Jerry of the Circus - Caught in the Act

Summary

Episode Summary: Jerry of the Circus – Caught in the Act

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

Episode Overview

This episode features an installment of the classic golden age radio show, Jerry of the Circus. The main theme centers around Jerry and Jason's late-night investigation to find evidence that could free their friend Spike from jail. The suspense escalates as their secret search leads them directly into danger—and being caught in the act.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. The Midnight Search Begins

[02:10–03:19]

• Jerry and Jason are on a mission, sneaking around Mr. Platt's dark property in search of missing bonds that could exonerate their friend Spike, who’s been jailed under suspicion.
  • “It’s still bad business, Jerry, to go snooping around late at night… I wouldn’t be surprised at anything [Platt] might do if he caught us.” – Jason [02:16]
• Despite Jason’s reservations, Jerry is determined to help Spike and thinks evidence might be hidden in the barn.
• Jason emphasizes the problem of circumstantial evidence: “Lots of folks own red sweaters. But that doesn’t mean that they were connected with the train robbery.” – Jason [03:03]
• The mood is tense, and their camaraderie is evident as they reassure each other and try to keep quiet.

2. Searching the Barn

[03:19–05:35]

• The duo sneaks into the barn, careful not to alert anyone—or any animals, as a startled cat makes Jerry jump [03:49].
• They systematically search through a trunk, old coats, and paper bags, turning up only mothballs and old receipts.
  • “Guess you were right. There’s nothing in this trunk that looks like bonds.” – Jerry [05:32]
• They brainstorm where else evidence could be, suspecting Platt might have destroyed the bonds—or hidden them elsewhere.

3. The Discovery of the False Bottom

[06:17–07:09], [08:36–10:46]

• Just as they prepare to leave, Jason notices something odd about the trunk’s dimensions.

  • “Get me that stick over there in the workbench. I think I’ve discovered something.” – Jason [06:30]
  • “Jerry, this trunk has a false bottom.” – Jason [06:43]

• Meanwhile, a parallel conversation occurs between Mr. Platt and Tom at the railroad station. Platt, suspicious about missing tools, asks Tom to check the barn [07:10].

  • When Tom notices a moving light in the barn, Platt instructs him to obtain a gun, and both head back, increasing the suspense [07:57–08:09].

• Back in the barn, Jerry and Jason realize the clever carpentry work—two inches of hidden space suggests valuables could be stashed. They try to find the opening, discovering screws hidden in the supporting band of the trunk.

  • “You’ve got a great pair of eyes on you, Jerry. You’ve most likely discovered the opening to the false bottom just by noticing a little detail like this.” – Jason [10:22]

4. Caught Red-Handed

[10:49–13:08]

• Before they can pry open the hiding place, Jerry and Jason are discovered as Mr. Platt and Tom arrive with a gun.
• The confrontation is tense:
  • “Who’s in here, I say?” – Steve Platt [11:23]
  • “Keep your hands up. Now, remember, I got you covered. One funny move, and this gun goes off.” – Steve Platt [11:35]
• Platt, furious, instructs Tom to call the police and accuses the boys of being thieves.
  • “Nice circus friends. The ones you've been telling me are such fine people. Thieves, burglars, that's what they are.” – Steve Platt [11:52]
  • “You’ll learn to break into people’s property and ransack trunks. You’ll have a long time to think about this once you get in jail.” – Steve Platt [12:24]
• Jason attempts to explain, but Platt won’t listen: “I don’t want to hear your story. You can save it and tell it to the police.” [12:07]
• The scene ends with the police on their way and Jerry and Jason trapped.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Taking Risks:
  “I guess you’re right. But then that’s all the more reason we’ve got to find those bonds.” – Jerry [03:11]

• On Justice and Loyalty:
  “If we could only get them with that evidence, it wouldn’t be any time at all until Spike was out of jail.” – Jerry [09:31]

