Jerry of the Circus - A Search for Platt

Summary

Jerry of the Circus - "A Search for Platt"

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode Date: May 22, 2026

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Episode Overview

This episode of “Jerry of the Circus” is an exciting detective-style adventure from the golden age of radio. In “A Search for Platt,” young Jerry and his friend Jason find themselves accused of a robbery after being caught in Mr. Platt’s barn. As the story unfolds, it’s revealed that someone else may actually be guilty of a far greater crime from years ago — and Jerry and Jason must race to prove their innocence and bring the real culprit to justice. The episode blends classic tropes of suspicion, mistaken identity, and a determined quest to uncover the truth, all set in the world of circuses and small-town intrigue.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. Jerry and Jason are Detained By the Police

• [02:09-02:47] Jerry and Jason are caught in Mr. Platt's barn by police after Platt reports a robbery.
• Platt accuses the pair:
  • "If we didn't catch them, they might have taken everything in the barn, left it empty." (Platt, 04:12)
• The police are skeptical of Jerry and Jason, suggesting they're starting off as criminals:
  • “You're pretty young to be starting in the business of trying to beat the law, son.” (Officer, 02:32)
• Jerry insists he did nothing wrong, and Jason tries to clear Jerry’s name.

2. Calling for Help & Heading to the Station

• [03:12-04:45] Jerry asks his friend Tom to call Mr. Randall at the Continental Hotel to vouch for them.
• Platt describes how he became suspicious based on a previous visit from Jerry:
  • “He said one of the clowns wanted [the vest] for his getup. But I can see it all now… it was just an excuse to get a layout of my place.” (Platt, 04:38)
• Platt reveals his distrust of circus people:
  • "I never did trust circus people. They're a foxy lot." (Platt, 04:24)

3. At Police Headquarters

• [05:15-07:13] At the station, Platt presses charges. The Captain considers putting a vagrancy charge on Jerry and Jason, but Platt pushes for more severe accusation.
• Jason suddenly requests Platt's arrest in connection with the old mail robbery, revealing a dramatic turn:
  • “I want you to arrest Stephen Platt.” (Jason, 06:43)
  • “I think that Steven Platt is responsible for a robbery that took place over four years ago. Another man has gone to the penitentiary for that crime.” (Jason, 06:52)
• The Captain dismisses this as nonsense and lets Platt leave.

4. The Real Evidence Begins to Surface

• [07:39-08:23] Mr. Randall arrives and vouches for Jerry and Jason.
• Jerry and Jason explain that they were investigating evidence related to Spike’s wrongful conviction in the old train mail robbery.
  • "I got the red sweater yesterday. The one that disappeared when Spike was on trial." (Jerry, 08:17)
• Platt’s trunk is identified as the possible hiding place for the missing bonds from the old robbery.

5. The Rush to Platt’s Barn

• [09:03-11:10] Police and circus members rush to Platt’s barn, suspecting he might destroy or hide evidence.
• In the barn, they find that the false bottom of the trunk has been tampered with and is now empty.
• Jerry notices a crucial clue:
  • “Hey. Hey, wait a second. Put the light down here on the side... See that piece of paper?” (Jerry, 11:10)
• The Captain recovers a torn piece of paper, possibly part of the missing bonds:
  • "This may be a piece of one of those missing bonds. It has the last part of a serial number printed on it. See? Say, this is luck." (Captain, 11:23)

6. Closing in on Platt

• Clues indicate Platt has just been at the barn (still-warm cigar butt of his exact brand).
  • “Platt was smoking a cigar at headquarters... A Carlo Ray.” (Captain, 11:45)
• The Captain issues a statewide alert for Platt’s arrest.
  • “Have the highway patrol notified throughout the state to pick up a Stephen Platt... We’ve got to get this man.” (Captain, 12:41)

7. Resolution and Reflection

• The Captain apologizes to Jerry and Jason:
  • “Well, I guess I owe you two an apology... I can't take much stock in [stories].” (Captain, 12:00)
• Jerry confirms he has the red sweater, which will serve as evidence to exonerate Spike.
• The episode ends with urgency as the police begin the hunt for Platt and gather crucial evidence.

