Ripley: Believe It or Not
Season 27 Episode 1 | 52m 25sVideo has Closed Captions
The Wizard of Odd, who became one of the richest and most famous men in the world.
LeRoy Robert Ripley rose to fame during the Great Depression, transforming himself from a skinny, buck-toothed boy into an entertainer who mesmerized the nation with his razzle-dazzle blend of homespun Americana, colorful exotica and freakish oddities. Americans not only loved his bizarre fare, but were fascinated by the man himself.
For Season 27 of American Experience, exclusive corporate funding is provided by Liberty Mutual Insurance, major funding by The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and PBS stations.
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Ripley: Believe It or Not
Season 27 Episode 1 | 52m 25sVideo has Closed Captions
LeRoy Robert Ripley rose to fame during the Great Depression, transforming himself from a skinny, buck-toothed boy into an entertainer who mesmerized the nation with his razzle-dazzle blend of homespun Americana, colorful exotica and freakish oddities. Americans not only loved his bizarre fare, but were fascinated by the man himself.
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When is a photo an act of resistance?
For families that just decades earlier were torn apart by chattel slavery, being photographed together was proof of their resilience.Providing Support for PBS.org
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Beyond the Doc: Do You Believe It?
Archivist Edward Meyer leads a tour of Ripley's unbelievable collection of oddities. (2m 55s)
Watch a clip from "Ripley: Believe It or Not" premiering January 6, 2015 on PBS. (2m 48s)
Ripley Believe It Or Not Preview
Robert Ripley was the wizard of odd. Premieres January 6 on PBS American Experience. (30s)
Ripley gets a contract, and "Believe It or Not" enters the American lexicon. Jan 6, 9/8c. (2m 27s)
Archivist Edward Meyer highlights the most amazing thing he's seen in Ripley's Warehouse. (2m 13s)
Ripley: Believe It or Not, Chapter 1
The Wizard of Odd. "Ripley Believe it or Not" premieres January 6, 2015. (7m 9s)
Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship
For Season 27 of American Experience, exclusive corporate funding is provided by Liberty Mutual Insurance, major funding by The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and PBS stations.