Editing The Amazing Criswell (section)

==Predictions==
[[File:Plan 9 from Outer Space - Criswell Predicts.ogv|thumb|250px|"Criswell Predicts" scene in ''[[Plan 9 from Outer Space]]'']]
Criswell's predictions were nationally syndicated and he appeared on the television show ''Criswell Predicts'' on KLAC Channel 13 (now [[KCOP|KCOP-13]]) in Los Angeles as well as being recorded for syndication. His announcer was Bob Shields, who later played the judge on ''[[The Judge (TV series)|The Judge]]''. Criswell wore heavy makeup in public after his live program was broadcast in [[Los Angeles, California|Los Angeles]]. Only selected people were allowed in the KCOP studio during his broadcast.

Criswell wrote several books of predictions, including 1968's ''Criswell Predicts: From Now to the Year 2000.'' In it, he claimed that [[Denver, Colorado]], would be struck by a ray from space that would cause all metal to adopt the qualities of [[Natural rubber|rubber]], leading to horrific accidents at amusement parks.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://deeky.blogspot.com/2010/02/criswell-predicts-pt-1.html| title = Dharma Pancakes: Criswell Predicts (Part 1)| date = 22 February 2010}}</ref> He predicted mass [[Human cannibalism|cannibalism]]<ref name=predicts>{{cite web| url = http://deeky.blogspot.com/2010/02/criswell-predicts-pt-5.html| title = Dharma Pancakes: Criswell Predicts (Part 5)| date = 26 February 2010}}</ref> and the [[Global catastrophe scenarios|end of planet Earth]], which he set as happening on August 18, 1999<ref name="predicts"/> (which would have been his 92nd birthday).

Criswell was a student of history. He believed history repeated itself, that the United States were the "modern Romans". Each day, he read the ''[[St. Louis Post-Dispatch]]'' looking for clues for his predictions.

Some sources claim Criswell's most famous prediction was on ''[[Jack Paar#Prime time|The Jack Paar Program]]'' (1962–1965) in March 1963, when he predicted US President [[John F. Kennedy]] would not run for reelection in 1964 because [[Assassination of John F. Kennedy|something]] was going to happen to him in November 1963.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://c-e-n-t-e-r.com/ed_interview.html |title = C-E-N-T-E-R Art Project interview with Criswell biographer Edwin L. Canfield |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181007094538/http://c-e-n-t-e-r.com/ed_interview.html |archive-date=7 October 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

Sources say that Criswell never claimed to be a real psychic; however, those who knew him, including actress and fellow ''Plan 9'' alumna [[Maila Nurmi]] ("Vampira"), believed he was. According to writer [[Charles A. Coulombe]], whose family rented an apartment from him, Criswell told Coulombe's father {{nowrap|"[I]}} had the gift, but [I] lost it when I started taking money for it."{{cn|date=June 2023}}