
Jerry of the Circus - Blaze Is Slow - 10/13/1937
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Mr. Rogers
Jerry of the circus. Now for Jerry of the circus.
Jerry
He sure is a beaut, Mr. Rogers.
Mr. Rogers
You bet he is, Jerry. Open the door, Tom. We'll bring him out so you can get a good look at him.
Tom
Okay. Hello there, Blaze. Say, you are pretty.
Fire Department Official
Untie him, Tom, and lead him out.
Mr. Rogers
He's as gentle as a lamb.
Jerry
I can't see why folks make fun of a nice horse like Blake. He looks just like any racehorse I've ever seen.
Mr. Rogers
And he's just as good as any racehorse you ever saw.
Tom
Here we come.
Mr. Rogers
The only trouble with Blaze is he's got a reputation to live down.
Jerry
What do you mean, Mr. Rogers?
Mr. Rogers
Oh, the fact that he was with the fire department.
Tom
Well, I don't see why that's so bad. Fire horses have to be fast.
Jerry
I'll say they do. I'll bet Blaze is as fast as any of them. Just look at his long leg.
Mr. Rogers
Long and powerful. Jerry, you should see him break.
Tom
Well, what do you mean by that, Dad?
Mr. Rogers
I mean break away. Get started. When he starts to go, he goes right.
Jerry
Now that's extra good in racing, isn't it?
Mr. Rogers
You bet it is.
Tom
Well, that way he can get out in front of the rest of the horses and get a head start.
Mr. Rogers
You're right that time, John.
Jerry
My dad and I used to take care of some racehorses out west a couple of years ago.
Mr. Rogers
Oh, is that so?
Tom
Uh huh.
Mr. Rogers
Then you must know something about them.
Jerry
No, I was littler then and I didn't pay much attention to them. But I sure liked them. They were just like children.
Mr. Rogers
That's a pretty fair way to explain them, Jerry.
Jerry
More like babies sometimes.
Mr. Rogers
How True a good race horse is sensitive, all right. You have to handle them with care and pamper them if you want to get the best out of them.
Tom
Is Blaze sensitive, dad?
Mr. Rogers
You bet he is. Just like Jerry said. Sometimes he acts just like a baby.
Tom
Oh, how do you mean, oh?
Mr. Rogers
Sometimes he refuses to eat and then again he'll stir around when I'm trying to brush him down and, well, just act up in general.
Jerry
But why do they do that?
Mr. Rogers
Oh, for many reasons, Jerry. They're intelligent, these race horses, and they're even fussy about the way you talk to them. There's times when you don't know exactly why they act up, but they've got a reason for it. And it might be that you said one word, a little cross to them.
Tom
Really?
Mr. Rogers
Sure thing. You have to be very careful with them.
Jerry
Well, Blaze, old fella, we'll just talk real nice to you. Yes, we will. Nice Blaze. He's a nice old horse. Yes, he is.
Tom
Maybe you better not call him old, Jerry.
Mr. Rogers
He might be sensitive about his age.
Tom
You can't tell.
Jerry
How old is he, Mr. Rogers?
Mr. Rogers
Eight years.
Tom
That's not old.
Mr. Rogers
Well, it is for a racehorse, but
Jerry
there's lots of horses 8 years old that are racing.
Mr. Rogers
Yes, that's true, Jerry. Some of them last a good long time and keep up their speed.
Tom
Well, how old are all the other race horses in the big race?
Mr. Rogers
Oh, they're all ages, son. The big handicap race is for four year olds and upwards.
Jerry
And are most of them around four?
Mr. Rogers
That's right. There's a couple around six years old, but Blaze is the oldest in the race with eight long years to his credit.
Tom
Well, do you want me to just stand here and hold him?
Mr. Rogers
Yes, if you don't mind, Tom.
Tom
Oh, I don't mind. In fact, I like it.
Mr. Rogers
It's good for him to stand out here in this morning sun and get good and warm before I take that blanket off him.
Jerry
Aren't you gonna feed him?
Mr. Rogers
No, not until after his workout. You couldn't run him just after he ate.
Tom
Well, you're gonna let him work up an appetite for breakfast, huh?
Mr. Rogers
Well, that's one way of putting it. But no matter how big his appetite, he won't get much breakfast.
Tom
Why not?
Mr. Rogers
Cause his big race is tomorrow and I don't want Blaze to be putting on any extra weight. That's one thing I have to watch very carefully. Can't overfeed him.
Tom
Maybe he knows we're talking about something to eat.
Mr. Rogers
Maybe. Hmm. It's funny Warren isn't here yet.
Jerry
Warren? Who's he? Mr. Rogers.
