
Jerry of the Circus - Jerry Leaves the Circus - 12/24/1937
Loading summary
SpinQuest Advertiser
You know what? It sucks to be bored. But when I get on my phone and play real casino games on spinquest.com the time flies by. That two hour wait at the DMV seems like 10 minutes. Play your favorite spots Live blackjack, live craps with a live dealer. New players $30 coin packs are on sale for 10 bucks. Play spinquest.com and you'll never be bored again.
SpinQuest Disclaimer Announcer
Spin Quest is a free to play social casino void where prohibited. Visit spinquest.com for more details.
Bumps
Jerry of the circus.
Mr. Randall
Now for Jerry of the circus.
Bumps
Just look at that boy, Olsen.
Olson
You know, Bumps, I believe that's the best act Jerry ever put on.
Bumps
You know, it's a funny thing, but as a rule, when a person is given their final performance, it's a good one. And Jerry certainly isn't breaking the rule.
Olson
I'll say he isn't. Hey, look. Now he's doing that swing trick from El Mundo's trunk. Golly, that smooth bump.
Bumps
El Mundo just snapping at those commands of Jerry's. Now here comes the finale.
Olson
Oh, I'm gonna miss that boy.
Bumps
Oh, we all will. Why, do you know, I've caught his act with El Mundo just about every time since he started doing it. Yeah.
Olson
Oh, now watch it, Bumps. This is the last time you'll ever see him.
Bumps
Yeah. Oh, there he goes. El Mundo just lifted him up pretty.
Olson
Look, Jerry's standing up on El Mundo's head.
Bumps
Please.
Jerry
Bows.
Olson
He never did that before. Good boy, Jerry.
Bumps
Well, that's that. There's a turn I'll never forget. And I'll just bet you there'll never be another one like it.
Olson
Well, I'll have to run around to the back door and get El Mundo now. See you later, Bump.
Bumps
Okay, Olton.
Jerry
Hey, Bump.
Jeff
Hey, Funk, hurry up. I only got a minute.
Bumps
Oh. Oh, hello, Jeff.
Jeff
Now listen, here's a note from Spike. It's for Jerry. Spike couldn't get away to say goodbye to him. He's busy getting a mess top down and loaded. And say goodbye to Jerry for me too, will you?
Bumps
Yeah, okay. Yeah, I will, Jeff. And thanks, Spike, for being so thoughtful. Fine, Jerry. Boy, you sure did a great act tonight. Oh, you just better was I was telling Ood. I don't think you've ever done that act any better.
Jerry
Hey, did you see me stand up on El Mundo? Said for my last bow and that
Bumps
was all right too. How'd you happen to do that?
Jerry
Well, I figured as long as it was my last act, I'd do something different. Hey, you're all dressed?
Bumps
Oh, sure. I'm not gonna do the last walk around. We gotta get packed and get down with the train. Leaves at quarter past 11. Work.
Jerry
Right.
Bumps
He's over in the wagon waiting for us now. Come on, Jerry, let's get a move on.
Jerry
Okay. Oh, wait, Bumps. Let me take one last look at the big top with all the people in it. Now, Jerry, I hate to leave the circus, Bumps. I'm gonna miss it something awful. Listen to that band. Oh, gee, Bumps.
Bumps
Oh, no. Jerry. Come on. I know how you feel, but the world. Say, you know, the circus is gonna go on and on. Maybe you'll be with us again next season.
Jerry
Or part of it, anyway, when I'm on my vacation.
Bumps
Why, sure. A person would think you were saying goodbye forever. Well, come on, now. We gotta hustle.
Jerry
Okay. Goodbye, Big top.
Bumps
Huh?
Major Mike
Nothing.
Jerry
Come on. I'm ready.
Bumps
All right. We'll have to hurry, Jerry.
Jerry
I know it, but it won't take me long to get out of this uniform and get dressed once we get over to the wagon. Yeah.
Bumps
I've got all your other things packed for you.
Jerry
Where's Mr. Randall gonna meet us?
Bumps
He'll be over at the wagon as soon as he counts the day's receipts. Jim Bennett already got our tickets. And arrange for rags.
Jerry
What do you mean, arrange for rags?
Bumps
Well, he'll have to ride up in the baggage car, Jerry. We can't take him into the sleeping car with us.
