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"

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.

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)

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)

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.

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.

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.