Jerry of the Circus - A Possible Relation

Summary

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Episode Overview

Title: Jerry of the Circus – A Possible Relation
Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Date: May 14, 2026
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio

This episode of Jerry of the Circus continues the story’s blend of drama, mystery, and circus camaraderie. The focus is a visit to the hospital following the near-fatal accident of circus man Decker. As key members of Randall Brothers Circus seek answers from the police and medical staff, young Jerry stumbles upon a family mystery that could change everything.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Investigating the Accident and Decker’s Condition

[02:15 – 03:12]

• Sam Randall (the circus owner) and Jason arrive at the police station after dealing with the aftermath of Decker’s train accident.
• They discuss the difficulties in identifying Decker, given his severe injuries and the bandages obscuring his features.

Notable Quote:

“With Decker still unconscious, it means we'll have to go through the whole thing again tomorrow.”
— Sam Randall [02:50]

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2. Police Collaboration on the Lorenz Case

[03:19 – 06:04]

• Captain Reed (local police) confirms Decker is one of the men involved.
• They discuss Lorenz, another suspect, and current efforts to locate him, referencing possible ties to an old bank robbery case and an ex-convict named Pietro Lenzo.
• The difficulty of tracking fugitives who can move between states is highlighted.

Notable Quote:

“Tracking down criminals is a man sized job these days, especially in this country where you can go from state to state without any checking up processes.”
— Captain Reed [04:31]

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3. The Changing Reputation of the Circus

[04:44 – 06:04]

• Nostalgic conversation about the rough past of circus life—conflicts with townspeople and law enforcement, compared to the more wholesome present.
• Captain Reed praises the organization and reputation of Randall’s Circus.

Memorable Exchange:

“Nowadays we fill our tents with children and mothers and nurses. And as for the fathers, they're our best customers.”
— Sam Randall [05:51]
“If the rest of the men are anything like me, they just never have had enough circus, even when they were boys.”
— Captain Reed [05:59]

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4. The Friends’ Visit and Decker’s Performance Story

[07:23 – 09:12]

• Jerry, Jason, Bumps, and Rags reunite and discuss Decker’s condition.
• Rags entertains with stories of their recent circus act, providing comic relief and a sense of circus family unity.

Notable Quote:

“Kids make the best audience. I like matinees, especially if they're packed in like today.”
— Rags [08:14]

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5. Hospital Scene and the Discovery

[10:19 – 12:12]

• Jerry and Bumps visit the hospital with permission from Nurse Ellison and the Doctor to watch the bandage change.
• Jerry is struck by Decker’s now-unbearded face and realizes the uncanny resemblance to his Uncle Dan after comparing with a photo.

Key Moment:

“Decker looks exactly like my uncle Dan. Now that they've cut off his beard, can't you see it?”
— Jerry [12:28]

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6. The Emotional Climax – Jerry’s Turmoil

[12:41 – 13:17]

• Jerry is overwhelmed by the possibility that Decker is his uncle—possibly leading a life of crime and hiding his identity.
• Bumps tries to comfort Jerry and promises they’ll get answers once Decker regains consciousness.

Notable Quote:

“But my own uncle, a criminal... Bump, I can't believe it. Something's wrong someplace here.”
— Jerry [13:11]

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Important Timestamps

• [02:15] – Arrival at police station; summary of Decker’s state.
• [03:41] – Captain Reed provides background on Lorenz and investigation.
• [05:07] – Randall and Reed reflect on the old days of circus life.
• [07:23] – Friends discuss Decker and recent circus show antics.
• [10:19] – Jerry and Bumps at the hospital; emotional hospital scene begins.
• [12:28] – Jerry recognizes Decker as his uncle.
• [13:11] – Jerry’s emotional confrontation with the possibility of a criminal relative.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I can see you've been doing quite a lot of work in this case, Captain.”
  — Sam Randall [04:24]

• “Nowadays we fill our tents with children and mothers and nurses...”
  — Sam Randall [05:51]

• “He must have had quite a reputation in those days, Mr. Randall.”
  — Jerry [05:12]

• “But my own uncle, a criminal... Bump, I can't believe it. Something's wrong someplace here.”
  — Jerry [13:11]

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Summary

This episode artfully blends post-accident investigation, classic circus camaraderie, and mystery centered on family identity. The discovery that Decker may be Jerry's uncle opens new emotional stakes and intrigues, setting up the next chapter for a dramatic revelation. Listeners are treated to authentic slices of circus life, gentle humor, and heart, all wrapped in the storytelling style of Old Time Radio.

