Jerry of the Circus - Jerry and El Mundo

Summary

---

Jerry of the Circus - Jerry and El Mundo

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Airdate: May 22, 2026
Theme:
A dramatic day under the big top as Jerry investigates mysterious threats to performer Carmen, uncovers circus intrigue, and pursues his dream of working with the elephant El Mundo.

---

Main Theme & Purpose

This classic radio episode of Jerry of the Circus revolves around a string of threatening notes received by Miss Carmen, a circus performer, and Jerry's detective efforts to protect her. Along the way, Jerry and others catch up on personal ambitions, jealousies, and hopes concerning the star elephant, El Mundo. The lively interplay of circus personalities brings heart and humor to the era’s familiar blend of mystery and family drama.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Carmen's Unusual Bond With El Mundo the Elephant

• Miss Carmen is found atop El Mundo, affectionately interacting with the elephant, highlighting their unique bond.
• Major: “Why, Major, something may happen to you. Now look how that beast throws his trunk about. Listen to him. He sounds as if he were getting mad.” (02:31)
• Carmen assures Major of El Mundo's gentle nature and mentions wishing to teach him English. The warmth between Carmen and El Mundo sets up both the charm and the tension to follow.

2. The Threatening Notes Mystery

• Jerry urgently seeks Carmen, believing he “may have a clue” about the threatening notes she’s received.
• Jerry reveals that the notes threaten Carmen’s life and safety—at one point, acid was to be put on their wire act (03:25-03:36).
• The notes are written on distinctive rice paper, and a clue is found via Jerry’s dog Rags, who brings a piece of candy wrapped in the same kind of paper as the notes. The scent trail leads to the bearded lady’s wagon.

Jerry: “That piece of paper was the same kind of paper that the notes to Carmen had been written on.” (05:22)
Major: “Was there something strange about it?” (05:29)

3. Suspicion Falls on the Bearded Lady

• The Major reluctantly promises to help investigate, planning to search the bearded lady’s wagon for more of the same rice paper.
• There’s suspicion due to her well-known consumption of candy and her history of trouble with the Major (notably, she once took his watch).

4. Jerry’s Dream to Work in the Ring

• Interwoven with the mystery, Jerry expresses his hopes of joining the performance by working with El Mundo.
• Olson, the elephant’s new handler, voices concerns about commands (spoken in Spanish), leading to a light-hearted exchange about learning the language.

Jerry: “If Mr. Randall let me—he’s the boss boy—I’m in for his wagon, see? If he’d only let me, well, I’d be in the show regular then.” (08:50-08:58)

5. The “Who Did It” Climax

• The Major confronts the bearded lady, who admits to giving Rags candy and wrapping it in special paper from abroad, but claims no ill intent.

Major: “She began bragging about it. She got it when she was abroad someplace. Some foreign country. It’s very special paper. And this piece got mussed up, so she just put the candy in it.” (10:15-10:33)

• The Major, slightly obsessed with his own romantic frustrations, speculates that jealousy might be a motive, even suggesting the bouquet of vegetables sent to Carmen was meant to ridicule her.

6. Jerry’s Stand and a Surprising Opportunity

• Jerry asks Mr. Randall, the circus boss, for a chance to work with El Mundo like Carmen did in her youth.
• At first, Randall gently resists (“I think it’s better to have a pretty girl work with the elephants”), but then offers Jerry a chance to try, much to Jerry’s delight.

Mr. Randall: “But in this case, I’ve got a good mind to give you a try.”
Jerry: “Oh, Mr. Randall, really and truly! Oh, I’ll be a real circus performer!” (12:38-12:51)

---

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• (02:27) Miss Carmen: “He’s so gentle, Mundo. And I am so glad to see him.”
• (03:33) Jerry: “Carmen has been getting threatening notes. Not signs. Someone is threatening to kill her.”
• (08:08) Olson: “And I never could learn any language, even English.”
• (10:33) Major: “She got it when she was abroad... It’s very special paper. And this piece got mussed up, so she just put the candy in it.”
• (12:38) Jerry: “Oh, Mr. Randall, really and truly. Oh, I’ll be a real circus performer!”

---

Key Timestamps

• [02:11] Major finds Miss Carmen with El Mundo.
• [03:25] Jerry reveals the threats to Carmen.
• [05:22] Jerry ties rice paper clue to the bearded lady.
• [06:37] Major plans to investigate the bearded lady’s wagon.
• [08:00] Olson and Jerry joke about learning Spanish commands for the elephant.
• [10:00] Major confronts the bearded lady, clearing up the candy and note mystery (for now).
• [12:13] Jerry pleads with Mr. Randall for a chance to perform.
• [12:38] Mr. Randall gives Jerry a hopeful nod to join the circus act.

