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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Restlessness and Worry: The party, especially Jerry and Captain Bradford, spend hours pacing the deck, wrestling with frustration and fear as time drags on.
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.
Joan’s Stoicism: Joan offers brief hope with her pragmatism.
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.
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.
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.
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.
On Despair and Perseverance:
On Futility of Effort:
On Imminent Recapture:
A Hint of Hope:
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.
"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.