Podcast Summary: "Ripley's Believe It Or Not - 1 Minute Episodes xx-xx-xx (392) Victory Castle"

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Host: Harolds Old Time Radio
Date: December 26, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of Harold's Old Time Radio features a classic "Ripley's Believe It Or Not" segment. The episode presents two astounding stories—one involving a miraculous revival after being pronounced dead during the Black Plague, and the other recounting the unusual creation of "Victory Castle" in Corsica by a long-standing rival of Napoleon. The tone is dramatic and invokes the intrigue and wonder typical of Ripley's historic oddities.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Miraculous Survival from the Black Plague

• Summary:
  The story opens with the pronouncement of Tolsten Cleven's death aboard the ship Amelia in 1840 due to the Black Plague.
• Main Details:
  • Cleven was declared dead and only avoided burial at sea because his friends wanted him interred in New York.
  • Upon arrival, while at an undertaking establishment, Cleven unexpectedly revived.
  • He went on to live for another 58 years.
• Notable Quote (Speaker B, 00:34):

  "Tolsten Cleven was declared dead of the black Plague on the ship Amelia in 1840. He was saved from being buried at sea only because friends want permission to bury him in New York. He revived in an undertaking establishment and lived for another 58 years, believe it or not."

2. The Story of Victory Castle in Corsica

• Summary: A tale of rivalry and symbolism following the burning of a significant piece of Napoleon's heritage.
• Main Details:
  • A castle in Corsica once formed part of Napoleon's Tuileries palace in Paris.
  • This structure was burned by a French mob in 1871.
  • After the fire, Duke Jerome Pozzo de Borgo—a historical rival of Napoleon—bought the ruins.
  • He invested $400,000 and 15 years rebuilding the castle, motivated not by comfort or legacy, but to display his victory over his old enemy, Napoleon.
• Notable Quote (Speaker B, 01:10):

  "After that fire, Duke Jerome Pozzo de Borgo, whose family had long feuded with that of Napoleon in Corsica, bought the debris and then spent $400,000 and 15 years rebuilding the castle. He did it simply to display a symbol of his victory over his old enemy. Believe it or not."

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• Tolsten Cleven’s Resurrection (00:34):
  The drama of narrowly escaping burial at sea and returning from the dead sets the mystique of "Believe It Or Not" stories.
• The Motivation Behind Victory Castle (01:10):
  The pettiness and persistence of a feud so intense that it demanded a 15-year, $400,000 gesture.

Notable Timestamps

• 00:34 — Introduction to Tolsten Cleven’s medically improbable survival
• 01:10 — The burning, acquisition, and reconstruction of Victory Castle as an act of rivalry

Tone and Language

The story-telling retains the theatrical and suspenseful presentation style typical of Ripley’s segments—stating each fact in a straightforward manner with the catchphrase "Believe it or not" punctuating each anecdote, inviting listeners to marvel and question what they've just heard.

Conclusion

This brief yet captivating episode captures the charm and intrigue of vintage radio storytelling, giving listeners two uncanny stories that spark curiosity and wonder about history’s oddities. The tales highlight human perseverance, rivalry, and the unpredictability of fate—delivered in the classic, dramatic Ripley's manner.