
Jerry of the Circus - Spike Is Recognized - 09/03/1937
Loading summary
Liberty Mutual Spokesperson (Human)
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.
Liberty Mutual Spokesperson (Bird)
Hey, everyone. Check out this guy and his bird. What is this, your first date?
Mr. Brannon
Oh, no.
Liberty Mutual Spokesperson (Human)
We help people customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual together. We're married. Me to a human, him to a bird.
Liberty Mutual Spokesperson (Bird)
Yeah, the bird looks out of your league.
Liberty Mutual Spokesperson (Human)
Anyways, get a'@libertymutual.com or with your local agent.
Liberty Mutual Spokesperson (Bird)
Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. Liberty.
Gary
Gary of the circus.
Jerry
Now for Jerry of the circuits.
Gary
Hi there, Gary. Johnny Bradley was looking for you.
Jerry
He was? Well, thanks. Come on, Ray. You better see what Mr. Bradley wants. Where was he?
Gary
He just passed this way. Came from the post office, I think. It looked like he was heading for the office wagon.
Jerry
Okay, I'll. I'll try and find him. Come on, Reg. May as well walk that way as any other. Hi, Spike.
Spike
How you doing?
Jerry
Heard Mr. Bradley wants to see me, so I'm looking for him. As a matter of fact, what you doing around here? Aren't you helping Murray put up the canvas?
Spike
I sure am. Murray sent me on an errand.
Jerry
Yeah?
Spike
Yeah, we was all kidding back there and he said I wasn't working hard enough, so he let me get the key to the main top this morning. I guess Red usually does that for him.
Jerry
Key to the main? Thought I never heard of it.
Mr. Brannon
Why, sure. So they.
Spike
So they can put up the canvas.
Jerry
Well, that's a new one on me. Where is it? Did you get it? Well, what does it look like?
Spike
Well, I don't know. I never noticed it. Though I did hear Red sayin something about it the other morning. Well, I'm on my way to the blacksmith's now. I guess I better hurry or Murray will ball me out for wasting time.
Jerry
I mean, drop around later. I want to see what it looks like. Golly. Imagine being with a circus this long and never hearing about the key to the big top.
Spike
Well, you can't learn everything at once. Well, I'll be seeing you.
Jerry
Yeah. Well, come on, Ray. Aw, gee, it's a swell day to be out, isn't it? I'll say it is. See, there's Mr. Bradley now, heading to the office wagon. Hey, Mr. Bradley.
Mr. Brannon
Yes? Oh, you. Jerry. I was asking about you.
Jerry
Yeah, that's what someone said. Did you want something?
Mr. Brannon
Well, yes, but I hardly know how to tell you about it.
Jerry
Say it. It's nothing serious, is it?
Mr. Brannon
I'm afraid it is, Jerry.
Jerry
Well, I guess you'd better just come right out and tell me then. Like it wasn't important.
Mr. Brannon
I hate to upset you, Jerry, but I. Well, I hated to do anything about this without first telling you.
Jerry
Me? Have I done something? Am I going to get in trouble about Splendor?
Mr. Brannon
What do you mean?
Jerry
You know, when I went into the ring last night and got hold of Splendor and wrote him out.
Mr. Brannon
Oh, yes, yes, of course. Oh, no, no, that's nothing to do with this. As a matter of fact, you did a pretty level headed job with Splendor. We were talking about it at breakfast.
Gary
You were?
Jerry
Where?
Mr. Brannon
Mr. Randall and I.
Jerry
She. You wasn't sore then?
Mr. Brannon
I should say not far from it. You quite saved the day. It was a plucky thing to do.
Jerry
Golly, I'm sure glad Mr. Randall thinks so. But it just seemed natural. I couldn't help it. Golly, you can't let a little coat like Splendor get into trouble, can you?
Mr. Brannon
Indeed not.
Jerry
Besides, splinters sort of belongs to me. You know, I'm training him. Next to Rags, he's my best animal pal.
Mr. Brannon
I'm ashamed of myself letting you talk just because I haven't the nerve to tell you what I've discovered.
Jerry
Oh, of course, I forgot. You're going to tell me something.
Mr. Brannon
Jerry. You remember that picture we saw the post office one day?
Jerry
Picture? Oh, yeah, I remember the poster. Often rewards for criminals.
Mr. Brannon
That's it. You remember when you looked at one of them, you said he looked like someone you knew.
Jerry
Yeah, I guess I did. He was an escaped convict or something, wasn't he?
Mr. Brannon
Yes, Jerry, he was. Well, you remember me saying one night in the mess 10 that I thought I knew who that man might be.
Jerry
Yeah.
Mr. Brannon
Well, Jerry, I'm now certain that that escaped convict is with this circus.
Jerry
Oh, no, you. You can't mean it.
Mr. Brannon
I'm afraid I do.
Jerry
Oh, there. There must be some mistake, Mr. Brannon.
Mr. Brannon
I wish there were. But I've just been to the post office in this town. It's the first time I've been able to find one of those pictures again.
