(71) Magic Island - 10 Seconds For The Combination

Summary

Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode 71: Magic Island – 10 Seconds For The Combination
Date: June 11, 2026
Theme: Classic Adventure, Suspense, and Science Fiction from the Golden Age of Radio

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Episode Overview

This episode of “Harold’s Old Time Radio” brings listeners an installment from the Magic Island radio serial. It centers on Mrs. Gregory, Captain Tex Bradford, Jerry Hall, and Joan Gregory as they face suspenseful events one and a half miles under the Pacific Ocean, aboard a stolen Euclidean submarine. The central crisis: a threat against Bradford’s secret formula, pivotal to world security.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Submarine Dilemma and Safety Concerns (00:30–04:32)

• Setting: 9,000 feet beneath the ocean’s surface, 500 miles from Magic Island.
• The group debates whether it’s safer to stay anchored or proceed, considering limited knowledge about their advanced Euclidian vessel.
• Tex Bradford expresses unease, distrustful of the supposedly "perfect" Euclidean machines.
• Pat Gregory raises philosophical concerns about relying on technology and wonders about the true motives of the Euclideans.

“Is anything made by man ever really perfect?”
— Pat Gregory (01:51)

“They’re hard and bitter and clever and cruel.”
— Captain Tex Bradford, on the Euclideans (02:13)

2. The Motives of the Euclideans (02:42–04:03)

• Debate ensues: Do Euclideans wish to conquer, or could their unified control prevent war and benefit humanity?
• Tex remains skeptical, believing the Euclideans to be power-hungry.

3. Johnson’s Mysterious Radio Messages (04:39–08:01)

• Radio Operator Johnson tries to contact the fugitives with a cryptic message, hinting at trouble and possible enemy surveillance.

“Johnson may have found that they have someone watching him in Los Angeles.”
— Captain Tex Bradford (05:39)

• The group is cautious: sending a reply risks revealing their location or plans to Euclidean agents.

4. Formula in Jeopardy & Its Security (08:03–09:53)

• Johnson's second transmission is abruptly cut off, warning, “Do not come to…” and referencing a tampered radio and a safety deposit.
• Team interprets that their secret formula, stored in a bank, may be targeted.
• Tex reveals a clever defense: the formula is protected by his universal solvent. Unauthorized access destroys the formula instantly.

“The universal solvent will be compounded immediately and flowing over the written formula will destroy it in a fraction of a second.”
— Captain Tex Bradford (09:17)

5. Decision to Respond & Escalation with Thales (09:53–end)

• Joan asserts circumstances justify the risk and readies the powerful radio transmitter.
• When Tex attempts to reply to Johnson, they are intercepted by Thales, the most formidable Euclidean scientist.
• Thales demands the vault combination with a 10-second ultimatum, threatening doom otherwise.

“You will answer if you are hearing me, Bradford. Hey, answer at once. …10 seconds for the combination of the vault where your formula is kept. Think rapidly, Captain Bradford, you have only 10 seconds.”
— Thales (11:02)

• The group elects not to respond, knowing Thales is bluffing. In response, Thales promises they will never leave the ocean floor.

“You have had your chance. Now you will never see your homes again. Nor will you return to Euclideia. You will never leave the floor of the ocean where your submarine now lies. Yet you have failed.”
— Thales (11:33)

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• Romanticizing Technology:

  “You’re incurably romantic…. I warned you when we started on this cruise that there wasn’t any such thing as magic.”
  — Captain Tex Bradford to Pat Gregory (02:13)

• Clever Defense Mechanism:

  “Any disturbance or opening the vault with anything except the combinations… will bring together the two portions of the formula. The universal solvent will be compounded immediately and flowing over the written formula will destroy it in a fraction of a second.” — Captain Tex Bradford (09:17)

• High-Stakes Ultimatum:

  “10 seconds for the combination of the vault where your formula is kept. …You will never leave the floor of the ocean where your submarine now lies.” — Thales (11:02–11:33)

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Important Timestamps

• 00:30: Scene setting; underwater escape and current situation.
• 02:13: Discussion on “magic” of Euclideans and whether their inventions are benevolent.
• 04:44: Johnson’s first radio message and team’s interpretation.
• 08:03: Johnson’s urgent, interrupted transmission.
• 09:17: Revelation of the vault’s protective mechanism.
• 10:41: Thales, the chief Euclidean scientist, makes contact and issues his threat.
• 11:22–11:33: The 10-second ultimatum and Thales’ ominous promise.

