
Jerry of the Circus - Spuds Tricks Fool Jerry
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Liberty Mutual Narrator
Liberty Mutual customizes your car and home insurance. And now we're customizing this rush hour ad to keep you calm, which could help your driving. And science says therapy is great for a healthy mindset. So enjoy this 14 second session on us. I think you've done everything right and absolutely nothing wrong. In fact, anything that hasn't gone your way could probably be blamed on your father not being emotionally available because his father wasn't emotionally available, and so on. And now that you're calm and healing, you're probably driving better, too.
Jim
Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. Liberty.
Mr. Randall
Jerry of the Circus. Now for Jerry of the Circus.
Jerry Dugan
What a day.
Jim
I tell you, boss, one minute the sun's out, the next minute there's a cloud burst.
Mr. Randall
It looked at noontime like we'd be doing marvelous business at the matinee.
Jerry Dugan
Yeah.
Jim
Now look, it breaks my heart to see the midway deserted like this.
Mr. Randall
The weatherman couldn't have picked a worse time for us.
Jim
Well, that's the breaks. Hey, wonder where Jerry is. He ought to be here by now.
Mr. Randall
Oh, he'll be long soon. I sent for him. And with his curiosity, he won't be able to wait.
Jim
I sure hope this shower that's up before the night show.
Mr. Randall
Oh, wow, that sounded pretty close.
Jim
Too close to suit me. Hey, did you see that lightning?
Mr. Randall
Yeah.
Jim
Listen to that thunder. I don't blame my old Uncle Alfie
Mr. Randall
for always crawling under the bed. Yeah, as I. I've heard that some people hide their heads during these storms. Personally, I wouldn't miss them for anything.
Jim
Yeah, well, that's one thing I'd just as soon do without, say, force.
Mr. Randall
Yeah.
Jim
Think we'll have to put out and run away for the night show.
Mr. Randall
Well, let's wait an hour and see if it clears out.
Jim
Well, at least we're getting one break out of this thing. It's sandy ground. The water pretty much runs off.
Mr. Randall
Yeah, if it weren't for that banknote coming up, I wouldn't begrudge this storm at all. We've had pretty good luck this season,
Jim
except for little things like a cyclone, a fire and a runaway train. A few things like that.
Mr. Randall
As a matter of fact, I was only thinking about the rain and we've had pretty clear weather most of the time.
Jim
Yeah, but this shower sure hits us bad when you consider the cash we've got to have in a day or two.
Mr. Randall
Well, maybe we'll make it up for tonight. Sounds like it's letting up a little bit now.
Jim
That must be Jerry.
Mr. Randall
Come on in. The door's unlocked. Hello, Jerry?
Jerry Dugan
You said you got something important for
Mr. Randall
me, Mr. Randall, and you got wet, Jerry.
Jerry Dugan
No, I ran between the drops. Hey, what did you want, Mr. Randall?
Mr. Randall
Well, I don't know how important it is, but it's has all the earmarks of big business, see?
Jerry Dugan
That sounds exciting. What is it?
Mr. Randall
A letter from the MO Railroad.
Jerry Dugan
MO Railroad?
Mr. Randall
Montana Overland Railroad Company.
Jerry Dugan
For me?
Mr. Randall
Well, indirectly. It's addressed to your father, Timothy Dugan.
Jerry Dugan
Oh.
Mr. Randall
I took the liberty of opening it, Jerry.
Jerry Dugan
Sure, that's okay.
Mr. Randall
I thought it might be an advertisement or something, but it's a personal business letter.
Jerry Dugan
Yeah, well, that's funny. As far as I know, dad didn't have anything to do with railroads except a ride on him.
Mr. Randall
Well, here you are, Jerry. You read it.
Jim
Hmm.
Jerry Dugan
Sure looks important on the stationery. Say, that's funny.
Mr. Randall
What's funny?
Jerry Dugan
How'd they find out dad owned that property up there in Montana?
Mr. Randall
Oh, it's easy enough to check on those things, Jerry. Most deeds to property are recorded. You just have to go to the county registrar's office and check the records.
Jerry Dugan
Oh, but look, Mr. Randall, why would a railroad be interested in what was going to be a dude ranch?
Mr. Randall
Well, your guess is as good as mine, Jerry got me.
