Jerry of the Circus - Storm Warnings

Summary

Podcast Summary: Jerry of the Circus – Storm Warnings

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode Date: May 17, 2026
Main Theme:
This episode of "Jerry of the Circus" swirls with a sense of foreboding as ominous weather puts the circus on edge and a mysterious letter brings comic relief. Against a backdrop of swirling winds and animal unrest, the crew prepares for possible disaster while unraveling a playful mystery from afar.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Storm Warnings and Circus Preparations

The episode opens with Jerry and Kelly discussing growing concerns about an impending storm that threatens the circus.

• Jerry expresses worry about the safety of the circus and asks, "Is there anything we can do? I mean, to help the circus?" (02:05)
• Kelly reassures him, emphasizing preparation: "The only thing we can do now is be sure all the cages are safe and all the animals are tied." (02:10)
• Both acknowledge that if a tornado hits, there's little they can do: "If a cyclone or a tornado should hit this circus, no matter how hard we try to protect the animals, it'd twist things around like straws in the wind." (Kelly, 02:30)
• Memorable moment: Kelly describes a tornado powerful enough to drive a piece of straw into a telephone pole—an anecdote that fascinates Jerry. (02:39–03:02)

2. Major’s Letter and Language Barrier Comedy

Major arrives breathless with news of a letter from Carmen, the beloved Spanish wire-walker.

• Major is agitated, explaining, "The most terrible thing has happened. You'll never guess." (03:29)
• The letter reports a fall during a bicycle stunt, but the crucial details are written in Spanish, stumping the Major and leading to comic banter:
  • Kelly quips, "You can't read?" Major snaps, "Of course I can read. Kelly, don't be stupid." (04:31)
  • Jerry suggests asking Rosa, the Spanish-speaking fortune teller, to translate. (05:09)
• The crew remarks on the oddity and humor of the situation, but also their concern for Carmen's safety. Jerry points out, "At least you know it's over with and she's well enough to write you a letter." (04:58)

3. Animal Agitation and Rising Anxiety

The storm is mirrored by unrest among the animals, and the cast discusses safety precautions.

• Carl alerts Kelly about "trouble over at the menagerie," and Kelly notes, "Me animals are getting obstreperous." (05:49)
• Jerry observes the sky: "The sky's getting all kind of queer. See those funny yellow clouds piling up?" (05:57)
• Whitey gives Jerry critical storm safety advice:
  • "If you hear of either a cyclone or a tornado coming, you make a beeline for that embankment and lie down as flat and close to the ground as you possibly can." (07:17)
  • Whitey emphasizes that in a true emergency, safety comes first over animal care.
  • Jerry gratefully says, "Gee, it's sure swell of you to warn me, Whitey." (07:35)

4. Leadership and the Show Must Go On

Mr. Randall, the ringmaster, inspects preparations and maintains a stoic attitude in the face of chaos.

• Mr. Randall explains the seriousness: "The weather bureau has sent out reports that a tremendous wind is heading in from the northwest." (08:31)
• Despite concerns, Randall epitomizes the performer's ethos: "We'll go on unless there's a real blowdown...a good show on schedule, regardless of inconvenience to ourselves." (08:53, 08:59)
  • Whitey admires this, noting, "That's like you, your first thought. The show must go on." (08:56)
• The only exception: "The one thing that would prevent us playing would be anything that might endanger the safety of the audience." (09:09)

5. Major’s Letter—The Truth Unveiled and Fortune Teller’s Ominous Prophecy

Major returns with Rosa's translation, revealing the letter’s tongue-in-cheek twist and a prophetic warning.

• The "accident" was staged—a film closeup with minimum risk:
  • "For the close up, they stretched the wire close to the ground." (11:26)
  • Whitey and Jerry tease the Major, who is crestfallen: "Kidded me? Common, certainly." (12:00)
  • Whitey quips, "We men don't mind being fooled by a beautiful woman, do we?" (12:12)
• Rosa’s fortune-telling session ends on a dramatic note:
  • Major, rattled, relays: "Rosa let out a cry and called your name, Mr. Randall...She said something terrible was going to happen. All of a sudden she saw our circus burst into a million pieces...Mr. Randall going around trying to put them together again like a jigsaw puzzle." (12:44–13:03)
  • The forecast for both the weather and the circus’s fortunes remains ominous.

