful five-year run.
"But not everyone was pleased by Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In, and, least of all, the CIA and FBI. In fact, what is particularly intriguing about Rowan and Martin is the sheer number of references to the pair that can be found in intelligence files."
Indeed, the pair were the subject of several official files (and possibly several unofficially-sanctioned investigations, too) in the secretive arena of U.S. Intelligence.
Hotel-Sex, the Mob, the CIA, and J. Edgar Hoover: it's all there...
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Monday, April 14, 2008
Marilyn and the FBI: New Revelations
My Celebrity Secrets book includes an extensive chapter on the FBI's formerly secret surveillance file on actress Marilyn Monroe. One particular entry in the file discloses details of a rumored film alleged to show the blond babe having sex with an unidentified man. Well, as this brand new development in the story demonstrates, the rumor was much more than that.
The story all began on February 16, 1965, when an FBI document was secretly prepared that contained some truly explosive data. Titled Interstate Transportation of Obscene Materials and marked for the attention of FBI Director Hoover and the FBI’s Laboratory, its author, an FBI agent whose name now languishes in obscurity thanks to the restrictions of the Freedom of Information Act, recorded some remarkable data:
"On 2/11/65, Source advised that on the previous date, 2/10/65, he, in company with [an unidentified individual] had…exhibited a motion picture which depicted deceased actress MARILYN MONROE committing a perverted act on an unknown male.
"According to Source, he claimed that former baseball star JOE DIMAGGIO in the past had offered him $25,000 for this film, it being the only one in existence, but that Source had refused the offer.
"The above is being furnished to the FBI Lab and the NYO [New York Office] for information purposes in the event reports are received from other divisions describing an obscene film which might be identical to above. It is noted that…on February 9, 1965, agents of the Albany and New York Divisions conducted a surveillance of him.
"The results of this surveillance bore out information furnished by source and further, based on contact with source, the New York Division has opened a new Potential Confidential Informant case in New York City and personally acquainted with numerous high ranking LCN members there. Since the dissemination of above information at the present time may compromise source this information should not be discussed outside the Bureau."
The story all began on February 16, 1965, when an FBI document was secretly prepared that contained some truly explosive data. Titled Interstate Transportation of Obscene Materials and marked for the attention of FBI Director Hoover and the FBI’s Laboratory, its author, an FBI agent whose name now languishes in obscurity thanks to the restrictions of the Freedom of Information Act, recorded some remarkable data:
"On 2/11/65, Source advised that on the previous date, 2/10/65, he, in company with [an unidentified individual] had…exhibited a motion picture which depicted deceased actress MARILYN MONROE committing a perverted act on an unknown male.
"According to Source, he claimed that former baseball star JOE DIMAGGIO in the past had offered him $25,000 for this film, it being the only one in existence, but that Source had refused the offer.
"The above is being furnished to the FBI Lab and the NYO [New York Office] for information purposes in the event reports are received from other divisions describing an obscene film which might be identical to above. It is noted that…on February 9, 1965, agents of the Albany and New York Divisions conducted a surveillance of him.
"The results of this surveillance bore out information furnished by source and further, based on contact with source, the New York Division has opened a new Potential Confidential Informant case in New York City and personally acquainted with numerous high ranking LCN members there. Since the dissemination of above information at the present time may compromise source this information should not be discussed outside the Bureau."
Monday, March 3, 2008
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Celebrity FBI Files at "The Naughty American"
The Naughty American is a website I regularly write for. You can find a new article from me at their website on Government files on the rich and the famous, including Marilyn Monroe, Jimi Hendrix, and Abbott & Costello. Here's the link.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Celebrities at the National Archives
This is a great resource tool: an on-line page at the website of the National Archives that lists various celebrities whose military service files are now available for public scrutiny. As you'll see, the list includes Jack Kerouac, Elvis Presley, Clark Gable, Henry Fonda and various other well-known names.
Friday, December 14, 2007
Mob Museum and the FBI
I'll bet this development will result in more than a few celebrity secrets of an official kind coming out into the open...
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