Jerry Dugan
All they seem to want to know is if dad still owns that property.
Mr. Randall
Must be important or they wouldn't tell him to wire collect.
Jerry Dugan
Yeah, someplace it says. Here it is. Please notify us immediately by wire collect, as time is an important factor in this deal. Deal? It does sound like business, all right.
Jim
Sure does.
Jerry Dugan
All they really want to know is the address of the property owner.
Jim
Look, the sun's coming out.
Mr. Randall
Oh, say, you're right, Jim. I didn't notice it had stopped raining. Oh, that's fine. Now, if it'll only hold off until after the show tonight.
Jerry Dugan
Oh, I like the rain.
Mr. Randall
Well, so do I, but not when it hurts business.
Jim
Maybe we'll make this payment yet, boss.
Mr. Randall
I hope so. But what with the strike and all the unexpected setbacks we had, it doesn't look too good.
Jim
Gosh, I'd sure hate for you to have to borrow again. The interest is fierce on a loan like that.
Jerry Dugan
Gee, I sure wish there was something I could do.
Mr. Randall
Oh, here, here, Jim. We shouldn't talk like this in front of Jerry. Well, don't you worry, Jerry. I've been in worse spots than this.
Jim
Yeah.
Jerry Dugan
Come out alive, too, I can see that. Well, I ain't to bother you about this, but. Well, what do you think I better do about this letter, Mr. Randall?
Mr. Randall
Well, I'll tell you what. Jerry, I'll wire them that you're Timothy Dugan's heir and own the property and are with the circus. And they can get in touch with you here if they want to.
Jerry Dugan
Say thanks, Mr. Randall. I sure appreciate it. Gee whiz, what's going on? Sounds like Rags and a cat. By golly, it is. Rags. Hey, Rags. Rags.
Mr. Randall
Where is he, Jerry?
Jerry Dugan
Rags. Hey, Rags, come here. Yeah, I don't know. That's funny. Sounded like it was right out here. Oh, hello there, Speed. Hey, have you seen Rags?
Speed Stunt
No, I ain't here, though I reckon I heard him a spellback.
Jerry Dugan
Well, I'd have sworn I heard him out here. And a cat, too. There you are, Rags. Hey, where have you been, huh? I thought I heard a cat, too. So you've been fighting, huh? You ought to be ashamed of yourself.
Mr. Randall
Look at him wag his tail. He doesn't look like a guilty dog to me.
Jerry Dugan
He's all out of breath. Where have you been, Rags?
Jim
Huh?
Mr. Randall
Well, maybe he just came running around when he heard you call him.
Jerry Dugan
See, there is a cat around here.
Jim
Sounded like it came from that tree over there.
Mr. Randall
Well, there goes Rags.
Jerry Dugan
Rags, did you chase a cat up that tree? That's funny.
Jim
I can't see a cat up there.
Jerry Dugan
I can't either.
Mr. Randall
Hey, I think there's another cat. Yeah, sounds like it came from the top of the wagon.
Speed Stunt
Maybe there's two cats.
Mr. Randall
Reckon you must have heard a cat. Oh. Oh, now I see the light. Well, you ought to know, Speed.
Speed Stunt
Why would speed know, Mr. Randall? Ours is how I was out here and the rest of you was inside the office wagon.
Jerry Dugan
Yeah. Did you see a fight, Speed?
Mr. Randall
No, I was just walking along kind
Speed Stunt
of slow when I come.
Jerry Dugan
It sure is funny we can't see it. Cat. If there's one up on that tent,
Jim
it certainly seem to come from there. Yeah, but no, no, it's come from that tree again.
Jerry Dugan
Hey, look at poor Rags. He doesn't know where to go.
Mr. Randall
Poor little pup, he's frantic. Careful, Speed. We don't want to get Rags too excited.
Jim
What gets me is I can't find either of these cats.
Jerry Dugan
Neither can I, if he asked me. There's something fishy about all this. Here, Rags. Now, quiet. Come here, Rags, girl. Boy, there's something going on around here, and I can't quite figure it all out.
Mr. Randall
Okay, Speed, shall we call it a day?
Speed Stunt
I reckon so, Mr. Randall, sir, if you think that's enough.
