Jerry of the Circus - Hippo with a Toothache

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Jerry of the Circus – Hippo with a Toothache"

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode Air Date: May 16, 2026
Main Characters: Jerry Dugan, Andy (menagerie keeper), Mr. Grayson, Mr. Randall, Slim, Rags (Jerry's dog), Mr. Bradley, Johnny Bradley

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Episode Overview

This episode of "Jerry of the Circus," originally aired during the golden age of radio, delivers a charming blend of animal adventure, circus life, and ongoing family drama. Jerry Dugan, the youthful protagonist, explores the inner workings of the circus menagerie and learns about the care and feeding of the resident hippopotamus and her baby. The story deepens with a developing subplot involving Jerry’s family’s legacy and a key to a mysterious safety deposit box, while hints of hidden familial connections between circus folk add elements of intrigue and emotion.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Menagerie Morning: Hippo Drama and Animal Care (02:08–06:34)

• The Episode Opens in the circus menagerie with Jerry searching for his dog, Rags, who is fascinated by the animals.
• Jerry observes the mother hippo submerging her baby, Tubby, and expresses concern—
  • Memorable Moment: Jerry fears the baby is drowning.
  • Andy reassures him:

    "She’s teaching him to stay underwater." (03:06, Andy)

• Andy explains hippo and camel nostrils, adapting for their environments:

  "A hippo's nostrils are slit, something like a camel's. They learn how to close them so no water can get in." (03:33, Andy) "A camel can close his nostrils and keep the desert dust out." (03:40, Andy)

• The circus weathered a “big blow” the night before, but the show continued seamlessly.

  "They got things all in order before the audience got out…show went on just as smooth as ever." (04:23, Jerry & Andy)

• Zebras are playfully called “convicts” by the circus folk due to their stripes.

  "Convicts? ... Oh, on account of their stripes." (04:44–04:51, Andy & Jerry)

2. Hippo Tooth Care – The Episode’s Title Event (05:00–06:34)

• Andy brushes the hippo’s teeth with Jerry’s help.

  "Come on, Jerry. We'll do their grinders." (04:54, Andy) "Must be pretty awful to have a toothache and teeth that size." (05:44, Jerry) "That's why we have to be so careful." (05:50, Andy)

• Jerry learns about the risks of hay causing gum soreness and notes animal differences in coloring.
• As a reward for her patience, Andy feeds the hippos bran mash.

3. Letters, Family, and Legal Matters (06:35–10:49)

• Mr. Grayson, a lawyer and family friend, arrives.
  • He brings news that Jerry’s Uncle Dan has authorized finding out about a safety deposit box connected to Jerry’s late father.

  "He sent back his notarized signature…told me to go ahead and find out about that box in the bank." (07:25, Mr. Grayson)

• Jerry promises to write to his uncle more often, reflecting on the challenge of keeping up correspondence while traveling.

  "Seems as if I'm always busy, and we keep moving almost every night." (07:38, Jerry)

• Mr. Grayson stresses the importance of writing to sick loved ones:

  "When you've got an uncle like that and he's sick, I think maybe you ought to make a special effort, don't you?" (07:44, Mr. Grayson)

4. Slice-of-Life: Circus as Family (08:11–09:18)

• Morning routines at the circus are contrasted with showtime excitement—letters are written, washing and mending done.

  "Folks write their letters and do their washing and mending and shopping mornings…like a great big family, isn't it?" (08:18–08:23, Mr. Grayson & Jerry)

• Jerry’s dog, Rags, chases a duck named Lulu, leading to playful banter and an effort to return the duck to its owner.

  "He's a brat... You know, he chases that poor duck every chance he gets. You ought to be ashamed of yourself." (08:35–08:44, Jerry)

5. Circus Community Connections & New Tensions (09:49–11:48)

• Jerry introduces Mr. Grayson to Mr. Randall, the circus owner, and mentions the legal issues about the safety deposit box.