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Notable Quotes

• Kelly (on tornadoes):
  "If a cyclone or a tornado should hit this circus, no matter how hard we try to protect the animals, it'd twist things around like straws in the wind." (02:30)
• Major (on Carmen’s letter):
  "The most terrible thing has happened. You'll never guess." (03:29)
• Whitey (on emergency safety):
  "If you hear of either a cyclone or a tornado coming, you make a beeline for that embankment and lie down as flat and close to the ground as you possibly can." (07:17)
• Mr. Randall (the show must go on):
  "A good show on schedule, regardless of inconvenience to ourselves." (08:59)
• Whitey (on being fooled):
  "We men don't mind being fooled by a beautiful woman, do we?" (12:12)
• Major (on Rosa’s vision):
  "She saw our circus burst into a million pieces. Yes, sir. Then she began to cry because she saw Mr. Randall going around trying to put them together again like a jigsaw puzzle. And he couldn't cause lots of the pieces was lost." (12:44–13:03)

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Timestamps of Important Segments

• Storm tension and animal safety: 02:05–03:06
• Major’s letter and Spanish mix-up: 03:09–05:25
• Animal unrest and Jerry’s storm safety lesson: 05:49–07:37
• Mr. Randall’s leadership and approaching weather: 08:07–09:14
• Black panther trouble and show business focus: 09:26–10:11
• Translation of Carmen’s letter & prank revealed: 10:53–12:12
• Rosa’s catastrophic premonition: 12:21–13:03

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Overall Tone & Atmosphere

The tone toggles between anxious (storm warnings, animal agitation) and light-hearted (language mishaps, pranks). The script balances the classic circus “the show must go on” ethos with a brewing sense of mischief and supernatural foreboding—a perfect blend for fans of vintage radio drama.

Listeners get to experience not only the anticipation of nature’s fury but also the warmth and camaraderie of the circus family as they weather storms, both literal and figurative.

Transcript

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[Mr. Randall]

Jerry of the circus. Now for Jerry of the circus.

[Jerry]

Say, Kelly, in case something really should happen, is there anything we can do? I mean, to help the circus?

[Kelly]

I'm afraid not, Jerry. The only thing we can do now is be sure all the cages are safe and all the animals are tied.

[Jerry]

Gee, maybe I'd better warn Waddy. It'd be terrible if the horses got loose.

[Kelly]

And I don't think we should get everyone excited. So far we've no way of being sure whether my hunch is right or wrong.

[Jerry]

Yeah, I suppose.

[Kelly]

Besides, if a cyclone or a tornado should hit this circus, no matter how hard we try to protect the animals, it'd twist things around like straws in the wind.

[Jerry]

Makes you feel pretty helpless.

[Kelly]

I say, back home, during that tornado I was telling you about, a piece of straw was driven with such force it went right into a telephone pole.

[Jerry]

Aw, listen, I'm not that dumb, but it's the truth.

[Kelly]

I saw it.

[Jerry]

But it would have been when it hit the wood. Straw so soft.

[Kelly]

That's just the pint. It was driven with such terrific force that when it hit the wooden pole, it drove itself right into it.

[Jerry]

Honest, Kelly, I can hardly believe it. See? Look, there's the Major.

[Kelly]

Something must be up. You don't often see him around this time of day.

[Jerry]

Yeah, he certainly looks excited about something.

[Kelly]

It don't take much to get Major might all stewed up. If he were a volcano, he'd be in a constant state of eruption.

[Jerry]

Yeah, but at his size, he'd probably turn out to be a bottle of soda pop and just this. Here he comes.

[Major]

Jerry, who do you suppose I just heard from?

[Jerry]

Well, I don't know, Major. Must be someone pretty important. You look kind of excited.

[Major]

I should say I am. The most terrible thing has happened. You'll never guess. Oh, hello, Kelly.

[Kelly]

Good morning, Major.

[Jerry]

What is it?

[Major]

It's about someone we know. And know very well, I might add.

[Jerry]

Oh, they're not in trouble, I hope. What is it, Major?

[Major]

Well, I just this minute got this

[Jerry]

letter from Comet Gee whiz, she's all right, isn't she?