---

Tone and Spirit

The episode is marked by wholesome camaraderie, gentle humor, and classic suspense as the circus crew support one another in the face of intrigue. Special attention is paid to the innocence of youth (via Jerry’s ambitions), the quirks of circus life, and the steadfast bonds between humans and animals ("He’s so gentle, Mundo...").

---

Final Thoughts

Jerry and El Mundo masterfully blends mystery with warm insight into circus community and dreams. It’s a snapshot of Golden Age radio storytelling: affectionate, clever, and filled with relatable hopes for belonging and adventure.

---

Transcript

[Bretzky]

What's up baby? It's Bretzky. And I'm here to tell you that spinquest.com is giving out free sweeps coins. All you gotta do is purchase a ten dollar coin pack. And guess what? They're gonna give you the coins from a thirty dollar coin pack that lets you play all your favorite games like Blackjack, Wanted, Dead or Wild. And we're talking real cash prizes, baby. Spinquest.com Spin Quest is a free to

[SpinQuest Announcer]

play social casino void where prohibited. Visit spinquest.com for more details.

[Jerry]

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

[Major]

Miss Carmen. Miss Carmen, what on earth are you doing?

[Miss Carmen]

Hello there, Major. Do you like my friend yet?

[Major]

Well, I hardly know what to say. How did you get way up on his head? Where's Olson?

[Miss Carmen]

He had to work.

[Major]

You mean to say you play alone with this great big elephant? Of course.

[Miss Carmen]

He's so gentle, Mundo. And I am so glad to see him.

[Major]

Well, come down. Come down on the ground. Why, Major, something may happen to you. Now look how that beast throws his trunk about. Listen to him. He sounds as if he were getting mad.

[Miss Carmen]

Oh, no, no, no. He is good friends. Un momento, El Mundo. Ah, you see how he put up his trunk so that I may step down there. Oh, and now I go. But I shall come back. Poor thing, he does not understand. But I shall teach him English.

[Major]

Miss Carmen, could you. Would you.

[Miss Carmen]

What is it, Major?

[Major]

Well, I was just wondering if you could. Well, would you take a walk with me? Well, we might go out for lunch. Would that be asking too much?

[Miss Carmen]

Oh, no, of course not, Major. But you see, well, my brothers, I must rehearse with them. So if you will excuse me, my good friend, I must leave you and El Mundo too. Olsen, he will come back. You stay here till El Mundo is taken care of yet.

[Major]

Why, of course, Ms. Carmen. Anything for you, Anything.

[Miss Carmen]

Oh, gracias, senor. I go.

[Major]

Goodbye, sweet lady. El Mondo. She leaves us. And you love her so too. How tragic to feel so strongly and not to have that love return. But she called us, our good friends. We can always remember that, can't we? Oh, not so loud. She'll think something is wrong. We don't want to worry her. Carmen. Carmen. What a lovely name.

[Jerry]

Hey, hello there, Major. Oh.

[Major]

Oh, so it's Jerry. Well, young man, you quite startle me.

[Jerry]

Sorry, didn't mean to say I'm looking for Carmen. You haven't seen her, have you?

[Major]

She has just left. She's gone to rehearse with her brothers.

[Jerry]

Oh, thanks. Then they'll be in the big top.

[Major]

She said she and her brothers have been having some kind of trouble.

[Jerry]

Carmen has been getting threatening notes. Not signs. Someone is threatening to kill her.

[Major]

No. Kill that sweet creature?

[Jerry]

Uh huh. Once they even threatened to put acid on the wire which would surely kill all three of them. That's why they check it over before each performance.

[Major]

Oh, how awful. Who could be so cruel?

[Jerry]

Well, I don't know, but I think I've got a clue. That's what I want to see her about.

[Major]

You have a clue? Tell me, young man. Perhaps maybe I could help. Well.

[Jerry]

Well, all right, I'll tell you. But promise you won't do anything until we're real sure.

[Major]

Yes, yes, of course, I promise. How was it, young man?

[Jerry]

Well, it's like this. We were out here this morning with Olson and the new elephant when Rags came running up with a piece of paper in his mouth.

[Major]

Yes, but what does that to do with him?

[Jerry]

Then when I took it from him, I saw there had been some candy in it because there were some crumbs laying.

[Major]

Go on, go on.

[Jerry]

Well, Tom and I went back with Rags to see who had given him the candy. And sure enough, we found a piece of candy.

[Major]

And then. This seems to be quite beside the point.

[Jerry]

No it isn't. Because suddenly we saw that that piece of paper was the same kind of paper that the notes to Carmen had been written on.

