Cinnamon Bear 37-12-07 10 Professor Whiz

Summary

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Harold's Old Time Radio – “Cinnamon Bear 37-12-07 10: Professor Whiz”

Original air date: December 7, 1937
Podcast Release: December 12, 2025
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio

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Episode Overview

This episode brings listeners back to the enchanting adventures of Judy, Jimmy, and the Cinnamon Bear as they journey through the magical island of Obi. The trio is searching for their lost silver star, only to encounter a series of magical obstacles, peculiar characters, and, most notably in this chapter, the eccentric Professor Whiz—the highly grammatical owl.

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Detailed Breakdown

1. Recap and Departure into Mystery (02:08–03:33)

• The Story So Far:
  The narrator summarizes the predicament: after losing their prized silver star to the mischievous Crazy Quilt Dragon and the Roly Poly Policeman, Judy and Jimmy are plunged into magical misadventures on the island of Obi.

  “That old crazy quilled dragon… got to the policeman first and off with the silver star. Our three adventurers were hot in pursuit when all of a sudden the Cinnamon bear vanished into thin air. Just like that.” (02:19, Narrator)

• Strange Island Magic:
  Judy finds herself alone as Jimmy and the Cinnamon Bear seemingly disappear, but soon are able to communicate again, realizing they’ve crossed a magical boundary.

  Judy: "He was right here before us just a minute ago. Well, come on... Jimmy, Jimmy, where are you?" (02:41)

  Cinnamon Bear: "We must have crossed some kind of a magical boundary, Judy. I could see you and hear you, but you couldn't see or hear me." (03:26)

2. Meeting Professor Whiz, the Educated Owl (03:33–07:42)

• A Curiosity:
  Guided by the sight of a peculiar house, Judy, Jimmy, and the Cinnamon Bear encounter Professor Whiz—an owl with spectacles and a dictionary, famous for his grammatical precision.

  Cinnamon Bear: "He's got spectacles on and he's holding a big dictionary under his wing." (03:56)

  Judy: "There's a sign over him. Professor Whiz, the educated owl." (04:05)

• Rigorous Grammar:
  Professor Whiz corrects their grammar immediately, emphasizing his role as a language stickler.

  Professor Whiz: "We seen is a very gross grammatical error. To whom?" (04:28)

  Judy: "Why do you always say to whom? I thought owls always say to who." (04:33)

  Professor Whiz: "Uneducated owls, I regret to say, have fallen into that error. I, knowing my grammar, would not think of saying anything but to whom." (04:37)

• The Wintergreen Witch’s Magic:
  Professor Whiz explains their magical misadventures are due to spells cast by the Wintergreen Witch, who lives in the nearby house (but is away at a witches’ convention).

  Professor Whiz: "That's a very small variety of magic brewed up by the Wintergreen Witch." (05:11)

• Crazy Quilt Sighting:
  The group learns that Crazy Quilt Dragon entered the house recently with the silver star but hasn’t come out since.

  Professor Whiz: “Oh, definitely. He went into the house just a while ago... Oh, yes, I’m sure he did.” (06:36–06:45)

• Professor Whiz Exits:
  Disdainful of any potential “banal vulgarities,” Professor Whiz excuses himself from the encounter in verbose fashion.

  Professor Whiz: "Dear, dear Silver. Such goings on. I could never remain in this vicinity to witness such banal vulgarities. So if you will permit me to absent myself from your company, I shall wend my way in the direction of my humble domicile." (07:20)

3. The House and the Magic Picture (07:42–09:07)

• Searching for the Dragon:
  Judy, Jimmy, and Cinnamon Bear enter the witch’s house, hoping to retrieve their silver star and find Crazy Quilt. The interior is unremarkable except for a fireplace with pots (presumably for potion-making) and an enormous, lifelike picture.

  Cinnamon Bear: "All there is is a fireplace with a lot of pots." (08:15)

  Judy: "My, isn't that a big picture? … Just as real and lifelike as can be." (08:19–08:24)

• Magic Portals:
  The children notice the trees in the picture subtly moving—revealing it to be a magical portal. They surmise Crazy Quilt has entered the forest depicted in the painting.

