Hollywood: Mikel Conrad's saucer hoax
In August 1949, actor Mikel Conrad claimed his film 'The Flying Saucer' included real footage of a government-recovered spaceship from Alaska. He later admitted to authorities it was a publicity stunt.
Background
Background
In August 1949, Mikel Conrad, a well-known actor, producer, and director, exploited the popularity of flying saucer sightings to draw attention to his forthcoming film The Flying Saucer. He told journalists that the picture contained authentic footage of a spacecraft that US authorities had recovered in Alaska.
The Incident
Conrad even produced a purported FBI agent who confirmed the story. This took place amid growing media interest in UFOs following the first reports of 1947. The claim concerned alleged wreckage from the far north, which fuelled speculation about secret government operations.
Investigation and Disclosure
The Air Force Office of Special Investigations questioned Conrad, who quickly admitted to having staged a publicity hoax. No genuine footage was ever released, and the matter was dismissed as a deception.
Significance
The case marks one of the earliest documented hoaxes in the UFO field, and made plain the line between entertainment and credibility. It shaped scepticism toward Hollywood claims and has been recorded in UFO catalogues as a prime example of disinformation. Sources include newspaper reports and film historians.