Contacting Your Spirit Guides w/ Richard Martini

Talking to Bill Paxton on the Flipside - GAME NOT OVER MAN

NEW EDIT OF THIS FILM AT GAIA. 

"TALKING TO BILL PAXTON"

I created this film with three different mediums where we spoke directly to my old friend Bill on the flipside, and asked him about his journey.

"Game Not Over Man!"
From his role in Hatfields & McCoys

I was startled when he spoke clearly, directly and with great detail about what happened, how he crossed over, who was there to greet him when he got there. GAME NOT OVER MAN! (He didn't say that, I did - but it's funny nonetheless).




I posted the film at Gaia.com - but due to a mixing glitch, there was a music track that drowned out the dialog, generally made it impossible to hear.

I took out the music and remixed it so that audiences aren't distracted by the filmmaking, but can listen to the content.

It's a bit like capturing lightning in a bottle.  With Jennifer Shaffer, we get together weekly to discuss things with the flipside, and I record those conversations to transcribe them and put them in books ("Backstage Pass to the Flipside: Talking to the Afterlife with Jennifer Shaffer").  

In our discussions with Bill Paxton, he said that I should put the footage together into documentary form.  I happened to be interviewing another medium Kimberly Babcock, and during the course of our interview, his name popped into my mind, and I asked "What about my friend Bill?"

I had no intention of filming her talking to Bill - but I did have the camera on in a noisy restaurant.  

If I recreated that event - or even tried to - it would not be the same.  However, the third medium, Raylene Nunes I had interviewed for a chapter in an upcoming book about her journey to becoming a medium. So we met, but she knew nothing about Bill or my relationship with him when she did this interview with Dr. Medhus.

For those not aware, Dr. Medhus' son killed himself, then called her on her cellphone to say he was okay.  She was a skeptic - couldn't believe it - until a medium (Jamie Butler) called her to say "Your son is in my living room and won't leave until I call you." That started a long conversation of interviews between mother and son.  The interviews are all available for free on her site.




Raylene worked with Dr. Elise Medhus on her ChannelingErik.com site - and Dr. Medhus suggested I interview her. Her own personal story is amazing. But when Dr. Medhus reached out a year later and said "Is there anyone you'd like me to speak with?" I suggested Billy.  I supplied the questions, but she had her own as well.  Dr. Medhus didn't know Bill or his work - nor did Raylene. But Bill answered the SAME QUESTION with the SAME ANSWERS the other two mediums recorded.

All three mediums said the same things - how he passed, who was there to greet him, how we met in a pub in London and what movie he was working on when I met him. ("Aliens")  

I've shared the extended version of these interviews (warts and all) with his wife, but have edited it down to something that is just about our relationship.  How we met, why his career took off - despite our trying to make a film together - and what his journey on the flipside is like.

We have the unique window to "hear" his voice when he's talking through this medium. He talks about Jim Cameron, talks about "Titanic" and other events in his life.  For me - and it can only be for me - it's absolute proof that life goes on. Some will be put off by the sound - my apologies - the lightning - or other things that don't fit.  But like I say - trying to catch lightning in a bottle here.

Much better filmmaker than me. Obviously. He likes to remind me.

It just demonstrates why his career rocketed and mine was another path altogether. Perhaps to make this documentary with its wacky sound of a film.

So please, I encourage ALL OF YOU to check it out at Gaia.com -
https://www.gaia.com/video/backstage-pass-flipside-talking-bill-paxton 

Here's a new trailer for the film.  
 https://youtu.be/KTIeNaHjwcc

The film is FREE if you sign up for a month and cancel - but it's worth checking into.  And I don't mind angry comments - just don't tell me the sound is too difficult to hear - 

"If you can't hear what they're saying then you're trying not to hear what they're saying."

So please ignore the comments about the "bad sound" as they PREDATE the newer version.

Personally I feel complaints about me filming a medium in a restaurant are silly - because of the artificiality we have every day when we pretend that someone wearing a uniform, or a cassock or some other prop is "better suited" to speaking from the flipside.  

None of that is needed or required. I film inside a noisy restaurant because THE FOLKS ON THE FLIPSIDE LIKE IT.

They like the smells (that we smell) the food that passes under our noses, the people chatting, the music playing.  People think that doing interviews or "seances" in a darkened room with orbs or crystals and a Theremin playing - that's fine for them - but for me, I can't be bothered with it.

They're not gone. They're just not here.

So without further ado - here's the trailer to this film, and here's the link to it on Gaia. GO AND WATCH THIS FILM. It's free and it will free you as well.

An Afterlife Interview with Christopher Columbus

An interview with the one and only, none other than, Chris.

For those who are familiar with "Backstage Pass to the Flipside: Talking to the Afterlife with Jennifer Shaffer" they will recognize this format and technique.

I'm not claiming "this is Columbus" answering these questions, but I know it's not Jennifer Shaffer the intrepid medium answering them.  They're being answered by "someone" who claims to be "Columbus."

On the way to our weekly meeting, I looked out the window of my speeding car at the passing ocean, and thought "Gee, I wonder who I should ask to come forward today?" The name "Columbus" popped into my head.  I thought "Really? That guy? Okay, why not?"  In the ever repetetive attempt to demonstrate that "anyone who has ever lived on the planet is still accessible" I asked for our folks on the flipside to "bring him forward."

What follows is his "interview."  (In the upcoming "Backstage Pass to the Flipside Three: "Class is in Session.") There are historical details about Columbus I know - and am asking pointed questions with regard to that knowledge.  Luana Anders, our friend on the flipside, assists with "giving out the backstage pass" and "putting the interviewee in the chair." (As well as helping him/her to "translate" what we want communicated.)

(Note: If someone else asked him these same questions they might get different answeers. When a child asked a parent questions, the parent tailors the answer to the child, when a close friend asks questions, they may kid around and have fun with the answer, when a complete stranger (me) asks questions, the person may reply based on what they think I'm supposed to hear, or what the medium should hear.  However, Jennifer and I have been doing this for so long, we speak in a kind of "short hand" - where I know that the answer could be misinterpreted, or that I'm asking the wrong question based on my prior knowledge of the person involved - but the reason I do this kind of interview is that the overall affect, when one looks at the dozens we've done - there are constants in the material that appear when I interview people on the flipside via other mediums, or when a person is under deep hypnosis and reporting what they recall, or lately, when a person is not under hypnosis at all.)

OSU painting

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you - the explorer known as Christopher Columbus.

(Jennifer and I are mid session. We've just spent an hour chatting with someone else who was a historic icon (which will be in the book).  At this point, feeling that I've gotten what I've asked for, I ask:)

Anyone else? Luana? I did invite somebody else.

Did you invite someone on a boat?

Go with it.

Somebody at sea, almost like a cartoon. (Jennifer aside:) Who’s the guy who took all the animals?

