Clarksburg author fueled America’s 1950s fascination with flying saucers

Published: July 13, 2008 01:29 am

By Tricia Fulks
Charleston Daily Mail

CLARKSBURG — The late Gray Barker inspired the “Men in Black” movie.

The popular author from Clarksburg wrote extensively about the Flatwoods Monster, Mothman and other weird subjects.

In one magazine article after another, Barker helped to fuel America’s fascination with flying saucers in the 1950s.

But that’s not all.

“I found that there was more to this guy than UFOs,” said Bob Wilkinson, a notable West Virginia filmmaker who’s now producing a documentary on Barker. “He’s a complex character.”............

Article here:

http://www.timeswv.com/westvirginia/local_story_195012946.html

April 8, 2009

Filmmaker explores the life of UFO writer Gray Barker

By Bill Lynch
Staff writer

Want to go?

'Shades Of Gray'

Documentary by Bob Wilkinson

WHEN: 7 p.m. Saturday

WHERE: South Charleston Museum, 311 D St.

TICKETS: $4

INFO: 304-744-9711

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Filmmaker Bob Wilkinson isn't out to convince anyone there are such things as UFOs. The arguments for and against are well worn. Rather, Wilkinson is interested in one of the early voices of the UFO community: Gray Barker.

Braxton County native and later Clarksburg resident Barker, who died in 1984, wrote extensively about alien encounters during the height of the UFO paranoia in the 1950s and '60s. Among other highlights of his life as a UFO writer, Barker introduced the idea of the "Men in Black," those reportedly government agents sent to harass or threaten UFO witnesses into silence.

Wilkinson will premiere his new documentary, "Shades Of Gray," at 7 p.m. Saturday at the South Charleston Museum.

Wilkinson doesn't say for sure whether he believes in UFOs. The 34-year-old shrugs when asked. Over the past three years, Wilkinson has heard lots of stories about flying saucers and men from outer space. He collected about 50 hours of video footage, and many of the people were fervent believers.

"It got pretty tough keeping them on task," he acknowledged, "but I wanted to keep this about Gray."

Wilkinson came upon the idea to look into Gray's life while reading Jeanne Mozier's book "Way Out in West Virginia." The book has a short write-up about Barker and mentions that his papers are kept at the Waldomore in Clarksburg, a historic house that's been converted into a culture and history repository.............

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Gray Barker movie reveals the man behind the men in black

By Scott Finn

April 10, 2009 · "Shades of Gray," a new documentary about the West Virginia man behind several UFO legends, premiers Saturday.

You've probably heard of the Men in Black the idea that the government has special agents who investigate UFOs and paranormal activities and find a way to silence people who know too much.

But you might not know that the idea behind the Men in Black originated in a book written by Braxton County native Gray Barker.

Now, filmmaker Bob Wilkinson has made a documentary about Gray Barker's life called Shades of Gray.

Wilkinson's movie is being premiered 7 p.m. Saturday at the old LaBelle Theatre in South Charleston.

We spoke with Wilkinson about the story behind the man who knew too much.

You can find out more information on the movie's Web site.

Audio, video & article here:

http://www.wvpubcast.org/newsarticle.aspx?id=9083