• On Being Discovered:
  “One funny move, and this gun goes off. Good thing for you you haven’t got a gun.” – Steve Platt [11:35]

• Mr. Platt’s Final Judgement:
  “Steve Platt is never sorry for anything he does. And keep your hands up. I won’t stand for any funny business.” – Steve Platt [12:35]

---

Timestamps for Key Moments

• Start of the Adventure: [02:10]
• First Clues and Search: [03:19-05:35]
• Discovery of False Bottom: [06:17, 08:36]
• Someone in the Barn/Platt Heads Home: [07:09–08:17]
• Attempt to Open Trunk, Get Caught: [10:46–13:08]
• Police on Their Way, Jason & Jerry Cornered: [12:44–13:08]

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Tone and Style

The suspenseful, earnest style characteristic of 1930s–40s radio adventure dramas shines in this installment, with Jerry’s plucky optimism and Jason’s careful pragmatism balancing the rising threats from Mr. Platt. The pace remains brisk, with just enough detail to keep listeners engaged, and the episode ends on a cliffhanger, promising more drama ahead.

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This summary captures the spirit, structure, and highlights of "Jerry of the Circus – Caught in the Act," offering enough detail for listeners to follow along or easily catch up if they missed the episode.

Transcript

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[Jason]

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

[Jerry]

Hey, there's the house now. See it, Jason? And there's no lights on. I guess Tom's sound asleep by now.

[Jason]

It's still bad business, Jerry, to go snooping around late at night. This way. From what you tell me of this man Platt, I wouldn't be surprised at anything he might do if he caught us.

[Jerry]

But he's at work down at the railroad station. He won't come home until he gets through. And that's ours from now just the same.

[Jason]

I'd hate to get caught.

[Jerry]

What do you think he'd do if he detaches?

[Jason]

That's hard to say. He might have a gun and in his excitement decide to use it. Oh, no, you can't tell.

[Jerry]

Well, we'll hurry and see what we can find out and then get out.

[Jason]

Just what do you expect to find?

[Jerry]

Well, I don't know, but I feel pretty sure those bonds are around someplace.

[Jason]

Well, if they're in the barn, we're pretty likely to find them. All right. But it isn't likely that this fellow plant would leave anything as valuable as those bonds out in the barn.

[Jerry]

Well, the sweater was out in the barn.

[Jason]

That's different, Jerry. I'm afraid that sweater wouldn't carry much weight in court.

[Jerry]

But that's Spike sweater, the one that disappeared.

[Jason]

That's what you think. You've got me convinced too, but. Well, there's no proof. Lots of folks own red sweaters. But that doesn't mean that they were connected with the train robbery.

[Jerry]

I guess you're right. But then that's all the more reason we've got to find those bonds.

[Jason]

Yeah, we could find the bonds. Then we could use a sweater to strengthen the case.

[Jerry]

And that would be enough proof to set Spike free, wouldn't it?

[Jason]

I should think so. Of course, there'd have to be a new trial.

[Jerry]

I sure hope we find him so we can get Spike out of jail.

[Jason]

Yeah. You're pretty much set on clearing up this case, Jerry. I believe you would have Come out here alone tonight?

[Jerry]

Sure would.

[Jason]

Well, I think it's better that I came along though.

[Jerry]

Well, let's talk softer now. We're getting pretty near.

[Jason]

All right.

[Jerry]

Well, we'll go around the back there and walk up the driveway.

[Jason]

Got your flashlight?

[Jerry]

Uh huh.

[Jason]

Well, now, don't turn it on until we're on the inside of the barn.

[Jerry]

Well, I won't.

[Jason]

Quiet now.

[Mr. Platt]

Gary,

[Jerry]

That cat scared me.

[Jason]

I guess you scared him too. Look at him run.

[Jerry]

It's a good thing Rags isn't with us. Wake up everybody in town if he started chasing that cat.

[Jason]

Here we are now. I hope this door isn't locked.

