RIPLEY'S BELIEVE IT OR NOT

Robert L. Ripley’s cartoon "Believe It or Not!" appeared in newspapers all over the world and grew into several hardback and paperback volumes, film shorts, TV incarnations, road shows, a string of museums (or "odditoria"), and product lines. Radio Spirits has here gathered 21 examples of the immensely popular radio show Ripley hosted from 1933 to 1949. Corny doesn’t begin to describe the mix of big band dance music, patter, interviews, and dramatizations. (This reviewer’s favorite turn--a demonstration by a peg-legged tap dancer.) The facts disclosed are as amazing now as they were then, however dated, so we are treated to an entertaining evocation of America’s broadcast history. Y.R. ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: DEC 05/ JAN 06]