Movie spotlight
Believe It or Not (Second Series) #12
In Robert L. Ripley's absence, Leo Donnelly acts as the guide to the unusual from around the world. A group of people in the Philippines are moving a house, foundation and all, six miles, by carrying it on their backs. A one-armed boat builder demonstrates the water crafts he has devised for his disability. A junk in China propelled by treadmill propeller. Dwarf trees in Japan, some as old as 700 years. Also in Japan, chickens are shown with tail feathers measuring up to twenty-five feet in length. A sun dial in Manila is the world's largest at 30 feet in height and 65 feet in length. A group of church goers in Luxembourg are dancing as a ritual toward good health. Livestock with unusual physical attributes are shown. Tree limbs are displayed in Tacoma, Washington that form an alphabet. The world's largest collection of the smallest books. And celebrity footprints displayed outside of Grauman's Chinese Theater. Vitaphone No. 1427.
Insights
Plot Summary
This installment of Robert Ripley's "Believe It or Not" series explores a variety of strange and unusual facts from around the world. Each short film presented a collection of peculiar occurrences, oddities, and incredible feats, all introduced by the charismatic Robert Ripley himself. Viewers were treated to a montage of the bizarre and the unbelievable, showcasing the true extent of the world's strangeness.
Critical Reception
As a short documentary series from the early 1930s, formal critical reception is scarce. However, "Ripley's Believe It or Not!" was immensely popular with audiences, captivating them with its novelty and sensational content. The series was known for its ability to present astounding facts in an engaging manner, making it a staple of cinema programming during its run.
What Reviewers Say
Engaging and sensational presentation of peculiar facts.
Captures the public's fascination with the unusual.
A consistent source of wonder and disbelief for audiences.
Google audience: Audience reception from this era is not directly available through modern platforms. However, the immense popularity and long-running success of "Ripley's Believe It or Not!" across various media indicates a strong public appetite for its unique brand of astonishing information.
Fun Fact
The "Believe It or Not!" franchise originated as a daily cartoon panel created by Robert Ripley in 1918, which quickly gained immense popularity and led to radio shows, comic books, and these film series.
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