"Corrupt, sinister and dangerous" were the words used to describe the Church of Scientology in a judgment given by Mr Justice Latey this summer. He also referred to it as "immoral and socially obnoxious". But who controls the Church now? A major Sunday Times Magazine investigation into the activities of the cult in America and Britain has uncovered a disturbing and extraordinary story — the takeover of the organisation by a small band of youthful fanatics following the disappearance of the ...

As I read the article about the Church of Scientology in your paper I was reminded of all the earlier, similar claims and allegations I've read in various publications over the years — and I've never seen any hard proof. It seems to me that if even a small part of these tales were true we'd see a decline in the activities of the church. It seems to be prospering more than ever! I have seen literally hundreds of proclamations signed ...

A judges' panel of motion picture professionals has been chosen to select the winners of a nation-wide "Battlefield Earth" logo design contest for student and amateur artists. The contest offers a grand prize of $1,000 and possible screen credit on two upcoming movies from Hollywood - Salem Productions' back-to-back theatrical film versions of L. Ron Hubbard's science fiction bestseller of alien invasion and conquest, "Battlefield Earth: A Saga of the Year 3000." The judges' panel for the logo competition - open ...

Those who like to imagine a great city might be pleased to learn that, some time after the year 3000 AD, Denver is destined to become the capital of the world. But the next millenium truly looks a mess, what with ecological devastation and the demise of most of us humans as we fall under the brutal domination of the evil Psychlos, intergalactic warlords. Take heart, for this is the stuff of Hollywood dreams. The pop seller, Battlefield Earth, by L. ...

There's a good chance that local actors will play at least one of the lead roles in two $20 million science-fiction movies based on L. Ron Hubbard's best-selling novel "Battlefield Earth." At least that's the word from press agent Ed Margulies, who said first-round auditions for the roles of Jonnie and Chrissy have been narrowed from 350 actors and actresses to five — four from the Denver area and one from Dallas. Marque Gritta, 25, and Dan Shadwell, 22, both of ...

[Picture / Caption: Big Actor: Ted, a three-story high balloon, has been appearing around Hollywood heralding the production of two films based on L. Ron Hubbard's novel, "Battlefield Earth." Producer William Immerman, left, and director Ken Annakin, right, join in the stunt making.] When independent producer William Immerman announced months ago he would be filming L. Ron Hubbard's best selling science-fiction saga, "Battlefield Earth," as two back-to-back productions (each costing $20 million), he immediately notified all the science-fiction conventions to start ...

Scientology founder hasn't been seen in public since 1976 Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard has replaced the late Howard Hughes as the man of mystery. Hubbard, 73, was last viewed in public in 1976. And he was last seen by any close associate willing to talk about him in March 1980. So where is he? "Somewhere around here," said Bent Corydon, pointing to the bleak desert of Riverside County around the church's compound at Gilman Hot Springs. "He's never more than ...

[Picture / Caption: FILM MONSTER — Terl, a 30-foot Psychlo, confronts Jeff Pomerantz and Justine Seymour under the Hollywood sign during promotional event for two upcoming science fiction movies based on L. Ron Hubbard's best-selling novel, Battlefield Earth. Story takes place in year 3000, when humans try to reclaim Earth from Psychlos.]

[Picture / Caption: Jeff Pomerantz and Justine Seymour pretend to battle creature that will appear in film version of Battlefield Earth] Ken Annakin has been named director of two forthcoming multimillion-dollar motion pictures based on L. Ron Hubbard's bestselling science fiction saga Battlefield Earth at a party last month in his honor given by Bridge Publications, publishers of the book. The party, held at Oscar's on the famed Sunset Strip, coincided with the official publication of the 1,066-page mass paperback edition ...

[Picture] ''SCI-FI FILMMAKER Ken Annakin (centre) accepts a Saturn Award for science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard, author of "Battlefield Earth". Also recently honored by the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films were Hurd Hattfield, left, for his title role in "The Picture of Dorian Grey", and Ray Bradbury for his "Something Wicked This Way Comes" screenplay. Annakin will direct two films based on Hubbard's novel.

A science fiction book by a man who attended school In Manassas 54 years ago made the New York Times Best Sellers List the first week it was released and has now climbed into the top ten, his publicist says. And two movies derived from the book are due to start production later this year.from L. Ron Hubbard's 1100-page science fiction epic, Battlefield Earth, is also at the top of B. Dalton's national scene fiction list, topping Asimov's 2010 and George ...

Abe Polonsky, who's spent the last few years in the groves of academe, has been signed by producer Bill Immerman to adapt L. Ron Hubbard's current best-selling "Battlefield Earth," which Ken Annakin will direct. Polonsky, 73, whose career stretches back to his Oscar-nominated screenplay for "Body And Soul" (1947) and whose most recent writing credit was "Monsignor," is working daily with Annakin in breaking down a workable screen design from Hubbard's voluminous intergalactic sci-fi adventure (No. 9 on the New York ...

In a newish sort of castle in Sussex a suite of rooms, with private bar, an electric organ, and an elegant writing desk complete with pens and an unopened pack of his favorite cigarettes, await one of the world's most prolific and richest authors. Yet the rooms, cleaned regularly, remain unused; the chair behind the desk has not been sat upon for over fifteen years, though the man for whom all this is carefully — even lovingly maintained — has sold ...

A best-selling adventure novel by a controversial figure who has not been seen in public for years has become the focus of concern among some book sellers. The book sellers said they belleve that "Battlefield Earth" by L. Ron Hubbard is being bought in large numbers in their stores by members of the Church of Scientology, founded by the reclusive Hubbard, as part of an effort to boost it onto the country's best-seller lists. Some book sellers and critics of Hubbard ...

Three years ago, somewhere near this dusty little town of watermelon fields and senior citizen trailer parks, a pudgy, prolific science fiction writer named L. Ron Hubbard climbed into a black van and reportedly disappeared from sight. Nobody in Hemet, 80 miles east of Los Angeles, or anywhere else might have cared about the fate of a 71-year-old eccentric with a lust for privacy, except that Hubbard was the founder of one of the word's wealthiest and most controversial new religions. ...

DENVER — A handwritten letter signed "L. Ron Hubbard" was published under copyright in the Sunday edition of the Rocky Mountain News, purporting to knock down rumors that the reclusive father of the controversial Church of Scientology is dead. In the letter, dated Feb. 3, the writer says he was "dismayed" at the church's confrontations with the FBI, the Internal Revenue Service and the Food and Drug Administration, and noted that the incidents occurred after Hubbard resigned from the church in ...

[Picture / Caption: Scientology's headquarters in L.A. was formerly the Cedars of Lebanon Hospital. The church purchased It for $5 million In 1977.] Last October in San Francisco, some 70 local leaders of the Church of Scientology gathered to hear nine church executives harangue them about their shortcomings. Styling themselves with titles that ranged from the quasi-military ("Commander," "Warrant Officer") to the quasi-lunatic ("International Finance Dictator"), the men announced that they represented the new hierarchy of the organization, and that they ...

L. Ron Hubbard, Scientology founder, is dead. Or mentally incompetent. Or alive and well. The status of the wealthy 71-year-old author depends on whether you're talking to his estranged son or his wife. In Los Angeles, the two are mounting a courtroom tug-of-war over Hubbard's estate. Ronald E. DeWolf claims his father is either dead or mentally incompetent, and wants control of the estate. Hubbard's wife, Mary Sue Hubbard, filed suit Friday to block DeWolf's probate court action. If anyone knows ...