Jerry of the Circus - Spud Is Hired Boris Has New Plot

Summary

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Episode Overview

Title: Jerry of the Circus – Spud Is Hired, Boris Has New Plot
Date: May 17, 2026
Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Theme:
This episode dives into the daily happenings and behind-the-scenes drama of a traveling circus, where new talents arrive, conspiracies brew, and the bonds of circus performers are put to the test. Central plotlines include Speed (“Spud”) being hired by Mr. Randall, and Boris’s scheming as his plan with Patsy fails. The story deftly weaves excitement from the ring with intrigue backstage, all capturing the flavor of Golden Age radio drama.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Exciting New Act: The Spectacle in the Ring

• The show opens with the circus announcer building anticipation for a unique act—Speed (“Spud”) racing against Lady, the fastest horse in the circus.
  • Quote (02:10): “A veritable human dynamo will attempt to race around this sawdust track against Lady, the Randall brothers’ fastest and most spirited horse.”
• The act draws attention and excitement from all sides as Speed miraculously wins, astonishing everyone.
  • Quote (03:42): “He’s doing it, he’s doing it! He beat that horse!”

2. Speed’s Warm Reception & Talents

• Jerry and circus members praise Speed while acknowledging the spirited rivalry.
  • Jerry (04:19): “Aw, say, you’re wonderful, Speed. And no kidding, lady and I were giving everything we had.”
  • Mr. Randall expresses admiration and offers Speed a role with the circus.
• Mr. Randall and Speed discuss Speed’s potential contributions, leading to the offer of employment.
  • Speed (05:09): “Seems like I ought to be pretty useful around this here circus lot. There’s lots of things I can do, sir.”
• The conversation reveals Speed’s hidden skill as a ventriloquist and mimic.
  • Speed (07:20): “Yes, I reckon I’m guilty, Mr. Rand.” (on being a ventriloquist)
  • Mr. Randall (07:36): “What a combination. A ventriloquist who can do imitations and a marathon runner!”

3. Comic Relief & Circus Camaraderie

• Patsy and Jerry’s playful exchange highlights the fun and mutual respect among the performers.
  • Patsy (08:30): “My goodness, Jerry, don’t you ever get tired watching my act? You want to know it by heart now?”
  • Jerry (08:35): “Boy, it sure must be exciting to go swinging off into space like that.”
• The circus feels alive with applause, collaboration, and lighthearted teasing.

4. Boris’s Failed Proposition & Hatching a New Plot

• Patsy delicately turns down Boris’s South American investment scheme, citing Mr. Randall’s guidance to invest in an annuity instead.
  • Patsy (10:28): “Mr. Randall has convinced me that I'd better buy an annuity.”
  • Boris (10:50): “You’re sure there’s no chance of your changing your mind?”
• Boris is frustrated and shares his anger with Olga, hinting at retaliation against Mr. Randall for "interfering."
  • Boris (11:49): “If it’s the last thing I do, I’m going to get even with Sam Randall for spoiling our plans.”
• They devise a plot to exploit Mr. Randall’s looming financial troubles. If poor business (especially due to rain) reduces circus income, Boris will offer a timely loan, giving him leverage.
  • Boris (12:26): “So I, Borisov, will come forward and offer to lend him a knot to tie them over.”
  • Olga (12:44): “Rain means poor business for the circus.”
  • Boris (12:59): “The worse the audiences are… the better he will like the idea of borrowing money from you.”
  • Olga (13:08): “Listen again. Rain, much rain.”
  • Boris (13:12): “Even the fates are flying like that.”

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the thrill of the ring (02:10–03:42):
  Narrator: “All right, ready. One, two, three. Let her go.”
  Assistant: “He’s doing it! He beat the horse!”

• On camaraderie (04:19):
  Jerry: “You’re wonderful, Speed. And no kidding, lady and I were giving everything we had.”

• Discovering Speed's secret (07:20):
  Mr. Randall: “By any chance, are you a ventriloquist?”
  Speed: “Yes, I RECKON I’m guilty, Mr. Rand.”

• Boris's resentment and plotting (11:49, 12:59):
  Boris: “If it’s the last thing I do, I’m going to get even with Sam Randall for spoiling our plans.”
  Olga: “Rain means poor business for the circus.”
  Boris: “The worse the audiences are… the better he will like the idea of borrowing money from you.”

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Episode Timestamps

• [02:10] – Circus announcer builds excitement for Speed’s race against Lady
• [03:42] – Speed wins the race, crowd and cast react
• [04:28] – Mr. Randall congratulates Speed, discusses hiring
• [05:09] – Speed offered a job, shows versatility and good humor
• [07:20] – Speed reveals ventriloquist talents, further impressing Mr. Randall
• [08:30] – Jerry and Patsy exchange, day-to-day circus camaraderie
• [09:10] – Boris takes bows, sets up conversation with Patsy
• [10:01] – Patsy and Boris: the South American investment plan is rejected
• [11:25] – Boris vents to Olga, plans revenge
• [12:26] – Boris and Olga plot to use rain and Mr. Randall’s debt to seize control
• [13:08] – The “plot thickens” as a storm gathers outside, symbolic of coming trouble

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Summary

This Jerry of the Circus episode exemplifies classic radio drama: a compelling blend of showtime adrenaline, earnest ambition, and behind-the-scenes treachery. As Speed’s talents elevate the circus, bonds strengthen but jealousy and desperation fester. Boris, thwarted in his get-rich scheme, shifts gears and plots to ensnare Mr. Randall just as financial clouds—and literal storm clouds—gather. The listener leaves on a tense note, awaiting the next act in this drama under the big top.