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Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Prejudice Against Circus Folk:
  • “I never did trust circus people. They're a foxy lot.” (Mr. Platt, 04:24)
• On Taking Responsibility:
  • “Leave the boy go, officer. He really didn't have anything to do with this.” (Jason, 02:44)
• Switch-up in Accusation:
  • “I want you to arrest Stephen Platt.” (Jason, 06:43)
• Evidence Found:
  • “This may be a piece of one of those missing bonds. It has the last part of a serial number printed on it.” (Captain, 11:23)
• A Lesson in Judging People:
  • “You can’t always tell a man by the way he looks and acts, Jerry.” (Mr. Randall, 09:57)
• Determination to Clear a Friend's Name:
  • “If we find those missing bonds in that trunk, it'll prove Spike didn’t take them.” (Jerry, 10:00)
• Police Procedural:
  • “Notify all cars and motorcycles to be on the lookout. We’ve got to get this man.” (Captain, 12:41)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:09] – Police arrive, Jerry and Jason detained
• [05:15] – Booking at headquarters
• [06:43] – Jason accuses Platt of old mail robbery
• [07:39] – Mr. Randall arrives to defend Jerry and Jason
• [08:23] – Discovery of the red sweater’s significance
• [09:03] – Rush to Platt’s barn for evidence
• [11:10] – Discovery of clue in trunk
• [12:41] – Statewide manhunt for Platt initiated
• [12:00-12:29] – Captain’s apology and recap

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Tone and Style

The episode is full of earnest dialogue and classic small-town suspicion. The language mixes stern authority (“Come on, let's get going.”) with jovial determination from the circus folk (“You bet I am [going to clear this up]!”). The story is fast-paced and procedural, with a sense of urgency and camaraderie.

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Summary

“A Search for Platt” is a thrilling episode that combines mystery and drama with heartfelt defense of innocence. Jerry’s loyalty and determination, combined with quick detective thinking and help from his friends, sets the groundwork for justice to prevail. The episode highlights themes of prejudice, the danger of assumptions, and the importance of standing up for what’s right. With the police now hot on Platt’s trail, the stage is set for further adventures — and perhaps the redemption of the wrongly accused Spike.

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Transcript

[A]

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[C]

Jerry of the circus. Now for Jerry of the circus.

[D]

Well, here the police are now. As soon as they take you in hand, your days with the circus will be all over.

[E]

What are you gonna tell them, Jason?

[F]

Jerry, you leave that to me.

[D]

Right in here, man.

[G]

Ah, there he is, Riley.

[C]

There's your prisoners.

[D]

Them two standing there.

[G]

All right, Riley, put the handcuffs on them.

[C]

Right.

[G]

What's the charge, Mr. Platt? The report that came in said something about robbery.

[D]

That's right. Those two were going through that trunk there. You see how that stuff is spread all over the floor?

[G]

I guess you won't be up to any monkey business with those bracelets, son. You're pretty young to be starting in the business of trying to beat the law, son.

[E]

I didn't do anything.

[G]

No, of course not. You just broke into this barn to keep out of the cold.

[F]

Leave the boy go, officer. He really didn't have anything to do with this.

[G]

You'll both come down to the station and talk this over with the captain. Come on, let's get going. You want to ride along with us, Mr. Blett? We've got room for you.

[D]

No, I'm sorry, man, but I've got to get on back to the railroad station.

[G]

But you have to come down to headquarters with us, sir. You'll have to swear out a complaint against these two.

[D]

A complaint? What for? Why, you can see that.

[G]

Just a formality, Mr. Platt, but it's got to be done.

[D]

I don't like the idea, but I'll go along with you.

[F]

Officer.

[G]

What do you want?

[F]

Can you wait just a second, please? Jerry, what's your friend's name? That boy over there.

