Ripley Entertainment Inc.'s Blog, page 403
June 30, 2017
The Rock Cats Will Make You An Instant Groupie
Featured in Ripley's Believe It or Not!
Cool Stuff, Strange Things
Hosted by Ripley’s lead researcher, Sabrina Sieck, let Ripley’s Believe It or Not! introduce YOU to the coolest stuff and strangest things.
Today: Rock Cats
The Rock Cats
This week on Cool Stuff Strange Things, we clawed our way backstage and were total groupies for, the one, the only, ROCK CATS. Yes, a touring band of cats…and a rogue chicken named Cluck Norris.
Samantha Martin is the Chief Executive Human and Trainer for the Acrocats and the Rock Cats. She was a student of the I.Q. Zoo and even went to chicken training school where she honed her operant conditioning skills to train all sorts of animals. It’s a tough job, literally herding cats.
“They call the shots for everything.” -Samantha Martin, Chief Executive Human and Trainer
Getting the Band Together
The band had humble beginnings, Samantha started out with just a cat that could play the piano, but quickly added drums and a guitar. In these early days, the Rock Cats were exclusively acoustic.
The band needed a cymbal player, but Samantha found that kitty paws aren’t quite suited for it. That’s when she decided to introduce the band’s only non-cat member, Cluck Norris. Samantha describes the chicken as the band’s savior. Chickens are far more reliable than the cats. Where a cat may be less in the mood to play if it had a bad day, chickens are not that emotional.
After that came the cowbell and woodblocks, followed by chimes. The newest addition is Buggles on trumpet.
Special thanks to Samantha Martin and the Acrocats team! You can find them in Ripley’s Believe it or Not! Crazy Pets and Cute Animals or on tour across the country.
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June 29, 2017
Catch a Glimpse of the Houdini Townhouse before It Vanishes
Featured in Ripley's Believe It or Not!
Want to own Houdini’s brownstone mansion? Well, it’s been 26 years since it went on the market, and it can be yours for a whopping a $4.6 million! In 1904, the Houdinis’ purchased their residency for only $25,000.
Via Douglas Elliman
Via Douglas Elliman
The worldwide known illusionist occupied the Harlem house for 22 years. It’s been said he had a massive sunken bathtub built with a large mirror in front of it so he could practice his underwater tricks. Not only that, but apparently he had wireless radios installed under the carpets so he could entertain his guests with his incredible mind-reading gift.
Via Douglas Elliman
Houdini Inspires
From David Copperfield to Criss Angel there’s no denying that magicians today have been influenced by the great Harry Houdini.
Escapology
The Hungarian-American illusionist was recognized for his escape acts. Otherwise known as escapology, Houdini’s stunts consisted of him escaping everything from handcuffs to leg irons and jail cells.
Believe it or not, this act of “escaping” was created by the Davenport Brothers in the early 1860s. You see, Spiritualism became quite popular around this time. People believed that spirits could communicate with the living, and clairvoyants could wander the afterlife realm. Taking advantage of this new found belief, The brothers decided to work with William Fay who paved the way for the brothers. Fay, a firm believer in conjuring the dead, concluded the men had spiritual powers and that’s why they could produce such incredible supernatural acts.
Davenport Brothers via Wikimedia Commons
The Davenports’ became famous for their box illusion. It consisted of the team tied inside of a box that also had musical instruments, and it would chime off when the box was closed. When the box was opened, you would find the brothers tied in the position they started the illusion act with.
Houdini via Wikimedia Commons
Success
For years Houdini had an array of renowned escapes:
The Mirror Challenge
Milk Can Escape
Chinese Water Torture Cell
Suspended Straitjacket Escape
Overboard Box Escape
Buried Alive Stunt
Did you know?
Houdini focused initially on traditional card tricks.
He billed himself as the “King of Cards”.
He was born Erik Weisz.
The illusionist took his stage name from magician Robert-Houdin, whose autobiography inspired him.
Yes, he learned to pilot his own Voisin biplane.
During World War I, the master held classes for soldiers, teaching them how to escape from ropes, handcuffs, and shipwrecks.
Can you feel the magic? Let us know in the comments below if you’d purchase this home!
