
Jerry of the Circus - Camera Plan - 07/20/1937
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Liberty Mutual Spokesperson
And Doug, there's nowhere I wouldn't go to help someone customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual. Even if it means sitting front row at a comedy show.
Liberty Mutual Sidekick
Hey, everyone, check out this guy and his bird. What is this, your first date?
Liberty Mutual Spokesperson
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Liberty Mutual Sidekick
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Liberty Mutual Spokesperson
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Liberty Mutual Sidekick
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Bob
Jerry of the circus. Now for Jerry of the circus.
Jerry
Well, Jerry, looks like this is going to be a wet night. Going to be. It is. Look at all that mud out in the backyard. This is the first time it's rained
Liberty Mutual Sidekick
since you've been with the circus, isn't it?
Jerry
Yeah, and I can't say that I like it much. It's too hard keeping clean. I had to keep wiping the mud off Rag's paws right up to the minute he went into the ring with prompts. It is kind of messy, but if you'll notice, Jerry, everyone looks pretty clean
Liberty Mutual Sidekick
when they go into the big top
Jerry
to do their act. Stilts and rain capes do the trick all right. I know what those rain capes are, but what are stilts? Fancy? Well, the stilts are what we call
Liberty Mutual Sidekick
these funny looking little shoes.
Jerry
Oh, I thought they were wooden shoes. They are really like the Japanese wear. We call them stilts because they keep
Liberty Mutual Sidekick
us up high and dry above the
Jerry
mud when we have to walk across the lot. Collie, that was closed too close. Afraid this is going to turn into a bad storm. Good thing the show's almost over. It sure is raining hard now. The backyard will be a lake if this keeps up.
Bob
Oh, say, what a night.
Jerry
Well, Rags, how is it you didn't get your paws all muddy this time? Did you wear stilts, too?
Liberty Mutual Sidekick
I guess Bumps was his stilts.
Jerry
How about a bump?
Bob
I carried my partner over from the wagon. He couldn't have walked across that mud. He'd have had to swim.
Jerry
Thanks, Bumps.
Bob
Oh, not at all. I'm just as interested in that dog as you are, Jerry. Well, he's my partner and I have to keep him looking nice, you know.
Jerry
Are you afraid, Patsy? Well, I guess I'm not afraid, but I certainly don't like that lightning. I think I'll run for it. I'm going to get my things packed and hurry over to the train.
Bob
Yeah, might just as well. This rain doesn't show any signs of letting up.
Jerry
I go See you on the train. Goodbye, Patsy. Rags, come here. You can't go out in all that mud. You stay right here. Now. You have to go on for the last walk around us bumps in a few minutes.
Bob
I guess you'd kind of like to follow Patsy and see if she gets over to her wagon safe.
Jerry
Oh, so that's it, huh?
Bob
It's a good thing we're pulling out of here tonight. That grounds will be pretty wet for a show tomorrow. I don't envy the men who load this circus tonight.
Jerry
Maybe it'll be raining the next town, too.
Bob
Well, that's a chance we take, Jerry.
Jerry
Why doesn't Mr. Randall cut the show short? Get loaded on the trains now before the storm gets worse.
Bob
Well, that's something that's never done, Jerry. The people in there paid the money to see the complete show, and that's what they'll get if they want to stay and watch it.
Jerry
They'll sure get caught in the rain when they get out. Wait until they see all that mud around the lot.
Bob
Oh, they'll see it all right, Jerry, but they won't get into it. That's another thing Mr. Randall always takes care of.
Jerry
What do you mean, Bob?
Bob
Well, ever since the rain started and it looked like a bad storm, the stakers have been laying boards from the main entrance to the cement sidewalk. Why, there'll be a regular wooden sidewalk for the folks to walk on when the show's over.
Jerry
Golly, Mr. Randall thinks of everything, doesn't he?
Bob
Yeah, pretty near. He does everything he can to make his customers comfortable.
Liberty Mutual Sidekick
Oh.
Bob
Oh, oh, there goes the finale. Come on, Rags, let's get your red Rubin on.
Jerry
Sure is anxious to work, isn't he, Bob?
Bob
You bet he is. He's a real trooper. There you are, Rags. Yeah. Now that's a boy. You wait right here in the pad room, Jerry. As soon as I come off, you can carry Rags and I'll gather up my props and we'll both make a run for our wagon.
