Jerry of the Circus - Tom Joins the Circus

Summary

Podcast Summary: Jerry of the Circus – Tom Joins the Circus

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode Date: May 22, 2026
Episode Title: Jerry of the Circus - Tom Joins the Circus

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Episode Overview

This episode of Jerry of the Circus centers on Tom’s ongoing search for his missing father, Tom’s integration into circus life, and a lighthearted subplot involving a mischievous plan between circus friends. The story captures the warmth, camaraderie, and occasional mischief that comes with life under the big top, even as deeper emotional undertones play out.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Aftermath of Mr. Platt's Trial (02:07–03:41)

• Transition from Court to Circus: The episode opens with Jerry, Tom, Jason, and others wrapping up legal business related to Platt, indicating the circus troupe’s recent involvement in a case.
  • Mr. Stanton: "Yes, I think that takes care of your share. The rest will be up to the court that retries the case." (02:13)
• Tom’s Request: Tom asks to see Mr. Platt, wanting closure about his father.
  • Tom: "Please, Mr. Platt, won't you tell me where my father is?" (03:58)

2. Tom’s Confrontation with Mr. Platt (03:41–04:29)

• Emotional Plea: Tom’s search for answers about his father turns up little; Platt is evasive and unfriendly.
  • Mr. Platt: "He might be." (04:12)
  • Tom: "But where'll I find him there?" (04:13)
  • Mr. Platt: "That's not such a big place. Look for him." (04:15)
  • Sergeant: "No use talking to him. He's got a 20 year sentence ahead of him. He's not in such a good humor." (04:29)

3. Life Lessons and Reflections (04:50–05:02)

• Jail as a Cautionary Setting:
  • Tom reflects, "This is the first time I've ever been in a jail." (04:50)
  • Sergeant: "Let's hope it's the last time for you. Jail's a good place to stay out of." (04:52)
• Supportive Friends: As they leave, Tom reports back—downcast but supported by Jerry and Jason.

4. Return to Circus Grounds (05:21–07:11)

• Cab Ride: Tom experiences his first cab ride, providing a moment of childlike wonder.
  • Tom: "Well, this is the very first time in my life I ever rode in one." (06:07)
  • Jerry: "How do you like it?" (06:12)
  • Tom: "Sure is keen, huh?" (06:13)
• Discussing Platt’s Clues: The boys try to decipher if Tom’s father is truly in Fordham, based on Mr. Platt’s noncommittal answers.
  • Jason: "Well, I guess you'll find him there all right." (06:26)

5. Circus Community & Camaraderie (07:11–09:22)

• Circus as Family: Light discussion about Spike (a fellow circus hand) and the supportive nature of circus folk.
  • Jerry: "He told me that he thought circus folks were the grandest people in the world." (06:55)
  • Tom: "I think so, too." (06:58)
• Honest Work: Tom and Jerry take up chores in the mess tent, cleaning and prepping vegetables for salad.
  • Jerry: "Let's race and we'll get through faster!" (08:17)
  • Tom: "Hey, that's a good idea." (08:19)

6. Plotting Mischief – The Vegetable Bouquet (09:22–13:08)

• A Secret Plan: Jason reveals the Major’s crush on Carmen Bendini—a comic subplot.
  • Jason: "The Major has a crush on Carmen Bendini." (09:47)
  • Jason: "He's really taking a shine to her. And here's the funny part. He's been sending her flowers every day for the past week." (10:07)
• Prank Setup: The group decides to send Carmen a bouquet of vegetables, in the Major’s name, as a lighthearted prank.
  • Jason: "Let's make a big bouquet out of them and send them to Carmen." (10:38)
  • Jerry: "Good idea, Jason. We can make a big bouquet of carrots and celery and beet tops..." (10:50)
  • Jason: "Not forgetting, of course, plenty of onions." (10:56)
  • Jason: "Neither one of us is to tell any other, no matter what happens. Is that a bargain?" (12:29)
  • Jerry: "The secret three, huh?" (12:36)
• Anticipating the Reaction: The kids speculate on how Carmen and the Major will react—with both excitement and nerves.
  • Jerry: "The fun will start when Carmen gets a big bunch of vegetables at dinner in front of the whole troupe." (12:57)

