Why is Robert Ripley showing us this? A look at Believe It or Not #5

Is it worth your time?

Honestly, only if you have a soft spot for weird, forgotten relics. If you like modern pacing, stay far away—this thing moves like a snail on a lazy Sunday. But if you’re a fan of the strange and the macabre, or just want to see what 'entertainment' looked like before the internet ruined everything, you might actually get a kick out of it.

It’s weird. Like, really weird.

The Setup

Ripley is basically just standing around his collection, acting like the eccentric uncle who won't stop talking about his taxidermy. He shows his guest some stuff, then we cut to some film clips. It’s a very simple structure, if you can even call it that. It doesn't really have a 'plot' so much as it has a 'list of things to look at.'

Cinematic perspective: Exploring the visual vocabulary of Believe It or Not (Second Series) #5 (1932) through its definitive frames.

There’s a specific bit of film about a guy doing something 'inspiring' that felt like it lasted for forty-five minutes. I caught myself checking my watch, which is never a good sign. It’s definitely not a polished experience, but maybe that’s the charm? It feels like you’re snooping in someone’s basement.

Odd Observations

• The lighting is mostly just 'shadowy,' which makes everything look slightly haunted.
• Ripley’s delivery is so dry it could give you a papercut.
• I found myself thinking about Vermin the Great for some reason, maybe because both movies feel like they were dug out of a box in an attic.
• The transition between the studio and the stock footage is jarring. It’s like jumping from a funeral to a circus.

There’s a moment where a performer does something with their hands that is supposed to be 'amazing,' but it mostly just looks like they’re struggling with a knot. I laughed. It wasn't supposed to be funny, but there you go.

It’s not trying to be a masterpiece. It’s just trying to be a weird little show. In that sense, it kinda works, even if it’s totally lopsided. It makes me want to watch something completely different, like 3 Bad Men, just to get some fresh air. Sometimes simple is just... simple.

Watch it if you’re bored on a rainy Tuesday. Or don't. It’s not like it’s going to change your life or anything. 🤷‍♂️