Cinnamon Bear 37-11-26 01 Paddy O'Cinnamon (1)

Summary

Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: Cinnamon Bear 37-11-26 01 Paddy O'Cinnamon (1)
Date: December 3, 2025
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio
Featured Story: "The Cinnamon Bear" (Episode 1, originally released November 26, 1937)

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Episode Overview

This episode features the first chapter of the beloved classic radio serial, "The Cinnamon Bear," a whimsical adventure aimed at children and families during the holiday season. The story introduces twins Judy and Jimmy Barton as they begin their Christmas preparations, only to be swept away into magical adventures while searching for a treasured holiday ornament—their family's Silver Star.

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Key Discussion Points & Story Progression

1. Introduction to Judy and Jimmy Barton

(01:41 – 02:46)

• Narrator (B) introduces the twin protagonists, Judy and Jimmy, as they write letters to Santa Claus.
• The siblings humorously bicker over the contents and dignity of their letters.

2. The Search for the Silver Star

(03:01 – 04:48)

• Their mother (D) tasks them with checking the family’s Christmas ornaments.
• The children discover that the favorite decoration—the Silver Star—is missing.
• Emotional attachment is revealed:
  • Judy: "We've had it on top of our tree for years and years. Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without the silver star." (03:54)

3. Journey to the Attic and a Magical Discovery

(04:49 – 07:18)

• Judy and Jimmy, with mother's permission, venture into the attic to search for the star.
• They discover various treasures: old quilts, a spinning wheel, a music box, and most notably, a tiny teddy bear with a green ribbon and a telescope.
• Playful banter about who is the fastest and “afraid of cat,” revealing their sibling dynamics.

4. Encounter with The Cinnamon Bear

(07:13 – 09:41)

• Jimmy suggests looking at the tiny bear through the telescope, making it appear huge.
• The bear magically comes to life, introducing himself in a whimsical rhyme:
  • Cinnamon Bear (F):
    “I'm the cinnamon bear with a shoe but knives.
    And I'm looking for someone to take by surprise...
    …Now I'll growl Garrah and I'll growl Garoo
    and if you like to pray I'm much obliged to you.” (08:37–09:41)

5. Friendship and Quest for the Silver Star

(09:43 – 11:15)

• Judy and Jimmy pretend to be frightened to make the bear feel impressive.
• The Cinnamon Bear reassures them and formally introduces himself:
  • Cinnamon Bear (E):
    “Me name's Patty o' Sullivan.” (10:19) “Sure, I'm slightly Irish. That's why I wear this green ribbon around me neck.” (10:25)
• Judy and Jimmy ask if the bear has seen the Silver Star.
• The Cinnamon Bear explains that the "Crazy Quilt Dragon" has stolen it:
  • Cinnamon Bear (E):
    “Why, the Crazy Quilt dragon, to be sure... He's terribly fond of shiny, bright things...he just upped and ran off with it.” (10:55–11:15)

6. The Plan to Retrieve the Silver Star

(11:15 – 12:27)

• The Cinnamon Bear encourages them:
  • Cinnamon Bear (E):
    “Now, don't carry on like that. You can get the Silver Star back. Well, maybe.” (11:19) "By going after the Crazy Quilt Dragon. Chase him. I'll help ya." (11:25–11:28)
• The dragon is believed to have escaped to the “Lollipop Mountains.”
• To follow, Judy and Jimmy must “degrow” to become 4 inches high, like the Cinnamon Bear:
  • Cinnamon Bear (E):
    “All you and Judy have to do is degrow…Get smaller and smaller and smaller until you're only 4 inches high, like me.” (12:13–12:20)
• He promises to show them how, inviting listeners to return for the next episode to find out how this magical shrinking occurs.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Judy (C): “Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without the Silver Star.” (03:54)
• Cinnamon Bear (F): (Sings poem introducing himself, filled with rhymes and playful growls) (08:37–09:41)
• Cinnamon Bear (E): "Me name's Patty o' Sullivan." (10:19)
• Cinnamon Bear (E): "Now, don't carry on like that. You can get the Silver Star back." (11:19)
• Cinnamon Bear (E): “All you and Judy have to do is de-grow.” (12:13)

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Key Timestamps

• 01:41 — Story begins, introduction to Judy and Jimmy.
• 03:41 — Discovery that the Silver Star is missing.
• 05:28 — Children find the old trunk in the attic.
• 07:13 — Spotting the tiny teddy bear; magical suggestions.
• 08:37 — The Cinnamon Bear introduces himself with a playful song.
• 10:19 — “Me name’s Patty o’ Sullivan.”
• 10:55 — Revelation: The Crazy Quilt Dragon stole the Silver Star.
• 11:28 — Cinnamon Bear agrees to help recover the star.
• 12:13 — The magical concept of “degrowing” is introduced.

