Jerry of the Circus - Joe Hadley Hired

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Jerry of the Circus - Joe Hadley Hired"

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode Date: May 20, 2026
Episode Theme:
A slice-of-life look behind the scenes of a touring circus, spotlighting strongman Belko’s feats and the hiring of a mysterious new clown, Joe Hadley. The episode explores themes of camaraderie, trust, and second chances among circus folk, woven together with light humor and vintage charm.

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Main Themes and Purpose

• Introduces Joe Hadley, the new clown, and follows his interactions as he is formally introduced to the circus staff.
• Focuses on circus strongman Belko’s impressive strength demonstrations, performed to impress both the crew and a "special lady."
• Touches on the past and reputation of a canvas man named Spike (also called Max Peters), revealing underlying questions of trust and redemption.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Belko's Strength Demonstrations

[02:09 – 07:15]

• Jerry approaches Belko, admiring the heavy weights and chains he’s carrying, and expresses amazement at the strongman’s feats.
• Belko is shown preparing to perform special tricks for Ms. Patsy, described as "the beautiful lady," though she’s absent unexpectedly.
• Mr. Randall (the circus boss) is convinced by Jerry to stay and watch Belko’s performance.
• Demonstrations include:
  • Breaking a horseshoe by hand
  • Breaking links in an iron chain
• Banter ensues about legendary strongmen and whether Belko could lift two horses, leading to a joke about starting with ponies and raising them.

Notable Quote:

"Only the Great Belko. But Belko not like most men. No, Belko very, very strong."
— Belko (02:49)

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2. Introduction of Joe Hadley

[07:17 – 09:56]

• Mr. Randall spots Joe Hadley, the new clown, arriving for their appointment.
• They discuss Spike/Max Peters' reputation, referencing his wrongful involvement in a past mail robbery case (the Platt trial).
• Hadley mentions he’s telegraphed the penitentiary to clarify Spike’s associations and seeks to meet him discreetly.
• Randall describes Jerry and his close friendship with Spike, recounting how Spike once saved Jerry's life.

Notable Quotes:

"A man who's been shut up for four years with criminals is pretty likely to become influenced by those about him."
— Joe Hadley (08:20)

"More than that. Spike saved his life, or at least his neck."
— Mr. Randall on Jerry's loyalty to Spike (09:22)

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3. Hadley and Jerry Bond, and Discuss Spike

[10:03 – 12:54]

• Randall leaves Jerry and Hadley together; Jerry continues marveling at Belko's strength.
• Hadley inquires about Spike, cleverly feigning family ties to the Platt trial’s prosecutor, which earns Jerry’s trust.
• Jerry reveals his own minor role in helping solve the mail robbery case and shares details about circus routines and Spike’s schedule.

Notable Quote:

"See, I kind of had an interest in that myself... When we were in Hannisburg, I happened on some information that... well, it really was the cause of Platts getting caught."
— Jerry (12:00)

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4. Telegram Arrives for Hadley

[12:54 – 13:14]

• Jerry and Hadley are interrupted by a circus worker who tells Hadley a telegram has come for him—presumably regarding Spike’s background.

Notable Moment:

The telegram introduces a note of tension and mystery, hinting at possible developments in Spike’s storyline.

---

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• Belko’s Boasting:
  "You see these muscles?" (02:57)
  "I break the horseshoe... See, I take it up so easy, and then I break it." (05:29)
• Circus Humor:
  "Get two ponies and start with them." — Jerry, joking how Belko could train to lift two horses (06:58)

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Important Timestamps

• [02:09] — Start of circus camp scene; Jerry greets Belko
• [03:29] — Belko and Randall confirm the weight of performance props
• [05:29] — Belko breaks the horseshoe
• [06:22] — Belko breaks the iron chain
• [07:23] — Joe Hadley is introduced
• [08:09] — Randall and Hadley discuss Spike’s past
• [09:22] — Randall recalls Spike saving Jerry
• [10:03] — Hadley leaves Randall to bond with Jerry
• [12:56] — Hadley receives telegram

---

Tone & Style

The interplay is friendly, warm, and peppered with lighthearted banter and gentle humor, reflecting the family-friendly tone of old-time radio drama. Issues of loyalty, trust, and redemption surface beneath the cheerful circus atmosphere, giving the narrative subtle depth.

