Jerry of the Circus - Showdown with Major Mike

Summary

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Jerry of the Circus – Showdown with Major Mike

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

Episode Overview

In this nostalgic episode of Harold's Old Time Radio, the classic show "Jerry of the Circus" takes center stage with a thrilling story of mystery, mischief, and circus camaraderie. The episode, titled "Showdown with Major Mike," finds the young hero Jerry caught up in a series of suspicious happenings: fires, missing valuables, simmering rivalries, and a final confrontation with the eccentric and hot-tempered Major Mike. With period-perfect fun and heart, the episode showcases teamwork, misunderstandings, and the colorful personalities at the heart of the traveling circus.

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Key Discussion Points and Story Highlights

1. Discovery of the Fire

• [02:10] Jerry rushes to alert Mr. Randall, the circus manager, after seeing smoke pouring from Clara’s tent.
  • They suspect someone left an iron on, endangering the show and the circus.

“Look at all that smoke coming out of Clara's tent.” — Jerry [02:17]
“That's inexcusable. I've never known Clara... to do a careless thing like that.” — Mr. Randall [02:46]

2. Unusual Footprints & Suspicion

• Jerry discovers suspiciously small footprints at the scene, smaller than his own, raising deeper questions about who was there.
  • Discussion pivots to Major Mike, given his recent argument with Clara.

“Say, it couldn't be. Major Mike. Oh, no, of course not.” — Jerry [03:11]
“He's just crazy enough to. Come on, Jerry. Let's drop in on him.” — Mr. Randall [03:15]

3. The Banana Mystery and The Chimpanzee Incident

• Jerry describes to Mr. Randall how Major Mike was seen with a bag of bananas, and that banana peels were found near the chimpanzee cage — connecting the dots to earlier chaos.

“...the other night Patsy and Bumps and I went to the cafe... the Major came out just ahead of us... carrying a big bag of bananas...” — Jerry [03:59]
“...there was a banana peel laying on the ground right outside the chimpanzee's cage.” — Jerry [04:29]

4. A Web of Disappearances

• Jerry recalls instances of missing items (Patsy's costume, Clara’s thimble, a prized watch) and shifting blame among the circus crew — most trails seem to lead to Major Mike.

“If anyone else pulled a stunt like this... I'd fire them.” — Mr. Randall [04:56]
“But with the Major, I'll just have to let him know I'm on to him...” — Mr. Randall [05:11]

5. Confronting Major Mike

• Mr. Randall confronts Major Mike about his behavior, especially regarding Clara. Major Mike feels picked on and complains about having his cherished watch stolen.
• The confrontation reveals the Major’s retaliation and a cycle of petty pranks and misunderstandings.

“She thinks she can push me around just because I'm little. ... she's really vicious.” — Major Mike [06:31]
“You certainly have a time getting along with all your lady friends.” — Mr. Randall [10:02]

6. Confession and Comic Relief

• Major Mike admits to orchestrating trouble with the ironing board and the missing items but insists everything was “just to mess things up,” not to steal.
• Mr. Randall resolves to deduct the cost of damages from Major’s pay — and lectures him on controlling his temper.

“Well, Edgar wasn't supposed to steal anything. She was just supposed to mess things up.” — Major Mike [09:28]
“You just miss sending our whole circus up in smoke.” — Mr. Randall [09:08]

7. Resolution and a Final Prank

• A messenger arrives with a package for Major Mike, which turns out to be his lost watch — but engraved with a picture of the bearded lady, as a joke.
• Major Mike is apoplectic while Jerry and Mr. Randall struggle to stifle their laughter.

“I’ll get even with her if it’s the last thing I do.” — Major Mike [12:28]
“Poor Major. What a time he has.” — Mr. Randall [12:54]
“I think it’s kind of funny, though, don’t you?” — Jerry [12:58]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Detective Jerry:
  “No, but. But look, Mr. Randall, this is a lot smaller than my foot.” [03:05]
• Major Mike’s Lament:
  “That magnificent watch that the King of Romania gave me. I tell you, Mr. Ranald, I thought more of that watch than anything else in the world.” [07:16]
• Comedic Prank Fallout:
  “Now it's got the bearded lady's picture engraved on the back.” — Major Mike [12:33]

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Key Segments (Timestamps)

• [02:10] — Jerry discovers the fire, and the investigation begins.
• [03:05] — Jerry finds tiny footprints, hinting at the culprit.
• [03:59] — The banana/chimpanzee subplot is revealed.
• [05:55] — The confrontation with Major Mike begins.
• [08:40] — Major Mike confesses his prank with the iron.
• [11:00] — The messenger delivers the watch, climaxing in comic chaos.
• [12:54] — Mr. Randall and Jerry reflect on Major Mike’s troubles.

