Jerry of the Circus - Speed Is Hired, Boris Has New Plot

Summary

Podcast Summary: Jerry of the Circus – “Speed Is Hired, Boris Has New Plot”

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode Air Date: May 14, 2026

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Episode Overview

This episode of "Jerry of the Circus" immerses listeners in a pivotal day for the circus. The story centers on two main threads: the hiring and debut performance of Speed, a talented “human dynamo,” and an undercurrent of intrigue as Boris and his sister Olga hatch a new financial plot in response to Patsy's decision and Mr. Randall’s cautious influence. Against the vibrant backdrop of circus life, the episode skillfully blends thrilling performances, lighthearted camaraderie, and the plotting of shadowy ambitions.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Racing Sensation: Speed’s Big Debut

• [01:56-04:39]

  • Mr. Randall announces an unprecedented act: Speed will attempt to outrun Lady, their fastest horse, in a spectacular contest.

  • Amid cheers, Speed triumphs, much to the amazement of both Jerry and Patsy, marking his impressive introduction to the circus family.

  • Quote:

    • “He beat that horse. He's really doing it. Come on, Jerry.” – Patsy [03:42]
    • “Say, you're wonderful Speed. And no kidding, lady and I were given everything we had.” – Jerry [04:05]

  • Mr. Randall and Patsy warmly congratulate Speed. Patsy, ever the supportive friend, praises the act, and Jerry dashes off for his next performance.

2. Speed’s Many Talents – Ventriloquism and Comedy

• [04:49-07:51]
  • Mr. Randall, impressed, discusses hiring Speed and explores his other skills. Speed demonstrates ventriloquism by throwing his voice and convincingly barking like Rags, Jerry’s dog, mystifying Mr. Randall.
  • Speed proposes fresh comedic ideas, like a “comedy race” featuring slapstick antics with clowns and elephants, suggesting a blend of athleticism and humor.
  • Quote:
    • “The folks back home always said I'd wind up as a circus, so it's been a freak show, something.” – Speed [07:26]
  • Mr. Randall is delighted by Speed’s versatility, realizing he’s discovered a multi-talented performer.

3. Bonds & Rivalries: Jerry, Patsy, and the Ruso Brothers

• [08:12-09:21]
  • The camaraderie between Jerry and Patsy resurfaces as they chat about their respective acts and the thrill of performing. The conversation shifts to Boris and his dazzling act with the Arabians.
  • Jerry comments on Boris’s vanity, prompting light teasing among the young performers.

4. The South American Scheme – Revealed and Refused

• [09:42-11:02]
  • Patsy discreetly discusses Boris’s South American business proposition—a secret investment opportunity.
  • She gently refuses, citing Mr. Randall’s advice to buy an annuity, assuring Boris she hasn’t revealed his involvement.
  • Boris feigns acceptance but is clearly disappointed and somewhat insulted.
  • Quote:
    • “I'm sorry, but… well, Mr. Randall has convinced me that I'd better buy an annuity.” – Patsy [10:09]
    • “I was merely trying to do you a favor.” – Boris [10:43]

5. Boris & Olga: Brewing a New Plot

• [11:09-12:57]
  • Boris vents to his sister Olga about losing Patsy’s investment and lays the blame squarely on Mr. Randall’s “interference.”
  • They discuss Mr. Randall’s precarious finances: a looming debt, and the threat of rain (bad for business). Olga’s sharp observation gives Boris an idea to exploit the situation by offering a strategic loan, gaining leverage over the circus.
  • Quote:
    • “If it's the last thing I do, I'm going to get even with Sam Randall for spoiling our plans.” – Boris [11:34]
    • “We will have our circus, even if we have to… That is it.” – Boris [11:58]
    • “The worse the audiences are for the next few days before Mr. Randall has to meet that note, the better he will like the idea of borrowing money from you.” – Olga [12:45]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Speed’s Triumph:
  • “He beat that horse. He's really doing it.” – Patsy [03:42]
• Speed’s Hidden Talents:
  • “So this is another of your talents… what else can you do?” – Mr. Randall [07:07]
• Mr. Randall’s Warmth:
  • “The four walls of this little wagon make the only home I have during the season…” – Mr. Randall [06:33]
• Boris’s Threat:
  • “For that, he will be very sorry.” – Boris [11:43]

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Important Timestamps

• 01:56 – Mr. Randall announces the big race.
• 03:28 – The race takes place; Speed narrowly wins.
• 04:49 – Speed discusses his potential role and salary with Mr. Randall.
• 05:10 – The ventriloquism “dog bark” trick is revealed.
• 06:14 – Mr. Randall and Speed enter Randall’s wagon to discuss terms.
• 09:42 – Patsy turns down Boris’s South American investment plan.
• 11:09 – Boris unveils new plans for financial manipulation with Olga.