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Tone & Style

The episode is whimsical and nostalgic, blending familial warmth, holiday magic, and a sense of childhood adventure. The dialogue is light, playful, and filled with gentle sibling rivalry and wonder. The Cinnamon Bear is charmingly boastful and offers Irish-inflected humor, setting the stage for a grand adventure in a magical world.

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In Summary

This sparkling debut episode of "The Cinnamon Bear" sets up a delightful Christmas adventure, inviting listeners—especially children and families—to follow Judy and Jimmy through magical miniaturization and into a whimsical world full of talking animals, dragons, and holiday spirit. The episode closes on a cliffhanger, teasing the magical process of “degrowing” and promising further fantastical exploits in pursuit of the lost Silver Star.

Transcript

[A]

And here's the cinnamon bear.

Sam.

Ram.

[B]

This is the story of the cinnamon bear and his very marvelous adventures with Judy and Jimmy Barton. But we can't very well meet the cinnamon bear until we meet Judy and Jimmy. They are twins and they live in a big old fashioned house. At this very minute they're in the upstairs sitting room. And from all I can hear, Judy and Jimmy are busily engaged in that very pleasant task of writing letters to Santa Claus. Let's listen.

[C]

How are you getting along with your letter, Jimmy?

[A]

Oh, pretty well, I guess. I've got about everything down here.

[C]

Now don't go asking for everything the way you did last year.

[A]

Oh, you girls are all alike. I bet you if we counted the things in your letter and the things in mine, you'd have the most.

[C]

I betcha I wouldn't either.

[A]

You would?

[C]

Well, I won't argue about it, but I bet you my letter's more dignified than yours. Now stop bothering me so I can finish it.

[A]

Let me see.

[C]

P S and Santa. There's just one thing more. I'd like a nice red V.

That's not right.

[A]

Jimmy.

[C]

How do you spell velocipede?

[A]

Velocipede? V A. Oh, you're too old for a velocipede anyway.

[C]

I guess maybe you're right, Judy. Jimmy. Yes, Mother?

[A]

Come here, Mother.

[D]

Have you finished those letters to Santa Claus yet?

[C]

Yes.

[D]

That's good, because we've something very important to do.

[A]

What's that, Mother?

[C]

What do you suppose I have in.

[D]

These cardboard boxes here?

[A]

I know. Christmas tree ornaments.

[C]

Yes, and you promised us we could help you go through them to see if any of them were broken. Right. Oh, let's hurry, Mother. I can't. Wait just a minute.

[D]

I'll put them right here on the table.

[C]

Oh, boy, I hope that little pink Santa Claus didn't get broken.

[D]

We'll see.

[C]

Aren't they beautiful?

[A]

I'll say. I like those big gold ones specially.

[D]

Everything seems to be pretty much in order. All the tinsel is here, the light. Everything seems to be here, except.

[A]

Except what, Mother?

[D]

Well, I can't see the silver star anywhere.

[C]

You mean the big one we always put way up on top of the tree?

[D]

Yes, but I don't see it in any of the boxes.

[A]

Aw, gee, Mom, I'd feel most awful if anything happened to that old silver star.

[E]

Me too.

[C]

We've had it on top of our tree for years and years. Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without the silver star.

[D]

Now don't cry, Judy. It's probably just misplaced. I remember Uncle Jed took some things up to the attic last year after Christmas. Perhaps he put it away up there.

[A]

Could we go up and look for it? Mother, I don't like to have you.

[D]

Running around in that old attic. You might get hurt. Besides, it's too cold.

[C]

But, Mother, please, we've just got to find the silver Star and we have our sweaters on.

[D]

All right, but you've got to promise to be careful and not stay too long.

[A]

We won't, Mother. Honest, we won't. Where shall we look first?