7. Circus Life’s Everyday Challenges (11:07–11:55)

• Mechanical Worries: Jason notes oil on his sleeve and reports the circus generator is acting up.
  • Jason: "If that generator goes bad during the night show, it would throw the whole circus into darkness." (11:26)
  • Jerry: "It'll be awful if the big top went dark when Patsy or the Bendinis were working, too. I never realized how important lights were to the circus." (11:59)

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• Tom’s innocence and yearning:
  • "Please, Mr. Platt, won't you tell me where my father is?" — Tom (03:58)
• Circus values:
  • "He told me that he thought circus folks were the grandest people in the world." — Jerry (06:55)
• Comic intrigue:
  • "Let's make a big bouquet out of them and send them to Carmen." — Jason (10:38)
• Friendship and comfort:
  • "And you'll help me, huh?" — Tom
    "Of course I will." — Jerry (09:18–09:20)
• Prankster pact:
  • "Neither one of us is to tell any other, no matter what happens. Is that a bargain?" — Jason (12:29)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• Legal wrap-up & Tom’s request: 02:07–03:41
• Jail scene with Mr. Platt: 03:41–04:29
• Encouragement and cab ride: 06:06–07:11
• Mess tent mischief & vegetable bouquet plot: 09:22–13:08
• Generator trouble & circus safety talk: 11:07–11:55

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Tone and Style

The episode captures a blend of earnestness and childlike enthusiasm, gentle humor, and a sense of belonging. There’s a clear respect for friendship and community, mixed with a bit of playful mischief that is both innocent and clever—a hallmark of Golden Age radio storytelling.

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Summary Takeaways

"Tom Joins the Circus" is a heartfelt episode touching on themes of friendship, perseverance, and the unique family found among circus folk. Tom’s deep longing for his father is met with support from Jerry and Jason, who, in classic fashion, balance earnest moments with inventive fun. A subplot involving a covert vegetable bouquet prank infuses the tale with lightheartedness. Through it all, the resilience and merriment of circus life—and those who make it their own—shine brightly.

Transcript

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[Jerry]

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

[Jason]

Well, all through now, Mr. Stanton?

[Mr. Stanton]

Yes, sir. I think we covered everything pretty thoroughly.

[Jerry]

That's good.

[Jason]

Well, that's all then, huh?

[Mr. Stanton]

Yes, I think that takes care of your share. The rest will be up to the court that retries the case.

[Jerry]

Well, then, if that's all, we'd better be getting back to the lot.

[Mr. Stanton]

That's all. And thank you again for your cooperation.

[Jason]

Not at all.

[Jerry]

All right.

[Jason]

Come on, Tom. You ready, Jerry?

[Jerry]

Mr. Randall, here's Tom.

[Tom]

I'd like to ask something.

[Sergeant]

Well, go right ahead.

[Tom]

Mr. Stanton.

[Jerry]

Yes?

[Tom]

Do you think it would be all right? Well, I mean, could I see Mr. Platt before I leave?

[Mr. Stanton]

Well, now, I don't know. Just what do you want to see him for?

[Tom]

I want to ask him some questions.

[Mr. Stanton]

Well, what about, son?

[Tom]

About my dad. I think he knows something about dad. And, well, I'd like to find out.

[Mr. Stanton]

I'm not so sure you'll get a reply. He's been acting very nasty, but you can try.

[Mr. Platt]

Sergeant.

[Sergeant]

Yes?

[Mr. Stanton]

Take this boy back to that fellow platt in cell 15.

[Sergeant]

Yes, sir. Come on, son.

[Mr. Stanton]

Just go with a sergeant. Through that door, son.

[Tom]

Thank you.

[Jerry]

We'll wait here for you, Tom.

[Tom]

Okay, Jerry? I won't be long, Mr. Randall.

[Sergeant]

Take your time, Tom. Right through this door, son.

[Tom]

This is sure a big jail, isn't

[Sergeant]

it, M.

[Tom]

Why do you lock that door behind us?

[Sergeant]

Got to, son. Unless that door is locked in back of us, I can't open this next one here.

[Tom]

Oh,

[Sergeant]

well, here we are. Platts in the third cell on the right. You can talk to him through the bars. I'll wait here for you.

[Tom]

Thanks.

[Sergeant]

You can just have a couple of minutes with them.

[Tom]

I won't be long. Mr. Platt.