---

Conclusion

This episode of "Jerry of the Circus" mixes entertainment with gentle drama: Belko’s feats delight, Joe Hadley’s hiring hints at circus intrigue, and the past of Spike/Max Peters introduces a thread of mystery and trust. With engaging dialogue and heartfelt moments, the episode captures both the excitement and the humanity lurking behind the circus tents.

Transcript

[A]

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[B]

Liberty. Liberty.

[C]

Liberty.

[B]

Liberty.

[D]

Jerry of the circus. For Jerry of the circus.

[C]

Hi there, Belo. How are you this morning? I don't see how you could be bigger. See? What you doing so early in the morning with all those chains and weights and things?

[E]

I'm keeping a special show for the very special lady.

[C]

You are?

[E]

Yeah.

[C]

You mean you're going to do some special stunts and things?

[E]

Wait, I put these down.

[C]

How much did all that weigh?

[E]

Oh, a ton, I guess.

[C]

No, tell me. That stuff looks as if it must weigh a lot.

[E]

Belco tell you a ton. Those things weigh a ton. Maybe more.

[C]

Quit kidding. No one could carry a ton of stuff.

[E]

Only the Great Belco. But Belco not like most men. No, Belco very, very strong.

[B]

See?

[E]

See these muscles?

[C]

Of course, Belco. But that cannonball, how much does it weigh? The big one?

[E]

Oh, that one was made special for the Great belco. It weighs 500 pounds.

[C]

You're kidding.

[E]

Belco never lies about what he can do. Oh, look, look, here comes Mr. Randall. He'll tell you. Mr. Randall. Oh, Mr. Randall.

[D]

You want something, Belco?

[E]

Yeah, I want you to tell this boy here that belco's cannonball weighs 500 pounds.

[D]

Yes, of course it does, Jerry. I had it weighed and all of Belko's things checked before he was taken on as part of the side show.

[C]

He just said all those things on the ground there weigh about a ton.

[D]

Well, offhand, they probably do, Jerry. Why?

[C]

Well, Jiminy Crickets. You know, he carried that all the way over here from his dressing tent in one load.

[D]

No. Did you really, Belko?

[E]

Of course it is nothing.

[C]

He's gonna do some special stunts. Got a few minutes to stay and watch.

[D]

Well, I'm expecting a visit from that new clown, Joe Hadley. One we took on in Allendale. We've got some business to talk over. See what time it is.

[C]

Ah, it's early. Just stay and watch for a few minutes.

[D]

Well, I guess I've got enough time. What are you gonna do, Belko?

[E]

Oh, the beautiful lady. I do all my tricks. She is so lovely, so dainty. And she never see the great Belko do his magnitude.

[C]

Say, who are you expecting, Belko?

[E]

Do not know, Ms. Patsy. She is the nice lady. I show my great stuff.

[C]

But Vel, I just saw day she

[E]

come up to me after I pull those lions so nice around the ring. And she say she liked very much to see me break the horseshoe, break the chain.

[C]

But Belcore, are you sure she was to be here this morning? I just saw her go off the lot with bumps. They got on a bus. I thought they were going into town.

[E]

No, no, no. Oh, Mr. Randall, the pretty Patsy could not have forgotten so soon.

[D]

If she did, Belko, I'm sure she didn't do it on purpose.

[E]

Oh, no, no. She could not be so cruel. Yesterday she was so happy, so glad. When I say some morning soon I do the great feats of strength for her.

[C]

Of course she was. It probably didn't make it clear that you'd do them today.

[E]

Yeah, yeah, it must be so. And for this I carried these things into the backyard.

[C]

Well, couldn't you do them anyway? Ah, please. I'm sure Mr. Randall would like to see him, too.

[E]

Well, I. Of course, the great Belko always likes to plead.

[D]

Why, sure, Belko. I have a few minutes. I'm sure Jerry would like to see you break that horseshoe.

[C]

You bet I would, Belko.

[E]

Yeah? Yeah. You lie good. I'll do it for you. See, I take it up so easy, and then I break it.

[C]

Jiminy Cricket. Say, is that the same kind we use over in the horse tent?