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Tone, Style, and Atmosphere

The episode maintains a blend of suspenseful adventure, classic radio serial drama, and philosophical debate about science, technology, and trust. Tex is practical and skeptical, Pat reflective and conciliatory, Joan logical and resourceful, and Jerry brings levity with youthful curiosity.

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This summary captures the central tension: stranded underwater, the crew faces threats not just from their physical predicament, but from the shadowy world domination plans of the Euclideans. With clever plans and quick thinking, the heroes hope to outwit a scientifically advanced adversary—if they can survive Thales’ next move.

Transcript

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[Narrator]

One and a half miles below the surface of the South Pacific Ocean. One and one half miles under the water, away from the daylight and the air that's so precious to all of us. That is the position of the stolen Euclidean submarine in which Mrs. Gregory, Captain Tex Bradford, Jerry hall and Joan Gregory are trying to escape from the magic island. It would seem that they've done a fair job of escaping, as they're now 500 miles from the strange island. But things are not going along any too well. And Captain Bradford, left in control of the submarine while Jerry and Joan are resting in the stern section, is admitting to Mrs. Gregory that he doesn't feel very happy about the situation.

[Pat Gregory]

I know you have complete confidence in Joan's knowledge of these Euclidean machines, but is it safe to stand still right here?

[Captain Tex Bradford]

I think it's a lot safer to stand still than to run a machine I don't know much about into something I know nothing about.

[Pat Gregory]

Well, are we securely anchored?

[Captain Tex Bradford]

We are, but it wouldn't matter if we weren't. Have you any idea, Pat, what the pressure is under 9,000ft of water?

[Pat Gregory]

Why, I know it must be enormous.

[Captain Tex Bradford]

You bet it's enormous. And we won't do any drifting, except for some current might move us a little. And Joan reminded us that currents are scarce along here, so we're safe 9,000ft

[Pat Gregory]

below the surface of the sea. And safe.

[Captain Tex Bradford]

Joan says so, and she knows.

[Pat Gregory]

I wonder.

[Captain Tex Bradford]

Wonder?

[Pat Gregory]

Yes, wonder if we're not putting too much confidence in all of these Euclidean inventions.

[Captain Tex Bradford]

Well, so far they've done everything that was claimed for them. They're perfect as far as I can see.

[Pat Gregory]

Is anything made by man ever really perfect?

[Captain Tex Bradford]

No, of course not. We've seen enough of these things to know that we're better off with them than we would be without them.

[Pat Gregory]

When we're in such a position as this. Yes, and what worries me most is that we're always in such a position. That's what makes Euclidia so terrifying and fascinating. It would be almost worth going over to their way of thinking to assure your safety.

[Captain Tex Bradford]

Now, Pat, you're incurably romantic. And you're looking at all this as something very wonderful. I warned you when we started on this cruise that there wasn't any such thing as magic. But every time Jerry called that weird colony a magic island, you took it for granted. These scientists aren't magicians, Pat. And they aren't friendly or warm or reasonable. They're hard and bitter and clever and cruel.

[Pat Gregory]

How do we know that they are.

[Captain Tex Bradford]

What?

[Pat Gregory]

How do we know that they're all those things?

[Captain Tex Bradford]

They've kept us pretty tightly in prison for some time, haven't they?

[Pat Gregory]

Have they ever harmed us, though?

[Captain Tex Bradford]

Those ray guns?

[Pat Gregory]

Oh, those ray guns have done nothing more to any of us than just to put us to sleep.

