Cinnamon Bear 37-12-15 17 Muddlers

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Cinnamon Bear 37-12-15 17 Muddlers"

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode Airdate: December 19, 2025
Original Broadcast Date: December 15, 1937
Episode Title: "Muddlers"

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Episode Overview

This episode of "Harold's Old Time Radio" features a classic radio adventure from the Cinnamon Bear series, a beloved children's fantasy serial from the 1930s. In this installment, Judy, Jimmy, the Cinnamon Bear, and the Crazy Quilt Dragon continue their quest in the Wishing Woods to repair their broken Silver Star. The group faces moral dilemmas and peril as they navigate the magical wishing well and encounter the threatening Muddlers—a gruff band of living mud creatures.

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Key Discussion Points and Story Events

Falling Into the Wishing Well (02:11–03:14)

• Narrator Recap: The episode opens by catching listeners up—Cinnamon Bear has accidentally fallen to the bottom of the wishing well while the group seeks a solution for their broken star.
• Judy and Jimmy are distraught, worried about how to rescue him.
• Key Details:
  • The well is very deep and cold.
  • Crazy Quilt suggests finding a branch or a rope, but to no avail.

The Wishing Well's Limit (03:49–05:20)

• Jimmy’s Clever Idea: “This is a wishing well, isn’t it? ... Why don’t we just wish him out?” (Jimmy, 03:49)
• Rules Revealed (04:09–04:28): The group discovers a sign stating only one wish is allowed. They realize they face a difficult choice: use their single wish to save Cinnamon Bear or to fix the Silver Star as originally intended.
• Judy’s Loyalty: She insists Cinnamon Bear’s safety is more important than the star. “I’ve just got to help him. Wishing well. I wish the Cinnamon Bear to be up here with us right this very minute.” (Judy, 05:11)

Team Reunited, Consequences Explained (05:49–06:56)

• Relief and Tension: Cinnamon Bear is saved, but Crazy Quilt scolds him for endangering their quest:
  • Crazy Quilt: “I hope you’re satisfied, Patty O Cinnamon, now that you’ve ruined the children’s chances for getting their Silver Star.” (Crazy Quilt, 06:03)
• Jimmy and Judy reassure Cinnamon Bear, deciding to explain the situation to Queen Melissa and hope for help.

Entering the Muddlers' Realm (07:11–10:27)

• A Muddy Dilemma: The group attempts to leave the woods, but finds their way blocked by a wide, impassable river of mud.
• They notice a sign: “No muddling.” Suddenly, mud is thrown at Jimmy, introducing the episode’s antagonists—the Muddlers.
• Description: The Muddlers are large, personified mud creatures, three times the size of the group.

The Muddlers Attack (09:17–10:24)

• Introductions:
  • “We’re the Muddlers. Here’s how.” (Captain McMud/Muddler Leader, 09:19)
• Escalation: Mud is flung aggressively. The group tries to reason, bribe, and placate the Muddlers, but to no effect.

The Struggle and Cliffhanger (12:00–13:18)

• Scene Intensifies: Judging the group as trespassers, the Muddlers decide to push them into the mud river, ignoring all peace offerings.
• The heroes struggle not to sink in the thick mud. Crazy Quilt tries to act as a lifeboat, but can't escape the mud’s pull.
• Climactic Tension:
  • “I can’t touch bottom, and I just keep sinking.” (Judy, 13:39)
  • “I can’t make it.” (Crazy Quilt, 13:03)
• Narrator's Suspenseful Close: “Will Crazy Quilt be able to get them out? Well, let's just hope they can keep their heads up until next time so we can find out what happens.” (Narrator, 13:18)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Friendship vs. Objective:
  • “I’ve just got to help him. Wishing well. I wish the Cinnamon Bear to be up here with us right this very minute.” (Judy, 05:11)
  • “But it seems to me that his carelessness doesn’t deserve such loyalty.” (Crazy Quilt, 05:20)
• On Despair and Hope:
  • “Oh, Jimmy. I can't touch bottom and I just keep sinking.” (Judy, 13:39)
  • “I can’t make it.” (Crazy Quilt, 13:03)
• Comic Banter:
  • “You miserable excuse for a bed quilt.” (Cinnamon Bear to Crazy Quilt, 06:11)
  • “You cheap imitation fur coat.” (Crazy Quilt to Cinnamon Bear, 06:13)
• Villainous Threats:
  • “Come on, Mudley. I’m fed up throwing mud. Let's give them the works. ... You mean push em in the mud river? Yeah, shove em in. Let em soak a while. Then we'll come back and make mud statues out of em.” (Captain McMud/Muddler Leader, 12:00–12:12)