  Judy: "Jimmy, I'm sure I saw one of those trees move ever so slightly." (08:32)
  Cinnamon Bear: "That tree near the frame is awful close. I touched it. It's real as can be. This is some more magic, children." (08:43)

  Judy: "That's where Crazy Quilt went I betcha. Into that picture forest." (08:52)

4. In the Picture Forest – Meeting Fraidy Cat (09:07–12:37)

• Entering Another World:
  The trio finds themselves in a magical forest and immediately begin searching for Crazy Quilt Dragon.

  Cinnamon Bear: "This is a really, truly sure enough forest, all right." (09:09)

• Fraidy Cat’s Lament:
  They meet a talking kitten, Fraidy Cat, who sings a humorous, self-deprecating song about being easily frightened.

  Fraidy Cat (singing):
  “Fraidy cat, fraidy cat
  I'm just a fraidy cat
  Whining example of what not to be…” (09:55–10:26)

• Fear of Giants and Dragons:
  Fraidy Cat is frightened by a supposed giant in the area, raising the stakes for the children.

  Fraidy Cat: "I saw a great big giant a while ago." (10:59)
  Cinnamon Bear: "Oh, there couldn't be any giants here. Why, you could see them away off if there were." (11:04)

• Assuring Safety:
  Judy and Cinnamon Bear try to soothe Fraidy Cat, vowing there’s no real danger from the gentle Crazy Quilt Dragon.

  Cinnamon Bear: "You certainly are a Fraidy cat. All right. Better let me get you out of that notion right now. You just got too much imagination, that's all." (11:42)
  Judy: "Nothing's going to hurt you, little kitten. And you won't have to be a fraidy cat anymore." (12:08)

• Cinnamon Bear on Bravery:
  Cinnamon Bear encourages bravery—in his signature style.

  Cinnamon Bear: "Now, I'm just a cinnamon bear with shoe button eyes. But I'm not afraid of anything, even if it's twice my size." (12:08)

5. A Giant Appears! (12:37–12:57)

• The episode concludes dramatically as signs of a giant emerge, causing everyone to panic.

  Judy: "Cinnamon bear. Wow."
  Cinnamon Bear: "Let me out of here."
  Judy: "Gangway." (12:37–12:40)

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Memorable Quotes

• Professor Whiz: "Uneducated owls, I regret to say, have fallen into that error. I, knowing my grammar, would not think of saying anything but to whom." (04:37)
• Judy: "That's where Crazy Quilt went I betcha. Into that picture forest." (08:52)
• Fraidy Cat (song): “Fraidy cat, fraidy cat / I'm just a fraidy cat / Whining example of what not to be…” (09:55-10:26)
• Cinnamon Bear: "Now, I'm just a cinnamon bear with shoe button eyes. But I'm not afraid of anything, even if it's twice my size." (12:08)
• Professor Whiz: "Such goings on. I could never remain in this vicinity to witness such banal vulgarities." (07:20)

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Key Timestamps

• 02:08 – Episode recap and disappearance of Cinnamon Bear
• 03:33 – Encounter with Professor Whiz
• 04:24 – Professor Whiz corrects grammar: "We seen is a very gross grammatical error"
• 05:11 – Explanation of the Wintergreen Witch's magic
• 06:36 – Confirmation that Crazy Quilt entered the house
• 07:42 – Professor Whiz’s verbose exit
• 08:19 – The magical picture is observed
• 09:07 – Entry into the picture forest
• 09:55 – Fraidy Cat’s song
• 10:59 – Warning of a giant from Fraidy Cat
• 12:37 – Panic as a giant appears

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Summary & Takeaways

Episode 10 of "The Cinnamon Bear" is marked by whimsical wordplay, educational humor, and a deepening of magical mystery. The highlight is the character of Professor Whiz, whose obsession with grammar provides comic relief and clever dialogue. The plot continues to build urgency as the children pursue Crazy Quilt Dragon, only to become ensnared in deeper magical worlds—including a living painting and the looming threat of a giant.

