
Jerry of the Circus - Strikers Are Worried - 12/07/1937
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Mr. Randall
Jerry of the circus. Now for Jerry of the circus.
Murray
Okay, fellas, give her one more pull. One, two, three.
Slats
Say, this is work. No kidding.
Major Mike
Sure it is. Slash. You clowns just can't take it, that's all.
Slats
What do you mean, we can't take it?
Jerry
Why, you.
Major Mike
Listen, don't you call me names. I may be little, but I got my prize.
Jerry
Say, Murray, I got an idea.
Murray
Just a second, Jerry. Wait till we get this rope type.
Jerry
No, we can't. That's just it. Gee whiz, Murray. We'll never get it done.
Major Mike
What? Now, you listen here, young man.
Jerry
It's almost 11 now, and usually we're up by nine. Won't you listen, Murray? It's really a swell idea.
Murray
Okay, Jerry, let's have it. Let's make it quick.
Jerry
Well, now, look, you use the elephants to help raise the center poles, don't you?
Murray
Sure. Men aren't strong enough for that work.
Jerry
Well, then we're not strong enough to do a good job on tightening all this canvas.
Murray
By golly, kid, you're right. Why didn't I think of that myself?
Slats
Oh, I see. Jerry means to put the bulls on these ropes and let them do the work, huh?
Jerry
Sure, Slap. That's it.
Mr. Randall
Jerry.
Murray
Dugan, you're a lifesaver. I guess I've just been too worried to do a little thinking for myself.
Major Mike
And me, too. Imagine, here I was, standing right here, brains and all, and I never even thought of getting an elephant to do the work for me.
Slats
That's a good one. One elephant for one midget. Guess that's a fair enough exchange. Is that. Eh, Major?
Major Mike
You look here, slats. Better not try and start anything.
Murray
Hey, Jeff, have Olson bring a couple of those bulls back here quick.
Slats
Okay, boss. See, Whiz Jerry. Seems like you could have thought of this a little earlier, before I got all these blisters on me.
Jerry
See? Those are buttes, aren't they?
Slats
Well, I'll say. Hey, Murray, what can I do next that won't be so hard on my hands, huh?
Murray
Why not help Pat put up the seats. He needs an extra hand.
Slats
That's just the ticket. You know, only the other day, Hooligan and I thought out a new system for putting up those seats.
Murray
Ah, no fancy tricks there, Slats. We gotta be sure the audience is safe.
Slats
Ah, don't you worry. I'll get Hooligan and we'll try out our plan. Say, listen, it'll revolutionize the old system for putting up circus seats. You wait and see.
Murray
Yeah, well, I'm not so keen on anything new, not today.
Slats
Don't you worry, Murray. And now, where is Hooligan?
Major Mike
Well, if you're going to use those elephants, I guess you won't need me on this job. Murray, what can I do next?
Murray
You better rest a while, Major.
Major Mike
Now, listen here, Murray. Just because I'm small, you can't treat me like I'm a child.
Jerry
You better let him work. He'll do it anyhow.
Major Mike
You bet I will.
Murray
Okay, Major, I need someone over at the wardrobe to direct those fellas on tightening the stakes. We'll use your brains this time.
Jerry
That's it.
Slats
Ticket.
Major Mike
Now you're talking sense.
Murray
You go over there and get those ropes all set so that when I send Olson over with the bulls, they can be just hitched up to the ropes and that little top can be ready in record time.
Major Mike
You bet I'll fix it. Okay, Murray, you're pretty lucky to have a man like me around, and you can depend on him.
Murray
Indeed I am, Major.
Jerry
Say, Olson's coming over now with the elephant.
Murray
Oh, that's fine. We'll be through in no time now, Jerry. Thanks for the suggestion. I should have had my head examined for not thinking of it myself.
Jerry
Oh, that's nothing.
Murray
Poor Major might. He's more in the way than anyone I ever saw.
Jerry
I know, but you can't tell him so. He'd have a fit.
Murray
I know. And he'd raise such a rumpus that he'd cause even more trouble than he does now, getting under everyone's feet.
Jerry
Yeah, he gets so mad when things go wrong.
