Podcast Summary: Ripley's Believe It Or Not – "Choosy Thief"

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode Date: January 31, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of “Ripley’s Believe It Or Not” from the classic radio era spotlights a pair of incredible anecdotes—the improbable achievements of a bowling team, followed by the bizarre true tale of a thief with peculiar preferences when given a chance at life and love. Presented in the hallmark concise storytelling style of the original series, this “one minute episode” captures the strangeness of human nature with a legendary Ripley’s twist.

Key Discussion Points & Segments

Introduction: Truth is Stranger Than Fiction

• Speaker D [00:28] opens:
  "Truth is stranger than fiction. Now this is the proof. This is Ripley's Believe it or Not."
  The show’s signature catchphrase sets an atmosphere of curious anticipation.

The Curious Bowling Team [00:41]

• Speaker C [00:41] shares the first unbelievable story:
  • A bowling team sponsored by Roger Schmitz participates in a league tournament.
  • Each of the five team members scores consecutively: 187, 188, 189, 190, and 191.
  • The odds and precision seem almost impossible:
    "A five man bowling team sponsored by Roger Schmitz in a league tournament scored 187, 188, 189, 190 and 191. Believe it or not."

The Tale of the Choosy Thief [00:53]

• Setting: Haute Vieir, France, 1234.
• Story of habitual thief Jean Poconon, who faces execution.
• He’s told that he could be released if a pure maiden agrees to marry him.
• A homely orphan girl volunteers to save him, but he rejects her:
  "But Poconon took one look at her and said, no, I'd rather marry the gallows hangman. Do your duty."
• The story concludes with Poconon's fate: "He was hanged forthwith in the city of Reims in 1234, believe it or not."

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Show’s Opening Line [00:28]:
  "Truth is stranger than fiction. Now this is the proof. This is Ripley's Believe it or Not." — Speaker D
• On Poconon's Choice [01:13]: "Poconon took one look at her and said, no, I'd rather marry the gallows hangman. Do your duty." — Speaker C
• Closing Verification [01:20]: "He was hanged forthwith in the city of Reims in 1234, believe it or not." — Speaker C

Timestamps of Important Segments

• 00:28 — "Truth is stranger than fiction..." (episode’s signature open)
• 00:41 — Bowling team’s mathematically improbable streak
• 00:53 – 01:20 — The story of Jean Poconon, the choosy thief

Style & Tone

• The delivery is brisk, dramatic, and matter-of-fact—mirroring the storytelling tradition of 1930s–40s radio.
• The phrase "Believe it or not" acts as a recurring punctuation, lending a mix of incredulity and amusement to each tale.

Summary

In this short, punchy episode, “Ripley’s Believe It Or Not” showcases the oddities of everyday life and history—a bowling team’s unlikely score sequence, and a condemned thief so choosy that he chooses death over an unattractive bride. Each story is delivered with Ripley’s signature blend of straight-faced incredulity, making the episode a testament to the strangeness of reality and the quirky charm of vintage radio storytelling.

Note: Summary omits advertisements and modern conversation that follow the Ripley segment, focusing solely on the original content.