[E]

You mean Tom?

[F]

Yeah, that's it. Oh, Tom.

[E]

Yes, sir.

[F]

Will you do Jerry and me a favor?

[E]

Yes, sir. What is it?

[F]

Phone Mr. Randall at the Continental Hotel and tell him to come right down here to police headquarters.

[G]

Will you do that?

[E]

Sure I will.

[D]

Well, come on, what are we waiting for?

[E]

What did you tell Tom to call Mr. Randall for?

[F]

Well, I thought it might be a good idea, Jerry, to Have him there to vouch for us the same.

[D]

All his folks have to be bothered with a lot of perps this way.

[E]

Do you want me to go with you, Mr. Platt?

[D]

No, you go back to bed, Tom.

[C]

Yes, sir.

[G]

Hop in the back seat there. Come on, get him over right up in the front with me, Mr. Platt.

[D]

You know, it was just by accident that we caught these thieves. I sent the kid that works for me out to the barn to fetch my tools for me. And he saw a light out there that was lucky. Lucky? I should say it was. If we didn't catch them, they might have taken everything in the barn, left it empty.

[G]

Did your first coast, too, Riley? Yep. They ain't got nothing on them.

[D]

Yeah, we got them just in time.

[G]

Driving too fast for you, Mr. Platt.

[D]

I'm anxious to get this over with. And the sooner they get tried and sentenced to jail, the better I'll like it. I never did trust circus people. They're a foxy lot.

[G]

Are they with the circus?

[D]

Why, sure. That kid was up to my place yesterday. He bought an old vest off of me, a fancy one.

[G]

What on earth would he be wanting with a fancy vest?

[D]

He said one of the clowns wanted it for his get up. But I can see it all now. There was just an excuse to get a layout of my place. So that he'd get his partner here and come out and do some stealing. I wouldn't be talking like that if

[G]

I were you, Mr. Platt.

[D]

Oh, you wouldn't, huh? Well, you're not me, young fellow. If you were, you wouldn't be in trouble. Honest folks don't have to run in with police.

[E]

Come on, Mr.

[D]

Folk.

[G]

Drive down, kid.

[E]

I never said anything.

[D]

How long do you figure it'll take me to sign that complaint and get back to work? I don't like to stay away from the baggage room long at this time of night. As I trained you in an hour

[G]

won't take but a few minutes, Mr. Flapp. You'll be back on your job in just a little while. Now, there's headquarters right ahead of us.

[C]

Now.

[D]

You fellas sure go flying in these cars.

[G]

Have to, Mr. Platt. Sometimes the difference between a catch and a getaway is only a few seconds. Well, here we are. All right, all right. Come on, pile out. Captain Thomas, this is Mr. Platt.

[C]

Howdy, Captain Platt. Platt? Oh, yes. Why, sure I remember you, Mr. Platt. From down to the railroad station. You and I had some dealings some four or four and a half years ago. And one of your men down at the station held Up a mail card?

[D]

Yeah, that's right, Captain. And tonight I got a couple more tough customers.

[G]

This fella and the kid here were prowling around in Mr. Platt's barn.

[C]

Find anything on him?

[G]

No, sir.

[C]

They didn't get away with anything. Well, then I guess we'll put a vagrancy charge on them.

[G]

Vagrancy?

[D]

Why, they're thieves.

[C]

They didn't steal anything.

[D]

Only because they were caught in time. They were going through my trunk when I broke in on them then.

[C]

So? Well, then we'll put a suspicion of robbery on the ticket, too. What's your name?

[F]

Jason. I'm with Randall Circus.

[G]

Jason, the wild animal trainer?

[F]

Yes, sir.

[G]

That's a good one. The best I ever heard, Captain. If you're an animal trainer, I'm king

[C]

of the highway and island. Riley.

[G]

Yes, sir.

[C]

Here you are, Mr. Platt. Just sign this here at the bottom.

