
Jerry of the Circus - Johnny Decides to Visit His Son - 08/18/1937
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Comedy Show Host
Hey, everyone, check out this guy and his bird. What is this, your first date?
Audience Member
Oh, no.
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Comedy Show Host
Yeah, the bird looks out of your league.
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Comedy Show Host
Liberty.
Johnny Bradley
Liberty.
Comedy Show Host
Liberty. Liberty.
Audience Member
Jerry of the circus. Now for Jerry of the Circus.
Jerry
Here, Rags. Here, boy, you quit running around so much in this backyard. Stay right by me. I'm not going over to our wagon. I'm going over to Johnny Bradley's wagon. I'm going to tell him about the party last night. Come here. Now, just because your leg is well, you can't have to show off and run so fast. Now, you wait right here, Mr. Bradley. Oh, Mr. Bradley. Guess he's not here yet. Well, we'll just wait around for him. What do you say? Hey, how about some tricks? Think he can jump up on my shoulder like you do with bumps? Okay, let's try it. 1, 2, 3, up. Good boy. Good for you. Now let's see if you can jump down to my foot and somersault back up to my shoulder again. Ready? Go. Hurray for you, Rag. You're all right. You know, I bet you and I could do bumps act without any trouble. I'm glad to know that, too, because Mr. Randall said I was the understudy and I have to be able to do all of the clowns act. Now, let's try that double somersault now. No. Get in back of me like you do with bumps. That's the fella. Now, ready? One, two, three, go. Up. Golly, you did it. Oh, Johnny. I mean, Mr. Bradley, I didn't see.
Johnny Bradley
Well, I just got here, Jerry, just in time to see that last trick.
Jerry
I was just putting Rags through some of his stunts to see if he could do them with me as well as he does with Bumps.
Johnny Bradley
I should say there's little doubt about that after witnessing your demonstration.
Jerry
Yeah, he does the tricks just as easy with me as he does them with bunce. I'll bet he'd even work with you if you'd give him the right cues.
Johnny Bradley
Yes, I believe he would. I've said before, but it bears repeating. That dog is a mighty fine trooper.
Jerry
Yes, you sure are, Rag.
Johnny Bradley
Want to come into the wagon, Jerry? I've got A few things I have to do.
Jerry
Uh huh. I came over here looking for you.
Johnny Bradley
Well, fine. Come in then. Did you have something special special on your mind?
Jerry
Just about the party last night. I wanted to tell you about it.
Johnny Bradley
Good. Sit down, Jerry. Make yourself comfortable.
Jerry
Thanks. Lie down here, Rag. You sure missed out on a good time, Mr. Bradley.
Johnny Bradley
You had a nice time, did you?
Jerry
Oh, it was a keen party. Mr. Grayson. Sure made us feel at home. We had spaghetti, all kinds of sandwiches and even ice cream and cake.
Johnny Bradley
Well, that sounds good.
Jerry
It was. And Jason told us a lot of stories about wild animals and told us how he started to be a trainer when he was real young. And then Mr. Grayson told us about law school and all about the hard things he had to study to become a lawyer.
Johnny Bradley
He seems to be a nice sort of person.
Jerry
Oh, Mr. Grayson's nice all right. And is he smart?
Johnny Bradley
He is.
Jerry
Uh huh. He says he gets his smartness from his father.
Johnny Bradley
He said that?
Jerry
He sure did. He thinks a lot of his father.
Johnny Bradley
What did he say about him, Jerry?
Jerry
Well, his father is an actor. A pretty big one, I guess.
Johnny Bradley
Is that so?
Jerry
Yeah, and it was his father who sent him through law school.
Johnny Bradley
What else did he say about his father though, Jerry?
Jerry
He said he owed everything to his father. He's trying awful hard to make good for his sake.
Johnny Bradley
My, that's a nice thought.
Jerry
Yeah, he sure is a real nice man all right.
Johnny Bradley
Or what else did you do at the party, Jerry?
Jerry
Oh, we played some games and then Mr. Grayson did some tricks for.
Johnny Bradley
Did he do the one where he puts a coin on the back of each finger and then throws them up and catches them all with the same hand?
Jerry
Yeah. How did you know?
Johnny Bradley
Why I. Well. Oh, I thought he'd do that. You see, that's an old trick. I mean he probably learned that at school.