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Transcript

[Liberty Mutual Agent]

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[Liberty Mutual Customer]

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[Liberty Mutual Agent]

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[Liberty Mutual Customer]

Yeah, the bird looks out of your league.

[Liberty Mutual Agent]

Anyways, get a'[e-mail] or with your local agent.

[Liberty Mutual Customer]

Liberty.

[Sam Randall]

Liberty.

[Liberty Mutual Customer]

Liberty. Liberty.

[Sam Randall]

Jerry of the Circus. Now for jerry of the circus.

[Jason]

Here we are, Mr. Randall. Not a bad building for a police station.

[Sam Randall]

No. Here you are, driver.

[Rags]

Oh, thank you, sir.

[Jason]

Coming, Mr. Randall?

[Sam Randall]

Of course. Well, I'm not looking forward to this job. Certainly hate to have to spend half my time in town with the police just because a couple of men with a circus get into trouble or run away from it. You're right this time, Jason. Well, here we go. Good morning.

[Jason]

Good morning, sir.

[Sam Randall]

I'm Sam Randall of Randall Brothers Circus. I phoned Captain Reed that I'd be in this morning.

[Jason]

Oh, yes, sir. He's expecting you. Right this way, please.

[Sam Randall]

Come along, Jason.

[Jason]

Well, it's certainly nice not to be kept waiting. I thought we'd never get through all that red tape at the hospital this morning.

[Sam Randall]

I wouldn't have minded that if we'd accomplished anything. But with Decker still unconscious, it means we'll have to go through the whole thing again tomorrow.

[Jason]

At least we've identified him.

[Sam Randall]

Not so easy to do with all those bandages on his face at that.

[Captain Reed]

Poor devil.

[Jason]

He's certainly badly cut up. It's a wonder he's alive at all.

[Sam Randall]

I say the train is usually going about 60 miles an hour on that run.

[Jason]

Just down this corridor, gentlemen. His clothes certainly a mess. Torn and bloody and rolled in cinders.

[Sam Randall]

Lucky for him that hand car came along so soon. He'd never have lived to land it in jail.

[Jason]

Here we are, Mr. Randall.

[Sam Randall]

Captain Reed, Mr. Randall to see you.

[Captain Reed]

Good morning. Good morning, Randall. Glad to see you.

[Sam Randall]

This is Jason, Captain, the star of our show.

[Captain Reed]

I'm looking forward to your act.

[Sam Randall]

Well, thank you.

[Captain Reed]

Sit down and make yourselves comfortable. All right, Riley. Now then, you've been to the hospital?

[Sam Randall]

Yes, just before coming here. It's Decker, all right. Good.

[Captain Reed]

That's one of them.

[Sam Randall]

Located any developments yet on Lorenz?

[Captain Reed]

I'm sorry to say no. Not a glimpse of him.

[Sam Randall]

Any danger of his escaping altogether?

[Captain Reed]

There's always a chance. However, we're getting excellent cooperation all along the Line. The reports are coming in regularly and I firmly believe we'll catch up with Lorenz.

[Jason]

Do the publicity pictures help much in tracking him down?

[Captain Reed]

Course some. But there are so many tricks in changing the general appearance that just a picture is more often misleading than helpful.

[Sam Randall]

He doesn't fit into any of your rogues gallery.

[Captain Reed]

Of course we haven't any fingerprints to check, but he looks like a man that got into trouble on the west coast several years ago. That man got away.

[Jason]

They've never caught up with him?

[Captain Reed]

Not that I know of. At the time he was wanted for a couple of bank robberies. The police thought he resembled an ex convict by the name of Pietro Lenzo.

[Jason]

So he'd serve time for about five years.

