(18) Magic Island - Pigeons Released

Summary

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Magic Island - Pigeons Released (Episode 18)

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Date: June 7, 2026
Episode Theme:
This episode immerses listeners in the thrilling world of "Magic Island," a serialized adventure from the Golden Age of Radio. The main focus is the Gregory yacht party’s daring attempt to communicate covertly with their ally Johnson, using homing pigeons to bypass the high-tech surveillance and radio jamming of the mysterious and sinister Euclidea—a hidden island run by scientific zealots.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Situation on Magic Island (00:30–00:58)

• The Gregory party has been isolated on Euclidea for 48 hours, unable to use standard radio communications because of G47’s jamming technologies.
• The yacht is lined with sound- and light-proof Euclidean cloth, which gives the group the rare chance to speak privately.

2. The Homing Pigeon Plan (00:58–03:17)

• Preparation: Mrs. Gregory has fashioned a suit for Jerry out of the special kelp-based Euclidean cloth to enable him to smuggle a pigeon undetected.
• Urgency: The group understands time is critical, as Johnson’s boat is drawing closer—and potentially into greater danger from Euclideans’ surveillance and weaponry.
  • "We haven't a thing but the homing pigeons to warn him with." — Mrs. Gregory (00:50)
  • "Any country in the world would come to our aid here. Remember that our escape will probably mean the only chance there is of saving the entire world from scientific conquest by these madmen." — Captain Bradford (02:11)

3. The Stakes of the Mission (02:23–03:09)

• The narrative underscores the danger the world faces if Euclidea succeeds. Joan clarifies the Euclideans are not ordinary criminals—they seek total power:
  • "Selfish ambition to rule over and terrorize people... speak of people in your world as dumb animals only fit to do the bidding of the Euclideans." — Joan (02:30)
• The group’s escape is painted as a mission critical to the freedom of the civilized world—more than just a personal survival story.

4. Implementing the Plan: Pigeon Release (03:09–04:47)

• Jerry, coached by Captain Bradford and Joan, prepares to transport the pigeon.
• Joan explains the importance of timing: to act while the island’s electrical surveillance is down, as indicated by the warning light. She also comments on the effectiveness of their disguise (the special cloth suit).

5. Calculating Risks and Surveillance (04:47–06:16)

• The team debates waiting for better timing but concludes immediate action is essential, since Johnson can't safely get much closer.
  • "We must get word to Johnson while he's still out of range of their detectives." — Mrs. Gregory (05:23)
• Joan explains the detection technology: at night, the Euclideans’ general detector only works for 200 miles, while their advanced daytime system can track targets 8,000 miles away—a crucial advantage for the group now.

6. The Pigeon Is Launched (06:36–08:31)

• Jerry retrieves the pigeon undetected and preps for launch. Pigeon is fitted with a message (Tex’s formula instructions) tied with Euclidean cloth thread, resistant to magnetic interference.

• The method for launching the bird is detailed, and Mrs. Gregory expresses hope and anxiety for the mission.

  • "Now, hold him gently but firmly, Jerry, while I tie this roll of paper on his leg. I'm using Euclidean cloth thread so there's no danger of any magnetic force holding this little fellow back." — Captain Bradford (07:11)

7. Contact from Johnson (09:01–10:14)

• Just as they finish, the radio unexpectedly comes alive. Johnson sends a coded storm warning and mentions that all radio channels are blocked by electrical disturbance—Euclidean interference.
  • "Land stations report all radio channels near you blocked by some terrific electrical disturbance. If you can hear me, run for it." — Johnson (09:11)

8. Calculating Distances & Racing Against Time (10:14–11:13)

• The team calculates Johnson’s distance based on coded messages, converting degrees to miles quickly:
  • "12 degrees at 69 miles to a degree is 828 miles." — Joan (10:52)
• They estimate that the pigeon will reach Johnson within five hours.

