Category 8
Photographic Evidence, Motion Pictures & Videos

Case Directory
The Nicholas Mariana UFO Color Film
Great Falls, Montana

August 5 or 15, 1950




Francis Ridge:
The film was taken on August 5 or 15, 1950, by Nicolas Mariana, general manager of the Great Falls "Electrics"* baseball team. This film was listed as Top Secret and, although now declassified, is still considered an "unknown". Note that in government "releases" (National Archives, etc.) the distant objects in the frames almost don't  show up. However, even the TNT versions (as you will see later) show that the objects were clearly visible and oval-shaped, especially in the early footage. And the evidence strongly suggests that what Mariana has told us for a long time is true, much of the early footage was apparently removed by the Air Force.

NICAP Synopsis:
Nick Mariana, Great Falls, Montana. Obtained 16 mm color movies of two UFOs which appear as bright circular points of light. Footage of UFOs at closer range, confirming visual observation of discs with rotating rims, was reported missing from film when returned by Air Force. Remaining footage was contained in United Artists documentary movie "UFO" and compared to July 2, 1952, Trementon, Utah film showing similar images. Mr. Mariana used Daylight Kodachrome film in a Revere turret type camera and obtained 315 frames showing the UFOs. The film was examined by the Air Force and Navy, but no formal reports released. Report on Photogrammetric analysis by Dr. Robert M.L. Baker, Jr., Douglas Aircraft Corporation, on file at NICAP. Air Force explanation that UFOs were reflections off jet aircraft said to be "quite strained," and the analyst states no definite conclusion. However, UFOs could not be explained as any conventional objects.

Barry Greenwood:
I've been doing a lot of searching and digging in old newspapers and finally got into Montana papers. It is now a done deal that Mariana's baseball team was called the "Electrics," not "Selectrics." I think the mistake came one time when someone dragged a lazy "S" either verbally or in print and the "S" in Great Falls migrated to the Electrics.  "Great Falls Selectrics." See what I mean?

Source: UFO EVIDENCE, NICAP, 1964, Page 88

Those desiring excellent footage of this film should order the 1956 documentary,  "U.F.O." Please specify VHS or DVD. Send $23 (which includes shipping) to:

UFO Documentary
618 Davis Drive,
Mt. Vernon, IN  47620

Interrogation by Lt., Wing Operations and Training Office - BB Microfilm - Dan Wilson
The Original Story: Captain Edward J. Ruppelt
Great Falls (Montana) Movie - Kevin Randle
Two Analyses: Greene-Rouse & Robert L. Baker
Montana Film - James R Leming (MUJ 223,10)
Nov 27, 1957 Letter to Keyhoe from AF Press Desk
On The Question of Tampering With the 1950 Great Falls UFO Film - Barry Greenwood
The Montana Film - An Update From Newly Found Records - Wendy Connors & David Michael Hall
The Secret Utah and Montana UFO Films (NICAP You Tube site)

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