Cinnamon Bear 37-12-06 09 Roly-Poly Policeman

Summary

Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio — Cinnamon Bear: "Roly-Poly Policeman"

Episode Date: December 11, 2025

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Episode Overview

This episode continues the whimsical, serialized adventure of The Cinnamon Bear, a beloved children’s radio classic from the Golden Age of Radio. Judy, Jimmy, and their loyal companion, Cinnamon Bear, are on the quest to recover their lost Silver Star for their Christmas tree. In this chapter, their search brings them ashore on the magical island of Obi, where a quirky Roly-Poly Policeman is found with the treasured star. The story emphasizes cleverness, kindness, and the unpredictability of fantastical adventures.

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Key Discussion Points & Story Progression

1. Recap and Setting the Scene

• [02:11] Narrator: Reminds listeners that our heroes had recently been captured by candy-craving pirates. Captain Taffy has helped Judy, Jimmy, and Cinnamon Bear get close to the island of Obi.
• They spot the Roly-Poly Policeman wearing their Silver Star, raising both hope and curiosity about its return.

2. Farewell to the Candy Pirates

• [02:59–04:47] Shipboard Farewells: Captain Taffy and the kindly pirates provide a rowboat for the group to reach the island, expressing camaraderie and good wishes.
  • [03:06] Judy: “I never knew pirates could be so nice. Did you, Cinnamon Bear?”
  • [03:11] Cinnamon Bear: “Bless my stuffing, Snow. And we're much obliged to you, Captain.”
• Pirates set off in pursuit of marshmallows, and the trio rows anxiously toward the beach.

3. Encounter with the Roly-Poly Policeman

• [05:12–06:14] Approach: The trio spots the Roly-Poly Policeman and tries to reach him.
  • Attempt to land is thwarted by a magical, un-crossable wave.
  • [06:30] Roly Poly Policeman: “It's no use, folks. That's a magic wave. It'll keep anyone from landing in a boat.”
• The group discusses possible landings, including swimming, but Cinnamon Bear refuses out of concern for his “precious stuffings.”

4. Negotiating for the Silver Star

• [07:00–08:46] Parley and Politeness:
  • Cinnamon Bear is confrontational, but Judy takes a more polite approach.
  • [08:00] Judy: “Well, you might let us have our Silver Star… It belongs on the tip top of our Christmas tree.”
  • The Policeman, sympathetic to Christmas, agrees to return the star—if only they can come ashore.
  • He suggests rowing down the beach to bypass the magic wave.

5. Discovery and Frustration: The Star Has Moved Again

• [09:17–11:01] The Chase Resumes:
  • The trio finally reaches shore and hurries back, only to discover the Policeman no longer holds the star.
  • [10:20] Roly Poly Policeman: “Well, I guess your friend didn't find you yet.”
  • He explains a dragon—who resembles the Crazy Quilt Dragon—claimed the star on their behalf.

6. Tempers Flare and a Lesson Learned

• [11:06–11:41] Cinnamon Bear Loses His Cool:
  • Upset, Cinnamon Bear threatens and tries to push the rotund Policeman over.
  • The attempt is thwarted humorously as the Policeman pops back up, knocking Cinnamon Bear out.
  • [11:31] Roly Poly Policeman: “That's what happens to feisty fellows who forget to remember that when you push over a roly poly, he comes right back up.”

7. Setting Out After the Crazy Quilt Dragon

• Though chagrined, the group quickly pivots to pursue the Crazy Quilt Dragon, who has absconded with the Silver Star.
• [12:19] Judy: “Stop it, Cinnamon Bear. We've got no time to fight.”
• They dash off onto the sandy island in hot pursuit.

8. A Sudden Disappearance

• [12:51–13:01] Shocking Turn: As they chase after the dragon, Cinnamon Bear suddenly vanishes before their eyes.
  • [12:55] Jimmy: “He was running right there ahead of us, and then all of a sudden he just…”
  • [13:01] Judy: “…just disappeared.”

