
Jerry of the Circus - Spud Is Hired Boris Has New Plot - 12/15/1937
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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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Mr. Randall
Liberty, Liberty, Liberty, Liberty.
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.
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.”
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.