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Important Timestamps

• 02:11 — Cinnamon Bear falls into the wishing well.
• 03:49 — Jimmy proposes wishing Cinnamon Bear out.
• 04:09–04:28 — The sign: only one wish permitted.
• 05:11 — Judy sacrifices the star wish to save Cinnamon Bear.
• 09:19 — “We’re the Muddlers. Here’s how.” — Introduction of the Muddlers.
• 12:00–13:18 — The group is thrown in the mud. Cliffhanger ending.

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Episode Highlights

• Touching example of loyalty and sacrificing personal goals for the sake of friendship.
• Humorous and rapid-fire exchanges between the Cinnamon Bear and Crazy Quilt.
• Introduction of the Muddlers as a new, comical yet menacing obstacle.
• Suspenseful cliffhanger, leaving listeners eager to discover the group's fate.

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Tone: The episode maintains its signature whimsical and adventurous feel, blending playful banter, mild peril, and a sense of wonder. The moral quandaries and slapstick danger make it both entertaining and heartwarming for families and fans of classic radio serials.

Transcript

[Narrator/Announcer]

Everyone deserves to be connected. That's why T Mobile and US Cellular are joining forces. Switch to T Mobile and save up to 20% versus Verizon by getting built in benefits they leave out. Check the math@t mobile.com switch and now T mobile is in US cellular stores. Savings versus Comparable Verizon plans plus the cost of optional benefits. Plan features and taxes and fees vary. Savings with three plus lines include third line free via monthly bill credits. Credit stop if you cancel any lines. Qualifying credit required.

[Jimmy]

And here's the cinnamon bear.

[Judy]

Ram, Sam.

[Narrator]

Judy and Jimmy with Cinnamon Bear and the crazy quilled dragon are still in the wishing woods. Queen Melissa's magic instructions for restoring their broken star to one piece directed them to the wishing well where the Cinnamon Bear took it upon himself to do a bit of investigating. However, he carried his investigation too far. As a matter of fact, he carried it clear to the bottom of the well. He leaned over too far and tumbled, head over, paws down, down, down to the very bottom of the wishing well.

[Judy]

Oh, poor, poor Cinnamon Bear.

[Jimmy]

Gee willikers, how we ever get him out. It's deeper than anything.

[Crazy Quilt]

Hello, down there. Patio Cinnamon.

[Judy]

Yoo hoo.

[Jimmy]

Patty, can you hear us?

[Judy]

Hello?

[Jimmy]

I can't hear you.

[Judy]

Are you all right?

[Jimmy]

Yes, but I'd surely like to get out of this awful place. Is there any water down there? No, but it's freezing cold.

[Judy]

Brr.

[Jimmy]

I don't like it one little bit. Thank goodness my extra special stuffing kept me from getting hurt. Hang on down there, Cinnamon Bear, and don't be frightened. We'll get you out in no time.

[Judy]

But however will we do it? Crazy quilt?

[Crazy Quilt]

Hmm, let me see now. If we only had a rope.

[Judy]

But there wouldn't be any ropes around here.

[Crazy Quilt]

Quite true. But we. We might look around for a tree branch to put down the well. He could scramble up on that.

[Jimmy]

All right, let's look.

[Judy]

How about this crazy quilt?

[Crazy Quilt]

Oh, it's too big for any of us to live.

[Jimmy]

Well, here's one that's small enough.

[Crazy Quilt]

Oh no, that's dead. It would snap right under him.

[Judy]

I don't see anything else we could use, do you, Jimmy? No, not a thing. Say, I've got an idea. What?

[Jimmy]

This is a wishing well, isn't it?

[Judy]

Course it is. You know that.

[Jimmy]

Well, why don't we just wish him out?

[Crazy Quilt]

Splendid. My, you're the smart one, Jimmy. Now why didn't I think of that?