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Charming Pirate Farewells

• Judy [03:06]: “I never knew pirates could be so nice. Did you, Cinnamon Bear?”
• Cinnamon Bear [03:11]: “Bless my stuffing, Snow. And we're much obliged to you, Captain.”

The Policeman’s Magical Obstinacy

• Roly Poly Policeman [06:30]: “It's no use, folks. That's a magic wave. It'll keep anyone from landing in a boat.”

Negotiating with Kindness

• Judy [08:00]: “Well, you might let us have our Silver Star… It belongs on the tip top of our Christmas tree.”
• Roly Poly Policeman [08:11]: “Sure, and it's. Sorry I am to hear that being meant for Christmas meself. I know how it is. If you'll just come ashore, I'll give it back sure enough.”

Policeman's Defense of His Patrol Duties

• Roly Poly Policeman [07:35]: “Oh, with a roll this way and a roll that way, I can patrol about 3ft on either side of me. Not much, maybe, but it's patrolling I am, and I am raw around here.”

Humor in Frustration

• Cinnamon Bear [11:01]: “Garra, am I ferocious. That crazy Quilt Dragon up to his old tricks again.”
• Roly Poly Policeman [11:31]: “That's what happens to feisty fellows who forget to remember that when you push over a roly poly, he comes right back up.”

Cinnamon Bear’s Sudden Vanishing

• Jimmy [12:55]: “He was running right there ahead of us, and then all of a sudden he just…”
• Judy [13:01]: “…just disappeared.”

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:11] Recap by the Narrator and setup for this episode’s quest
• [02:59–04:47] Farewells and launching to the island
• [05:12–06:38] Encounter with Roly-Poly Policeman, magic wave dilemma
• [07:57–08:46] Judy’s polite plea for the star and hopeful agreement
• [10:17–11:01] Realization: The star is gone; Crazy Quilt Dragon's involvement revealed
• [11:06–11:41] Cinnamon Bear's scuffle with the Policeman
• [12:51–13:01] Cinnamon Bear disappears

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Conclusion & Takeaways

“Roly-Poly Policeman” is a lighthearted, imaginative installment filled with warmth, gentle humor, and the spirit of adventure. Through playful dialogue, the episode underscores the importance of politeness, teamwork, and quick-thinking in the face of obstacles—even magical ones! The sudden disappearance of Cinnamon Bear on the trail of the elusive Crazy Quilt Dragon ends the episode on a cliffhanger, leaving listeners eager for the next adventure.

Perfect for fans of old-time radio or new listeners alike, this episode captures the fantastical charm and clever whimsy that made The Cinnamon Bear a holiday tradition.

Transcript

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[Cinnamon Bear]

And here's the Cinnamon Bear.

[Judy]

Sam.

Ram.

[Narrator]

Now if you'll all put on your thinking caps, you'll remember that Judy and Jimmy and the Cinnamon Bear were captured by pirates last time. But these pirates were very different. They didn't make people walk the plank and they didn't hunt for gold. All they wanted was candy and plenty of it. Captain Taffy offered to sail them as far as the island of Obi where the Pelican had dropped their silver star. And what do you think? When they got close enough to use the captain's telescope, they sighted a Roly Poly policeman on the beach wearing their star on his chest. Right now the Suzy Q is about to drop anchor and and the children will have their star back in a few minutes. That is, if nothing happens.

[Captain Taffy]

Bop the anchor.

Well, my friend, it's been a pleasure to have your company aboard the good ship Suzie Q. Gee, we sure had.

[Jimmy]

Lots of fun, Captain Taffy.

[Judy]

That's what I say too. I never knew pirates could be so nice. Did you, Cinnamon Bear?

[Cinnamon Bear]

Bless my stuffing, Snow. And we're much obliged to you, Captain.

[Captain Taffy]

Don't mention it, matey.

[Judy]

I sure would like to know what that Roly Poly policeman is doing with our silver star on his chest.

