Jerry of the Circus - Wanted Poster Spotted In Post Office

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Jerry of the Circus – Wanted Poster Spotted In Post Office

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode Date: May 16, 2026

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Episode Overview

This episode transports listeners back to the era of Golden Age radio with an installment of "Jerry of the Circus." The story centers on young Jerry and his friends in a traveling circus. The main theme of this episode unfolds after Jerry and Patsy head to the post office, where a wanted poster on the wall sparks a mystery—and Jerry’s imagination as a detective. The episode balances everyday circus camaraderie, animal tales, and a growing sense of intrigue, inviting the audience to sleuth along with Jerry.

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Key Discussion Points & Story Highlights

1. A Circus Morning and Unfinished Business

• Jerry finishes a letter to Mr. Grayson, updating him about his father, and prepares to mail it with Patsy.
• Patsy appears after the morning’s show, and Jerry regrets missing her new trick due to his focus on the letter.
• (02:48 - 03:36) Introduces light banter and the camaraderie between Jerry and Patsy.

2. Trouble with Gertie the Elephant

• Patsy brings up the morning’s “excitement”—Gertie, an elephant, went wild, having powdered tobacco (snuff) thrown in her eyes, believed to be Zeke’s doing.
• Zeke disappears (he’s suspected and has fled), and his position is hastily filled, adding suspicion to the circus community.
• (03:40 - 04:51) "Zeke's been teasing Gertie for a long time...it made him pretty mad." – Jerry

3. Circuses as Found Families

• Jerry notices the new hire is “funny” and “nervous,” possibly relating to the episode’s mystery.
• The group discusses family-like bonds in the circus, touching on how newcomers are quickly embraced.
• (07:39 - 08:03) "You know, Jerry, he's one of the nicest men I've ever trooped with." – Patsy

4. Animal Training and Acts

• Jason updates on the lions; the young cub Fuzzy is learning tricks but still headstrong. The dangers and excitement of animal acts are emphasized.
• (06:12 - 06:39) "That little fella has a mind of his own...Folks pay their money to see something exciting and dangerous in the steel." – Jason

5. Visit to the Post Office—Discovery of the Wanted Poster

• Inside the post office, Jerry and Patsy talk with Mr. Bradley, the friendly postmaster, amidst light jokes about stamp prices.
• Jerry is distracted by a wall of wanted posters. One photograph looks familiar to him, possibly triggering the central mystery.
• The group reads the details closely:
  • "Escaped convict Max Peters...scar in back of left ear..."
  • $500 reward, physical description, and recent escape noted.
• (09:52 - 10:46) "Look at this picture. I seen him someplace." – Jerry
• (12:07 - 12:10) Patsy concedes, "Well I never looked at it that way before. I guess you're right, Johnny." as Mr. Bradley explains the public’s role in aiding police.

6. Jerry’s Determination to Solve the Case

• Jerry is determined to remember where he saw the man and claims, "I think it's fun playing detective."
• Mr. Bradley encourages the effort and underscores how ordinary people often play key roles in solving crimes.
• Patsy recognizes the excitement of having “something to work on that’s really worthwhile.”
• (12:54 - 12:58) "Well then, now you've got something to work on that's really worthwhile." – Patsy

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Circus Life:

  • "That's just the way I feel about it." – Jerry (07:52)
  • "You made a lot of friends, Jerry." – Patsy (07:54)

• On the Wanted Poster:

  • "Look at this picture. I seen him someplace." – Jerry (10:15)
  • "Jerry thinks he knows who this man is, Patsy." – Mr. Bradley (10:43)

• On Civic Duty:

  • "It's best not to take this too lightly, Patsy. The posters are put up in places like this to help the police. And it's our duty to look them over and be of assistance if we can." – Mr. Bradley (11:55)
  • “All these men at some time or other are captured and put behind bars. And many times their capture is effected by some alert person who has made a mental note of these posters...” – Mr. Bradley (12:10)

• On Detective Work:

  • "I think it's fun playing detective." – Jerry (12:48)
  • "It is fun, Jerry. It sharpens your mind too." – Mr. Bradley (12:50)

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Important Segment Timestamps

• [02:24] – Jerry and Patsy’s reunion, setup for the post office trip
• [03:40] – [04:51] – The plight of Gertie, suspicion toward Zeke, and new face at the circus
• [05:00] – [06:45] – Lion training discussion, Jason’s insight on circus acts
• [08:03] – [09:00] – Crossing to the post office, lighthearted circus banter
• [09:52] – [10:46] – The discovery of the wanted poster and beginnings of the mystery
• [11:55] – [12:10] – Mr. Bradley emphasizes the importance of public vigilance
• [12:48] – [12:58] – Jerry commits to detective work, Patsy and Mr. Bradley encourage him

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Tone & Style

The episode is characterized by playful banter, warmth among circus friends, and a gentle sense of suspense as the episode transitions from daily circus life to a budding mystery. The interactions brim with a sense of small-town camaraderie, with dialogue evoking a times-gone-by innocence and enthusiasm for everyday adventure.