Jerry Dugan
What are you talking about?
Mr. Randall
Well, Jerry, it's Speed Stunt. You better let him tell you about it Stunt.
Jerry Dugan
You mean to say. Say, just what is all this?
Jim
Maybe we're nuts, Jerry. First as a cat in a dog fight, we tear out of here and no cat or dog. Then you call and along comes rags, and we hear cats up in the tree and on top of the tents, but no cats. Well, I guess I'd better get out of this business before it's too late. I'm slipping.
Mr. Randall
Yeah, come on, Speed. You better break down.
Speed Stunt
Well, all right, sir. You see, Jerry, I was brought up in a farm and, well, I guess I just took natural like animals. Anyhow, I got to imitate.
Jerry Dugan
Did you see that you've been making that meowing?
Speed Stunt
Sure, that did.
Jim
Now, listen, I heard that meowing come from that tree. No one can fool me about that.
Jerry Dugan
So did I, and from the tent top, too. You couldn't have done it, Speed.
Speed Stunt
Well, then, supposing you tell me where you'd like to hear it come from. Now, Jerry.
Jerry Dugan
Oh, back of Mr. Randall.
Jim
Say, what in the dickens are these animals doing around here?
Mr. Randall
Does that satisfy you, Jerry?
Jim
They.
Mr. Randall
They came from in back of me, all right. Even made me jump.
Jerry Dugan
How can you do it, send your voice around like that?
Jim
A ventriloquist? Well, of all things. And here I thought I was going batty for a few minutes.
Jerry Dugan
You sure make a swell chicken. He's good, isn't he, Mrs. Randall?
Mr. Randall
Good enough to fool me the other day.
Jerry Dugan
Then you knew about it all the time.
Mr. Randall
Sure. I promised to keep it a secret so he could have some fun with you folks.
Jerry Dugan
Well, it sure is a wonderful trick, isn't it, Rand? We almost had you going in circles, huh, Pop? I'll say. This is great. Hey, does anybody else know about his speed?
Speed Stunt
Nope. Looks as how you all are my first subject.
Jerry Dugan
Say, I'd sure like to pull a trick on someone and be in on it.
Mr. Randall
That's not just like a boy, you know. Sooner fall for a joke than you want to go out and try it on someone else.
Jerry Dugan
Well, you got a kick out of watching Jim and me and Rag.
Mr. Randall
Yeah, I certainly did. Well, Jim, I'm afraid we've got work to do. Shall we let these pranksters cook up their next deviltry alone?
Jim
That's okay with me, boss. There's not a cloud in the sky. Maybe we'll clean up tonight. Oh.
Mr. Randall
Oh, and Jerry, I'll get that wire off right away to the Amo railroad.
Jerry Dugan
Oh, thanks, Mr. Randall.
Mr. Randall
I'll leave you and Jerry's hand, Speed. But I'm warning you, tricks are all right, providing you don't do anything that'll hurt anyone or interfere with the show.
Jerry Dugan
Don't you worry, Mr. Randall. We'll be careful.
Mr. Randall
I'm beginning to think that with all the talent I've got around here, I ought to open a vaudeville house in the winter and keep all you folks busy.
Jerry Dugan
Oh, say, that'd be key. Hey, would you really do that, Mr. Randall?
Mr. Randall
Oh, I'm afraid not, Jerry. Just an idea.
Jerry Dugan
Well, gee, it's a swell one.
Mr. Randall
No, no, if I. If I'm going to run a circus, Jerry, it's an all year round job. I can't divide my interest. Well, so long.
Speed Stunt
Bye, sir. And thanks, Mr. Randall, for not letting the folks in on the Joe.
Mr. Randall
Oh, yeah. Be sure and check with me in the morning, Jerry. I. I should get a return wire by then. I'm sure.
Jerry Dugan
You bet. I'll be around. So long.
Mr. Randall
So long.
Speed Stunt
Come on, Rags, old boy. We won't hold a little joke, Emmy, will you?
Jerry Dugan
You had as much fun out of it as we did, didn't you, Rags? Now listen, Speed, we gotta think of a humdinger this time. What can we do?
Speed Stunt
Well, I don't know. Appears like you'd be a pretty good one to figure that one out.