[Sam Randall]

I can see you've been doing quite a lot of work in this case, Captain.

[Captain Reed]

We surely have.

[Jason]

What a job, checking with other states, looking up old records.

[Captain Reed]

It's tedious, but it's necessary. Tracking down criminals is a man sized

[Jason]

job these days, especially in this country where you can go from state to state without any checking up processes.

[Sam Randall]

And I. I think I've got my hands full taking care of one circus.

[Captain Reed]

I can imagine. You do have your hands full, right?

[Jason]

Don't let him fool you, Captain. He's got that circus so well organized that it would run without him.

[Captain Reed]

I know that. I've had dealings with Sam Randall for years. Even when circuses were in disrepute, Randall used to keep his people in order.

[Sam Randall]

Thank you Captain. I used to try hard enough. It wasn't easy.

[Captain Reed]

I know. Some towns wouldn't even allow circuses to play on account of the trouble they usually caused with the townspeople.

[Sam Randall]

One thing I will say, when I once got into town and pled an engagement, they always let me come back.

[Jason]

He must have had quite a reputation in those days, Mr. Randall.

[Captain Reed]

He did. Randall's circus was known from coast to coast. It wasn't so big as it is today, but it always offered the finest talent and a nice assortment of animals.

[Sam Randall]

Those were the good old days. But they were fighting days.

[Captain Reed]

Fighting?

[Sam Randall]

We had to fight with the authorities to let us play. Had to fight off all the hangers on that. We're used to following any circus or carnival that passed through the towns. Then we had to keep from letting the town rowdies fight us.

[Captain Reed]

Hey, we're the worst. A circus in town meant just one thing to all the bums and beggars and good for nothing.

[Jason]

An opportunity to see the show. For nothing, eh? If they could get by with it.

[Captain Reed]

And a chance for a Fight if anyone tried to stop them. What a life.

[Sam Randall]

And I'm glad that's all over with. Nowadays we fill our tents with children and mothers and nurses. And as for the fathers, they're our best customers.

[Captain Reed]

If the rest of the men are anything like me, they just never have had enough circus, even when they were boys.

[Jason]

I'm sorry, Mr. Randall, but it's getting late.

[Sam Randall]

Oh, I should say it is. I tell you, Captain, when I start harking back to the old days, I never know when to stop. Come over and catch our show here, a couple of passes.

[Captain Reed]

Thank you, sir. I certainly will.

[Sam Randall]

And drop by my office afterwards and we can have plenty of time to hash over the old lake.

[Captain Reed]

I'll do that. And now, about this Lorenz.

[Sam Randall]

I almost forgot where I came. You'll let me know immediately if any developments, won't you?

[Captain Reed]

The slightest bit of news and you'll be informed.

[Sam Randall]

Now, about Decker. What's the procedure there?

[Captain Reed]

I take it he's too badly hurt to be moved yet.

[Sam Randall]

The doctor says it'd mean death to move him for some time.

[Captain Reed]

In that case, we leave him there until they say he can be moved to the hospital in the jail.

[Sam Randall]

He hasn't regained consciousness yet. Doctor thinks he'll be conscious by morning. So I'm going back again tomorrow.

[Captain Reed]

Good. And in the meantime, you'll hear from me if anything comes up.

[Sam Randall]

Well, thank you, Captain. Well, goodbye. And don't forget to come and see our show.

[Captain Reed]

I wouldn't miss it for anything. Goodbye, gentlemen.

[Sam Randall]

Goodbye, captain.

[Jason]

Well, he's a pleasant fellow, isn't he?

[Sam Randall]

Yes, and very competent. I'm willing to bet Captain Reed will get Lorenz and soon, too.

[Jerry]

So you really saw Decker, Jason?

[Jason]

Just for a minute.

[Jerry]

How'd he look?

[Jason]

Oh, you couldn't see much of him. All bandages.

[Jerry]

How awful. Imagine falling off a train right on the tracks. I don't see how he's still alive.

[Jason]

The doctor can't understand it either. They had to shave off his beard.

[Jerry]

He did.

