Ripley's Believe It Or Not

Ripley’s Believe It Or Not was a long-running radio series that brought the strange and unusual stories of Robert Ripley to life on the airwaves. Debuting in the 1930s, the show featured Ripley himself as the host, regaling listeners with tales of bizarre facts, curious people, and unbelievable events from around the world.

Ripley’s fascination with the odd and extraordinary began at a young age. As a sports cartoonist for the New York Globe, he found himself one day without a new sports story to report. Instead, he compiled a collection of the most interesting and unbelievable sports feats he had encountered over the years. This became the first “Believe It or Not!” cartoon, which debuted on December 19, 1918, and quickly captured the public’s imagination.

Over the next decade, Ripley’s “Believe It or Not!” cartoon and catchphrase took the world by storm. Unsatisfied with the curiosities he could find at home, Ripley set out on a series of around-the-world expeditions, chronicling his discoveries in a travel journal. In 1929, he published his first “Believe It or Not!” book, further expanding his growing empire.

The 1930s proved to be the golden age of Ripley’s Believe It Or Not radio. Ripley himself took to the airwaves, broadcasting his unbelievable tales directly into people’s homes. He traveled the globe, sharing stories of his weird and wonderful discoveries from remote islands and little-known cities. In 1933, he opened the first “Odditorium” at the World’s Fair, where people could marvel at the artifacts and performers he had collected.

The Stars

While Ripley’s Believe It Or Not radio was centered around the charismatic Robert Ripley, the show featured a rotating cast of co-hosts and supporting players over the years. Ripley’s longtime researcher, Lester Byck, often appeared on the program to provide additional context and details about the stories being presented.

After Ripley’s death in 1949, several of his friends and colleagues stepped in to host the show, including future Ripley’s Believe It or Not! President Doug Storer. Robert St. John also served as host for the final season of the radio series, which ended its run on October 5, 1950.

Key Dates

Ripley’s Believe It Or Not radio first debuted on April 14, 1930, with Ripley himself as the host. The show went through numerous format changes and timeslot shifts over the years, airing on NBC, CBS, and Mutual networks at various points. The original radio series came to an end in 1948 as Ripley prepared to transition the franchise to television. Ripley died in 1949. The series ended its run on October 5, 1950.

Other Information

In addition to his radio work, Ripley also produced a series of Vitaphone theatrical shorts between 1930 and 1932, bringing his “Believe It or Not” stories to the silver screen. These shorts were later parodied in a 1939 Tex Avery cartoon titled “Believe It or Else.” Ripley’s popularity extended far beyond radio and film. He was voted the most popular man in America during the 1930s and made successful forays into television and publishing.

The first permanent “Odditorium” museum opened in St. Augustine, Florida just a year after his death in 1949, and today there are over 100 Ripley’s attractions around the world.

The Ripley’s Believe It Or Not franchise continues to thrive, with new television adaptations, books, and attractions introduced over the decades. Ripley’s unique blend of the strange, the curious, and the unbelievable has captivated audiences for over a century, cementing his legacy as a true American icon.