Jerry
Oh, who do you think it is? Mr. Bradley?
Mr. Brannon
I'm afraid it's your friend.
Jerry
Oh, no, I'm sure you're wrong. Why, it just couldn't be.
Mr. Brannon
Why not? Well, he's only just joined us. We don't know anything about him except that this is the first time he's ever worked for a circus.
Jerry
Yeah, I guess he did say that. But Mr. Bradley, it doesn't look like that man. That man's got a Bald head.
Mr. Brannon
Oh, that man's head was shaved, Jerry. They always do that to convicts in prison.
Jerry
Yeah, but Spike said isn't shaved.
Mr. Brannon
How do you know? Have you seen it?
Jerry
Well, I don't know. Come to think of it, I. I guess I haven't. He's always got that old cat pulled down.
Mr. Brannon
That's exactly it. He's got it pulled down so we can't see a huge scar which is in the back of his left ear.
Jerry
Oh, no.
Mr. Brannon
I'm sorry, Jerry. I was afraid you'd be upset about this. I remember hearing you say you'd gotten him this job and.
Jerry
Yeah, I was kind of proud of him. But Mr. Bradley, gee, he almost saved my life that time. I nearly fell off a splendor.
Mr. Brannon
I know, son. Criminals can be brave men too. But after all, it isn't safe to let them around loose. When a man is desperate enough to break jail, he's too desperate to allow around law abiding citizens. Why, I'm afraid I'll have to report him.
Jerry
That's why. You're going into Mr. Randall's office, huh?
Mr. Brannon
Yes, my boy. Now, try not to be too upset about this, Jerry.
Jerry
Gee, I hardly know what to say. Yes, I better guess Rides and me will take a little walk.
Mr. Brannon
Yes, that's right. Take a nice long walk. And by the time you get back, this unpleasant business will be all over with.
Jerry
You gonna tell Mr. Randall?
Mr. Brannon
Yes, Jerry. It's the best way to handle the situation.
Jerry
Yeah. Well, guess Rags and me will get going. Bye.
Mr. Brannon
Goodbye, Jerry. And try not to feel too bad about this.
Jerry
Yeah, yeah, of course. Come on, Rags, we're going for a walk. Golly, Rags, I don't know what to do. Gee, he's a friend of mine. And yours too. Golly, what can we do? Well, we'll just hang around and if we get a chance to talk to Spike, I think maybe we'd better say something. Hey, what's going on over there? That's funny. The minuteball stopped working. That's not much like Mr. Murray. Probably keeps him at it till the canvas is all out. Oh, Nick's going to find out about Spike.
Gary
He's a greenhorn all right.
Jerry
First of May is right.
Oh, Murray.
Mr. Brannon
Well, hello there, Jerry.
Jerry
Well, kid, you got here just too late. You missed one of the best 1st of May performances I've seen in a long time.
This isn't a first of May.
Gary
You forget, the boy's not much more than a first of mayor himself.
Jerry
I don't know what you're talking about.
Well, it's all right, Jerry. The men have got to have their little joke.
Yeah, but the joke must have happened before I got here, the way everyone was laughing.
Gary
I'll say it did. It's about Spike.
Jerry
Golly, it can't have happened yet.
Gary
It sure has. We got to initiate all our first to May men.
Jerry
Gee, you people don't make sense. Murray, what do they mean by the first of May?
Well, you see, Jerry, when a fella joins the circus for the first time, he's a greenhorn or a first of May.
But why?
Well, the show starts off the 1st of May. So when an outsider comes into our business, we always call him the first of May. least until he gets wised up to our ways.
Oh, I see. Yeah. Guess I am still one. At least I'm still learning plenty around here. Golly, why, I didn't know until just a little while ago you had a key to the main tent.
Hey, Jerry, how'd you find out about that?
Gary
Yeah, it's supposed to be a secret.
Spike
Don't let them kid you, Jerry, like they just kidded me.
Jerry
Ah, Murray, what's this all about?
Well, you better get Spike to tell you.
What is it, Spike?
Spike
Well, I'll tell you, Jerry. These guys have all been ribbing me about that key to the main top.
Jerry
How do you mean?
Spike
Well, you remember how I told you I was going over to the blacksmith for the key?
Jerry
Yeah.
Spike
Well, when I got there, the blacksmith told me he had to do some more work on it. And he had to give it to the watchman who was taking it to the handyman in the lot.
Jerry
Golly, they kind of kept you chasing, didn't they?
Spike
I'll say they did. Well, I found the handyman, and he said he'd given it back to the watchman. Well, then I finally found him, and he said he'd taken it back to the blacksmith. And then the blacksmith said he just sent it over here, and I just got back now, and, well, that's why they're all laughing so.
Jerry
Well, where is it? After all that fuss, I'd kind of like to see it myself. What's so funny about that?
Spike
Well, that's just the point. I asked the same question. And there isn't any key.
Jerry
What?
Spike
No, it's just an old circus gag to send a new guy around after a key to the main top.