The blend of adventure and gentle humor—along with memorable musical interludes like Fraidy Cat’s song—captures the family-friendly warmth and imagination of classic American radio storytelling.

Fans of vintage radio will especially enjoy the playful tone and period characterizations on display in this delightful episode.

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Transcript

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[Cinnamon Bear]

And here's the cinnamon bear.

[Judy]

Ram, Sam.

[Narrator]

Judy and Jimmy are on the island of Obi, and I must say they're in a most terrible predicament. The Roly Poly Policeman was perfectly willing to give them their silver star, which he had pinned on his chest.

[Cinnamon Bear]

And.

[Narrator]

But by the time they rode down the shore to get around the magic wave which kept them from landing and walk back up the beach, what do you think had to happen? Well, that old crazy quilled dragon, who you remember, likes bright, shiny things, got to the policeman first and off with the silver Star. Our three adventurers were hot in pursuit when all of a sudden the Cinnamon bear vanished into thin air. Just like that.

[Judy]

Oh, dear. Where could the cinnamon bear have gone to? He was right here before us just a minute ago. Well, come on. Come. But start looking. I'll go in front of you. This island of Obi surely is a funny place, Jimmy. Just like the pirate captain told us. That Roly Poly Policeman and the magic wave that wouldn't let our boat land on the shore and. Jimmy. Jimmy, where are you? Oh, dear. Now he's disappeared. Just like Cinnamon Bear. Jimmy. Jimmy, don't leave me all alone. Come back. I guess I'll have to go on alone. Oh, dear. I wish I were home with Mother. Hey, Judy. Here we are. Over here, Judy. Why, Jimmy. Cinnamon Bear.

[Cinnamon Bear]

We must have crossed some kind of a magical boundary. Judy, I could see you and hear you, but you couldn't see or hear me.

[Judy]

I got so scared. Well, let's go on now.

[Cinnamon Bear]

Sure.

[Judy]

Hey, look ahead.

[Cinnamon Bear]

To your right a little. There's a house. Maybe somebody could tell us if Crazy Quilt Dragon's been here.

[Judy]

Say, look, Judy. What's that sitting on that post in front of the house? I don't know, Jimmy.

[Cinnamon Bear]

I do. It's an owl. And he's got his eyes open. I never heard of an owl with his eyes open in the daytime.

[Judy]

Must be more magic, I guess. Look, he's got spectacles on and he's holding a big dictionary under his wing.

[Cinnamon Bear]

He's certainly like no owl I ever saw.

[Judy]

There's a sign over him. Professor Whiz, the educated owl. Educated? That's why he has that big dictionary. How funny.

[Cinnamon Bear]

Maybe he's seen Crazy Quilt. Excuse me, please, Professor Whiz, but we seen your name on the sign.

[Judy]

Saw?

[Professor Whiz]

My name? You mean to whom?

[Cinnamon Bear]

Well, seen or saw doesn't make any.

[Professor Whiz]

It makes a great deal of difference. We seen is a very gross grammatical error. To whom?

[Judy]

Why do you always say to whom? I thought owls always say to who.

[Professor Whiz]

Uneducated owls, I regret to say, have fallen into that error. I, knowing my grammar, would not think of saying anything but to whom.

[Cinnamon Bear]

Well, I don't care if you say to what you may call it.

[Judy]

We're very anxious to get some information, Professor Whiz. Yes, we had something awful funny happen to us. We were just going along, and then all of a sudden the cinnamon bear here disappeared. Then I went ahead, and all of a sudden I saw him again. But Judy, that's my sister here, she couldn't see or hear either of us. Though we could see and hear her. Do you know what makes that magic, Professor?

[Professor Whiz]

Oh, indeed I do. That's a very small variety of magic brewed up by the Wintergreen Witch.

[Judy]

Does she live in that little house?

[Professor Whiz]

Yes, but she's not home at present. She left on her broomstick only this morning to attend the witches convention.

[Judy]

But why do you suppose she made it so he disappeared like that?

[Professor Whiz]

I believe her intention was to keep her habitation invisible while she herself might observe the action and appearance of all strangers in the vicinity. To whom?

