World Adventurers Club 32-xx-xx ep29 Living Mummy

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: World Adventurers Club - "Living Mummy"

Release Date: October 30, 2025
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio
Featured Storyteller: Mr. Arnold Manning

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Episode Overview

In this classic, dramatized adventure, the World Adventurers Club welcomes the intrepid Mr. Arnold Manning as he recounts an electrifying—and chilling—tale from his explorations in Arabia. The story, titled "Living Mummy," revolves around Manning's quest for the lost tomb of Ptolemy Ray, a confrontation with the nefarious Mustafa Bey, a near-death entombment, and a miraculous escape featuring a mysterious "living mummy." Interwoven with suspense, supernatural intrigue, and old-fashioned heroism, this episode provides a true taste of Golden Age radio storytelling.

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Key Discussion Points & Story Highlights

1. The Adventurer’s Assembly

• The episode begins with a formal welcome by the fictional World Adventurers Club, an exclusive society for those who've endured thrilling, hair-raising ordeals.
  • “Only those who have passed through some thrilling or blood curdling experience may qualify for membership.” — Host ([01:21])

2. Introducing the Tale and the Quest

• Mr. Arnold Manning is invited to share his latest adventure.
• Manning recalls venturing through the harsh Arabian desert in pursuit of the lost tomb of Ptolemy Ray, accompanied by his loyal servant, Moro.
  • “After many weary weeks of searching … my native boy and I stumbled upon the hidden tomb near a grove of fantastic and gnarled fig trees.” — Manning ([02:11])

3. Sinister Encounters at the Tomb

• Upon arrival, Manning and Moro encounter Mustafa Bey and his band, performing rituals to ward off evil spirits.
• Mustafa Bey is portrayed as menacing and untrustworthy, hinting he knows more about the tomb than he lets on.
  • “It is that the joke seems to be on you, monsieur. If you will proceed to the tomb, you will observe that someone has been ahead of you.” — Mustafa Bey ([03:30])
• Mustafa warns Manning against entering, but Manning, undeterred and skeptical, enters the tomb.

4. Trapped and Facing Certain Doom

• While inside the tomb examining the sarcophagus, the heavy stone door is shut, trapping Manning, Moro, and later, a mysterious girl.
• The mood shifts to panic and despair as oxygen depletes.
  • “We are buried alive.” — Manning ([04:52])
  • “It looks like curtains for us, Moro.” — Manning ([05:35])

5. Supernatural Intrigue: The Living Mummy

• The sarcophagus lid mysteriously moves by itself. Instead of a mummy, they discover a living, frightened French girl, Sonia.
  • “So it is a living mummy. But this mummy is a beautiful girl… Her eyes are open.” — Manning ([07:21])
  • “Please, oh please do not hurt me, monsieur.” — Sonia ([07:33])
• Sonia explains she was hiding from Mustafa Bey and crawled into the sarcophagus for shelter.

6. A Miraculous Escape

• As oxygen runs low, the group spots a giant shadow—a hulking ape. The ape moves a secret stone, opening the tomb and saving them all.
  • “There it is. It's pushing against the door. It's an ape. A huge ape. An ape. Yes, it is. It is the sacred ape.” — Manning ([09:43])
  • “We're free. The door is open and he's gone. Oh, breathe that wonderful air.” — Manning ([10:49])
• The triumphant return to sunlight marks their deliverance and the ape is seen joyously swinging through the trees.
  • “Thank the ape. Much obliged, old fellow. May you live to a ripe old age.” — Manning ([11:12])

7. A Romantic Coda

• Manning reveals that he later married Sonia, the “living mummy,” delivering a final tongue-in-cheek twist in classic radio adventure style.
  • “Why, I'd have you marry the girl—you always do.” — Chairman ([11:38])
  • “And just what I did.” — Manning ([11:42])