[Mr. Platt]

What do you want?

[Tom]

It's time, Mr. Platt.

[Mr. Platt]

Well, you heard me. What do you want?

[Tom]

Please, Mr. Platt, won't you tell me where my father is?

[Mr. Platt]

I don't know.

[Tom]

But you've had letters from him.

[Mr. Platt]

Go on, beat it.

[Tom]

I'm going to Florida. Mr. Platt, do you think my father Is there?

[Mr. Platt]

Maybe.

[Tom]

Well, is he?

[Mr. Platt]

He might be.

[Tom]

But where'll I find him? There?

[Mr. Platt]

That's not such a big place. Look for him.

[Tom]

I'm sorry Mr. Platt, I. I mean the.

[Mr. Platt]

Shut up. Go on now and beat it.

[Sergeant]

Come on lad. No use talking to him.

[Tom]

Okay. Goodbye Mr. Platt.

[Mr. Platt]

Beat it.

[Sergeant]

Not much use trying to get anything out of that man. He's got a 20 year sentence ahead of him. He's not in such a good humor.

[Tom]

Well, it wouldn't hurt him to talk to me a little.

[Sergeant]

They all act like that. My boy,

[Tom]

This is the first time I've ever been in a jail.

[Sergeant]

Let's hope it's the last time for you. Yeah, jail's a good place to stay out of. It's too bad Platt was so mean.

[Jerry]

Didn't you see him, Tom?

[Tom]

Uh huh.

[Jason]

Did you get any questions answered?

[Tom]

Yeah, but he was awful mean.

[Jason]

Well, I expected as much. You ready now?

[Tom]

Yes, thank you, sir.

[Mr. Stanton]

It's all right, son.

[Announcer]

Goodbye.

[Jerry]

Goodbye.

[Mr. Stanton]

Goodbye Mr. Randall.

[Sergeant]

Goodbye Mr. Tantal.

[Mr. Stanton]

Goodbye Jason.

[Jason]

Bye.

[Mr. Platt]

Good luck boys.

[Jason]

Now come on boys.

[Jerry]

Should we?

[Mr. Platt]

What?

[Jerry]

Walk back to the grounds?

[Tom]

Well, I haven't got much time. We'll have to hurry because I gotta get a lot of vegetables ready for salad.

[Jerry]

I think we better take a cab.

[Jason]

Oh, there's one, Mr. Randall.

[Jerry]

Let me call him.

All right, go ahead, Jerry.

Taxi. Oh, taxi.

Cabser.

[Jason]

Yeah. Yes. To the circus ground.

[Mr. Stanton]

Yes sir.

[Jerry]

Do you like to ride in cabs, Tom?

[Tom]

Well, this is the very first time in my life I ever rode in one.

[Jason]

Oh, no fooling, honest.

[Jerry]

Well, how do you like it?

[Tom]

Sure is keen, huh?

[Jason]

What did you ask Platt, Tom?

[Tom]

Well, I wanted to know where my father was.

[Jerry]

Wouldn't he tell you?

[Tom]

No sir, that is not exactly.

[Jerry]

What do you mean?

[Tom]

Well, I asked him if dad was in Fordham and he said maybe.

[Jason]

Well, I guess you'll find him there all right.

[Jerry]

Well, let's hope so anyway.

[Tom]

I asked Mr. Platt where dad was in Fordham. He said to look for him.

[Jerry]

Well I. I think from that remark you can be sure your father is there.

[Jason]

Sure you'll find him. Don't worry, Tom.

[Jerry]

He didn't want to talk, did he? I mean Mr. Platt.

[Tom]

No, he acted awful mean.

[Jason]

I guess he's singing the years ahead of him in the penitentiary. Not a very happy outlook for him.

[Jerry]

Well, he's got it coming to him.

[Jason]

Yeah, you bet he has.

[Jerry]

Do you think Spike will join up with the circus again when he gets out of jail?

[Jason]

Well, he might. He told you he would, didn't he?

[Jerry]

Uh huh. He Told me that he thought circus folks were the grandest people in the world.

[Tom]

I think so, too.

[Jason]

Well, that's not far wrong. They're a pretty regular lot.

[Jerry]

Hey, lookit. They're the grounds already.

[Tom]

So soon?

[Jerry]

Uh huh.

Say, driver.