  "When a man dies in this state, the box is automatically turned over to the court." (10:30, Mr. Grayson) "There isn't any Will and I'm underage... quite a bit of red tape." (10:36, Jerry & Mr. Grayson)

• Mr. Randall is slightly unsettled when hearing Mr. Grayson is a lawyer, a hint of hidden tensions.

  "[Awkwardly] Grayson? Did you say a lawyer?" (09:58, Mr. Randall)

• Mr. Grayson is invited to stay for lunch, further establishing friendship and trust.

  "I'm glad to have you." (11:21, Mr. Randall)

6. Hidden Identities & Emotional Twist (12:04–13:08)

• Mr. Randall privately informs Johnny Bradley (the circus clown) that his son is unexpectedly present on the lot.

  "Johnny, I'm in a hurry…but I have to tell you something quickly… I've just met your son." (12:29–12:49, Mr. Randall)

• Bradley is clearly affected and distressed, fearing a reunion.

  "Oh, I can hardly believe it... He mustn't see me!" (13:01–13:08, Johnny Bradley)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "You mean she won't drown Tubby? … She's teaching him to stay underwater."
  — Andy (03:06, humorous misunderstanding turned learning moment)
• "Convicts? Sure. Haven't you heard zebras called that before?... on account of their stripes."
  — Andy (04:41, inside circus lingo)
• "Must be pretty awful to have a toothache and teeth that size."
  — Jerry (05:44, childlike wonder)
• "Kind of fun being with a circus, isn’t it?"
  — Mr. Grayson (08:07, capturing the circus’s unique world)
• "Seems as if I'm always busy, and we keep moving almost every night."
  — Jerry (07:38, relating the transient life of the circus)
• "He mustn't see me. He. He mustn't see me."
  — Johnny Bradley (13:08, powerful moment of hidden identity and emotion)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 02:08–03:40: Hippo scare & animal education
• 04:00–06:34: Brushing the hippo’s teeth
• 06:35–08:11: Letters from Uncle, legal subplots
• 08:11–09:18: Circus family routines & morning life
• 09:49–11:48: Randall's encounter with the lawyer; legal details on deposit box
• 12:04–13:08: Randall and Johnny Bradley’s secret—hidden son twist

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Tone and Atmosphere

• The episode features warm camaraderie, gentle humor, and a sense of wonder at circus life, with subtle emotional undercurrents.
• There’s an ever-present feeling of belonging and loyalty among the circus community, contrasted with hints of past secrets and the difficulties of a transient lifestyle.

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This episode effortlessly interweaves the daily wonders and challenges of circus life with tender moments of human connection, personal responsibility, and suspenseful family secrets—making for an engaging listen that’s equal parts education, entertainment, and emotion.

Transcript

[Liberty Mutual Agent]

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[Liberty Mutual Announcer]

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[Jerry Dugan]

Oh, no.

[Liberty Mutual Agent]

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[Liberty Mutual Announcer]

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[Liberty Mutual Agent]

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[Liberty Mutual Announcer]

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[Jerry Dugan]

Liberty.

[Liberty Mutual Announcer]

Liberty. Liberty.

[Mr. Randall]

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

[Jerry Dugan]

Rags. Hey, Rags. Where are you? Rags. Come here, you. Rags. My golly, he's in the menagerie then. Coming, Rags. Hi there, Slim. How's Jeff this morning?

Oh, he's okay. He got a bad kick from that zebra last night. But you can't kill off a good menagerie man.

That's good, huh? I'm glad he's all right. Hey, have you seen Rags? Oh, there he is. Rags, what's the matter? I suppose you want to see how everything is in the menagerie stand after the blow last night, huh? What? Oh, I see. You think the hippopotamus is gone, huh? But she's just taking a swim, that's all. Here, I'll lift you up so you can see. Listen, Rope. I'd like to get around this way. Jumping Jupiter. Hey, Andy. Andy. Juni, go drown the baby hippo. Look. She's holding him underwater. Gee whiz, Andy.

