(77) Magic Island - Coded Message Keynotes Hit Sub

Summary

---

Episode Overview

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode: (77) Magic Island - Coded Message Keynotes Hit Sub
Release Date: June 11, 2026

This episode dives into a suspenseful moment in the serialized radio drama "Magic Island." The main characters—Captain Bradford, Mrs. Gregory (Pat), Jerry, and Joan—find themselves in a tense underwater standoff. As they attempt to coordinate a rescue and avoid enemy pursuit, creative problem-solving and coded messages come to the fore. The group is nearing Los Angeles Harbor, trying to contact their ally Johnson while outmaneuvering the persistent Euclidean submarine and an ominous plane overhead.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Dire Situation and Initial Strategies

• Setting: The group is aboard a Euclidean submarine, near Los Angeles Harbor, with another enemy sub close behind (00:15–01:14).
• Captain Bradford is trying to establish radio contact with Johnson at their home station but receives only silence.
• Pat expresses worry about their chances:

  “Oh, it doesn't look very good, does it, Tex?” (01:00, Pat)

• Joan suggests they can safely cruise near the harbor until they locate Johnson, reassuring the group about their fuel reserves.

2. Concerns Over Johnson’s Silence

• Joan recalls the last communication with Johnson was abruptly cut off by Thales from Euclidea, raising fears for Johnson’s safety (01:33–02:18).
• There's debate over why Johnson doesn't respond. Joan believes it's to avoid detection by the Euclideans:

  “It is not reasonable to think that he would harm the one man who is the connecting with link with Captain Bradford.” (02:12, Joan)

• Captain Bradford speculates Johnson’s silence is strategic, to avoid tipping off the enemy (02:26–02:46).

3. Coded Communication Planning

• Pat and Jerry suggest sending Johnson a coded message about their situation, since overt messaging would alert the enemy (02:54–03:17).
• Joan objects, warning this could expose their plan, but Pat and Jerry insist they must take the risk since their situation is so desperate.

4. Tools and Techniques of Escape

• The plan involves using magnetic bombs to hold the enemy sub powerless while they escape (04:31–04:44).
• Joan warns that their rescuer must arrive in a non-metallic (wooden) boat to avoid being affected by magnetism (04:44–05:04).
• Pat and Captain Bradford nearly forget about the enemy plane above, which could use magnetic devices to compromise any rescue craft (05:18–05:58).

5. The Peril of Constant Pursuit

• Joan explains the enemy plane, equipped with “prism reflectors,” can still see the sub underwater and will continue pursuit using magnetic compasses, even after dark (05:18–06:18).
• The team grapples with the reality that the plane may always be able to track them, heightening their urgency.

6. Sending and Decoding the Coded Message

• Captain Bradford crafts and sends a coded radio message to Johnson, using only “three-fourths of our power”—a hint to decode the message by selecting the third and fourth words of each sentence (06:45–08:12).

  “J 12C. Answer at once. J 12C. Answer J 24 Y at once. Regardless of reason for your silence, answer at once.” (06:45, Captain Bradford)

• Johnson finally responds, and the coded message is sent and received successfully (08:09–08:12).

• The code’s logic and content are revealed:

  • Third and fourth words per sentence spell out meeting instructions:

    “Wooden vessel bring formula. Fusing point, intermediate point, C1. Wholly black, limited time.” (10:41, Captain Bradford)

  • The group interprets this to mean Johnson will meet them halfway to Catalina with a wooden boat on their old pigeon training course after dark (10:53–11:19).

  “Johnson’s gonna meet us halfway with a wooden boat as soon as it gets dark!” (10:53, Jerry)

7. Lingering Dangers and Final Tension

• The group celebrates their cleverness and the decoded plan but quickly remembers the persistent threats.

• Suddenly, a strange musical note is heard, signaling another enemy attempt to locate them using a beam (11:52–12:06).

  “That is another musical note from Euclidea. Octavo is near our keynote with his beam. We must put on emergency speed and try to shake off that beam.” (11:53, Joan)

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Coded Messaging:
  “Tex and Johnson are the two finest men in the world on extemporaneous code messages.” (09:45, Pat)
• On Facing Risk:
  “We took a chance when we even set out to look for that island. And we've taken many chances in escaping twice. … I think it's time to take one more big chance.” (03:37, Pat)
• Reality of Escape:
  “But it doesn't matter one way or the other. We're in no danger from that boat now.” (11:45, Captain Bradford)
• Sudden Peril:
  “That is another musical note from Euclidea. Octavo is near our keynote with his beam. We must put on emergency speed and try to shake off that beam.” (11:53, Joan)