[D]

Yeah, I'll be glad to. There you are, Captain. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll get back to work.

[F]

May I have a word, Captain, before Mr. Platt goes? Go ahead, Captain Thomas. I want you to arrest Stephen Platt.

[C]

What? What for?

[F]

In connection with an old case holding up and robbing the United States mail.

[D]

Say, what is this?

[C]

What are you talking about?

[F]

I think that Steven Platt is responsible for a robbery that took place over four years ago. Another man has gone to the penitentiary for that crime.

[D]

This guy is crazy.

[C]

Look here, Jason. You can't get out of a scrape by falsely accusing a man who's proved

[D]

himself to be a good citizen. Why, the whole thing is ridiculous. Am I free to get back to my work now, Captain?

[F]

You'll just give me a chance, Captain. I'll bet I can prove what I've said.

[E]

I'll bet he can.

[C]

That'll do. Yes, go ahead, Mr. Platt. I've heard enough of this nonsense. If I need you further, I'll get in touch with you at the station.

[D]

Yeah. Thank you, Captain. Good night.

[F]

You're making a mistake, Captain.

[C]

That'll do. Good night, Mr. Platt.

[E]

But honest, we're just quiet. But we're just sure we can prove he's back of that robbery. If you'll just give us a chance.

[G]

Keep quiet, kid. The Captain doesn't want to hear from you. Shall we lock him up, Captain?

[C]

Yeah, take him away.

[G]

Come on, let's go.

[D]

Jason and Jerry.

[E]

Mr. Randall. Gee, you got here just in time.

[H]

What kind of a scrape have you two gotten into?

[C]

Wait a minute. Who are you?

[H]

My name is Sam Randall. I'm the owner of Randall Brothers Circus.

[C]

Oh, well, I'm Captain Thomas, Mr. Randall. How do you do? What do you know about these two?

[H]

Why, these are my people, Captain. They work for me. What's the charge? Or what are you holding them for?

[C]

Suspicion of robbery, for one thing. They were caught prowling around in a barn and Mr. Platt's boat. What?

[F]

Oh, I can explain the whole thing, Mr. Randall, if they'd just let me talk.

[C]

Well, go ahead and talk.

[F]

Jerry and I were out there digging up some evidence. We. Well, that is, Jerry got some evidence yesterday, and we went back out there tonight to get more.

[H]

Evidence about what?

[E]

Well, I got the red sweater yesterday. The one that disappeared when Spike was on trial.

[H]

What on earth are you two talking about?

[C]

What's that about a red sweater?

[E]

I found it in Mr. Platt's trunk.

[C]

Say, come to think of it, that mail robbery case hung on a red sweater. I wonder if there can be something to your story after all.

[F]

Believe me, Captain Thomas, you're making a mistake letting Platt get away. I located a false bottom to that trunk of his. I was just about to open it when he came in. Captain, I wouldn't be surprised if those missing bonds were in that trunk.

[C]

Missing bonds, miss? Say, that's right. They never were accounted for. You say there's a false bottom to the trunk?

[E]

Yes, sir, we're sure of it.

[C]

Well, let's get out to Platt's house right away and see what we can find. This looks like a case, if we're not too late. Come on. Terry, you come with this. You stay here.

[H]

Yes, Captain. I guess I better come along, too.

[C]

Yes, Mr. Randall, if you will.

[E]

I sure hope we're not too late.

[F]

Do you think we should go to see if Platt's over at the railroad station first?

[C]

No, no, I don't think so. Well, we'll go right out to his place first and check on that trunk story. Where is his place?

[G]

Right out Elmsley. Captain,

[F]

you remember Spike, Mr. Randall?

[H]

Spike?

[F]

Yeah, the fellow Johnny Bradley turned in.

[C]

Oh. Oh, yes, yes.

[E]

Well, this is where the robbery was, here in Hansberg. And I promised Spike I'd see what I'd could do about finding out something for him.

[F]

Spike told Jerry was framed and gave him some of the particulars.