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Tone and Takeaways

The episode is lighthearted with classic radio serial humor and dramatic tension rooted in misunderstandings, egos, and lessons in forgiveness. Jerry's earnestness and Mr. Randall’s fair-mindedness balance beautifully against Major Mike’s comic bluster and the colorful misfits of circus life.

For listeners, "Showdown with Major Mike" is a cozy mystery wrapped in vaudevillian comedy—showcasing the golden age of radio storytelling at its finest.

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Transcript

[A]

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.

[B]

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

[C]

Oh, no.

[A]

We help people customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual. Together. We're married. Me to a human, him to a bird.

[B]

Yeah, the bird looks out of your league.

[A]

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

[B]

Liberty.

[C]

Liberty.

[B]

Liberty. Liberty.

[C]

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

[D]

Mr. Randall. Mr. Randall.

[C]

Hello there, Jerry. Something wrong?

[D]

Gee, I don't know. I'm sure glad to see you, though.

[E]

Look.

[D]

Look at all that smoke coming out of Clara's tent.

[C]

Huh?

[D]

I was just going in when Rags heard you coming around the corner.

[C]

Quick, Jerry, we haven't any time to lose you.

[E]

Look.

[D]

All that smooth smoke pours out. You can't see a thing.

[C]

The flames. Over here. Got a blanket or something, Jerry?

[D]

Okay. Here you are. Why, it's the ironing board. Golly, but that smoke's bad.

[C]

Yeah, that does it good. There wasn't much of a blaze. Just enough. A lot of smoke.

[D]

Someone must have left the iron on. I'll disconnect it.

[C]

That's inexcusable. I've never known Clara in all the years she's worked for me to do a careless thing like that.

[D]

See it, Mr. Randall? Look.

[C]

Where?

[D]

Here on the ground. See where some of the sawdust is scraped away? Looks like a footprint.

[C]

Well, I guess it's yours, Jerry. No one else has such a small foot. They're getting so detective conscious. You'll be catching yourself one of these days.

[D]

No, but. But look, Mr. Randall, this is a lot smaller than my foot.

[C]

Well, so it is.

[D]

Say, it couldn't be. Major might. Oh, no, of course not.

[C]

Major Might. He's just crazy enough to. Come on, Jerry. Let's drop in on him. He'd be dressing now. You know, the sideshow opens before the big show.

[D]

You know, I kind of hated to suggest him, but. Well, you know that argument he and Clara had about his watch?

[C]

Yes, I know the major things. Certain people have it in for him. And you just can't convince him any different. Clara's been one of his pet peeves for a long time now.

[D]

I don't see why he should feel like that about Clara. She's really awful friendly.

[C]

And if you. If you hadn't have had the bright idea about taking that picture in Clara's tent. We might have blamed all that monkey business on the Major. He's annoyed her before.

[D]

Mr. Randall, I don't know whether I ought to tell you this, but. Well, I sure don't want to be a tattletale, but.

[C]

Well, what is it, son?

[E]

Well, it.

[D]

It may just be a coincidence, but the other night Patsy and Bumps and I went to the cafe near the lot after the show, and, well, the Major came out just ahead of us, and he was carrying a big bag of bananas. They were sticking out of the top of the bag. Patsy kind of laughed, and Bump said he was probably giving his friends a party or a treat or something.

[C]

Well, what's all this?

[D]

Well, you see, later that night when the watchman and Rags and me saw that shadow, and then we went back to the monkey cage after finding the footprints.

[C]

Yes?

[D]

Well, there was a banana peel laying on the ground right outside the chimpanzee's cage.

[C]

Oh, well, of course, lots of people might have given that to the chimpanzee.

[D]

Yeah, I know. That's why I didn't say anything to anybody then. But the next morning, Bumps and I were going down to see Uncle Dan.

[C]

Oh, yeah, I know. And the bearded lady was bawling out the poor Major about Patsy's costume. The Major came and explained the whole thing to me.

[D]

That costume had been left in Clara's tent to be mended, and I helped Patsy put it in there myself.

[C]

Oh, you don't say. Say, if anyone else pulled a stunt like this, providing, of course, the Major is responsible for this electric iron and all that monkey business and Patsy's costume, I'd fire them. I see.

[D]

Mr. Randall, I'd hate to have you do that.