[Major]

Was there something strange about it?

[Jerry]

Oh, here it is. See how thin it is? It's rice paper.

[Major]

Who gave rags of candy?

[Jerry]

Whoa. That's what's worrying me. You see, Rags led us to the bearded lady's wagon.

[Major]

The bearded lady? That pest?

[Jerry]

She wasn't there. So I don't know if she gave him the candy, but.

[Major]

No, she probably did. The amount of candy that woman consumed is a sin.

[Jerry]

But Major, this is what I can't figure out. How could she happen to have the same kind of paper that those notes were written on? Of course we're not sure she gave Rags of candy.

[Major]

No, but she's a meddling, lovesick woman and I wouldn't put it beyond her to do just such a silly thing.

[Jerry]

I hate to say anything to the Bendinis until I'm sure at least. Sure she gave Rags the candy. You know how fiery those brothers can get when they're mad.

[Major]

Well, I've heard they can. Despite the fact that they always seem so gay and carefree.

[Jerry]

I'd hate to have them go to the bearded lady if she really hasn't had anything to do with all This I don't think.

[Major]

I think you come just to the right person, Jerry. Now, I'll tell you what I'll do.

[Olson]

What?

[Major]

Well, I'll go to her wagon and look around inside while she's gone and see if she has any more paper like this.

[Jerry]

Oh, I thought of that, but I was scared.

[Major]

Well, I guess I can look through her things after the way she took my watch and caused me all that trouble.

[Jerry]

Yeah, I remember.

[Major]

Then if I find she's got more paper like this, we'll make her explain about giving her eggs the candy. If she confesses about that, we'll next ask her about those threatening notes.

[Jerry]

Sounds easy enough.

[Major]

Oh, handling temperamental women is never easy, of course. Well, after all, I want Ms. Common to realize that I'm a man she can depend on. Oh, of course. Well, after I find out about the notes, I guess she'll appreciate the kind of stuff I'm made of.

[Jerry]

I'm sure she will.

[Major]

Here, give me that paper.

[Jerry]

Well, don't lose it.

[Major]

No, I won't. And I'll be right back, I hope.

[Jerry]

Okay. Well, El Mundo, did you hear all that? Gee, I forgot. You can't understand. I got something you don't understand, though. Here, here's some peanuts. That's the ticket. Here, take some. There you are, though. You're eating at last, huh? Golly. Olson will sure be glad to hear that.

[Olson]

Hey, what you doing with my new elephant, Olson?

[Jerry]

Gee, I didn't notice ya. Hey, look, he's eating.

[Olson]

I'll say he is. I kinda thought he would.

[Jerry]

You did?

Sure.

[Olson]

After seeing Carmen and finding out what's wrong. He'll be all right from now on. But I won't be.

[Jerry]

What do you mean? Has something happened?

[Olson]

No, but it's going to. Just look at all the trouble. I'm gonna have to learn Spanish.

[Jerry]

That's true. You won't be able to work El Mundo until you learn the right commands.

[Olson]

And I never could learn any language, even English.

[Jerry]

Oh, it won't be so bad. Hey, I'll tell you what. I'll learn the commands, too. So if you get stuck sometime, you can just call on me.

[Olson]

I may take you up on that, Jerry.

[Major]

Honest?

[Olson]

Sure thing.

[Jerry]

Say, I got an idea. Well, look, if I learn some Spanish, well, couldn't I learn to work El Mundo?

[Olson]

Well, I don't know about that, Jerry.

[Jerry]

Who's gonna work him in the ring?

[Olson]

I don't know yet. We haven't discussed it with Mr. Randall. Of course, the trainer will handle all the commands, but probably we'll Use one of the pretty girls to do the stunt with El Mundo.

[Jerry]

Aw, gee, I wish I could. Golly, I'd work like 60.

[Olson]

I bet you'd be good too, Jerry.

[Jerry]

Oh, can I then?

[Olson]

Well, I don't know, Jerry. I. I don't have the say about such things like that.

[Jerry]

If Mr. Randall let me, he's the boss boy. I'm in for his wagon, see? If he'd only let me. Well, I'd be in the show regular then.

[Olson]

Count on it too much, Jerry.

[Jerry]

Well, I won't. But you can bet I'll try. Bye. I'll be back and let you know what he says.

[Olson]

Good luck.

[Jerry]

Well, thanks a. If I only could.

[Miss Carmen]

Where do you go so fast?

[Jerry]

Oh, look, Carmen. Say, I just got the swellest idea.

[Miss Carmen]

Yes, I know. What is it?

[Jerry]

I'm gonna ask Mr. Randall if he'll let me work with El Mundo.