[Mr. Stanton]

Yes, sir?

[Jerry]

You better turn right at the next corner and go around to the back of the lot.

[Jason]

Yes, sir.

[Jerry]

Why did you tell him to do that, Mr. Randall?

Well, Tom here has to get to work, and that'll let us out just about the mess tent.

That's right.

[Tom]

Thanks, Mr. Randall. I don't want Leo to get mad at me.

[Jerry]

Oh, he wouldn't say anything if you were a few minutes late, Tom.

You don't want to take any chances though, do you, Tom?

[Tom]

No, sir.

[Jason]

Okay, boys, here we are. Hop out.

[Tom]

I sure got a kick out of that ride.

[Mr. Platt]

Yeah.

[Jerry]

Here you are, driver.

[Mr. Platt]

Thank you.

[Jerry]

Gee, here we are right in front of the mess tent. Come on, Tom, let's get to work.

[Tom]

Okay.

[Jerry]

All right, you boys go ahead. I want to talk to Jason here. See you later.

All right, Mr. Randall. And if you see Bumps, would you mind telling him I'm in the mess tent with Tom?

All right, Jerry.

[Jason]

See you later, boys.

[Jerry]

Okay. Goodbye, Jason.

[Tom]

I guess I better get to work on cleaning those things for the salad or I'll be late.

[Jerry]

I'll help you. Where are they?

[Tom]

Right in here. See over there in the corner?

[Jerry]

Oh, you mean that big pile of carrots and celery?

[Tom]

Uh huh. Better take your coat off.

[Jerry]

Oh, don't worry. I will roll up my sleeves, too.

[Tom]

Here's a knife.

[Jerry]

Okay. Now, where do I put this stuff when I clean it?

[Tom]

In that big kettle there on the ground.

[Jerry]

Hey, let's race and we'll get through faster.

[Tom]

Hey, that's a good idea.

[Jerry]

Ready? Uh huh. One, two, three, go.

[Tom]

J don't go so fast. You'll cut yourself.

[Jerry]

I'm watching. Don't you worry.

[Tom]

Say, how do you like this kind of work, Jerry?

[Jerry]

Oh, it's all right, but I'd sooner water the horses and help Whitey in the horse top.

[Tom]

Can I go along with you and help sometime?

[Jerry]

Sure, you get time. But you're always working the same time I am.

[Tom]

Yeah, I do guess that's right.

[Jerry]

Oh, don't worry, though. You'll see everything there is to see around the circus before we get to Fordham.

[Tom]

I sure hope I find dad there.

[Jerry]

Oh, you will.

[Tom]

But what if he isn't there, Tom? What'll I do then?

[Jerry]

Well, now listen. Don't even think about it until we get to Fordham. Your dad will be there and we'll find him.

[Tom]

But maybe he moved or something.

[Jerry]

I'll quit thinking about it. If he moved, we'll find out where he's going to. And then you can go wherever that is. Don't worry about it. You'll find him.

[Tom]

And you'll help me, huh?

[Jerry]

Of course I will.

[Tom]

Thanks, Jerry.

[Jason]

Hey, fellas. You in there?

[Jerry]

Oh, hi, Jason. Yeah, come on in.

[Jason]

Well, you two look like a couple of professional cooks.

[Jerry]

Oh, how come you came back here so soon? Dinner won't be ready for a long time yet.

[Jason]

Boys, I've got something to tell you.

[Tom]

Yeah? What is it?

[Jason]

Well, it seems like there's been something going on that we're not in on.

[Jerry]

What?

[Jason]

Now, you won't breathe a word of this to anybody?

[Tom]

No, siree.

[Jerry]

Of course not.

[Jason]

You promise?

[Jerry]

Sure we do. Don't we, Tom?

[Tom]

I promise.

[Jerry]

Go ahead and tell us, Jason.

[Jason]

Well, it's about the Major.

[Jerry]

Well, Major Might again. Well, what is it this time?

[Tom]

Who's the Major, Jerry?

[Jerry]

Oh, he's a midget. I'll tell you all about him later. Go ahead, Jason. What about the Major?

[Jason]

This is sure good.

[Jerry]

Hurry up and tell us so we can laugh, too.

[Jason]

The major has a crush on Carmen Bendini.

[Jerry]

You mean he likes her?