Jerry
Oh, uh huh. And then we played the radio and Patsy and Jason danced together. I sure wish you could have been there with us. I know you'd a had had a nice time too because Bumpshear enjoyed himself.
Johnny Bradley
Yes, I guess I did miss quite a lot, Jerry. And not only last night. I've missed a lot all through life. Ah, but alas, there is never a loss without a gain. So I must be grateful for the good fortune that has come my way.
Jerry
That's what my father always told me. He said if I give thanks for the little things, I. I'd soon be given thanks for bigger things.
Johnny Bradley
Truer words were never spoken. Spoken, Jerry, that's a sound bit of advice. Now let me see what Was it? I had to do. Oh, yes, yes. I must fix Lulu's hat. Here we are.
Jerry
What are you gonna do with it?
Johnny Bradley
Oh, I fear the elastic has had its day. I must replace it with a new piece.
Jerry
Yeah, I noticed that the hat keeps slipping off Lulu's head.
Johnny Bradley
And Lulu's not the kind of a duck that likes to be untidy. She's very fussy about her costume, such as it is.
Jerry
She sure is a smart duck, all right. How did he ever train her?
Johnny Bradley
It wasn't difficult, Jerry. You see, ducks are timid. But once you gain their confidence and make a pet of them, they become very manageable. It may surprise you to know that I think an awful lot of Lulu.
Jerry
No, that doesn't surprise me. Lulu is your pal, just like rag. Rags as mine.
Johnny Bradley
That's it exactly. She is my pal and a very understanding friend, too. Just like a dog, she seems to sense my moods, and I appreciate that.
Jerry
They sure do understand a lot. Golly, I don't know what I'd have done without Rags when I was left all alone.
Johnny Bradley
Yeah, that's finished. Now that hat should fit properly.
Jerry
It didn't take you long. You know how to sew, all right.
Johnny Bradley
Necessity teaches us to do a lot of things around the circus, Jerry.
Jerry
Say, look. Look who's out there.
Johnny Bradley
Well, who is it? Oh, it's Bumps. Hello, Bumps.
Jerry
Looking for me?
Bumps
Oh, there you are, Jerry.
Johnny Bradley
Come on in.
Bumps
I'm coming.
Johnny Bradley
Jerry and I were just visiting.
Jerry
I was telling Mr. Bradley about the party last night.
Bumps
Oh, and that was a party. You missed something, Johnny.
Johnny Bradley
So Jerry tells me.
Bumps
Did you tell Johnny about all the spaghetti I ate?
Johnny Bradley
No, he didn't mention a word of it.
Jerry
Golly, I forgot all about that.
Bumps
Well, don't see how you could let that slip your mind, Jerry. You had a couple of plates full
Jerry
yourself, and it sure was good. Sally's a wonderful cook. She's going to marry Mr. Grayson pretty soon.
Johnny Bradley
So he told me. Tell me about her, Jerry.
Jerry
When he introduced her to us, he. He said they're waiting until he's doing better in his law office, and then they're going to get married.
Johnny Bradley
Oh, and she's real nice, is she?
Bumps
Oh, she's a mighty fine girl, Johnny.
Johnny Bradley
Well, I'm glad. I mean, it's nice to see a young man like Richard Grayson find a good life's palm.
Bumps
Yes, it is.
Jerry
Did you want me for something, Bumps?
Bumps
Oh, no, no, nothing special, Jerry. I think I'll take Rags and put him through some stunts.
Jerry
I just had him doing some of the tricks you do with him?
Johnny Bradley
Yes, and Jerry finds that Rags works just as well with him as it does with you, Bumps.
Bumps
Oh, is that so? Does he do the shoulder jumps and somersaults too?
Jerry
Sure he does. He does every one of the tricks with me.
Bumps
Well, I was just thinking maybe I'd try a few new ones.
Jerry
What kind?
Johnny Bradley
Oh, I don't know.
Bumps
I'll figure something out.
Johnny Bradley
You just leave it to Bumps to figure out something new to do.
Jerry
Why don't you teach him to jump through a hoop of fire?
Bumps
Oh, no, Jerry. I don't think that'd be so good. You see, after Jason has that leopard jump through the ring of flame, well, to see Rags do it wouldn't be any novelty at all.
Jerry
You know what? I don't see how Jason ever got that leopard to jump through fire like that.
Johnny Bradley
Fire is an animal's worst enemy. There's no doubt about that.
Bumps
But Jason's clever. If anyone in the world can get one of those big cats to do an astounding trick, well, he can.