[Jimmy]

Well, we'll know pretty soon, Judy. Cause Captain Taffy's gonna give us a boat so we can row ashore.

[Captain Taffy]

I'm sorry the candy pirates can't go ashore with you, but confidentially, we're on our way to capture a big horde of yummy marshmallows. I can taste them now.

[Cinnamon Bear]

Sounds most enticing, but marshmallows always get stuck in me fur.

[Judy]

What's this island like, Captain Taffy?

[Captain Taffy]

Well, it's a very strange place. Most magical in fact. Very large and inhabited by all manner of strange people and things.

[Jimmy]

Gee, I hope we get a chance to see a few things. Are you pirates coming right back?

[Captain Taffy]

Just as soon as we capture those yummy marshmallows. Won't take long and you can give us a signal and we'll take you aboard again. But in case you need to leave the island in a hurry, you'll have the rowboat.

[Judy]

We're sure awful grateful for everything you've done for us, Captain Bozeman.

[Captain Taffy]

Not at all, not at all. The pleasure's been on our side. Are you ready?

[Cinnamon Bear]

Ready and raring to go, Captain.

[Roly Poly Policeman]

Very well.

[Captain Taffy]

Bozen, pipe the boat.

You better let me help you in. There you are, young lady.

[Jimmy]

Gee, this is gonna be fun.

[Captain Taffy]

All snug as a bug in a rug, huh?

[Roly Poly Policeman]

Lower away.

[Judy]

Goodbye, Captain Taffy.

[Jimmy]

Thanks, Amelia.

[Cinnamon Bear]

Much obliged indeed.

[Captain Taffy]

Eh, score tonight. Goodbye, mateys, and good luck.

[Jimmy]

You take one oar, Cinnamon Bear, and I'll take the other.

[Captain Taffy]

Wanna be bright? Strike up a bit of our chanty.

[Jimmy]

All right, Cinnamon Bear, let's roll.

[Judy]

Weren't they lovely pirates? And Captain Taffy was just wonderful.

[Cinnamon Bear]

A gentleman, I says. A real seafaring gentleman.

[Judy]

Oh, Jimmy, I can see the policeman ever so close now.

[Jimmy]

Swell. I can't see because I've got my back to him. Are we heading in the right direction?

[Cinnamon Bear]

Sure we are. I can see, Jimmy. And don't worry about it. I got complete control of the boat, haven't I?

[Judy]

We're almost to the beach, Jimmy.

[Jimmy]

Yell at him.

[Judy]

All right.

[Jimmy]

Wait till I turn around a little. Hey, Leesmount.

[Judy]

I guess he doesn't hear you.

[Cinnamon Bear]

Let me do the yelling. It takes a big voice like mine to do the trick. Hello, officer. Officer.

[Roly Poly Policeman]

And what do you want?

[Jimmy]

What are you doing with our silver star?

[Roly Poly Policeman]

What?

[Cinnamon Bear]

I'll handle him.

[Judy]

Hey, you.

[Cinnamon Bear]

What are you doing with that silver star?

[Roly Poly Policeman]

Sure, and I'm wearing it. What do you suppose I'd be doing with it?

[Cinnamon Bear]

Yeah, but you got no right to wear it.

[Roly Poly Policeman]

Oh, haven't I now? And begory, who has more right to wear a star than a policeman?

[Judy]

But it's our star.

[Cinnamon Bear]

You bet.

[Judy]

And we're coming right in there to get it.

[Cinnamon Bear]

Come on, Jimmy. Just one more pull on the oars will scoot us right up on the beach.

[Jimmy]

What's the matter here? We're stuck.

[Cinnamon Bear]

We don't move an inch. And neither does this wave that the boat is on.

[Judy]

Try again.

[Roly Poly Policeman]

It's no use, folks. That's a magic wave. It'll keep anyone from landing in a boat.

[Cinnamon Bear]

What do you mean, a magic wave?