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For New Listeners

This summary distills an engaging episode where ordinary moments in circus life blend into a classic detective setup, making it accessible, nostalgic, and enjoyable for all ages—whether or not you’re familiar with Golden Age radio or Jerry’s previous adventures.

Transcript

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[Jason]

Jerry of the Circus. Now for jerry of the circus.

[Jerry]

There it is, Rags, all finished. Oh, I see. You want me to send your personal regard. Okay, now the envelope. Mr. Richard Grayson, Jackson City Trust and Savings Bank Building. Jackson City. Now what? Isn't that right? Oh, I see. It's Patsy. Hiya, Fatsy.

[Patsy]

Hello, Jerry. And Rags, old fellow.

[Jerry]

Is the show over already?

[Patsy]

You don't hear any music, do you?

[Jerry]

I was so busy I didn't pay any attention.

[Patsy]

What are you so busy with?

[Jerry]

I just wrote a letter to Mr. Grayson, remember? I told him I'd write to him and tell him all about his father.

[Patsy]

Good for you, Jerry.

[Mr. Bradley]

See?

[Patsy]

Do you want me to mail the letter for you?

[Jerry]

Well, can I walk over with you?

[Patsy]

You surely can if you want to.

[Jerry]

Come on. Okay. Come on, Ray.

[Patsy]

I have to send some money home to Mother.

[Jerry]

Where is the post office, Patsy?

[Patsy]

Jim Bennett tells me it's just across the street from the back end of the lot. It'll only take us a minute to walk over there.

[Jerry]

Well, how'd your new trick go today? I'm sorry, but I forgot to watch. I got so interested in writing this letter to Mr. Grace and I didn't even think.

[Patsy]

You didn't even remember that you were one of my best fans. I'm really ashamed of you, Jerry.

[Jerry]

Well, I won't forget tonight, though, honest. I won't take my eyes off you all the time you're up on the traffic.

[Patsy]

Oh, that's the boy. Well, Jerry, what do you know?

[Jerry]

Oh, nothing.

[Patsy]

I heard you were in on all the excitement with Gertie this morning.

[Jerry]

Golly, wasn't that awful?

[Patsy]

Well, I didn't hear much about it. What all happened?

[Jerry]

Well, the reason Gertie went mad and ran around and acted so wild was because she had that powdered tobacco in her eyes.

[Patsy]

You mean snuff?

[Jerry]

Yeah, Nab burned something awful.

[Patsy]

Imagine it does.

[Jerry]

Olsen thinks Zeke put it in her eyes. It looks like he's right because Zeke skipped the show. They haven't been able to find him anywhere.

[Patsy]

Surely it was a mean trick to torture Gertie that way. He's such a nice old elephant, too.

[Jerry]

Zeke's been teasing Gertie for a long time. And the other day when Gertie tipped that wagon over and pretty nearly got Zeke caught under, it made him pretty mad.

[Patsy]

Well, he had it coming. Elephants are peaceful animal and they make wonderful friends, but just start to aggravate them and they can be dangerous enemies.

[Jerry]

Olson said Zeke probably figured Gertie would appear as though she'd gone wild and turned into a killer. Then have to be shot.

[Patsy]

I'll bet that's right. I just can't understand a man that would stoop so low.

[Jerry]

I guess he wasn't very important because it sure didn't take Mr. Murray long to fill his job.

[Patsy]

What do you mean, Jerry?

[Jerry]

He hired another man to take his place right away. The man that was hanging around looking for work.

[Patsy]

There's always plenty of men ready to join up with the circus. And every time we play.

[Jerry]

This man that took Zeke's place is sure funny, though. He acts kind of nervous and his eyes keep moving back and forth real fast.

[Patsy]

What do you make of that?

[Jerry]

Oh, I don't know.

[Patsy]

Oh, maybe he's just upset about getting a job. Most likely he's been out of work a long time.

[Jerry]

Maybe. Hey, look, there's Jason.

[Patsy]

Hello, Jason.

[Jerry]

Hiya.

[Jason]

Well, hello.

[Patsy]

Wow. What are you doing?

[Jason]

Oh, just checking up in some of the cages with the carpenter here. Well, hello, Rags.

[Jerry]

I thought maybe you were building an ark.

[Jason]

I'll have to if you continue to flood me with jokes.

[Patsy]

Oh, my. For the blow of wit.

[Jerry]

No fooling, though. What are you doing?

[Jason]

Just what I said. I'm having the carpenter check up in some of the cages. We do that every once in a while, just to make sure they're good and strong.

