Jerry of the Circus - Lion Is Finally Cornered

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Jerry of the Circus – Lion Is Finally Cornered"

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Air Date: May 20, 2026
Episode: Jerry of the Circus – Lion Is Finally Cornered

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Overview

This episode plunges listeners into a suspenseful day under the big top, where a dangerous circus lion breaks loose, creating panic among performers and animals alike. The young protagonist, Jerry, and his loyal dog Rags race against time to locate Jason, the only lion tamer capable of recapturing the beast. Bravery, quick thinking, and classic circus camaraderie fill this thrilling adventure from radio’s golden age.

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Episode Breakdown

The Lion Escapes and Panic Ensues

[02:09–04:24]

• Jerry and Carlos realize a lion has escaped, causing chaos among the animals.

• Jason, the only person able to control the lion, is missing.

• Jerry recalls hearing Jason say he needed a haircut and heads for the barbershop, bringing Rags along despite Carlos’ warnings.

  Notable Quote:

  “Jiminy willikers. Carlos, imagine that lion loose out there with all those people around.”
  — Jerry [02:09]

Finding Jason

[04:24–05:57]

• Jerry finds Jason mid-shave at the barbershop and explains the crisis.

• Jason dashes off, still covered in shaving cream, when he learns his lion is missing.

  Memorable Moment:

  “One of my lions loose? Well, why didn’t you say so? Where?”
  — Jason [04:46]

  Notable Quote:

  “You got a good head on you, Jerry. I guess we'd better run. We got no time to lose.”
  — Jason [05:09]

The Search and Strategy

[05:14–07:14]

• Jason and Jerry rush back to the circus lot, discussing the unpredictability of even “tame” lions in crisis.

• Jason identifies the escaped lion as Nemo, the most vicious one.

• Plans are made to surround Nemo, who has taken shelter in the wardrobe tent.

  Notable Quote:

  “Even the tame ones get so frightened when they find themselves in strange surroundings that you can't depend on what they'll do.”
  — Jason [05:51]

The Lion is Cornered

[07:15–09:26]

• Jason instructs two men to bring Nemo’s wagon to the tent.

• A tense sequence unfolds: Jason and his men attempt to drive Nemo into the cage. Nemo is confused, his head tangled in fabric.

• Rags, Jerry’s dog, unexpectedly rushes towards Nemo, further complicating the situation.

  Memorable Moment:

  “Oh, well, I'll be. Look at that little dog go after Nemo… I never saw anything like that in all my life as an animal trainer.”
  — Jason [09:43]

Crisis in the Dressing Wagon

[09:26–13:00]

• Nemo, chased by Rags, bolts away and runs directly into Johnny Bradley’s dressing wagon. Concerns grow that Johnny might be inside.

• Jason quickly shuts the door to keep the lion contained, but tension mounts as everyone wonders about Johnny’s safety.

• With Nemo cornered, plans are made to move his wagon to the dressing wagon door to safely contain the lion.

  Notable Quote:

  “If he’d been there, he’d had his door closed, wouldn’t he?”
  — Jerry [11:18]

Resolution & Reflection

[13:00–13:31]

• Jason appreciates the help but reflects on the seriousness of the situation, particularly the unpredictable actions of Rags the dog.

  Memorable Moment:

  “It was worth it, Jerry. Honestly. I’ve been in this business a long time, but this is the first time I ever heard of a dog chasing a lion around.”
  — Jason [11:00]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Jiminy willikers. Carlos, imagine that lion loose out there with all those people around.”
  — Jerry [02:09]
• “One of my lions loose? Well, why didn’t you say so? Where?”
  — Jason [04:46]
• "You got a good head on you, Jerry. I guess we'd better run. We got no time to lose."
  — Jason [05:09]
• “Even the tame ones get so frightened when they find themselves in strange surroundings that you can't depend on what they'll do.”
  — Jason [05:51]
• “Look at that little dog go after Nemo. …I never saw anything like that in all my life as an animal trainer.”
  — Jason [09:43]
• “It was worth it, Jerry. Honestly. I’ve been in this business a long time, but this is the first time I ever heard of a dog chasing a lion around.”
  — Jason [11:00]

