Topic

Entertainment & Media

A collection of 115 issues

More Than a Sketch: The Man Who Gave Mickey Mouse His Voice

Walt Disney was the original voice of Mickey Mouse, shaping his iconic falsetto from 1928's 'Steamboat Willie' until 1947. A heavy smoking habit damaged his voice, forcing him to pass the role to sound effects artist Jimmy MacDonald, whom he personally trained for the part.

The Heist That Made Her Famous: How Three Handymen Turned the Mona Lisa into a Masterpiece

Before 1911, the Mona Lisa was just another Renaissance painting. It took a simple heist by a museum handyman, a 26-hour delay in noticing its absence, and a global media frenzy to transform Leonardo's portrait into the most famous work of art in the world.

No Feathers, All Fury: The Pillow Fighting Championship's Serious Bid for the Olympic Stage

The Pillow Fighting Championship isn't a joke. It's a professional combat sport featuring trained athletes, specialized pillows, and brutal knockouts. With serious ambitions to become an Olympic event, the PFC is working hard to shatter the slumber party stereotype and be taken seriously.

From Idol Hopeful to Action Hero: The Surprising Musical Past of 'Reacher' Star Alan Ritchson

Long before he was the imposing Jack Reacher, Alan Ritchson was a hopeful singer on American Idol. He wowed Paula Abdul with his looks and voice, passed his initial audition, but his journey on the iconic show was surprisingly short-lived. Discover his unexpected musical past.

Let 'er Rip: The Story of Leslie Nielsen's Perfectly Comedic Final Curtain Call

Leslie Nielsen's funeral was a fitting tribute to his comedic genius. The 'Naked Gun' theme played as his casket was carried, and his epitaph, 'Let 'er rip,' immortalized his favorite fart machine prank, ensuring his final act was as hilarious and irreverent as his life.

Derailed Dream: Why Walt Disney's Famous Backyard Train Ran for Only 3 Years

Walt Disney's legendary Carolwood Pacific Railroad, a 1/8th-scale live steam train in his backyard, was a direct inspiration for Disneyland. Yet, despite its fame and meticulous construction, a minor safety incident led Disney to shut it down permanently after just three years of operation.

Forget Dracula: Meet Sava Savanović, The Serbian Vampire Who Terrified a Nation

Long before Dracula, Serbian folklore had Sava Savanović, a miller-turned-vampire. His story, written 17 years before Stoker's novel, inspired the 1973 Yugoslavian horror film *Leptirica*, a movie that has haunted generations and cemented its own terrifying legacy.

More Than a Mascot: The Shocking Truth Behind Six Flags' Mr. Six

Remember the dancing old man from the Six Flags commercials? Mr. Six became a cultural icon in the early 2000s. The surprising truth is that the energetic character was played not by an elderly man, but by 29-year-old British choreographer and professional dancer, Danny Teeson.