Jerry
Then there never was any key.
Well, I never saw it, but I sure looked hard for it when I was a punk. And the older men sent me after it.
Gary
Me, too. And they let Me look for it for about three hours once.
Jerry
Gee whiz, that sure is a good gag. All right.
Spike
I'll say it is, even if I am the goat.
Jerry
You're a good sport, Spike. The kind of fellows that we like to have around. Well, men, back to work.
Mr. Brannon
Okay, boss.
Gary
Oh, Haynes. Back to work.
Jerry
We gotta make up for lost time. Step on it, boy.
Say, Murray, I gotta see Spike just a bit.
I'm sorry, Jerry. We gotta make up for lost time.
But, gee, this is important.
Well, it's important to get this tent up, too. All right, fellas, hop to it.
Golly. I don't want to be a nuisance, Murray, but I just gotta see him.
You just have to wait, son. You'll be through with this job pretty
Mr. Brannon
soon, and then you can visit.
Jerry
Well, I'll be leaving you. Business comes first around here.
Yeah, guess it does. Gee, Ray, now what we gonna do? We waste a lot of time talking about that key. For a minute, I even forgot about the trouble spikes in. We just gotta see him. Come on, let's walk around where he's working. Maybe we can get just a word with him alone. Spike.
Mr. Brannon
Hey.
Jerry
Hey, Spike.
Spike
Yeah? Oh.
Gary
Oh, hello there.
Jerry
Come here a second.
Spike
Well, I gotta finish this first.
Jerry
It's awful important. Please, quick. Just behind this wagon. But, Murray, he's on the other side. He won't miss you. It's a matter of life and death.
Spike
For heaven's sake, Jerry. Beating. You want me to lose my job?
Jerry
No, that's what's wrong. Audrey, please. Just a minute.
Okay.
Spike
I hope you don't get me into trouble.
Jerry
Everyone's so nice to me here.
I. I'd hate to duck behind this wagon.
Spike
Oh, you're the beatenest kid. Now, what's on your mind?
Jerry
Yeah, I don't know how to tell you.
Spike
Be quick about it. Mary will be back here pretty soon, and I want to be on the job.
Jerry
Yeah, well, you see, it's like this.
Spike
Come on, get going, Jerry.
Jerry
Well, you know. Say, Spike, will you take your cap off?
Spike
Say, what's this all about? What you talking about?
Jerry
Jesus, Spike, it. It's just because I. I like to know that.
Spike
What's on your mind?
Jerry
Well, someone thinks they recognize your picture.
Spike
Yeah?
Mr. Brannon
What picture?
Jerry
Well, in the post office. There, I said it.
Spike
Yeah? Well, what of it?
Jerry
And it is your picture. The one on the poster.
Spike
Who told you about it?
Jerry
Well, Johnny Bradley saw it a long time ago. And then when he met you, he thought he remembered, but he wasn't sure till we landed here.
Mr. Brannon
Yeah.
Jerry
Go on.
Well, Then this morning he went over to the post office, and now he says he's sure. So he just now told Mr. Randall, and I guess they're gonna tell the police.
Spike
You know, Jerry, what it means to help an escaped convict?
Jerry
No.
Spike
Well, it means prison, and it's mighty serious.
Jerry
Golly. I see. But I couldn't help telling you, even if it is maybe too late.
Liberty Mutual Spokesperson (Human)
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.
Liberty Mutual Spokesperson (Bird)
Hey, everyone. Check out this guy and his bird. What is this, your first date?
Mr. Brannon
Oh, no.
Liberty Mutual Spokesperson (Human)
We help people customize and save save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual together. We're married. Me to a human, him to a bird.
Liberty Mutual Spokesperson (Bird)
Yeah, the bird looks out of your league.
Liberty Mutual Spokesperson (Human)
Anyways, get a quote@libertymutual.com or with your local agent.
Liberty Mutual Spokesperson (Bird)
Liberty, Liberty. Liberty. Liberty.
Lowe's Announcer
During Memorial Day at Lowe's Shop household must haves for less. Save 80 on a char broil performance series 4 burner grill to chef up something special. Plus get up to 45% off. Select major appliances to keep things fresh. Our best lineup is here at Lowe's. Lowe's. We help you. You Save valid through 527 while supplies last. Selection varies by location. See lowe's.com for details.
Jerry
Visit your nearby Lowe's.
Harold's Old Time Radio | May 22, 2026
This episode of "Jerry of the Circus" centers around suspicion and tension as Jerry discovers that his friend Spike might be the escaped convict featured on a wanted poster in the local post office. The episode masterfully blends intrigue with lighthearted circus camaraderie, portraying both the family-like atmosphere and the real dangers that can lurk among traveling circus folk.
Absolutely—the summary covers all the essential plotlines and character interactions. The episode deftly balances classic circus hijinks with the genuine emotional stakes of Jerry’s moral dilemma, setting up anticipation for what will happen to Spike and whether Jerry’s warning will make a difference.
End of Summary – No advertisements, intros, or outros included.