---

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:15–01:14: Situation Recap, Attempting Radio Contact
• 01:33–02:18: Analyzing Johnson's Silence
• 02:54–03:21: Debating How to Send a Message
• 04:31–04:44: Explaining the Escape Plan (magnetic bombs)
• 05:18–05:58: Danger from the Overhead Plane
• 06:45–08:12: Sending the Coded Message
• 08:12–10:41: Message Decoded, Plan Understood
• 11:53–12:06: Enemy Locates Them with a Musical Note

---

Summary

This episode is a masterclass in tension and creativity as the submarine’s crew attempts a daring escape, using coded messages and quick thinking to stay one step ahead of sophisticated enemies. Clever radio work, trust in old partnerships, and high-stakes risks drive the action as they attempt to finally break free from the relentless pursuit of the mysterious Euclideans. The interplay of risk, loyalty, and ingenious communication methods is at the heart of this classic radio adventure moment.

Transcript

[Announcer]

There's nothing like the American Express platinum card. Find out your welcome offer after you apply, which could be as high as 175,000 points. Learn more and find out your [e-mail] Explore Platinum terms apply.

[Narrator]

The Euclidean submarine with Captain Bradford, Mrs. Gregory and Jerry and Joan on board is nearly into the channel off Los Angeles harbor. The time is late afternoon. Captain Bradford is working frantically to get a radio message to Johnson at their home radio station. The other Euclidean submarine hangs on close behind them, holding back the faster boat and maintaining their own position by means of a magnetic beam. Jones stands ready to handle any emergency that may arise, and the captain continues to call the Gregory Home Station.

[Captain Bradford]

J12C. J24Y. J12C. Hello. J12C. Hello, Johnson. J24Y to J12C. Hello. J 12C. Come in, J12C. Hello. Well, that seems to be that.

[Pat]

Oh, it doesn't look very good, does it, Tex?

[Captain Bradford]

Not yet. We'll have to raise Johnson sooner. We'll be in the harbor and that other boat right with us.

[Jerry]

But we don't dare go in the harbor with our other boat after us.

[Pat]

No, Jerry, we can't go into the harbor with this submarine, much less with another following.

[Joan]

I think we may safely avoid that.

[Jerry]

How?

[Joan]

Simply by cruising around near the harbor until you locate Johnson?

[Captain Bradford]

That's about all we can do.

[Pat]

Have we plenty of fuel for that?

[Joan]

Joan, we have more than enough fuel to cruise all night at this speed.

[Jerry]

Well, it'd be better for us after dark and better for Johnson to try to rescue us.

[Captain Bradford]

Yes, if we can raise him at all.

[Joan]

I think you were too impatient, Captain Bradford.

[Pat]

Joan, dear, Tex has been trying for nearly an hour and not a sound from Johnson.

[Joan]

That is easily explained, is it not? When we last heard from Johnson, he warned us that his plans were in danger. And almost simultaneously, we heard the voice of Thales, chief electrician of Euclidea. Then no more of Johnson.

[Captain Bradford]

That's what I'm worrying about. What did that fellow Thales do to Johnson?

[Jerry]

Well, they sure spoiled Johnson's radio set. We know that.

[Joan]

And it would take some time to repair or replace that radio set, would it not?

[Jerry]

But, Joan, why doesn't Johnson get to another set somewhere and start calling us again? You say you're sure Thales wouldn't hurt Johnson any?

[Joan]

It is not reasonable to think that he would harm the one man who is the connecting with link with Captain Bradford.

[Pat]

Then if Johnson is unharmed, as you believe, I agree with Jerry's question. Why doesn't Johnson get To another radio set. And let us know what he's doing.

[Captain Bradford]

Well, I know one answer to that. Johnson is probably sure that we were getting his message at the time Thales interrupted it. Neil figured that Thales will be watching for another call from us. It might sound reasonable from Johnson's point of view. That he could do us more harm than good by calling and forcing us to answer him.

[Joan]

I quite agree with you, Captain.

[Jerry]

Well, so do I. But I don't see where that helps us very much.

[Pat]

Isn't there some way we could send a message to Johnson. Telling him something more of our situation than he can possibly guess?

[Jerry]

Boy, now would be a swell time to use those homing pigeons.

[Captain Bradford]

Yes, wouldn't it? But old G47 has him safely hidden away on the island.

[Joan]

There is nothing to be gained by speculating on the impossible.

[Pat]

Can't you try to get Johnson to answer your text?

[Captain Bradford]

I've been doing that for over an hour.