[Jerry]

It isn't. I took special notice of it. It hasn't even got a lock on it.

[Jason]

Yeah, so I see.

[Steve Platt]

Well, come on now.

[Jason]

Now wait with that light. Wait. Wait till I get this door closed.

[Jerry]

Should I light it now?

[Jason]

Yeah. All right.

[Jerry]

There's Nellie, over in her stall.

[Jason]

Yeah, I see. Put the light over here, Jerry.

[Jerry]

I guess that's Mr. Platt's workbench.

[Jason]

Looks like he's a carpenter. Among other things. He's got a nice bunch of tools there.

[Jerry]

Well, here's the trunk, the one the sweater was in.

[Jason]

I sure don't like this, Jerry.

[Jerry]

What?

[Jason]

Just looking through people's things. We'd have a hard time trying to explain to the police if we were caught.

[Jerry]

Well, let's hurry then. Here, you hold a light. I'll open the trunk.

[Jason]

Okay.

[Jerry]

All this stuff is just old clothes. I'll just take them out and set them down on the ground here.

[Jason]

Wait, Jerry.

[Jerry]

What is it?

[Jason]

You see that bag down there in the corner? No, no, over there by the overalls. That paper bag.

[Jerry]

Oh, here. Just a bag of mothballs.

[Jason]

Oh, and I'll go through some of these pockets in these old coats.

[Jerry]

I sure hope we have some luck.

[Jason]

I don't want to disappoint you, but I don't think we will. It's foolish to think a man would leave damaging evidence like those bonds around here where they could be found. He'd be more apt to hide them in the house somewhere or maybe down at the station. Wait, what's this?

[Jerry]

Did you find something?

[Jason]

There's a piece of paper in the inside pocket. Yeah, here it is.

[Jerry]

What is it, Jason?

[Jason]

It's a false alarm. Nothing but an old bill from for some automobile tires.

[Jerry]

Guess you were right. There's nothing in this trunk that looks like bonds.

[Jason]

I just have this one more coat to go through.

[Jerry]

Wonder where else we could look.

[Jason]

No, there's nothing there. Well, that's that Jerry?

[Jerry]

Well, how about that big box over there in the corner?

[Jason]

Well, we can have a look. It's just covered with an old piece of rug.

[Jerry]

Just some old books and magazines. Look, it pornograph records.

[Jason]

This Plat fellow believes in saving things.

[Jerry]

Maybe the bonds are in one of the books.

[Jason]

There's one chance in a million, but. Well, let's look here. I'll put this flashlight here on the shelf so we'll have light to work with.

[Jerry]

Nothing in this one.

[Jason]

Nor this one either.

[Jerry]

Nothing here.

[Jason]

That looks hopeless, Jerry.

[Jerry]

I guess I'll just have to think of another way to find those bonds.

[Jason]

It might be that Platt destroyed them all.

[Jerry]

Maybe. Well, there's nothing here.

[Jason]

Let's put those clothes back in the trunk and get out of here while the getting's good.

[Jerry]

Okay, but I'm sure disappointed, Jerry. Yeah?

[Jason]

Wait a minute. Look at that trunk.

[Jerry]

Well, what about it?

[Jason]

Get me that stick over there in the workbench. I think I've discovered something.

[Jerry]

Here you are, Jason. What are you gonna do with it?

[Jason]

Now, let's measure this. Let's see. Up to here on the inside.

[Jerry]

What are you talking about, Jason?

[Jason]

Up here on the outside. Yep, that's just what I thought. Jerry, this trunk has a false bot.

[Tom]

Hello?

[Mr. Platt]

Tom.

[Steve Platt]

Tom.

[Tom]

Yeah?

[Steve Platt]

Wake up.

[Mr. Platt]

This is Mr. Platt.

[Tom]

Yes, Mr. Platt?

[Mr. Platt]

Are you awake?