[Olson]

No.

[Jerry]

Sure. The kind of things you used to do with him when you were little.

[Miss Carmen]

Oh, how nice, Jerry.

[Jerry]

Of course, I don't know yet whether he'll let me, but maybe you could show me some of the same tricks you used to do.

[Miss Carmen]

I like that very much. Very, very much.

[Jerry]

Do you want to be fun just

[Miss Carmen]

like the old days? Oh, say, Jerry.

[Jerry]

Yeah?

[Miss Carmen]

Here come the major.

[Jerry]

I don't want him to see me so soon.

[Miss Carmen]

I go this way, he not notice me. Goodbye.

[Jerry]

Okay. Now. I wonder how the major got through so soon. Oh, hi, Major.

[Major]

Oh, there you are, Jerry. Well, I had a bit of luck.

[Jerry]

You have? What happened?

[Major]

Well, I had scarcely left you when who should I see but our friend the bearded lady?

[Miss Carmen]

No.

[Major]

Yes siree. So I ups and says to her, I says, did you give Rag some candy this morning?

[Jerry]

What'd she say?

[Major]

Well, she kind of hemmed and hawed a bit. But when I showed her the paper it was wrapped up in, she admitted she did. Said she didn't think it would hurt him any.

[Jerry]

Say, what about the paper?

[Major]

Not so fast, young man. Then I began quizzing her about that unusual paper and what it was made of and all that. Yeah, and she began bragging about it. She got it when she was abroad someplace. Some foreign country. It's very special paper. And this piece got mussed up, so she just put the candy in it.

[Jerry]

Sure looks suspicious. But honest. Made your eye. I can't believe she'd do a thing like that.

[Major]

Well, why not?

[Jerry]

Well, why should she have anything against Carmen?

[Major]

It's simple enough when you understand the ways of women. You see, I've been showering attentions on that lovely Little Spanish lady. Yes, but jealousy, my boy, jealousy. See, if she thought that she would make me ridiculous, you know, she'd go to any length.

[Jerry]

Well, what do we do next, Major?

[Major]

Go to any length. So that's it. What? So she decided to make that bouquet for common.

[Jerry]

What bouquet?

[Major]

That one with all the vegetables in it. The one that Tom presented to her at dinner in the mess tent.

[Jerry]

Oh, no. The bearded lady didn't have anything to do with that.

[Major]

Oh, but don't tell me. Here comes Mr. Randall. I'm too mad to talk to him. I'll go and plot my revenge. But remember, not a word of this to anyone, you understand?

[Jerry]

Yeah, but, Major. Hey, hey, don't go. I. I got explained.

Oh, hello there, Jerry. Having trouble with the majors?

No, only. Well, he gets so excited, he won't listen. He thinks. Oh, well, never mind.

Well, don't let him get in your hair, son. He means well, but, you know, after all, he's pretty peppery.

Yeah. Say, Mr. Randle.

Yeah?

You know about that new elephant, about Carmen knowing him and all.

Yeah, sure, sure. I know all about that.

Well, you're going to have him work in the ring, aren't you?

Well, yeah, sure.

And you know, Carmen used to work with him.

Yeah, well, come on. Come on. Out with it, Jerry.

Well, would you let me work with him like Carmen used to? She said she'd show me the old tricks she used to do with him. And Olson would work with me, and I'd work hard and I'd. Oh, I just know I'd be good. Mr. Randall, please.

Now that that's off your chest, I'll tell you, Jerry, you know, in Randall's brother's circus, as a rule, I think it's better to have a pretty girl work with the elephants.

Odd gee willikers, Mr. Randall.

But in this case, I've got a good mind to give you a try.

Oh, Mr. Randall, really and truly. Oh, God. I'll be a real circus performer.

It.

[SpinQuest Announcer]

Forget whatever plans you have this weekend because you're staying at home and playing on Spin Quest. And there's never been a better time to sign up than right now. New users get $30 coin packs for just $10. All the table games you love, with hundreds of slot games and real cash Prizes. That's at spinquest.com S P I N Q U-E-T.com Spinquest is a free to play social casino Void. We're prohibited. Visit spinquest.com for more details.

[LegalShield Announcer]

Sold. Here are the keys to your new home. New beginnings sound exciting. From a new marriage to a new home, Having access to legal help comes in handy with LegalShield. You can connect with a designated law firm that knows your state laws, helping with prenups, real estate contracts, and even wills and estate planning, starting around a dollar a day. LegalShiel Real Lawyers really affordable for 10 off your annual subscription, sign [e-mail] today. That's LegalShield.com Legal Shield does not provide legal representation or advice. See a plan for complete terms.