Jerry Dugan
Well, we might do something when all the folks are together or can't do
Speed Stunt
anything during the show, you know.
Jerry Dugan
Or we might do something during supper, then everyone's around.
Speed Stunt
Reckon I might be able to make a noise like a couple of mice on the table.
Jerry Dugan
Say, that sure get the women, but, well, most of the men wouldn't mind much.
Speed Stunt
The main trouble is that it's so noisy in there. Be hard to be heard above the clatter dishes and voices.
Jerry Dugan
Hey, I got it.
Speed Stunt
What?
Jerry Dugan
The Major.
Speed Stunt
The Major? Who's he?
Jerry Dugan
Jiminy Willikers. Haven't you met him yet?
Speed Stunt
Can't say as how I have, Jerry.
Jerry Dugan
He's about the most important person in the show. If you count it according to the square inch, he's a midget. Major might swell when you get to know him. But he gets so excited about things that, well, he'd be a natural to play a trick on.
Speed Stunt
He ain't superstitious, is he?
Jerry Dugan
I'll see he goes to Rosa Rocky all the time when things go wrong.
Speed Stunt
Who's this here? Rosa Roxy.
Jerry Dugan
Oh, she's a fortune teller. She's good too.
Speed Stunt
I'm beginning to get the glim of an idea. Jerry, if you think this here midget's a good enough sport to stand it.
Jerry Dugan
Why, sure. He'll blow off an awful lot of steam. But how he's swell when he once gets over things.
Speed Stunt
You think he might fall for a ghost?
Jerry Dugan
You mean a sheet and everything?
Speed Stunt
Just a voice that comes from the ceiling of his own room.
Jerry Dugan
I get you. I say, that'd be a whale of an idea.
Speed Stunt
You reckon he'd fall for I like
Jerry Dugan
a ton of brick? If I only knew something about him. You know, about some of his ancestors.
Speed Stunt
Appears to me like you're smart enough to get that information.
Jerry Dugan
You bet I am. Oh, gee. Speed, let's do it. You willing?
Speed Stunt
Sure.
Jerry Dugan
Swell. Right. Now, Rags and me, we've got a job to do. You don't mind, I think we'll go visit the major, then we'll get together at dinner. Okay, Speed?
Speed Stunt
Sure thing.
Mr. Randall
Be seen to.
Speed Stunt
Jerry's Long Range.
Liberty Mutual Narrator
Liberty Mutual customizes your car and home insurance. And now we're customizing this rush hour ad to keep you calm, which could help your driving. And science says therapy is great for a healthy mindset, so enjoy this 14 second session on us. I think you've done everything right and absolutely nothing wrong. In fact, anything that hasn't gone your way could probably be blamed on your father not being emotionally available because his father wasn't emotionally available, and so on. And now that you're calm and healing, you're probably driving better, too. If you're into tech, you'll love this. TikTok is a live lab where users post instant reviews of the latest trends. Download TikTok and check it out.
Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio
Original Air Date: May 20, 2026
Episode Theme:
This episode of Jerry of the Circus captures the wit and camaraderie of circus life during a stormy day, blending minor business intrigue with a light-hearted prank that delights both the characters and listeners. The episode showcases classic radio storytelling, focusing on Jerry Dugan, his friends, and the art of ventriloquism — all against the lively backdrop of a traveling circus.
Key Segment: [02:09 – 03:39]
Key Segment: [03:40 – 06:04]
Key Segment: [06:04 – 10:20]
Key Segment: [10:20 – 12:59]
| Timestamp | Segment | |---------------|---------------------------------------------------------| | 02:09 | Opening, weather woes, financial concerns | | 03:40 | Jerry receives mysterious letter from railroad | | 06:04 | The cat commotion and prank setup | | 08:45 | Speed reveals his ventriloquism trick | | 10:20 | Jerry & Speed plot their next prank | | 12:29 | Idea for "ghost" prank on the Major |
This episode is a delightful slice of classic radio, blending the everyday challenges of circus life with wholesome mischief. The ventriloquism prank is the highlight, capturing both the playful spirit and the close camaraderie under the Big Top. With its friendly banter, gentle humor, and sense of wonder at simple tricks, the show maintains its warm, nostalgic tone — perfect for fans of vintage storytelling.