“High Class Freaks”: The Globetrotting History of Ripley’s Believe It or Not

Leroy Robert Ripley would transcend humble origins to become an unlikely superstar, rebranding from an awkward teenage cartoonist to the sophisticated leader of a profitable multimedia empire. In the process he would expand minds, introduce Americans to the wonders of the larger world...and also contribute to misinformation, promote stereotypes, and work hard to conceal the true secret behind his success. Join the boys this week as they tackle the complicated legacy of Ripley's Believe It or Not!

 

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In this episode:  

• Leroy Robert Ripley
• Santa Rosa
• Those Teeth
• From the San Franciso Bulletin to the New York Globe
• Robert Leroy Ripley
• Handball Champion
• Rebranding/Makeover
• Champs and Chumps
• Believe It or Not
• The Laconia
• Ramble 'Round the World With Ripley
• Ripley Meets India
• Ripley Fetishizes China
• The Lindbergh Controversy
• The First Book
• William Randolph Hearst Makes Ripley Rich
• Curioddities
• Norbert Pearlroth, Secret Weapon
• The Warner Brothers Film Shorts
• The Radio Show
• Ripley, Casanova
• BION Island
• The First Museum
• Human Exhibits, Oddities, and "High Class Freaks"
• Freda Pushnik
• Post-World-War Tour
• The First TV Show
• Death

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