
Jerry of the Circus - Jerry Stays On The Payroll - 07/29/1937
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Doug
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Jerry
What is this, your first date?
Doug
Oh, no.
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Doug
Yeah, the bird looks out of your league.
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Doug
Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. Of the circus. Now for Jerry of the circus.
Jerry
Mr. Randall.
Doug
Who is it?
Jerry
It's Jerry, Mr. Randall.
Doug
Oh, come in, Jerry.
Jerry
Come on, Rags.
Doug
Good morning, Jerry. Rags.
Jerry
Good morning, Mr. Randall. You sent for me?
Doug
Yes, Jerry, Sit down. It's about last night. You're going on in place of Johnny Bradley and doing his act.
Jerry
Golly, Mr. Randall.
Doug
Just a minute, Jerry, I guess it wasn't altogether your fault, but there are a few things about this show I want you to know.
Jerry
But I.
Doug
You just let me do the talking for a minute. I. I sent for you because I want to explain something to you.
Jerry
Yes, sir.
Doug
Now, in the first place, I'm the boss of this show. And anything that's done on this lot has to have my okay. Has to be that way. If everybody in the circus wanted to change his act or let someone go on for him and he went ahead and did it without telling me about it first, well, just wouldn't be any time until I wouldn't have any show at all.
Jerry
Yes, sir.
Doug
You know by now, Jerry, that everything goes off like clockwork around a circus. There can never be a slip up. It might throw the whole routine off.
Jerry
I know that if there has to
Doug
be a change or a substitution, I should know about it so I can tell the different ones that might affect. No one in this outfit is allowed to take it upon himself to do anything but his own work.
Jerry
But you weren't around and, well, something had to be done quick because Mr. Bradley couldn't go on.
Doug
Yes, yes, I heard he was sick, and that part is all right. Besides, I've heard some excellent reports on your work. Your taking Bradley's place last night was all right, but I want you to understand that I'm to be notified of any changes made in any part of the show from now on.
Jerry
Yes, sir.
Doug
A couple of the boys told me you make a pretty good clown. I said you did the act just as if you'd been doing it for a long time.
Jerry
They said that?
Doug
Yeah. Guess you did very well, how'd you learn that routine so fast, Jerry?
Jerry
Oh, I don't know. I guess I knew it pretty well from just watching.
Doug
You're going to turn out to be a real trooper someday. The circus needs wide awake young men like yourself. It's plain to be seen that if you keep your eyes and ears open, you'll get a long way. Jerry, you just keep watching the axe.
Jerry
Gee, thanks, Mr. Randall.
Doug
Now, getting back to Johnny Bradley, what do you know about his being sick?
Jerry
Why, nothing, that is. Well, all I know is that he gets fainting spells.
Doug
Fainting spells?
Jerry
Uh huh. Grump said he thought he had a weak heart.
Doug
Well, funny I haven't been notified of this. Guess I'll have to look into it myself.
Jerry
He gets weak and shaky and he can hardly walk.
Doug
That's not so good. I think I'd better look him up right away and have a talk with him. Are you going over toward your wagon?
Jerry
Uh huh. Come on, Rags.
Doug
Always ready, aren't you, Rags?
Jerry
Then you're really not mad at me for last night, are you, Mr. Randall?
Doug
I know, Jerry. I just want you to understand about making any changes without telling me first. As a matter of fact, you did such a good job of substituting for Johnny last night, I think I'll make you an understudy for all the clowns.
Jerry
An understudy? What's that?
Doug
Well, an understudy is a person who watches and learns other people's acts so that in case of emergency he can go on and take their place.
Jerry
Just like I did last night, huh?
Doug
That's it, Jerry.
Jerry
Golly. Thanks, Mr. Randall. I'll watch all the acts and learn them real good.
Doug
That's a boy, Jerry.
Jerry
Oh, there's Jason, Mr. Randall. He's calling me.
Jason
Come here, Jerry.
Doug
All right, run along and see what he wants. I'll see you later, Jerry.
Jerry
Okay. Goodbye. Come on, rand.
Jason
Good morning, Mr. Randall.
Doug
Oh, good morning, Slim. Johnny around? Yeah, boss, he's in his wagon. That's good.
Johnny Bradley
Come in.
Doug
Good morning, Johnny.
Johnny Bradley
Oh, good morning, Mr. Randall.
Doug
Where's Lats and Hooligan?
Johnny Bradley
Why, they went uptown after breakfast to do a little shopping.
Doug
Good. I want to have a little talk with you, Johnny.
Johnny Bradley
Sit down, Mr. Randall.
Doug
Thanks. Now then, I understand you're not feeling so good.
Johnny Bradley
Oh, it's really nothing. I. I just had a bit of a weak spell.
Doug
It's happened more than once, hasn't it?
Johnny Bradley
Well, yes it has, Mr. Randall.
Doug
Is it your heart, Johnny?
Johnny Bradley
I'm inclined to think it is not
Doug
very good business working with a weak heart.
Johnny Bradley
But I've got to go on working, Mr. Randall.