[Cinnamon Bear]

I guess she didn't like visitors then.

[Professor Whiz]

Such English. She doesn't not. She don't.

[Judy]

To whom do you live in the little house with her, Professor Quiz?

[Professor Whiz]

Oh, no, I should say not. Occasionally I give her English lessons. But our association is strong. Strictly educational. I assure you, I have never been inside her house. To whom?

[Judy]

It must be funny giving lessons to a witch.

[Professor Whiz]

Not at all, my dear little girl. The Wintergreen Witch used only to speak the witch language, which is a very primitive tongue. Very. When she came to live on the island of Obey, she found it very awkward not speaking the same language as other people. So I came to her assistance. And while I must admit she exhibits a deplorable tendency to split infinitives, her idiom is in the main.

[Judy]

I don't understand what he means, Cinnamon bear.

[Cinnamon Bear]

He means. He means that the witch is doing all right.

[Judy]

Have you seen a crazy quill dragon around here anywhere, Professor Whiz?

[Professor Whiz]

Oh, definitely. He Went into the house just a while ago. Asked me if it would be all right if you went in and looked around a bit.

[Judy]

Did he have a big silver star with him?

[Professor Whiz]

Oh, yes, I'm sure he did.

[Cinnamon Bear]

Did he come out again?

[Professor Whiz]

No, I would have seen him. In that event, the Wintergreen witch says there's only one door, and I happen to be sitting in front of.

[Judy]

Well, do you suppose there's any place inside where he could hide?

[Professor Whiz]

My dear young fellow, I haven't the vaguest notion. I've never been in there, I told you. Besides, I'm much too busy thinking about grammar to fiddle faddle around.

[Judy]

Do you suppose it'd be all right if we just went in and looked around?

[Professor Whiz]

Oh, quite. There can't be anything much in there, but go ahead.

[Cinnamon Bear]

Just wait till I get my paws on that dragon. If I don't make his Crazy Quill colors turn black and blue.

[Professor Whiz]

Dear, dear Silver. Such goings on. I could never remain in this vicinity to witness such banal vulgarities. So if you will permit me to absent myself from your company, I shall wend my way in the direction of my humble domicile.

[Judy]

Goodness, whatever does he mean?

[Cinnamon Bear]

Ah, he means he's going to shove off. Well, thanks for the information, Proffee.

[Professor Whiz]

Not at all. Don't mention it. Well, off he des ein audio.

[Judy]

Gee, he certainly talks big words, all right. Just like the principal of our school.

[Cinnamon Bear]

Say, if we're ever going to catch Crazy Quill, we better get into that house in a hurry.

[Judy]

You go in first, Cinnamon Bear. I'm just a teeny bit afraid. Aw, don't be scared, Judy. This isn't anything.

[Cinnamon Bear]

It isn't blocked.

[Judy]

It's only one room. I don't see the Crazy Quill dragon in here anywhere. Let's look around. Good. He might be hiding under something.

[Cinnamon Bear]

I don't know where he could hide. All there is is a fireplace with a lot of pots.

[Judy]

I suppose the Wintergreen Witch makes her magic in them. My, isn't that a big picture?

[Cinnamon Bear]

It surely is. Takes up the whole wall. My, my. Look at the trees in it. Just as real and lifelike as can be.

[Judy]

Jimmy, I'm sure I saw one of those trees move ever so slightly. Let's see. Why, you're right, Judy. The leaves are moving like there was a little wind blowing.

[Cinnamon Bear]

I'm going to look at it closer. That tree near the frame is awful close. I touched it. It's real as can be. This is some more magic, children.

[Judy]

That's where Crazy Quill went I betcha. Into that picture forest.

[Cinnamon Bear]

Come on, let's go. We haven't any time to lose.

[Judy]

Oh, boy. Hi, Mim and me.

[Cinnamon Bear]

This is a really, truly sure enough forest, all right.

[Judy]

Isn't it pretty, Jimmy?

[Cinnamon Bear]

You bet.

[Judy]

Gee, these are awful big trees, aren't they?