Murray
You know, I nearly split laughing last night when they pulled him out of that wagon load with Kansas.
Jerry
Yeah, and he blaming everyone else but himself.
Murray
Hey, fellas, hitch those bulls up to the ropes, and we'll get those guy ropes tight in no time. And then we'll do the same with the menagerie top and then take the smaller top.
Jerry
Hey, Murray, what can I do?
Murray
You better work, El Mundo. He's your elephant.
Jerry
Oh, well, that's great.
Murray
Hey, what the.
Mr. Randall
Good night.
Jerry
The Wardrobe top. It's K. Quick, everybody.
Murray
All hands at the wardrobe top.
Jerry
Gee whiz, the major sure done it this time, dying quick on that canvas.
Murray
Raise it carefully.
Jerry
I hope the major's not hurt.
Major Mike
Now, somebody, quick. I'll be killed.
Murray
That's right. Take it easy.
Jerry
Easy there.
Murray
Hey, Major, you hurt?
Major Mike
Hur, what do you suppose? How would you feel if a whole tent fell down right on top of you?
Murray
But good heavens, man, what were you doing inside?
Major Mike
I went in just to be sure everything was. Was okay.
Mr. Randall
Hey, what's going on here?
Jerry
Say, you're sure lucky, major. Hey, look, Mr. Randall. That center pole held all the canvas off him.
Mr. Randall
I'm certainly glad you're not hurt, Major.
Major Mike
Hurt? Of course I'm hurt. I ache all over. This whole tent fell down on me, didn't it?
Jerry
But it didn't touch you. He looked fe that poor, protected you.
Major Mike
Now, listen here, young man. I'll thank you not to contradict me. I guess I know whether I'm hurt or not.
Murray
But what happened? How did all those ropes slip at once like that?
Major Mike
Well, you told me to get them ready for the elephant. Yes, well, so we were untying them.
Murray
You mean you loosened them all at once?
Mr. Randall
Well, it's lucky you weren't killed. Now, listen, Major, after all this, you'd better go and lie down a little while.
Major Mike
Me? I should say not. You don't get me to lie down on my job.
Mr. Randall
Now, listen, Major, we have to think of our show, too. I can't have my star attraction too tired of work. Now, you go and get a little rest.
Major Mike
Yes, you're right. I must think of my public.
Murray
That fall must have been a pretty bad shock.
Major Mike
That's hardly the word for it. It was terrible.
Mr. Randall
Okay, Major, you rest a bit and we'll. We'll send for you when we need you again.
Major Mike
All right, Mr. Randall. But I don't want you to think I'm laying down on a job.
Mr. Randall
Oh, I should say not. You're one of the pluckiest of all.
Major Mike
Okay, if you realize that, then it's all right. But I won't sleep, mind you. I'll just rest.
Murray
Boy, what a mess. I tell you, we never would have gotten to show up with that midget loose around here.
Mr. Randall
I could see that Murray and the poor little fellow so anxious to do everything to help.
Murray
Yeah, but he can do more damage than ten zebras. Okay, man, give us a hand with this canvas.
Jerry
Say, Mr. Randall, you think we'll be able to get our show on for
Mr. Randall
the matinee oh, yes, if you're not all too dead tired of work.
Jerry
Ah, don't worry about me.
Mr. Randall
How are things going under the main top?
Jerry
Fine, I guess. They were spreading out the sawdust a little while ago.
Mr. Randall
Oh, good. Well, you want to walk over with me while I check up?
Jerry
Sure thing. I can help Slats and Hooligan. They're putting up the seats with Pat and some of the clowns.
Mr. Randall
I certainly appreciate the loyalty of all you performers.
Jerry
Ah, you deserve it. All right, Mr. Randall.
Mr. Randall
Well, I've always tried to be fair, but I. Good night.
Murray
Another accident?
Jerry
Oh, look, there it is. Right over by the band.
Murray
Call Murray quick, Jerry.
Major Mike
Okay. Hey, Murray.
Jerry
Murray, back here.
Major Mike
The main top.
Murray
Be right over all those seats while
Mr. Randall
they're caved in a slant. Hooligan.
Murray
Are you hurt?
Slats
Oh, no. Oh, but we can't move.