9. Final Concerns & Hope (11:13–12:00)

• Mrs. Gregory worries G47 may decipher the code and use it against them, but the team reassures each other.
• Jerry returns, elated at his success with the pigeon, and optimism lifts the mood:
  • "Oh boy, oh boy. Everything swelled. Not a soul was on our side of the island, and the pigeon took off into the north side of the fog like a bullet." — Jerry (11:46)
  • "It won't be long till we all get away." — Captain Bradford (12:00)

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Notable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps

• On the value of the mission:
  "This is war, Jerry, and a war that means freedom for the civilized people of the world. We've got to win. Our lives mean very little at a time like this." — Mrs. Gregory (03:09)

• Insight into Euclidean motives:
  "They speak of people in your world as dumb animals... plan to put machines at work in place of human brains. To experiment on people as they do now on animals. And rule the world by science." — Joan (02:30–03:00)

• Comic relief and teamwork:
  "Joan likes it, so you’re all right." — Captain Bradford (01:19)

• Calculating under pressure:
  "12 degrees at 69 miles to a degree is 828 miles." — Joan (10:52)

• Optimism on success:
  "Oh boy, oh boy. Everything swelled. Not a soul was on our side of the island, and the pigeon took off into the north side of the fog like a bullet." — Jerry (11:46)

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Important Segment Timestamps

• 00:30 – Episode narrative setup; stakes are established
• 01:35 – Debate over the homing pigeon's reliability
• 02:30 – Joan reveals Euclideans’ intentions
• 03:33 – Jerry prepares to smuggle the pigeon
• 05:08 – Detection devices and the danger window explained
• 07:11 – Final preparations for pigeon launch
• 09:04 – Johnson’s coded radio message comes through
• 10:52 – Joan calculates Johnson’s position
• 11:46 – Success! Jerry returns; the pigeon is away

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Tone and Language

• The tone is tense and earnest, with flashes of dry humor (“Nice people to meet on a dark night” – Jerry) and warmth among the Gregory party, in contrast to their cold, scientific adversaries.
• Dialogue is brisk, information-rich, and occasionally technical, reflecting the high stakes and the characters’ quick thinking.

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Summary

This episode captures a crucial, suspense-filled chapter for the Magic Island adventurers, blending scientific intrigue with old-fashioned derring-do. The group’s plan to bypass their captors’ surveillance with a homing pigeon is fraught with peril, but driven by their determination to save not just themselves but potentially the world from Euclidea’s sinister ambitions. The finale leaves listeners on edge, as the pigeon wings into the unknown, bearing the hope of rescue.

Transcript

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[Narrator]

48 hours on the Magic Island. 48 hours in this strange scientific colony called Euclidea. The cabins of the Gregory yacht are now completely lined with the sound and light proof cloth of the island. The Gregory party can talk in privacy as the delicate recording instruments of the scientists cannot penetrate the opaque cloth of their own manufacture. G47, mad genius of the island, has allowed Mrs. Gregory, her daughter and friends to remain aboard their yacht tied to the island. Captain Bradford, Mrs. Gregory, Joan and Jerry are grouped in the radio cabin of the yacht. It is midnight, their third midnight at the island.

[Captain Bradford]

Well, what do you think of your new suit, Jerry?

[Jerry]

Oh, it's all right, I guess. But Mrs. Gregory isn't so hot as a tailor.

[Mrs. Gregory]

I'm sorry, Jerry, but it will do for our purpose.

[Joan]

You look quite nice in a suit of Euclidean kelp cloth, I think, Jerry.

[Captain Bradford]

There you are, Jerry. Joan likes it so you're all right.

[Jerry]

Oh, I don't care much how it looks, just so as it does the trick.

[Mrs. Gregory]

There isn't any other way to get the pigeon into the cabin here without someone on Euclidea noticing it.

[Joan]

Are you so sure, Captain Bradford, that this pigeon will fly to the other boat and find it?

[Captain Bradford]

I never knew one of these birds to fail yet.

[Jerry]

I wish we'd hear from Johnson again. How close do you figure him to be now, Tex?

