Jerry of the Circus - Jerrys Clown Debut

Summary

Podcast Summary: Jerry of the Circus – Jerry’s Clown Debut

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Host: Harolds Old Time Radio
Episode Date: May 15, 2026

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Episode Overview

This episode features a classic radio drama from the “Golden Age of Radio”, centered on the adventures of young Jerry in a traveling circus. In “Jerry’s Clown Debut,” Jerry unexpectedly gets the chance to step into the role of a clown when veteran performer Johnny Bradley falls ill. The episode explores themes of humility, pride, the magic of circus life, and the unifying power of laughter.

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Key Discussion Points and Story Highlights

1. Setting the Scene: Circus Preparations

• [02:09] Jerry chats with his dog Rags, preparing for their act and interacting with other circus animals, including Lulu, Johnny Bradley’s trick duck.
• Jerry discovers Lulu wandering and returns her to a weary and seemingly ill Johnny Bradley.

2. Johnny Bradley’s Struggle and Philosophy on Clowning

• [03:34] Johnny awakens, grateful to Jerry for returning Lulu.
• Johnny alludes to his declining health and hints at his inner conflict about his role as a clown, viewing it as a fall from grace from more dignified work.
  • Johnny Bradley [04:23]: “The play must go on, my son, despite the frailty of the human body.”
  • Johnny Bradley [04:43]: “My boy, I hope you may never know the depths through which I have had to drag my weary body these many years. The despair I’ve known daily in performing the lowly tasks I have fallen heir to.”
• [05:13] Bradley laments, “To bring the beauty of the greatest poet the world has ever known into the ring where people scoff and roar with low and rebelled laughter. Oh, my boy, that is tasting the dregs.”

3. Jerry’s Perspective: The Nobility of Clowning

• Jerry, in his characteristic innocence, upholds the joy clowns bring to the world and gently counters Johnny’s bitterness.
  • Jerry [05:26]: “But, Mr. Bradley, if people are unhappy and discontented and feeling blue, and you can make them laugh and forget all the unhappy things, well, gee, maybe I’m crazy, but I can’t imagine anything better.”
• Johnny is moved by Jerry’s words, realizing the dignity in spreading happiness.
  • Johnny Bradley [05:49]: “Alas, I know not who has put such words of wisdom in your mouth, my boy... I weep for shame that it would take a child to make me see the folly of my ways and the false pride in my heart.”
  • Johnny Bradley [06:05]: “My boy. Truly, these are tears of joy that at last I’m beginning to see the circus in its true light of shedding happiness and joy on the peoples of the earth.”

4. A Crisis and a Solution: Jerry Steps In

• [06:19] Bumps the Clown appears, finding Johnny unwell and too feverish to perform.
• Bumps and Jerry decide to move Johnny to rest and consider what to do about his act.
• Jerry proposes to substitute for Johnny in the clown act.
  • Jerry [07:34]: “Why can’t I go on for him? ... I know what he does.”
  • Bumps the Clown [07:45]: “Oh, it’s out of the question, Jerry.”
  • Jerry persists, pointing out he knows the act and can use the funny clothes and Lulu the duck.
• Bumps eventually relents, hurriedly helping Jerry don the makeup and costume.
  • Bumps the Clown [08:41]: “You sure got the right idea for comedy stuff, Jerry. I guess you’ll get by.”

5. Preparation for the Big Debut

• [08:52] Jerry humorously describes the sensation of clown makeup.
  • Jerry [08:57]: “I look just like I put my head in a barrel of dough.”
• Bumps advises Jerry on playing up the comedy with oversized clothes and makeup, emphasizing the bittersweet art of clowning.
  • Bumps the Clown [09:28]: “I’m sorry to say, the sorrier and sadder the clown is if he keeps grinning and bearing all his indignities, the funnier it is to the crowd.”
• Jerry takes to the look and is eager, feeling well-coached by Bumps.

6. The Clown Debut: Jerry in Action

• [10:22] Jerry rallies Lulu and heads out to the ring, determined to do Bradley proud.
• [10:50] After a successful first act—marked by slapstick mishaps with the duck and clown outfit—Jerry pleads for a chance at the more challenging “Shakespeare” routine Bradley performs.
  • Bumps the Clown [11:03]: “Bradley used to be an old Shakespearean actor. He’s got that grand old voice like an organ. And he’s so darn dignified. That’s why it’s so funny when the duck keeps interrupting him.”
  • Despite Bumps' reluctance, Jerry is undeterred.
• [12:17] Jerry improvises in the ring, blending Shakespearean lines and comic confusion, earning laughs and applause.
  • Jerry [12:17]: “Hist. Hist. Hist. There. What light through yonder window breaks? Ah, it is the yeast, and Juliet is the sun…”
  • Bumps the Clown [13:03]: “My golly, he came through all right.”