[Pat]

I mean, try to tell him in code. That we'll be floating around loose in the water off San Pedro after dark tonight. That should get some kind of an answer out of him.

[Joan]

It would also let the Euclideans know a great deal about our plan.

[Jerry]

Now, listen, Joan. Just listen to me for a minute. You're scared to death of old G47 and the rest of the Euclideans on the Magic Island. I'm not saying they can't do plenty of tricks. But we may just as well be prisoners back on the island. If we've got to run around the bottom of the ocean in a submarine for the rest of our lives.

[Pat]

And I feel very much the same way, Jerry. We took a chance when we even set out to look for that island. And we've taken many chances in escaping twice. And I can't think of anything that would make the Euclideans more angry Than stealing this submarine. Well, after we've gone that far. And now that we're within an hour's run of Los Angeles. I think it's time to take one more big chance. And tell Johnson to answer us.

[Captain Bradford]

And you were the boss, Pat. This was your party when we started out. You believed you'd find Joan. And you were right in that you think this is the time to press our luck. Here we go.

[Joan]

I am heartily in accord with your wishes. I will operate the microphone and the directional beam for you, Captain.

[Captain Bradford]

All right. I'll try Wilmington. Will you set your beam, John?

[Joan]

I'm doing so now.

[Jerry]

I wish just once we could ask you to do something. And you'll not find you already have it half done.

[Joan]

On Euclidia, we are taught to think very rapidly.

[Jerry]

Well, don't forget it. It might come in mighty handy before this night's over.

[Joan]

Captain Bradford.

[Captain Bradford]

Yes, John?

[Joan]

Before you make another attempt to contact Johnson, I should like to make a suggestion.

[Captain Bradford]

Go to it.

[Joan]

We will use our magnetic bombs to hold the other submarine powerless while we escape from this one.

[Pat]

Yes, we understand that, John.

[Joan]

Then it is absolutely necessary that Johnson come out to rescue us in a boat made entirely of non metallic material.

[Jerry]

That's right. And if he doesn't? Well, he'll get magnetized along with the rest of us and he'll be in it just as bad as we are.

[Captain Bradford]

But Joan, you said that the magnetic beam from the other submarine would draw the bombs to them, that we wouldn't be affected by them.

[Joan]

That is true. We will not be affected by magnets from the other submarines.

[Pat]

Then where can the magnetism come from that would harm Johnson's boat?

[Joan]

You have forgotten the plane flying over us.

[Jerry]

Golly whiskers.

[Pat]

Oh, Tex, that plane.

[Captain Bradford]

I sure forgot it for the minute.

[Pat]

But we don't see the shadow on the water now. Are you sure it's still following us?

[Joan]

Positive.

[Jerry]

I don't see the shadow.

[Joan]

The sun is now much lower. The plane is undoubtedly directly over us. But its shadow is a great distance, probably several hundred feet ahead of us.

[Captain Bradford]

You think the plane is still right over us?

[Joan]

You may believe that I know that, Captain. The Euclidean plane is directly over us.

[Jerry]

But he can't see us in the water, can he?

[Joan]

Easily. His prism reflectors will pierce a far greater depth of water than we now maintain.

[Captain Bradford]

That's not so good. He can always drop some of those magnetic bombs and anchor any boat Johnson brings out. Even a wooden one with a small motor.

[Joan]

Precisely.

[Pat]

But after dark, what good will his reflectors do then?

[Joan]

Then he will depend on his magnetic compass. The beam from the submarine holding fast astern of this boat naturally ends at this boat. Even an ordinary compass in an ordinary airplane would show whether the pilot was over the end of that beam.

[Pat]

Then. Then that plane will be flying over us even when Johnson comes out to rescue us. To?

[Captain Bradford]

Afraid so, Pat.

[Pat]

But what will he do to us?

[Joan]

We will come to no harm if we escape the magnetism. I have explained that Violet has no place with the Euclideans.

[Pat]

Oh, I hope you're right.

[Jerry]

Me too.

[Captain Bradford]

Well, right or wrong, we're going to have to take a chance on it. Now everybody keep quiet. I'll see what I can do with this radio. Ready, Joan? 3 meters 3 meters.

[Joan]

Ready, Captain.

[Captain Bradford]

J 24 Y to J 12 C. J 24 Y to J 12C. Get this. J 12C. Answer at once. J 12C. Answer J 24 Y at once. Regardless of reason for your silence, answer at once. J24Y. Calling J12C. Answer at once.

[Jerry]

He may not even be hearing you.

[Pat]

Oh, keep trying, Tex. We've got to raise him very soon. Well, it'll be too late.