[Patsy]

Did Gertie do any damage to them when she went on the rampage?

[Jason]

I don't know. That's one reason I'm having them looked at today. It's better to be safe than sorry.

[Jerry]

Guess it would be awful if the lion or tiger got out of his cage and got loose around the lot

[Patsy]

and then ran down the main street of the town.

[Jason]

I've heard of that happening a few times, but luckily it never happened to me.

[Jerry]

Greg, Greggs, get away from that cage.

[Jason]

You better go get him, Jerry. He's barking at Fuzzy.

[Patsy]

Guess he'd like to get even with Fuzzy for hurting his leg.

[Jerry]

Now, never mind. You and Fuzzy aren't gonna mix anymore. Yes, you heard me.

[Jason]

You're right, Jerry. Those two were never meant to be pals.

[Patsy]

Isn't Fuzzy growing fast? My goodness. He just shoots up More every day.

[Jason]

He won't be a cub much longer.

[Jerry]

Have you taught him any more tricks?

[Jason]

Oh, a few. I've got him used to taking orders now.

[Jerry]

You mean without giving him some meat as a reward?

[Patsy]

You said you thought he'd be so hard to manage. Do you still think so?

[Jason]

Yes, I do, Patsy. That little fella has a mind of his own.

[Jerry]

But he'll be a good performer when you finally get him trained, won't he?

[Jason]

Yeah. I think I can count on you to put on a good show all right.

[Shopify Announcer]

Hmm.

[Patsy]

It's funny how some young lions have more spunk than others. You know, my father once told me of a lioness that was just as tame as a house cat all its life.

[Jason]

I've seen cats like that. But I prefer to work with the spunky ones. They put on a better show and after all, that's what the audience wants to see.

[Jerry]

Sure. If all your animals minded you and did all their tricks without fighting back, there wouldn't be much to your act at all.

[Patsy]

I guess that's right.

[Jason]

It is right. Folks pay their money to see something exciting and dangerous in the steel. So that's what I try to give them.

[Jerry]

You put on a good show every time you go into the steel.

[Patsy]

Oh, don't tell him anymore, Jerry. He likes to hear things like that.

[Jason]

I suppose you don't like to hear something nice about your work.

[Jerry]

She sure does. When I tell her how good her act is, she smiles and her eyes sparkles and she even blushes.

[Jason]

There you are, young lady.

[Patsy]

You could give me away, Jerry.

[Jason]

What are you two heading for?

[Patsy]

Oh, Jerry and I are going over the post office.

[Jerry]

I'm going to mail this letter to Mr. Grayson.

[Jason]

Getting a letter off to Mr. Grayson like you promised?

[Patsy]

Uh huh.

[Jason]

Did you send him my regards?

[Jerry]

Sure. I said everybody sends a regard.

[Jason]

Well, I guess that's good enough. That takes me in too.

[Patsy]

Let's get going, Jerry. We can't stand here all morning and tell Jason how good he is. You won't be able to work this afternoon.

[Jason]

Oh, I think I can take it.

[Patsy]

Okay, Jason. Come on, Jerry.

[Jerry]

You're right.

[Jason]

See you after a while.

[Patsy]

Okay.

[Jerry]

Well, so long.

[Patsy]

Goodbye, Jason the Great.

[Jerry]

Why do you kid Jason like you do Patsy?

[Patsy]

Oh, I don't know. I like to. He's so good natured about being kidded.

[Jerry]

Yeah, he sure is swell.

[Patsy]

You know, Jerry, he's one of the nicest men I've ever trooped with.

[Jerry]

You know, everybody's nice in this circus.

[Patsy]

Yes, they are. But that goes pretty much for every

[Jerry]

circus after the show is out on

[Patsy]

the road a few weeks and all the folks get to know each other just like one big family.

[Jerry]

That's just the way I feel about it.

[Patsy]

Yes, you made a lot of friends, Jerry.

[Jerry]

And even when new people join the show, well, like the Bendinis, it isn't any time at all until you feel like you've known them all your life.

[Patsy]

Well, look, Jerry, there's the post office across the street. Better watch Rags. When we cross there.

[Jerry]

I'll pick him up and carry him here, Rags. Oh, yep.

[Patsy]

Look at that, folks, jumping down to your arms. Oh, that's cute.

[Jerry]

He likes to be carried across the street. And do you know he'll never cross the street by himself.

[Patsy]

Well, here we are.

[Jerry]

Down you go, boy. Nice looking post office, isn't it?

[Patsy]

Surely is for a town this size. Go ahead, Jerry. You open the door. You're the gentleman, you know.

[Jerry]

Okay, ladies first.

[Patsy]

Thank you, sir. Go over to the money order window. You better get a stamp for your letter.

