Jerry of the Circus - Speed's Bad Trick

Summary

Podcast Summary: Jerry of the Circus – “Speed’s Bad Trick”

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Host: Harold’s Old Time Radio
Episode: Jerry of the Circus – Speed’s Bad Trick
Date: May 14, 2026

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Episode Overview

This episode of Jerry of the Circus, titled "Speed's Bad Trick," delivers a slice of vintage family radio drama, filled with humor, a hint of mystery, and a lesson about practical jokes. The central plot revolves around Jerry and Speed orchestrating a spooky practical joke on Major Mike, rooted in the legend of his miserly grandfather’s long-lost gold. The episode weaves in circus camaraderie, childhood curiosity, and the ethics of humor.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

Setting the Scene at the Circus

• [02:08] Jerry visits Major Mike, who is busy writing a letter. The conversation reveals that Jerry might come into some fortune due to property his late father left him in Montana.
  • Major Mike: “That’s splendid, Jerry. I certainly wish some of my relatives had left me something. You’re a lucky boy, Jerry.” (02:52)

The Tale of Grandpa Gustav

• [03:09-04:04] Major Mike shares a tale about his tightfisted grandfather, Gustav, known as "Gustav the Miser,” who supposedly owned much property but never disclosed the fate of his wealth.
  • Major Mike: “No one knows. No one ever found out [where he hid his money].” (03:46)
  • Jerry: “Jiminy willikers. This is a real mystery.” (04:04)

The Trick is Hatched

• [05:00-05:51] Jerry excitedly shares the story with circus friends and conspiratorially mentions playing a joke on Major Mike that night, inspired by the ghostly legend of Gustav.
  • Jerry (plotting): “The Major told me all about his granddad and—oh, boy, what a story…maybe we might play the joke on him tonight.” (05:25-05:37)
  • Mr. Randall: “What a setup for a ghost.” (05:48)

The “Ghost” Pays a Visit

• [06:06-09:35] In the dead of night, while writing his letter, Major Mike is “visited” by the ghostly voice of Grandpa Gustav, who instructs him to dig for gold under an elm tree on the property in Parker City.
  • Grandfather Gustav (as ghost): “You can’t see me, my grandson. But I can see you. … At the end of those tracks there was an empty field… I had buried my pot of gold under the old elm tree in the northwest corner.” (06:46-08:50)
  • Major Mike (panicked): “My time? You mean I’m gonna die?” (08:01)
  • Grandfather Gustav: “Not so fast, my son… No, indeed, you will not die.” (08:05)

Aftermath and Realization

• [10:00-11:09] The next day, Major Mike is convinced he was contacted by his grandfather’s spirit and is eager to rush to Parker City to find the gold. Mr. Randall, however, urges caution, skeptical that the legend is real or that the site even exists as Mike remembers.
  • Major Mike: “Don’t you suppose I know my own grandfather’s voice?” (10:15)
  • Mr. Randall (skeptical): “Have you stopped to think that the city has grown up? And the car tracks may have even disappeared by now?” (10:51)

Confession and a Lesson

• [11:12-12:54] Mr. Randall questions Jerry about the ghostly voice, leading Jerry to reluctantly admit to playing the trick with Speed. Mr. Randall uses the moment to impart a lesson about the impact of jokes on others.
  • Mr. Randall: "A practical joke’s all right, just as long as it doesn’t do anyone any harm. But just a minute—a joke hurts anyone, well, then it becomes unkind. Cruel.” (12:31-12:49)
  • Jerry (apologetically): “I’m awful sorry, Mr. Randall, honest I am. I’ll go right out and find the Major and tell him I’m sorry.” (12:49-12:54)

Closing Matters

• [13:01-13:13] The scene shifts back to business – Jerry receives news about the Montana property and prepares to reply urgently, rounding out the episode on a practical note.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Major Mike on his inheritance:
  “I certainly wish some of my relatives had left me something. You’re a lucky boy, Jerry.” (02:52)
• Jerry, upon hearing Gustav’s legend:
  “Jiminy willikers. This is a real mystery.” (04:04)
• Grandfather Gustav's ghostly instructions:
  “Dig down six feet on the south side of the tree and there you will find… It will be too late tomorrow. You must go tomorrow. The gold will be there.” (08:56-09:21)
• Mr. Randall’s lesson on humor:
  “A practical joke’s all right, just as long as it doesn’t do anyone any harm. … A joke hurts anyone, well, then it becomes unkind. Cruel.” (12:31-12:49)

