The conversation covers mind control research under MK-Ultra, with Rux contending the program never truly ended. He examines films from "The Thing" to "Independence Day," identifying two competing government agendas: one faction seeking to educate the public about extraterrestrial contact, and another using fear of aliens to justify defense spending. Rux also shares his own encounter with apparent intelligence operatives who visited him after his book was published.
Callers weigh in with questions about the Oklahoma City bombing, presidential briefings on UFOs, and whether Art himself might be an unwitting participant in a larger information campaign. A Hollywood special effects professional calls to challenge the conspiracy angle, sparking a lively exchange about what truly drives the industry.
Key Moments
Roger Corman, AIP and William Joseph Bryan Jr.: Rux argues the Hollywood-intelligence link is verifiable through public resumes, citing Roger Corman's V12 Navy aviation-physics background and naming William Joseph Bryan Jr. - a CIA MK-Ultra figure and 'Manchurian Candidate' (1962) advisor - as a listed adviser on two American International Pictures features in the 1950s.
The Thing (1951) and Project Twinkle: Rux argues 'The Thing from Another World' (1951, Howard Hawks) is a virtual reproduction of the Roswell crash - skid mark, recovered occupant, electrocution finale - and that the film's plot embeds details of Project Twinkle (the AEC/FBI green-fireball investigation over New Mexico defense sites) that were not declassified for another five years.
Spielberg, NASA, and 'Close Encounters': Rux says Spielberg sent the 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind' script to NASA for cooperation; NASA replied with a 20-page letter that did not address accuracy but pleaded with him not to make the film - and that this is what made Spielberg a true believer.
Pentagon's 'Pentagram' newsletter hyped 'Fire in the Sky': Rux claims the Pentagon's internal newspaper, named 'Pentagram,' actively promoted the 1993 Travis Walton film 'Fire in the Sky' to its own personnel - citing it as evidence the defense establishment uses Hollywood to amplify a frightening alien narrative even when the film flatly contradicts the abductee's own testimony.
Carter's $20 million SETI/UFO budget matched 'Close Encounters' budget: Rux ties the Carter administration to Hollywood's 1977 UFO push: Carter publicly funded $20 million for UFO research, and 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind' - the first major UFO film of his presidency - had a $20 million budget. He cites Jenny Randles' UK House of Lords source confirming a Hollywood educational project of this kind.