Mr. Rogers
That's the jockey that's going to ride Blaze.
Warren
Oh.
Jerry
And he's going to give him his workout this morning, huh?
Mr. Rogers
Yes, he should have been here 10 minutes ago.
Jerry
You said he was a good jockey, didn't you?
Mr. Rogers
Yes, one of the best. I was lucky to be able to get him to ride Blaze.
Tom
Is, Is he a regular jockey or just somebody from Around Fordham?
Mr. Rogers
Oh, no, he's a regular jockey, Tom. He's famous. He rode at all the big race tracks at some time or other. Yes, sir, I'm very fortunate in getting him. In fact, without him, I don't think Blaze would have a chance.
Jerry
Why not?
Mr. Rogers
Well, Warren seems to know the horse and all his little whims. He knows just when to hold him down and when to let him out and how to talk to him and all that.
Jerry
Oh, I see what you mean.
Mr. Rogers
Here, let me take that blanket off there. You're warm enough now, aren't you, boy?
Tom
Want me to put it in the stable?
Mr. Rogers
No, never mind, Tom. Just lay it over there on the bench.
Jerry
Gee, Blaze is sure pretty all right.
Mr. Rogers
Yes, you can see more of him now with the blanket off, can't you?
Jerry
I'll see. He sure is a beaut, Mr. Rogers.
Mr. Rogers
Come on, Tom, we'll walk over to the track with Blaze. Warren will be along any minute now.
Tom
Here comes somebody now.
Mr. Rogers
Yeah, sure enough. And it's Warren.
Jerry
He's a little fella all right.
Tom
Say, how old is he, dad?
Mr. Rogers
Oh, about 19 or 20, I'd say.
Fire Department Official
Morning, Warren.
Warren
Good morning.
Mr. Rogers
This is my son, Tom.
Warren
How's it do?
Mr. Rogers
And this is Tom's friend, Jerry.
Jerry
Glad to meet you.
Warren
Hi.
Mr. Rogers
We were just going to take Blaze onto the track. Are you ready for the workout?
Warren
I am if you are.
Mr. Rogers
Well, come on then. Come on, Blaze.
Jerry
We'll go ahead and open the gate to the track. Come on, Tom.
Tom
I'm right with you, Jerry.
Mr. Rogers
What's the matter with you this morning, Warren? Get up on the wrong side of the bed?
Warren
No. Why?
Mr. Rogers
You look kind of down in the mouth. Don't you feel good?
Warren
Sure, I feel all right, but.
Mr. Rogers
What?
Warren
Oh, nothing.
Tom
Come on, the gate's open.
Fire Department Official
We're coming.
Mr. Rogers
Royce. You gonna try Blaze on the mile this morning?
Warren
If you want me to, I will.
Mr. Rogers
Well, do you think he's ready?
Warren
If he's not now, he never will be. Whoa.
Mr. Rogers
Whoa, Blaze. Whoa, boy.
Jerry
You know, Tom, Blaze acts just like he knows he's going to run a race. Notice the way he shakes his head?
Fire Department Official
Uh huh.
Tom
Well, that's cause he's so spirited.
Mr. Rogers
Well, he's all yours, Warren.
Warren
Okay, I'll fot him around until I get him warmed up. All right, Blaze, let's go. Take it easy now.
Jerry
I haven't seen all the rest of the horses yet, but I'll just bet there aren't any better looking than Blaze.
Mr. Rogers
Oh, that's a matter of opinion, Jerry. But I'm inclined to think the same as you. Just look at that form. He's a pretty animal, all right.
Tom
How long will Warren trot him around before he tries him out for speed?
Mr. Rogers
Oh, just long enough to get him limbered up and warm.
Jerry
There sure is a lot to train in racehorses, isn't there?
Mr. Rogers
You bet there is more to it than I ever figured.
Tom
I'll bet it doesn't seem like work, though.
Mr. Rogers
No, that's true, son, but it's all very fascinating.
Jerry
Here he comes back and look, he's just itching to run.
Tom
Warren sure is holding him back.
Mr. Rogers
Yeah, looks like he's raring to go.
Warren
Warren, he's all set. You ready to clock him?
Mr. Rogers
Yes, I'm all ready, Warren.
Warren
I'll take him up to the line and. Come on, Blaze.
Jerry
Say, how do you time him, Mr. Rogers?
Mr. Rogers
Well, I time him with this stopwatch I have in my hand. Now, look, you boys had better stand back off the track.
Tom
Well, how does it work?
Mr. Rogers
Well, just as Blaze gets in front of us, I start timing him with a watch. Once around the track is one mile.
Jerry
Oh, here he comes now.