[Captain Bradford]

Right, Pat? Joan, we may need more than one wavelength. There's no way of knowing what sort of set, if any, Johnson has. Now will you try various bands. Change the set over. After I complete each call and wait a few seconds for an answer.

[Joan]

I will make the changes, captain. Ready?

[Captain Bradford]

Ready. J 24 y to J 12 c. J 24 y to J 12 C. Answer at once. J 12 c. J 24 Y to J 12 C. J 24 Y to J 12 c. Answer at once. J 12 C. J 24 Y To J 12 C. J 24 Y, to J 12 C. Answer at Once. J 12 C. J 24 y. Go in.

[Joan]

It's Johnson.

[Pat]

O, Tex, it is.

[Joan]

Silence.

[Captain Bradford]

J 24 Y to J 12C. Get every word of this. May not be able Repeat using only 3/4 of our power. Ready? Copy. Remember the wooden vessel. When you bring formula to the fusing point, greatest danger intermediate point. When you see one ingredient precipitate. Holy black. Move fast, limited time. That's all. No questions. J24Y to J12C. That's all. J12C. J24Y. Got your message. Will follow instructions. Will have formula completed when you call for it. That is all. J12C. Well, he got it. Every word of it.

[Joan]

Did you actually send Johnson a code message then, Captain?

[Captain Bradford]

I certainly did. A little slow about it, as I had to figure it out and jot it down as I went along. But he got it.

[Jerry]

That's more than I did. You sure think fast, Tex.

[Pat]

I told you, Joan. Tex and Johnson are the two finest men in the world on extemporaneous code messages.

[Joan]

A few months ago, I would have questioned that, as the Euclideans claim they are the finest. But now I believe you.

[Jerry]

Well, I didn't get anything out of it.

[Pat]

All I got was a three. Four.

[Captain Bradford]

Careful, Pat. Joan, is it safe to talk now?

[Joan]

Perfectly safe, Captain. I have insulated us against all possible communication.

[Captain Bradford]

All right, then. Here's the message. Now, look, I told Johnson we were using only three fourths of our power.

[Pat]

And that means the third and fourth words in the message.

[Captain Bradford]

That's right, Pat. You're not so slow yourself. And here's the message. Now I'll read it all then just the third and fourth words. Remember the wooden vessel. When you bring formula to the fusing point, Greatest danger, intermediate point. When you see one ingredient precipitate. Holy black. Move fast, limited time. Now. Did you get it?

[Jerry]

Not me.

[Joan]

You concealed it well, Captain. What is the message?

[Captain Bradford]

Well, now watch. I'll cross out every first and second word and read what's left. Wooden vessel bring formula. Fusing point, intermediate point C1. Wholly Black, limited time.

[Jerry]

I got it. Johnson's gonna meet us halfway with a wooden boat as soon as it gets dark.

[Pat]

Oh, splendid work, Ted.

[Joan]

It is indeed excellent, Captain Bradford, but I fail to understand the appointed place.

[Captain Bradford]

Well, intermediate point means halfway, and C1 means our old pigeon training course. Course number one to Catalina.

[Pat]

Oh, that covers it. Texas. Johnson will be prepared to meet us with a sailboat halfway to Catalina on our old training course as soon as it's completely dark.

[Captain Bradford]

That's it, Pat. I don't see how it can miss.

[Pat]

Oh, it. It seems almost too much. We're within a few minutes of the harbor and Johnson will be out to meet us. And in a few hours it'll be all over.

[Joan]

Remember that it is still daylight, and we have several hours before the appointed time.

[Jerry]

That's a small thing to bring up. Just when I was feeling good. We've got to chase around for hours with that other sub hanging on our tail.

[Pat]

Yes, I had nearly forgotten that I hadn't.

[Captain Bradford]

But it doesn't matter one way or the other. We're in no danger from that boat now.

[Jerry]

What was that?

[Pat]

I didn't notice anything.

[Captain Bradford]

Neither did I.

[Joan]

Silence.

[Jerry]

I heard it then.

[Joan]

All right, that is another musical note from Euclidea. Octavo is near our keynote with his beam. We must put on emergency speed and try to shake off that beam.

[Pat]

You mean they're finding us with one of those distrustful?

[Captain Bradford]

I thought I felt the submarine shake.

[Joan]

You did. Our only hope lies in changing opposition constantly until after dark. If that note finds us squarely, Johnson will never find us.

[Announcer]

There's nothing like the American Express platinum card. Find out your welcome offer after you apply, which could be as high as 175,000 points. Learn more and find out your [e-mail] explorer Platinum terms apply.