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Adventure & Dread:
  "After many weary weeks of searching in the terrific heat of the desert..." — Manning ([02:11])
• On Mustafa’s Sinister Presence:
  "You question me, Monsieur Manning? It is I who should question you." — Mustafa Bey ([03:09])
• On Foreshadowed Doom:
  "We are buried alive." — Manning ([04:52])
• On the Supernatural/Scientific Divide:
  "There are no evil spirits. When the top of a mummy case moves, there is something physically alive in there." — Manning ([06:49])
• On Heroism & Gratitude:
  "Monsieur, you have saved my life. I am grateful. Thank the ape. Much obliged, old fellow." — Sonia & Manning ([11:07], [11:12])
• The Classic Adventure Ending:
  "Why, I'd have you marry the girl—you always do." — Chairman ([11:38])
  "And just what I did." — Manning ([11:42])

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Key Scene Timestamps

• Adventurers Club opens, Manning introduced: [01:21] – [02:11]
• Arrival at the tomb and encounter with Mustafa Bey: [02:11] – [03:53]
• Trapped in the tomb: [04:46] – [05:35]
• Discovery of Sonia/living mummy: [06:31] – [07:33]
• Supernatural shadow and ape’s intervention: [09:14] – [10:49]
• Romantic and closing remarks: [11:26] – [11:42]

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Summary

"Living Mummy" delivers a suspenseful, slightly tongue-in-cheek adventure set amid desert sands, ancient tombs, and mysterious rescues. The drama builds as Manning, trapped and desperate, uncovers not a mummy, but a living woman in terrible danger—before the timely intervention of a sacred ape delivers them all. The romance and derring-do are capped with the classic Golden Age radio blend of suspense, wit, and a nod to the heroic storyteller’s ever-happy ending.
Perfect for fans of pulp radio and supernatural adventure, this episode evokes the nostalgic thrills of the radio era.

Transcript

[A]

The World Adventurous Club greets you once again. As you may know, this unique organization is composed solely of brave, intrepid adventurers and explorers. Only those who have passed through some thrilling or blood curdling experience may qualify for membership. Ladies and gentlemen, the World Adventurers Club.

[B]

Gentlemen, Gentlemen. The meeting will come to order. What's on the carpet for tonight, Mr. Chairman? Something usual, I can promise you. Allow me to present the guest of the evening, Mr. Arnold Manning.

[A]

How do you do, Mr. Manning? Good evening. Good evening, Mr. Manning.

[B]

Have you that little story prepared for us?

[A]

I believe so.

[B]

Very well then, proceed.

[A]

It so happened that a few years ago I was in Arabia in search of the tomb of an Egyptian king, Ptolemy Ray by name. After many weary weeks of searching in the terrific heat of the desert, my native boy and I stumbled upon the hidden tomb near a grove of fantastic and gnarled fig trees. But imagine our surprise. To find a band of fierce Arabs with campfires gathered near the grove. I heard the beat of their drums and knew what they meant. They were driving away the evil spirits. Oh, it is Mustafa Bay. It is better we go away and return later. Why? Well, Mustafa, he.

[B]

He very bad man. He rob and steal.

[A]

Nonsense. I'll go speak to him. Wait here. You are Mustafa Bey. May I ask what you are doing here?

[B]

You question me, Monsieur Manning? It is I who should question you.

[A]

You know me then?

[B]

I have been watching you. So you have found the hidden tomb?

[A]

Yes, after much hard work.

[B]

Excellent.

[A]

Why do you laugh?

[B]

It is that the joke seems to be on you, monsieur. If you will proceed to the tomb, you will observe that someone has been ahead of you.

[A]

What? Come, I will show you why the stone door is moved back. The tomb is open. You did this.

[B]

I know, Monsieur Manning. I would not enter that tomb for all the money in the world. But I am interested in what you will find within that tomb. I and my men will wait outside.

[A]

Do not enter. Sal. Come weak or quick. No, but I am wondering what's inside that interests Mustafa. Hand me that flashlight. I'm going in. Oh, please, sir. The evil spirit. You'll go with me, Moro. This Mustafa can do us no harm. We're not far from the village. But I am afraid, sir. Don't be silly. Come on. It certainly is dark in here. Pick up your feet, Morrow. I'll flash this light about. What was that? That one.

[C]

Oh, the stone guard.

[A]

Oh, Mustafa has closed it.

[C]

See, we are shut in.

[A]

We are buried alive.

[B]

Our preservers.

[A]

Mustafa. Open up. Open up, I say. Mustafa Bay. I'll kill you for it's no use. The stone door is in place. It looks as if you were right, Moro. We are buried alive.