Noah. Does he want to come forward? It’s not who I asked for, but Luana; you’re in charge.

No, something else with the sea, this person feels like a captain of the sea. Feels like 500 years ago.

Okay, that’s accurate. I asked for him – he’s a famous guy.

Columbus?

(Ding!) Yes. I want to ask him some specific questions.

(I said his name aloud prior to arrival. Sometimes it takes her a few tries, but in this case, obviously not. We had no plan to "speak to Columbus" ever - and I had not thought about it at all prior to his name popping into my head.)

He said “He had a bad rap.”

(Note: A rather colloquial comment from someone regarding their reputation.  But Jennifer speaks aloud whatever she hears.  We also have to remember, that he’s not dead – he’s been around all this time, has heard colloquial phrases since then and would be aware of them. “Bad rap” fits.)

There was a priest who kept a diary aboard your ship.

He said “They were getting killed.”

Okay, but you killed a lot of natives for gold; is that correct?

“Yes.”

Those diaries paint you as a nasty motherf&*er.

“Yes, in the British Virgin Isles.”

Let me ask this; were you Spanish? Italian?

It feels like both.  Both Spanish and Italian. His grandmother was from... (listens.) Genoa. But his father was Spanish.

Were you a pirate? Before you went to Queen Isabella or were you just a sailor?

“I was a survivor.”

Good answer. But were you a merchant sailor from Italy?

He says “I was a pirate.” He had a different name for it.

A black marketeer? Let’s put it this way you were someone who operated outside the law – black market?

(Note: There are reports that Columbus was a black market trader (pirate) who created a different persona to gain access to funds from the Queen of Spain. Documents show that he never wrote in Italian, and had no clear family ties to Italy, outside of the claim he was from Genoa. “In Italian he is known as Cristoforo Colombo, which was long thought to be his birth name, and in Spanish as Cristóbal Colón. ... There is even a theory that he adopted the name from a pirate named Colombo.” Brittanica.com)

“He was told that he could.”

You never wrote in Italian; did you speak Italian? Did you know how?

Something he did not like about Italians; I don’t know what it is.

Are you more Spanish than Italian?

"Spanish. Close to France."

Eastern or Western side? Isabella is from the west.

He was from the east.

You were pretending to be Italian to gain favor from the Queen, but you were Spaniards?

"His crew were Spaniards."

Did you pretend to be Italian to get money from Isabella?

“Yes. He was in love with her, it was romantic.”

Were they lovers? Or was it a crush?

There’s something with that...  “Too many clothes,” he said.

(Note: That’s an odd but accurate detail.  Furtive love, or the kind where people are intimate outside of the prying eyes of courts and courtiers – required a lot of clothing in those days.  Took hours to get dressed – not easy to get undressed.  Still, an odd thing to hear.)

Where were you trying to get to?

"India."

What were you trying to get? Were you after gold? Silver?

"Silk." He showed me like drapes.

(Note: “A bolt of silk was worth its weight in gold” according to a biography of Henry Hudson, where the author pointed out “Pirates had granted Portuguese vessels safe passage, but not other Europeans. So they began to look for an alternate route to India.” Henry Hudson: New World Voyager by Henry Butts. 2009. Dundurn Publishers. Pg 20.)

When you arrived, did you think you’d arrived in India?

“It didn’t make sense; it was too short of a trip.”

(Note: Interesting observation. We tend to think of two months at sea as a long time, apparently he was assuming it would have been a lot longer.)

How was he dressed on the journey? How does he appear to you?

He was big – a foot taller than most, he was wide, no beard... (Jennifer aside:) Where’d did he come across the Indians?

I think it was Hispaniola. Though that might have been the third trip.

(Note: He landed on San Salvador first, he had four trips to the Caribbean islands, never setting foot on North America. The third was to Hispaniola.)

It’s the third one.. (trip) with the Indians. He showed me an native chief; big, tall  - “Like a foot taller and he had on that huge headdress.”

Did you kidnap him; take him back to Europe or leave him alone?

“Children. He took his children.” (Jennifer aside:) Asshole...

The report I’ve read was that your men cut off people’s hands for their gold – correct me if i’m wrong.

He’s showing me everything was peaceful until they showed up.

You tortured people to find out where they got their gold. Because no one spoke the language.

"He used kids for that."

(Note: In the People’s History of the United States, Howard Zinn published a diary of a priest aboard the ships ((Bartolome de las Casas) who reported the wholesale slaughter and torture of these natives and their enslavement. His diary doesn’t include Columbus using natives to hurt other natives; but that’s what is being said.)

When you died who was there to greet you?

“His mother.”

The Italian mom?

“Yes.”

Was she from Genoa?

“No, a city on the southeast of Genoa... Genoa.”

What do you miss about being on the planet?

“The seas.”

What do you regret about your journey here? If anything?

He says "He regrets not understanding (their) language."

Or other humans?

(Jennifer nods.) I know.

The Mural of Columbus at Notre Dame that they've voted to cover.

Have you had a lifetime since then where you suffered?

(Jennifer listens) “I was a prisoner of war.”

What century was that in?

He showed me as a Japanese prisoner of war.

In World War II? Okay, that must have been difficult. Do you think it’s appropriate they have a holiday after you? Or should it be something else?

“Indigenous people day.”

Duly noted. Well, you’re a man of compassion now; I’d think you’d want the record corrected.

“Yes.”

Luana; I said his name, and Jennifer picked him out of the blue, I was looking at the ocean as I drove to your office.

(Jennifer aside:) And I saw a pirate at first.

Well, apparently he was one. Chris, anything you want us to tell people on your behalf?

“To be free.”  He just showed me chains, then Martin Luther King. “To protect the environment and don’t do the dumb stuff like raping and pillaging.”

Okay, raping and pillaging not so good. Do you want people to know you weren’t Italian?

“It doesn’t matter.” (Jennifer aside:)  The thing is I don’t know if his dad was his dad.

Well he does now. Let’s ask him. Your father was Spanish but nobody knew it. You were raised by your Italian mother?

It was like a half split. He spent his life mostly at sea... half the time on land... the rest of the time at sea. He was like “A son of the sea.”

Okay, very good; we find out that Critoforo Columbo is actually a Columbus..

He might be French. A quarter is what it feels like.

Not Basque?

Feels like half Basque. (Jennifer aside:) What is Basque?

It’s a culture on the border between Spain and France – no longer a country, but the language and people predate Spain.

He wanted to be part of that. I got Portugal in the beginning...

Well it’s close to Portugal. Your were Basque or considered yourself Basque?

“No. I’m a Spaniard.”

Okay, he’s a Spaniard. But his father was not from Spain. Was your father French?

That’s what I’m feeling – there must be something obviously... something with that.

When he presented himself to Queen Isabella, it was as an Italian?

