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This issue is about ‘Trading Places,’ funny stories about getting dumped, movies critics were wrong about, unjust rules, and much more.

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‘Trading Places’ at 40 Has Something for Everyone to Hate

Trading Places, the black-and-white buddy comedy (we’re not making this up — its original title was Black and White), turns 40 this week. It cemented Eddie Murphy’s place as an ascending superstar while proving that Dan Aykroyd didn’t need John Belushi to succeed at the box office. It was the fourth highest-grossing movie of 1983, trailing only The Empire Strikes Back, Tootsie and Flashdance. Trading Places had it all — including a little something for all factions of contemporary audiences to hate.

Three People Who Went Over Niagara Falls in a Barrel and Didn’t Die

Going over Niagara Falls in a barrel is one of those ideas that’s so ingrained in culture that we never stop to say… Hang on, what the hell was the deal with that?

It all (kinda, sorta) started with Carlisle Graham, a barrelmaker who is probably the person responsible for the association between Niagara Falls and barrels, an association that doesn’t really make a lot of sense. After all, if you were going over a waterfall, would a barrel really be the thing you’d reach for to ensure your safety? Graham seemed to think so, possibly due to years of having barrels on the brain, and made his first attempt in 1886, being immediately arrested for attempting suicide.

More Strange History:

• Five Guys Who Did Their Best to Remain Assholes Even Beyond the Grave

• Five Chinese Towns That Are Strangely Familiar

• The German Knight Who Coined the Phrase ‘Kiss My Ass’ Was the Iron Man of His Time

• Five Times Being Dead Didn’t Prevent Someone from Being Executed

• Five Academically Successful Punk Musicians Who Prove Headbanging Isn’t That Bad for Your Brain Cells

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