[Tom]

Yes, sir.

[Mr. Platt]

Now, listen, I want you to cross into the barn and see if my box of tools are out there. I thought I had them down here at the station, but maybe they're out in the barn. I've got some repair work to do out in the baggage room, and I need them. If they're in the barn, I want you to come down here with them.

[Steve Platt]

I'll hold the phone while you go look.

[Tom]

Yes, Mr. Platt. I'll run out to the barn and find out.

[Mr. Platt]

And be quick about it.

[Tom]

Yes, sir. Mr. Platt. Mr. Platt.

[Mr. Platt]

How hot.

[Tom]

There's a light in the barn, Mr. Platt. It's moving around.

[Steve Platt]

Platt.

[Tom]

Yes, sir. There's someone in the barn. I saw the light just as I started out the door.

[Mr. Platt]

Sure you're not dreaming?

[Tom]

Oh, no, sir. I'm sure there's someone out there.

[Mr. Platt]

Then listen. Get this straight now.

[Tom]

Yes.

[Mr. Platt]

In the second drawer of my bureau in the back, under some hack chiefs, is my gun, an automatic pistol. Get it out and be waiting for me out in front of the house.

[Tom]

Yes, sir.

[Mr. Platt]

I'm leaving right away and I'll be there in a few minutes.

[Tom]

Yes, sir.

[Mr. Platt]

And keep your eye on the barn. If they should go before I get there, Find out who they are. Try to get a good look at who it is.

[Tom]

All right, Mr. Platt, I will.

[Mr. Platt]

I'll be there in less than five minutes.

[Jerry]

Are you sure it's a false bottom, Jason?

[Jason]

I've never been more sure of anything in my life, Jerry.

[Jerry]

Well, I don't see how you figured it out.

[Jason]

Well, now, Look, Jerry. There's 2 inches difference between the outside and the inside measurements of this trunk. If you look at it closely, you can see that the bottom should go down deeper on the inside.

[Jerry]

Oh. Oh, I see what you mean.

[Jason]

I'll bet anything Platt fixed that trunk up himself. A good carpenter could do a job like this.

[Jerry]

Well, how do you find out where to open the false bottom?

[Jason]

I suppose there's some sort of a hidden panel someplace. It may be hard to find, but I'm not going to give up very easily.

[Jerry]

You think maybe the bonds are in it?

[Jason]

It wouldn't surprise me any. When a person goes to the trouble to make a thing like this, he must have a use for it.

[Jerry]

Oh, I don't see how you ever noticed it.

[Jason]

I guess it was just luck. Jerry, wait.

[Jerry]

Did you find something?

[Jason]

No, no, I thought I did for a second. I don't think this opened from the inside. There must be some way to open it from the outside here.

[Jerry]

You know, Jason, I've just got a feeling those missing bonds are in that false bottom.

[Jason]

Wouldn't surprise me a bit.

[Jerry]

If we could only get them with that evidence. It wouldn't be any time at all until Spike was out of jail.

[Jason]

I sure hope Spike appreciates what we're doing.

[Jerry]

Don't worry. We're safe enough. Nobody knows we're out here.

[Jason]

This thing is sure a puzzle, Jerry. I can't for the life of me see how it opens Here, give me a hand. Let's lay this trunk down on its side. Maybe this brick bottom opens from the underneath. There. There we are. No, it's too smooth under here to have any opening. Well, whoever figured this out did a good job.

[Jerry]

Hey, look at. Jason.

[Jason]

Look at what?

[Jerry]

Well, see this man here?

[Jason]

That's to reinforce the trunk. Jerry, that band goes all the way around. See?

[Jerry]

I know it. But look. There's nails or little tacks. Light that. Fasten it all the way around. And right here on this side, there's two wood screws.

[Jason]

You're right. Good boy. Jerry, get me a screwdriver over there in the workbench.

[Jerry]

Well, I'll see if there is one.