[Kelly]

You mean the little Spanish girl with the wire walking axe?

[Major]

Yes, sir, that's the one. The trouble is, I don't know whether she's all right or not. It's awful.

[Jerry]

What happened?

[Major]

Well, that's what I can't find out.

[Jerry]

But what did she say?

[Major]

Well, she said she was working in the pictures with her brothers.

[Jerry]

Yes, we all know that. That's why Mr. Randall let him go.

[Major]

Well, she said they were doing a bicycle stunt on a wire and suddenly one of the reflectors blinded Carlos and they fell, bicycle and all.

[Jerry]

Oh, go on.

[Kelly]

Good night, Major. Go on. What happened?

[Major]

Well, that's just it. I don't know.

[Kelly]

Well, of all the silly things. There you are with the letter. Right. And you stand there doing nothing. Go ahead, read. What happened?

[Major]

Well, that's the trouble. I can't.

[Kelly]

You can't read?

[Major]

Oh, of course I can read. Kelly, don't be stupid.

[Kelly]

But you just said.

[Major]

Oh, you see, she was so excited, she wrote the rest of it in Spanish.

[Jerry]

Oh, you're kidding.

[Major]

Not here. You read it.

[Kelly]

Well, it is foreign, all right.

[Jerry]

Of all the crazy things. I don't know when I've heard of anything so funny.

[Major]

Well, there's nothing funny about it. It is terrible. Just think, anything might have happened to them and we'll never know what.

[Jerry]

Well, at least you know it's over with and she's well enough to write you a letter.

[Major]

Oh, well, I believe you're right, Jerry. That's funny. You know, I. I get so excited. I never thought of that.

[Jerry]

Besides, all you have to do is to go to someone who can read Spanish. Then you can find out all about it.

[Major]

Yeah, but who is that who speaks Spanish?

[Jerry]

Well, why not ask Rosa to translate it for you?

[Major]

Rosa? Oh, you mean Rosa Ruzzi.

[Jerry]

Sure, the fortune teller. She speaks Spanish. I know.

[Major]

Of course. She's a very clever woman. And did she is. That's just what I'll do. I'll go to her at once.

[Jerry]

Hey, Major.

[Major]

Yes, what do you want?

[Jerry]

My boy, when you find out what happened to Carmen, will you come back and tell us?

[Major]

Indeed I will. I'll be right back. Well, goodbye.

[Kelly]

Strange people in the world. That Major might takes the cake.

[Jerry]

I'll say he does, but he means well.

[Kelly]

Kelly. Hey, Kelly. Right here. What do you want?

[Jerry]

We're having some trouble over at the menagerie.

[Kelly]

Top just said to tell you. Okay, Carl, I'll be right with you. Well, this is bad. Me animals are getting obstreperous.

[Jerry]

Gee, look, the. The sky's getting all kind of queer. See those funny yellow clouds piling up?

[Kelly]

Yeah, I'll see. Looks like we're in for a twister, all right.

[Jerry]

I sure hope it misses the circus, whatever it is.

[Kelly]

Don't we all?

[Jerry]

I better get rags quick, that's one thing.

[Mr. Randall]

Sure.

[Kelly]

And I got to get back to me charges. Well, so long, Jerry.

[Jerry]

So long. Here's hoping everything blows over.

[Kelly]

Blows over is right, me boys.

[Jerry]

Now I wonder where Rags is.

[Major]

Rags. Hey, Rags.

[Kelly]

Hmm?

[Jerry]

Wonder where the little monkey could have gone.

[Major]

Rags.

[Kelly]

Hi there, Jerry.

[Whitey]

I've been looking for you.

[Jerry]

Oh, hello, Whitey. I was headed for the horse top, but I gotta get Rags as soon as I can.

[Whitey]

Well, I won't keep you long. I just want to warn you about something.

[Jerry]

You do? Say, that's funny. That's what I was gonna do, too. Kelly says the weather's kind of funny and we might be in for a bad blow.

[Whitey]

So Kelly thinks so too. I sure hope we're both wrong.

[Jerry]

Yeah, he was in a tornado, and he says it started out all quiet and funny like this.

[Whitey]

I was afraid of that. Well, this is what I wanted to tell you, Jerry.

