Ripley's Believe It Or Not - 1 Minute Episodes xx-xx-xx (311) Shrieking Statue

Summary

Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: Ripley's Believe It Or Not – 1 Minute Episodes (311) "Shrieking Statue"
Date: September 29, 2025
Host: Harolds Old Time Radio

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Episode Overview

This brief, high-impact episode is part of the "Ripley's Believe It Or Not" series, bringing listeners an intriguing tale from the annals of history that underscores the show's theme: "Truth is stranger than fiction." The episode explores two extraordinary stories—a record-breaking case of bigamy and the mysterious occurrence of a shrieking statue—demonstrating the strangeness and unpredictability of real-life events.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Record-Breaking Bigamy Case

[00:35]

• The episode kicks off by highlighting a truly bizarre court case:
  • Mrs. Theresa Vaughn, aged 24, was arraigned in Sheffield, England, on December 19, 1922.
  • Charged with bigamy, Vaughn confessed to having 61 marriages in just five years.
  • The speaker sets up the show’s theme with:

    "Truth is stranger than fiction, and this is the proof. This is Ripley, Believe it or not."

2. The Mystery of the Shrieking Statue

[00:53]

• The narrative shifts to 18th-century Greece and recounts an eerie, almost supernatural event:
  • In 1799, Thomas Bruce (also known as Lord Elgin), British ambassador, was granted permission to dismantle the Erechtheum, an ancient temple in Athens, with the aim to reconstruct it in London.
  • The demolition began at night but was quickly halted by a chilling incident:
    • A statue reportedly "shrieks," causing laborers to flee.
    • The incident was so terrifying that the demolition plan was abandoned altogether.
  • The episode closes with the signature sign-off:

    "[...] A statue shrieked, the laborers fled in terror, and the plan was abandoned. Believe it or not."

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Bigamy Scandal:

  • "Mrs. Theresa Vaughn, age 24, was arraigned in the police court of Sheffield, England, on December 19, 1922, on a charge of bigamy. She confessed to 61 marriages in five years, believe it or not."
    — Narrator ([00:37])

• On the Ghostly Statue:

  • "They had hardly started dismantling it when an unexplainable event occurred. A statue shrieked, the laborers fled in terror, and the plan was abandoned. Believe it or not."
    — Narrator ([01:06])

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:35 — Introduction and Bigamy Case
• 00:53 — The Shrieking Statue of the Erechtheum
• 01:06 — Conclusion and Signature Tagline

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Overall Tone & Style

The episode embodies the hallmark Ripley’s style: matter-of-fact, slightly theatrical, and inviting listeners to marvel at the strangeness of true stories, wrapped in concise and compelling narration. Each tale is delivered with a sharp punchline, leaving the listener with a sense of awe and curiosity.

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This summary provides all the highlights and context needed to appreciate the episode’s fascinating tidbits, true to the spirit of the original Ripley’s Believe It Or Not broadcasts.

Transcript

[A]

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[B]

Truth is stranger than fiction, and this is the proof. This is Ripley, Believe it or not. Mrs. Theresa Vaughn, age 24, was arraigned in the police court of Sheffield, England, on December 19, 1922, on a charge of bigamy. She confessed to 61 marriages in five years, believe it or not. In a moment, I'll tell you how a building was saved by a shrieking statue. In 1799, Thomas Bruce, the British ambassador, obtained the permission of the Turkish authorities to tear down the Erechtheum, the famous temple situated on the Acropolis in the Grecian capital. He planned to rebuild it in London. The demolition began at night. They had hardly started dismantling it when an unexplainable event occurred. A statue shrieked, the laborers fled in terror, and the plan was abandoned. Believe it or not.