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Key Themes & Insights

• Bravery and Quick Thinking: Jerry’s resourcefulness in locating Jason and Jason’s immediate action underscore the quick thinking required in circus life.
• Unpredictability of Animals: The episode discusses how even tamed circus animals can be dangerous when scared or confused, highlighted by both Jason’s caution and Nemo’s behavior.
• Animal Camaraderie and Humor: Rags the dog unexpectedly takes center stage, adding both comic relief and driving the resolution, subverting the typical animal pecking order.
• Teamwork Under Pressure: The circus crew springs into action, each playing a role in corralling the escaped lion, showcasing the necessity of teamwork.

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Episode’s Climax

The episode closes in suspense as the lion is cornered in the wagon, leaving listeners eager to see what happens next and if Johnny Bradley is safe.

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For anyone who loves classic radio adventures, this episode of "Jerry of the Circus" masterfully blends tension, humor, and nostalgia while spotlighting the enduring themes of courage and quick wits under pressure.

Transcript

[A]

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[B]

Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. Jerry of the circus. Now for Jerry of the Circus.

[C]

Jiminy willikers. Carlos, imagine that lion loose out there with all those people around.

[B]

It is awful, Jerry. Nobody can handle that line but Jason. And he is nowhere to be found.

[C]

It's fierce. Nobody in the circus can handle those lines like Jason. And he's say, jiminy Crickets, why didn't I think of it before?

[B]

What is it, Jerry?

[C]

Why, of course. I heard Jason talking in the mess tent this morning.

[B]

Oh, what's that? God.

[C]

Jason was talking about getting a haircut.

[B]

Hey there, Jerry. Where are you going?

[C]

Order to the barbershop. I bet Jason's there.

[B]

Don't you go up. It's dangerous. You can't help. Jerry, come back here. Reggs, it is not safe.

[C]

Don't worry, Carlos. We'll be all right. Come on, Reggs. We got work to do. Golly, listen to that noise over there. Imagine one lion causing all that commotion. Come on, Regs, we'd better keep going. Gee whiz, you don't think that lion's gotten in the menagerie tent, do you? It sure sounds as if he's in there all right. And elephants are scared stiff. A lions too. Hope those elephants don't stampede. Come on, Rags, we got beat it.

[B]

Hey, where you going, kid? What's all the excitement back there in the circus lot?

[C]

A lion's loose. Better keep away.

[B]

You said it, kid. I'm taking it on the lamb. Guess I ain't even curious.

[C]

Gee, guess we're most there. Watch out, crossing the street. Reags. Look out those cars.

[B]

Hey, watch where you're blowing, kid. You want to get one over?

[C]

Sorry. Alliance loose at the circus.

[B]

Don't say wow. I guess I don't blame you none. I think I'll keep going myself.

[C]

Beat it, Rags. Get across while it's safe. Let's see where that barbershop is. Collie, what do you think you are, a bloodhound sniffing along like that? You can't follow A scent on the sidewalk.

[B]

Good night.

[C]

You're right. There's the barbershop. All right.

[B]

Jason.

[C]

Jason. Oh, there you are.

[B]

Jerry, my boy.

[C]

Jason, quick, you gotta go. Hurry up.

[B]

What do you mean? Gotta go where? I can't go anywhere with my face all suds like this.

[C]

You gotta. One of the lines, it's loose. Gee, Jason, hurry.

[B]

One of my lions loose. Well, why didn't you say so? Where?

[C]

Over by the Menadri camp. Quick.

[B]

Hey, you. You got to go like that? You ain't shed. Oh, can't I, though? When did it happen, Jerry?

[C]

Just a little while ago, I guess.

[B]

Well, how did it happen?

[C]

Well, I don't know. I was over by Bump's wagon. We just heard the yells and people shouting for you.

[B]

Well, how'd you happen to come over here for me?

[C]

You're ex. Careful. Well, I just guessed. Jason, I remembered you saying something about needing a shave at breakfast.

[B]

You got a good head on you, Jerry. I guess we'd better run. We got no time to lose. Are you tired?

