Folklore

The African American film director made a number of documentary films; his first widely distributed, commercial film, To Sleep with Anger, stars Danny Glover. Burnett comes from the American South; he's inspired by a lot of the folklore that comes from that region.

Jan Harold Brunvand explores the urban legend about the skier who stops to relieve herself, slips and breaks her arm. As she's leaving the hospital meets other skiers with broken limbs who say when they saw a woman skiing with her pants down they laughed so hard they lost their balance.

Jan Harold Brunvand explores the urban legend about a dead cat package that gets stolen before it reaches its resting place.

Jan Harold Brunvand explores a popular misconception about the poinsettia plant ... that it is poisonous or toxic.

Jan Harold Brunvand traces the urban legends surrounding college exams.

Jan Harold Brunvand explores the urban legend about the solid cement car.

Fresh Air broadcasts a lecture by Alan Dundes about how folklore has influenced our behaviors, social customs and popular culture.