Fire Department Official
Go
Tom
look at him go.
Jerry
You're sure right, Mr. Rogers. He sure gets away quick.
Mr. Rogers
Yes, he sure does. See, look. Notice the way he gets right over to the rail.
Tom
He sure does.
Mr. Rogers
Say, he's making good time. Let's see if I can get his time at the quarter now.
Jerry
Is that the quarter mile post he's coming to now?
Mr. Rogers
Yes, that's it, Jerry. Now, wait, wait, let me watch this close.
Tom
He just passed it.
Mr. Rogers
25 seconds flat. Say, that's really wonderful. That's the best time he's made yet for the quarter. Gosh. Now if he can only hold that
Jerry
speed, how long will it take him to run the mile if he does?
Mr. Rogers
Well, let's see, that'd be a minute and 40 seconds. Say, that'd be just about perfect.
Tom
Well, what if some of the other horses run the mile in?
Mr. Rogers
Well, the best time so far is a minute and 46 seconds.
Jerry
Then it looks like Blaze'll do better' n that.
Mr. Rogers
Oh, we can't tell yet, Jerry. He may tire when he gets to the stretch.
Tom
You mean just before the finish?
Mr. Rogers
Yes, just before he crosses the finish line.
Jerry
There he goes past the half mile post.
Mr. Rogers
Let's see, 52. That means he did the second quarter in 27 seconds.
Tom
Aw, gee, he's slowing down already.
Mr. Rogers
No, not necessarily, Tom. Warren may be holding him back until he gets around the back stretch and starts for home. Then he may let him out and make up a few seconds Boy, he
Jerry
sure runs pretty well. Looks almost like he's flying.
Tom
Now he's running the back turn. Just look at him go.
Mr. Rogers
Yes, he looks mighty fast today. Now, watch him close, boys. Watch him. He's coming down the stretch. Say, that's funny.
Jerry
What's funny, Mr. Rogers?
Mr. Rogers
Warren doesn't seem to be letting him out. He should burst out with a lot of speed right now.
Tom
Come on, Blaze. Come on, Blaze.
Mr. Rogers
What's the matter with him?
Tom
Is something wrong?
Mr. Rogers
Well, here he is coming down the stretch and no more speed than he had when he rounded that far turn.
Tom
Come on, Blaze. Here he comes, Dan.
Jerry
Now, he's going a lot faster, see?
Mr. Rogers
Yes, but it's too late now. He's about to cross the wire.
Tom
Come on, Blaze.
Mr. Rogers
Well, that's that.
Tom
Well, what was the time, dad?
Mr. Rogers
Not as good as I expected, son.
Jerry
Well, how long did he take?
Mr. Rogers
1 minute, 48 and a half seconds. Oh, I sure thought he'd do better than that. He got off to such a good start.
Tom
Here he comes now.
Warren
Whoa, boy. Easy, Blaze.
Mr. Rogers
Hey, what happened, Warren?
Warren
Nothing.
Tom
Why?
Warren
What did we do at him?
Mr. Rogers
That's just it. The time is off. You took a minute and 48 and a half seconds.
Warren
Sorry, that's all he had.
Mr. Rogers
He's got to do better than that in the race tomorrow, or we won't have a chance. Say, are you sure you let him out in the stretch, Warren?
Warren
Of course I did. You trying to tell me how to ride?
Mr. Rogers
Now, Warren, don't take that attitude. I only asked a question.
Warren
Well, that's all Blaze has got in him. Just what he showed right then.
Mr. Rogers
Then that's as good as telling me we haven't got a chance.
Warren
Figure it out for yourself.
Tom
Come on, we're holding the gate open.
Mr. Rogers
Well, maybe when he gets in there with the other horses in the race, it'll make a difference.
Warren
That's the only hope.
Mr. Rogers
Well, all right. Take his saddle off and throw the blanket over him till he cools off.
Warren
Hey, close that door after me, somebody.
Jerry
Yeah, I will.
Tom
What's the matter, dad?
Jerry
Don't worry, Mr. Rogers. Maybe Blaze will surprise everybody tomorrow.
Mr. Rogers
Well, I certainly hope so, Jerry. We've got to win that race tomorrow. It means everything to me and to Tom, too. $1,000 is a lot of money, Jerry.
Jerry
Golly, I'll say it is.
Tom
Hey, look. Lookit, there's a fire down there at that lunch stand. Wow.
Jerry
And that is a fire.
Mr. Rogers
Come on, let's see if we can be of any help. Hey, Warren, hurry up. There's a fire in that Lunch stand over by the entrance. Let's get over there. Be right with you.
Jerry
Come on, Tom. Run faster.
