Jerry of the Circus - Borrowing Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars

Summary

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Episode Overview

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode: Jerry of the Circus - Borrowing Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars
Date: May 15, 2026

This episode of Jerry of the Circus dramatically explores the aftermath when the circus is devastated by a cyclone. The central theme is the resilience and ingenuity required to keep the show running against all odds, highlighted by management's scramble to recover from disaster, care for lost animals, and solve looming financial woes—including the urgent need to borrow $25,000 to save the circus. Listeners are treated to clever ideas, classic character banter, and heartfelt moments of teamwork.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Cyclone’s Aftermath and Damage Assessment

• Randall and Dan discuss the ruined circus: The opening segment delves into the state of chaos after a cyclone hits the circus lot, destroying the main tent and scattering the circus across town.
  • “A little thing like a cyclone blowing our circus all over town could stop it. As a matter of fact, we gave them a free show this time. And one they'll never forget.” – Mr. Randall (02:34)
• The main tent is found shredded atop a church steeple (03:12), and the wardrobe tent has disappeared, with costumes scattered (10:52).

2. Resilience and Quick-Thinking

• Dan’s Efficient Solutions: Dan Dugan jumps into action as an efficiency expert, proposing ways the circus can recover and rebuild quickly.
  • “An old [tent] is always reconditioned and ready to be sent out in case of emergency... How soon can it get here?... tomorrow night.” – Mr. Randall (03:29–03:41)
  • Randall bemoans losing two days of shows—the most he’s lost in 20 years (03:46).
• Dan’s Innovative Show Idea: Dan proposes charging townsfolk 25 cents to tour the circus ruins as a unique spectacle, demonstrating classic "the show must go on" resourcefulness.
  • “Mr. Randall, my plan is for you to charge 25 cents for the folks to go through the circus lot and see exactly the mess we're in.” – Dan (05:05)
  • “Danny Dugan? Why, of course! ...You've hit the bullseye.” – Randall (05:10)

3. Comic Relief – The Chimpanzee Incident

• Aga the Chimp Returns: Jerry brings urgent news about Aga, the escaped chimpanzee, leading to a humorous anecdote from a local farmer who found the animal napping in his bed, much to his wife’s horror.
  • “That there critter was locked in the house, and we was locked outside...he pulled that patch quilt...right up over him. And the last I seen of him, he's snoring to beat the band.” – Mr. Hoffensiller (08:17–08:49)
• Mr. Randall promises to compensate the farmer’s wife for damages and to retrieve the chimp, exemplifying neighborly responsibility.

4. Financial Crisis & Need for a Loan

• Assessing the Damage: Mr. Thomas, the bookkeeper, gives a grim tally—the main losses include the main tent, wardrobe, and mess tent. Immediate expenses accumulate rapidly:
  • Around $5,000 in daily running costs (11:20)
  • Estimated loan needed: $25,000 to get the circus back on the road (12:22)
• No Insurance: The inability to insure such a circus against such disasters is lamented:
  • “It's impossible to cover a tent city like this against such emergencies. The rates would be too high.” – Randall (11:52)

5. Teamwork and Moving Forward

• All Hands on Deck: Jerry and his uncle Dan organize tours through the circus ruins, rally the crew, and execute the recovery plan, all so the circus won’t disappoint the next city or go bankrupt.
  • “They'll have to if we expect to finish out the season.” – Randall (12:54)

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Memorable Quotes

• Randall (On recovery):
  “I can't keep the Randall Circus tube down here.” (05:46)

• Dan (On his contribution):
  “I only wanted to show you I'm earning my keep as an efficiency expert.” (06:16)

• Farmer Hoffensiller (On the chimp):
  “It's no joke to have a hysterical woman on your hands and a big gorilla locked up in your house and is sleeping on your bed.” (08:52)

• Thomas (On the loan):
  “Well, to do it right, I'd say offhand about $25,000.” (12:22)

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Important Segments & Timestamps

• [02:07–04:00] – Randall and Dan assess the destruction, main tent found shredded, resolve to send for the emergency tent
• [04:19–05:25] – Dan proposes turning the disaster itself into a spectacle to recoup losses
• [06:16–07:12] – Discussion of rewards and keeping up morale
• [07:13–09:09] – The comedic saga of Aga the chimpanzee at the farmer’s house
• [10:23–13:04] – Thomas reviews the financial damage, need for emergency funds, and outlines the grim math of rebuilding
• [12:22–12:31] – The $25,000 figure is discussed as essential for recovery
• [12:54–13:04] – The circus pushes forward with community tours to bring in much-needed cash

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Tone and Style

The episode captures classic old-time radio drama: urgent but optimistic, blending pragmatic problem-solving with lighthearted comic relief. Dialogue is brisk, clever, and full of period charm, exemplifying the all-hands, can-do spirit of the traveling circus world.