[C]

But with the Major, I'll just have to let him know I'm on to him and what he's done. And he'll be so ashamed. You'll be good for the rest of the season. As good as he can be, that is. Oh, there's his tent right over there. Now, if I were you, I'd just take a little walk with Rags and let me see the Major alone.

[E]

Oh, sure.

[D]

Sure thing, Mr. Randall.

[C]

I just rather he didn't know you had anything at all to do with all this.

[E]

So would I.

[C]

You see, Jerry, it's really my fault. I asked you to try and find out about those things that were disappearing from Clara's tent, so you only did your job.

[D]

I'm sure glad I could help.

[C]

Help? And look to me as if you solved it all. Hang around. I'll see you when I come out.

[D]

Okay, Mr. Randall.

[C]

Come on, Major. Major might.

[D]

Hello.

[E]

Hello. Who wants me?

[C]

Sam Randall.

[E]

Oh, yes, Mr. Randall. I'll be right out.

[C]

Good. Oh, there you are. Didn't take you long.

[E]

No, sir. When the boss comes to see me, I'm a quick change artist.

[C]

Well, well, Major, I'm. I'm having a little bit of trouble.

[E]

Oh, yeah? Don't say I'm sorry to hear that, Mr. Randall.

[C]

Now, Major, I don't want you to take offense at what I'm going to say.

[D]

Well, I never have, have I?

[C]

Oh, you and I have always gotten on pretty well. And that's just how I want things to keep on going.

[E]

Well, that's a ticket with me, too, Mr. Randall.

[C]

Now, I understand you and Clara have been having a little hard feeling lately.

[E]

Little? Say, listen, Mr. Randall, I'm glad you brought that up. I've had more of that woman's meanness than I'm going to take.

[C]

We won't go into that, Major. Personally, I think you're all wrong about Clara. Everyone else seems to be very fond of her.

[E]

Well, that's just because they got a buffalo. But she thinks she can push me around just because I'm little. Now, when I try and talk back to her, she's really vicious.

[C]

What do you mean, vicious?

[E]

Aw, this just goes to show you, I admit we've been having words lately.

[C]

So I hear.

[E]

Well, after the storm the other night, my coat needed pressing.

[C]

I can imagine.

[E]

Well, I asked her to press it before the matinee, and she wouldn't promise. Anyhow, she said she had a lot of other things to do first.

[C]

Well, after that storm, I know she had a lot to do.

[D]

Yeah.

[E]

Well, why did she pick on me?

[C]

When did she press your coat?

[E]

Well, yes, but I had to wait till the last minute. And then, you know, she stole my watch? That magnificent watch that the King of Romania gave me. I tell you, Mr. Ranald, I thought more of that watch than anything else in the world.

[C]

But Clara wouldn't do a thing like that.

[E]

Yeah, but she did. I know. I had it in the inside pocket in my coat. When I looked for an after she pressed it, it was gone.

[C]

I just can't believe that Carol would do a thing like that.

[E]

She's dangerous, Mr. Rattle. She's vicious.

[C]

Just a minute, Major. While we're on all this, even if she did take that watch, which I don't believe, don't you think she might just be trying to get even?

[E]

Get even?

[C]

What about all this business with Aga the chimpanzee?

[E]

What? I don't know what you're talking about.

[C]

You haven't heard about the trouble Clara's had in their wardrobe lately?

[E]

Why, no, of course not.

[C]

About the chimp that was let out of its cage to go in there late at night. And about the little man who's been feeding the chimp bananas.

[E]

Why, Mr. Randall, you certainly don't think that.

[C]

I certainly do think you've been back of all of this. And I've got enough proof for you to confess and make a clean breast of the whole story.

[E]

Well, I'm completely flabbergasted.

[C]

You will be more than flabbergasted if you don't confess. I want you to know I've just come from her tent now and fortunately got there just in the nick of time.

[E]

What do you mean?

[C]

I'm talking about a fire from an electric iron.

[E]

Oh, no, Mr. Randall. It couldn't have caught fire.

[C]

That's just what it did. It's lucky for you I happen to be going by there in time to put it out.

[E]

Yeah, but I just meant to scorch your ironing board a little.

[C]

So you did do it. Never mind. I knew it all along.

[E]

No, truly, Mr. Randall, I didn't mean any harm. I. I put it on just before the end of the matinee. I thought she'd find it, of course, before she went off for supper.

[C]

She probably never went back.

[E]

Yeah, but she always does go back after the show.

[C]

Well, she missed this time anyhow. You just miss sending our whole circus up in smoke.

[E]

Oh, Mr. Randall, I don't know what to say.

[C]

Why? Why would you do such a thing, Major?