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Overall Tone and Takeaways

True to the era’s radio drama style, the episode blends wholesome adventure, light humor, and a hint of sinister intrigue. Newcomer Speed’s arrival injects excitement and possibility, while the shadowy dealings of Boris and Olga hint at trouble ahead for Mr. Randall and the circus family. Themes of camaraderie, resourcefulness, and ambition ring through, setting up the prospect of coming clashes.

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Perfect for fans of classic radio, circus drama, and old school suspense. This episode seamlessly captures the spirit and spectacle of its Golden Age origins while setting the stage for intrigue to come.

Transcript

[American Express / Liberty Mutual Announcer]

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[Boris Rosov]

Apply.

[Mr. Randall]

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

[Narrator / Announcer]

Ladies and gentlemen, today, for the first time in circus history, Mr. Randall is presenting for your edification a new and startling act. A veritable human dynamo will attempt to race around the sawdust tracks against lady, the Randall brothers, fastest and most spirited horse. Your eyes in the direction of the entrance and you will see before you, lady, one of the fastest little mares in the country. Ridden by that exciting personality of the ring, Jerry of the second, Last but not least, the world's newest miracle man, the world renowned Speed. And Speed he is in name as well as deed. From ascending start, his Superman will attempt to beat lady, the fastest little horse in all circus. All right, ready? One, two, three. Let her go.

[Patsy]

Okay, let her go. Ladies, right in. Perry riding, Barry stepped out.

[Jerry]

I never saw anything like that.

[Patsy]

He's doing it.

[Jerry]

He's doing it.

[Patsy]

He beat that horse. He's really doing it. Come on, Jerry. Jerry, come on.

[Jerry]

That's all right. Lady put up with swell ring over there, girl there. Easy, close area.

[Speed]

Guess I didn't let you down then, huh?

[Jerry]

Say, you're wonderful Speed. And no kidding, lady and I were given everything we had.

[Speed]

Cause she's not a real racehorse, but she's plenty fast for me.

[Mr. Randall]

Oh, there you are, Speed. Well, congratulations. That's one of the nicest turns I've ever seen.

[Speed]

Reckon if you please, sir. It's good enough for me, Mr. Rand.

[Mr. Randall]

Well, indeed I am.

[Patsy]

Hello there. I just want to add my congratulations, too. Oh, that certainly was exciting.

[Speed]

Now, that comes pretty nice in the little lady.

[Jerry]

Sure, and she means it, too. Patsy's a real judge of circus sack. Oh, Jiminy Wilkers. This is where Bunsen rags. Go on, then. I'm next with El Mundo. Say, I'll see you all later.

[Mr. Randall]

All right.

[Patsy]

Bye, Derek. Bye.

[Mr. Randall]

He's a mighty fine boy.

[Speed]

Oh, he is for certain.

[Mr. Randall]

Well, Speed, I guess you and I have a little business to talk over. If Patsy will excuse us, of course.

[Patsy]

I must go on soon anyhow.

[Olga]

I'll see you later.

[Speed]

Bye, Miss Patchy.

[Mr. Randall]

Well, Speed, if you just come over this way, we'll settle on exactly what you're to do and your salary.

[Speed]

That sure sounds good to me, Sir. You know, Mr. Randall, seems like it ought to be pretty Useful around this here circus?

[Narrator / Announcer]

Lots of.

[Speed]

There's lots of things I can do, sir.

[Mr. Randall]

For instance?

[Speed]

Well, first of all, I'm good and strong.

[Mr. Randall]

You'd have to be to do what you've just done. That's funny. Did you hear that dog?

[Speed]

What dog, sir?

[Mr. Randall]

Well, it sounded like Rags. But he's supposed to be in the ring with Bumps now. There it is again. Say, I better look into this. Come on, Speed. I better check on this there. Why, I heard that bark over near those wagons. Quick, let's see. I can't imagine Bumps letting rags wander around. Mrs. X.

[Speed]

You don't mean that little dog, Jerry?

[Mr. Randall]

Yeah, yeah, he's the only one we carry.

[Speed]

Appears like he's just coming out of the entrance there. In the backyard with the clowns.

[Boris Rosov]

Why.

[Mr. Randall]

Why, of course. There they are. But the bark came from the opposite direction.

[Speed]

Must have been some other dogs.

[Mr. Randall]

Yes, I guess you're right, Speed. But it certainly sounded like Rags. I thought I'd know his bark any place. Well, now to get back to you. Any more ideas on what you can do for my organization?