[Roly Poly Policeman]

Just that magic. That particular wave never rolls in. Just stays where it is all the time. You can drop down if you like.

[Judy]

Oh, but it's too far. Most five times as high as us.

[Roly Poly Policeman]

Or dive in and swim under it.

[Cinnamon Bear]

Oh, never, my precious stuffings.

[Roly Poly Policeman]

And in either case, Your boat will drift out into the ocean and you lose it.

[Cinnamon Bear]

Grah. Am I mad? Just wait till I get my paws on you, flat foot.

[Roly Poly Policeman]

That's an insult. To be sure. I'm a roly poly policeman, and roly polys don't have feet to be flat.

[Jimmy]

But what are you doing with our Silver Star?

[Roly Poly Policeman]

Yours, is it? And what would it be doing dropping out of the sky?

[Judy]

Penelope the Pelican dropped it. She stole it from us.

[Roly Poly Policeman]

Sure, I didn't know that at all. At all.

[Jimmy]

What do you do, Mr. Policeman, just stand there all the time?

[Roly Poly Policeman]

Not at all, son. I patrol.

[Cinnamon Bear]

Oh, lollipops, how can you patrol without feet?

[Roly Poly Policeman]

Oh, with a roll this way and a roll that way, I can patrol about 3ft on either side of me. Not much, maybe, but it's patrolling I am, and I am raw around here.

[Cinnamon Bear]

Fuddlestick, you're nothing.

[Jimmy]

But you're so mean, Cinnamon Bear. That's no way to get our star back.

[Judy]

I should say not. Mr. Policeman.

[Roly Poly Policeman]

Yes, ma'?

[Judy]

Am.

[Roly Poly Policeman]

What can I be doing for ye?

[Judy]

Well, you might let us have our Silver Star. It's been stolen or lost ever so many times, and we've just got to get it back. It belongs on the tip top of our Christmas tree.

[Roly Poly Policeman]

Sure, and it's. Sorry I am to hear that being meant for Christmas meself. I know how it is. If you'll just come ashore, I'll give it back sure enough.

[Judy]

Will ya?

[Jimmy]

Honest Injun. Gee, that's swell, but. Gee, willigers, what about this magic wave? We can't get ashore.

[Roly Poly Policeman]

Well, I'd toss it up, but I am afraid I'd miss. You'll have to row down the beach ways. They tell me that this magic wave doesn't go more than a hundred yards or so.

[Judy]

We'll be back right quick, Mr. Policeman. And thanks ever so much.

[Roly Poly Policeman]

Glad to be of service, ma'.

[Judy]

Am. Now see how nice he is when you're polite, Cinnamon. There.

[Cinnamon Bear]

Soft soap, that's all. Soft soap.

[Judy]

Shame on you.

[Jimmy]

Oh, let's not fight. Grab your oar, Cinnamon, and we'll get going.

[Judy]

We sure made that in a hurry, didn't we? Do you think the boat will be safe there, Cinnamon Bear?

[Cinnamon Bear]

Sure. I fixed it, didn't I?

[Jimmy]

Come on, let's hurry and get back to the policeman.

[Judy]

We'll hurry as fast as we can, Jimmy. The Santa's awful hard to walk fast in.

[Cinnamon Bear]

Yeah, my cinnamon paws sink down in it.

[Judy]

You know what I was just thinking about? The crazy quilt dragon. I wonder what happened to him. I wonder.

[Jimmy]

Too bad the pirates didn't take him on board. He sure turned out to be a good guy. Saving us from those bad Inca boos and everything, huh?

[Cinnamon Bear]

Maybe you think Crazy Quilts are better friend than I am, huh?

[Judy]

Oh no, Cinnamon Bear. You're a really truly friend.

[Cinnamon Bear]

Uh, do you think so?

[Jimmy]

Look, we've almost reached the policeman.

[Judy]

He's got his back to us. Hey, Mr. Policeman.

[Jimmy]

Louder, Judy.

[Judy]

Just a second till I get my breath. Yoo hoo, Mr. Policeman.

