Since more than 1 billion people have played it, you’re probably familiar with the board game Monopoly, but we bet you don’t know its secret origins as a left-wing socialist teaching tool. Join Josh and Chuck as they chase it down in this classic episode.
AI Summary
In this classic 2014 episode, Josh, Chuck, and Jerry dive deep into the board game Monopoly, exploring its surprising origins as a socialist teaching tool created by Lizzie Maggie to demonstrate the dangers of capitalism before it was stolen and commercialized by Charles Darrow and Parker Brothers. They trace the game's evolution from the original "Landlord's Game" through various versions and adaptations, discuss the iconic tokens and properties (including the Atlantic City locations that inspired the modern board), and break down all the official rules that most people don't actually play by. Along the way, they cover fascinating tangents like World War II POW camps allegedly receiving Monopoly sets, fictional character wealth rankings, and how house rules have become such an integral part of the game experience.
"Do you remember going to Blockbuster? — Referenced in Hey Dude podcast advertisement about 90s nostalgia."
"Candyland, we know what that's all about. Yeah. Drugs, right? Probably. — Referenced as a children's board game while discussing games that teach about life."
— Josh
Hogan's Heroes
1965
★ 7.5
"I saw Hogan's heroes. I didn't put a lot of stock into it. — Referenced as a TV show depicting WWII POW camp life to discuss the treatment of prisoners."
— Josh
Star Wars
1977
2h 1m
★ 8.2
"I have, personally, my version as a Star Wars monopoly, which is pretty fun. — Referenced as a licensed Monopoly board game version Josh owns."
— Josh
The Game of Life
2001
★ 8.0
"Did you know apparently there used to be a square on the game of life board for suicide? — Referenced as a board game to compare with Monopoly's cultural significance."
— Chuck
The Great Escape
1963
2h 53m
★ 7.9
"I've seen the great escape on those, the war prison camps in World War II. — Referenced as an example of depictions of WWII POW camps to discuss whether Nazis allowed Monopoly sets to prisoners."
— Chuck
"There's a Simpsons monopoly. I haven't played it though. — Referenced as one of many licensed versions of Monopoly available."
— Josh
Twilight
2008
2h 2m
★ 6.3
"Carlisle Cullen from Twilight. Who's that? He was the dad, vampire dad, of the vampire family. — Referenced as part of a list of fictional wealthy characters from Forbes."
— Chuck
Uncommon Valor
1983
1h 40m
"That was a good movie. That was a great movie. It doesn't age well though. — Mentioned as an example of a movie based on real events with dated elements."
— Chuck
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