(55) Magic Island - Sub Catches Up

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Magic Island - Sub Catches Up"

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode: 55
Date: June 10, 2026
Main Theme:
This episode of "Magic Island" immerses listeners in the tense, cliffhanger-driven world of pulp radio adventure. The Gregory party’s daring escape from the enigmatic and perilous Magic Island has hit a major snag—they’re adrift in the dark Pacific, low on oil, hope, and options, with the threat of recapture by the sinister Euclideans growing ever closer.

---

Overview

The episode centers on the aftermath of an escape attempt from Magic Island. The protagonists—Captain Bradford (Tex), Jerry, Mrs. Gregory (Pat), and Joan—find themselves stranded on a powerless boat after unknowingly taking on turpentine instead of oil. As hours crawl by with little progress, tensions mount, culminating in a dramatic confrontation with the relentless Euclideans who close in by air and submarine.

---

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Aftermath of the Escape

• The Escape Fails: The party, optimistic after picking up what they thought was oil, is stymied when it turns out to be turpentine. They're left with only a meager sail and dead calm seas.

  • "Gee, Tex, we've only made about two miles in the last three hours. That won't do us any good." – Jerry (01:15)
  • Captain Bradford explains the vessel’s shortcomings:
    "The mast on this boat was only an afterthought... If you really hung enough canvas on that mast to kick this boat along at good speed, she'd bury her nose so deep we'd never come up." (01:50)

• Stranded and Desperate: The group copes with the growing realization that their situation is dire. They can do little but wait, walk, and hope for a passing ship at daylight.

2. Tension, Reflection, and Fatigue

• Restlessness and Worry: The party, especially Jerry and Captain Bradford, spend hours pacing the deck, wrestling with frustration and fear as time drags on.

  • "We've been on it for hours, son. I only hope Joan and her mother are getting some sleep." – Captain Bradford (04:16)

• The Toll on Mrs. Gregory: Jerry expresses empathy for Mrs. Gregory, who has only just been reunited with her daughter Joan after 14 years of searching.

  • "Poor Mrs. Gregory's been hunting for Joan all over the world for 14 years. And now she's found her. Well, it looks like maybe she'll never get back home." – Jerry (02:53)

• Joan’s Stoicism: Joan offers brief hope with her pragmatism.

  • "I think there is no value in worrying. We can do nothing but wait." – Joan (05:28)

3. Confronting the Inevitable

• Danger Returns: As daylight breaks, fears come true. Jerry, Joan, and Pat discuss the likely recapture and the uncertain fate that awaits them on their return to Magic Island.

  • "The Euclideans will not be inclined to treat us kindly if they take us back there now." – Joan (05:59)
  • "I think our lives will be safe until G47 gets the captain's formula. But they have many ways of making life very unpleasant." – Joan (07:11)

• A Last-Ditch Radio Attempt: Captain Bradford uses the last of the radio’s power to send out a distress call, knowing full well the Euclideans might intercept the transmission.

  • "I'm afraid the time has come for that last message to Johnson. Go on in, everybody." – Captain Bradford (07:30)
  • Joan warns: "The Euclideans will have their radios operating by this time and your message will be picked up." (08:45)

4. The Dramatic Confrontation

• Approaching Doom: An ominous airplane appears, confirming their fears.
  • "It sounds like an airplane." – Pat (09:13)
  • "From Euclidea, Jerry." – Joan (09:16)
• Contact and Surrender: The Euclidean plane orders their surrender:
  • "You will drop your sail. Stand by, lay to for submarine. Drop your bow anchor. You will be towed to Euclidia... Remember that resistance on your part can mean but one thing. That is all." – Euclidean Commander (09:47–10:14)

5. Plotting and Foreshadowing

• Secret Plans: Captain Bradford uses the chaos to pull Jerry aside and hint at a hidden plan, preparing him for the possibility of being separated when they return as prisoners.

  • "I've got an idea that when we land on the magic island, this time we're really going to be prisoners. We may be separated, so there's a few things you'll have to know." – Captain Bradford (10:31)

• The 'Friendly' Euclidean Commander: The female Euclidean commander, previously an ally, announces she’s boarding in person, stirring hope in Jerry, who believes she’s still on their side.