[Jerry]

Okay.

[Mr. Bradley]

What'll it be for you, son? Gonna send your dog away parcel post?

[Jerry]

No, sir, not him. I want a 3 cent stamp.

[Mr. Bradley]

All right. Here you are.

[Jerry]

Thank you. Where's the mailbox?

[Mr. Bradley]

I'll take the letter right here.

[Jerry]

What's the matter, Rags? Hello, Mr. Bradley. Hello.

[Mr. Bradley]

Well, hello, Jerry, my boy. And Rags, old fellow, what are you doing at the post office? Is there a sale on stamps? Why, that's funny. I heard they were selling three cent stamps. Two for six cents.

[Jerry]

They are?

[Mr. Bradley]

You bet. Why, it's a real bargain.

[Jerry]

Two for six. Aw, I sure didn't. There's Patsy over there. Hey, look who's here. Patsy.

[Patsy]

Hello, Johnny.

[Mr. Bradley]

Greetings, Ms. Patsy.

[Patsy]

Looks like the post office is getting a lot of business from the circus.

[Mr. Bradley]

Yes, it does.

[Patsy]

Oh, say, excuse me a second. I'm gonna mail this letter.

[Mr. Bradley]

Well, of course, Ms. Patsy.

[Jerry]

Look, Mr. Bradley, all those pictures on the wall here.

[Mr. Bradley]

Yes. Why, those are pictures of criminals at large, Jerry.

[Jerry]

Criminals at large?

[Mr. Bradley]

Yes, sir. You see this one? It says, wanted for grand larceny. And then it gives a description of the man. 5ft 9 inches tall, weight 185 pounds, gray hair, age about 50. Look.

[Jerry]

Look at this picture. I seen him someplace.

[Mr. Bradley]

Which one is it, J.

[Jerry]

Right here.

[Mr. Bradley]

Oh, yes. Well, you think you know who this is?

[Jerry]

I wouldn't be sure, but he sure looks like someone I've seen someplace.

[Mr. Bradley]

There's a $500 reward for his capture. Let's see what it says about him. Escaped convict Max Peters, scar in back of left Ear, are you ready to

[Patsy]

go back to the lot, Jerry?

[Jerry]

Wait a minute, Patsy.

[Mr. Bradley]

Jerry thinks he knows who this man is, Patsy.

[Patsy]

What? Why that's a criminal. It says he just recently escaped from State's prison. Oh Jerry. Now how would you know him?

[Jerry]

Well I don't know, but I'm pretty sure I've seen him someplace.

[Mr. Bradley]

Five feet seven inches tall, thin brown hair, blue eyes, 140 pounds.

[Patsy]

It says he served four years of a 20 year sentence. Oh it's absolutely impossible, Jerry, you've never seen him. He most likely just looks like someone you've seen.

[Jerry]

I know I may be wrong, but I don't think so. I could only remember.

[Mr. Bradley]

Now it would be very much worth your while with that $500 reward on his head.

[Jerry]

Does that mean that if I can tell the police where I've seen him or where he is now, I'll get the reward?

[Mr. Bradley]

Exactly.

[Patsy]

Oh come on Jerry, you're always playing detective.

[Jerry]

Now wait a minute, Patsy. Wait till I see what else it says about him.

[Mr. Bradley]

But that's all there is. Jerry, I. No wait. It says he's left handed and has a sallow complexion. Well that's not much information to track a man down with.

[Jerry]

I don't know what it is about his face, but I'm sure I know who he is.

[Mr. Bradley]

It's best not to take this too lightly, Patsy. The posters are put up in places like this to help the police. And it's our duty to look them over and be of assistance if we can.

[Patsy]

Well I never looked at it that way before. I guess you're right, Johnny.

[Mr. Bradley]

All these men at some time or other are captured and put behind bars. And many times their capture is effected by some alert person who has made a mental note of these posters and then has seen the wanted man and tipped off the police.

[Jerry]

Well I can't think of who it is now, but I'm gonna keep trying.

[Mr. Bradley]

That's the boy, Jerry. Well, ready to go now?

[Jerry]

Uh huh. Come on Rag here boy, it would

[Patsy]

be nice if Jerry would get that reward.

[Mr. Bradley]

It would be nice for anyone to get it. You know, it's very generous of the authorities to offer such large sums of money for the little assistance they ask.

[Jerry]

I think it's fun playing detective.

[Mr. Bradley]

It is fun, Jerry. It sharpens your mind too.

[Patsy]

Well then, now you've got something to work on that's really worthwhile.

[Jerry]

I studied that picture real good. Now I'm gonna try to remember where I saw that man. Sam. Ram.

[Mr. Bradley]

Sam.

[Tammy]

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[Tammy]

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[Art Palpitations]

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[Tammy]

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[Tammy]

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