[D]

Certainly is, Jerry. I bought it myself for Belko when I thought I'd keep him in the sideshow.

[C]

Boy, he doesn't it hurt your hands, Belco?

[E]

These paws look honest, Mr. Randall.

[C]

His hands are almost as big as well as a ham, aren't they?

[E]

You see, Mr. Randall, I have a good audience.

[D]

Yeah, Belco, I never did see you do that chain act.

[E]

No, you not see me break the links in this iron chain I did.

[C]

That's a stunt you did the day bumps and I caught you.

[E]

Say, and did your muscles bulge for you, Mr. Randall. Now I do this, see? It is easy for a Superman. One, two, three.

[C]

Isn't that key, Mr. Randall?

[D]

Yeah. You know, Belko reminds me of a famous man in the 19th century called the Iron King who could lift two horses, one in each hand.

[C]

No. Say, Belko, can you do that?

[E]

Well, I never try. How I know if another man do it? I suppose the great Belko could learn.

[C]

I know a good way to start.

[E]

Oh?

[C]

Get two ponies and start with them.

[D]

Oh, I see. Then Belko would still be lifting them in a few years after they'd grown up. Sure.

[C]

You see, by doing it every day, he wouldn't notice the difference in weight so much.

[E]

Maybe next season I Do that, huh, Mr. Randall?

[D]

We'll see. It's not a bad idea.

[E]

Randall.

[B]

Randall.

[D]

Oh, who's that calling?

[C]

It's the new clown you're talking about. See? Here he comes around the wagon.

[D]

Hello there, Hadley.

[B]

I was over to your office wagon, but one of the men said he thought he'd seen you out here.

[D]

Yeah. I'm sorry, Hadley. I'm afraid I got interested in Belko here and forgot all about our appointment.

[C]

Gee, Mr. Randall, I'm sorry. It's all my fault.

[B]

It won't take a minute, Mr. Randall. We could just step over here where we could talk privately.

[D]

Oh, of course. I'm sorry, Belko, but thanks for the entertainment.

[E]

That means nothing. Someday Belko will really show you something.

[D]

All right, Belco. We might walk across the lot a bit. Hadley. It's so nice in the sun.

[E]

Good.

[B]

I'd like to.

[D]

Well, what's on your mind this morning?

[B]

Well, I've checked over that list of yours pretty thoroughly, Randall. Yeah? Now, this fellow Spike.

[D]

Oh, yes, yes, I explained to you about him. If I hadn't have been pretty sure of him, I'd have hesitated about taking him back.

[B]

I realize he's not responsible in any way for that mail robbery in Hansberg. The Platt Trier cleared that up sufficiently.

[D]

Well, then I guess there's nothing against him. He proved himself as a good man while he was working for me.

[B]

But you see, Randall, here's the danger. A man who's been shut up for four years with criminals is pretty likely to become influenced by those about him.

[D]

You mean he's liable to pick up some bad tricks?

[B]

Exactly.

[D]

Yes, I suppose that's true. Still, Spike strikes me as a pretty straight fellow.

[B]

That's as it may be. I took the liberty of telegraphing the penitentiary regarding him and the type of criminals with whom he was most closely associated while there.

[D]

That's a good precaution to take.

[B]

So if a telegram comes to your office for me, you'll know what it's all about. Naturally, I'd like to have it as soon as possible.

[D]

Oh, of course. I'll see if you get it.

[B]

Meantime, I think it might be a good idea for me to meet Spike. Informally, of course.

[D]

You want to do a little Checking up on your own account, huh?

[B]

Exactly. What's the least obvious way for me to contact him?

[D]

Well, I should think through Jerry.

[B]

Oh, you mean the boy I met yesterday? The one you were just with?

[D]

Yes. You see, he happened to get Spike his first job with us. The head canvas man needed another hand, and Jerry got hold of Spike. Spike was standing around watching the circus go up.

[B]

I suppose the boy feels a proprietary interest in him, huh?

[D]

More than that. Spike saved his life, or at least his neck. A few days later, one of the horses Jerry was riding loosed his cinch belt and the saddle slipped over with Jerry's foot caught and the poor kid hanging on for dear life. And Spike ran out and grabbed the bridle.