[Cinnamon Bear]

He's turning around.

[Roly Poly Policeman]

Hello.

[Judy]

Here we are. Jimmy, look.

[Jimmy]

He hasn't got the SILVER STAR ON.

[Judy]

Mr. Policeman. Mr. Policeman. Where's our star?

[Roly Poly Policeman]

Well, I guess your friend didn't find you yet.

[Cinnamon Bear]

What friend?

[Roly Poly Policeman]

With the one I gave your star to.

[Judy]

What do you mean?

[Jimmy]

Did someone say you were to give it to him?

[Roly Poly Policeman]

He did that. And very polite he was too.

[Judy]

My goodness, who could that be?

[Roly Poly Policeman]

He swam through the magic waves shortly after you started down the beach. First, I wasn't going to give it a star to him. But he told me you were coming right back for it. But he said he knew all about it.

[Judy]

What?

[Roly Poly Policeman]

And that you told him to pick it up.

[Jimmy]

Jiminy Crickets. Who was it, Faith?

[Roly Poly Policeman]

I don't know his name, but he was a dragon and looked a lot like a Crazy Quilt.

[Cinnamon Bear]

Garra, am I ferocious. That crazy Quilt Dragon up to his old tricks again.

[Judy]

Oh dear. Whatever will we do?

[Cinnamon Bear]

Well, first off, I'm going to push this fat headed policeman in the tummy.

[Jimmy]

Oh, don't, Cinnamon Bear.

[Cinnamon Bear]

I got to. It's a point of honor. Watch out, flatfoot. Here I come. I'll push you flat on your back, that's what. There.

[Jimmy]

And let that be the willikers. The policeman popped right back up again and knocked Cinnamon Bear out.

[Roly Poly Policeman]

That's what happens to feisty fellows who forget to remember that when you push over a roly poly, he comes right back up. Kawhi.

[Judy]

Poor Cinnamon.

[Cinnamon Bear]

Call me Early, Mother dear. Call me Early.

[Judy]

Shake him, Jimmy. He's coming too.

[Jimmy]

Wake up, Cinnamon Bear.

[Cinnamon Bear]

Oh, my poor stuffing. Where's that policeman? And tear him limb from limb.

[Judy]

Now just be quiet. You've had enough.

[Jimmy]

Which way did the crazy quill dragon go, Mr. Policeman?

[Roly Poly Policeman]

Well, I didn't. Watch him. Careful. Like not being quick to turn around. But I think he headed straight up the beach that way. Funny too. Just happened to think. Now that'd be the wrong direction if he wanted to catch up with you, Faith. And I bet he was running away.

[Judy]

Stop it, Cinnamon Bear. We've got no time to fight.

[Jimmy]

Come on, we'll have to go like the very dickens to catch up with Crazy Quilt.

[Cinnamon Bear]

All right. But I'd sure like to take another poke at that celluloid. So and so I'd suck. Here, Cinnamon Bear.

[Judy]

Hurry.

[Jimmy]

Gee, I can't see a thing ahead of us. Nothing but sand and sand and sand.

[Cinnamon Bear]

Well, seeing as how you wouldn't let me show you how to finish that pesky policeman, I'll show you how to catch Crazy Quilt. Come on, I'll lead the way.

[Judy]

Look at him go. Jimmy.

[Jimmy]

I'll say I never saw Jimmy.

[Judy]

Jimmy. What's happened to him? Gee, I don't know.

[Jimmy]

He was running right there ahead of us, and then all of a sudden he just.

[Judy]

Just disappeared.

[Narrator]

Well, what's all this? Everything looks just right for a merry chase after the Crazy Quilt Dragon and the Silver Star. And then Cinnamon Bear ups and vanishes into thin air. It seems that Judy and Jimmy just jump from one difficulty to another. I'll certainly be with you next time to see what made Cinnamon Bear disappear all of a sudden like.

[Judy]

Ram.

Sam.