Podcast Summary: "Cinnamon Bear" – Episode 6: Samuel Seal

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Date: December 8, 2025
Host: Harold’s Old Time Radio
Original Broadcast Date: December 2, 1937
Episode Title: "Samuel Seal" (Cinnamon Bear, Part 6)

Overview

This episode continues the classic serialized holiday adventure of Judy and Jimmy as they journey through the magical Maybeland in search of their lost Silver Star, a vital ornament for their Christmas tree. After escaping the Incaboos and plunging into the Rootbeer Ocean aboard the Crazy Quilt Dragon, the children aim to recover the star from a troubled, wailing whale named Wesley. Themes of whimsy, teamwork, and humor drive the story as new characters are introduced and setbacks arise—true to the spirit of Golden Age radio family entertainment.

Key Discussion Points & Plot Highlights

1. Recap and Set-Up (01:38)

• Narrator: Recaps the previous adventure: escape from the Incaboos, jump into the Rootbeer Ocean, and the star being swallowed by a polka-dot whale.
• Notable line:

  “And just as Jimmy was about to pick it up, a blue and white polka dot whale rose out of the ocean and swallowed it.” (01:38)

2. Trouble at Sea: Crazy Quilt's Predicament (02:14–03:29)

• Judy and Jimmy: Express worry over retrieving their star.
• Crazy Quilt Dragon: Admits he is not watertight and needs corks to stay afloat.
  • Quote:

  “In order to make any sort of extended sea cruise, I have to go on a special diet. It takes about four barrels of corks to put me in the pink.” (03:05)

• The group decides to head toward a nearby rock to dry off.

3. Encounter with Wesley the Wailing Whale (03:41–07:06)

• Wesley: The blue and white polka-dot whale surfaces, lamenting his constant stomach woes.
  • Humorous banter:
    • Crazy Quilt: “How are you, you old blue and white blubberer?” (03:51)
    • Wesley: “Oh, there you go, insulting me just because you know I’m a sick whale. Woe is me.” (03:53)
• Judy tells Wesley he swallowed their glass star, which makes him more miserable.
• Wesley’s Musical Number: Sings a comically dreary song about chronic sadness and tummy aches.
  • Sample lyrics:

  “Whaley, waley, Groan and grumble, deary dreary deep. Roar and rumble, moan and mumble, wo ho ho is me.” (05:39)

• The children urge him to return the star, but Wesley is melodramatic and claims poor health:

  "Glass. Oh, dear. Somebody get a doctor, quick. I'm going. I'm going. I know I'm going." (07:29)

4. On the Big Rock: Meeting Samuel Seal (08:42–09:55)

• Crazy Quilt: Sunbathes to dry out.
• Samuel the Trained Seal welcomes the travelers with circus bravado.
  • Samuel:

  “Welcome, anyhow. I’m Samuel, the trained seal.” (08:59)
  “Amateurs, my boy. Just amateurs. You haven’t seen a thing until you’ve seen me perform.” (09:05)

• Samuel insists on performing tricks (juggling, somersaulting, whistling), boasting about his skills.
  • Samuel:

  “You’ve never seen a better juggling, balance, and musical acting.” (09:50)

5. Enlisting Samuel: The Plan to Wake Wesley (09:55–10:50)

• The children urge Samuel to dive down and wake the whale, which he successfully performs.
  • Samuel:

  “Can a seal dive? I’m Olympic material, I am.” (09:55)

• Rapid action:
  Wesley resurfaces, grumbling and groaning over the silver star distress.

6. The Silly Solution: Tickle Tactics (10:50–11:39)

• The star is stuck in Wesley’s throat.
• Suggestion: someone should tickle Wesley to make him sneeze and cough up the star.
  • Crazy Quilt uses his tail for tickling:

    “There. Tickle, tickle, tickle, tickle, tickle, tickle, tickle…” (11:26)

• Wesley finally sneezes up the star.

7. The Jugglers’ Dilemma: Enter Penelope the Pelican (11:41–12:37)

• Samuel catches the star on his nose and starts juggling.
• Judy: Nervous about the star being dropped.
  • Judy:

  “Please give us our star, Samuel. You might drop it and break it in a million pieces.” (11:59)

• Just as Samuel tries a record-high throw, Penelope the Pelican swoops in and snatches the star out of the air.
  • Narrator:

  “Just imagine it. They get their silver star back from the wailing whale, only to have it snatched away by Penelope the Pelican.” (12:33)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Crazy Quilt: “I’m not really a watertight dragon... I have to go on a special diet. It takes about four barrels of corks to put me in the pink.” (03:05)
• Wesley the Whale (song):

  “Whaley waley, Groan and grumble deary dreary deep. Roar and rumble, moon and mumble, wo ho ho is me.” (05:39)

• Samuel the Seal: “Amateurs, my boy. Just amateurs. You haven’t seen a thing until you’ve seen me perform.” (09:05)
• Judy: “Please give us our star, Samuel. You might drop it and break it in a million pieces.” (11:59)
• Narrator: “Just imagine it. They get their silver star back from the wailing whale, only to have it snatched away by Penelope the Pelican.” (12:33)

Important Timestamps

• [01:38] – Recap of previous episode
• [03:05] – Crazy Quilt admits he isn’t watertight; the group heads for a rock
• [03:51-07:06] – Wesley the wailing whale appears, sings, and learns he ate the star
• [09:04] – Introduction of Samuel Seal and his circus bravado
• [10:00] – Samuel dives to wake up Wesley
• [11:26] – Crazy Quilt tickles Wesley, star is coughed up
• [11:42-12:31] – Samuel juggles the star, Penelope Pelican swoops in and takes it

Tone & Style

The episode’s tone is delightfully whimsical and humorous, filled with friendly banter and zany characters. The dialogue is lively and imaginative, characteristic of old-time radio’s family-friendly storytelling. The cast’s voices and musical numbers add levity even as the protagonists face obstacles.

Summary

This episode captures the magical, slapstick spirit of The Cinnamon Bear. The adventure is full of imaginative creatures and silly predicaments, as Judy and Jimmy edge closer to retrieving their Christmas star—only to have it slip from their grasp once more. With memorable characters like the melodramatic whale and showy Samuel Seal, listeners are drawn into a playful world where quick-thinking, patience, and teamwork are just as important as a sense of humor. The tantalizing cliffhanger promises more fun in the next installment.