Doug
Well, I. I don't know anything about your business affairs, Johnny, but you've been getting a very nice salary from me for many seasons now and, well, nothing personal, mind you, but you're getting along in years and I should think that perhaps you might have some money put aside so you can take it easy now.
Johnny Bradley
That's just it, Mr. Randall. I haven't been able to save anything for myself.
Doug
That's a shame. As I said, nothing personal. I like you and I like your work. Your act is as clever as any I've ever had. But, well, I just can't have a sick man working in the show.
Johnny Bradley
You're not going to let me go.
Doug
You're not being fair to yourself going on working. The work you do isn't especially easy, and, well, you're just killing yourself.
Johnny Bradley
But I've got to finish the season. I can't quit now. It's for my boy, Mr. Randall.
Doug
Your boy?
Johnny Bradley
Yes, sir. You see, ever since I started working for you, I've been sending him the biggest part of my salary. Oh, he's a good boy, Mr. Randall, and deserving of it.
Doug
Can't he take care of himself?
Johnny Bradley
I've been putting him through law school. He passed the bar examinations only a couple of months ago. And. And I'm helping him along with his office now.
Doug
This puts a different light on it.
Johnny Bradley
You see, sir. Well, I'm trying to do all I can to help him get a start in life.
Doug
Well, that's fine, Johnny.
Johnny Bradley
I've never told you this before, sir, but I was a star in my own right on Broadway. Why, I've operated my own stock company. I really amounted to something in the show world at one time, that's all. My boy doesn't know I'm with the circus. He thinks I'm still in the theater and doing well. For reasons I. Well, I'd rather not go into. I had to leave the theater, so I took to the circus. In my letters to him, I have given him the impression that I can well afford to send him through school and pay the expenses of his office until he becomes established.
Doug
Where is your son, Johnny?
Johnny Bradley
In Jackson City, sir.
Doug
Jackson City? Why, we play there soon. Won't you see him?
Johnny Bradley
Not if I can help it, Mr. Randall.
Doug
You're a funny fellow, Johnny. Your old heart may be weak, but it's certainly not selfish.
Johnny Bradley
No, sir. Won't you let me go on? Just until my boy can. Can get along without me.
Doug
I'll tell you what I'll do, Johnny. You can stay on. But I want you to promise me that you won't do your act unless you feel up to it. If you feel the least bit ill, I want you to report to me and I'll see that you won't have to go on. Will you promise me that?
Johnny Bradley
Oh, yes, sir. I will, sir. And thank you, Mr. Randall.
Doug
You get as much rest as you can. And above all, don't worry. There's no doubt that boy of yours will make good. I can tell he comes from mighty fine stock.
Johnny Bradley
My everlasting gratitude, Mr. Randall.
Doug
All right, Johnny. Take it easy now. See you later.
Johnny Bradley
Goodbye, Mr. Randall, and thank you again, sir.
Doug
Goodbye, Johnny.
Jerry
Mr. Randall.
Doug
Oh, yes, Jerry.
Jerry
Look what Jason's got.
Doug
I'll be right with you.
Jerry
We got a surprise for you, Mr. Randall.
Jason
Another mouth to feed.
Doug
Well, watch this. What do you mean, Jason?
Jason
Well, Jerry and I just got this crate down at the railroad station.
Jerry
It's a lion cub.
Doug
Well, you don't say.
Jason
O', Malley, back at the winter quarter, sent this cub on to me. We're just going to uncrate him.
Doug
Well, let me look through that crate there. Say, he's a cute little fella, isn't he?
Jerry
Aren't you gonna wait until we uncrate him?
Doug
I'm sorry, Jerry. I got a lot of business to attend to. I'll see him later. Remind me to come over and have a look at him, Jason.
Jason
Okay, Mr. Randall. Hand me that screwdriver there, Jerry.
Jerry
Okay. Here you are. Want the hammer, too?
Doug
Mm, no.
Jason
Now, let's see.
Jerry
Poor little thing. He wants to get out.
Jason
All right, we'll have him out in a minute.
Jerry
Oh, you'd like to play with him, huh, Ray? Where are you gonna put him, Jason? In with one of the big lions?
Jason
Not in your life. This little fellow's going to have a nice little cage all by himself. There we are. Out you come.
Jerry
What's his name?
Jason
Don't know that he's got a name yet, Jerry. Oh, Mallory didn't mention it in the letter he sent to me the other day.
Jerry
Well, what are you gonna call him?
Jason
Well, we'll have to name him ourselves, won't we?
Jerry
Do you name all of your animals?
Jason
Most of them. Of course, some of them already had names when I got them.
Jerry
Can I name this one?
Jason
Sure, if you want to, Jerry. Have you got a name for him?
Jerry
Well, no, but I bet I can think of a good one.
Jason
Well, what's it gonna be?
Jerry
Well, how about Fuzzy?
Jason
Fuzzy?
Jerry
Yeah. Cause his fur is so fuzzy.
Jason
Do you hear that? Your godfather, Jerry Dugan, does hereby decree and throw upon you the name Fuzzy.
