Episode Overview

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode: Ripley's Believe It Or Not - 1 Minute Episodes (304) "Whiskers Caused a War"
Date: September 22, 2025
Theme: This micro-episode brings listeners a quirky, historical tale from Ripley's Believe It Or Not, focusing on an unexpected cause behind a historical conflict—King Louis VII's facial hair.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Curiosity and the Unexpected: Giant Beans

• Timestamp: 00:43
• The episode kicks off in classic Ripley's fashion, with a startling fact designed to tickle the imagination of the listener.
• Quote:

  "If you like to cook and you have an unusually large kettle, C.N. Robinson of New Zealand had just the dish for you. In 1928, he grew beans more than 6ft long and 10 to 17 inches around. Believe it or not."
  — Ripley's Narrator [00:43]

• This short segment sets the tone, introducing the idea that truth is often stranger than fiction.

2. The Story of the Whiskers That Changed History

• Timestamp: 01:05 (approx.)
• The main segment details one of history’s more peculiar chain reactions.
• Historical account:
  • King Louis VII of France returned from the Crusades and made the personal decision to shave off his whiskers.
  • This act inadvertently caused his queen to declare she no longer loved him, ultimately leading to their divorce.
  • The queen then married King Henry II of England. Feeling betrayed, Louis VII declared war on Henry II.
  • This conflict between England and France initiated by personal decisions (specifically facial hair!) lasted for 301 years, concluding only after the Battle of Rouen.
• Quote:

  "The most fateful whiskers in history belonged to King Louis VII of France. After the king returned from the Crusades, he decided to shave off his whiskers. The result was the queen declared she had lost her affection for him. She obtained a divorce and married King Henry II of England. Louis declared war upon Henry, and this war between England and France did not end until after the Battle of Rouen and 301 years later. Believe it or not."
  — Ripley's Narrator [01:08]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Truth is stranger than fiction. And this is the truth. This is Ripley's Believe it or Not."
  — Ripley's Host [00:30]
• "The most fateful whiskers in history belonged to King Louis VII of France... this war between England and France did not end until after the Battle of Rouen and 301 years later."
  — Ripley's Narrator [01:08]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:30 – Intro to "Ripley's Believe it or Not"
• 00:43 – Giant Beans of New Zealand
• 01:05 – The Whiskers That Caused a War

Tone & Style

The narrators use a sharp, factual, and slightly whimsical tone consistent with Ripley's style, instantly engaging listeners with bizarre yet true anecdotes. Each story is told with a sense of marvel and dry wit, making even the most improbable statements seem plausible—at least for a moment.

This episode offers a perfect example of why Ripley's Believe It Or Not became such an enduring feature of the Golden Age of Radio—combining history, trivia, and the delightfully unexpected all within a single entertaining minute.