[Captain Bradford]

He's not more than seven or 800 miles and likely making about 40 knots now. He'll be slowing up as he gets nearer to try and discover what's wrong with us before he runs into needless danger himself.

[Mrs. Gregory]

He'd never dream the sort of place we're prisoners on. And with G47 blocking our radio beam, we haven't a thing but the homing pigeons to warn him with.

[Joan]

What message will you send with the pigeon, Captain?

[Captain Bradford]

I'll have to send instructions about my formula. It is the only thing to attack the island with.

[Jerry]

But suppose the pigeon goes to the wrong boat or makes to land someplace? Then your formula will be in someone else's hands.

[Captain Bradford]

No matter who gets what I send, any country in the world would come to our aid here. Remember that our escape will probably mean the only chance there is of saving the entire world from scientific conquest by these madmen.

[Mrs. Gregory]

Joan, dear, what do you think their attitude would be if they should take over the world? Are they criminals or merely power mad?

[Joan]

I think they are mad for power. Selfish ambition to rule over and terrorize people. They speak of people in your world as dumb animals only fit to do the bidding of the Euclideans.

[Mrs. Gregory]

Then I'm afraid the world would be just a gigantic laboratory for them to experiment with.

[Joan]

I think that Mother and I know they plan to put machines at work in place of human brains. To experiment on people as they do now on animals. And rule the world by science.

[Jerry]

Nice people to meet on a dark night. Golly, but we've got a job ahead of us. If we can only get off this crazy island and destroy it, we can really save the world.

[Mrs. Gregory]

This is war, Jerry, and a war that means freedom for the civilized people of the world. We've got to win. Our lives mean very little at a time like this.

[Captain Bradford]

Our lives will mean plenty to the rest of the world if we can just keep alive long enough to get this message through to Johnson.

[Jerry]

Ready for me to bring the pigeon in now?

[Captain Bradford]

Might as well, Jerry. Now, look, try to act natural standing in front of the coat. And look all around carefully. When you are sure no one is looking, slip the pigeon inside your suit and come back in here.

[Joan]

Wait, Jerry. Be sure the warning light in the center of the island is not burning. That will mean the electrical eyes on the island are not working. The fog will not be magnetized. And only the long beam signals will be sweeping the ocean outside the fog ring.

[Mrs. Gregory]

You're a great help, my dear. You remember everything.

[Joan]

We on Euclidea are well trained in observation.

[Captain Bradford]

Okay, Jerry, go to it. Watch your step. And go slowly and naturally. Both going and coming back.

[Jerry]

Right. I'll take my time.

[Mrs. Gregory]

Now, Joan, you know more about this island than we do. What do you think Jerry's chances are to get that pigeon and return here without being seen?

[Joan]

He will undoubtedly be seen. But there is a possibility that no one will notice him taking the pigeon from its usual place and slipping it under his coat.

[Captain Bradford]

And you're sure this cloth will keep the islanders from seeing he's carrying anything unusual under his coat?

[Joan]

If he is not stopped and searched because he's wearing the special cloth suit, no one will see through it.

[Mrs. Gregory]

Oh, Tex, we should have thought of that, of course. There'll be a guard on the yacht. And he'll stop Jerry and question him about that suit.

[Captain Bradford]

Got to chance it.

[Mrs. Gregory]

But G47 promised to outfit us completely in the cloth tomorrow. Then we could have done this without arousing any suspicion.

[Joan]

You are right, mother. It would have been much wiser to wait until tomorrow night to try and get the pigeon from the stern of the yacht.

[Captain Bradford]

I know it would from a detection. But we can't afford waiting till tomorrow night.

[Mrs. Gregory]

Why not, Tex? Johnson will have the other boat much nearer then. And the pigeons would reach it easily and quickly.

[Captain Bradford]

Exactly. And Johnson would also be reached easily and quickly by the devices they have here on this mad island.