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Final Notes

This episode is a prime example of Jerry of the Circus—family entertainment that’s both endearing and resourceful. Lively banter and disaster recovery planning underscore the community and creativity that make the circus a mainstay, even when adversity strikes. The resilience of the characters and their ability to find opportunity in misfortune shine throughout.

Listeners are left rooting for Randall, Dan, Jerry, and the whole crew as they set out to borrow $25,000 and get the magic of the circus rolling once again.

Transcript

[A]

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[B]

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[A]

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[C]

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[A]

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[D]

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

[E]

Mr. Randall, you in there?

[D]

Yeah, come in.

[E]

Oh.

[D]

Oh, it's you, Dan.

[E]

Yeah, I just got back from town. Thought I'd better drop by your office wagon and see if there's anything I can do.

[D]

And if I ever needed an efficiency expert, Danny Dugan, this is the time.

[E]

By the way, Mr. Randall, the boys on the lot are passing the word around that maybe there ain't gonna be no show today. No?

[D]

Well, you don't say that vicious gossip, Dan.

[E]

Now, if that ain't just what I told the folks. Miles Randall.

[D]

As if a little thing like a cyclone blowing our circus all over town could stop it. As a matter of fact, we gave them a free show this time. And one they'll never forget.

[E]

You're a great loser, Mr. Randall. A man that can kid after the beating you've just taken, deserves a medal.

[D]

How'd you find things in town, Dan?

[E]

Bad enough. Fortunately for the towners, though, the twister only hit the east end of the city.

[D]

Well, their good luck's our bad luck. We certainly parked on the wrong side of town this trip.

[E]

Yep, Most of the residential sections in the whole business center of town escaped.

[D]

I'm mighty glad to hear that.

[E]

Well, I suppose we better get down to business, Mr. Randall. What's the first thing to do?

[D]

You haven't found out where the main tent finally landed, have you?

[E]

Of course I have. I forgot to tell you. Afraid it won't be any use to us, though, after this. It caught on a church steeple on the far side of town. Naturally was torn to shreds.

[D]

Well, that's that. What happened to the steeple?

[E]

Knocked her down, of course.

[D]

Oh, that's a pity. I'm sorry, Dan.

[E]

So that means we're minus a main tent for the rest of the season.

[D]

Oh, no, we're not. What do you mean? We've got an old one from two seasons back at winter quarters in good enough condition Certainly. An old one is always reconditioned and ready to be sent out in case of emergency.

[E]

Good. How soon can it get here?

[D]

Tomorrow night. I'll get a wire off immediately.

[E]

Fine. That means we'll only lose two days, today and tomorrow.

[D]

Yep, but two days is more than I've lost in 20 years.

[E]

Don't say, Mr. Randall.

[D]

I certainly hate to break my record.

[E]

Well, at least you know it's not your fault. If it were humanly possible, you'd be putting on a show.

[D]

You bet I would be. Say, look out there, Dan.

[E]

Certainly a mess. But those roustabouts are cleaning up as fast as they can.

[D]

No, that isn't what I mean.

[E]

Where What?

[D]

I mean, all those towners wandering through a lot. It's a shame we can't give them a show. And we won't be able to stay over another day to give them one. We'll just have to jump right to Harper City and make that our next stand.

[E]

Mr. Randall.

[D]

Now what?

[E]

I've got an idea.

[D]

Well, that's good, but there's no reason to scare me to death.

[E]

Mr. Randall, listen, it's. It's well as Jerry's. There's a knockout. Well, go on.

[D]

What is it? You can't sell me on it unless I know what it's all about.

[E]

Listen, the whole circus is in a mess.

[D]

That's not news.

[E]

No, but it's exciting to the towners. Look how they're snooping out there and

[D]

getting in everybody's way, too.

[E]

That doesn't matter. You don't know it, but you're going to give this town a show after all.

[D]

What on earth are you talking about? Just this.

[E]

Will paint a couple of big posters announcing first time in history the world's greatest show laid waste by a cyclone.

[D]

Come one, come all. Listen, Danny, you losing your mind? The folks in this town ought to know by now that there was a cyclone here today and that it wrecked the circus. If they don't, they won't be smart enough to read your posters.

[E]

But you don't get the idea, Mr. Randall.

[F]

All right.

[D]

Well, go on.

[E]

My plan is for you to charge 25 cents for the folks to go through the circus lot and see exactly the mess we're in.

[D]

Danny Dugan? Why, of course, why. Say, you've hit the bullseye.

[E]

I bet I have. Say, they'll want to know all about how the animals got by. Let the guards tell what happened.

[D]

And, Dugan, you're a magician. Get those posters painted and we'll show this town how A circus can be wrecked and rebuilt in two days.

[E]

That's the ticket. And make them pay to see it. Yeah.