Jerry
Yeah, he's sure a good wild animal trainer.
Bumps
Well, I think I better get at those tricks. I'm gonna do it before lunch. Well, now, where's my partner, Rags?
Jerry
There he is, Bumps, laying down there by that trunk. I guess he's asleep.
Johnny Bradley
Oh, Rags.
Bumps
Rags.
Jerry
He's sleeping all right.
Bumps
Come on, fella.
Johnny Bradley
Wake up, Rags.
Jerry
We're calling you.
Bumps
Well, Rags, I'm gonna teach you a few new tricks.
Jerry
Can I go with you and watch?
Bumps
I don't see why not. Rags is still your dog, even if he is my partner in the show.
Jerry
Well, I'll see you later, Mr. Brady.
Johnny Bradley
All right, Jerry. And thank you for the visit. It was nice of you to come over and tell me about the party.
Bumps
Goodbye, Johnny. Come on.
Johnny Bradley
Goodbye. Goodbye, Johnny.
Bumps
Oh, hello there, Mr. Randall.
Jerry
Morning, Mr. Randall.
Audience Member
Oh, hello, Bumps.
Johnny Bradley
And Jerry. Where are you heading?
Jerry
We were just in Mr. Bradley's wagon visiting him. And now we're going over the big top to rehearse Rags and some new tricks.
Audience Member
Johnny in there?
Bumps
Yeah, sure, Sam.
Audience Member
I want to have a little talk with him. Well, I'll see you after a while. Can I come in, Johnny?
Johnny Bradley
Well, Mr. Randall, surely. Come in. Come in. When the doors open, I'm always receiving visitors.
Audience Member
There's something I'd like to take up with it. Johnny.
Johnny Bradley
Yes, Mr. Randall?
Audience Member
It's about you and your son. You know, Johnny, I. I think you should go see him while we're playing here. I really do.
Johnny Bradley
Oh, no, Mr. Randall. That would never do. Never would I have my boy know that his father is a clown. He knows my histrionic ability and it would hurt him.
Audience Member
I know. I know. You've been telling him in your letters that you've been doing big things on the stage.
Johnny Bradley
Not because I want him to think his father is a great man or anything like that, but I know the boy, and I feel I'm doing the right thing, sir.
Audience Member
Now, wait a minute. You'd like to see him, wouldn't you? Have a nice, long talk.
Johnny Bradley
Oh, indeed I would. Yes, sir.
Audience Member
Well, then why not go see him and not let him know that you're with the circus?
Johnny Bradley
How could that be done?
Audience Member
Well, isn't there some excuse for you to pay him a visit?
Johnny Bradley
Well, yes, there is. I've saved up a hundred dollars that I was going to mail to him,
Audience Member
so you can take it to him instead. Take him? You were just passing through town on business.
Johnny Bradley
Yes, I could do that.
Audience Member
Of course you could. You'd make that boy of yours very happy. And there's little question about how much pleasure you'd get in seeing him.
Johnny Bradley
Perhaps I could tell him that I'm passing through with someone and that they're waiting for me at the railroad station.
Audience Member
Yes, that's all right.
Johnny Bradley
I'll make my visit very brief so he won't gather anything from my conversation.
Audience Member
You let your boy do most of the talking. After all, you want to find out as much as you about how he's getting along. You just keep asking him questions about himself, and he'll be so busy answering them, he won't have time to ask you any.
Johnny Bradley
The very thought of seeing him and having a talk makes. Makes my old heart skip a beat or two. I'll do it.
Bumps
Good.
Audience Member
Go to his office today. We're leaving tonight. You know, you'll feel like a new man after you see him.
Johnny Bradley
But my. My clothes are none too good, Mr. Randall.
Audience Member
Don't let that stop you. Your son will think you're doing very well when he sees this on your finger, Mr. Randall.
Johnny Bradley
Your diamond ring. Oh, it's beautiful, but. Oh, I couldn't wear it.
Audience Member
Oh, yes, you can. Go ahead, put it on. I think you look prosperous enough.
Johnny Bradley
I'll do it. Oh, but how can I ever thank you, sir?
Audience Member
You don't have to thank me. I feel that you should see your boy and have a talk with him. You'll both enjoy it.
Johnny Bradley
I know we will.
Audience Member
Your whole life is wrapped up in that son of yours. And to pass through Jackson City without seeing him would be a crime.