[Andy]

Hello. What's wrong?

[Jerry Dugan]

Hey, Andy, quick. The hippo's holding her baby down under the water in the tank.

[Andy]

Sure, she often does.

[Jerry Dugan]

You mean she won't drown Tubby?

[Andy]

That punk? I should say not. She's teaching him to stay underwater.

[Jerry Dugan]

I sure thought she was trying to drown Tubby. All right, so you got me all excited for nothing. All right. You're a false alarm, that's what you are.

[Andy]

You kids, both of you. There, Look. See? She's letting Tubby up. Quite a lesson for all of you, eh?

[Jerry Dugan]

I'll say. So why do the mother hippos duck their babies?

[Andy]

Well, you see, a hippo's nostrils are slit, something like a camel's. They learn how to close them so no water can get in. Oh, a camel can close his nostrils and keep the desert dust out. Otherwise, he'd often strangle to death in a dust storm.

[Jerry Dugan]

Gee. Well, how long can a hippo stay?

[Andy]

Under six or seven minutes.

[Jerry Dugan]

Really?

[Mr. Grayson]

Yeah.

[Andy]

She just fills her lungs full of air and closes up her nose. Then she drops Right down to the bottom of her tank and stays there.

[Jerry Dugan]

Golly, that's funny.

[Andy]

I'm gonna brush her teeth now. Wanna stick around?

[Jerry Dugan]

Sure thing. Golly, watch her climb out of that tank. They're sure awkward, aren't they?

[Mr. Randall]

Yeah.

[Andy]

Slim, bring the brushes and a pail of water. We'll scrub her grinder.

[Jerry Dugan]

All right. Be right with you.

She didn't get excited last night during the windstorm, did she?

[Andy]

This old lady? I should say not. Didn't even seem to know anything was going on. It was sure excitin' your first big blow.

[Jerry Dugan]

Yep.

[Andy]

Well, you sure hit a dandy.

[Jerry Dugan]

I'll say. But the way they got things all in order before the audience got out was marvelous.

[Andy]

Yeah, I don't believe they even knew we had a bad win. Show went on just as smooth as ever. And everything all under control when they left.

[Jerry Dugan]

But the animals. Golly, I never saw zebras in a panic before.

[Andy]

Yeah, those convicts are pesky little animals.

[Jerry Dugan]

Convicts?

[Andy]

Sure. Haven't you heard zebras called that before?

[Jerry Dugan]

Well, no, it. At least I didn't know they were referring to zebras.

[Andy]

Sure, we often call them that around the circus.

[Jerry Dugan]

On account of their stripes, huh?

[Andy]

You guessed it, Jerry.

[Jerry Dugan]

Gee, that's funny. Convicts.

[Andy]

Here's your water and fresh, boss. Thanks, Slim. Come on, Jerry. We'll do their grinders.

[Jerry Dugan]

See, this is fun. Well, don't they mind?

[Andy]

No, I guess they kind of like it. Probably tickles them a little. Anyhow, I never have no trouble. Come on, we'll go right in.

[Jerry Dugan]

You stay outside, Rags.

[Andy]

Don't you worry. Hippos are vegetarian.

[Jerry Dugan]

Yeah, but if she just rolled over by mistake, she'd hurt Rags.

[Andy]

I guess you're right there. All right. Come on in. Close the door.

[Mr. Randall]

Open up.

[Andy]

Open up there, old lady.

[Jerry Dugan]

Golly, what amount? Like a big cave, isn't it?

[Andy]

Yeah, and look at those grinders. See those four tusks in front?

[Jerry Dugan]

Yeah, almost like an elephant.

[Andy]

They gotta be scraped every now and then. But it's the grinders that take the most care.

[Jerry Dugan]

Why?

[Andy]

You see, bits of hay get around the gums, make them sore.