[B]

You have found p too, my friend. And joy. Oh, my man. The camel. We go.

[A]

We are as good as deaths are.

[B]

Oh, I warn you.

[A]

Yes, it looks like curtains for us morrow. Strange how that stone was moved back and Mustafa being here, I'll bet he opened it with the intention of locking us in to die.

[B]

Oh, no, no sir.

[A]

Mustafa afraid of evil spirit. He did not do it. Well, I may as well look round. There is the sarcophagus of Ptolemy Ray. Isn't it beautiful? Smell the musk and spices and the dust. Oh, it is getting warm. We will soon stop breathing. Yes, the oxygen will soon be exhausted. Look. Look, sir. See? Cover.

[C]

It is moving.

[A]

Good heavens. It came from that sarcophagus. By Jove, that cover is moving. Well, I'm going to see what's inside.

[C]

Oh no, no, listen.

[A]

There are no evil spirits. When the top of a mummy case moves, there is something physically alive in there. It may be a rat, but I'm going to see. You brave man. Sir, I keep close even to death. That's the idea, Moro. Well, here goes. I'll pull it off.

[C]

Oh, it's alive. Your mummy is alive. Oh, I love Allah.

[A]

So it is a living mummy. But this mummy is a beautiful girl. She's rousing. She's sitting up. Her eyes are open.

[C]

Please, oh please do not hurt me, monsieur.

[A]

A French girl. Who are you? What are you doing in the sarcophagus? And where is the mummy?

[C]

Mummy? I found no mummy. When I escaped from Mustafa Bay while he was camping here, I saw the door of this tomb open and I ran in. I was afraid he might enter to search for me and so I came in here and pulled the COVID over me.

[A]

You say you escaped from Mustafa Bey. Why?

[C]

He captured me from my uncle's caravan. I dread the fate I knew was ahead of me. And I would rather die in here than I must have faint.

[A]

Yes, I see. But I still can't fathom how that stone door came to be opened.

[C]

It's getting hot. I am stifling. Can we not leave here?

[A]

What's your name?

[C]

Sonia.

[A]

I'm sorry, Sonia. Mustafa Bey has closed the door and we are buried alive. Oh, we must be brave.

[C]

We are to die in this tomb. I do not want to die. I do not want to die.

[A]

There, there. We must be brave. Oh master, if I may hold your.

[C]

Hand and I do, it will help me to wait for Death.

[A]

I'll drop this flashlight so the light won't leave us. Look.

[C]

Look, master, that shadow on the wall, it is moving.

[A]

Wait while I turn this light. By Jove, it is moving. Looks like a huge human form.

[C]

It's an evil spirit.

[A]

He shoots. Give me that gun. Whatever it is is moving toward the stone door. Yes, it's climbing down.

[C]

Monsieur, if it is alive, it must breathe. It must know how to get out.

[A]

You're right, Sonia. There it is. It's pushing against the door. It's an ape. A huge ape. An ape. Yes, it is. It is the sacred ape. Shh. Quiet. He's searching for a certain stone. He seems to be weak. Guess it's hard for him to breathe in here. Hurry. Hurry, old man, or we won't last to enjoy our freedom. Hurry, Hurry. Oh, he's found it. He's moving it. The stone door is moving. We're free. The door is open and he's gone. Oh, breathe that wonderful air. Moro, can you get out? Sonia has painted. Yes, master, I am all right. Come then, let's get out of here as fast as we can. Oh, the sun again. The beautiful sun. Sonia. Sonia, we are free.

[C]

The sun. Oh, we are saved. If Mustafa Bey does not come back.

[A]

He is gone for good, I hope. Look, the ape is swinging joyously from tree to tree in the grove.

[C]

Monsieur, you have saved my life. I am grateful.

[A]

Thank the ape. Much obliged, old fellow. May you live to a ripe old age. Well.

[B]

Oh, that's quite a yarn. I was almost suffocating while you were telling the story, Mr. Manning.

[A]

The weirdest yarn I ever heard. But what became of Sonia, the living mummy? How would you have them, Mr. Chairman?

[B]

Why, I'd have you marry the girl you always do.

[A]

And just what I did. And now will you believe that a me can come to life? Well, listen again and be thrilled by another strange adventure in strange land.