Mr. Randall
Can't you, Tony? Get those boards all quick. Be careful not to hurt those clowns all day.
Slats
Take it easy. Take it easy.
Mr. Randall
Well, what happened? What are you doing?
Slats
You see, Mr. Handel, hooligan and I had a new system all worked out for getting these seats up quick. When Marie said for us to help, it seemed like the chance of a lifetime to try it out.
Murray
So you did try out your own ideas anyhow, huh?
Slats
Yeah, but I guess we weren't as smart as we thought.
Murray
You're telling me.
Mr. Randall
All right, men, get back to work as fast as you can. It's almost noon, and we've got to get this circus ready so that the performers can rest, or they'll be so dead tired they won't be able to work.
Slats
Okay, fellas, back on the job.
Murray
Come on, folks.
Major Mike
All right, Mar.
Slats
Come on, boys.
Mr. Randall
What a day.
Jerry
Well, we made it. The tents are up, and, golly, we couldn't ask for a better crowd.
Mr. Randall
There's a good reason for that.
Slats
What?
Mr. Randall
Well, the papers are full of the fact that the canvas men and the stakers have struck.
Jerry
Gee whiz. Did the papers print that?
Mr. Randall
Indeed they did. Hastings even snapped some pictures while you were all working this morning. And they'll be in tonight's papers.
Jerry
Say, maybe that'll bring a lot of folks in, huh?
Mr. Randall
It'll bring them around a lot. But whether they'll go in to see the show is another thing. You see, we'll have to leave out some of the ax just.
Jerry
Yeah, I know. So the rest of us can help put up and clear away the problem.
Mr. Randall
Folks are funny. If. If all three rings aren't playing at once, they may not think they're getting the money's worth.
Jerry
Oh, that's silly, because, well, they can't watch more than one ring at a time.
Mr. Randall
I know, but we've trained people to expect three features going all at once. And if they don't, if you're cheated,
Jerry
you think they'd get a kick out of seeing the clowns and the rest of us doing our own turns and then helping the other folks?
Boris
Oh, Mr. Randall, I was looking for you.
Mr. Randall
Oh, hello there, boy. Something wrong?
Jerry
I was just.
Boris
Just passing the sideshow where Stuff, he called me and he said to tell you they can't wake up Major Mike.
Mr. Randall
What?
Boris
They don't know what to do. It's time for the first show.
Mr. Randall
They can't wake him up.
Boris
He's crawled in that little bed of his he keeps in his tent and he's snoring like a house of fire.
Jerry
No wonder, after all he's been through today.
Mr. Randall
Yeah, and last night, Stuff, he said
Boris
they'd shake him, but he only mumbles and he doesn't even open his eyes.
Mr. Randall
I was afraid it'd be too much for him, but this is really bad. After all, he's our star attraction in the sideshow.
Jerry
Say, Mr. Randall, I've got a swell idea.
Mr. Randall
What is it, Jerry?
Jerry
Oh, why not just move him, bed and all, and put him on the stand, snoring and everything?
Mr. Randall
Oh, that'd never do.
Jerry
Why not? See, I should think the folks would get an awful kick out of seeing that little bed. And the spieler can explain that. Well, he worked so hard this morning that he won't wake up.
Boris
It's not a bad idea that, Mr. Randall.
Mr. Randall
The major will have a fit if he wakes up.
Jerry
Oh, no, he won't. Not if he's got a mob around him saying how cute he is. He doesn't care what he does just so the public gets a kick out of him.
Boris
I think I would do it, Mr. Anton.
Mr. Randall
It's taking a pretty big risk, but I don't know, it might work.
Jerry
Sure it will. Come on, let's go over and try it.
Mr. Randall
I must say, you're not giving me a chance to run my own circus, Jerry.
Jerry
Oh, gee, I didn't mean that, Mr. Randall. I just thought.
Mr. Randall
Well, that's all right, Jerry. I think maybe after all, I'll give it a try. Come on, we'll go over to his tent.
Boris
Good. Then my job is finished. I must get ready for my own act.
Mr. Randall
Yeah, all right. Thank you, Boris. Thank you for bringing the message.
Boris
That is all right, Mr. Anton. Well, good luck.
