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Fascinating True Stories From the Flip Side of History

On the WWW Since 1994

Podcasting Since January 2008

Aren’t We Devils? – Podcast #255

Published on March 18, 2026

Posted in: Hoaxes, Humor, Podcast

A running gag on the 1944 Truth or Consequences radio show was for host Ralph Edwards to ask, “Is there a Mr. Wickel in the house?” He never expected an answer...

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A Crucifixion in Chicago – Podcast #217

Published on April 24, 2024

Posted in: Bizarre & Oddities, Hoaxes, Podcast

Popular episode! In 1945, police were astounded to discover a man affixed to a wooden cross, hastily fastened to the beams supporting Chicago’s elevated railway. This unusual story involves Dr. Emil Bronner, who created Dr. Bronner's soaps.

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The Radiator Romeo – Podcast #213

Published on February 6, 2024

Posted in: Hoaxes, Love & Marriage, Podcast

Harold Hulen desperately wanted to marry Florence Hurlbut, but she kept turning him down. After a couple of years of constant rejection, he came up with an outrageous way to get her attention.

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Leading Lady, Hidden Gent – Hollywood Switcheroo (1944)

Published on December 6, 2023

Posted in: Entertainment, Hoaxes, Tidbits

In 1943, Tanis Chandler was desperate to act in movies. With WWII going on, she came up with a unique solution. It backfired on her.

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The Kid Is Not My Son – Podcast #198

Published on June 7, 2023

Posted in: Hoaxes, Love & Marriage, Money & Financial, Podcast

A young boy could inherit millions until his father suspects he isn’t the dad. A true story that involves deceit, attempted blackmail, international law, forged papers, a deceased lawyer, and more!

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A Little Boy’s Revenge (1953)

Published on April 21, 2023

Posted in: Crime & Punishment, Hoaxes, Law & Order, Tidbits

Three boys at PS 90 in Manhattan were witness to the murder of one of their classmates. Police were called and began a search for the body...

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The Rise & Fall of the Celestial Comet – Podcast #176

Published on July 19, 2022

Posted in: Bizarre & Oddities, Hoaxes, Podcast, Sports

In 1941, the Plainfield Teachers College football team was unstoppable. That was until a reporter exposed a shocking secret about the team and their storybook season was brought to a grinding halt.

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1930: Live Baby Auctioned Off

Published on March 1, 2022

Posted in: Bizarre & Oddities, Hoaxes, Tidbits

Could a baby really be auctioned off? An ad by the Red Arrow Auctions claimed that they would be doing so at their next auction. Was there a catch?

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Two Worlds Collide – Podcast #153

Published on July 29, 2021

Posted in: Crime & Punishment, Hoaxes, Love & Marriage, Podcast, Schools & Education

In 1932, the office of Redondo Beach school superintendent Elliott B. Thomas was destroyed and he had mysteriously disappeared. Was he dead or alive? Or was something else going on?

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Giraffes Can’t Speak

Published on March 24, 2021

Posted in: Hoaxes, Humor, Tidbits

What did the giraffe say when the elephant stepped on his toe? To find out the answer, kids had to dial long-distance to find out the answer.

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One-Week with the Beatles?

Published on March 16, 2020

Posted in: Hoaxes, Tidbits

When Cheryl Bedrock received a call from Brian Epstein, the famed manager for the Beatles, she was told that she had won a free trip to London to meet the group. It didn't go as planned...

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Don’t Drink Sunlight Dish Detergent

Published on February 19, 2018

Posted in: Bizarre & Oddities, Hoaxes, Tidbits

On July 15, 1982 the Maryland Poison Control Center in Baltimore reported that 33 adults and 46 children had consumed a brand new lemon-scented dishwashing liquid named Sunlight.

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The Salem Trade School – Podcast #90

Published on January 27, 2016

Posted in: Fraud & Deception, Hoaxes, Podcast, Schools & Education, Sports

The Salem Trade School had the worst high school football team in the Boston region back in the 1920's. But they had a big secret...

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The Last Man on Earth – Podcast #88

Published on December 2, 2015

Posted in: Escape and Survival, Hoaxes, Podcast

In 1960, Bud Boyd set out to find out what it would be like to be the last man on Earth. Without basic supplies, he set out to survive six weeks in the wild.

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The Fever Girl – Podcast #72

Published on April 18, 2014

Posted in: Bizarre & Oddities, Fraud & Deception, Hoaxes, Podcast

In 1923, newspapers around the US reported on the health of the Fever Girl - Evelyn Lyons - a woman with the highest temperature ever recorded to that date.

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