Digest

This episode of No Such Thing as a Fish delves into a collection of fascinating facts. The first fact revolves around JBS Haldane and Helen Spurway, two researchers who experimented on themselves in hyperbaric chambers to understand the effects of oxygen at high pressures. This research was crucial for the D-Day landings. The second fact introduces the Swiss wrestling trousers, known as Swinger Hozen, which feature a special belt for opponents to hang onto. The sport is traditionally a male-dominated activity, but women are now participating. The final fact focuses on Bum Fato, a Key West fire chief in the 1960s who was known for his colorful personality and unconventional methods. He was a practitioner of the Yoruba religion, drove a lime green Ford Galaxy with a shrine on its hood, and eventually disappeared after being caught selling drugs. The episode also touches upon the history of wrecking in Key West and the founding of Miami by Julia Tuttle. The episode concludes with a discussion of Grace Kelly's Hollywood career and her marriage to Prince Rainier of Monaco, highlighting the unusual circumstances surrounding her decision to leave Hollywood and the arranged nature of her marriage. The episode also discusses Alec Guinness's career, highlighting his portrayal of Lawrence of Arabia in a play called "Ross" two years before the film "Lawrence of Arabia" was released. The team discusses how Guinness's portrayal of Lawrence of Arabia in the play may have influenced his casting in the film.

Outlines

00:00:00

Introduction

This Chapter introduces the episode of No Such Thing as a Fish, mentioning the upcoming Thunder Nerds tour and the sold-out Sydney Opera House show. It also announces an extra show in Sydney and details the pre-sale for club fish members.

00:02:19

Dan's Absence and Fact #1

This Chapter begins with Anna Toshinsky hosting the show, explaining Dan Schreiber's absence due to a train delay. Anna presents her fact about a scientist who persuaded another to inhale oxygen until she vomited, highlighting the unusual context of this event and its connection to D-Day preparations.

00:18:24

Fact #2: Swiss Wrestling Trousers

This Chapter features Andy Hunter Murray's fact about the Swinger Hozen, a special type of wrestling trouser worn in the Swiss Alps. Andy explains the rules and techniques of this unique sport, highlighting its traditional male dominance and the existence of female participants.

00:30:16

Fact #3: Bum Fato

This Chapter presents James Harkin's fact about Bum Fato, a Key West fire chief known for his eccentricities and involvement in the drug trade. James discusses Fato's colorful personality, his connection to the Yoruba religion, and his eventual disappearance.

00:44:43

Dan's Fact: Grace Kelly and Alec Guinness

This Chapter features Dan Schreiber's fact, delivered via voicemail, about the secret tomahawk exchange between actors Grace Kelly and Alec Guinness. The team discusses the story, highlighting Guinness's memoir as the source and the unusual nature of the exchange.

00:50:33

Grace Kelly's Background and Monaco

This Chapter delves into Grace Kelly's background, focusing on her wealthy family, her father's Olympic rowing career, and the class barriers he faced in the Henley Regatta. The team also discusses the circumstances surrounding her marriage to Prince Rainier of Monaco, including the arranged nature of the marriage and the need for a male heir.

00:55:14

Alec Guinness's Career and "Lawrence of Arabia"

This Chapter discusses Alec Guinness's career, highlighting his portrayal of Lawrence of Arabia in a play called "Ross" two years before the film "Lawrence of Arabia" was released. The team discusses how Guinness's portrayal of Lawrence of Arabia in the play may have influenced his casting in the film.

Keywords

Q&A

• What was the purpose of the oxygen inhalation experiment conducted by JBS Haldane and Helen Spurway?

  The experiment was designed to understand how the human body reacts to high pressures and pure oxygen, which was crucial information for the Allied divers who would be operating near the beaches during the D-Day landings.

• What are Swinger Hozen and how are they used in Swiss wrestling?

  Swinger Hozen are heavy trunks worn by wrestlers in Swiss wrestling. They feature a special belt that opponents can grab onto, allowing for a variety of holds and techniques. The goal is to throw the opponent to the ground.

• Who was Bum Fato and what made him a notable figure in Key West?

  Bum Fato was a Key West fire chief known for his eccentric personality and unconventional methods. He was a practitioner of the Yoruba religion, drove a lime green Ford Galaxy with a shrine on its hood, and was eventually caught selling drugs. His story is a fascinating example of the colorful characters who have inhabited Key West.

• What was the nature of the secret tomahawk exchange between Grace Kelly and Alec Guinness?

  Guinness, after filming a movie with Kelly, left a tomahawk in her hotel room as a joke. Years later, he found the same tomahawk in his own hotel room, suggesting Kelly had kept it and returned it to him. This unusual exchange continued for years, with Guinness going to great lengths to return the tomahawk to Kelly's possession.

• What were the circumstances surrounding Grace Kelly's marriage to Prince Rainier of Monaco?

  Kelly's marriage to Rainier was an arranged marriage, suggested by Aristotle Onassis, a Greek shipping magnate. The marriage was seen as a way to boost tourism in Monaco, which had suffered a decline after World War II. Kelly was also subjected to a virginity test, although it was not taken seriously.

• What was the class barrier that John Kelly, Grace Kelly's father, faced in the Henley Regatta?

  In the early 20th century, the Henley Regatta had a rule that barred anyone who worked as a mechanic, artisan, or laborer from participating. Kelly, a bricklayer and Olympic rowing champion, was banned from the Regatta due to his profession, highlighting the class-based nature of the event.

• What is the significance of Julia Tuttle in the history of Miami?

  Julia Tuttle was a businesswoman who played a key role in the development of Miami. She persuaded Henry Flagler, a millionaire, to extend his railroad to Miami, which ultimately led to the city's growth and development. Tuttle is considered the founder of Miami, making it the only major city in America founded by a woman.

• How did Alec Guinness's portrayal of Lawrence of Arabia in a play influence his casting in the film?

  Guinness played Lawrence of Arabia in a play called "Ross" two years before the film "Lawrence of Arabia" was released. His performance in the play may have influenced the casting directors' decision to cast him in the film, as they were already familiar with his portrayal of the character.

Show Notes