7. Memorable Moments and Quotes

• Jerry’s Philosophy [05:26]: “If people... are feeling blue, and you can make them laugh... I can’t imagine anything better.”
• Johnny’s Redemption [05:49]: “You shame me. No task is too lowly... I weep for shame that it would take a child to make me see the folly of my ways.”
• Jerry’s Stage Mishaps [11:15]: “Well, the audience seemed to like it.”
• Bumps’ Laughter [11:25]: “If you could have seen yourself chasing that duck and falling down over those long trousers every time you’d get ahead of him. Why, you had me crying.”
• Jerry’s Shakespearean Improvisation [12:17]: “Away, away, little troll... Hurting is such sweet sorrow today, Any day, every day tomorrow.”

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Jerry and Johnny Bradley’s Talk on Clowning: [03:34]–[06:19]
• Bumps Finds Johnny Ill and Jerry Volunteers: [06:19]–[08:14]
• Jerry Dresses and Preps as Clown: [08:14]–[10:15]
• Jerry’s Clown Act & The “Shakespeare” Routine: [10:22]–[13:03]

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Conclusion

This episode captures the spirit of old-time radio with heartwarming humor, gentle wisdom from the perspective of both youth and age, and the spectacle of “the show must go on.” Jerry’s eagerness and improvisational flair delight both the characters and the listeners, culminating in a joyful, memorable debut in the center ring of circus life.

Transcript

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[Bumps the Clown]

Gary of the circus. Now for Jerry of the circus.

[Jerry]

Here, Rags. Here, boy. Come on, Rags, let's get over to the wagon. It's almost time for you to be getting ready for your act. Oh, you know it, huh? I suppose you know you're a star too. Yes, you are. Bump said you were. You're a real honest to goodness circus trick dog. Rags. Rags. Rags, come here. Where are you going, Collie? Look at him go, Rags. Oh, I see. He's chasing a duck. Rags, you leave that duck alone. You got it half scared to death. Why, by golly, it's Lulu. Johnny Bradley's trick, Doc. Get away now, Rags. Here, Lulu. Nice dog, Rags. That Rags won't hurt you, Lulu. He only wants to play. Come on, I'll pick you up. Nice Lulu. Down, Rags. What you doing out in the backyard alone, huh? Where's your master, Lulu? You know, Rags, this duck shouldn't be around loose. I bet Johnny Bradley doesn't even know she's out. Nice Lulu, we'll find your master for you. Oh, I see. You're right. That is Bradley. There's your master Lulu, over there sitting on that bale. Thanks, Ray. I see him now. Mr. Bradley. Mr. Bradley. I got Lulu. Are you asleep, Mr. Bradley? Golly, Rags, I guess he's sleeping. He must be tired to fall asleep sitting up. Quiet, Rags.

[Johnny Bradley]

What? Where am I? Oh, it's you, Jerry.

[Jerry]

I'm sorry if we woke you up.

[Johnny Bradley]

Oh, that's all right, Jerry.

[Jerry]

Rags started to chase Lulu and so I picked her up and was looking for you. I know you never let her run around loose.

[Johnny Bradley]

Oh, I should say not. Thank you, Jerry. Hand me that box of hers there, will you?

[Jerry]

Here you are. Is this her house?

[Johnny Bradley]

You might call it that. There you are, Lulu. In you go.

[Jerry]

How did you get away from me, Mr. Bradley?

[Johnny Bradley]

When I stumbled, no doubt the door sprang open.

[Jerry]

Did you trip over something?

[Johnny Bradley]

Why?

[Jerry]

Or did you have another fainting spell?

[Johnny Bradley]

Oh, it's of no avail to try to deceive you, Jerry. I did become a bit Weak, are you?

[Jerry]

Are you all right now, Jerry?

[Johnny Bradley]

I. I should be quite all right.

[Jerry]

You really shouldn't be working if you're so sick.

[Johnny Bradley]

Alas, duty knows no bonds, my boy.

[Jerry]

What do you mean?

[Johnny Bradley]

The play must go on, my son, despite the frailty of the human body.

[Jerry]

But I'm sure Mr. Randall wouldn't want anyone to work if they're really sick.

[Johnny Bradley]

A kind man indeed, but who am I to burden him with my poor problems? I, who have fallen so low.

[Jerry]

Gee, Mr. Bradley, I don't know what you're talking about. I thought you just said you tripped or stumbled or something.

[Johnny Bradley]

My boy, I hope you may never know the depths through which I have had to drag my weary body these many years. The despair I've known daily in performing the lowly tasks I have fallen heir to.

[Jerry]

You mean being a clown?

[Johnny Bradley]

Yea, even a clown. Ah, the irony. To bring the beauty of the greatest poet the world has ever known into the ring where people scoff and roar with low and rebelled laughter. Oh, my boy, that is tasting the dregs.