Jerry
Oh, hey, look, there goes Olson in with El Mundo now. Hey, I sure want to say goodbye to him too.
Bumps
Who?
Jerry
El Mundo. You know, bumps up. I think he knows I'm going away. Maybe I was seeing things, but I thought for sure I saw a different look in his eyes during tonight's show.
Bumps
Well, I've never seen but one expression on an elephant's face.
Jerry
Hey, Olson.
Olson
Yes?
Jerry
Wait a second.
Olson
Well, Jerry, I. I guess this is where we part company. That is, for the time being.
Jerry
Yeah, I guess so. Gee, you sure got El Mundo's trappings off him in a hurry.
Olson
Yeah, yeah, he's through acting for today. He's got work to do now. He'll be pushing these wagons. As soon as the show's over, I'm
Jerry
gonna say goodbye to him.
Olson
Okay, Jerry.
Jerry
El Mundo. Adios, mi amigo. I'll see you again sometimes. Adio, Sel. Mundo. You know I'm leaving you, don't you? Well, I guess we better go get ready. Goodbye, Olson.
Olson
Goodbye, Jerry. Although I'm sorry to see you leave us, I'm glad you're gonna get a Chance to get some learning. Now, you keep in touch with us. Me and the boys here in the menagerie would be awful tickled to hear from you.
Jerry
Oh, don't worry. All right. And you be sure and answer and tell me all about the animals and my friend El Mundo.
Olson
Oh, you betcha. Well, so long, Jerry. Put her there. Lots of good luck to you, boy. Goodbye.
Jerry
So long, Olson.
Olson
Goodbye, Jenny.
Jerry
Hey, Bumps, now I want to go find Spike and say goodbye to him, too. I guess he's busy now loading, but I sure would like to see him for just a minute before I leave.
Bumps
Oh, so that reminds me, Jerry. I got a note here for you from Spike. Jeff brought it over while you were on doing your act. Here you are.
Jerry
Oh, thanks. I'll read it later on the train.
Bumps
Jeff says that Spike was sorry he couldn't get away. They've got to get down to the runs with the mess top. That's got to get loaded on the cars, you know. And Jeff said goodbye, too.
Jerry
Oh, yeah.
Bumps
See, how about your new friend, Speed? Did you see him?
Jerry
Why, sure, when I did the act with him.
Bumps
Oh, I forgot about your riding lady in that race. Here we are, Jerry. This way.
Jerry
I said goodbye to Speed when we finished the race act. Goodbye. You're right.
Bumps
Yeah, we're back, old fella.
Jerry
I guess he knows something's in the wind, too.
Bumps
Sure he does. I let him in on it. I told him he was going to leave the circus and go with you to school.
Jerry
Hey, Luke. Bumps, what's this?
Bumps
What's what, Jerry?
Jerry
This package. Here, look it. Goodbye, Jerry, and good luck to you. Every time you use this kit, I hope you'll remember me and think of me.
Olson
Clara.
Bumps
Oh, isn't that nice of Clara? That's thoughtful. Open it up, Jerry.
Jerry
Oh, boy, this is keen. And something I can use, too. It's a traveling kit for you. Oh, gee, I'm sure glad to get this all right.
Bumps
Well, I should think you would be. I'll thank Clara for you when I get back. But you better write to her a nice letter.
Olson
Oh, sure. Yeah.
Bumps
Well, come on now, hurry up. We haven't got much time, you know.
Jerry
Okay. Hey, what do I do with my uniform, Bob?
Bumps
I'll put it in my trunk for the time being. Then later we'll have Clara store it away in one of her wardrobe trunks.
Mr. Randall
You ready, Jerry?
Bumps
Oh, hello, Sam.
Jerry
I will be in just a minute, Mr. Randall.
Mr. Randall
And I've got a cab waiting right out by the side of the lot.
Bumps
Why, it's only a block over at the station, Sam. We can walk over.
Mr. Randall
Not with our suitcases and luggage. We better take a cab.
Jerry
Where did I put my cap? Oh, here it is.
Bumps
All right. Now then, I'll hold your coat for you, Jerry.
Jerry
Oh, thanks, Bumps. Say, has Reggs got his collar on?