[D]

Here, wait a minute. Write this telegram for Bill Winter Quarters about that meantime.

[C]

Yeah.

[D]

Oh, you had to say all right. I guess I. I guess he'd better send on an extra. Any extra small tents he's got out there, too.

[E]

I'll say. All those places along the midway will have to be rebuilt. And that menagerie tent's a wreck.

[D]

Well, don't worry. I can't keep the Randall Circus tube down here. Just a second.

[E]

Oh, by the way, Mr. Randall.

[C]

Yeah?

[E]

Well, I was just wondering about. Well, I.

[D]

Well, out with the man. What's in your mind?

[E]

Well, you spoke about a new suit of clothes for every good idea I thought of and.

[D]

Yeah, you old rascal, you. You going to shake me down, huh?

[E]

Why, mister, of course not.

[D]

No kidding, Dan. You deserve a couple of suits for that suggestion. And it's a cheap price to pay, too.

[E]

Oh, I don't want a suit now. I only wanted to show you I'm earning my keep as an efficiency expert.

[G]

Mr. Randall.

[C]

Mister.

[D]

Sounds like that nephew of yours.

[G]

Hey, Mr. Randall.

[E]

I'll open the door.

[G]

Oh, there you are. I'm stranded. Oh, hello, Uncle Dan.

[E]

Why don't you hurry, Jerry?

[G]

Say, Mr. Randall, there's an old farmer out here. He wants to see you. It's about aga.

[E]

Aga? I thought that chimp got away.

[G]

She did. That's the trouble.

[D]

Well, has she been found?

[G]

Yeah, that's it. But the farmer says he won't talk to anybody but the manager.

[D]

Oh, all right. Bring him in, Jerry.

[G]

Okay.

[E]

That boy certainly can get excited. Well, it looks as if you're getting your chimpanzee back anyway.

[D]

I hope so. She's too mischievous to let around loose.

[E]

I'll get those signs right out, Mr. Randall, and I'll organize a tour around this circus lot that'll do you proud.

[D]

Okay, Dan. It's up to you.

[G]

You just leaving, Uncle Dan?

[F]

Yep.

[D]

I ain't got to go to work.

[G]

Mr. Randall, this is Mr. Hoffman.

[C]

Taylor.

[G]

Yeah, the man I was telling you about.

[D]

Oh, yes. How'd he do?

[E]

Sir?

[D]

Jerry tells me that you have news of our prize chimpanzee.

[F]

Yes, sir. Ee, I reckon that's what you'd call it. I didn't get more than a squint at it myself. But Emmy come running out of the house screaming like a stuck pig and her face whiter than last week's wash. Well, what happened?

[D]

Mr. Hoffman's here.

[F]

Well, you see, it was like this, that cyclone. I reckon you know all about that cyclone, huh?

[D]

Well, unfortunately we do.

[F]

Yeah. Not probably you would. Well, friend, I don't mind telling you, it cleaned my farm like a fresh plucked hen. Emmy sent me out to see if any of the animals was left. And I don't mind telling you I hadn't got no further than the end of the barn when she let out a yell that sent goose flesh up and down my spine.

[G]

What happened? I thought you said that, Dude.

[F]

I'm getting to that now. Well, knowing Emmy like I do, I didn't let no grass grow under my feet. No siree. I lit right out for the house and there stood Emmy on the front steps with her apron over her head and hollering for all she was worth

[D]

while the chimpanzee hadn't touched her head.

[F]

It. No. And Emmy, I figured quick like that she weren't hurt none. Not with all that there hullabaloo.

[D]

Well, where was Aga?

[F]

Well, sir, would you believe it? That there critter was locked in the house and we was locked outside. And Emmy had a boiled dinner on the stove all ready to be dished up the minute I come in.

[D]

Is Aga still locked in your house?

[F]

She sure is. And Emmy fit to be tied. Says you'll never be comfortable sleeping in that bed again. Not after that Harry Critters bed.

[G]

You mean Aggie got in your bed?

[F]

Well, that's just what I'm telling you something. He pulled that patch quilt and he made so careful, like all last winter, right up over him. And the last I seen of him, he's snoring to beat the band.

[G]

Oh, that's a riot. She can imagine that, Mr. Randall.

[F]

Now listen here, young man. It's no joke to have a hysterical woman on your hands and a big gorilla locked up in your house and is sleeping on your bed.

[D]

Well, of course, it's not Mr. Hoffens either. Yes, Mr. Hoffensilla, I'm. I'm mighty sorry a thing like this should happen. We'll. We'll send someone out there right away and get that animal out of your house.

[F]

Yes, sir. E's fit to be tied. And she's that upset about her dinner boiling over and her patchwork quilt and a clean sheet.

[D]

Well, I'm sure of that. And she's perfectly right too. I'll tell you what, Mr. Harper Sealer. We'll send your wife a few dollars so that she can get someone to clean up after Ag is gone.