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Key Timestamps

• 02:08: Jerry visits Major Mike and discusses inheritance
• 03:09: Major Mike recounts Gustav the Miser’s legend
• 05:30: Jerry and friends plot their ghostly prank
• 06:06: “Ghost” visits Major Mike in the tent
• 10:00: Major Mike, rattled, confides in Mr. Randall
• 11:12: Jerry’s confession and Mr. Randall’s teaching moment
• 13:01: Jerry receives news about his own property

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Episode Tone & Style

The style is warm, humorous, and gently moralizing—an excellent example of the “Golden Age of Radio” family entertainment, with gentle pranking, old-timey lingo, and a clear lesson wrapped in a lighthearted tale. The dialogue remains accessible and charming, often punctuated by exclamations like “Jiminy willikers!” and sincere exchanges between characters.

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Final Thoughts

This Jerry of the Circus episode artfully blends a circus setting, a mysterious family legend, mischievous childhood antics, and a thoughtful lesson. Listeners are left with a chuckle—and a reminder that jokes must be wielded with care and kindness.

Transcript

[Liberty Mutual Spokesperson]

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.

[Jerry]

Hey, everyone.

[Comedian]

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

[Mr. Randall]

Oh, no.

[Liberty Mutual Spokesperson]

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

[Comedian]

Yeah, the bird looks out of your league.

[Liberty Mutual Spokesperson]

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

[Comedian]

Liberty.

[Mr. Randall]

Liberty.

[Comedian]

Liberty. Liberty.

[Jake]

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

[Major Mike]

Hello.

[Jerry]

Hello? Major. Major.

[Major Mike]

Mike. Oh, what is it? Oh, it's. It's you, Jerry. You. You gave me a start. That's what you did.

[Jerry]

I'm sorry. You busy?

[Major Mike]

Of course I'm busy. Can't you see that I'm writing? Yeah.

[Jerry]

I didn't mean to interrupt. I'll come again later.

[Major Mike]

Here, here. Now, you. You stay right here. I'm glad to see you, Jerry. What's on your mind?

[Jerry]

Well, things are sure happening to me pretty fast. I might have to go into business.

[Major Mike]

What? You go into business?

[Jerry]

Sure. Why not?

[Major Mike]

Well, what kind of business?

[Jerry]

Well, you see, it's like this. You know that property out in Montana that Dad left me?

[Major Mike]

Yes, I remember hearing about that.

[Jerry]

Well, we got a registered letter from the Montana railroad lines asking about who owned that property and talking about a deal. They seem to be in an awful hurry about finding out about it.

[Major Mike]

Oh, that's splendid, Jerry. I certainly wish some of my relatives had left me something. You're a lucky boy, Jerry.

[Jerry]

I'll say. But didn't you ever have any relatives who might have left you something and you know that you didn't even know about?

[Grandson]

No.

[Major Mike]

None of my people ever had any money except Grandpa Gustav and, well, I guess we'll never know where all his money went.

[Jerry]

Your grandfather?

[Major Mike]

Yes, sir. And let me tell you, Jerry, there never was a tighter man that lived than Grandpa Gustav. They called him Gustav the Miser.

[Jerry]

Was he rich?

[Major Mike]

Everybody thought he was, but he never spent a cent. He didn't have to. He wore the meanest clothes. And when we were children, we never wanted to go and see him because he was so stingy. He never gave us pennies or candy like most grandparents do.

[Jerry]

What did he do with all of his money?

[Major Mike]

That's just it. No one knows. No one ever found out.

[Jerry]

Maybe he wasn't rich after all.

[Major Mike]

Yes, he was. He owned lots of property in Parker City just before the town began to grow. And then he sold it all before he died for cash.

[Jerry]

See, that's something.

[Major Mike]

Yeah, and then he changed it all into gold.

[Jerry]

Jiminy willikers. This is a real mystery.

[Grandson]

Hey, Mike, get the flag up.

[Jake]

Yes, the flag up, Jake.

[Jerry]

Jiminy, it's time to eat.

[Major Mike]

And now look here, you got me to talking and I haven't written this letter to common.

[Jerry]

Aw, gee, I'm sorry, Major.

[Major Mike]

Well, never mind, Jerry. I'll come back here to my tent after the show tonight and do it. We're not moving tonight, so there'll be no rush. I can come back here when it's all quiet on this circus lot and really concentrate on this leather without having

[Jerry]

a fella come in and gab and.

[Major Mike]

Well, that's all right, Jerry. I'm glad you came. Now, you run along. It'll take me a second or so to get ready, but come and visit me again soon, Jerry.

[Jerry]

Sure thing. Be seeing you, Major.

[Jake]

Hey, Jerry.