Mr. Randall
Oh, yeah. All set, Jerry. A woof to you, too.
Jerry
Seems like you're sort of rushing me.
Mr. Randall
Oh, not at all, Jerry. But we don't want to miss that train. There won't be another one for Fair Oaks until morning. And I don't want to be away from the circus too long.
Bumps
I can't be missing too many shows either.
Jerry
Yeah, I know. Well, ready now? Oh, Jiminy.
Bumps
Whoa. Now what?
Jerry
I'm sure gonna miss this wagon, Bump.
Mr. Randall
Oh, now, Jerry, look here. You're going on to something better. Why, you should be the happiest boy in the world.
Jerry
I know it and I am happy, but I just can't help it.
Bumps
Well, I got your suitcase, Jerry. Now, come on.
Mr. Randall
Come on, you let Rags go. He's not sorry. He's leaving. All right. Right around back here. The cab's right there at the curb.
Jerry
Hey, wait a minute. Let me have just one more good look at the lot.
Bumps
Oh, here revs. Here, boy. Now, this way, fella.
Jerry
Well, anyway, I sure had a lot of fun with the circus. And I'm gonna have a lot of fun at school too.
Mr. Randall
That's the way to talk, Jerry. You bet you are.
Bumps
Oh, there we are. There's the cab right there. Oh, no, you stay right close, young fella. You don't know where we're heading.
Mr. Randall
All right, off in, Jerry. Go ahead, Bob.
Bumps
Ear rides, boy. Come on.
Jeff
Come on, boy.
Olson
Out the station.
Mr. Randall
Yeah, that's right, driver.
Jerry
Oh, dear, I forgot to say goodbye to Whitey.
Bumps
Oh, it's too late now, Jerry. But you'll be seeing them at Winter Quarter some weekend maybe.
Jerry
And that reminds me, how about Patsy and Jason? Yeah, and Slats and Tony and all the rest.
Bumps
Well, what about them?
Jerry
Well, they didn't come over and say goodbye to me. They weren't even in the pad room tonight. They're almost always there.
Mr. Randall
Well, maybe something happened that they couldn't get away. I'm sure they didn't do it on purpose, boy.
Bumps
Of course not. You know how much Jason and Patsy think of you.
Mr. Randall
Oh, there's the station right ahead. We've got plenty of time now, Bumps, you better take this ticket and check rags with the baggage man.
Bumps
Yeah, yeah, okay. S.
Mr. Randall
All right. Here we are. How about Jerry? No, I'll take your case yeah, come on.
Bumps
Come on, rag boy. Come on, now, hold still. Got to put this leash on you. Can't have you gallivanting all over the station.
Olson
Thank you, sir.
Bumps
Yeah, I guess this is the way we go.
Mr. Randall
Yeah, that's right. Bumps right through here.
Jerry
Hey. Hey, what's this? Why, look at it. It's a clown band and slats and Tony and Hooligan.
Olson
Are you getting a single?
Jerry
Well, look at Patsy and Jason.
Olson
You got away without saying goodbye to her, did you?
Jerry
Oh, Jiminy. I'll see this young fella.
Olson
I guess they climbed apartments in to forget you.
Jerry
I'll see you didn't, Tony.
Major Mike
Break it up. Come on, move some of those legs. Let me.
Bumps
Excuse me.
Jerry
Oh, Major Mike.
Major Mike
I'll have you know, young man, that you won't get away without shaking my head.
Bumps
I'll take rags back and chickens then.
Mr. Randall
All right, all right. Do that, bum.
Olson
So long, Rag.
Major Mike
Goodbye, Rag. Well, Jerry, I hope you'll be very happy at school. But don't go playing tricks on your teachers like you play tricks on me.
Jerry
I was only fooling, major.
Major Mike
Yeah, sure you were. But I was on to you. Yes, sir, every time. You don't need to think that you ever had me fooled, you. Not for one minute. Jerry.
Olson
Wait. Wait a minute, boy. Wait a minute. I'm going to have a quiet one. I make up my speech.
Mr. Randall
All right, Tony.
Bumps
All right.
Olson
Well, there's just so much to say. Jerry, my boy, we all know you're going to miss us, but not a half so much as we all are going to miss you. I think I could have said the circus. She. She will not be the same without you. Yes, I will say the circus. She will not be the same without you. Now, you be a. A good little soldier and don't take no, no. No wood, no money. Take a rubber because it stretches far.