[Judy]

Look, there's a sign over here on this side of the well. I can't read it cause it's kind of Dark like. Can you read a crazy quilt?

[Crazy Quilt]

Just a minute. Sure enough. Why, it's some instructions for using the wishing well.

[Jimmy]

Jiminy Crickets. Hurry up and read them.

[Crazy Quilt]

Let's see. Wishing well wishes you well. Wish your wish and wait the spell.

[Judy]

Oh, hooray. Now we can save poor Cinnamon Bears.

[Crazy Quilt]

Wait, wait. Here's a PS BU one or 28. A single wish is all you rate. Oh, gracious me. This is the Redful. The Redful?

[Jimmy]

Why, Crazy Quill?

[Crazy Quilt]

Well, Melissa's instructions said the wishing well is where to go to find out what you want to know. And we wanted to know how to get the broken Silver Star back together again, didn't we?

[Judy]

Sure we did.

[Crazy Quilt]

I'm positive Melissa meant for us to use the wish for that purpose.

[Jimmy]

And the sign says we can only have one wish. So if we use it to pull Cinnamon Bear out of the well, we won't be able to get the star fixed.

[Crazy Quilt]

That's what it amounts to, Jimmy.

[Judy]

Well, I don't care. We've just got to get dear Patio Cinnamon out of that black old well. Of course I'll feel awful about not getting our beautiful Silver Star mended, but Cinnamon Bear is our friend and we can't leave him there. So we'll just hurry up and wish him out.

[Crazy Quilt]

That's your privilege, Judy. But it seems to me that his carelessness doesn't deserve such loyalty. And remember, Christmas is getting closer and closer and closer. So if you expect.

[Judy]

Oh, dear. I don't know what to say. But poor Patty. I. I've just got to help him. Wishing well. I wish the Cinnamon Bear to be up here with us right this very minute.

[Jimmy]

Wow, am I glad to be out of that. Excuse me just a moment while I shake out my extra special stuffing a bit.

[Judy]

We're so glad to see you again, Cinnamon Bear.

[Jimmy]

You bet. For a while, you had us pretty worried.

[Crazy Quilt]

I hope you're satisfied, Patty O Cinnamon, now that you've ruined the children's chances for getting their Silver Star.

[Jimmy]

What do you mean? Say that again, you miserable excuse for a bed quilt.

[Crazy Quilt]

Gladly, you cheap imitation fur coat.

[Jimmy]

What's that? Hold your tongue there, or I'll growl my most ferocious growl at you.

[Crazy Quilt]

Ferocious growl indeed you do. Better to hang your stuffed head in shame. Judy and Jimmy have used up the only wish they can have just to fish you out of the well.

[Jimmy]

Is this true? Well, just sort of.

[Judy]

It doesn't matter, Cinnamon Bear. You couldn't help it.

[Jimmy]

Oh, Judy, Jimmy, I'm so terribly sorry. I don't know what to Say, now.

[Judy]

Everything'S going to be all right, and we'll get the Silver Star all fixed when we go back to Melissa and explain how we used up our wish.

[Jimmy]

Sure we will.

[Judy]

Melissa's awful nice.

[Jimmy]

She'll help us out again.

[Crazy Quilt]

And speaking of helping us out, what do you say we help us out of the wishing woods?

[Jimmy]

That's the first sensible thing you've said in five minutes, Crazy Quilt. Oh, look. There's a sort of a path over there. It's not a very good one, but at least we can try it. Might as well. Even if it doesn't take us out of the woods, maybe it will lead us to somebody who can tell us the way.

[Crazy Quilt]

Spoken like a true pioneer, Jimmy. Onward.

[Judy]

It's an awful narrow path, Crazy Quilt. I think we'd all better go single file.

[Crazy Quilt]

Oh, but definitely, Judy. I'm not at all anxious to have my beautiful patches torn by this underbrush.

[Judy]

Hey, I think I can see out.

[Jimmy]

Of the woods already.

[Judy]

Why, this is the best luck we've had in ever so long.

[Jimmy]

The trees aren't so thick now, and.

[Judy]

I think there's a clear place ahead.

[Crazy Quilt]

That will be a relief indeed.

[Jimmy]

What's the matter, Crazy? Have you been scared? Cause it was so dark.