[Captain Tex Bradford]

Even so, I'd just as soon pick out my own times to take a nap.

[Pat Gregory]

Of course, Tex, it's a little surprising to drop off to sleep suddenly when someone else wants you to. But what I'm getting at is something larger than that. The real reason behind all the activities of G47 and his scientists.

[Captain Tex Bradford]

That's easy enough. They're building up the greatest collection of mechanical and electrical devices the world has ever known. And when they complete their work, they'll simply take the world over.

[Pat Gregory]

But might the world not be better off?

[Captain Tex Bradford]

Better off?

[Pat Gregory]

Yes. If all the nations were controlled equally, it might be a means to prevent war.

[Captain Tex Bradford]

Yes, it might. But I'll bet G47 hasn't any such beautiful ideas.

[Pat Gregory]

Well, I believe he has.

[Captain Tex Bradford]

You think that bunch of scientists have buried themselves out here in the Pacific Ocean to spend their lives thinking of things beneficial to the world?

[Pat Gregory]

Why not? Scientists have been giving their lives to help the world. Since histories have been recording their doings.

[Captain Tex Bradford]

Yes, I know, Pat, but.

[Pat Gregory]

And we haven't any reason to think otherwise. Of G47 and his men.

[Captain Tex Bradford]

You've certainly suffered a change of heart since our first landing on Euclidean.

[Pat Gregory]

I've learned a lot about the Euclideans.

[Captain Tex Bradford]

So have I, and I don't care much about them.

[Pat Gregory]

I'm sorry, Tex. I didn't mean to start an argument with you. It's just that. Oh, I can't express exactly how I feel.

[Captain Tex Bradford]

Well, don't let it worry you. We've been under such a strain for the last few weeks that everything is out of proportion. You'll be able to organize your ideas when we get home.

[Pat Gregory]

When we get home? Home? Only a little matter of 3,500 miles, and we are hurrying home by standing still, firmly anchored under a mile and a half of water.

[Captain Tex Bradford]

Well, Joan said it was best to remain anchored for a while. As she and Jerry had to have some rest. And navigating a submarine at this depth is something about which she knows a whole lot more than I do.

[Pat Gregory]

Oh, very well. I suppose there's nothing more to do then.

[Captain Tex Bradford]

I'll call the youngsters to take over in a few minutes, and then we'll get out of their way and let them handle it.

[Radio Operator Johnson]

12 speed to J24Y. Johnson to Gregory boat.

[Pat Gregory]

Dax, it's Johnson.

[Captain Tex Bradford]

Yes, quite.

[Radio Operator Johnson]

Bradford. I've not been able to raise you. Answer if you can hear my signal. J12C to J24Y. J12C at Wilmington to Gregory boat.

[Pat Gregory]

Couldn't we answer him? Tex Jones said no, but the Euclideans have opposition.

[Captain Tex Bradford]

Anyhow, we don't know if they have any.

[Radio Operator Johnson]

To Bradford. Johnson to Gregory boat. Waiting for instructions from you before proceeding with plan. Can you help me?

[Pat Gregory]

What does that mean, Dex? Waiting for instructions before proceeding with plan.

[Captain Tex Bradford]

It sounds as if it meant that he was waiting to hear from me before compounding the formula and organizing our party to return to Euclidean.

[Pat Gregory]

Well, he should know better than that. Johnson doesn't need any instructions from you or anyone else to do the things he will have to do.

[Captain Tex Bradford]

Exactly. Then his message means something else entirely.

[Pat Gregory]

What else could it mean?

[Captain Tex Bradford]

That's what I don't know. Unless. Yes, that might be it.

[Pat Gregory]

What text?

[Captain Tex Bradford]

Those Euclideans. They have agents all over the world. Johnson may have found that they have someone watching him in Los Angeles.

[Pat Gregory]

In that case, they might take the formula away from him.

[Captain Tex Bradford]

Yes, and in that case, Johnson would be smart enough to keep the formula hidden and do nothing without hearing from us.