Source: Catch a Glimpse of the Houdini Townhouse before It Vanishes
June 28, 2017
June 27, 2017
The First Lady of Roadside Attractions, Miss Uniroyal
Featured in Ripley's Believe It or Not!
Do you remember long drives through the interstate highways? Your parents belting out some sweet disco tunes as you peered out the car window while “Funky Town” became furiously loud? Suddenly, your eyes catch a glimpse of an enormous building shaped like a coffee pot. You beg your parents to stop so you can see what this strange object is all about, and before you know it, your photo album is filled with countless pictures posing with the building and a myriad of other unusual attractions.
Uniroyal
From South of the Border to a giant, yet handsome, Paul Bunyan statue standing proudly in Bangor, Maine, roadside attractions used to be quite an epic adventure. However, one of the most fascinating, and what I’d like to consider, the First Lady of Roadside Attractions is none other than Miss Uniroyal.
This beauty dates back to the 1950s in Venice, California. The company, International Fiberglass, molded a series of these sensuous and towering divas with a marketing scheme in mind. What better way to draw attention to shops than having a statute of this nature standing tall and proud in front of the business? Take for example Ed Werbany Sr who purchased Miss Uniroyal after falling in love with her in 1965. For only $250, Miss Uniroyal has been greeting guest at Werbany’s auto repair shop in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Outfits
Believe it or not, Miss Uniroyal was originally designed wearing just underwear. She came with snap-on outfits, you know to avoid frostbite or a chilly night in fall. Ultimately these oversized Barbies were meant to be dressed for their location’s climate.
Miss Uniroyal is located in Pearsonville on Pearson Rd via jgkix
50 Years Later
We’d like to say happy birthday to the 18 feet tall attraction! This look-alike Jackie Kennedy, which might we add is no accident, has had various looks. You can find a bikini-clad Tootsie at the Uniroyal Gal in Bradenton, Florida. You can find Vanna Whitewall in Peoria, IL who first appeared in 1968 at the Plaza Tire’s grand opening. Lastly, we can’t forget about the Miss Uniroyal which is still standing gracefully in front of Martha’s Cafe in Blackfoot, ID. Originally a blonde, this Miss Uniroyal has a rejuvenated look and is now a striking brunette.
Who said blondes have more fun anyway? Have you spotted a Uniroyal Gal? Let us know in the comments below and share your selfie with the First Lady!
Source: The First Lady of Roadside Attractions, Miss Uniroyal
June 26, 2017
The 2017 Cheap Chic Weddings Dress Voting Starts Now!
Featured in Ripley's Believe It or Not!
For the past several years, Ripley’s has been involved with Cheap Chic Weddings Toilet Paper Wedding Dress Contest, and we are honored to be participating again this year!
Believe it or not, it’s the first year Quilted Northern® will be joining forces with Cheap-Chic-Weddings.com, an online company providing brides with some rather savvy tips on their dream wedding, for this incredible competition.
Rules
Contestants had to use Quilted Northern® brand toilet paper.
They were allowed to use any type of tape and/or any type of glue.
They could also use needle and thread.
The dress must be able to be worn by a human and be able to be taken on and off.
Participants
The top ten dresses, plus their designers, will be flown to New York City to participate in a one-of-a-kind fashion show that will take place on July 20th at the Peerspace.com venue. Make sure to tune into our Facebook for a live stream of the event.
The first prize winner will snag themselves $10,000. The second and third prize winners will receive $5,000 and $2,500 respectively. We’ll be giving away $1,000 to the Online Voter’s People’s Choice!
Contest
Our own Edward Meyer, VP of Exhibits and Archives, will be judging again this year. The judges will score five different categories with a number between 1-5. The categories are:
Creativity
Originality
Beauty
Use of Quilted Northern®
Workmanship
Here are The Top 10 Finalists
Susan B.
Ronaldo C.
Kari Curletto
Susan M. W.
Van T.
Ashley U.
Mimoza H.
Lindsay H.
Carol T.
Augusto M.
Voting starts today! Vote now. Go on, what are you waiting for?
Source: The 2017 Cheap Chic Weddings Dress Voting Starts Now!
June 25, 2017
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