[Crazy Quilt]

One more word out of you, fuzzy pants, and I'm very liable to forego my usual composure and paddle your cinnamon trousers for you.

[Jimmy]

I don't think we can get out this way.

[Judy]

Why not, Jimmy?

[Jimmy]

Well, there's nothing out here but mud as far as I can see either way. Mud? Let me look. Jumping jellyfish. It's mud for a fact.

[Crazy Quilt]

Bless my crazy quilt Aunt if it isn't. A regular river of mud. Probably runs the whole length of the woods.

[Judy]

It doesn't look very wide.

[Crazy Quilt]

Oh, but it's too wide to jump across, and I couldn't swim in that stuff. Ugh. It's thick and oozy and no telling how deep. I'll have to draw the line. There.

[Judy]

Oh, I see a sign over there, Cinnamon.

[Narrator]

There.

[Jimmy]

What does it say, Private?

[Judy]

No muddling. Oh, my goodness.

[Jimmy]

I wonder what that could be, Rowley. Say, which one of you threw that mud at me? Right in me eye.

[Crazy Quilt]

Don't look at me, though. I might have the inclination. I'd hardly lower myself to mud slinging.

[Judy]

Jimmy, and I wouldn't do it. Cinnamon Bear.

[Jimmy]

Well, who did it then? I'd like to know.

[Judy]

Yah.

[Captain McMud/Muddler Leader]

Yah. Yah.

[Judy]

Oh, my gracious. Look at that. Wha. Wh. Wh. Wh. Wh. Wh.

[Jimmy]

What are they, Willikers? They look something like people. Only they're all made out of mud. And they're three times bigger than we are.

[Captain McMud/Muddler Leader]

Yah. Yah. Yah.

[Jimmy]

There's only two of. But oh, they're awful looking.

[Crazy Quilt]

Let me handle them. This takes diplomacy. Greetings, fellow travelers. Who might you be?

[Captain McMud/Muddler Leader]

Ya.

[Judy]

Ya.

[Captain McMud/Muddler Leader]

We're the Muddlers. Here's how. Well.

[Crazy Quilt]

Oh, you ruffians. Throw mud at Crazy Quilt, will you?

[Captain McMud/Muddler Leader]

Yeah. And here's for the rest of ya, Jimmy.

[Judy]

You bet I won't.

[Jimmy]

Hey, you let my sister alone, you dirt and water bums.

[Captain McMud/Muddler Leader]

Let him have it. He insulted us. Right, Captain McMud?

[Judy]

Ha ha.

[Jimmy]

Ms. Me?

[Captain McMud/Muddler Leader]

What's wrong, Mutley? Losing your grip? Sorry, Captain. Better luck this time.

[Judy]

Yeah.

[Captain McMud/Muddler Leader]

Here's mud in your eye.

[Jimmy]

Missed again.

[Judy]

Oh, Jimmy, I'm afraid. They're so big and ugly.

[Crazy Quilt]

Wait a bit, Dirty Face. What prompts all this vicious mudslinging? I've never been so ins.

[Judy]

Oh.

[Crazy Quilt]

Oh, my beautiful color.

[Captain McMud/Muddler Leader]

We need target practice, don't we, Captain McMuddy? We'll teach you to come around our sacred mud baths.

[Jimmy]

Oh, got me again. Just where can I get my paws on you?

[Captain McMud/Muddler Leader]

How you doing, Muddly? Fair to muddling, Captain. Got that fuzzy beast square on the schnozzola?

[Jimmy]

He certainly did. I'm a cinnamon mess.

[Captain McMud/Muddler Leader]

If your mother could only see you now.

[Crazy Quilt]

I think we'll have to run for it. These Muddlers are nasty creatures. Come on, children, back into the woods.

[Captain McMud/Muddler Leader]

No you don't. They're trying to get away. Muddly. Head em off. Okay, Captain. Shall I yell for the rest of the mud gods? No, we can handle them.

[Judy]

Maybe they'd let us go if we gave them something. We haven't got anything to give them.

[Crazy Quilt]

How about your little looking glass, Judy?

[Judy]

Yes, I'll try that. Would you Muddlers let us alone if I gave you this pretty looking glass?

[Captain McMud/Muddler Leader]

No, we don't want you to give us nothing. But here's something for you.