“He lied about that; she wouldn’t have trusted him...”

Did you seduce her to give you a ship or just flirt with her?

“She seduced him.”

So you did have sex with her?

“That’s a little personal.”

Dude, it’s only been 400 years.

(Jennifer nods). I think he did.

Chris either you did or you didn’t – it’s not something that’s an if, and, or but – did you do the nasty with Queen Isabella?

Unusual portrait for the era. Queen Isabella 

He says “Yes.” And then “That’s enough.”

Okay, thanks everyone, thanks class, thanks Chris and thank you Luana.

An unusual chapter, I know.  Rewriting history.  But if I may observe, at the end of this roller coaster of history, from Joan of Arc, to Michael the Archangel, to Jesus, to Christopher Columbus... the point of this chapter is not to claim “We were talking to dead celebrities!”

Although that’s inherent in the reporting of anything from someone so very famous.  It’s to demonstrate that anyone can ask questions of someone who is no longer on the planet, and get answers.  The idea is to take the answers verbatim, then compare it to history, then to go back and ask more questions.

I would also offer that what people are telling Jennifer (who is telling me, or more specifically, my camera) is based on her abilities to decipher visuals, sounds or sensations.  When I ask the correct question – she often taps her nose as if to say “You got it” or “that’s correct.”  I know Jennifer pretty well, her story, her journey, from a variety or perspectives.

She’s not a historian, doesn’t pretend to be. She offers the first and most cogent information she’s “getting” from my questions, and sometimes I ask questions I’m not aware I’m asking until I transcribe the session.  So prior to this session, I had done some research into Columbus, not specifically for this meeting, but I had read the Howard Zinn “History of the United States.”  

As noted, the information from Christopher Columbus was relative to what I had heard about him from Howard Zinn’s “History” and the priest who recounted the horrors inflicted on the natives.  However, the priest was also recalling his journey through the perspective of a man of peace, and we don’t know that much about Christopher other than what’s been written about it.

To hear that he and Isabella may have had a liasion sounds fanciful – but again, Jennifer is only reporting. It’s not her desire to create something that didn’t occur – and perhaps that’s how Chris remembered it.  If we asked Isabella, she may recall it in a completely different fashion.  People recounting their story from the flipside isn’t that different than asking people about what they did 20 years ago.  They may misremember, conflate, mix up dates and stories – but in general, from their new perspective they’ve had time to go over what happened “back then.”

Jennifer Shaffer Medium/Intuitive

It's also why I asked if he'd suffered in another lifetime as he had made people suffer - and according to this account; he claims he did. (Jennifer's not making up that she saw him as a Japanese prisoner of war.)  Jennifer and I are at a stage in our conversations that she allows a visual to come forward and reports what she sees without judging it. According to previous sessions, people on the flipside can't "lie" or "make up" stories - as they won't come through. However, any medium will admit that they may mistranslate or get a message wrong.  In this case, pretty specific answer to my pointed question.

It’s as mind bending to me typing up this chapter as it is for anyone to read it. I apologize for the bending of minds, but again, I’m just the reporter here.  Perhaps in 20 years, someone will come along with another method of accessing the holographic memories of events, or in 100 years, we’ll be able to access these events without mediums.  We’ll see, won’t we?

(Excerpt from "Backstage Pass to the Flipside: Talking to the Flipside with Jennifer Shaffer "Class is in Session" by Richard Martini. Copyright 2019 All Rights Reserved).

Talking about 11:11 and how to cure CTE

I gave this talk at the Laguna Woods "Life After Life" group a couple of Saturdays ago.  I asked at some point "How many are familiar with my work?" and then tailored my talk to that response.

I never know what I'm going to talk about until I show up at these events.  That sounds whimsical or perhaps lazy - but I try to tailor whatever it is I'm talking about to the people in front of me.  When you hear me start to modulate my voice - SPEAKING LOUDER it's because of the folks asleep in the audience.

Doesn't change the content of what it is I'm saying.  I was surprised to click on their webpage and see that 40K folks have already watched this.

So I'm posting it again for whomever may run across this page.

The references within are to the books "Flipside" "It's a Wonderful Afterlife" "Hacking the Afterlife" and "Backstage Pass to the Flipside: Talking to the Afterlife with Jennifer Shaffer."  (see panel to the right for LINKS)

I'm citing "deep hypnosis sessions" with Scott De Tamble (lightbetweenlives.com) and interviews via medium Jennifer Shaffer (JenniferShaffer.com). 

By the way, during the talk, I mention how Dr. Eben Alexander was guided around his near death experience by his sister who "died before he was born."  I've been told since that his sister (whom he never met) died "a month before his birth family reached out to him."  

So he did not know her, could not have known her, but when he met her during his near death event, felt "as if he had known her forever." 

Also in my telling the story of how Junior Seau and Dave Duerson had shown up to greet Paul Allen on the flipside, I mention how they were trying to show Jennifer someone they wanted to applaud for his work with brain trauma; CTE. And that was Joe Namath.

Joe has reportedly cured CTE - and Jennifer and I were not aware of it - but they are aware of it on the flipside, and during the course of three interviews, kept repeating a quarterback named "Joe" that Jennifer should mention or reach out to.  I finally did some research looking up "living quarterbacks" and "CTE" (as opposed to those suspected of dying from it) and discovered this information.

That Joe Namath has shown how to cure CTE using hyperbaric oxygen treatment. (It's used for PTSD, shock and other things, but no one had done it for CTE before Joe's clinic in Jupiter Florida.)

As I recount this story, I mention how they were showing her a number of quarterbacks to try to get her to recognize a photo of Joe Namath they were "showing her."  She saw "Joe Montana" (and remarked, "I know he's still alive") and then showed her a photo of Fran Tarkenton (who also is still alive.)  I looked up Fran's name with reference to CTE and he has spoken out forcefully about his opinions on the topic, but is NOT suffering from it. So apologies to Fran's family and friends for making that comment - it was in error.

But this is an unusual talk - and I only know that because I watched it again.  As you can imagine, when you don't plan what you're going to say until you arrive at the venue, you tend to forget whatever it was that you were going to talk about.





Finally - some folks point out that I mention that I was going to talk about a "technique for connecting with loved ones on the flipside."  I didn't mean to leave that out - it's simply that I was going to say this; it came during a session with Jennifer Shaffer as reported in "Backstage Pass."  

Someone on the flipside told us 1. say the name of your loved one. 2. ask them questions. 3. when you hear a reply before you can ask the question you'll know you've made a connect.

Simple. That's it.  I heard from a guy last week, scientist in England who did that - he pictured his mother in front of him, imagined she was holding his hand. He waited about ten minutes and then asked "who was there to greet you when you crossed over?" and heard a name" 

"Hugh Nessel."  