[Jerry Dugan]

Gemini got six of them on each side. Must be pretty awful to have a toothache and teeth that size.

[Andy]

You bet. That's why we have to be so careful.

[Jerry Dugan]

Wonder how hippos get along when they haven't got a nurse to take care of them.

[Andy]

Nurse to a hippo, that's something. Now we'll get this side and she'll be through.

[Jerry Dugan]

Say, Tubby's a lot darker than his mother is. That just because he's a baby?

No.

[Andy]

The blondes are real scarce. And they don't necessarily have white babies, neither.

[Jerry Dugan]

Well, you got all their teeth brushed. What you gonna do next?

[Mr. Grayson]

Feed them?

[Andy]

Gotta pay them back for being so patient.

[Jerry Dugan]

What's that?

[Andy]

Bran mash. They like it, but we don't give it to em every day.

[Jerry Dugan]

Gee, you roll it into a ball, huh? Say, I'll. Let me throw them in their mouths.

[Mr. Randall]

Sure.

[Jerry Dugan]

There you are.

Where you going, buddy?

Golly, they chew slowly.

Who you looking for?

[Mr. Randall]

Jerry. Jerry Dugan.

[Jerry Dugan]

She's someone for me. Hey, I'm here. Just a minute. Guess I'd better go. Thanks for letting me help, Andy.

[Andy]

Okay, Jerry. Glad to have you. Anytime. Shut the door to the cage. After you.

[Jerry Dugan]

Bye, Andy.

[Andy]

And.

[Jerry Dugan]

And thanks. Come on, Rags. Guess we got company.

[Mr. Grayson]

Hello, Jerry. They weren't going to let me in.

[Jerry Dugan]

Well, hello, Mr. Grayson. Gee whiz, but I'm glad to see you.

[Mr. Grayson]

You ought to be. I've good news from your uncle.

[Jerry Dugan]

So soon?

[Mr. Grayson]

Gee, shall we go out in the sunshine?

[Jerry Dugan]

Yeah, let's. Come on, Rags.

[Mr. Grayson]

Is this your dog?

[Jerry Dugan]

He sure is. Rags, meet Mr. Grayson, a friend of mine.

[Mr. Grayson]

Well, I'm glad to meet you, Rags.

[Jerry Dugan]

Shake.

[Mr. Grayson]

He's a polite little beggar.

[Jerry Dugan]

He better be.

[Mr. Grayson]

Didn't I see him in the ring yesterday?

[Jerry Dugan]

Sure. He does some turns with bonds.

[Mr. Grayson]

I should say he does. And he's good, too.

[Jerry Dugan]

Well, what did Uncle Dan have to say?

[Mr. Grayson]

He sent back his notarized signature and told me to go ahead and find out about that box in the bank. He told me to tell you he'd stand good for the bill as soon as he begins making money again.

[Jerry Dugan]

Isn't he swell?

[Mr. Grayson]

Pretty nice. I think he said he was getting along fine and for you to be sure and write.

[Jerry Dugan]

Aw, gee, I'm awful. I want to write, but seems as if I'm always busy. And we keep moving almost every night.

[Mr. Grayson]

I know it's hard for boys to write letters, but when you've got an uncle like that and he's sick, I think maybe you ought to make a special effort, don't you?

[Jerry Dugan]

I sure do. I'll write him this afternoon.

[Mr. Grayson]

That's fine. I thought you would. Now I've got to have your signature on this same paper with a witness, and then everything will be all fixed up.

[Jerry Dugan]

We. We might as well go to the wagon. Guess Bumps will be there.

[Mr. Randall]

Oh, the clown.

[Mr. Grayson]

Yeah, I'd like to meet him.

[Jerry Dugan]

Oh, he's grand.

[Mr. Grayson]

Kind of fun being with a circus, isn't it?

[Jerry Dugan]

Well, I'll say so. Want to walk around?