[C]

No, I could run all day. I. I just get out of breath, that's all.

[B]

All right, Come on. We better go. Careful now. We're on the lot. Don't want to rush into a spot where we get into trouble ourselves and couldn't get that lion back in the cage.

[C]

Golly. I should say not.

[B]

It's a risky business trying to catch a lion that's gotten away. Even the tamest one, like Daisy.

[C]

I wouldn't be afraid of her much.

[B]

No. Well, you should be. Even the tame ones get so frightened when they find themselves in strange surroundings that you can't depend on what they'll do. They don't even know themselves.

[C]

Well, no wonder, the way everyone screams and shouts.

[B]

I wonder where that cat is. It seems to have quieted down.

[C]

I think he was in the menagerie tent. The elephants were raising an awful rumpus.

[B]

I can imagine. Elephants are scared to death of cats.

[C]

It's funny. I should think they could kill a cat easy. He's in the main tent.

[B]

Good night. It sounds like Nemo. Gee, I hope it's not.

[C]

Why, is he worse than the other lions?

[B]

Well, I'll say he is. He's the most vicious cat I've got in the outfit.

[C]

Jumping Jupiter.

[B]

That's the cat that laid me up in the hospital almost one whole winter.

[C]

Gee whiz. Well, what you gonna do?

[B]

I wish I knew. He's in the main tent, all right. You stay here.

[C]

There's no one inside.

[B]

Everyone's trying to Hide out. You can't blame him, Jason.

[C]

There he goes like yellow streak, right out of the main tent.

[B]

Yeah, and right into Clara's wardrobe top. It's Nemo, all right. Hey. Hey, there. Listen, somebody. I need a couple of guys to drag that lion's wagon over here. Anybody willing to help? Yeah, I'll help, Boss. All I. Good. Now, you two drag his wagon over here near the wardrobe top as soon as you can. Okay, boss.

[C]

Gee, they're swell, aren't they?

[B]

Yeah. It takes a lot of nerve to try and capture an escaped cat.

[C]

One of those fellas is a new man.

[B]

What new man?

[C]

The fell I got to take Zeke's place. He works for Murray. His name's Spike. He. What can I do to help, Jason?

[B]

Well, not a thing. Thanks, Jerry. You stay right here. I gotta get up to that wardrobe tent.

[C]

Gee willikers. It's all quiet over there. I wonder what happened.

[B]

Oh, he's probably lying low, scared to death and waiting for us to make the first move.

[C]

Gee whiz.

[B]

I. I wish you how, Jerry.

[C]

Well, all right, but you be careful.

[B]

You bet I will. Wish me luck.

[C]

A g. Rags. I sure hate to see Jason go up there so close. They got Nemo's cage, all right. Golly, I hope nothing happens and they get the line in his cage.

[B]

Say, you fellas drag that wagon up to the front flap and open the cage door. I'll make a lot of noise back of the tent, and maybe he'll rush right through that flap and into his cage before he knows what he's doing.

[C]

He was. Did you hear that? Right. Listen to what he's going to try and do.

[B]

Be sure and have a stick or something to protect yourselves in case he gets out one side. Now, I got a gun in, and I'll shoot him before I let him hurt either one of you. But we got to catch him alive if we possibly can. You understand? Sure. We get it. Where's the. Oh, grab one of those camp stools. They're as good as anything. Remember, I got a gun in case of emergency. I'm ready if you are, bud. Sure, I'm ready. Let her go, boss.

[C]

Golly, this is sure exciting. Rags. Not a sound yet out of that wardrobe top. I wonder what Nemo's doing in there. Gee, there goes Jason back at the wardrobe top. Now, when he starts his racket, we better keep our eyes peeled. If Nemo misses that cage door, he may head in any direction.

[B]

Hit Nemo. Get there. Get. Get Nemo. Come on.

[C]

Jason sure can make Plenty of noise for one person there. Nemo comes right out between the flaps. But what's he got on his head? It's all covered up.

[B]

He's Mr. Kate's door. He can't see where he's going with that stuff on his head. Take it back. Go ahead.