[Jason]

Likes her is putting it mild, Jerry. He's really taking a shine to her. And here's the funny part. He's been sending her flowers every day for the past week. Sending a lot of money on them, too. And writes some little note to go along with them.

[Jerry]

Note?

[Mr. Platt]

Boolean.

[Jason]

But what's funnier still is the fact that Carmen doesn't like it a bit. It's beginning to annoy her.

[Tom]

I thought girls liked to get flowers.

[Jason]

Carmen doesn't seem to like the idea so much, Tom.

[Jerry]

That's pretty good. All right.

[Jason]

Now listen. I've got an idea. We can have a little fun if we just keep it to ourselves.

[Jerry]

Okay.

[Jason]

You see all these vegetables here?

[Tom]

Yeah. What about them?

[Jason]

Let's make a big bouquet out of

[Jerry]

them and send them to Carmen.

[Jason]

Exactly. And with a little note. Or better still, I've got a. Tom, you can take the bouquet of vegetables into Carmen at dinner tonight and say nothing. She'll naturally think the major. Sentiment.

[Jerry]

Good idea, Jason. We can make a big bouquet of carrots and celery and beet tops and all sorts of things.

[Jason]

Not forgetting, of course, plenty of onions.

[Tom]

I'll pick out some nice things from this box here.

[Jason]

Good. And I'll get some of that green wax paper. And a nice big box from the florist uptown. We'll fix it all up so it'll look real.

[Jerry]

Hey, Jason, how did you get all that oil on your sleeve?

[Jason]

Where? Oh, gee, that's not so good. I guess I leaned up against something over by the generator. They're fixing it.

[Jerry]

What's the matter with it?

[Jason]

The men don't seem to know. But it's been acting kind of funny lately. They're trying to make it hold out until some new parts arrive.

[Jerry]

Well, that's not so good having the generator break down, is it?

[Jason]

I should hope not. If that generator goes bad during the night show, it would throw the whole circus into darkness.

[Tom]

Gee, that'd be awful.

[Jerry]

Especially while your act is on, huh, Jason?

[Jason]

It wouldn't be so good being in that steel cage with all my cats and not being able to see where each one is.

[Tom]

Would they jump on you?

[Jason]

No telling what they'd do, Tom. A jungle animal gets scared when they're not in familiar places.

[Jerry]

Well, they'd be in a familiar place in the steel.

[Jason]

Yeah, that's true, Jerry. But being in the dark would be something new to them. And they might get so panic stricken I'd have a hard time keeping them in order.

[Tom]

Well, let's hope the men get that generator fixed so the lights don't go out.

[Jerry]

It'll be awful if the big top went dark when Patsy or the Bendinis were working, too. I never realized how important lights were to the circus.

[Tom]

Here's a nice bunch of carrots with pretty tops on them.

[Jason]

Good boy, Tom. Yeah. Let's get busy with these vegetable bouquets.

[Jerry]

Okay. How about these onions?

[Jason]

Swell, Jerry, this is going to be fun. I just wonder how Carmen will take it.

[Tom]

Maybe she'll get mad.

[Jason]

I don't think so. But she'll most likely try to make the major think she's mad.

[Jerry]

You don't think Tom will get in trouble taking the box into Carmen at dinner, do you, Jason?

[Jason]

No, of course not. But we've got to remember this. Neither one of us is to tell any other, no matter what happens. Is that a bargain?

[Jerry]

The secret three, huh?

[Jason]

That's it exactly. Now, you boys go ahead with the bouquet. Make it a big one. Use every kind of vegetable you can think of. I'll be back in time to put the finishing touches on it and pack it nicely in a box.

[Tom]

Okay. We'll be waiting for you.

[Jerry]

Hurry up, Jason.

[Jason]

I will be back in a few minutes. Now, not a word to anybody, all right?

[Jerry]

Sure.

[Tom]

He sure is a lot of fun, isn't he?

[Jerry]

Sure. Is. But the fun will start when Carmen gets a big bunch of vegetables at dinner in front of the whole troop. I wonder what you'll say. I wonder what the Major will say when she accuses him of sending them to her.

[Tom]

Oh, boy.

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[Tom]

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

[Jason]

Oh, no.

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[Jason]

Yeah, the bird looks out of your league.

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[Jason]

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[Jerry]

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[Jason]

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