Jerry
Okay, Bumps. Now, do a good show tonight, Rags. Look, bumps, the center pole. The lightning's bucket.
Bob
Yes, sir, right up at the top. It's hanging there all right. See? It's a good thing Patsy finished her act before this happened. Just look at that trapeze of hers hanging by one rope.
Jerry
Key bumps. The audience is getting scared.
Bob
Yeah, but don't you get frightened now. We'll get them calm. Come on. Come on. Stay right where you are, Jerry. Ladies and gentlemen. All right, everybody, quiet, please. Please resume your seat.
Jerry
There's no call for alarms.
Bob
The tent is securely held up by the other poles. And now, ladies and gentlemen, we will have the grand finale march. After which you may all leave in absolute safety. You see that, Jerry? That ring master sure knows his business.
Jerry
Collie, you sure got him quiet in a hurry.
Bob
Yeah, we'll have him laughing in a hurry, too. Come on, Rex.
Jerry
Ge Circus life is sure wonderful. Come on, Rags. Here's Claire's tent.
Bob
Your boy.
Jerry
Hello, Clara.
Liberty Mutual Sidekick
Well, Jerry.
Jerry
Hello.
Liberty Mutual Sidekick
And Rag. Just a minute, Jerry. There we are.
Jerry
Nice day, isn't it? Certainly better than you'd expect after last night in that other town.
Liberty Mutual Sidekick
My goodness, I'll say it is a mighty welcome guess. Nobody around a circus lot likes a rainstorm like we had.
Jerry
It sure makes a lot of extra work, doesn't it?
Liberty Mutual Sidekick
Mercy me, it sure does. I've been pressing costumes ever since breakfast. Seems like everybody got wet.
Jerry
Oh, say, Clara, I wanted to ask you something. I mean, I want to tell you about my plan.
Liberty Mutual Sidekick
What is it, Jerry?
Jerry
Well, I got an idea and I think it'll work. I'm pretty sure we can catch a thief that's been stealing your things.
Liberty Mutual Sidekick
Fine, Jerry, tell me about it.
Jerry
Well, I'm going to ask Jack Hastings, a publicity man, to fix up a camera by your workbench here so it'll take a picture of whoever's doing the stealing.
Liberty Mutual Sidekick
That's a good idea, Jerry, but I don't think it'll work.
Jerry
Why not?
Liberty Mutual Sidekick
Because the things have been disappearing at
Jerry
night and you can't take pictures in
Liberty Mutual Sidekick
the dark at night.
Jerry
Oh, sure you can. You just fix up a flashlight bulb with a camera and set a sort of trap with a string that'll set off the flashbulb with the camera.
Liberty Mutual Sidekick
Well, land sakes, that is clever. Then when we get the pictures, we'll know exactly who the guilty one is. Uh huh.
Jerry
We can take the picture to Mr. Randall and then he can catch whoever it is.
Liberty Mutual Sidekick
You're a real detective, Jerry. That's a very good idea, Clara.
Jerry
Look, here comes Major Mike.
Bob
Hmm.
Liberty Mutual Sidekick
Wonder what he wants.
Jerry
Well, I'm going now and see if I can get Jack Hastings to help me out with my idea. See you later. Goodbye. Come on, Rag.
Liberty Mutual Sidekick
Goodbye, Jeremy.
Jerry
Don't bark at the mail.
Bob
Right.
Jerry
Stop it. Go on about your business, dog. Go on, get.
Liberty Mutual Sidekick
Hello, Major Mike.
Jerry
Never mind getting friendly, Clara. Here's my satin coat. I want you to press it and I want it before the matinee.
Liberty Mutual Sidekick
Well, now, wait a minute, Major. I'm not so sure I can get it done for you by matinee time.
Jerry
Oh, it only takes a couple of minutes to press that coat, and you know it.
Liberty Mutual Sidekick
Yes, that's right. But there are others ahead of you. I have a lot of costumes to get ready before the matinee performance.
Jerry
My costume is just as important as anybody else's. Ever since I've been with this outfit, you've been picking on me. First you sewed up the armholes in my coat. Then last month you sewed up the buttonholes and caused me no end of embarrassment.
Liberty Mutual Sidekick
I've told you a hundred times I didn't do that. I don't go around thinking of ways to make people angry. You got me wrong, Major.
Jerry
Oh, no, I haven't got you wrong.