[C]

Look out, you bumped right in the spine.

[B]

Keep that chair up in front of you. Spike. He can't see. Bud, come around here. Let's try and chase him into that cage from this side. Okay, boss.

[C]

Jeep. Jason goes right up near him. G. Rags. Nemo can't see what he's doing with that costume thing over his head.

[B]

Watch out, folks. I'm gonna pull this stuff off Nemo's head. We can't do anything with him if he can't see where he's going. You ready, Spike? Go ahead. How about it, Bud? Okay, pause. Now, work fast, fellows. The minute I pull a cloth off his head, wave those chairs at him and try to head him into his cage. All right, boss. Here goes

[C]

Jiminy Christmas. Emo all days like he. He doesn't seem to know what's going on. Stay here. Where you going? Craigs? Race, Come back here. Get away from that lion.

[B]

Quick, fellas, get him into his cage. Oh, doggone that dog. Pesky dog. Oh, well, I'll be. Look at that little dog go after Nemo. Branch, come here. Rags, you'll get killed.

[C]

Rags. Jason, what'll I do? Rags will get killed.

[B]

I'm sleeping and dreaming. Rags is chasing that lion. I never saw anything like that in all my life as an animal trainer. Hey, you guys got a rope? Yeah, there's one over here on the ground. Well, give it here quick. Maybe I can lasso that cat.

[C]

Say, can you lasso, too?

[B]

Well, a little. I'm not so hot, but I can try.

[C]

Jason, look. Nemo's headed for Johnny Bradley's wagon.

[B]

My golly, is Johnny in there?

[C]

I haven't seen him all morning.

[B]

Hey, there, get some stones and head that lion off that wagon.

[C]

You're too late. Look, there he goes, right up the steps. Rags. Rags.

[B]

I got him shut in there good and proper. Are you sure Johnny Bradley isn't in there with all this going on? Nah. If he'd been there, he'd had his door closed, wouldn't he?

[C]

Yes, you're right. But honest, my heart stood still when Nemo rushed in there. Mr. Bradley had never had a chance.

[B]

Well, I didn't let that feisty little dog of yours in with him anyhow.

[C]

Rags, you bad dog, you. Yes, you Are Jason would have had me. And we're all saving his cage by now. If you hadn't a busted things up.

[B]

Hey, drag that wagon over to Bradley's dressing room. We'll get Nemo behind the bars this time. Okay, boss. We'll be right with you.

[C]

Gee, Jason, I'm terrible sorry about Rags.

[B]

Oh, it worked out all right, Jerry. But it might have been pretty serious.

[C]

I don't know what got into him.

[B]

Probably he thought we were doing such a bad job, he decided he better help us out. Was that it, rags?

[C]

After this, Mr. Rags, you tend to your own business and let the other folks in this circus run their jobs in their own way.

[B]

Oh, it was worth it, Jerry. Honestly. I've been in this business a long time, but this is the first time I ever heard of a dog chasing a lion around.

[C]

Dad used to tell me a story about a lion that was afraid of a mouse. And that's little earn a dog.

[B]

Yeah, but that was a story. Hey, boss, here's the cage Y. We're all set, boss.

[C]

Scully. Nemo? Sure quiet in there.

[B]

There. Yeah, he's scared to death, probably. Thank heaven we got him in there where we can handle him. All right, boys, open up the door to the cage and back it up to the dressing wagon. No sooner said than done, boss. I'll open the door.

[C]

Bradley, he's in the Raptor draw.

[B]

Good night. He can't be. He'll be killed as sure as shoot.

[C]

Jason, quick. We got to do something. The door. Quick fro get killed.

[A]

Liberty Mutual customizes your car and home insurance. And now we're customizing this rush hour ad to keep you calm, which could help your driving. And science says therapy is great for a healthy mindset. So enjoy this 14 second session on us. I think you've done everything right and absolutely nothing wrong. In fact, anything that hasn't gone your way could probably be blamed on your father not being emotionally available because his father wasn't emotionally available, and so on. And now that you're calm and healing, you're probably driving better, too.

[B]

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[C]

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