He had no idea who that might be, so he wrote his sister, the keeper of family stories, and she wrote him back and said "That was her grandfather, you're great grandfather, why?"

As the scientist wrote me - "this technique has shaken me to my core."  It was new information - he didn't know it, but someone long gone, no longer on the planet, reported that simple detail and he discovered who that was.

In the longer version of this, I tell people to 
1. Say the name of the loved one aloud. 
2. take out a photograph and focus on when it was taken, what it felt like, who was there, the sound of their voice. (accessing a packet of time). 
3. Ask simple yes or no questions at first - how are you, are you here, etc until you begin to "hear" or see a "nod," "Shake of the head" or a shrug. (Or no answer).  Keep going until you get a reply. 

Then ask more complicate questions but ones only they know the answer to "Who was there to greet you?" "What do you miss about being on the planet if anything?" "Who are you hanging out with?" "What do you want to tell your friends or relatives?"  

"When you hear (or see/sense) an answer before you can form the question you'll know you've made a connection." Got it?

My two cents.

The Hug Heard Around the World

Today my wife was telling me that she reached out to that judge in Texas who hugged the brother of the murdered victim in Dallas.

Honorable Judge Tammy Kemp

She saw that people were "going after her" for "hugging the brother of the victim" because law strictly prohibits it.  Further, they went after her for "giving a bible" to the police officer found guilty of the crime.  Apparently the atheists of America are suing the judge.



Hang on a cotton picking minute.  (Even that term is rife with prejudice.)  

People acting like humans being castigated for acting like humans.

From what I understand, the brother asked twice to hug the police woman who killed his brother (by accident.)  The first time she didn't respond, and the second time she allowed it.  So it's not unprecedented in the annals of justice to allow a victim's kin to address the perpetrator - but in this case a police woman.

She allowed the hug.

Then the police officer was crying and the Judge said to her, "I hope you can learn from this, find the way to understand how this happened." And reportedly the police officer said "But I don't have a bible, I have nothing to take with me. Do you have one you could give me?" And the Judge went to look for the Bible - not because she wanted her to read it - because the police officer asked for it.

Hug heard around the world

The camera captures moments in time - and if the camera wasn't allowed in the courtroom, we never would have known about this - or it would not have had the impact.  But it did - and the two moments captured are the brother hugging the police officer, and then the Judge hugging the police officer.

Moments of shared humanity captured by a camera.  If the police officer had asked for a copy of the Qur'an it would have been news; but take up the request for reading material with the officer who asked for it.

If you want to thank Judge Tammy Kemp, here's her contact info:

But I'm writing to show how these are moments that have a deeper meaning.

Today, a skeptic was castigating me online for my research into consciousness, saying "There is no physical evidence that consciousness exists outside the brain." 

I replied (there is) "Interesting research done by Mario Beauregard PhD ("Brain Wars") using MRI while subject is in a consciousness altered state. (Carmelite nuns having an epiphany, people under hypnosis examining an NDE or past life memory.)
As noted in "Its a Wonderful Afterlife", he found the locations in the brain normally functioning, giving signals were not operating at all during these events. So someone seeing a memory, accessing visions of other worlds registered the opposite during MRI. No activity associated with senses.

By demonstrating no activity during dramatic recall he showed the brain is not creating these events. Further i suggest looking for new information during a consciousness altered event.

If a person learns new information during an NDE, OBE, LSD, under hypnosis- that cant be ascribed to cryptomnesia- then it indicates the information is coming from outside the brain.

There are many things we've yet to measure; dogs smell cancer, bees see UV light, trees communicate through roots. There are frequencies we've yet to understand. The latest research (see Dr Greyson's "Is Consciousness Produced by the Brain?" On YouTube) indicates the brain has filters that prevent our accessing these frequencies. (He cites medical cases where Alzheimer's patients recover just prior to passing)

It appears the brain functions like a receiver. In the 50 cases I've filmed of people under deep hypnosis (and recently without any hypnosis) recalling forensically provable previous lifetimes, encountering new information on the flipside that can't be cryptomnesia, comparing those reports to the 2000 cases of Dr. Helen Wambach and 7000 of Michael Newton, it appears that consciousness functions in a way we have yet to comprehend.

These people claim consistently that we bring "about a third of our conscious energy to a life" and two thirds is always back "home" (their term for afterlife). People who lose or alter the filters on their brain via some consciousness altered event gain acess to the natural state of things.

If they "recover" they return to the illusion of our shared reality. My two cents.


To which the skeptic replied:

"It appears the brain functions like a receiver...".....how is a physical brain able to 'receive' whatever it is.....while scientific apparatus cannot detect whatever is being 'received' ?

My reply:

"Ask Dr. Greyson. He's the scientist at UVA who brought it to my attention. 100 years ago people were worried about electricity moving through walls. A scientist detected a pulsar's signal and the planet had a panic about messages from outer space.
If you view humans through energy detection its not the brain that appears as the heat source - it's the heart. The frequencies of the heart throw more energy than the brain.

Lets put it this way; I don't think you are asking a question. If you really wanted to understand consciousness or how consciousness functions; it's as simple as asking "does love exist?"

There are no instruments that can measure love. We have no scientific explanation for its existence. Can't measure it, detect it, quantify it. No definition of it exists.

But we know it exists. (And I would suggest that it is literally consciousness.) 

Just because there's no mechanism to detect love doesn't mean it doesn't exist. 

It's what makes the world go round after all.

Or what allows a Judge in Dallas to allow a fellow human's request to hug a person who desperately needed one.

And finally here's a recent video that explains in detail what I've been talking about. Enjoy.

Easy Riders on the Flipside

EASY RIDERS ON THE FLIPSIDE

Luana Anders and Peter Fonda meeting up

In the continuing research into the flipside, Jennifer Shaffer and I meet up weekly to discuss the latest news from our pals on the flipside.  

In this case, I decided to see if it was possible to interview Peter Fonda.  For those of you who don't know Peter, this interview gives some intimate details about him.

Jennifer and I have been doing this for some years now, meeting weekly to see who comes forward. My questions are in Italics, and Jennifer's answers are in bold. This is an excerpt from the upcoming book; "Backstage Pass to the Flipside (Part three) "Class is in Session." (tentative title)

I will be talking about this new book on COAST TO COAST WITH GEORGE NOORY this Friday night.  Tune in if you want to hear the latest updates on the flipside.

Book one: Backstage Pass

https://www.amazon.com/Backstage-Pass-Flipside-Book-One-ebook/dp/B07FR38DQB

Jennifer Shaffer

Luana Anders is an actress with over 30 films and 300 TV shows to her credit.  She and I met at USC film school in the 70's, and spent the next 20 years together.  After leaving the planet in 1996, she started appearing in my dreams; visually, audibly, and at a younger age.  I began to wonder how it could be that she was still in contact with me, which began my journey into the flipside.