[Crazy Quilt]

Oh dear. Got me again.

[Captain McMud/Muddler Leader]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Judy]

Poor Crazy Quilt. You're keeping those awful Muddlers from hitting us.

[Crazy Quilt]

Oh, that's alright. That's all right. Glad to help. Well, Patio Cinnamon. What are you doing for the cause? Hiding behind me?

[Jimmy]

Not a bit of it. I'm thinking. I am strategist, that's me.

[Crazy Quilt]

Indeed. And what. Ouch. And what piece of strategy have you cooked up?

[Jimmy]

Well, it's coming. Well, tell you when I got it straight.

[Crazy Quilt]

Well, if it's going to do us any good, you'd better get it soon.

[Jimmy]

Ouch. I Got it?

[Judy]

I got it.

[Crazy Quilt]

So I noticed. Right on the nose.

[Jimmy]

Oh, no, not that. I mean the idea. Judy, try the magic lunch box. See if they'll let us go if you give it to them.

[Judy]

I'll try. Patty, please. Please, Mr. Muddlers. Look what I've got for you.

[Captain McMud/Muddler Leader]

Yeah? Well, what is it?

[Judy]

It's a specially magical box with all sorts of goodies in it. Cookies and sandwiches.

[Captain McMud/Muddler Leader]

And sandwiches. Sandwiches. Hey, get out.

[Judy]

What's the matter?

[Jimmy]

Wouldn't you like that?

[Crazy Quilt]

No.

[Captain McMud/Muddler Leader]

We never eat anything but mud pies.

[Judy]

Oh dear. Whatever can we do now?

[Captain McMud/Muddler Leader]

Come on, Mudley. I'm fed up throwing mud. Let's give them the works. You mean push em in the mud river? Yeah, shove em in. Let em soak a while. Then we'll come back and make mud statues out of em.

[Judy]

No, no, don't. Jimmy. They're coming after us. We can't.

[Jimmy]

They've got us.

[Crazy Quilt]

We're in for it now.

[Judy]

Yeah.

[Jimmy]

Yeah.

[Captain McMud/Muddler Leader]

You mean you're in it. Help yourselves, friends. We'll be back after you're all soaked up.

[Jimmy]

Are you all right, Judy?

[Judy]

Oh, Jimmy. I can't touch bottom and I just keep sinking.

[Jimmy]

The bear's got his mouth full of mud.

[Crazy Quilt]

Climb on my back, everybody. Come on, Judy. Jimmy. You made it. Patty. Now I'll try and swim.

[Judy]

Please do, Crazy Quilt. Please do. You've just got to.

[Jimmy]

Can you do it, Crazy Quilt?

[Judy]

Can you?

[Crazy Quilt]

I. I can't make it.

[Judy]

I. Jimmy. Jimmy. We're thinking.

[Crazy Quilt]

Oh dear.

[Narrator]

This looks mighty serious. Don't. That mud is awfully thick and black and goodness knows how deep it is. Will Crazy Quilt be able to get them out? Well, let's just hope they can keep their heads up until next time so we can find out what happens.

[Judy]

Ram.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Everyone deserves to be connected. That's why T Mobile and US Cellular are joining forces. Switch to T Mobile and save up to 20% versus Verizon by getting built in benefits they leave out. Check the math@t mobile.com switch and now T Mobile is in US US cellular stores. Savings versus Comparable Verizon plans plus the cost of optional benefits, plan features and taxes if these vary. Savings with three plus lines include third line free via monthly bill credits. Credits stop if you cancel any lines. Qualifying credit required.

[Jimmy]

Heather is a nurse practitioner from UnitedHealthcare.

[Crazy Quilt]

We meet patients wherever they live.

[Jimmy]

During a house call, she found Jack had an issue.

[Crazy Quilt]

Jack's blood pressure was dangerously high. It was 217 over 110.

[Jimmy]

So they got Jack to the hospital and got him the help he needed.

[Crazy Quilt]

He had had a stent placed in preventing a massive heart attack.

[Captain McMud/Muddler Leader]

If it wasn't for my guardian angel, I wouldn't be here.

[Jimmy]

Hear more stories like Jack's at unitedhealthcare.com benefits, features and or devices vary by plan. Area limitation and exclusions apply.