[C]

I remember the case very well. Now, the man that was sent up for the job didn't have any defense. But still there was some doubt as to his guilt.

[E]

He didn't hold up that train, Captain. I just know he didn't do it.

[H]

Well, what makes you so sure, Jerry?

[E]

Well, he just isn't that Kind of a person. Mr. Randall.

[H]

You can't always tell a man by the way he looks and acts, Jerry.

[E]

But if we find those missing bonds in that trunk, it'll prove Spike didn't take them.

[F]

If we find them.

[E]

What do you mean?

[F]

Jason, I'm afraid Platt is on to us.

[C]

You mean you think he might have come out here and taken the bonds from the trunk?

[F]

Yes, Captain, that's exactly what I think. He was in an awful hurry to get out when I asked that you arrest him.

[G]

There's the place right up at the

[C]

end of this street. We'll soon find out.

[E]

Guess Tom went back to sleep. There's no light on in the house, Tom.

[C]

Oh.

[H]

Oh, is that the boy that called me?

[G]

Huh?

[E]

He works for Mr. Platt.

[C]

Come on, let's get into that barn, see what we can find.

[E]

I sure hope we find those bonds.

[H]

You're pretty much set in clearing this up, aren't you, Jerry?

[E]

You bet I am.

[C]

Help me with this door, Jerry.

[G]

Yes, sir.

[C]

That's it.

[G]

Now, come on.

[C]

Got it? That's got it. Flash the light of yours around, will you?

[G]

Yes, sir.

[E]

Look. What?

[F]

Put your light over there in that trunk, Officer.

[C]

Yeah?

[F]

The false bottom has been opened.

[C]

Didn't you leave that trunk the way it is now?

[E]

Well, no, sir. We couldn't open the false bottom. We thought we just found the way it opened when Mr. Platt came in.

[C]

Well, let's have a look here.

[G]

There's nothing in it.

[E]

Hey. Hey, wait a second. Put the light down here on the side. No, inside at the bottom. Right here in the corner. See that piece of paper?

[C]

Here, let me have a look.

[E]

It got caught on that little nail there.

[C]

Say.

[H]

Hmm? What is it, Captain?

[C]

This may be a piece of one of those missing bonds. It has the last part of a serial number printed on it. See? Say, this is luck.

[F]

I was right. Platt's been out here and taken those bonds.

[C]

Well, it looks that way, all right.

[G]

Captain?

[C]

Yes, Derry?

[G]

Here's a cigar I found over by the door. It's still warm and it's still got the band on it.

[C]

Platt was smoking a cigar at headquarters. I took special notice of it because he was smoking my brand. A Carlo Ray.

[G]

This is a Carlo Ray.

[C]

Well, then that cinches it. Flatt's been here and taken those bonds. Let's get to a phone, quick. I'll have every highway watched. He won't get far.

[E]

There's a phone in the house, Captain.

[C]

Good. Come on. We've no time to lose. Well, I. I guess I owe you two an apology. But I hear so many stories by people that are picked up, I can't take much stock in them.

[F]

Oh, that's all right, Captain. I guess we did look guilty after all. We were caught going through that trunk.

[C]

Oh, say, have you got that red sweater you were talking about, son?

[E]

Yes, sir. It's in our dressing wagon back at the circus.

[C]

Good, good. I'll be needing that for evidence along with this torn piece of paper.

[D]

Tom.

[E]

Tom. Guess he's asleep.

[C]

Good.

[E]

But the door's open.

[C]

Oh, well, where's the phone? Now, we've got no time to lose.

[E]

Right over there.

[C]

Oh, yes, yes. Hello, Police headquarters. Operator. And hurry. Hello? Hello, Captain. Dharma speaking. Now get this. Have the highway patrol notified throughout the state to pick up a Stephen Platt. P L A T T American Dark Thin 135lbs 5ft 7. Yeah, that's right. Notify all cars and motorcycles to be on the lookout. We've got to get this man.

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