[Joan]

That is also true, Captain. Your other boat will be in danger of being reported on these delicate instruments of G47s when it is within 200 miles.

[Mrs. Gregory]

That was stupid of me, wasn't it, Tex?

[Captain Bradford]

No. This is enough to mix anyone up. We'll all think together.

[Mrs. Gregory]

Naturally, we must get word to Johnson while he's still out of range of their detectives. But Joan, you said the Euclideans watched our yacht all the way from the coast of California to this island. 4,000 miles. How then is Johnson safe to within 200 miles?

[Joan]

They were watching for you to sail. When they use the universal prism reflectors with full power on a narrow focus. They have a range of 8,000 miles. But the object must be in daylight. And the apparatus is strictly directional.

[Captain Bradford]

Good. Then at night. And Johnson will be running down the same time zone we lie in at night. All they use is a general wide range detector. And this is no good beyond 200 miles.

[Joan]

That is right, Captain.

[Mrs. Gregory]

Then the quicker we get the pigeon off to Johnson, the better. As our plans might go for nothing even if the bird made the boat. But Johnson was caught.

[Joan]

Yes, mother. G47 would send out a submarine Australia and destroy him before daylight.

[Mrs. Gregory]

Have you the message all written out, Tex?

[Captain Bradford]

This tiny roll of paper contains all the information Johnson needs. That is all he will need for the present. If this gets through, it's a matter of routine to finish the job.

[Mrs. Gregory]

This pigeon must get through, Tex. I feel that we'd never be given a second chance. It's now or never.

[Jerry]

I got him all right. And not a soul was anywhere near the yacht.

[Mrs. Gregory]

But that yellow haze. How could you see through it?

[Joan]

They are not using the sub ultraviolet fog tonight. It is too difficult to generate and uses up too much of the supply of gas. They only use it in time of danger.

[Captain Bradford]

Or when they want to impress someone with their Tricks as they did when we landed. All right. We'd better lose no time. Now. Handle the pigeon carefully, kid.

[Jerry]

Right.

[Captain Bradford]

They're mighty sensitive about how they're handled.

[Joan]

Oh, what a nice little bird. It doesn't seem possible that it could fly as fast and as. As you say.

[Mrs. Gregory]

Homing pigeons are very wonderful, my dear, and they seldom fail.

[Captain Bradford]

Now, hold him gently but firmly, Jerry, while I tie this roll of paper on his leg. I'm using Euclidean cloth thread so there's no danger of any magnetic force holding this little fellow back.

[Jerry]

How do I let him go?

[Captain Bradford]

Better just walk around the deck again. Take a turn all the way around. Then when you stroll slowly up near the stern on the starboard side, just open your coat and let it out. Then keep on walking. Take another turn of the boat if it seems natural. And don't hurry back in here.

[Joan]

Will that message not blow off in the wind?

[Mrs. Gregory]

Not the way Tex is tying it on. He's tied too many of them.

[Captain Bradford]

No, sir. This note will stay with the pigeon till Johnson takes it off.

[Jerry]

Are you sure the pigeon can find the other boat in the dark?

[Mrs. Gregory]

They've been trained as much in night flying as in day.

[Captain Bradford]

They'll do it easily enough. But this one won't have to. It ought to be daylight when he reaches the boat.

[Joan]

But how will Mr. Johnson catch it without hurting it?

[Captain Bradford]

There's a coat on Johnson's boat to which this bird has been trained to fly. The door will be open and the bird goes in. That's all there is to it.

[Mrs. Gregory]

I wish we knew exactly where Johnson was. It would be a shame to start the poor little cruiser off with its goal out of reach.

[Jerry]

No danger of that if Johnson's last position was correct and he keeps coming at 40 knots or better.

[Captain Bradford]

There he is, Jerry. Handle him gently. Do just as I told you. And if you should meet anyone, you're just going for a walk. Someone is likely patrolling the pier along the yacht rail.

[Joan]

Be careful, Jerry.

