
Jerry of the Circus - Speed Is Hired, Boris Has New Plot - 12/15/1937
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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
Even the Fates are playing in the of the river.
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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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Patsy
Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. Liberty.
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Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode Air Date: May 14, 2026
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.
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:
Mr. Randall and Patsy warmly congratulate Speed. Patsy, ever the supportive friend, praises the act, and Jerry dashes off for his next performance.
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.
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.