To Tell the Truth Search for Bridey Murphy Apr 4, 1966

“The Search for Bridey Murphy,” (book and later record album) was a sensation back in 1956. A housewife from Pueblo, Colorado was hypnotized into discovering a past life in Ireland. Using an Irish accent under hypnosis, she claimed she had been Bridey Murphy, born in 1798 and died in 1864. To protect her identity, Virginia Tighe, was given the pseudonym Ruth Simmons. The book’s promise that reincarnation is possible, led to a flurry of investigations by reporters, who journeyed to Cork to verify the revelations Ruth Simmons told. Some parts of the story rang true, some didn’t. Ruth had never been to Ireland so how could she know so many obscure facts? The book was made into a movie, with Teresa Wright in the lead. Stan Freberg thought the whole thing worth a laugh, and along with the great June Foray (who died in August, 2017), offered “The Quest For Bridey Hammerschlaugen,” with jokes about what a certain Goldie Smith’s past lives could’ve been. Not particularly relishing the spotlight, Virginia Tighe (April 27, 1923 – July 12, 1995) didn’t do a lot of talk shows. This “To Tell the Truth” broadcast is a rare chance to see her.