  • "You will make [the landing stage] ready at once. I will personally board you. That is all." – Euclidean Commander (11:27)
  • "That girl's on our side. You'll see when she gets here." – Jerry (11:45)

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Despair and Perseverance:

  • "We found that crazy island which the rest of the world didn't know existed. We spent a lot of days there and we got away. That's more than anybody else ever did." – Captain Bradford (03:07)

• On Futility of Effort:

  • "Our walking was like our thinking. We didn't get anywhere." – Captain Bradford (04:37)

• On Imminent Recapture:

  • "When we get back to Euclidia, this time we're done for." – Captain Bradford (11:42)

• A Hint of Hope:

  • "That girl's on our side. You'll see when she gets here." – Jerry (11:45)

---

Key Timestamps

• 00:30 – Recap and narrative setup; discovery their oil is turpentine.
• 01:15–03:07 – Discussion of the technical and emotional aspects of their predicament.
• 04:31–06:04 – The party frets, walks the deck, and debates prospects.
• 07:20–08:05 – Exhaustion sets in; plans for a last radio message.
• 09:06–10:14 – Arrival of the Euclidean plane and ultimatum for surrender.
• 10:31–11:45 – Captain Bradford’s secret briefing to Jerry and suspense over the commander’s intentions.

---

Tone & Language

The episode maintains a suspenseful, earnest tone, laced with the melodramatic urgency characteristic of classic radio serials. The dialogue is earnest, practical, and often laced with a slight optimism even amid desperation, all wrapped in period-appropriate language and expressions.

---

Conclusion

"Sub Catches Up" is a textbook example of serialized radio drama, brimming with suspense, mounting peril, and emotional highs and lows. The episode ends with the party caught between despair, hope, and uncertainty, foreshadowing another big turn in their dangerous adventure back on Magic Island.

Transcript

[Grainger Narrator]

Grainger knows. When you're a procurement manager for an office park, you're not managing one building, you're managing all of them. And to stay ahead, you need to see through walls and around corners. Lights about to fail, filters ready to clog H Vac on its last leg. If you wait until something breaks, you're already behind. Count on Grainger for quality products, easy reordering and 24. 7 support. Call 1-800-GRAINGER click grainger.com or just stop by Granger for the ones who get it done.

[Narrator]

When the powerful diesel motored cruiser bearing the Gregory party swept away from the magic island, their escape seemed perfect. With only enough oil on board to run the motors a short time, a radio message from Johnson saying he was dropping drums of oil with lighted buoys along their course cheered them on. Then, just 50 miles from Euclidea, the motors sputtered and went dead. And barely in time, the first oil drum was sighted and picked up. But it's now three hours later, nearly midnight, and the motors of the Gregory boat have not turned over since the oil drum was taken aboard. They will never run on the oil from that drum because the drum contained not oil but turpentine. In the inky blackness of the subtropic night, Captain Bradford and Jerry stand at the rail near the stern of the helpless boat.

[Jerry]

Gee, Tex, we've only made about two miles in the last three hours. That won't do us any good.

[Captain Bradford (Tex)]

I know it, Jerry, but there isn't a thing we can do about it. That little scrap of sail is all we can hang on her, and even in a stiff breeze, we couldn't make over 4 or 5 knots. With this deadly calm that's all around us, we're lucky to hold her steady.

[Jerry]

Why can't we add more sail, Tex? Oh, we've got plenty of canvas, and we could lash a long spar to the mast and hang it on there. It might not look so good, but it'd catch a lot more wind than that dinky little thing, I don't think.

[Captain Bradford (Tex)]

I haven't thought of all those things, Jerry. That would only make matters worse if we got a real breeze.

[Jerry]

How come? I thought the more sail, the more speed.

[Captain Bradford (Tex)]

Well, that's okay up to a certain point, and on a vessel it was intended for sail. But the mast on this boat was only an afterthought to use as a radio aerial and for a little auxiliary sail. At times, if you really hung enough canvas on that mast to kick this boat along at good speed, she'd Bury her nose so deep we'd never come up. The mast is too far forward. We haven't got keel enough for a canoe. Just won't handle as a sailboat.