[Jerry]

I will. I will. Don't worry so much.

[Captain Bradford]

Better button up your coat. It's loose enough so it won't crush the bird. And let your arm swing naturally as you walk around the deck. Good luck, kid.

[Jerry]

Well, here I go again. Now, don't worry about any.

[Mrs. Gregory]

Oh, Tex.

[Captain Bradford]

Don't be nervous, Pat. It's out of our hands now.

[Joan]

Jerry will do it right, Mother. He's a very clever boy.

[Mrs. Gregory]

I know that, dear, but it's such a strain. We've been tied up to this ghastly island just over 48 hours now. It seems Like a lifetime.

[Captain Bradford]

No good to worry about it, Pat. You and Joan better go to your own cabin and get some rest. As soon as Jerry gets the Pigeon started.

[Joan]

How long will it be before we get an answer?

[Captain Bradford]

That all depends on J24Y.

[Johnson (Radio Operator)]

J12C calling J24Y.

[Captain Bradford]

Hold it. There's Johnson now. At least they haven't stopped the incoming beams.

[Johnson (Radio Operator)]

J12 to J24Y. Hello, J24. J12C reporting no signal from you. Land stations report they cannot raise you. Taking chance this getting through to you. Storm warning. Storm center near your last reported position. May be reason you cannot get signal to me. Serious storm is reported moving directly north of you. Storm moving south at terrific speed. Present storm center 17 degrees south. If you are getting my signal, advise you run out of storm course. Land stations report all radio channels near you. Blocked by some terrific electrical disturbance. If you can hear me, run for it. Storm center, 17 degrees south. Confirm if you can hear me. That is all. Johnson on J12C.

[Mrs. Gregory]

Tex, he's coming fast, isn't he?

[Captain Bradford]

I'll say he is. 17 degrees south. Hey, and we're only 29.

[Joan]

Then he's just 12 degrees north of us.

[Mrs. Gregory]

I'm so excited, I can't figure it out in my head. You got a pencil, Tex?

[Captain Bradford]

Yeah, and I'm using it for that same little thing.

[Joan]

I've got it figured, Mother.

[Captain Bradford]

You have you mentally converted degrees into miles that fast?

[Joan]

Of course. That is simple. Oh, I did not use the fractions. But There are approximately 69 statute or land miles to a degree at this latitude.

[Mrs. Gregory]

Joan, you know the conversion tables by memory.

[Captain Bradford]

You certainly got an education on this island. There isn't one person in a hundred who could figure that in their head. Even if they knew the conversion tables.

[Joan]

12 degrees at 69 miles to a degree is 828 miles.

[Mrs. Gregory]

Then if Johnson is making 40 knots an hour or more.

[Captain Bradford]

He's making plenty more. He said storm traveling south at terrific speed. And terrific speed with Johnson means all the boat will do. And the pigeon will make 40 going to meet him. If the wind is favorable.

[Joan]

Then they should meet in less than five hours.

[Captain Bradford]

Right you are. Johnson will have that message at daylight.

[Mrs. Gregory]

But suppose G47 has figured out Johnson's code. What if he knows that every time Johnson reported the storm center he was giving his own position?

[Captain Bradford]

He's sure to know it. For one thing, his own radio beam will tell him there is no storm. He knows Johnson's coming, and he wants him to keep on coming so he can capture that boat. Also, as he probably knows, most of our equipment is on it.

[Joan]

But if Johnson is captured, we can do nothing.

[Mrs. Gregory]

Don't worry, dear. That pigeon will get to Johnson's boat three or 400 miles from here, and Johnson will turn and run out of the danger the minute he reads the message.

[Jerry]

Oh boy, oh boy. Everything swelled. Not a soul was on our side of the island, and the pigeon took off into the north side of the fog like a bullet. After he fluttered around a minute and got his bearings.

[Joan]

Oh, Mother, the pigeon really got away.

[Jerry]

I'll say he got away, and it

[Captain Bradford]

won't be long till we all get away.

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