[Cinnamon Bear]

Bless my stuffing. Yes, and there's an awful lot of places where that crazy quilt dragon could hide. We'll have to look very carefully.

[Judy]

What was that? It sounded like something moving. I'll bet it's Crazy Quilt.

[Cinnamon Bear]

Let's be on the safe side. It might be Crazy Quilt. And then again, it might be something awful dangerous. Tiptoe.

[Judy]

All right, Patty, but let's look. It stopped now.

[Dr. Z]

Meow.

[Cinnamon Bear]

What was that?

[Judy]

It was a funny little noise. Why, it's nothing but a kitten. Meow. Kitty, kitty, kitty. Come here, little kitty. Meow. Gee, it's scared of something. Oh, don't be afraid of us. We wouldn't hurt you.

[Cinnamon Bear]

Come here.

[Judy]

Poor little kitten. Who are you? And what makes you so frightened? Lady cat, lady cat? I'm just a braidy cat Much more afraid than a kitten should be Brady cat, braidy cat no man or lady cat Ever got frightened as easy as me I'm afraid of my shadow. It makes me so sad. Oh, I would be a little bolder if I've dared.

[Cinnamon Bear]

I'm sorry.

[Judy]

Such a sharp BE9 I just make a BE9 for the safest place to hide in when I'm scared. Braidy cat, lady cat I'm just a braidy cat Whining example of what not to be. Braidy cat, braidy cat Just an old baby cat Sometimes I even get frightened of me. What are you scared of now, little kitty? I saw a great big giant a while ago.

[Cinnamon Bear]

Oh, there couldn't be any giants here. Why, you could see them away off if there were.

[Judy]

But this is a magic forest, and you can't see it if you're outside of it. And this great big giant lives outside of it. And I'm so, so scared. Maybe she's seen the Crazy Quill dragon. Did you see the Crazy Quill dragon in here? Fraidy cat? No. Oh, is there a dragon in here too? Oh, what will I do?

[Cinnamon Bear]

Oh, sure, he's a very harmless dragon. His only fault is that he's too fond of shiny things.

[Judy]

But it's a dragon. And I'm scared of dragons. Besides, I'm black and shiny. But he isn't a bit dangerous. Not like a giant, you know. Ooh. Now I'm scared again.

[Cinnamon Bear]

You certainly are a Fraidy cat. All right. Better let me get you out of that notion right now. You just got too much imagination, that's all.

[Judy]

Oh, don't be scared now, fraidy cat. Let me pet you a little. I like you. You're very nice to poor little me. Most everybody else talks loud and scares me. There now. Nothing's going to hurt you, little kitten. And you won't have to be a fraidy cat anymore.

[Cinnamon Bear]

Try to be like me, fraidy cat. Now, I'm just a cinnamon bear with shoe button eyes. But I'm not afraid of anything, even if it's twice my size. Am I? Ferocious garrotte.

[Judy]

But I'm not a cinnamon bear. I'm just a little kitten.

[Cinnamon Bear]

Oh, that's all right. But you should try. Try to be like me. Little Kit Kat. Courageous, undaunted. A pillar of strength.

[Judy]

A tower of what that beside pillikers. She's right.

[Professor Whiz]

Look.

[Judy]

Cinnamon bear. Wow.

[Cinnamon Bear]

Let me out of here.

[Judy]

Gangway.

[Narrator]

If it isn't one thing, it's another. And this time, it's a giant. I'm sorry to say it, but I don't see how our little friends can ever hope to out distance a giant that's bigger than a house. And I for one, am going to be right on hand next time to find out what happens to Judy and Jimmy and the cinnamon bear.

[Kirkland's Home Announcer]

The holidays are here, and Kirkland's home has everything you need to make this season shine. From beautiful tree decor and ornaments to cozy throws, candles, and festive accents, you'll find inspiring ways to deck every hall, explore thoughtful holiday gifts for everyone on your list at prices that make celebrating even brighter. Come visit Kirkland's home and discover great deals across the store as you decorate, gift and gather. Kirkland's Home, your destination for a beautifully decorated holiday season. Come see us today.

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