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Deep Dive: Nuts! (2016)

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Nuts!
Nuts! is a 2016 partly-animated documentary about John R. Brinkley, a controversial figure known for his dubious medical practices and radio career. The film recounts Brinkley's life from his beginnings as a druggist in Milford, Kansas, to his rise as a physician who claimed to cure male impotence with goat testicle implants. Through customer testimonials, Brinkley gained fame and wealth, but his practices attracted scrutiny from the American Medical Association, leading to the revocation of his medical license. The documentary also covers Brinkley's achievements in broadcasting, including the establishment of KFKB, one of the most powerful radio stations of its time, and his later creation of XERA in Mexico. It touches on his political ambitions, including a write-in campaign for governor of Kansas in 1930, and his legal troubles, including libel suits and wrongful death claims. The film employs a mix of animation, archival footage, and expert interviews to present Brinkley's complex legacy.

Why Watch

  • •See Brinkley's goat testicle cure claims in action.
  • •Meet the man behind the world's most powerful radio station.
  • •Find out how Brinkley's fame turned into infamy.

Did You Know

•John R. Brinkley ran for governor of Kansas in 1930 as a write-in candidate.
•Brinkley built the world's most powerful radio station, KFKB, in Kansas.
•Brinkley faced numerous wrongful death suits and had an arrest record.
•Nuts! won the Special Jury Award for Editing at Sundance in 2016.

Perfect For

Medical history enthusiastsRadio broadcasting fansTrue crime followers