[Jerry]

Gee, Captain Bradford, it doesn't look so hot for us.

[Captain Bradford (Tex)]

No, kid. We could be a lot better off than we are now.

[Jerry]

Eight bells midnight, and we're just about as close to that island as we were when we picked up that oil drum three hours ago.

[Captain Bradford (Tex)]

Afraid so, Jerry. We haven't made more than a couple of miles. Three at the most.

[Jerry]

And those Euclidean guys have had three hours to wake up and start doing things about catching us.

[Captain Bradford (Tex)]

Yes, and I think that formula of mine which put them to sleep might be wearing off any time now, too.

[Jerry]

Don't you think we ought to call Johnson, Tex?

[Captain Bradford (Tex)]

I hate to do. It Means that steamer will have to turn around, bring him back here to us, and then probably be captured along with Johnson and all the rest of us.

[Jerry]

I'm sorry for Mrs. Gregory.

[Captain Bradford (Tex)]

Yeah, it's been mighty hard on her, all right.

[Jerry]

Well, it doesn't matter so much about you and me. After all, we're men and we can stand a lot more than women can. But poor Mrs. Gregory's been hunting for Joan all over the world for 14 years. And now she's found her. Well, it looks like maybe she'll never get back home.

[Captain Bradford (Tex)]

Well, we mustn't give up, kid. We found that crazy island which the rest of the world didn't know existed. We spent a lot of days there and we got away. That's more than anybody else ever did.

[Jerry]

Yeah, but don't forget about the old sailor. They turned loose just long enough for him to broadcast the radio message that brought us here. They took him back to the island and, well, that was the end of him.

[Captain Bradford (Tex)]

Yes, I know, but nothing like that's going to happen to us.

[Jerry]

And say we never did find the old sailor's diary. I wish Joan and I could have had time to look for it when we went down inside the island.

[Captain Bradford (Tex)]

Oh, it's no use. Anyway, I think Joan knows as much or more about that place as that poor old man ever did.

[Jerry]

Well, gee, I just can't stand here and look at the dark any longer.

[Captain Bradford (Tex)]

Well, what else can we do?

[Jerry]

We can walk around. Around the deck. Much better than standing still.

[Captain Bradford (Tex)]

Well, all right. Here we go, son. May not do any good, but it certainly can't hurt anything. I'm getting like you. I've got to do something to keep from thinking what a jam we're.

[Jerry]

Well, I guess we Might just as well stand on at the rail and watch the stars again for a while. Well, I thought I couldn't stand still, and now I'm getting tired of this walking. We must have gone around the deck hundreds of times, Tex.

[Captain Bradford (Tex)]

Yes, we've been on it for hours, son. I only hope Joan and her mother are getting some sleep. They put out the light in their cabin a couple of hours ago. Good thing we had those oil lights on board. Otherwise we'd have to stay in the dark all the time to save the juice for the radio.

[Jerry]

Gee, Eight bells again. Four o' clock in the morning. We've walked around that deck for four hours.

[Captain Bradford (Tex)]

Yes, but our walking was like our thinking. We didn't get anywhere.

[Jerry]

Hey, look. The light in Mrs. Gregory's cabin.

[Captain Bradford (Tex)]

We must have kept them awake walking around this deck.

[Jerry]

I'll bet they weren't any more asleep than we were.

[Captain Bradford (Tex)]

No, I expect not. Hasn't been a very restful night for anyone.

[Pat (Mrs. Gregory)]

Home tactic, Jerry. Hello.

[Captain Bradford (Tex)]

Yes, Pat?

[Pat (Mrs. Gregory)]

Come here, you two, will you, please?

[Jerry]

Sure. Come right up.

[Captain Bradford (Tex)]

What's the matter, Pat? Something bothering you and Joan?

[Pat (Mrs. Gregory)]

Nothing more than usual, Tex. It's just this waiting. Waiting? Waiting for what?

[Captain Bradford (Tex)]

Haven't you and Joan been able to sleep at all?

[Jerry]

Why, you're all dressed, Mrs. Gregory. I'll bet you didn't even try to sleep.