As recounted in the book and film "Flipside" - Luana guided me in a number of ways, to meet people who were well versed in "how to communicate with the flipside."  I began my journey with the work of Michael Newton, a hypnotherapist in Los Angeles who catalogued his 7000 cases where people under deep hypnosis were able to see, hear, experience a number of things, including previous lifetimes, and the between lives realm.  That book "Flipside" became a best seller after my first appearance on "Coast to Coast." (Followed by best sellers (kindle in their genre) "It's a Wonderful Afterlife," "Hacking the Afterlife" and "Backstage Pass to the Flipside.")

It also brought me to the attention of medium Jennifer Shaffer, who works with law enforcement nationwide on missing person cases.  About four years ago, I began filming our conversations with folks on the flipside. 

We interviewed people that I knew, or Luana knew, who were no longer on the planet.  Luana facilitated those conversations - she helping her friends to "communicate" with us (via Jennifer) and Jennifer helping to translate what she was seeing/sensing/hearing into answers.  Sometimes she wouldn't know what the image or reference meant, and I would do the forensic research to tie the strings together. (It's always a bit startling when someone says "look up Erik Estrada" and I actually find a link to them.) 

We often learn "new information" from people on the flipside (as detailed in "Hacking the Afterlife") and in the case of "Backstage Pass to the Flipside" the title itself was suggested by none other than Tom Petty (Happy Birthday Tom) who said "Luana is like the person at the back door with the backstage passes. She hands them out to us so we can communicate with you."  Hence the title of the book.

Backstage Pass Two

Like anyone, I take whatever I hear, see, gather with an idea of "Wow, that's wild. I wonder if that's true?" and then piece it together. In this fashion, I reached out to Aretha Franklin's niece at her insistence (she said her niece was handling her estate, and it turned out she was. She said her niece would find her hand written will, and it turned out she did.) These interviews (starting with Aretha) will be part of an upcoming book, "Part Three" of this series, tentatively titled "Class is in Session." I interview numerous people - not all celebrities - but sometimes religious figures, icons from the past, sometimes friends of friends, sometimes close friend's parents who are no longer on the planet.

I've found that not everyone is open to this research - which is understandable. After all, we've seen our loved ones die in our arms, we've grieved for them, and we've put them into the rolodex of our memory.  My suggesting that they can "still talk to us" or that they're accessible brings up old wounds, and a fear that we're being "observed" when we don't want to be.  All I can say is - sorry.  It's not my fault that they show up in our sessions, ask me to pass along information to their loved ones. As Jennifer's father suggested to us from the flipside; "tell people to move grief to nostalgia.  Grief has only sad memories; nostalgia has both sad and happy memories. When you move grief to nostalgia you begin the healing process."

I find it interesting when their loved ones are skeptical, doubtful, even upset at hearing that their loved one reached out to me through Jennifer.  Why wouldn't they just reach out to them directly? 

Well, it appears to be a frequency issue. They can't just speak, or talk to their loved ones - without practice, without the loved ones opening themselves up to the possibility of communication.  So out of frustration, I guess, they show up on our doorstep. And what they impart to us is not what they would impart to their loved ones - they "consider the source" when passing information. They know (and warn us) how skeptical their loved ones are - but that doesn't stop me from passing along what I hear.

Luana in a still from the film "The Trip" a film that brought
Dennis, Peter and Luana together with Luana playing a trippy waitress

In this case, I asked this person to show up - and as we'll see, Jennifer wasn't aware of who he was, and did not recognize him straight away.  (Which demonstrates that I haven't prepped her in advance in any way shape or form.)

Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper in Cannes with Easy Rider

This was filmed on 9-27, and the next day, I discovered that Easy Rider was playing at my local cinema, the Aero.  A 4K print that is pristine, that really highlights Lazlo Kovacs amazing work, Dennis Hopper's realistic direction and acting as "Billy" and Peter Fonda's laconic yet profound performance as "Captain America."  

After the screening, I met three young folks who had never seen the film. (Tucker!) I asked their opinion:  "It's so timely, it really speaks to what's going on in the country now."  For those who haven't seen "Easy Rider" in awhile, it's about prejudice, it's about judging people for the way they look, it's about realizing that we talk about freedom in a way that we think is settled law - and that it isn't on many levels.  With the rise of fascism in the country, or misplaced xenophobia, the film speaks directly to those issues in a way that is startling.

If you haven't seen it - see it.  If you have seen it - see it again.

In light of this interview - people who know me know that I just keep filming whatever pops into my mind, and that Jennifer is kind enough, and generous enough to offer her services as a cellphone to the flipside.  In this case, Luana Anders (who is in Easy Rider) is the person who says that this interview is a "9 out of 10" with regard to this research.

That won't be apparent at first - because Jennifer did not know who Peter was, was not familiar with his work or career, never saw Easy Rider, was not familiar with his father's work either.  I took that opportunity - knowing that she did not know who we were speaking with - to demonstrate how one can learn "new information" during an interview with someone on the flipside.

In particular, Peter had a "near death experience" when he was 11, something that wasn't called it back then.  What Jennifer didn't know, was that his mother committed suicide when he was ten, and no one told him that until he was 15. But when he was 11, he accidentally shot himself - and in this interview reveals (for the first time ever anywhere) what he saw during that near death event.

I also asked his mother to come forward, briefly, to also demonstrate that our loved ones don't die - we don't die - we just move into "another room" or "another form of reality."  In this case, Peter mentions the same "construct" that Harry Dean Stanton shared with us (in "Backstage Pass to the Flipside" and in posts previously on this page that point to his proving that he still exists.)

Harry Dean Stanton and friend

Harry makes a surprise appearance in this interview as well - I didn't know he did a film with Peter, but Peter references him.  So - in honor of the 50th anniversary of "Easy Rider" I bring you an interview with Peter, Dennis, Luana and others:

Flipside Explorers Club

Rich: Hi Jennifer.

Jennifer: Hello.

I did have a couple of people I wanted to talk to and Luana, I don’t how important they are to talk to. I’ll leave it up to you.

She says “They’re a 9 out of 10 for whatever research you’re doing.”

(Note: Jennifer doesn’t know who I’ve invited, but in terms of how Luana views this next guest; he’s a “9 out of 10.”)

Let’s start with the 9. This is someone Luana worked with and knew.

And is related to Jack Nicholson.

Yes. (ding!) This is someone who recently moved to the flipside.

And is also friends with our class member from “Big Love.”

Harry Dean Stanton? Okay, I didn’t know that. I was quoting Harry yesterday.