[Jerry]

Indeed it is calling, Mr. Bradley, I just guess. I don't know what you mean. I think being a clown, and a good one, like you and Bumps is one of the grandest things in the world. Do you just think how many people you make happy.

[Johnny Bradley]

Yes, yes, my boy, you speak with the tongue of a philosopher. Indeed, you shame me. No task is too lowly.

[Jerry]

But, Mr. Bradley, if people are unhappy and discontented and feeling blue, and you can make them laugh and forget all the unhappy things, well, gee, maybe I'm crazy, but I can't imagine anything better. How can you say being a clown is lowly?

[Johnny Bradley]

Alas, I know not who has put such words of wisdom in your mouth, my boy. But indeed, you are right. I weep for shame that it would take a child to make me see the folly of my ways and the false pride in my heart.

[Jerry]

Why, Mr. Bradley, you're. You're really crying from weakness.

[Johnny Bradley]

My boy. Truly, these are tears of joy that at last I'm beginning to see the circus in its true light of shedding happiness and joy on the peoples of the earth.

[Bumps the Clown]

I know. We go on in a minute. My, my. Can't you wait? Oh, hello there, Jerry and Johnny.

[Jerry]

Hi, Bumps. Gee, I'm sure glad you happened by the fire.

[Johnny Bradley]

The discontent. The fires of discontent.

[Bumps the Clown]

Why, Jerry, what was that you just said? Johnny?

[Johnny Bradley]

The fires of discontent.

[Jerry]

He's been talking awful funny, Bumps.

[Bumps the Clown]

Johnny, are you sick? Good heavens, you got a temperature? He's delirious. He can't work. Give me a hand, Jerry. We'll move him into this wagon out of the sun.

[Jerry]

But what about his A

[Johnny Bradley]

heavy. The boy is right.

[Bumps the Clown]

The play, the play is the thing. Too late to get in touch with Randall. I guess we'll just have to cut his act today. Say, he's heavy, all right. Right this way. Jerry.

[Jerry]

Yeah. On this blanket?

[Johnny Bradley]

Yeah. Yeah, that's right.

[Bumps the Clown]

Now, get careful now to sink into

[Johnny Bradley]

the arms of Morpheus. What joy. What bliss.

[Jerry]

Shall I get him some water?

[Bumps the Clown]

No, no, no, wait. He's asleep. And just as well. The fever will probably wear itself off now. Here, I'll just put this blanket over him so he won't catch cold.

[Jerry]

Poor fella. He's pretty old, isn't he? Say, Bumps, is. I got an idea.

[Bumps the Clown]

What is it?

[Jerry]

Why can't I go on for him?

[Bumps the Clown]

What?

[Jerry]

Sure. I know what he does.

[Bumps the Clown]

Oh, you couldn't possibly do it.

[Jerry]

Why not? Gee, all he does in the first walk around is to make his duck follow him around the ring. Golly, that's easy enough.

[Bumps the Clown]

Oh, it's out of the question, Jerry.

[Jerry]

Audrey. Please, Bumps, just the first walk around. Lulu and I are friends, and she'll quack after me just like she does after Bradley.

[Bumps the Clown]

Oh, but the makeup.

[Jerry]

I can wear his clothes, and they'll look even funnier on me because I'm little. Aw. Please, Bumps, just let me try the first walk around.

[Bumps the Clown]

Well, I don't know what to say. It's.

[Jerry]

Aw, come on. After all, Lulu's the chief attraction there. And I know all the funny little steps and things he does while Lulu quacks around the ring.

[Bumps the Clown]

Okay, okay, Jerry. I'll risk it. Now, here, quick. I'll help. Here, get these things of Bradley's down from the hooks. He hadn't even dressed yet.

[Jerry]

Will you have time to help me make up a bit?

[Bumps the Clown]

Just barely. You can dress after I leave if we're late. Cause Johnny always comes on later. Now, here. These are all his things.

[Jerry]

This vest is your fancy. Golly. This hat slips way down over my face.

[Bumps the Clown]

And remember to keep pushing it up when it gets over your eyes. Why, you can play it for a laugh.

[Jerry]

Yeah, and I can drip over these pants when they fall down too long.

[Bumps the Clown]

You sure got the right idea for comedy stuff, Jerry. I guess you'll get by. Now, here. Now put this white stuff over your face quick.

[Jerry]

It sure feels funny and sticky.

[Johnny Bradley]

That's right.

[Bumps the Clown]

Here. Now rub it in a little smoother.

[Jerry]

I look just like I put my head in a barrel of dough.

[Bumps the Clown]

I'll Wipe it off around your eyes.

[Jerry]

Why'd you do that? Looks like I got big circles under my eyes.