[Mr. Grayson]

Sure, I'm not in a hurry. Say, it's pretty quiet in the morning here compared to the excitement during the show in the afternoon.

[Jerry Dugan]

Oh, sure. Folks write their letters and do their washing and mending and shopping mornings like

[Mr. Grayson]

a great big family, isn't it?

[Jerry Dugan]

Yep. Rags, where are you? Come here. What you doing on the other side of that tent?

[Mr. Grayson]

Looks like Rags. A hunting dog.

[Jerry Dugan]

He's a brat. Rags, come here and leave Lulu alone. You know, he chases that poor duck every chance he gets. You ought to be ashamed of yourself.

[Mr. Grayson]

Oh, you can't blame him for the instinct to chase animals.

[Jerry Dugan]

No, but I can scold him for getting into it and doing it. He's a circus dog, and circus dogs have got a mind. Hey, Mr. Bradley. Mr. Bradley.

Yes, yes. Who's calling?

It's me, Jerry. Your ducks got away again.

What?

[Andy]

Where?

[Jerry Dugan]

Well, here, Lulu. Nice Lulu.

[Mr. Grayson]

Look at that duck go.

[Jerry Dugan]

Yeah, she knows his voice all right.

Here you are, Lulu. Now, how did you get loose this time? Thank you, Jerry.

Why, you're welcome.

[Mr. Grayson]

Say, that's funny.

[Jerry Dugan]

What?

[Mr. Grayson]

That voice. It sounds familiar.

[Mr. Randall]

Who was it?

[Jerry Dugan]

Well, that's the clown that does the duck trick.

[Mr. Grayson]

Oh, yes, I remember. I saw him yesterday. Funny, though. Hmm. I just can't place the voice, though.

[Jerry Dugan]

We'd go around and meet him, but he usually rests mornings. He's kind old and not too glad to meet people. Awful nice, though. Sure, I know he likes to read a lot and just rest. See, this is luck.

[Mr. Grayson]

Here comes Mr. Randall, the owner of the show.

[Jerry Dugan]

Yeah, Mr. Randall.

[Mr. Randall]

Oh, hello there, Jerry.

[Jerry Dugan]

Say, I'd like you to meet a friend of mine.

[Mr. Randall]

I'm glad to meet any friends of Jerry's.

[Jerry Dugan]

This is Mr. Grayson, Mr. Randall. He's a lawyer here in Jackson City.

[Mr. Randall]

Grayson? Did you say a lawyer?

[Mr. Grayson]

Yes. At least I'm. Why, what's the matter?

[Mr. Randall]

Nothing. Never mind. It's of no importance.

[Jerry Dugan]

Mr. Grayson is helping me.

[Mr. Randall]

Helping you? Jerry, what on earth do you need a lawyer for?

[Jerry Dugan]

You see, we found out that one of the keys on Dad's keyring that I always carry is a key to a safety deposit box in a bank.

[Mr. Randall]

Well, you don't say. What bank?

[Jerry Dugan]

Bank? In this town? Patsy and I went downtown yesterday and checked. It's a long story how we found out about it, but.

[Mr. Grayson]

And a friend of mine in the bank suggested the boy consult me.

[Mr. Randall]

But why?

[Mr. Grayson]

It's all rather involved, but when a man dies in this state, the box is automatically turned over to the court.

[Jerry Dugan]

And seeing there isn't any Will and I'm underage.

[Mr. Grayson]

It's quite a bit of red tape. But I'm taking it to the superior court and I think it can be arranged for the boy to get possession of the box.

[Jerry Dugan]

Well, so I was just showing Mr. Grayson around the lot. He's crazy about circuses.

[Mr. Grayson]

I certainly enjoyed your matinee yesterday, Mr. Randall. Ms. Patsy was kind enough to give me a pass.

[Mr. Randall]

Oh, so that's how you happen to What? Oh, nothing, I. I'm just thinking out loud about something that happened yesterday. I'm sorry.