[Jerry]

Yeah, Whitey?

[Whitey]

If such a thing should happen, don't come near any of the animals.

[Jerry]

But taking care of the horses is part of my job.

[Whitey]

Sure, I know. But if it should be an honest to goodness twister, there'd be nothing in this war we could do.

[Jerry]

Kelly said Pratt could plead the same thing.

[Whitey]

Now, listen, there's quite an embankment back of the mess tent. Did you ever notice that?

[Jerry]

Sure, when we had breakfast this morning.

[Whitey]

All right. If you hear of either a cyclone or a tornado coming, you make a beeline for that embankment and lie down as flat and close to the ground as you possibly can.

[Jerry]

Gee, you really think we're in for it then, huh?

[Whitey]

Well, I don't honestly know. A thing like this may turn out to be nothing at all. But it's just as well that you know the right thing to do in case of an emergency.

[Jerry]

Gee, it's sure swell of you to warn me, Whitey.

[Whitey]

Okay, Jerry. Well, come on now. Let's get over to the horse top.

[Jerry]

Say, do you mind if I get Rags first?

[Whitey]

No, that's all right. Run along, Jerry, and then get on back here and we'll check the horses.

[Jerry]

Thanks, Whitey. I'll be right back.

[Whitey]

Well, now, look what's headed this way.

[Jerry]

That's a break, Rags. That's where you've been with Mr. Randall.

[Mr. Randall]

Good morning, Whitey.

[Whitey]

Hey, good morning.

[Mr. Randall]

How's tricks, Jerry?

[Jerry]

Gee, that's funny. I've been looking and asking all over about Rags. No wonder no one's seen it. Sit down, Rags. Behave yourself.

[Mr. Randall]

Well, I tell you, Jerry, Rags and I have been pretty busy.

[Whitey]

Yeah?

[Mr. Randall]

We've been making a tour of inspection.

[Jerry]

You have? Well, that sounds kind of important.

[Mr. Randall]

I'm afraid it is. Everything in shipshape, Whitey?

[Whitey]

Yes, sir. Don't worry about me and the horses, sir.

[Mr. Randall]

Oh, I don't have to, Whitey. I know that you'll do everything. You can.

[Jerry]

See, Mr. Randall, some of the men are talking. They say the weather's bad, like it's ready for a twister or something.

[Mr. Randall]

Well, as a matter of fact, that's why I'm checking things over pretty carefully. The weather bureau has sent out reports that a tremendous wind is heading in from the northwest.

[Whitey]

That sounds bad, Mr. Randall.

[Jerry]

Gee whiz. Say, talk of the wind. Isn't one coming up now?

[Whitey]

That's right. Look at those clouds. They're all stringy and yellowish. Yeah.

[Mr. Randall]

Yeah, looks bad.

[Whitey]

What about the show?

[Mr. Randall]

Oh, well, we'll go on unless there's a real blowdown.

[Whitey]

That's like you, your first thought. The show must go on.

[Mr. Randall]

That's our business, Whitey. A good show on schedule, regardless of inconvenience to ourselves.

[Jerry]

You bet. That's a ticket, isn't it? Rain.

[Mr. Randall]

The one thing that would prevent us playing would be anything that might endanger the safety of the audience.

[Jerry]

Say, what's up? Jason's running across the backyard.

[Mr. Randall]

Oh, yeah? Hello there, Jason. Anything wrong?

[Whitey]

I'm afraid so, Mr. Randall. I've been looking all over for you.

[Mr. Randall]

Well? Well, nothing. Nothing serious, I hope.

[Whitey]

It looks like that black panther's going bad.

[Mr. Randall]

Oh, are. Are you sure of this, Jason?

[Whitey]

Well, all the cats have been jumpy this morning and. Well, of course, Streak's hard to handle at any time, but Kelly says his

[Jerry]

animals have been all nervy today too.

[Mr. Randall]

Well, it's probably got something to do with the strange weather we're having.

[Whitey]

Well, I don't know about that, but suddenly it just seemed to go to pieces.

[Jerry]

Gee, we'd sure hate to miss out on watching Streak.

[Mr. Randall]

I should say. It's one of the best terms in the show.

