Appearing In Person: Philip Morris Shot in northern California's Bluff Creek National Park, the infamous October, 1967, Patterson-Gimlin film has long been considered by proponents as a cornerstone in Bigfoot evidence. In 2002, costume maker, Philip Morris, emerged publicly to claim he created and sold the film team a gorilla suit that eventually found its way into the film, making the event a complete hoax. At the Expo, Mr. Morris will discuss his interaction with the film team and the events leading to capturing one of the most controversial sequences in cryptozoological history. About Philip Morris :: Morris Costumes :: TV's Myths and Legends: Bigfoot - The Final Story Early in my show business career as a stage magician, and show producer, it became very apparent that there was a need for professional quality costumes. By 1960 my wife Amy and I, were producing four different weekly television programs, and two touring stage shows playing theatres throughout the United States and Canada. We were also staging elaborate production numbers for several large circuses. Out of necessity we opened another company, “Morris Costumes” in the basement of our home. Now some 50 years later, that venture has grown into one of the largest costume companies in the world. Our first emphasis was on making gorilla costumes, as we found a lucrative market for reasonably priced, high quality, monkey suits. Ready buyers included amusement parks, circuses, and even major motion picture companies. Our products were used in many films such as James Bond’s “Diamonds are forever”, etc. In addition, over the years, there was a great interest from some of the top touring magicians, including Harry Blackstone, Vince Carmen, and David Copperfield, to name just a few. In the 60’s there were 30 to 40 magicians, playing state and county fairs all over North America, performing a “Girl to Gorilla” illusion show. In that show, an attractive lady dressed in a skimpy costume, and in full view of the crowd, would slowly turn into a gorilla. The gorilla would then jump off the stage, and start chasing the audience from the theatre or tent. So our costume business was off to a good start. Once, while visiting a fair in the deep south, I came upon a sideshow attraction that I still remember, even to this day. A large colorful banner on the front of the sideshow was advertising that on stage, “a giant 285 pound man eating chicken”. Strange and unusual -- $1,000.00 Reward -- If not alive right before your eyes. Well I just had to see it! So, I bought a ticket, walked inside, and sure enough, there it was. As big as life, a rather large man, seated at a table covered in a red and white checked tablecloth, with a bucket of Colonel Sanders Chicken. It was a real “man, eating chicken.” Not only did I get a good laugh, but I was amazed that my fellow audience members were also laughing at the humor of having a hoax played on them. They could only be upset with themselves, as common knowledge should have told them that there was nothing like a “real 285 pound man eating chicken” anywhere on the face of this Earth. In 1967, Morris Costumes made and sold a gorilla suit to Roger Patterson and his partner, Bob Gimlin, which they used to film the great “Big Foot” hoax, of a creature walking through the Bluff Creek National Park in northern California. Then in 2005, National Geographic contracted with us to not only make another costume for them, but also to act as a technical advisor for their “Is It Real” TV program on Bigfoot. Now the TV-Land Network has just produced a new series called “TV’s Myths and Legends”. Included, is a one hour documentary that tells in detail, the complete story of how Patterson and Gimlin created the myth that became a legend, and fooled millions the world over. Be watching for the premiere showing on Wednesday, November 19th at 10:00PM Eastern and Pacific time.