[Jerry]

Oh, hello, Mike.

[Jake]

Don't tell me you're hungry.

[Jerry]

No, but, well, there's nothing else to do, so I might as well go along and pass the time.

[Jake]

You don't say. How do you like that, Pete? The boy's a comedian. Yeah.

[Major Mike]

Hey, have.

[Jerry]

Have you seen Speed? He was supposed to be waiting around here.

[Jake]

Who's he?

[Jerry]

He's the new fella who does the race with the horse.

[Jake]

Oh, the guy that can walk faster than we can run.

[Jerry]

Yeah. Wonder where he's got to.

[Jake]

Hey, Jerry, Jerry, not so fast.

[Jerry]

Oh, there he is now. Hey, where are you, Speed?

[Grandfather Gustav]

Right behind you.

[Jake]

What'd you hurry? Why, the flag's up. That's always Jerry's hurry.

[Jerry]

Oh, I get it.

[Jake]

Well, Jerry, what'd you pick up?

[Jerry]

I sure played in luck. The Major told me all about his granddad and. Oh, boy, what a story.

[Mr. Randall]

Good for you, Woody.

[Jerry]

Well, give me time first. But the first thing to do. Well, we might play the joke on him tonight.

[Major Mike]

You think we can?

[Mr. Randall]

I don't see why not.

[Major Mike]

Why?

[Mr. Randall]

Any special reason?

[Jerry]

Well, yeah, he'll be in his tent after the show tonight. He's got an important letter to write, and he's planning to do it after everything's quieted down in the lot.

[Mr. Randall]

What a setup for a ghost.

[Grandfather Gustav]

Now, listen here, Jerry.

[Mr. Randall]

We'll do it, and we'll put on

[Jake]

an act that he'll never forget.

[Major Mike]

Please come and let me hear news of you and your brothers. My regards to them. And of course, you know how I feel about you. Oh, it's getting chilly now. I better sign this. And that's funny. Sounds like an Owl.

[Grandfather Gustav]

Who's there?

[Grandson]

Who's there?

[Major Mike]

Goodness me. What is that?

[Grandfather Gustav]

Are you mature, Mike?

[Grandson]

What?

[Grandfather Gustav]

Are you the grandson of Gustav the Miser?

[Grandson]

What?

[Grandfather Gustav]

You can't see me, my grandson. But I can see you.

[Grandson]

Really? What? What?

[Grandfather Gustav]

You must not be afraid. Now, sit down quietly at your table. Yes, I want to talk to you. Now be quiet and listen very carefully. I am Gustav, your old grandfather.

[Grandson]

Yes, Grandfather.

[Grandfather Gustav]

I have been watching you now for a long, long time.

[Grandson]

Watching me?

[Grandfather Gustav]

To find out if you were worthy.

[Grandson]

Worthy?

[Grandfather Gustav]

I was a very wealthy old man when I died. My grandson. But no one could prove it. No, sir. Your old grandfather was foxy. No one knew where he kept his gold.

[Grandson]

Yes, grandfather.

[Grandfather Gustav]

But now the time has come. Your time has come.

[Grandson]

My time? You mean I'm gonna die?

[Grandfather Gustav]

Not so fast, my son. Not so fast. No, indeed, you will not die. Yes.

[Jerry]

Oh.

[Grandson]

But what is it you want to tell me?

[Grandfather Gustav]

In good time. In good time. You remember our hometown?

[Grandson]

Well, yes, of course I do.

[Grandfather Gustav]

You remember where the old car tracks ended on Market Street?

[Grandson]

Yes, Grandfather.

[Grandfather Gustav]

At the end of those tracks there was an empty field belonging to Olaf Svensson.

[Grandson]

Yes, Grandfather.

[Grandfather Gustav]

Little did Olaf think I had buried my pot of gold under the old elm tree in the northwest corner.

[Grandson]

The elm tree?

[Grandfather Gustav]

Yes, you remember the one?

[Grandson]

Yes, yes, of course.

[Grandfather Gustav]

Dig down six feet on the south side of the tree and there you will find.

[Grandson]

Yes, yes, you will find. Louder. Grandfather.

[Grandfather Gustav]

I can't stay. But I had to tell you because soon it will be too late.

[Grandson]

Why? What's going to happen?

[Grandfather Gustav]

It will be too late tomorrow. You must go tomorrow. The gold will be there.

[Grandson]

Grandfather. Grandfather, tell me more. Come back. Come back. Tell me more. Oh, Grandfather, don't leave me yet. Grandfather. And so you see, Mr. Randall, I

[Major Mike]

just had to bother you tonight. And you see why I've got to get away tomorrow.