[D]

If Uncle Jed put it away, it's probably in that big trunk in the corner by the window. Be careful you don't hurt your fingers when you open it.

[C]

We'll be careful. Come on, Jimmy.

[A]

Okay, Here we go. Up the stairs.

[D]

Now, don't run, children.

[C]

You might fall and get hurt. All right, Mother dear.

[A]

Last one up.

[C]

The braidy catchy blickers.

[A]

They sure are steep stairs.

[C]

Yeah, they're lots deeper than Mary Louise has in her house.

[A]

I bet these are the steepest stairs in the world. Sure they are. Phew. Here we are. I beat and you're a Freddy cat.

[C]

You didn't either beat. I got here at the same time.

[A]

And.

[C]

And I'm not afraid of cat.

[A]

All right, then we both beat.

[C]

Okay, but if we both beat, who is afraid of cat?

[A]

Oh, Charlie Simpson's afraid of cat.

[C]

Yeah. Gee, there sure is a lot of stuff up in this attic.

[A]

Yeah, just look at all the suitcases and boxes and things.

[C]

Yeah, and there's that old spinning wheel and the music box.

[A]

And, oh, Judy, there's the old trunk.

[E]

Mother told us to look in.

[C]

Must be awful full of things. The top is enclosed all the way down.

[A]

Well, you get on one side, Judy and I'll get on the other, and then we can both lift at the same time.

[C]

All right, Jimmy.

Gee, that was kind of heavy. Oh, look, Jimmy. There's one of those old crazy quilts right on top. Take it off and we'll see what's underneath.

[A]

Okay.

[C]

There.

[A]

Smells like mothballs, doesn't it?

[C]

Mm. Do you see the silver Star anyplace?

[A]

Just a lot of old clothes and stuff. Let's lift this top thing out. Come on, Judy, help me.

[C]

All right.

[A]

Now, let's see. Say, here's a small box of ornaments.

[C]

But they're all broken, Jimmy. And the silver star isn't there?

[A]

Gee, here's one that's not broken. It's a pretty little airplane. It's made out of gold glass or something.

[C]

We'd Better take that downstairs with us. Why don't you put it someplace where it won't get broken? I'd better.

[A]

I guess I'll just set it on top of this old dresser here.

[C]

Anything else, Judy? You bet. Look at this, Jimmy. A little teddy bear with a green ribbon around his neck. Gee, he isn't any more than 4 inches high. I wonder where he came from.

[A]

I don't know. Look.

[C]

Look what I found, Judy.

[A]

A real honest to goodness telescope.

[C]

Gee, isn't it a dandy? It's called Scrumptious. I bet that belonged to Uncle Jed when he was a sailor.

[A]

I bet so, too. It sure is a wonderful telescope. When I look through it, everything seems a million times bigger. Boy, I bet if I was out on the roof, I could see clear over to England.

[C]

Farther than that, maybe. You know what, Jimmy?

[A]

What?

[C]

This teddy bear is the teeniest one I've ever, ever seen.

[A]

Sure is. Say, Judy, I bet if we looked at him through this telescope, he'd be a lot bigger.

[C]

Let's see, shall we? I'll lean him against the back of.

[A]

The trunk and you look now. Just wait till I get it fixed. Jiminy Crickets. What do you see, Jimmy Willikers. He looks bigger than anything. Take a look, Judy. Let me see.

[C]

Goodness, he is big, isn't he? Why, he looks almost as big as we are. Only he really isn't.

[A]

If you'd move over a little, Judy, we could both look at the same time. There, that's it. Can you see him? Plain as day.

[C]

Judy.

[A]

Judy, he moved. The bear moved. Didn't you see him moving? I thought I did, but sure, he moved. Gosh, Garrah. Judy listened. He made a noise.

[C]

Maybe it was just a creaky board.

[A]

No, it wasn't any creaky board. It was that bear. And I'm going to talk back to him.

[C]

Oh, Jimmy, maybe you better head.

[A]

And don't get scared. He can't hurt you. He's really only 4 inches high. Hey, you, you teddy bear. Did you hear him, Judy? Did you hear him? He growled at me.

[C]

He did, didn't he? Say, Jimmy, ask him if he's a really, truly live real bear.

[A]

All right. Hey, teddy bear, tell us, who are you?

