Don Wildman returns with a grab bag of historical oddities in this Monday’s “Mysteries of the Unknown,” tackling everything from culinary revolutionaries to death-defying kite flyers. This week’s installment offers a trio of tales likely to pique the interest of anyone with a taste for the unusual.
First up, Wildman examines the “Cassette Girls,” French women who weren’t quite refugees, weren’t quite mail-order brides, but somehow managed to shake up America’s culinary scene. Wildman uses portraits, letters, and maybe even a dusty cookbook or two to piece together their story, likely revealing some unexpected twists in early American food history.
Next, we’re off to the world of international kite-flying, which, as it turns out, can be far more treacherous than your average picnic pastime. Wildman recounts the story of a high-stakes kite performance intended to bridge two nations – literally. Expect archival footage of strained ropes, anxious faces, and possibly some gravity-defying feats.
Finally, “Mysteries of the Unknown” turns its attention to a four-legged hero. Bing the Paradog, a canine with a seemingly preternatural sense of duty, apparently played a pivotal role in a moment of national crisis. Wildman will undoubtedly milk this one for all its heartwarming worth, though hopefully with some actual historical context thrown in for good measure.
“Mysteries of the Unknown” airs Monday, December 9, 2024, at 8:00 PM on Travel Channel.