[Grandson]

I've got to get to Parker City.

[Mr. Randall]

Well, maybe you're right, but maybe you're wrong too, Major. You know, we can imagine things.

[Grandson]

Not me. No, sirea, I could hear just as plain. And don't you suppose I know my own grandfather's voice?

[Mr. Randall]

Well, well, yes, yes, but. Oh, now listen, Major, I'm going to be very busy. I've just sent for Jerry.

[Grandson]

Jerry?

[Mr. Randall]

Yes. I've just had a wire that involves him. And we have to get an answer off tonight. It can't be delayed.

[Grandson]

Yes, but this trip cannot be delayed either, Mr. Randall.

[Mr. Randall]

You can't leave the circus, Major, I have a contract with you till the end of the season.

[Major Mike]

But I could fly.

[Grandson]

And only Ms. Wal. Only one.

[Mr. Randall]

Now listen, Major. How do you know you could find that tree?

[Major Mike]

Well, I guess I spent my entire childhood there. I guess I know that place as well as major.

[Mr. Randall]

How long since you've been in Parker City?

[Major Mike]

About 20 years.

[Mr. Randall]

Have you stopped to think that the city has grown up? And the car tracks may have even disappeared by now?

[Grandson]

Oh, oh, of course, I forgot.

[Major Mike]

My goodness.

[Grandson]

But, but, but the voice, Mr. Randall.

[Jake]

You.

[Mr. Randall]

You say there was quite a wind blowing and you could hardly hear you. You might have been mistaken.

[Major Mike]

I know what I'll do.

[Grandson]

I'll go to Rosa. She can tell me. This time I'm sure she can tell me.

[Jerry]

Mr. Randall. Mr. Randall.

[Mr. Randall]

Did you send for him? Yes, Jerry. Just a minute. Sit down.

[Major Mike]

That's the ticket.

[Grandson]

I'll see Rosa. She will be able to help me, I'm sure. Goodbye, Mr. Randall.

[Jerry]

Boy, he didn't even see me.

[Mr. Randall]

No. He seems to have other things on his mind, doesn't he, Jerry?

[Jerry]

What kind of things, Mr. Randall?

[Mr. Randall]

Jerry, do you know anything about a voice that the Major might have heard in his tent?

[Jerry]

Well, gee.

[Mr. Randall]

Well, Jerry, think twice before you answer that one.

[Jerry]

Yeah, I guess I do, Mr. Randall. But gee, Speed and I. Oh, gee, I. I told on Speed.

[Mr. Randall]

That's all right. I'll have a talk with Speed later. But as far as you're concerned, Jerry, I'm a little surprised. Yeah, quite a bit surprised that you take advantage of any peculiarity of a fellow performer while the Major has his whims and fancy, son, just as I have. Maybe you have a few yourself.

[Jerry]

Well, I suppose I have. I don't know of any, but.

[Mr. Randall]

All right then. Suppose Major might hid Rags overnight in one of the wagons or cages and made you think he'd seen Rags running after some strange man off the lot. What would you do?

[Jerry]

Gee, gosh, I'd just about go crazy, I guess.

[Mr. Randall]

You bet you would. Well, rags is one of your whims, isn't he?

[Comedian]

Sure.

[Jerry]

Yeah, he is.

[Mr. Randall]

And that's the way the Major thought about this so called ghost that you and Speed cooked up. A practical joke, Jerry. A practical joke's all right, just as long as it doesn't do anyone any harm. But just a minute. A joke hurts anyone. Well, then it becomes unkind. Cruel.

[Jerry]

I'm awful sorry, Mr. Randall, honest I am. I'll go right out and find the Major and tell him I'm sorry.

[Mr. Randall]

Atta boy. And then we won't say anything more about it. Oh, but before you go, we've got something quite important to do.

[Jerry]

What say you haven't heard yet from the MO Railroad.

[Mr. Randall]

That's just what I have. The wire came an hour ago. We have to send a night letter off tonight, so to reach them in the morning.

[Jerry]

Oh, gee.

[Mr. Randall]

All right, here's the wire. I'll let you read it yourself.

[Liberty Mutual Spokesperson]

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.

[Jerry]

Hey, everyone.

[Comedian]

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

[Liberty Mutual Spokesperson]

Oh, no. We help people customize and sell save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual together. We're married. Me to a human, him to a bird.

[Comedian]

Yeah, the bird looks out of your league.

[Liberty Mutual Spokesperson]

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

[Comedian]

Liberty.

[Mr. Randall]

Liberty.

[Comedian]

Liberty.

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