Liberty Mutual Sidekick
I'm not the only one who can sew on this lot. Why don't you ask your friend, the bearded lady if she knows who sewed up the buttonholes on your coat? She's not my friend.
Jerry
Don't you dare call her my friend. If she doesn't leave this circus at the end of the season, I will. I'll tell you, I'll never do another season with her.
Liberty Mutual Sidekick
That's what you said last year.
Bob
Well?
Jerry
Well, I mean it this time.
Liberty Mutual Sidekick
She kind of likes you, Major. I don't care if she does.
Jerry
I don't like her. I never did and never will. I'll take no more kidding about it from you or anybody else. Now, Major, there's my coat. Are you going to have it ready for me before the show or aren't you?
Liberty Mutual Sidekick
I'll try to get it finished, but I can't promise.
Jerry
Oh, you'll try, huh? You mean you'll try to make me miserable and keep slighting me just because I'm little? Well, I'll try and make you just as miserable. You'll pay for the way you've been treating me. You just watch and see. I'll be back for that coat before the midway opens, and it better be ready. Goodbye.
Liberty Mutual Sidekick
Goodbye, Major. Heavy Daze. He may be small, but he's sure got a big temper.
Jerry
All right, here we are, Jack.
Jack Hastings
Okay, Jerry, go ahead.
Liberty Mutual Sidekick
Well, Jerry, you back again? And Jack Hastings. Well, come in, come in.
Jack Hastings
Boy detective here has an idea he wants to work out.
Jerry
I told Clara all about it already.
Liberty Mutual Sidekick
You mean about putting a camera up here in my tent and taking a picture of the robber?
Jack Hastings
Yeah. What do you think of it, Clara?
Liberty Mutual Sidekick
I think it's a good idea. An excellent idea, I might say.
Jerry
And it'll work, too, won't it, Jack?
Jack Hastings
Yeah, it'll work, all right. The police have Used that method and found it quite successful. The only hitch is, when the flashbulb goes off, it gives the whole thing away. The ones who just had their pictures taken might look for the camera and take it with them.
Liberty Mutual Sidekick
That wouldn't be so good for the owner of the camera, would it?
Jack Hastings
No, it wouldn't. That's why I'm going to use this old one.
Liberty Mutual Sidekick
Then you're really going to set it up like Jerry suggested?
Jack Hastings
Sure we are. What can we lose?
Jerry
It'll catch the thief, all right. Then your troubles will be all over, Clara.
Liberty Mutual Sidekick
Well, I hope so.
Jack Hastings
I'm going to have to set it up now, if you don't mind, Clara.
Liberty Mutual Sidekick
Goodness me, I don't mind, as long as it doesn't go off and take my picture.
Jerry
It won't. Jack's just going to fix it now, but he won't connect the wires until the night.
Jack Hastings
Hand me that box there, John.
Jerry
Okay. Here you are.
Jack Hastings
All right. Jerry tells me that you've been having a lot of robberies lately, Clara. What seems to be the trouble?
Liberty Mutual Sidekick
I don't understand it, Jack. The things that are being stolen aren't of any real value to anybody else. Except my gold thimble. Just a lot of things that. Well, things a child would want. Or maybe a little girl that was going to make doll dresses.
Jerry
Tinsel and braid and things like that.
Liberty Mutual Sidekick
Yes.
Jack Hastings
Here, now, Jerry, pull this wire up there. That's it. How about setting the camera between these bolts of cloth, Clara? Won't be in your way there, will it?
Liberty Mutual Sidekick
Land sakes. No, I won't get at those today. I've got too much pressing and repairing to do.
Jerry
That ought to take a good picture, huh?
Jack Hastings
That's just about the right angle. From there, the camera will take in pretty near the whole tent. I'm sorry I have to do this now, Clara, but I've got to take a lot of pictures in the menagerie this afternoon and won't have time to do this later on.
Liberty Mutual Sidekick
That's perfectly all right. I don't mind. Now that I know, I won't set the blame thing off.
Jerry
What's the matter? Don't you like to have your picture taken?
Liberty Mutual Sidekick
Well, I don't take a very good picture, Jerry.
Jack Hastings
Oh, I don't know about that, Clara. I've taken some nice ones of you.
Liberty Mutual Sidekick
Yes, but that was a few years ago, and time does change a person, you know.