[Jerry Dugan]

See, Mr. Randall, could. Well, Jerry, would it be possible for Mr. Grayson to stay and have lunch with us?

[Mr. Grayson]

Oh, I couldn't impose on Mr. Randall. You shouldn't have asked him, Jerry.

[Mr. Randall]

Would you enjoy it, Mr. Grayson?

[Mr. Grayson]

Of course. But really, Mr. Randall, I had no intention.

[Mr. Randall]

Well, then you stay. I'm glad to have you.

[Mr. Grayson]

That's certainly very kind of you.

[Mr. Randall]

Not at all, not at all. Glad to have you. Well, where are you heading for now?

[Jerry Dugan]

Well, we've just been kind of walking around and looking at things. We gotta find bumps and so.

[Mr. Randall]

Yeah, well, you go right ahead. I'll see you at lunch.

[Mr. Grayson]

By the way, Jerry, you haven't seen

[Mr. Randall]

Johnny Bradley, have you?

[Jerry Dugan]

No, I just talked to him.

[Mr. Randall]

Talked to him?

[Jerry Dugan]

Yeah, Rags chased Lulu and I called him to tell him his duck was loose.

[Mr. Randall]

Oh, good. He's in his wagon then. I've got to see him.

[Jerry Dugan]

See you later then, Mr. Randall.

[Mr. Grayson]

Thank you, Mr. Randall.

[Mr. Randall]

I'll see you all at lunch.

[Jerry Dugan]

So long, Rags.

Come on, Rags. Come on, boy. Come on.

[Mr. Randall]

Come on. Call that a narrow escape? Poor Bradley.

[Jerry Dugan]

Hey, good morning, Mr. Randall.

[Mr. Randall]

Hello, Slim. Is Johnny Bradley still in his wagon?

[Jerry Dugan]

Yep. It looked like he was dozing on his steps there in the sun.

[Mr. Randall]

Good. I've got to see him. Oh, good Morning. Sigh.

[Andy]

Hi, Mr. Randall. Nice day after last night's blow.

[Mr. Randall]

I don't say so. Oh, hello there. Johnny. Johnny. Johnny Bradley, wake up.

[Jerry Dugan]

What? Oh, hello.

[Mr. Randall]

Hello.

[Jerry Dugan]

What's wrong?

[Mr. Randall]

Sorry to wake you, Johnny, but I'm afraid I've got some important news for you.

[Jerry Dugan]

Oh, it's you, Mr. Randall. Looks like I was having a morning's cat nap.

[Mr. Randall]

Johnny, I'm in a hurry, but I have to tell you something quickly. Now, take it easy and don't let it upset you.

[Jerry Dugan]

Something wrong? What is it?

[Mr. Randall]

I. I don't want you to go to the mess tent for lunch.

[Jerry Dugan]

You what?

[Mr. Randall]

I'll have Shorty bring a tray to you in your wagon.

[Jerry Dugan]

I'm afraid I fail to understand, Mr. Randall.

[Mr. Randall]

I. I've just met your son.

[Jerry Dugan]

What?

[Mr. Randall]

Here on this lot? He's.

[Jerry Dugan]

He's where?

[Mr. Randall]

On this lot? I can't go into a long explanation now, but he's having lunch with Jerry Dugan. And knowing that you sit at the same table, I thought I'd better warn you.

[Jerry Dugan]

Oh, I can hardly believe it. My son. I. Mr. Randall, I'm afraid.

[Mr. Randall]

Easy, easy, old man.

[Jerry Dugan]

But my son here on the lot. Oh, he mustn't see me. He. He mustn't see me.

[Liberty Mutual Agent]

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 Announcer]

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

[Jerry Dugan]

Oh, no.

[Liberty Mutual Agent]

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 Announcer]

Yeah, the bird looks out of your league.

[Liberty Mutual Agent]

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

[Liberty Mutual Announcer]

Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. Liberty.

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