Harry Dean (back right) along with costars Jack Nicholson, Randy Quaid, Freddie Forrest
Luana appeared in films or TV shows with all of them

(Note: Six Degrees of Luana. The writer of “The Missouri Breaks” (starring Marlon Brando, where Harry Dean and Luana had roles) Thomas McGuane wrote and directed a film with Peter and Harry called “92 Degrees in the Shade.” Harry Dean, at the funeral of his close friend Warren Oates, “told an anecdote of his comrade’s encouragement when a mutual scene from Peter Fonda’s “92 degrees in the Shade” was near the brink of collapse.” (Medium.com) Peter Fonda, whom Jennifer has no clue who I’m talking about, is telling us from the flipside that he and Harry Dean were friends.)

Harry showed me a flower.

Okay there is something that Luana and Jack were involved in that this person I am calling forward was part of. Does he want to come and speak with us?

“He doesn’t know how. He didn’t know how to communicate when he was here.”

Well, Luana can help him. Is he ready to talk to us?

I saw Anthony Bourdain.

(Note: When Anthony died, Peter was filmed (YouTube) saying “I was so sorry to hear that. I really liked him. It’s so sad.” I don’t know if they met, or he was just a fan, but now they can chat.  The topic of suicide comes up in a few minutes.)

Then I saw the karate guy – from Kung Fu.

David Carradine. Indeed, he looked a bit like him. Let’s put him in the chair. Can we bring him forward? 

She’s showing me that room where everyone met each other?

Jack Nicholson with his former acting teacher Jeff Corey

(Note: Jennifer is referring to Jeff Corey's “classroom” where Luana met Jack Nicholson, Sally Kellerman, Roger Corman and other close friends – all actors who worked for Roger in films.  Peter’s career began as Jack and Luana’s did – working in Roger Corman movies.)

Her acting class. Yes, he was there around that time. He’s in a movie with Luana.  Luana, show her what this guest did in this movie.

I saw him driving... (or)... on a motorcycle?

Focus on that motorcycle if you can. What color is it? You guys, show her the motorcycle from the movie.

I’m seeing white... which doesn’t make any sense.

And some red and blue – I can’t believe you don’t know this movie but it demonstrates how I’ve not spoken to or helped you in any way. Luana appeared in a movie with Dennis...

Hopper.

Correct. The guy in our interview chair passed over a few weeks ago.  You never saw their movie?

I’m sorry. Is it called “Freedom” or something about freedom?

Close. “Easy Rider.” 

Never saw it.

Well, it is a film about freedom. That’s fine – you don’t know who starred in Easy Rider, do you? His name is Peter Fonda.

(Note: Indeed, having seen the latest 4K print after this interview, there’s a speech at the end that Jack Nicholson gives Dennis saying “They don’t fear your hair. They fear what you represent; freedom.” )

Is that Jane Fonda’s dad?

Ask him. Peter, what’s your relation to Jane?

Brother and sister. (Jennifer frowns)

Don’t be disappointed; it just shows you have not been prepped.

Sorry. I would not have known.

Luana is this the 9 out of ten person?

“Yes.” (Jennifer aside:) Did he have throat cancer? I felt his throat.

Could have been...possibly.

(Note: Yes, the throat area; Peter died of lung cancer.)

“It went through his whole body,” he says.

So Peter, that reply shows that you can converse with us. Tell me, how does he appear to you?  

They’re saying “She didn’t (even) know who she was talking to!” That’s what they’re saying.  I kept seeing James Dean, but I didn’t think that he might represent the motorcyle. He (Peter) has this wavy hair, and looks.. well, you already described David Carradine.

A tall thin guy. Let’s invite Dennis to join us as well.

They’re all there.

Peter, who was there to greet you when you crossed over?

“His mother.”

Peter with family, with his wife, Peter’s mom; Frances Seymour Brokaw. She reportedly was bi-polar, and when hearing they were going to divorce, took her own life. Reportedly, Peter wasn’t told what happened for five years after the event.

She’s short, like tiny – I saw Jane’s face in hers, something somewhere in her looks -  felt like she died 30 years ago or something. Felt like she had something wrong with her brain... her heart... I saw pills. 

(Note: His mother, Frances Brokaw was petite compared to husband Henry. She died in 1950, so if the comment "she died 30 years ago" is enough to stop a person from reading on, as I'm fond of saying, "Now's the time to get off this bus."  Jennifer is reporting - and her feeling was that it was "30 years ago" when it was 70. People on the flipside give images that represent events, like “pills” for “suicide.” I don’t know if she was taking pills for her condition, but it’s been widely reported she was manic depressive or bi-polar which may have led to her suicide.)

What was that like to see your mother again?

He says “Bliss... and questions.” He had so many questions, a script of unanswered (ones).. a list of questions; she left too early." She said to him “It was going to be okay,” and then his dogs came to him (on the flipside.)

Peter, have you had a chance to see your father?

“Yeah, but he was in the back.”

(Note: “Staying back” is often reported when people aren’t sure what the reception to seeing them will be like. Again, Jennifer has no idea who his father is.)

Is he able to converse with you or is he still working out his journey?

He says “They missed levels.” I don’t know what the levels are.

(Note: In this context, it may be that something prevented them from greeting each other at first.)

So he’s not conversing?

“He’s in a different place (mentally), trying to think about how to come back.”

(Note: This is in the "flipside" research as well, people under deep hypnosis talking about the process of planning their return, gearing up so to speak, to make that return.)

Peter, your mom was there to greet you, but she left the planet in a startling way – did you talk about that with her? Did she explain why that happened?

Was there a sudden impact to her chest, like a force?

(Note: Having done a number of these with Jennifer,  I've heard from her before that "sudden impact" may refer to as a “sudden or unexpected passing” – like it wasn’t expected or planned. She may be seeing the gunshot that Peter speaks of in a few minutes. But in the case of his mother, Frances, it was a few days after hearing of her impending divorce that she committed suicide.)

Well, in a way. But Peter, she was the first person to greet you – have you since conversed with your dad?

“Yeah.”

After your mom passed away, you had an incident that happened when you were 10 or 11 years old.

(Jennifer, after a pause) He saw her.

What happened to you that you saw her?

He showed me being angry and couldn’t breathe.

It’s been reported there was an accident, but I don’t know if it was puproseful or not.

He’s saying “He had a near death experience.” (Jennifer aside:) Did he have a near death experience?

Do you want to show Jennifer what happened?

“It was a gun.”

That’s correct. (Ding!) Was that an accident or on purpose?

He says “He was out of his mind, it was both – the safety wasn’t on.”

So it was an accident that you shot yourself?

He’s showing me the bullet went straight through him... (gestures to her body).

But then you saw your mom?

“Yes. He shows me crying and just loving her and understanding everything she went through all the sadness she went through.”

And then you came back?

He says “He felt like he was ten years older after that.”