[Speed]

Sure, sir. Delay and doing that there race. Why not do a comedy race later during the show, sir?

[Mr. Randall]

How do you mean comedy?

[Boris Rosov]

My louds.

[Speed]

If not race backwards, someone race in front of. Maybe one of the clouds could try to pick a quarrel. Maybe even the elephants could peel like they were stampede and I could run for dear life backwards and get away.

[Mr. Randall]

I must say, you've got a variety of suggestions.

[Speed]

I don't know, sir. Seems like folks like to laugh most as much as they'd like to see something unusual.

[Mr. Randall]

Well, you're certainly right there, Speed. Well, here's my wagon. Come on, we'll go inside. Step right in. Make yourself comfortable.

[Speed]

I'd call this ride cozy.

[Boris Rosov]

I wouldn't.

[Mr. Randall]

Yes, Yes, I like it. Many's the time I've come in here and shut out all the worry and problems of the circus by settling down to a good book or cigar.

[Speed]

Just like home, huh?

[Mr. Randall]

Yeah, it is my home. The four walls of this little wagon make the only home I have during the season hell. Now, about you, Mr.

[Jerry]

Rattle.

[Narrator / Announcer]

Mr. Rattle, you there?

[Mr. Randall]

Yeah. Who could be wanting me at this time of day?

[Jerry]

Mr. Rattle, can I come in?

[Mr. Randall]

Yeah. Yes, come in. Well, come in. The door's unlocked.

[Speed]

I reckon they've changed their minds.

[Mr. Randall]

Who on earth can. There's no one here. Well, What? Speed.

[Speed]

Yes, Mr. Rand?

[Mr. Randall]

By any chance, are you a ventriloquist?

[Speed]

Yes, I RECKON I'm guilty, Mr. Rand.

[Mr. Randall]

So this is another of your talents. Huh? Well, come on now, what else can you do?

[Speed]

He pretty good at barnyard imitations, dogs and such.

[Mr. Randall]

You mean to. Well, of all things. See, you were barking like rags.

[Speed]

Yes.

[Mr. Randall]

What a combination. A ventriloquist who can do imitations and a marathon runner.

[Speed]

The folks back home always said I'd wind up as a circus, so it's been a freak show, something.

[Mr. Randall]

Yeah, well, I. I certainly guess we'll have to put you to work then. But about this ventriloquist business, I. I don't see how it could fit in very well with our show.

[Speed]

Don't matter none, sir. Maybe if you didn't tell on me. I might have a little fun with the boy though.

[Mr. Randall]

Jerry. Oh, I see. You can. If he doesn't get fooled by that bark of yours, I'll be more than surprised.

[Speed]

Allows how I can kid him so. Yeah.

[Mr. Randall]

Well, here we are, still talking. And we haven't yet settled what I'm to pay you each weekend.

[Jerry]

Hiya, Py. I've been watching your turn again.

[Patsy]

My goodness, Jerry, don't you ever get tired watching my act? You, you ought to know by heart now.

[Jerry]

Boy, it sure must be exciting to go swinging off into space like that.

[Patsy]

Uhuh, it is. But probably no more exciting than riding like the Ruso. Or going into a steel of wild animals like Jason does, or. Or handling an elephant the way you do.

[Jerry]

Oh, it's no trick to handle El Mundo. Oh, here comes Boris and his brothers now. Hey, listen to that applause.

[Patsy]

They deserve it. The way they handle those Arabians is nothing short of miraculous.

[Jerry]

Boris is sure vain, though he's taken vows all the way off.

[Olga]

Dare you, Jerry?

[Jerry]

Oh, I can't help it. Boy, I sure hope I won't be like that when I grow up.

[Patsy]

I guess there's no danger. Oh, hello there, Boris.

[Boris Rosov]

Ah, the future Spotsy.

[Patsy]

Sounds like you were a success this afternoon, Boris.

[Boris Rosov]

Indeed it does, Patsy. But then we Rusof should be used to it by now. Though to be perfectly frank, I often think they're replauding the horses instead of us.

[Patsy]

Why, boars, you are getting martyred.

[Jerry]

Sure they applaud the horses, but after all, it takes someone to train them and make them do what they do.

[Patsy]

And Jerry Daspell. What on earth is coming over you two? Oh, say Boris, are you busy for a minute?

[Boris Rosov]

Not if there's anything I can do for you.

[Patsy]

I wanted to talk to you about something. Are you going over to your wagon?

[Boris Rosov]

I intended to. Will you walk with me?

[Olga]

Yes.

[Patsy]

You'll excuse us, won't You, Jerry?

[Jerry]

Well, sure thing. I'm supposed to see Speed anyhow in a minute, as soon as he gets through talking to Mr. Randall.