[Jason]

His whole head was pretty badly messed up. That was the only way they could treat the wounds.

[Jerry]

Gee. And there's no sign of Lorenz at all, huh?

[Bumps]

Not one.

[Nurse Ellison]

I wish. He bumps us through.

[Jerry]

I know he'll want to hear all about everything. You know, he and I. Kind of like Decker.

[Jason]

Yeah, I know you did. As a matter of fact, I'm mighty surprised he should be teamed up with a man like Lorenz. Oh, my goodness, look who's here.

[Jerry]

Hello, you. Oh, you're through already. You needn't make so much Noise about Rags. Where's Bumps? Where's that partner of yours, huh?

[Rags]

Here I am. Oh, what a house. I tell you, it's a pleasure to play before a crowd like that.

[Jason]

They're certainly jammed in there this afternoon.

[Jerry]

Mostly kids, too, aren't they?

[Rags]

Kids make the best audience. I like matinees, especially if they're packed in like today.

[Jerry]

What you so excited about, Rags?

[Rags]

Didn't he tell you?

[Jerry]

He's certainly trying hard enough, Bill.

[Jason]

Looks to me, Jerry, as if you can't understand Rags very well.

[Jerry]

Oh, I can too.

[Rags]

Oh, don't let him kid you, Jerry. Didn't you see what he did in the walk around just now?

[Jerry]

No, I. I guess I was talking to Jason.

[Rags]

Well, you sure missed it. He jumped up and pretended to bite me in the seat of the pan. And he held on for dear life.

[Jerry]

I did?

[Rags]

He sure did. And I kept pretending to brush him off. Why, we must have run halfway up one side with him hanging on by his teeth.

[Jerry]

Why, Rags, your limb.

[Captain Reed]

That's not all.

[Rags]

When I got him off, he ran away from me. I chased after him as if my life depended on it. And he caught up with that rosinback that carries the Gilded Lady.

[Jerry]

Yeah, I know.

[Bumps]

And Rags jump clean over her.

[Jerry]

Over the Gilded lady?

[Rags]

Right across her lap. Scared her almost to death.

[Jason]

It's a wonder she didn't fall off.

[Rags]

Well, she nearly did, but the crowd roared. Didn't you hear him?

[Jerry]

Seems to me I did kind of notice it, but Jason was telling me about Decker.

[Bumps]

And how is he? Jason?

[Jason]

Well, you can't tell yet. He was still unconscious this morning.

[Jerry]

Bumps?

[Bumps]

Yes, Jerry?

[Jerry]

You know, I wish we could see Decker.

[Bumps]

Well, I guess we can, all right.

[Jerry]

But it must be awful to have such a terrible accident and then come to and not find any friends or anything around.

[Bumps]

Well, I guess you're right. If that's Jerry.

[Jerry]

I know it's awful. Is taking all the money and hitting Bennett on the head trying to put

[Jason]

the blame on me.

[Jerry]

I know, but. But still, I. Well, I'd just like to see him.

[Rags]

Well, if you feel that way about

[Bumps]

it, Jerry, I think maybe we'd better see him.

[Jerry]

Could we go now, before dinner?

[Bumps]

Well, sure, Jerry. I guess we can make it if we hurry. I'll change in a jiffy and we'll take the trolley and get right down there.

[Jerry]

You will? Thanks, Bumps.

[Jason]

Well, seeing as I've been in town all morning, I think I'll head for a nice walk before dinner. See you later.

[Jerry]

Yeah. Thanks for telling me about things.

[Bumps]

And don't be late for dinner, Jersey.

[Jason]

Don't you be late.

[Captain Reed]

Bye.

[Jerry]

Gee, bumps, you're swell. It'd take me.

[Bumps]

Oh, that's all right. I'd kind of like to see him myself.

[Jerry]

Gee, everything's so white and quiet here.

[Nurse Ellison]

It has to be. You see, we take care of sick people. They must never be upset if we can help it.

[Bumps]

And of course, if everything is white, it means things have to be kept clean. Am I right, nurse?

[Nurse Ellison]

That's it. Here we are. This is his room. Now, be quiet.