[Pat Gregory]

But he may be in danger. Those men mean business.

[Captain Tex Bradford]

I thought you were ready to believe they had only good intentions.

[Pat Gregory]

Why? I think they mean to use their inventions for good. But I'm even more sure that they wouldn't stop at anything to gain your formula. I wish we could warn Johnson of our position.

[Captain Tex Bradford]

Well, it can't be done, Pat. So we'll just have to be patient.

[Pat Gregory]

Well, if we can receive his radio messages in safety, how could it do any harm to send him one?

[Captain Tex Bradford]

They might learn a lot more on the island by intercepting our messages than they would from Johnson's.

[Pat Gregory]

I suppose so.

[Joan Gregory]

Have you had a message from Johnson?

[Pat Gregory]

Tex, it's Joan. They must be awake.

[Jerry Hall]

I'll say we're awake. What's going on there?

[Captain Tex Bradford]

Suppose you and Joan hurry up forward and we'll tell you.

[Joan Gregory]

We will join you in the control section at once.

[Pat Gregory]

Perhaps Joan will know how to get a message to Johnson.

[Captain Tex Bradford]

Perhaps. Or she may agree that we'd better take a chance and send it, even if the Eucalians do hear us.

[Jerry Hall]

Boy, I sure got a lot more sleep on that steel mattress than I expected to get.

[Joan Gregory]

How many times have I told you that everything designed by the Euclideans would perform its appointed tasks perfectly?

[Jerry Hall]

And how many times have I told you that I'm not so crazy about

[Captain Tex Bradford]

everything the Euclideans do? Now, you two forget your argument for a minute and listen to us.

[Joan Gregory]

Certainly, Captain.

[Jerry Hall]

Okay, Tex, what do you want?

[Pat Gregory]

We've just had a message from Johnson.

[Captain Tex Bradford]

Yes, it might be mighty important that we get an answer to him at once.

[Jerry Hall]

Hey, this boat isn't moving, is it?

[Joan Gregory]

Obviously not.

[Pat Gregory]

Well, Tex thought it better to anchor. We were making only two or three knots.

[Joan Gregory]

You were wise, Captain Bradford. We may ride safely at anchor here for an indefinite period.

[Jerry Hall]

Okay, never mind about how safe we are. What about Johnson?

[Captain Tex Bradford]

He's apparently in some sort of trouble. Or at least we figured that from the unusual wording of his message.

[Joan Gregory]

What did he say?

[Pat Gregory]

He said he was making no attempt to complete our plans until he heard from us.

[Joan Gregory]

And that is not logical.

[Captain Tex Bradford]

Far from it. Johnson knows everything to do exactly as we would do it ourselves. And when he seems uncertain, he's got a good reason for it.

[Jerry Hall]

Hey, how about sending him a message?

[Joan Gregory]

Joan, that depends entirely on Captain Bradford's

[Pat Gregory]

view of the matter.

[Joan Gregory]

If this is serious enough to warrant it, we must send the message.

[Pat Gregory]

I think it's serious enough to warrant doing anything we have to do.

[Joan Gregory]

Then we will send a message to Johnson.

[Jerry Hall]

Tex, what wavelength did you get his message on?

[Captain Tex Bradford]

3 meters. That's the best on our side at home.

[Radio Operator Johnson]

J12C to J24Y. If you are getting this, listen carefully as this may be my last message for some time. Danger threatens Original plan.

[Pat Gregory]

Danger Quiet.

[Radio Operator Johnson]

That radio tampered with safety deposit formula. Do not come to Stay away from John.

[Jerry Hall]

Hey, something's wrong.

[Pat Gregory]

What happened to the radio?

[Joan Gregory]

It was not this radio.

[Captain Tex Bradford]

Something happened to Johnson. Set. He said, danger threatens. Then the set started to cut out. I didn't get the rest of his message.

[Jerry Hall]

I thought he started to say, stay away from Los Angeles.

[Pat Gregory]

Yes, I heard that.