[Patsy]

Well, we'll see you in the mess tent then, Jerry.

[Boris Rosov]

No doubt about that. Well, what's on your mind, Patsy?

[Patsy]

Well, it's about that South American proposition, boss.

[Boris Rosov]

Not too loud. Remember, it's a little secret.

[Patsy]

Well, I haven't mentioned you in connection with your planned anyone, Boris.

[Boris Rosov]

But I tell you, Patsy, it's. Well, it just can't fail. And if I could interest you in going as long as my prize attraction, I think I'd be the happiest man in the world.

[Patsy]

Well, I hardly know how to say it, Boris, but. Well, I've been thinking it over and I'm afraid I'd better not.

[Boris Rosov]

No, no, don't say it, Fancy.

[Patsy]

I'm sorry, but. Well, Mr. Randall has convinced me that I'd better buy an annuity.

[Boris Rosov]

You didn't tell him about that little plan?

[Patsy]

Oh, certainly not. I told him I had an opportunity to invest in an enterprise that was going to South America.

[American Express / Liberty Mutual Announcer]

You didn't mention my name.

[Patsy]

Of course not. I promised Boris.

[Boris Rosov]

Not that it would matter. Only until I tell him myself.

[Patsy]

I understand. So you see, I guess I'll have to give up the whole idea.

[Boris Rosov]

He'd say beat thee. Such a wonderful chance to double your money.

[Patsy]

Yes, I know.

[Boris Rosov]

You're sure there's no chance of your changing your mind?

[Patsy]

I'm afraid not.

[Olga]

You.

[Patsy]

You. You're not offended, are you?

[Boris Rosov]

No, no, certainly not. I was merely trying to do you a favor.

[Patsy]

Well, I appreciate it very much. You know that.

[Boris Rosov]

Well, here we are. You will excuse me if I go in, Patsy? I seem to have a slight headache.

[Olga]

Oh.

[Patsy]

Oh, I'm so sorry.

[Boris Rosov]

I will be quite all right if I rest a while.

[Patsy]

Then. Then we are still friends?

[Boris Rosov]

Yes. Goodbye, Patsy.

[Patsy]

I. I hope your headache will be better, Boris. Goodbye,

[Boris Rosov]

my headache. Olga. Olga, where are you?

[Olga]

Here. Now, what is wrong? You have a cloud on your face like a thunderstorm.

[Boris Rosov]

I have a reason. She has turned us down. Can you beat that?

[Olga]

Oh, what, Patsy?

[Boris Rosov]

Mr. Randall has convinced her she's safer to put her money into annuity.

[Olga]

No. Oh, Boris, do not tell me that.

[Boris Rosov]

Yes, if it had not been for him, we'd have had nice little nest egg. But no, he had to interfere.

[Olga]

There must be some way of convincing Pactus.

[Boris Rosov]

Yes. Well, you had your chance and look what happened. If it's the last thing I do, I'm going to get even with Sam Randall for spoiling our plans.

[Olga]

Did he know we were planning this thing?

[Boris Rosov]

No. Fortunately, she had enough sense not to bring us into it. But Randall did not have enough sense to keep his nose out of our business. For that, he will be very sorry.

[Olga]

What can you do, Boris?

[Boris Rosov]

What can I do? You wait and see. I will not have people spoiling my business deals. Indeed, I will not.

[Olga]

But he does not even know what he has done.

[Boris Rosov]

There is no excuse. You wait, my sister. We will have our circus, even if we have to. That is it.

[Olga]

Exactly. What is now? What are you planning?

[Boris Rosov]

First of all, he has to meet a. Not in a few days.

[Olga]

You mean the money he borrowed to repair the circus after the cyclone?

[Boris Rosov]

Yes. And I know from good sources he has not enough money to meet the knot. So I, Boris Rosov, will come forward and offer to lend them a knob to tie them over.

[Olga]

Boris, that is thunder.

[Boris Rosov]

Yes, but listen to me. Never mind talking about the weapon.

[Olga]

Oh, Boris, you fool. Do you not understand? In this part of the country, thunder during this time of year means rain. And rain means poor business for the circus.

[Boris Rosov]

Oh, I see. You are more clever than I thought, Olga.

[Olga]

The worse the audience is are for the next few days before Mr. Randall has to meet that note, the better he will like the idea of borrowing money from you.

[Patsy]

Of course.

[Olga]

Listen again. Rain, much rain. The clouds are burning.

[Narrator / Announcer]

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[Patsy]

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

[Boris Rosov]

Oh, no.

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[Patsy]

Yeah, the bird looks out of your league.

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

[Patsy]

Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. Liberty.

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