1980s
Strip-o-Scam
December 1989: In Des Plaines, Illinois, a man was reported to be showing up at the door of single women and telling them he was a male stripper hired as a gift by one of their friends. It's not known how often this ploy was successful, but if asked to go, he would leave.The guy came to the attention of the police after one woman, who had invited him in to do his act, suspected he wasn't on the level because he was wearing "dingy" underwear. She noted, "They were supposed to be white, and in the back the band was torn."
Oddly, he only ever showed up at women's homes on Tuesdays.
Doesn't sound like the guy was caught, but I wonder if they could have charged him with anything. Is it illegal to impersonate a stripper?
More info: Chicago Tribune, 12/12/1989
Newsweek - Jan 1, 1990
Posted By: Alex - Mon Mar 07, 2016 -
Comments (4)
Category: Crime, 1980s
The Last Dragon
I only wish I could find the complete movie of THE LAST DRAGON for you. But barring that, you might be satisfied with the theme song and a clip.
Posted By: Paul - Sun Feb 21, 2016 -
Comments (5)
Category: Ineptness, Crudity, Talentlessness, Kitsch, and Bad Art, Movies, Music, Martial Arts, 1980s
Flying Fish a Hazard
[Click to enlarge]
Original article here.
Posted By: Paul - Sun Feb 07, 2016 -
Comments (4)
Category: Fish, Air Travel and Airlines, 1980s, North America
Objected to taking out trash
One for the weird death file. The tragic case of Jamella Jackson, age 12.
Cincinnati Enquirer - Feb 15, 1985
Posted By: Alex - Sun Jan 31, 2016 -
Comments (6)
Category: Death, 1980s
Greatest Shoplifter Ever?
Original article here.
Posted By: Paul - Sun Nov 29, 2015 -
Comments (7)
Category: Crime, Retailing, 1980s
Style Wars
Return with us now to those thrilling days from 35 years ago, when every urban space was covered in illegible vandalism, and break-dancing ruled the pavements.
Posted By: Paul - Sun Nov 15, 2015 -
Comments (1)
Category: Beauty, Ugliness and Other Aesthetic Issues, Urban Life, Subways, Outsider Art, 1980s
Don’t Call It Junk Mail
As George Orwell noted, political language often strives "to give an appearance of solidity to pure wind" — or pure junk, in this case.
Spartanburg Herald Journal - Apr 24, 1989
Posted By: Alex - Tue Oct 27, 2015 -
Comments (5)
Category: Government, Languages, 1980s
Soviets Eat Bambi
In 1985, a Soviet production of a live-action film about Bambi (Bambi's Childhood) had to be halted when three of the deer who were playing Bambi and his friends disappeared. Turned out they had been stolen, then butchered and served as the main course at a birthday celebration. The culprits were sent to a labor camp as punishment for their crime.The news was reported in a lot of papers, but the Weekly World News (below) had the best coverage of it.
Spartanburg Herald-Journal - Feb 7, 1985
Weekly World News - Mar 12, 1985
Posted By: Alex - Thu Oct 22, 2015 -
Comments (6)
Category: Animals, Movies, 1980s
Man Drowns At Party of Lifeguards, 1985
My latest about.com article, in which I examine this now classic 1985 weird news story.
Posted By: Alex - Mon Sep 28, 2015 -
Comments (4)
Category: 1980s
Mystery Illustration 10
This Scout is signalling for what now?
Visit link, then scroll down.
Posted By: Paul - Thu Sep 24, 2015 -
Comments (10)
Category: Clubs, Fraternities and Other Self-selecting Organizations, Signage, 1980s
| Who We Are |
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| Alex Boese Alex is the creator and curator of the Museum of Hoaxes. He's also the author of various weird, non-fiction, science-themed books such as Elephants on Acid and Psychedelic Apes. Paul Di Filippo Paul has been paid to put weird ideas into fictional form for over thirty years, in his career as a noted science fiction writer. He has recently begun blogging on many curious topics with three fellow writers at The Inferior 4+1. Contact Us |