Major Mike
All right, let me throw here. Let me throw here.
Jerry
It's Whitey.
Jeff
I've only got a minute, Jerry. I gotta get back to the runs and help load the horses. But I just didn't want to miss saying goodbye. Now, you'll be as good at school as you were around the circus. And we'll all have reason to be mighty proud of you. Well, goodbye, son. We got to hurry now. Now, you keep in touch with us, Jerry.
Jerry
Oh, you bet I will. Goodbye, Waddy. Hey, and take good care of Splendor
Bumps
Rights is all taken care of, see? We better get old now. Yeah.
Olson
Yeah.
Bumps
All right.
Mr. Randall
Come on, Jerry.
Major Mike
Goodbye, Jerry. You gonna kiss me?
Jerry
Come on.
Major Mike
Now, Jerry. You'll be sure and write to us. And be good and study hard.
Jerry
Oh, I will.
Olson
So long, Jerry. Don't forget about your old friend Jason either. We're gonna expect big things from you, Jerry.
Bumps
Don't let us down.
Olson
We'll be seeing each other again someday.
Jerry
Oh, sure.
Jeff
All right.
Bumps
Come on, Jerry.
Jerry
All right. Well, goodbye, everybody.
Major Mike
Goodbye, Jerry. Pick me up, Jason. Hurry. I can't see him.
Olson
Up you go, Major.
Major Mike
Goodbye, Jerry. Goodbye. Come on. Come on.
Jerry
It.
SpinQuest Advertiser
You know what? It sucks to be bored. But when I get on my phone and play real casino games on spinquest.com the time flies by. That two hour wait at the DMV seems like 10 minutes. Play your favorite slots, live blackjack, live preps with a live dealer. New players $30 coin packs are on sale for 10 bucks. Play spinquest.com and you'll never be bored again.
SpinQuest Disclaimer Announcer
Spin Quest is a free to play social casino void where prohibited. Visit spinquest.com for more details. Most people would rather assemble a 300 piece cabinet than search for insurance. That's why the zebra searches for you. Comparing over 100 insurance companies to find savings no one else can compare. Today@the zebra.com.
Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode Date: May 17, 2026
Episode Focus: The bittersweet departure of Jerry from the circus family, capturing the spirit and emotional farewells from friends and colleagues.
This episode of "Jerry of the Circus" revolves around a turning point: Jerry's final performance and his heartfelt farewell as he leaves the circus for school. The story highlights the strong bond between Jerry and his circus "family," mixing nostalgia, pride, and encouragement as they send him off. The episode is filled with emotional goodbyes, memorable gestures, and promises to write, all wrapped in the warmth of Golden Age radio storytelling.
"You know, it's a funny thing, but as a rule, when a person is given their final performance, it's a good one. And Jerry certainly isn't breaking the rule." — Bumps (02:11)
"Every time you use this kit, I hope you’ll remember me and think of me." — Clara, via her gift (07:10)
"Oh, wait, Bumps. Let me take one last look at the big top with all the people in it. ... I hate to leave the circus, Bumps. I’m gonna miss it something awful." — Jerry (03:48, 08:53)
"Although I'm sorry to see you leave us, I'm glad you're gonna get a Chance to get some learning. Now, you keep in touch with us. Me and the boys here in the menagerie would be awful tickled to hear from you." — Olson (05:40)
"Yes, I will say the circus. She will not be the same without you. ... Now, you be a...a good little soldier and don't take no...no wood, no money. Take a rubber because it stretches far." — Tony (11:13)
"Jerry, my boy, we all know you’re going to miss us, but not a half so much as we all are going to miss you." — Olson (11:13)
The episode weaves nostalgia, affection, and a sense of coming-of-age. The camaraderie and humor among the circus folk shine through, even in sadness. Old-time radio warmth is felt in every exchange, making this an uplifting yet sentimental farewell.
Summary:
This episode is an emotional conclusion to a pivotal chapter in Jerry's life, capturing universal themes of change, growth, and the enduring bonds of chosen family. Listeners are reminded that while Jerry leaves the circus, he carries its lessons and love with him into his next adventure.