[F]

I'm the cinnamon bear with a shoe but knives. And I'm looking for someone to take by surprise I go growling and growling each night after dark but the folks say My growl's just a cinnamon bark Though I growl garrah and I growl garoo My victims only say oh, who's afraid of you I'm the cinnamon pear with the shulman eyes and I'm huffy and fluffy and tough for my size I devour lots of honey and cinnamon buns Just to make me ferocious but nobody runs Now I'll growl Garrah and I'll growl Garoo and if you like to pray I'm much obliged to you.

[C]

That was wonderful, Cinnamon Bear.

[E]

Garrack.

[C]

Jimmy, let's pretend we're really afraid. It'll make him feel good.

[A]

Oh, all right.

[C]

Oh, don't give us a scare like that again, Mr. Bear.

[E]

Garrah.

[A]

Oh, Judy, I'm scared.

[E]

Garoo.

[C]

Oh, Jimmy, hold my hand tight.

[A]

Sure.

[E]

And did I really frighten you?

[C]

Terribly.

[A]

It just about scared the daylights out of us.

[E]

Well, I promise not to frighten you anymore. That is, not until me ferocious nature gets the better of me again. Now, would you be kind enough to tell me your names? I always keep a record of the people I scare.

[A]

I'm Jimmy.

[C]

And I'm his sister, Judy.

[E]

I'm much obliged to meet you, I'm sure. Me name's Patty o'. Sullivan.

[A]

That sounds Irish.

[E]

Sure, I'm slightly Irish. That's why I wear this green ribbon around me neck. But tell me, what are you two doing up here?

[A]

Well, we lost the silver star that goes on top of the Christmas tree.

[C]

Have you ever seen it, Cinnamon Bear.

[E]

The silver star. Did it have five points? I.

[A]

Well, I think so.

[E]

Sure, I've seen it lots of times.

[C]

Oh, show us where the silver star is, Cinnamon Bear.

[E]

Oh, it's not here now. It's gone.

[A]

Gone?

[C]

Oh, dear. What shall we ever do now?

[A]

Who took it?

[E]

Why, the Crazy Quilt dragon, to be sure.

[A]

Who is he?

[E]

Oh, just a dragon. Not a very good one at that. He's terribly fond of shiny, bright things. Every day for the past month, he's been running into the trunk to admire the silver Star. This afternoon it got the best of him. I guess he just upped and ran off with it.

[C]

Oh, now we'll never, never see the Silver Star again. Here, here, here.

[E]

Now, don't carry on like that. You can get the Silver Star back. Well, maybe.

[A]

How?

[E]

By going after the Crazy Quilt Dragon. Chase him.

[D]

I'll help ya.

[A]

Will you really?

[E]

Oh, sure I will. Crazy Quilt's no great friend of mine. And besides, you were both very obliging and got perfectly terrified when I growled at you.

[C]

Oh, you're the most wonderful Cinnamon bear in the whole wide world.

[E]

It's very nice of you to say it.

[A]

Well, if we're gonna catch up with the Crazy Quilt Dragon. We better get going.

[C]

Where do you think he went, Paddy?

[E]

Well, if I know Crazy Quilt, he probably headed for the Lollipop Mountains.

[A]

The Lollipop Mountains? How do we get there?

[E]

You see that little hole in the wall by the music box?

[A]

Yes.

[E]

Well, we just pop right through there.

[A]

Oh, but Patty, Judy and I can't get through that little hole.

[E]

Oh, yes, you can. It's very simple, really. All you and Judy have to do is degrow.

[C]

What do you mean, degrow?

[E]

Just de grow. Get smaller and smaller and smaller until you're only 4 inches high, like me.

[A]

Gosh, we can't do that. Why, it's impossible.

[E]

Nothing's impossible. I can show you how to do it in a jiffy.

[A]

Phew.

[C]

That sounds most magical.

[A]

Willikers, show us how, Patty, quick.

[E]

All right, now listen very carefully and I'll tell you how to de grow.

[B]

Well? Well, if the cinnamon bear can show Judy and Jimmy how to degrow until they're only 4 inches high, then as Judy says, it really will be most magical. And maybe they'll be able to catch the Crazy Quilt Dragon and recapture their precious Silver Star after all. Anyway, be sure to listen next time and find out just how the cinnamon bear manages to make Judy and Jimmy only 4 inches high.