[E]

Well, she took my watch.

[C]

Well, you think she took it? Remember, you took her thimble? And I hear Clara set great store by her thimble. It was a gold one that her grandmother gave her.

[E]

Well, Edgar wasn't supposed to steal anything. She was just supposed to mess things up.

[C]

She did that, all right.

[E]

Well, when I find out she'd taken the thimbles of those paste buckles, I took them right back and hid them among her things so she'd think they were there all the time.

[C]

Oh, so that's how you happen to have Patsy's costume in your tent.

[E]

Yeah, sure. I was just waiting for a chance to get it back when that miserable bearded lady had to find it.

[C]

By the way, how are you and she getting along nowadays?

[E]

Oh, don't ask me, Mr. Randall. I never want to see her again. She's just a. She's just a pest. That's what? She is a pest.

[C]

You certainly have a time getting along with all your lady friends.

[E]

What are you going to do with me about all that?

[C]

Well, I'll tell you, Major. First of all, I'll have to deduct enough out of your salary to get Clara a new ironing board.

[E]

Truly, I didn't really mean to start a fire.

[C]

Oh, I'm sure of that. But you gotta think more and not let your temper run away with you. Now, that's one thing.

[E]

Well, I'll try, Mr. Randall. Honest I will.

[C]

Good.

[E]

If you'll only forget all about this, I'll promise I'll never lose my temper again. Honest.

[C]

Well, we'll see, Major. Meantime. Oh. Oh, hello there, Jerry. Who've you got with you there?

[D]

Excuse me, Mr. Randall, but I met this messenger boy down on the lot, and he asked me to show him to Major Mike's tent.

[E]

Got something for me?

[C]

Yes, sir.

[E]

Well, that's funny. Where from?

[C]

The Ransom's Jewelry Store, sir.

[E]

Well, I didn't buy anything at a jewelry store. Are you sure you got the right name?

[C]

Sure. It's Major. Might all right with the Randall Brothers Circuit.

[E]

Well, that's me.

[D]

Gee, maybe someone's given you a present.

[C]

If you'll sign here, Major.

[E]

Yeah, Here you are.

[C]

Good evening, sir.

[E]

Well, well, well. I wonder what this can be.

[C]

Great Godfrey man, open it.

[E]

Let me see. A little box like this. I wonder what it'll be.

[D]

That's a ring.

[C]

No, no, no, no. It's too big a box for a ring.

[E]

Then I'll open it. So what?

[C]

Oh, well, what's wrong, Major?

[E]

What is this, a joke?

[D]

Why, it's a watch.

[E]

I'll say it's a watch. It's my watch. The watch I've been so worried about.

[C]

Well, I'm glad you got it back.

[E]

Yeah, but why from a jewelry store?

[D]

Maybe he had it fixed and forgot about it.

[E]

Certainly not. Do you think I'm feeble minded?

[D]

No, of course, Course not.

[E]

Yes, I know if I sent my watch to a jewelry store.

[C]

Well, you better look it over carefully, Major. Open up the back.

[E]

It sticks a little there, see? Oh. Oh.

[D]

Oh, ma'.

[E]

Am. I'll kill her. I'll stick it up. I'll take her.

[C]

Now, here. Here, Major. Here, I thought you weren't going to lose your temper again. Now, now, take it easy.

[D]

Why, that's a picture of the bearded lady Vandal.

[E]

That's what she is, a vandal. So that's what she was doing snooping around my wagon the other morning, taking my watch. So you could get a picture and Dr. The back of it. The nerve of that woman.

[C]

Now, Major, now, calm down. Jerry and I have to go along. Now, just take it easy. Remember, it's hard on your digestion to get so mad.

[E]

I'll get even with her if it's the last thing I do.

[C]

She probably was trying to be nice, Major.

[E]

But my watch. The one that the king of Romania gave me. And now it's got the bearded lady's picture and Grace on the back.

[C]

Come along, Jerry.

[D]

Okay, Mr. Randall. Goodbye, Major. I'm sorry.

[E]

Sorry? Sorry? I'm more than sorry. I'm. I'm. I'm speechless.

[C]

Poor Major. What a time he has.

[E]

I think it's kind of funny, though, don't you?

[C]

Yes, I do, Jerry. But we must never let the major know he just can't stand kidding.

[A]

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.

[B]

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

[C]

Oh, no.

[A]

We help people customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual together. We're married. Me to a human, him to a bird.

[B]

Yeah, the bird looks out of your league.

[A]

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

[B]

Liberty.

[C]

Liberty.

[B]

Liberty. Liberty.

[F]

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