[Johnny Bradley]

Yeah.

[Bumps the Clown]

Makes you look sad, mournful like. And now I'll just paint this mouth on you. Keep still. How can I ruse your mouth? If you try to talk, that's good, if I do say so myself.

[Jerry]

What a grin. Funny, though. It looks sad too.

[Bumps the Clown]

Yep, that's the way it should be. I'm sorry to say, the sorrier and sadder the clown is if he keeps grinning and bearing all his indignities, the funnier it is to the crowd.

[Jerry]

Ah, gee, I like those eyebrows. They're just like exclamation points. Yeah, I sure look funny. Isn't that so? Right. Aw, gee, thanks, Bumps. You're swell. I won't muff things. I'm sure I won't.

[Bumps the Clown]

Well, son, looks as if that frock coat just about fits. The tails have just come to the floor. Say, listen, Jerry, when you just walk out there, you'll get a laugh or I'll miss my guess. Well, I gotta run. Good luck to you.

[Jerry]

Yeah, I'll sure try. Look, Bradley's still asleep. Think he'll be all right?

[Bumps the Clown]

Well, I'll tend to him right after the show. Well, goodbye. Now. Come along. Come along, Reggs.

[Jerry]

Golly, I sure hope I do it right so Bradley won't get into trouble. Now, I just gotta get.

[Johnny Bradley]

Lulu.

[Jerry]

Here you are, Lulu. Now, think you can do your stuff with me? You better. Okay, Lulu, come on. Recognize your music? Sure you do. I knew I could count on you. You're a swell little trooper. Here's our turn. Come on.

[Bumps the Clown]

On we go.

[Johnny Bradley]

Now.

[Bumps the Clown]

You better not try it.

[Jerry]

But didn't I do the other all right?

[Bumps the Clown]

Oh, you sure did. You had him in the aisles. But listen, Jerry, this next act is different.

[Jerry]

Just Shakespeare.

[Bumps the Clown]

Just Shakespeare. Say, who do you think he was?

[Jerry]

Well, I guess he was pretty good. But I heard Bradley do it enough so I can get the idea. And, gee, you saw how Lulu followed me around in the walk around.

[Bumps the Clown]

I saw how she kept trying to run away from you.

[Jerry]

Well, the audience seemed to like it.

[Bumps the Clown]

I'll say they did. It was a riot. If you could have seen yourself chasing that duck and falling down over those long trousers every time you'd get ahead of him. Why, you had me crying.

[Jerry]

Crying?

[Bumps the Clown]

First laughing and then crying with that fool stovepipe falling down over your eyes and then rolling around the ring when you fell.

[Jerry]

You see, it worked out all right. Aw, please, Bumps, I may never have another chance. Honest. I know some Shakespeare, but Bradley used

[Bumps the Clown]

to be an old Shakespearean actor. He's got that grand old voice like an organ. And he's so darn dignified. That's why it's so funny when the duck keeps interrupting him every time Bradley starts to spout all those features.

[Jerry]

Aw, gee, Bull Riley goes on next. I just say yes, please.

[Bumps the Clown]

I'm sorry, son. I'm afraid that's too much of a good thing.

[Jerry]

Here goes Lulu. Gee whiz. That was her cue and she's gone out. What do we do? Lulu? Lulu.

[Bumps the Clown]

Oh, good night. Lulu. Lulu. Well, Jerry, I guess Lula's taking things into her own hands. Well, go on. And good luck. Though that's a tough act for a kid to try to do.

[Jerry]

Thanks, Bumps. I'll sure try. Hist. Hist. Hist. There. What light through yonder window breaks? Ah, it is the yeast, and Juliet is the sun. Jerry's not going to try and do that, is he?

[Bumps the Clown]

Listen, we can just barely hear it.

[Jerry]

Away, away, little troll. Look at him trying to push that duck away. Oh, he tripped himself.

[Bumps the Clown]

Now listen, he's saying something. Look at him holding his arms out to the duck as it goes squawking off.

[Jerry]

Alas, alas, he can't think of any lines. Hurting is such sweet sorrow today, Any day, every day tomorrow.

[Bumps the Clown]

My golly, he came through all right.

[Jerry]

Taxi.

[Bumps the Clown]

That boy's a born trooper. It. And Doug, there's nowhere I wouldn't go to help someone customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual.

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[Bumps the Clown]

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[Jerry]

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

[Bumps the Clown]

Oh, no. We help people customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual together.

[VRBO Announcer]

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[Bumps the Clown]

Me to a human, him to a bird.

[Jerry]

Yeah, the bird looks out of your league.

[Bumps the Clown]

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

[Johnny Bradley]

Liberty. Liberty.

[Jerry]

Liberty.

[Johnny Bradley]

Liberty.

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