(Note: From a biography of Peter: “Peter... played Captain America in... Easy Rider (and gained an Oscar nomination) for Ulee’s Gold (1997). In his 1998 memoir, Don’t Tell Dad, he chronicled his difficult, distant relationship with his famous father. Describing Henry’s role in John Ford’s Fort Apache (1948) as “an unsmiling, bitter, strict hard-ass...” when asked about his father, he'd say "Have you seen the film?" Born in New York, he and Jane were sent to live with an aunt and uncle in Nebraska following the suicide of their mother, Frances Ford Seymour, in 1950, when Peter was 10. On his 11th birthday, he accidentally shot himself in the stomach and nearly died. Years later, he told John Lennon, during an LSD session, that “I know what it’s like to be dead”, a phrase which ended up becoming part of the lyrics for the Beatles’ song She Said, She Said. https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/aug/17/peter-fonda-obituary)

Someone in our class you’ve spoken to – you reportedly said to him “I know what it’s like to be dead.”

Is that Dennis?

No, it’s a musician in our class that we’ve interviewed.

I’m going through my mental rolodex of whom we’ve talked to, I’m seeing Tom Petty, Prince... Jimi Hendrix.

No. I’ll just tell you. When they talk about Peter’s life, they include this anecdote; John Lennon had dropped LSD, and Peter was whispering in his ear “I know what it’s like to be dead.” It creeped John out, but he put it in a song “She said, She said.”  However, what Peter is reporting was that he was telling him something accurate – he had a near death event, and actually “knew what it was like to be dead” because he had an NDE and saw his mother?

Correct.

Peter now you can see what we’re doing. I have more questions for you; what was it like to see Luana on the flipside and where did you see her?

They were backstage for that concert – do you remember the car ride to that concert we spoke of?

(Note: She’s referring to the Harry Dean Stanton story of how Luana had built upon the memory of their trip to the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967.  Harry reported to Jennifer the details of the trip (which I was able to forensically verify,who was driving the car, who they saw the first night, etc).  Harry referred to that experience – he was an atheist who thought there was no afterlife, or that people “fell into a happy dream” – and thought that was the case.  He said “Luana gave me a soft landing.”  This is the about the sixth time we’ve heard of someone “walking into a concert event” when they appeared on the flipside.  Often it’s on stage, in this case, it’s backstage.)

But this time he was already backstage with her at the concert – some type of concert.

Let’s ask; was it the Monterey Pop concert?

They’re saying “Yeah.”

Well, why not? Once you can construct or create a CGI of the Monterey Pop festival why not use it again to bring in other friends? So Peter, at some point after you stepped into the flipside, you found yourself backstage at Monterey Pop festival?

“Yeah.  It was like...in a grassy area. I saw (Luana) blowing bubbles.”

Besides Luana, who did you see?

“Robert Kennedy.” I don’t know why he showed me him.

Well, it was 1967; he might have been there. Were you a fan of his?

Record Producer Lou Adler and Mama's and Papa's John Phillips
arriving for the Monterey Pop Festival.

Peter says “He disliked the war...” -- Something about how “He hated the war,” but Peter says "He didn’t trust the government at all."

When you see Luana, she’s blowing bubbles; what’s she wearing?

“Like a 60’s dress, with a headband, hair down, playing a tambourine.”

You recognized her as Luana, correct?

Backstage at Monterey Pop

“Yeah, but it felt like it was that moment in time – that it existed then.” He says “He knew it wasn’t a memory though.”

How did you know it wasn’t a memory?

“Because of the landscape, it wasn’t tangible.” He showed me that scene (in the film) "Twilight," when they go out in the sun...

An unusual landscape?

“He thought he was on the best acid trip of his life.”

Who did you see at the festival?

“Jimi Hendrix.”

Brian Jones, Jimi Hendrix Monterey Pop

(Note: In our interview with Harry Dean Stanton, he mentioned that they saw Jimi Hendrix at the festival. When I contacted Fred Roos, the Oscar winning film producer who drove with Luana and Harry Dean to the festival, I asked him what acts they saw, and he said the same; "Jimi Hendrix.")

When did you see Dennis?

“A little later, he was coming back, towards the back of a stage... to the side, looked like Dennis was there controlling things on the stage – something backstage.”

Dennis Hopper and Brian Jones, Monterey Pop Festival

(Note: Dennis was there with Rolling Stone’s founding member Brian Jones. From “Michael Bloomfield: If you Love these blues” (Backbeat Publishing 2000 by Jan Mark Wolkin) “Our first job was the movie score for “the Trip.” We went to LA to record it, that’s where we met Dennis Hopper and Peter Fonda. they were always in the studio with us, and Jack Nicholson was involved in that. Then, after the film score, we played the Monterey Pop Festival. (as “Electric Flag”))

How was that reunion?

“Quick.”

(Note: She said “Quick” before I could finish the question.)

“When he walked away, that’s when I realized more what was going on... seeing Dennis, that was the defining moment when he knew he was on the flipside.”

Peter, I know your daughter – can you put that in Jennifer’s mind? Bridget Fonda; she worked with Bill Paxton.

Bridget Fonda in a still from the film I
wrote and directed"You Can't Hurry Love" (Vestron)

“Yes. He says “He goes and sees her in her dreams. Two days after he passed she had like a full apparition, like she saw him.”

Anything you want to tell her?

Something to do with paperwork, “Dot your i’s cross your t’s” – almost feels like property issues. He wants to say “Dot your i’s and cross your t’s.” Tell her “Everything’s going to be okay.” He says "She remembers the dream, but she’s discounting it. He wants her to know that he was there in that dream state with her."

Were you friendly with Bridget’s husband?

He says “Of course; anyone that can handle Bridget...” He’s very funny.

She’s married to Danny Elfman, the composer.

(Jennifer aside: From “Oingo Boingo?”)

Composer Elfman: IMDB

Yes, and many film scores. So Peter, were you close to Danny?

He says “Of course he is...” (A pause) (Jennifer aside:) something about his shoes... something about him “Doing what he wants to do and not what others want him to do.” Like “get bigger shoes” as a metaphor.

Like “Don’t let others define you?”

“Yes.”

Because he wants to compose bigger scores or do something else?

“Like something else completely – and he should.”

What about Bridget? How is she doing?

"Her children are older now... but... She’s really busy with her family."

She’s kind of retired from acting, but I did put her in her first speaking role in a film.

He’s saying “You gave her the confidence.”

I don’t know about that.. but Luana was in it too – isn’t that odd Peter? What’s odd is that it never came up – never discussed. Luana was hilarious in “You Can’t Hurry Love” and Bridget was a bit nervous at first.

He says “Luana helped her.”

Well, maybe he means her career. Luana showed the film to her pal Francis Coppola, and he cast her in Godfather Three.

Is she the one with blue eyes?

Bridget circa Godfather 3

Yes, terrific actor, did a film with Bill Paxton, who called me and said “I finally got to work with Bridget.” Bill was going to star in “You Can’t Hurry Love” with Bridget and Luana – but enough about me – Peter back to you, what do you miss about being on the planet if anything?