[Jason]

You've got a great pair of eyes on you, Jerry. You've most likely discovered the opening to the false bottom just by noticing a little detail like this.

[Jerry]

Well, Jason, here's a screwdriver. Do you think it's big enough?

[Jason]

Just a ticket, Jerry. Now, hold this light while I go see about getting this band loose so we can have a look at what's under it.

[Jerry]

I got it.

[Jason]

Hold the light a little closer, Jerry. There, that's better.

[Jerry]

Are you getting it loose?

[Jason]

Yep. Only be a minute now.

[Jerry]

Hey, listen, Jason, it's a car.

[Jason]

And it's close. Jerry, put out that light, quick.

[Jerry]

Wait, I'll look through the crack in the door.

[Jason]

Hurry, Jerry.

[Jerry]

Hey, it's Mr. Platt. And. And Tom's with him. They're coming up the driveway.

[Jason]

There. Now get that screw back in tight. At least they won't know we've been onto the false bottom.

[Jerry]

Well, what do we do? What do we do, Jason?

[Jason]

There's nothing we can do, Jerry. We're trapped. That door is the only way out. Now, just let me do the talking. Maybe I can talk our way out of this little scrape.

[Jerry]

Well, he might shoot us.

[Jason]

We're taking a chance on that.

[Steve Platt]

Who's in here? Who's in here, I say?

[Jason]

Hello, Mr. Platt.

[Steve Platt]

I don't know that voice. Throw your gun over here by the door.

[Jason]

I have no gun.

[Steve Platt]

And walk over here. But keep your hands over your head. I'll find out if you're armed or not.

[Jason]

Okay? Yes, sir.

[Steve Platt]

Keep your hands up. Now, remember, I got you covered. One funny move, and this gun goes off. Good thing for you you haven't got a gun. Play that lantern, Tom.

[Tom]

Yes, sir. So, Jerry.

[Steve Platt]

Yeah? Nice circus friends. The ones you've been telling me are such fine people. Thieves, burglars, that's what they are.

[Jason]

Now, we can explain everything, Mr. Platt.

[Steve Platt]

I don't think there's any use of that. I can see by the way those clothes are thrown around that you've been going through that trunk.

[Jason]

Well, I can explain that, too.

[Steve Platt]

Never mind. I don't want to hear your story. You can save it and tell it to the police. The.

[Jerry]

The police?

[Jason]

Quiet, Jerry.

[Steve Platt]

Hear that lantern? Dom, you go in the house and telephone the police. Tell them to hurry right out here. Tell them I'm holding a couple of thieves in the barn. Run now, hurry.

[Tom]

Yes, sir.

[Steve Platt]

You'll learn to break into people's property and ransack trunks. You'll have a long time to think about this once you get in jail.

[Jason]

Maybe you're being a little bit hasty, Mr. Platt.

[Steve Platt]

No, I don't think so.

[Jason]

You might be sorry for this.

[Steve Platt]

Steve Platt is never sorry for anything he does. And keep your hands up. I won't stand for any funny business.

[Jerry]

We just came out here to.

[Jason]

Never mind, Jerry. Mr. Platt doesn't want to hear our story.

[Steve Platt]

That's what it would be. All right, a story. No, I don't care to hear it. And I don't think the police will take much stock in it either when they get a look at that trunk laying there open. I got you dead to rights. And you'll do a nice long stretch, too, if you can count on that.

[Jerry]

What'll we do, Jason?

[Jason]

We won't do anything right now, Jerry. But when we get down to the

[Steve Platt]

police station, I'll quit your talking and stand still. I might get nervous and pull this trigger.

[Tom]

I got the police, Mr. Platt. They'll be right out. They're coming right out now.

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[Jerry]

Hey, everyone. Check out this guy and his bird. What is this, your first date?

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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.

[Steve Platt]

Yeah, the bird looks out of your league.

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

[Jason]

Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. Liberty.