Jerry
Goodbye. I'll see you later and tell you how the Major's act goes.
Boris
You do that.
Gabby
Hey, Boris.
Boris
Oh, it is you.
Gabby
Boris, will you talk to me a minute, please? It's important.
Boris
Of course I will, Gabby, but it's not good business for us to be seen together.
Gabby
Here, stand behind this wagon. We can talk here without being noticed.
Boris
All right, but just for a minute.
Gabby
Hey, I don't know what to do. You see, they got the circus up and. Hey, look over there on the midway. On account of the strike. There are more folks there than ever today. I'm afraid the strike isn't a good idea.
Boris
You have to be patient, Gabby. These things can't all be done at once.
Gabby
Yeah, I know, but. Look, even you help this morning.
Boris
I had to. The performance aren't striking. It would have looked funny if I'd been the only one not helping.
Gabby
Yeah, I know. Well, I. I don't know what to do next.
Boris
Say, has it occurred to you that we just barely got things done?
Gabby
Yeah, but it's done. And there'll be a show.
Boris
Yes, but if you could get the animal trainers on your side.
Gabby
The animal trainer?
Jerry
Sure.
Boris
And the guards and all that crowd. They get about the same money you do.
Gabby
That's it. Without them, you'd never got any show ready.
Boris
And without them, it'd be impossible to open or to work the animals.
Gabby
Gee, that's. So your performers couldn't handle animals and everything.
Boris
That's right, but. But I wouldn't want anyone to know I put such an idea in your head, Gabby.
Gabby
Yeah, don't worry. But you sure hit on the one thing can swing our troubles.
Boris
Yeah, it's an idea. If it can be work, you can just bet.
Gabby
I'll try. Thanks.
Boris
That's all right. The only thanks I want is for my name to be kept out of this in case of the trouble.
Gabby
Yeah, you can sh. Count on me, Governor.
Boris
That's fine, Gabby. Good luck.
Gabby
Yeah, we'll need it. But I think I can talk to Jeff and some of the boys. Maybe there won't be a show tonight after all. So long, Boris. Thanks a million.
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Jerry
Hey, everyone. Check out this guy and his bird. What is this, your first date?
Murray
Oh, no.
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Jerry
Yeah, the bird looks out of your league.
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Slats
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Mr. Randall
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Podcast: Harold’s Old Time Radio
Episode Title: Jerry of the Circus - Strikers Are Worried
Date: May 17, 2026
Host: Harold’s Old Time Radio
Approximate Runtime: 13:00 (content)
This episode spotlights the behind-the-scenes hustle of a circus cast and crew facing the challenging circumstances of a workers' strike. With key tent crew and stakers on strike, the performers and a skeleton staff rally to get the show up and running themselves. Through teamwork, a few mishaps, and lots of circus spirit, they embody the old adage: "the show must go on," while also revealing hints of further labor trouble brewing.
| Segment Description | Timestamps | |---------------------------------------------------------------|--------------| | Circus struggles to erect tents without canvas men | 02:09–02:53 | | Jerry suggests using elephants; new plan is adopted | 02:44–03:15 | | Major Mike’s wardrobe tent incident and aftermath | 05:39–07:21 | | Seat collapse: Slats and Hooligan’s failed innovation | 08:14–08:57 | | Discussion on audiences and strike publicity | 09:30–10:15 | | Major Mike can’t be woken; Jerry proposes showtime stunt | 10:17–11:13 | | Gabby and Boris plot to heighten strike disruption | 11:37–13:02 |
The episode is evocative of classic old-time radio storytelling—lightly comedic, full of old-school charm, camaraderie, and a can-do attitude despite adversity. Banter and gentle ribbing flow naturally between characters, and the dialogue is delivered in a style typical of vintage radio plays.
"Strikers Are Worried" spotlights the chaos, innovation, and heart that went into keeping a circus running during a labor dispute. While slapstick and mishaps abound, the clear affection and resourcefulness of the performers shine through, even as darker forces hint at further trouble. With a mix of humor, drama, and behind-the-scenes intrigue, this episode is a standout example of Golden Age of Radio storytelling, holding both stakes and the spirit of the era front and center.