He says, “The food.”

(Note: It's a common refrain. People claim to be able recreate many things on the flipside as a mental construct - from playing golf to riding horses, but it's harder to construct the actual taste of things, or tangible things like touch.)

Anything you want me to tell your sister Jane?

Jennifer laughs. He says “Tell her it’s not scary up here.”

What’s that mean?

“That it’s not scary up there! She’s afraid of death.”

She thinks it’s all going to end? Well let’s bring your mom here for a second... I forget her first name.. (Frances). Let’s ask her a question; mom what do you want to say to your daughter Jane?

“Take your time; there’s no rush.”

(Note: There's an iconic scene in "Easy Rider" shot in the cemetery in New Orleans, where everyone was improvising an acid trip. In Peter's scene, he holds onto a statue and refers to it as his mother, telling her he hated her for "leaving so soon." She's with him on the flipside, so I wanted her to come forward and remind us of that fact.)

Peter?

He says “Time doesn’t exist up there.”

Peter, do you remember your last moments on the planet? Was Jane with you?

“Yeah.” He said, “He looked up and said he saw their mom.” He says “At first I was nervous... and then she just... he saw these beautiful lights.”

Were you smiling?

He was, but at first he was terrified.

What were your last words here, first words on the flipside?

I’m not getting the right interpretation, but something like “I’ll see you soon... at lunch.” Something like that.

Meaning?

Like “There’s not going to be any time between the next time I see you.”

Okay, it'll feel like a few minutes later when they see each other again - like "lunch." Anything you want me to tell her to focus on? Have you tried to visit her?

Jennifer laughs, rolls her eyes. He’s showing me her face doesn’t move and she can’t close her eyes completely (when sleeping). He is so funny. He says “She’s felt him. Definitely felt him around her.” He says, “She can smell him, there’s a certain scent.” (Jennifer aside: I’m asked “Is she going to miss you?” and he laughed and said “no.”)

Jane Fonda, Wikipedia

Peter can we bring your dad forward? I don’t think Jennifer knows who your dad is. Luana is that possible to bring him?

(Jennifer shrugs; she does not.) What’s his name?

Henry... or Hank.

Was he a director or a producer or something?

Kind of. Right business.

Why did he just show me the show Chips? With Erik Estrada?

(Note: This is an odd reference, and I had no idea if Henry knew Erik. However, a casual search of the internet reveals they did “Midway” together, where Henry was an officer, and Erik a young sailor. ("Midway" starring Charlton Heston, Henry Fonda, and Robert Wagner) It’s a subtle yet clear way of “proof of concept.” I had no idea he knew Erik, nor did Jennifer, but he’s showing us something that I can look up and verify – and did.)

Hank, can we talk to you? Who was there to greet you when you crossed over?

He’s showing me a horse.

Was this your horse? Did you work with this horse? Or did you own this?

Henry Fonda, "My Darling Clementine" 1946

“Owned it. It was like a racing horse.”  He said, “He had a lot of them.” I was getting the color gray. He owned him when he was young or his family did.

You had a long career and Jennifer is not aware of it... but I am.

He’s showing me... the theater (plays).... and movies.

That’s correct. He was an actor – let me ask you Henry; what was your favorite role?

(Note: According to his Broadway Theater Credits, he did 18 shows on Broadway starting in 1929 and 125 feature films, nominated for two Oscars (“12 Angry Men” and “Grapes of Wrath,” he won for “On Golden Pond”)

There’s a lot of them that he just showed me. One with Robert Redford.

Robert Redford giving Henry Fond an Oscar

(Note: While it’s not widely known, Robert Redford’s career began with an appearance with Henry Fonda: “Redford, began his TV career at 22 with a small part in the NBC drama “The Last Gunfight” with Henry Fonda. (LA Times. “Robert Redford the TV kid.”)  Also Robert Redford presented Fonda an honorary Oscar in 1981.)

Is there one with a lot of men... (“12 Angry Men” was one film he was nominated for.)  Did he play in a movie where he was the President?

Yes, it was called “Fail Safe.”

Henry Fonda; Fail Safe

(Tapping her nose) That’s the one.

(Note: I know when Jennifer is tapping her nose, she’s doing it to say “yes.” “Fail Safe” was made in 1964, directed by Sydney Lumet. Fonda plays a President in the middle of an accidental nuclear attack. “American planes are sent to deliver a nuclear attack on Moscow, but it's a mistake due to an electrical malfunction. Can all-out war be averted?” It’s currently got a 95% rating at Rotten Tomatoes)

You were also in “The Grapes of Wrath,” directed by John Ford, written by John Steinbeck. It was an iconic film; your dialog about the era is the one they usually quote. It was an amazing performance (nominated for Oscar). I know when Jennifer looks you up she’ll see how many films she’s seen you in.

(Jennifer shrugs) I’m sorry.

That’s fine – really, that’s great; it shows that you haven’t thought or heard of any of this in advance.

Fonda in "Grapes of Wrath"

He says “He felt that Grapes of Wrath was a different kind of story telling; he felt it wasn’t acting.”

Indeed. And “Fail Safe” was low budget, shot on a confined set, like a stage play; Henry was brilliant in it.

I’m sorry, but he keeps showing me this guy from Chips...  Erik Estrada?

Okay, who is showing her Erik Estrada and why?

Luana.

Lu, why are you showing her Erik? We know you guys you don’t drop random references. Is there some connection with Peter and Erik?

(Jennifer aside:) Maybe it’s about Peter.

Erik Estrada on Twitter

Well; both played motorcycles guys... Peter, they had a new 4K version of Easy Rider a few weeks ago at at Radio City Music Hall, were you aware of it?

Peter leading the way

He said, “They were all there. He loved it, he loved to be celebrated and remembered.”

If I may ask, why is that important?

“Because that celebration connects them to here, more – people start thinking about them and then they can “work their magic.” (i.e. connecting to them)

About Erik Estrada, do you want us to say something for him?

They’re saying “You’re going to connect it in some way.”

Okay. I’ll try. Thank you Peter for stopping by.

(Note: Indeed, there is a link between Henry, Peter and Erik.  Erik worked on on the film“Midway” with Peter’s father Henry, then later in life, after “Chips” and “Easy Rider” made both Erik and Peter “America’s motorcycle actors” he and Peter were the co-chairs of the 2000 March of Dimes Motorcycle Ride in Shreveport. “American Motorcyclist, Oct. 2000” (New information) They’ve also both hosted the Hollywood Christmas Parade.)


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Copyright Richard Martini 2019 All Rights Reserved. An excerpt from "Backstage Pass to the Flipside: Talking to the afterlife with Jennifer Shaffer: Class is in Session."