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American Experience

Ripley: Believe It or Not, Chapter 1

The Wizard of Odd. "Ripley Believe it or Not" premieres January 6, 2015.

Aired 01/01/2015 | Rating NR

American Experience

Ripley: Believe It or Not, Chapter 1

Clip: Season 27 Episode 1 | 7m 9s

The Wizard of Odd. "Ripley Believe it or Not" premieres January 6, 2015.

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.

Aired 01/01/2015 | Rating NR

Corporate sponsorship for American Experience is provided by Liberty Mutual Insurance and Carlisle Companies. Major funding by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.

Support provided by:

Liberty Mutual InsuranceCarlisle

Beyond the Doc: Do You Believe It?

Archivist Edward Meyer leads a tour of Ripley's unbelievable collection of oddities. (2m 55s)

Introducing Robert Ripley

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 in a Rickshaw

Robert Ripley takes a few rickshaw rides during his world travels. (1m 20s)

Ripley in China

Robert Ripley visited China in 1932. (26s)

Ripley in India

Robert Ripley visited India in 1936. (30s)

Ripley in Kenya

Robert Ripley explores the wonders of Kenya in 1934. (20s)

Ripley in Papua New Guinea

Robert Ripley traveled to Papua New Guinea in 1934 (1m 54s)

Ripley in Thailand

Robert Ripley explores a temple in Thailand. (34s)

Ripley's Big Break

Ripley gets a contract, and "Believe It or Not" enters the American lexicon. Jan 6, 9/8c. (2m 27s)

Ripley's Most Amazing

Archivist Edward Meyer highlights the most amazing thing he's seen in Ripley's Warehouse. (2m 13s)

Ripley Stuck in the Snow

Robert Ripley gets stuck on a snowy mountain road in 1932. (26s)

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Corporate sponsorship for American Experience is provided by Liberty Mutual Insurance and Carlisle Companies. Major funding by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.

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