[Jerry]

Honest, I get a chill every time he leaps through that burning hoop.

[Whitey]

So does the audience.

[Mr. Randall]

Well, Jason, you better use your own judgment today. If all the animals are on edge, it's to be expected that that panther would take it harder than the rest.

[Whitey]

I wouldn't want to ever Fall down on you, Mr. Randall?

[Mr. Randall]

Oh, I'm not wor. Not worried about you at least. But this weather business is.

[Jerry]

Sure, it's funny out, isn't it?

[Whitey]

Yeah, we'll be lucky if we give a show at all today.

[Jerry]

Oh, hiya, Major. We're over by the horse stand.

[Mr. Randall]

See, folks? Don't mention anything to him about a possible windstorm. There's no use having a lot of unnecessary excitement.

[Whitey]

Yeah, he gets worked up bad enough when things are calm.

[Mr. Randall]

Yeah.

[Major]

Say, Jerry, I just found out. Oh, hello, Mr. Randall.

[Mr. Randall]

Hello, Major. Hello.

[Major]

Say, that Rosa Rotzi's one smart little fortune teller. She translated that letter from Carmen just as easy.

[Mr. Randall]

Oh, Carmen Bendini?

[Major]

Oh, yes, she and I carry on a great correspondence.

[Jerry]

I'll say he got a letter from her.

[Major]

It's no laughing matter, I'll have you know.

[Jerry]

I should say not. What about that accident, Major?

[Mr. Randall]

Accident?

[Whitey]

Was she hurt?

[Jerry]

The three of them were doing that bicycle stunt.

[Major]

Say, now, wait a minute. Who's telling this? Who got this letter?

[Jerry]

I'd like to know, but tell us what happened.

[Major]

Well, as you know, Jerry, Carlos got blinded or something by those bright lights they use in the picture.

[Jerry]

And while they were in the center of the wire, they fell off. Gee whiz, Major, won't you tell us how they are?

[Major]

Well, of all things here. I'm trying to.

[Jerry]

You see, Mr. Randall, she got so excited when she wrote that. Well, she told him this much and then wrote the rest in Spanish.

[Major]

Yeah, that's why I had to have Rosa translated.

[Mr. Randall]

Well, how is she, Major? What happened?

[Major]

Well, it seems that they were making a close up of the act. So when they fell, they only fell, what, two feet?

[Whitey]

But they do that act at the top of the tent.

[Major]

Sure, they did it that way, too, for what she calls a long shot. But for the close up, they stretched the wire close to the ground.

[Whitey]

I don't mind telling you, I was worried.

[Major]

Well, what about me? How do you think I felt? My beautiful car, all the good jokes.

[Jerry]

She sure put it over on you that time, Major.

[Major]

What? What are you talking about?

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[Whitey]

I'm afraid she kidded you that time, Major.

[Major]

Kidded me? Common, certainly.

[Jerry]

Of course he did.

[Major]

She.

[Jerry]

She wrote right up to where they fell and then put the rest in Spanish on purpose.

[Major]

Oh, if I thought that, I. I'm speechless, that's what I am.

[Whitey]

Now, never mind, Major. We men don't mind being fooled by a beautiful woman, do we?

[Jerry]

Well, of course not. It shows they like you when they bother to play a stunt like that.

[Major]

Of course.

[Jerry]

Of course.

[Major]

That's exactly it. Oh, I forgot. Why, of course. The most important, or it may be the worst catastrophe in the world. It's so bad. Well, even Rosa couldn't be sure what it was all about.

[Mr. Randall]

What in the world are you talking about, Major?

[Major]

Well, while we were talking, all of a sudden Rosa let out a cry and called your name, Mr. Randall.

[Mr. Randall]

My name? She did?

[Major]

Yes, sir. She said something terrible was going to happen. All of a sudden she saw our circus burst into a million pieces. Yes, sir. Then she began to cry because she saw Mr. Randall going around trying to put them together again like a jigsaw puzzle. And he couldn't cause lots of the pieces was lost.

[Jerry]

Say, that's awful. What does it.

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[Jerry]

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[Major]

Hey, everyone.

[Kelly]

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

[Jerry]

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

[Kelly]

Yeah, the bird looks out of your league.

[Jerry]

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

[Kelly]

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