Jerry
Isn't he cute? Golly. Thanks for letting me name him.
Jason
Well, Rag, getting jealous, huh? Are we paying too much attention to our new pal, Fuzz?
Jerry
You told me I could start training the little cub sometime.
Jason
And you'd like to start on Fuzzy, hm?
Jerry
Is he too young to teach tricks to?
Jason
Oh, I guess not. We can start with a few simple things, like just getting him used to commands.
Jerry
What's the first thing to do?
Jason
Well, we can teach him to sit up. Might even see if he'll jump through a hoop for a nice piece of meat. But first, let's teach him to put him in the cage over there. Poor little fella's been in that crate so long, we'll have to let him stretch his legs for a while. Here, open the door, Jerry. There you are, Fuzzy. There's your new home. That's the fella. Sniff around a bit and get your bearings.
Jerry
He acts just like a little kitten, doesn't he?
Jason
He does now, but it won't be long until his fur stands up and he declares himself quiet.
Jerry
Rags.
Jason
Rags is acting more like a wild animal than Fuzzy.
Jerry
You know, Jason, I don't see how you can take a real wild jungle animal and. And make him tame.
Jason
Tame? Well, you wouldn't call any cats of mine tame, would you?
Jerry
I guess I didn't mean that.
Jason
You meant manageable, Jerry.
Jerry
Yeah, that's it.
Jason
Well, as I've told you before, it takes a lot of patience. The first thing a jungle animal thinks of is to strike out. Fear is unknown to them. And it takes a long time to teach them that they have a master.
Jerry
You have to show them that you're the boss, don't you?
Jason
That's it, Jerry. But you have to do it with both kindness and patience.
Jerry
But never cruelly.
Jason
That's right. Hiya, Jason. Hello, Sid. What's on your mind? I got the mail, Jason. Here's a letter for you.
Johnny Bradley
Thanks.
Jerry
Any for me?
Jason
This is Jerry Dugan.
Doug
Sid Dugan.
Jerry
Let me see. Yep, yep. Here we are. Golly. Thanks, mister.
Jason
Well, who's it from, Jerry?
Jerry
Let's see. Lakeside Hospital. Oh, I. It's from my Uncle Dan.
Jason
Oh, fine, Jerry. Gee, that's great.
Jerry
Oh, here's another one for you, son. Another one?
Jason
Well, a popular boy, huh, kid? You bet he is.
Jerry
That's all.
Jason
See you later, Sid.
Jerry
Goodbye.
Jason
Who's the second one from, Jerry?
Jerry
Oh, that's from the bank.
Jason
The bank?
Jerry
Uh huh. They were gonna find out about the key I have to Dad's safety deposit box.
Jason
Oh, yeah, I forgot about that. Well, aren't you gonna open that one first and find out if they've located the bank where your safety deposit box is?
Jerry
Collie, I don't know which one to open first. They're both important.
Jason
Well, go ahead and see what your Uncle Dan has to say.
Jerry
Oh, okay. Should I read it?
Jason
Sure, go ahead.
Jerry
My dear Jerry, you're most likely be waiting to hear from me. But until today, I haven't been able to do much with a pen. As I write this, I am in a wheelchair. And believe me, it feels pretty good to be out of bed for a while. The doctor says I'm getting along fine, and in a few days he is going to let me try to walk.
Jason
Oh, say, that's fine.
Jerry
Golly, I'll say. I hope everything is going along all right for you. Give my regards to bumps and Mr. Randall and all your friends with the circus. I'm anxiously looking forward to the day when I can join you. However, I will write you again before I am dismissed from the hospital. If you find time, I would like to have a letter from you, hoping to see you soon, Uncle Dan.
Jason
Oh, that's a fine letter, Jerry. You gonna answer it?
Jerry
You bet. I'm sure glad he's getting better.
Jason
It won't be very much longer before he'll be with us. Now, how about the letter from the bank? It's pretty important that you find out where that safety deposit box is.
Jerry
I think I'll wait and let Patsy open it. There might be something real important in. Sam. Ram.
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Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode Date: May 15, 2026
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio
Format: Classic radio drama from the Golden Age of Radio
This episode of Jerry of the Circus delves into themes of responsibility, loyalty, and compassion within the close-knit world of a traveling circus. The story focuses on Jerry, a young circus worker, who is recognized for his dedication, and Johnny Bradley, a seasoned clown facing health and financial struggles. Alongside these main threads, we see the lighter side of circus life with the introduction of a lion cub, highlighting the camaraderie and family atmosphere among circus folk.
The episode combines the earnestness of classic family radio drama with light touches of circus fun and animal hijinks. The dialogue is warm, compassionate, and occasionally humorous, reflecting the values of teamwork, kindness, and perseverance.
Jerry of the Circus - Jerry Stays On The Payroll stands out as a heartfelt episode centered on family-like bonds and personal honor in the face of adversity. It offers listeners a nostalgic slice of circus life—from backstage worries to the joy of new animal arrivals—while advancing ongoing storylines and deepening the relationships between its winsome cast of characters.