November 13, 2025

4.06: Johanna's reckless plan to spy on Sweeney Todd! — The highwaymen's plan to rescue their friend. — Two naughty songs about Very Special Ladies. — Dirty jokes, and a few clean ones.

1 hour 9 minutes

A one-hour Ha'penny Horrid 'Hursday episode! In two parts, the first grim and dark, the second salty and spicy; to-wit:

PART I: "THE HA’PENNY HORRIDS," 0:00 — 34:50:

This first segment of the Thursday show contains a chapter of Sweeney Todd, along with the more darksome, loathly, and horrifying tidbits of the week: Tales of horrid murders, public executions, disasters, brutal crimes, and similar rays of sunshine — INCLUDING ...

01:40: DICKENS' DREADFUL ALMANAC for today: A tragic story of a young boy who was infected with rabies by a beloved neighborhood dog.
04:45: SWEENEY TODD, THE BARBER OF FLEET-STREET, Chapter 62-63: As Johanna and Arabella walk home from the Temple-garden meeting, Johanna is in a maudlin mood and talking crazy about death and destiny and eternity. Arabella, a little alarmed, tries to settle her down by proposing a plan of action, to take her mind off things. Unfortunately, that plan is — for Johanna to dress in boys’ clothes and apply for the vacant job as a “pious boy” in Todd’s shop! Too late, she realizes what a terrible and dangerous idea this would be. But, can she unring that bell, now that Johanna has heard her idea? And will Johanna follow through with it?
24:25: BROADSIDE BALLAD: The story of the trial and execution of a gang of “burkers” for murdering a poor Italian boy to sell his corpse to the nearest medical college.

PART II: "THE TWOPENNY TORRIDS," 35:10 — 1:09:25:

This second segment of the Thursday show contains a chapter or two of Dick Turpin's adventures, along with all the more salacious, cheeky, and naughty elements of the week — INCLUDING ...

35:45: BLACK BESS; or, THE KNIGHT OF THE ROAD (starring HIGHWAYMAN DICK TURPIN), Chapter 30-31: Arriving at the stable where Black Bess was lodged, Tom and Dick pay a street urchin to watch their horses for them, and creep toward the stable. Soon Dick spots the ostler, Alf, and calls him over. Alf confirms the five officers are all in the stable, along with Tom Davis, whom they have taken prisoner. Tom and Dick decide to make a frontal attack, thrash the officers, and make their escape with Tom. But, it’s two against five. Can they bring it off? Not to worry, Alf says — he’s got a Cunning Plan ….
57:10: A FEW DIRTY JOKES from a salty joke book titled “The Joke-Cracker” (1803).
1:00:10: TWO VERY NAUGHTY COCK-AND-HEN-CLUB SONGS: "The Slap-Up Blowing” (a celebration of a particularly amazing lady of the evening) and “Oh no, I never mention it” (a young man’s musical tribute to a particular but unnamed lady’s “naughty bits”)
1:05:50: A FEW SQUEAKY-CLEAN DAD JOKES from the early-1800s' most popular joke book: "Joe Miller's Jests; or, The Wit's Vade-mecum."

A new episode of the show is released every Sunday and Thursday evening at 5:37 p.m. London time. (5:37 p.m. is Dick Turpin Scragging Hour: It's 17:37 in military time, and Dick Turpin — the historical figure — was hanged in 1737 A.D.)

Join host Corinthian Finn, a.k.a. Finn J.D. John 18th Baron Dunwitch,* for a one-hour-long spree through the scandal-sheets and story papers of old London!

* The Barony of Dunwitch is located in a wood west of Arkham (where “the hills rise wild, and there are valleys with deep woods that no axe has ever cut; there are dark narrow glens where the trees slope fantastically, and where thin brooklets trickle without ever having caught the glint of sunlight.”) Actually it is a good 3,000 miles west of Arkham. It is not to be confused with Dunwich, the English seacoast town that fell house by house into the sea centuries ago, or Dunsany, the home until 1957 of legendary fantasy author Edward J.M.D. Plunkett, 18th Baron Dunsany.

GLOSSARY OF FLASH TERMS USED IN THIS EPISODE:

A full glossary of the flash-cant terms used in this episode at https://pennydread.com/discord .

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By Finn J.D. John/ Pulp-Lit Productions

4.4

99 ratings