Johnny Bradley
You have a heart of gold, mister.
Audience Member
Oh, not at all, not at all, Johnny. I, I, I'm just human.
Johnny Bradley
I'll go to Richard's office this afternoon, Mr. Randall. Oh, this will be a milestone in my life.
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Liberty Mutual Agent
And, Doug, there's nowhere I wouldn't go to help someone customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual. Even if it means sitting front row at a comedy show.
Comedy Show Host
Hey, everyone, check out this guy and his bird. What is this, your first date?
Audience Member
Oh, no.
Liberty Mutual Agent
We help people customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual together. We're married. Me to a human, him to a bird.
Comedy Show Host
Yeah, the bird looks out of your league.
Liberty Mutual Agent
Anyways, get a quote@libertymutual.com or with your local agent.
Comedy Show Host
Liberty.
Johnny Bradley
Liberty.
Comedy Show Host
Liberty. Liberty.
Date: May 16, 2026
This episode of Harold's Old Time Radio revisits "Jerry of the Circus," a classic radio serial from the golden age of family radio entertainment. The central theme revolves around connection, loyalty, and the bittersweet realities of circus life. Jerry recounts a lively party, learns more about his fellow performers, and, most emotionally, Johnny Bradley faces his conflicting feelings about reconnecting with his son while concealing his true profession as a clown. The episode delivers warmth, wisdom, and touches of humor through charming interactions among circus friends.
Jerry trains his dog, Rags, practicing circus tricks, demonstrating their strong bond and shared skills.
"I'm just putting Rags through some of his stunts to see if he could do them with me as well as he does with Bumps."
– Jerry, 03:35
Jerry visits Johnny Bradley to share news about the party, emphasizing the warmth and camaraderie among the circus family.
Jerry admires the respect Mr. Grayson has for his father.
"He said he owed everything to his father. He's trying awful hard to make good for his sake."
– Jerry, 05:15
Small touches of circus life, such as Johnny repairing Lulu the duck’s hat, highlight the resourcefulness and close relationships among circus folk.
Johnny and Jerry discuss the importance of their animal friends, Lulu and Rags.
"She is my pal and a very understanding friend, too. Just like a dog, she seems to sense my moods, and I appreciate that."
– Johnny Bradley, 07:11
The depth of comfort pets provide is underlined, especially when Jerry notes how Rags helped him through loneliness.
Bumps enters, recalling the party and bantering about spaghetti-eating feats.
The troupe discusses teaching Rags new tricks and circus performance ideas, including:
"Fire is an animal's worst enemy. There's no doubt about that."
– Johnny Bradley, 09:22
Jerry and Bumps prepare to work on new stunts before lunch, reinforcing the teamwork and lively routine of circus performers.
Mr. Randall seeks out Johnny Bradley, gently urging him to visit his son, Richard, while the circus is in town.
Emotional support:
"Your whole life is wrapped up in that son of yours. And to pass through Jackson City without seeing him would be a crime."
– Mr. Randall, 13:06
Johnny is moved and resolves to visit his son that very afternoon, marking a milestone in his otherwise humble life.
On Animal Companions:
"She is my pal and a very understanding friend, too. Just like a dog, she seems to sense my moods, and I appreciate that."
– Johnny Bradley, 07:11
On Parental Pride and Sacrifice:
"I've missed a lot all through life. Ah, but alas, there is never a loss without a gain."
– Johnny Bradley, 06:02
On Honesty and Hope:
"If I give thanks for the little things, I'd soon be given thanks for bigger things."
– Jerry quoting his father, 06:18
On Father-Son Bonds:
"He said he owed everything to his father. He's trying awful hard to make good for his sake."
– Jerry, 05:15
On the Importance of Seeing Loved Ones:
"Your whole life is wrapped up in that son of yours. And to pass through Jackson City without seeing him would be a crime."
– Mr. Randall, 13:06
The tone is warm, earnest, and tinged with nostalgia and loyalty. The language remains true to golden age radio tradition, filled with old-fashioned wisdom, gentle humor, and the enduring optimism of circus performers facing life’s challenges together.
This episode artfully combines simple joys, circus camaraderie, and the poignant dilemma of a father wishing to reconnect with his son while hiding his humble reality. Listeners are immersed in the close-knit, resourceful world of the circus and left with an uplifting message about the power of kindness, friendship, and the importance of family—no matter what path one’s life may take.