Jack Hastings
Flesh bulb, Jerry. That's it. I don't guess you've changed much, Clara. You're just as nice now as you were When I joined up with Mr. Randall.
Liberty Mutual Sidekick
Now, go on with your change, Jack. Hastings, you quit your joshing.
Jack Hastings
I'm not joshing, Clara. It's true.
Jerry
That's right. He told me on the way over here that you were one of the nicest persons with the circus.
Liberty Mutual Sidekick
Well, now, sakes alive, let's see now.
Jack Hastings
I think that's it, Jerry. It should work perfect.
Jerry
How's it fixed?
Jack Hastings
I've got six small bell pushers hidden in sawdust. Even if a person knew where they were, they'd have a hard time not stepping on one of them.
Jerry
Which one sets off the camera?
Jack Hastings
I've got them all hooked up to both the camera and the flash ball. Just the slightest step on any of them will set the flash and the camera off at the same time.
Jerry
And then we'll have a picture of the thief.
Jack Hastings
We hope so.
Jerry
Well, won't we?
Jack Hastings
I guess we will. If the thief comes around here tonight
Liberty Mutual Sidekick
and he doesn't run off with the camera.
Jack Hastings
That's right.
Jerry
I sure hope this works out okay. Thanks a lot, Jack.
Jack Hastings
That's all right, Jerry. Well, goodbye, Clara. Let's hope we have good luck tonight.
Liberty Mutual Sidekick
Goodbye, Jack.
Jerry
So long. See you later.
Liberty Mutual Sidekick
Jack's pretty nice to help you like this, Jerry.
Jerry
He sure is. Well, I gotta get back over to the horse tent now and help Whitey some more. Come on, Rags. Rags. Now, where are you, Rags?
Liberty Mutual Sidekick
Here, Jerry. Here he is on this pile of scraps of cloth.
Jerry
And sound asleep too. Rags. Come on, sleepyhead. We've gotta go. Goodbye, Clara.
Liberty Mutual Sidekick
Goodbye, Jerry.
Jerry
We'll let you know who the thief is tomorrow.
Liberty Mutual Spokesperson
And, Doug, there's nowhere I wouldn't go to help someone customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual. Even if it means sitting front row at a comedy show.
Liberty Mutual Sidekick
Hey, everyone. Check out this guy and his bird. What is this, your first date?
Liberty Mutual Spokesperson
Oh, no. We help people customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual. Together, we're married. Me to a human, him to a bird.
Liberty Mutual Sidekick
Yeah, the bird looks out of your league.
Liberty Mutual Spokesperson
Anyways, get a quote@libertymutual.com or with your local agent.
Liberty Mutual Sidekick
Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. Liberty.
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Date: May 15, 2026
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode: Jerry of the Circus – "Camera Plan"
This episode of "Jerry of the Circus" captures the magic, camaraderie, and daily challenges of circus life during the Golden Age of Radio. "Camera Plan" centers around Jerry and his ingenious strategy to solve a recent string of thefts plaguing Clara, one of the circus workers. The story weaves through a rainy circus night, the solidarity of the troupe, and the inventive efforts deployed to safeguard their community.
The Detective Work Begins (09:39 - 13:21):
Closing Out the Setup:
On Mr. Randall’s care for guests:
"He does everything he can to make his customers comfortable." – Bob (04:48)
On circus teamwork:
"He's a real trooper. There you are, Rags." – Bob, about his canine partner (05:00)
On detective ingenuity:
"I'm pretty sure we can catch the thief that's been stealing your things." – Jerry (07:01)
"Well, land sakes, that is clever." – Clara, reacting to Jerry’s camera trap proposal (07:31)
On circus feuds:
"I'll take no more kidding about it from you or anybody else! Now, Major, there's my coat. Are you going to have it ready for me before the show or aren't you?" – Major Mike (09:07)
The episode is earnest, good-natured, and full of period charm, reflecting the close-knit world of circus performers. The dialogue is friendly, with gentle humor and a touch of amateur sleuthing. The overall feel is one of optimism and community, even in the face of minor challenges like rain, theft, or interpersonal squabbles.
"Camera Plan" is a wonderful example of the wholesome storytelling of vintage radio. It offers listeners a window into the inventive spirit of circus life—always a show to put on, always a problem to solve, and always a family to rely on. The resolve to catch the thief blends intrigue with camaraderie, leaving listeners eager for the next episode’s reveal.