[Joan Gregory]

This should be a time for great accuracy. Johnson started to say, do not come to Los Angeles.

[Jerry Hall]

Well, that was the idea anyhow. He tried to say something about the

[Pat Gregory]

formula, and he mentioned safety deposit. Tex, the formula?

[Captain Tex Bradford]

Yes, Pat. It's in a safety deposit box at the bank. But no one will ever get it.

[Joan Gregory]

Euclideans will find it comparatively simple to enter any bank in Your world and take from it anything they may desire.

[Jerry Hall]

Oh, golly, I guess that's right.

[Pat Gregory]

Oh, Tex, your formula. They know where it is?

[Captain Tex Bradford]

I'm afraid they do.

[Pat Gregory]

Oh, and they'll get it.

[Captain Tex Bradford]

Oh, no, they won't.

[Joan Gregory]

They will easily get into your vault at the bank.

[Captain Tex Bradford]

Yes, and if they do, they may get their clothes taken off or worse for their trouble.

[Jerry Hall]

Gee, Tex, how have you got it protected?

[Captain Tex Bradford]

Most natural way in the world. I protected the formula with some of the compound.

[Pat Gregory]

You've actually placed some of your universal solvent in that vault at the bank?

[Captain Tex Bradford]

Right. The bank officials cooperated with me in giving me a small unused section of an old vault. And the solvent is so located there that any disturbance or opening the vault with anything except the combinations known only to Johnson and myself will bring together the two portions of the formula. The universal solvent will be compounded immediately and flowing over the written formula will destroy it in a fraction of a second.

[Joan Gregory]

You are well protected, captain, and your foresight is admirable.

[Captain Tex Bradford]

Oh, you bet.

[Jerry Hall]

It was a good idea too.

[Pat Gregory]

Then you're not worried about your formula, Tex?

[Captain Tex Bradford]

Not much. What I am worried about what they may have done to Johnson and trying to get the formula from him.

[Jerry Hall]

Hey, Tex, let's call him on the radio. You know, even if his set's gone bad, it'll help him just to know. We heard him and we're on our way to California.

[Pat Gregory]

May we, Joan, dear?

[Joan Gregory]

The emergency warrants the risk. I will attempt to raise Johnson. He was on three meters.

[Captain Tex Bradford]

Correct.

[Joan Gregory]

Joan, I am turning all reserve electrical power in the entire boat into this transmitter. You may now reach Johnson. With ease, captain.

[Captain Tex Bradford]

I'll try it. J 24Y to J 12C. J 24Y to J 12 C. Bradford to Johnson. Gregory boat to Wilmington. Hello, Johnson. We got your last message. Do nothing until

[Thales (Euclidean Scientist)]

J12C to J24Y.

[Pat Gregory]

Oh, that isn't Johnson.

[Thales (Euclidean Scientist)]

Gregory land stationary boat. You will answer if you are hearing me, Bradford. Hey, answer at once.

[Jerry Hall]

Sounds like one of those Euclideans.

[Joan Gregory]

That is one of the most brilliant and most dangerous of all the Euclidean scientists. Thales, the chief electrical authority in the world today.

[Captain Tex Bradford]

I am fully aware.

[Thales (Euclidean Scientist)]

You will gain nothing by attempting to conceal your position. Your entire course is watched. I will give you 10 seconds to answer me. 10 seconds for the combination of the fault where your formula is kept. Think rapidly, Captain Bradford, you have only 10 seconds.

[Pat Gregory]

Will you answer him?

[Captain Tex Bradford]

Don't do it, Tex. He's bluffing.

[Joan Gregory]

I think we may safely defy him.

[Captain Tex Bradford]

We'll risk it and we won't. Answer him.

[Pat Gregory]

But he said 10 seconds. What can he do to us?

[Captain Tex Bradford]

We'll know in a couple of seconds.

[Thales (Euclidean Scientist)]

You have had your chance. Now you will never see your homes again. Nor will you return to Euclideia. You will never leave the floor of the ocean where your submarine now lies. Yet you have failed.