Believe It or Not and radio were made for each other. The series adapted to any format and timeslot and proved itself time and again to be among the air's most durable concerpts. In 1940 Radio Guide describved Ripley's as "consistently the most interesting and thrilling program on the air."

"Never did so miscast a performer score to sweeping a success," wrote Ripley's biographer Bob Considine. Burdened by the twin handicaps of shyness and a stutter, Ripley rose above both and held the audience for two decades. He guaranteed the truth of his stories but was not above fudging his "authentication" for dramatic impact. _{John Dunning}