Tom
I'm coming.
Fire Department Official
Hurry it up, boys. You coming, Warren?
Warren
Right behind you.
Mr. Rogers
Oh, say, this is liable to be bad. Those spots are flying pretty high. Hey, anything we can do to help?
Fire Department Official
No, no. Nothing you can do, fellas. Our department will be here in a minute. Someone turned in an alarm as. As soon as the fire started.
Jerry
Golly, that. That's a hot fire, all right.
Tom
They're throwing water on it, but it doesn't seem to do any good.
Fire Department Official
Here they come now.
Mr. Rogers
Hey, how did it start?
Fire Department Official
I don't know. Guy that runs the place just got in there when it broke out. Maybe it was lighting the stove. Something happened.
Jerry
Well, they'll get it out in a hurry.
Tom
Charlie, look who's covering this. Blaze it.
Jerry
Blaze? Mr. Rogers.
Mr. Rogers
What do you know about that? He broke out of his stall.
Fire Department Official
Warren. Warren, grab Blaze. I'll get him.
Mr. Rogers
Oh, why did he have to break out that way?
Fire Department Official
That's some racehorse you got there, Roger. The minute he hears a fire belt, he heads. You see the fire?
Tom
You ought to be back in the fire department.
Fire Department Official
That's the racehorse I'll put in.
Tom
Don't you care, dad? Let her make fun of you and Blaze.
Jerry
He'll find out tomorrow what kind of
Tom
a horse he is.
Warren
I've got him a swell horse to break away just because he hears a fire bell. And this is the horse I have to ride in the big race.
Jerry
It's only natural for him to want to run when he hears the fire bells. He's used to doing it. Don't you care what they say, Mr. Rogers?
Mr. Rogers
Oh, but. Oh, this is awful.
Tom
Oh, no, it isn't, dad.
Jerry
Hey, wait a minute. I just got an idea.
Tom
What?
Jerry
Jerry or nothing. You'll see when the time comes.
Warren
Foreign
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Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode Title: Jerry of the Circus – Blaze Is Slow
Date: May 22, 2026
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio
Original Air Era Portrayed: Golden Age of Radio
This episode of Jerry of the Circus revisits a classic family radio drama from an era before television. The story centers on Jerry, his friends, and the troubles surrounding Blaze, a once-fire department horse who is now being trained as a racehorse. The episode blends warmth, suspense, and character-driven humor as Blaze prepares for an important race, but a series of setbacks and old reputations cast doubt over his prospects.
[02:08–03:24]
“He sure is a beaut, Mr. Rogers.” – Jerry [02:08]
“The only trouble with Blaze is he's got a reputation to live down.” – Mr. Rogers [02:32]
[03:24–04:12]
“How true, a good race horse is sensitive, all right. You have to handle them with care and pamper them if you want to get the best out of them.” – Mr. Rogers [03:18]
[04:13–05:03]
“Blaze is the oldest in the race with eight long years to his credit.” – Mr. Rogers [04:28]
[05:03–06:19]
“Without him, I don't think Blaze would have a chance.” – Mr. Rogers [05:23]
[06:19–10:05]
“25 seconds flat. Say, that's really wonderful. That's the best time he's made yet for the quarter.” – Mr. Rogers [08:26]
“1 minute, 48 and a half seconds. Oh, I sure thought he'd do better than that. He got off to such a good start.” – Mr. Rogers [10:07]
“Are you sure you let him out in the stretch, Warren?” – Mr. Rogers [10:25]
“Of course I did. You trying to tell me how to ride?” – Warren [10:31]
[10:55–11:30]
“We've got to win that race tomorrow. It means everything to me and to Tom, too. $1,000 is a lot of money, Jerry.” – Mr. Rogers [11:06]
[11:16–13:00]
“That's some racehorse you've got there, Rogers. The minute he hears a fire bell, he heads—you see the fire?” – Fire Department Official [12:26]
“He'll find out tomorrow what kind of a horse he is.” – Jerry [12:44]
[13:02–13:05]
The episode is filled with the warm, family-friendly dialogue of classic radio, blending earnest hope, gentle humor, and suspense as the characters rally around Blaze. The camaraderie and affectionate teasing among the circus friends—especially concerning Blaze’s dual identity as a heroic firehorse and underdog racehorse—bring nostalgic charm and light but genuine stakes to the story.
This episode sets up high stakes for Blaze—will the fire bell-loving horse overcome doubts and reputation to win the big race? Jerry’s secret plan and the importance of tomorrow’s event leave the audience eagerly anticipating the next installment, while the authentic period dialogue and close-knit cast offer a faithful taste of Golden Age radio drama.