[C]

And.

[D]

Well, maybe that'll make her a little more contented.

[F]

Now, that's real friendly of you, sir. That's what I'd call it. Real neighborly. I reckon a couple of dollars would quiet Emmy down. More than all the talking I could do in a month of Sundays.

[D]

Well, that's good. Now, Jerry, will you run over to Kelly and have him send someone out with Mr. Hoffensiller and attend to all this?

[G]

You bet I will, Mr. Randall.

[D]

That's right. And then. And then you come back here. Your uncle's working on a job, and I think he can use you.

[G]

Sure thing. I'll be back in a jiffy. Come on, Mr. Hoffensiller.

[F]

Well, now, I reckon if it weren't that Hemi were so jittery like. I'd like to stick around to spell myself. But then, you know how women are, Mr. Randall. So I guess I better be getting.

[D]

Well, thank you for telling us about Aga. She's valuable, but we certainly don't want her to cause trouble for others. Good day, sir. How are you back, Jerry?

[G]

You bet.

[F]

Oh, hello.

[C]

Hello.

[E]

The Randall in there, young man?

[G]

Yep, Right inside.

[C]

Thank you. Oh, There you are, Mr. Randall.

[D]

Oh, yeah, yes, come in, Thomas. Take a chair there.

[C]

Thanks.

[D]

Well, I. I'm sorry I had to take you off your regular job of bookkeeping to do this checking up for me, but Jim Bennett has so many things to do, and it just couldn't be helped.

[C]

That's quite all right, Mr. Randall. There's not much bookkeeping for me to do anyway. At least not until we get rolling again.

[D]

That's good. Well, I suppose you check things over pretty carefully and know just where we stand. What's the bad news, Thomas?

[C]

Bad news is right. The main top is ruined. Caught on the church steeple.

[D]

Oh, yes, yes, I've heard about that. I've already wired for our spare top and any others that they have available in winter quarters.

[C]

Yes, well, the wardrobe top seems to have disappeared. The cyclone scattered our costumes all over town.

[D]

What a mess.

[C]

People are bringing things in pretty fast, though. Most of them can be saved, cleaned up and used.

[D]

That's lucky.

[C]

Yes, it is. But we've taken an awful beating in the mess tent.

[D]

I can imagine. I saw that go up. Did you ever see so many plates and silver floating away in all your life?

[C]

Well, of course the crockery is a dead loss. I've already put in an order for Mess Tent equipment. We can get credit enough to cover that.

[D]

Have you estimated the amount we'll need to rebuild the midway?

[C]

Well, approximately. And of course, our running expenses are around 5,000 a day. How many days do you figure we'll lose?

[D]

Only two. I've canceled the engagement in Big Rock, but I've notified Harper City. We'll play there or else.

[C]

That's not giving us much time.

[D]

No, no, but we can't afford to disappoint cities. Nor can we pay these terrific overheads. And without getting in some daily receipts, we'd be bankrupt in no time.

[C]

All right, Mr. Randall, you give the word and we'll get things ready.

[D]

That's the spirit. Well, how much do you figure we'll need to borrow to see us through?

[C]

It's too bad we've no insurance to cover this law.

[D]

Oh, I know, I know. But it's impossible to cover a tent city like this against such emergencies. The rates would be too high.

[C]

Yes, you'd have to take out separate clauses for everything. Tornadoes, floods, cyclones, lightning and all that.

[D]

Yeah, I've been pretty lucky. Over 20 years in show business, and this is the first major catastrophe like this I've ever had.

[C]

I guess you're right, Mr. Randall, as usual.

[G]

Here I am, Mr. Randall.

[D]

So I see. Just a minute, Jerry. Til I finish here with Mr. Thomas. Well, what do you figure we'll need, Ben?

[C]

Well, to do it right, I'd say offhand about $25,000.

[G]

$25,000?

[F]

What for?

[D]

To help us rebuild the circus and get it in shape to play Harper City.

[G]

Gee whiz, that's terrible.

[D]

Not when you consider that it costs thousands of dollars a day just to move this circus and feed the animals. And people say that. So, Thomas, get downtown and find out what kind of a deal we can make on such a loan. The percentages for 30, 60 or 90 days and so on.

[C]

All right. I'll have the figures for you tonight.

[D]

You'll know where to find me. I know.

[G]

Say, things are sure moving fast around here.

[D]

They'll have to if we expect to finish out the season.

[G]

Jerry, there's a line of people a block long outside what used to be the main entrance. They're letting them in in groups and showing them through the grounds. What's the idea, Mr. Randall?

[D]

Well, that's an idea of your uncle's. That's what I wanted you for. He'll need your help, I think. Now, you go and find him, Jerry. He'll tell you what it's all about.

[H]

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