[B]

Well, that's good enough for me. If you don't mind, I'll drop off with the boy and get him to take me over to Spike Hadley.

[D]

Don't be too obvious. Jerry's very loyal to Spike.

[B]

Don't worry about me. Hey, listen, I can always think up some story or some reason for all the things I want to know.

[D]

That's why you're on this job, huh?

[B]

I'll see. Well, I'll be seeing you, Randall. Don't forget about that telegram.

[D]

Don't worry. So long. Say, Jerry, I'm leaving Mr. Hadley with you. If Belko is doing any more stunts, I'm sure he'll be interested.

[C]

Okay. What about a Belko?

[E]

You're not had enough yet?

[B]

Have you ever seen a boy who didn't want more?

[E]

No. Fun is fun, but this business is worked.

[C]

I'm sorry, but just one more for Mr. Hadley.

[B]

Oh, some other time, Jerry. After all, Belko has a show to do today.

[E]

I tell you what, Jerry. When I give the great performance for the lovely little lady Patsy, then I ask hardly to. How's that?

[B]

Sounds pretty good to me, Belko.

[C]

Sure. That's great. Say, am I invited too?

[E]

You are a glutton for punishment, Jackie. Now, if you will excuse me, I go and take my props, please.

[B]

Bye.

[C]

Look at that, Mr. Hadley. You know, those things, he's got their way a whole ton.

[B]

Why, they couldn't.

[C]

That's what I thought, too, but Mr. Randall checked on their weight, and they really do weigh that much.

[E]

Goodbye, my friends. I see you again.

[C]

Goodbye. Say, can you imagine picking those things up like. Well, like you'd grab up a pick and a shovel.

[B]

I guess you're used to seeing a lot of unusual things around here, aren't you, Jerry?

[C]

I'll say.

[B]

Say, Jerry, Mr. Randall tells me you know A fellow, one of the canvas men by the name of Max Peters.

[C]

Max? Oh, you mean spike.

[B]

That's right. Mr. Randall did say he went by another name around the lot.

[C]

Sure, he's a good friend of mine. But why? How do you happen to know his other name?

[B]

It's a funny thing, Jerry, but I was talking about him only a short while ago with an uncle of mine.

[C]

Your uncle?

[D]

Sure.

[B]

He was the district attorney on a trial that came up just a little while ago. You probably wouldn't know anything about it.

[C]

What trial? What was your uncle's name?

[B]

Jefferson Whitley. He handled a new angle on an old mail robbery case called the Platt trial.

[C]

Was he your uncle? Say, Spike, I'd like to meet you. Your uncle did a swell job on that case. Spike told me all about it.

[B]

He did, huh?

[C]

See, I kind of had an interest in that myself.

[B]

You did?

[C]

Didn't you hear about it? When we were in Hannisburg, I happened on some information that. Well, it really was a cause of Platts getting caught.

[B]

Oh, so you're the boy. Well, well, well, you know, my uncle told me all about you. Say, I'm mighty glad to meet you, Jerry.

[C]

Aw, gee, it was nothing. Just. Well, anyhow, I know Spike would like to know you.

[B]

Well, let's go and see him.

[C]

Well, we can't now. You see, he's all through. He just helps get the circus up and then he helps load it again. He's always gone all day, he is?

[B]

Where does he go?

[C]

Oh, I don't know. Around the town, I guess. I never thought to ask them that. Funny, all the roustabouts and canvas men are free while the show's up. But they sure work hard.

[B]

When they work, they have funny working hours, haven't they?

[C]

I'll say. Up at 2, 3, 4, 5 in the morning, Men start loading as soon as the show goes on at night.

[B]

Yeah, I'd rather be a performer.

[C]

Oh, I don't know. I like all parts of the circus.

[D]

Jerry. Jerry.

[C]

What you want? You know a fella by the name of Hadley? Sure, he's right here.

[B]

Who owns me?

[D]

Oh, you Hadley?

[B]

Yeah.

[D]

Say, Mr. Ral told me to tell you a telegram just came for you.

[B]

He did? Uhhuh. Thanks. I'll go right over and get it. Well, I'm sorry, Jerry. I guess I'll have to leave you for the present. This telegram might turn out to be pretty important.

[C]

Foreign.

[A]

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[D]

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