Based on a radio show that was broadcast for 11 years (1947-1958) and ended only when the host and creator, the genius Henrique Foreis "Almirante" Domingues, had a stroke. There were hundreds of horror stories, supposedly true, sent by listeners from all corners of the country, radiophoned and broadcast by Rádio Tupi in Rio de Janeiro. It became a book in 1951 (reissued in 1984), a film in 1969 and a TV show in 1994-1995, broadcast by the extinct Rede Manchete.