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Transcript

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[Mr. Randall]

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

[Narrator]

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 this sawdust track 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. Written by that exciting personality of the ring, Jerry of the Circus. And last but not least, the world's newest miracle man, the world renowned Speed. And Speed he is in name as well as deeds. Standing start, his Superman will attempt to beat lady, the fastest little horse in our circus. All right, ready. One, two, three. Let her go.

[Announcer/Assistant]

Got a voice. Be okay. Let her go, ladies. Right in, Terry. Right in, Terry. Oh, look at that. Fella stepped out. I never saw anything like that. He's doing it. He's doing it. 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 range over there. Growl there. Easy close area.

[Speed]

Guess I didn't let you down none, huh?

[Jerry]

Aw, say, you're wonderful Speed. And no kidding, lady and I were giving everything we had.

[Speed]

Course, 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. Reckon if you please, sir.

[Speed]

It's good enough for me, Mr. Rams.

[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 from the little lady.

[Jerry]

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

[Announcer/Assistant]

All right, Derek.

[Patsy]

Bye.

[Mr. Randall]

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.

[Patsy]

Oh, of Course, I must go on soon anyhow.

[Olga]

I'll see you later.

[Speed]

Bye.

[Mr. Randall]

Well, Speed, if you'll 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 I ought to be pretty useful around this here circus lot. 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.

[Speed]

Ax, you don't mean that little dog?

[Mr. Randall]

Jerry? 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 a clown.

[Boris]

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]

Well, yes, I guess you're right, Speed. But it certainly sounded like Rags. I. 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. Serge deliberately been doing that there race. Why not do a comedy race later during the show, sir?

[Mr. Randall]

Well, how do you mean comedy if not race backwards?

[Speed]

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. So it 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]

I wouldn't.

[Mr. Randall]

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

[Speed]

Just like home, huh?

[Mr. Randall]

Yeah. Tis my home. The four walls of this little wagon make the only home I have during the season. They'll know about you.

[Announcer/Assistant]

Mr. Ranno. Mr. Rano, you there?

[Mr. Randall]

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

[Announcer/Assistant]

Mr. Ranald. Can I come in?

[Mr. Randall]

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

[Speed]

I reckon it's changed their minds.

[Mr. Randall]

Who on earth can do. There's no one here for what speed. Yes, Mr. Rand, 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's pretty good at barnyard imitations. Dogs and such.

[Mr. Randall]

You mean to say? Well, of all things. So you were barking like Ray?

[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 or been a freak show.

[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, Nunza. Maybe if you didn't tell on me, I might have a little fun with

[Mr. Randall]

the boy, though, Jerry. Oh, I say you can. If he doesn't get fooled by that bark of yours, I'll be more than surprised.

[Speed]

My, l. How I can kid him so.

[Mr. Randall]

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

[Jerry]

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

[Patsy]

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

[Jerry]

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

[Olga]

Aha, it is.

[Patsy]

But probably no more exciting than riding like the Russo 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]

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

[Jerry]

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

[Patsy]

Hear you, Jerry.

[Jerry]

Well, 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]

Ah, the future Spotsy.

[Patsy]

Sounds like you were a success this afternoon, Boris.

[Boris]

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 plodding the horses instead of us.

[Patsy]

Why, Boris, 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 Dapple, what on Earth is coming over you two. Oh, say, Boris, are you busy for a minute?

[Boris]

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]

I intended to. Will you walk with me?

[Narrator]

Yes.

[Patsy]

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

[Jerry]

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]

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

[Patsy]

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

[Boris]

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

[Patsy]

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

[Boris]

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. Well, I've been thinking it over and

[Boris]

I'm afraid I better not say it, but.

[Patsy]

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

[Boris]

You didn't tell him about the plan?

[Patsy]

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

[Boris]

You didn't mention my name.

[Patsy]

Of course not. I promised Boris.

[Boris]

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

[Patsy]

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

[Boris]

It's a pity. Such a wonderful chance to double your money.

[Patsy]

Yes, I know.

[Boris]

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

[Patsy]

I'm afraid not.

[Announcer/Assistant]

You.

[Patsy]

You. You're not offended, are you?

[Boris]

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

[Patsy]

I appreciate it very much. You know that.

[Boris]

Yes. 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]

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

[Patsy]

Then we are still friends?

[Boris]

Yes. Goodbye, Patsy.

[Patsy]

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

[Boris]

my headache.

[Speed]

Olga.

[Boris]

Olga, where are you?

[Olga]

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

[Boris]

I have a reason. She has turned us down. Can you beat that? Oh, what, Patsy, Mr. Randall has convinced her she safer to put our money into annuity.

[Olga]

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

[Boris]

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 Patrick.

[Boris]

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]

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]

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]

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]

First of all, he has to meet a knot in a few days.

[Olga]

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

[Boris]

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

[Olga]

Boy, that is thunder.

[Boris]

Yes, but listen to me, will you? Never mind talking about the weather.

[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 sick.

[Boris]

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

[Olga]

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.

[Announcer/Assistant]

Of course.

[Olga]

Listen again. Rain, much rain.

[Announcer/Assistant]

The clouds are bursting.

[Boris]

Even the fates are flying like that.

[Narrator]

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[Announcer/Assistant]

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[Boris]

Oh no.

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[Jerry]

Yeah, the bird looks out of your league.

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

[Mr. Randall]

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