
Jerry of the Circus - Jerry and El Mundo - 09/28/1937
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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.
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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.
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.
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)
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)
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)
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)
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...").
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.