[Pat (Mrs. Gregory)]

Yes, I did, Jerry, but it wasn't any good.

[Jerry]

Is Joan dressed, too?

[Pat (Mrs. Gregory)]

Yes. Joan, dear.

[Joan]

Yes, Mother.

[Pat (Mrs. Gregory)]

Come out on deck, dear. We may just as well talk to Tex and Jerry as to stay in there alone and worry.

[Joan]

I think there is no value in worrying. We can do nothing but wait.

[Jerry]

Oh, golly, Whiskers, what can we do but worry while we're waiting?

[Pat (Mrs. Gregory)]

I haven't been able to think of anything sensible to do.

[Captain Bradford (Tex)]

I guess none of us have been any too bright about that. It'll soon be daylight. We may be able to hail a passing ship then.

[Joan]

And the Euclideans will surely be fully recovered from the effects of your gas, Captain. And they will be out here after us.

[Jerry]

Well, we'd be just as well off on that crazy island as we are out here drifting around in the Pacific Ocean.

[Joan]

But the Euclideans will not be inclined to treat us kindly if they take us back there now.

[Captain Bradford (Tex)]

I've been wondering just what their attitude will be.

[Pat (Mrs. Gregory)]

You don't think they'd do anything terrible to us, do you?

[Joan]

I think our lives will be safe until G47 gets the captain's formula. But they have many ways of making life very unpleasant.

[Jerry]

Yeah, and I'll bet old G47 remembers them all for us.

[Captain Bradford (Tex)]

Well, let's walk around the deck. Jerry and I put in four hours at it, and it does help to pass the time away.

[Jerry]

I'll say. We walked around the deck. I was going to count how many times we did, but I lost track somehow.

[Joan]

I will count the revolutions we complete, Jerry. And you figure how far we travel. That will give us something to do at least.

[Jerry]

Gee, I'm all in.

[Joan]

I, too, am very tired.

[Captain Bradford (Tex)]

How about you, Pat?

[Pat (Mrs. Gregory)]

I. I think this is as far as I care to go. It's broad daylight now and we've seen nothing but water. And then more water.

[Jerry]

Oh, let's go in the cabin and sit down a while.

[Captain Bradford (Tex)]

Might as well, I guess.

[Joan]

Eight bells. Eight o' clock in the morning, and we are very little farther from the island than we were at 9 o' clock last night.

[Pat (Mrs. Gregory)]

How far has that sail actually carried us, tex?

[Captain Bradford (Tex)]

Oh, maybe 20, 25 miles in the 11 hours.

[Jerry]

Golly. Might as well be standing still.

[Captain Bradford (Tex)]

Well, let's go in the cabin. Ought to be a little juice left in the batteries. I'm afraid the time has come for that last message to Johnson. Go on in, everybody.

[Jerry]

Well, I'll find the oil lamp and light it.

[Pat (Mrs. Gregory)]

I'll lie down and let you do the work, Tex.

[Captain Bradford (Tex)]

Go ahead, Pat. Never mind the light, Jerry. We'll leave this door open. The daylight is good enough. We may even need the little bit of oil in the lamps pretty badly before we get out of this.

[Jerry]

Okay, Tex.

[Joan]

I will just sit here on the couch with Mother. My feet do not feel very comfortable.

[Captain Bradford (Tex)]

I wouldn't think so. Now, you three keep quiet, as I'll likely get a mighty weak signal out of this thing if I get any at all.

[Jerry]

Gee, there's not much juice there. The tubes aren't even getting hot.

[Captain Bradford (Tex)]

Going to be awful slow work if we ever get them hot.

[Pat (Mrs. Gregory)]

You're going to tell Johnson our position is hopeless, aren't you, Tex? And see if he can't turn that boat around and come after us.

[Captain Bradford (Tex)]

I hate to do it, Pat, but we don't seem to have any choice. Quiet. Now, I'm going to try it. J24Y to J12C.

[Narrator]

Hello.

[Captain Bradford (Tex)]

J12C. Bradford to Johnson. Hello. Hello, Johnson, QSN Johnson, QSN Bradford.

[Jerry]

I don't think you're getting out far enough, Tex. Fred.