[Jerry]

Can't we talk?

[Nurse Ellison]

Yes, but not loud.

[Jerry]

I thought you said he's still unconscious.

[Nurse Ellison]

Well, he is, but he may come out of it any minute. Or it may take a day or so. When he begins to regain consciousness, everything must be quiet so he won't get

[Jerry]

excited and get worse, huh?

[Nurse Ellison]

Exactly.

[Bumps]

Oh, the poor devil.

[Jerry]

See? You can't recognize him with all those bandages on and no beard.

[Bumps]

Must have been a terrific shock to his nervous system.

[Nurse Ellison]

It'll take him a long time to get completely over it. If he ever does.

[Doctor]

Oh, Miss Ellison.

[Nurse Ellison]

Yes, doctor? You ready to change the bandages?

[Bumps]

Yes. These people who. We're friends of the injured man, doctor.

[Doctor]

Oh, yes, of course. Well, you'll have to excuse me while

[Jerry]

I. Gee, doctor, couldn't we please watch? We'll be quiet.

[Bumps]

Well?

[Jerry]

Aw, please, we'll be good now.

[Bumps]

Maybe it's against the rules. You shouldn't ask.

[Doctor]

No, it's all right. If the boy wants to. The patient is still unconscious. It won't upset him.

[Jerry]

Gee, thanks. This is like watching an operation, isn't it?

[Doctor]

A little not quite so strenuous. Well, here, nurse, if you'll help me with these bandages.

[Nurse Ellison]

Yes, doctor.

[Doctor]

Good. I'll cut it here.

[Jerry]

Why don't they work fast, bumps?

[Bumps]

Yeah, they don't waste a movement. Oh, poor man.

[Jerry]

Look how he's bruised and cut up all bombs.

[Bumps]

You want to go out, son?

[Jerry]

No, I'll watch too much for you, son. No. Gosh, though, I hate to see anybody hurt that much. Bums.

[Bumps]

What is it, Jerry?

[Nurse Ellison]

Look.

[Jerry]

Where at, Decker? Look, can't you see?

[Bumps]

Well, what do you mean, sin? What are you talking about, Deckery?

[Jerry]

Wait a minute.

[Bumps]

What have you got there?

[Jerry]

This picture, see? The one of uncle Dan that Patsy's father sent. I've been carrying it in my inside pocket, see?

[Bumps]

Oh, yes, but I don't know why you're so excited.

[Jerry]

But Bumpsy, he's just like my uncle.

[Bumps]

What, you mean Decker?

[Jerry]

Decker looks exactly like my uncle Dan. Now that they've cut off his beard, can't you see it?

[Bumps]

Here, here, let me have another look. Wilger, I do believe you're right.

[Captain Reed]

Oh, no, no, no.

[Bumps]

This is silly. He can't.

[Jerry]

He is my uncle. I know he is. Don't loud, son. But. But he's my uncle, I tell you.

[Doctor]

Take the boy out.

[Bumps]

Never mind, doctor. I'll take him. I'm sorry this happened. You can see the boy's upset.

[Doctor]

It's all right. No harm, doctor.

[Bumps]

But I'll see you before I go, Doc. Now, come along. Come along.

[Jerry]

I can't believe it. I just can't believe it.

[Bumps]

No, no, take it easy, sir.

[Jerry]

But why should he use another name? Why shouldn't he recognize me when I joined the circus? He did act kind of funny when he heard my name. But not as if he knew me.

[Doctor]

Here.

[Bumps]

You must get hold of yourself, Jerry.

[Jerry]

But my own uncle, a criminal. A bump. I can't believe it. Something's wrong someplace here. You.

[Bumps]

You must be quiet. Now, listen, son. We'll come back here tomorrow as soon as Decker regains consciousness, huh? And if he's your uncle, we'll find out what it's all about.

[Jerry]

Sam, Ram.

[Liberty Mutual Agent]

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[Liberty Mutual Customer]

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[Liberty Mutual Agent]

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[Liberty Mutual Customer]

Yeah, the bird looks out of your league.

[Liberty Mutual Agent]

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[Liberty Mutual Customer]

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