[Captain Bradford (Tex)]

You're right, kid. We'll just leave it open a minute and see if we can pick up anything before the batteries die entirely out.

[Joan]

I am very much afraid, Captain Bradford, that The Euclideans will have their radios operating by this time and your message will be picked up.

[Pat (Mrs. Gregory)]

Tex knows that, dear. But it doesn't matter now. We're almost sure to get caught after all these hours. And if we can get one last message to Johnson, it will give us a thread of hope at least.

[Jerry]

Hey, listen, everybody.

[Captain Bradford (Tex)]

What is it, kid?

[Jerry]

I mean, quiet. Listen for something.

[Joan]

Yes, I hear it.

[Pat (Mrs. Gregory)]

It sounds like an airplane.

[Jerry]

But where would an airplane come from?

[Joan]

From Euclidea, Jerry.

[Captain Bradford (Tex)]

Quiet, everybody. Yep, that's it, all right. Well, we did our best.

[Pat (Mrs. Gregory)]

But, Tex, there may be some hope. That plane doesn't have to be from Euclidean.

[Jerry]

Oh, I guess there isn't any other place it could be from Euclidean speed

[Narrator]

plane to Gregory Boe.

[Joan]

Oh, it is a Euclidean plane to Captain Bradford.

[Narrator]

Hello, Bradford Waiting.

[Pat (Mrs. Gregory)]

Will you answer him, Tex?

[Captain Bradford (Tex)]

Yes, I'd better.

[Jerry]

Yeah, he might drop a bomb on us if you don't, Bradford.

[Captain Bradford (Tex)]

Duplane. Go ahead.

[Narrator]

You will drop your sail. Stand by, lay to for submarine. Drop your bow anchor. You will be towed to Euclidia.

[Captain Bradford (Tex)]

Lay to and stand by for boarding. We'll drop sail.

[Narrator]

It is well, that is all. Remember that resistance on your part can mean but one thing. That is all.

[Jerry]

I'm going out and get a look at that claim.

[Captain Bradford (Tex)]

No, kid, you stay here. Pat, you and Joan run and tell the skipper and McLeod to take off the canvas and drop the bow anchor.

[Joan]

We will do it at once, Captain.

[Pat (Mrs. Gregory)]

What are you and Jerry going to do, Tex?

[Captain Bradford (Tex)]

I've just got an idea. Now, don't worry. We won't do anything foolish. I'll run along and tell the skipper.

[Pat (Mrs. Gregory)]

We'll hurry, Texas.

[Jerry]

Now what do you want me to do?

[Captain Bradford (Tex)]

Nothing, kid. I just wanted to get Pat and Joan out of here a minute while I tell you something that may prove mighty dangerous to you. But I've got an idea that when we land on the magic island, this time we're really going to be prisoners. We may be separated, so there's a few things you'll have to know.

[Jerry]

Okay, I'm ready. What are they?

[Captain Bradford (Tex)]

There goes the anchor. I wonder how long it'll be before that sub picks us up.

[Joan]

Commander, S1 to Captain Bradford. S1 to the Gregory boat.

[Jerry]

Gee, Tex, it's the same girl Commander, who helped us escape.

[Captain Bradford (Tex)]

Yeah, but she can't do us any good now.

[Joan]

Captain Bradford, you will answer at once. I can hear your open beam.

[Captain Bradford (Tex)]

Bradford to Commander. S1. So we meet again. The bow anchor is out for you. Sail being taken down. That all that is?

[Joan]

That is all you were wise to follow instructions. Captain, have you a landing stage aboard?

[Captain Bradford (Tex)]

I have, on the port side.

[Joan]

You will make it ready at once. I will personally board you. That is all.

[Jerry]

Gee, Tex, the commander's coming aboard herself.

[Captain Bradford (Tex)]

Yeah, she's gonna make sure we don't try any tricks.

[Jerry]

No, Tex, she's coming aboard so she can get a chance to talk to us before we get back to the island. She's gonna help us out.

[Captain Bradford (Tex)]

I'm afraid not, Jerry. When we get back to Euclidia, this time we're done for.

[Jerry]

Don't you believe it. That girl's on our side. You'll see when she gets here.