
Jumbo Fire Chief Program 35-10-29 01 The Circus Is In Trouble
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Louis A. Whitten
Mexico is on the air. Mexico service stations and dealers from coast to coast present a new Jumbo Fire Chief program. We are broadcasting from the sawdust ring of the New York Hippodrome, scene of the most spectacular theatrical venture of the time. An actual audience of 4,500 people is present, and we've asked them not to laugh or applaud so that you may better enjoy the program. The story is written by Ben hecht and Charles MacArthur with original songs by Richard Rogers and Lawrence Hart. The cast stars Jimmy Durante in a new and lovable comedy role. Claudius B. Bowers. The D stands for brain. Arthur Sinclair, dean of the Irish Theater, as John A. Considine, owner of the Jumbo Show. Donald Novis as Matt Mulligan, son of Considine's bitterest business rival. APK prominent theater guild actor as Jellicoe. Ms. Gloria Grafton in the part of Considine's Daughter, with Charles Henderson singing Razorback. Adolf Deutsch, musical director. All under the personal supervision of Billy Rose.
Jimmy Durante
Again and again through it, over and over again, we cries we know upon the tragedy when you follow.
Louis A. Whitten
It's 9:30 in the morning. The greater Considine Wonder show has just picked 10. In the circus, rain jugglers, animal trainers, contortionists and acrobats are rehearsing. Overhead, the daredevils of the high wire and trapeze are limbering up as they practice. We hear the song of the circus.
Jimmy Durante
Again and again. Do it over and over again.
John A. Considine
Are you ready, Diablo? Okay, it's up. We're going to shoot Diablo out of the cannon. Not so good, Diablo. You better do it over again, Mr. Jellicoe.
Arthur Sinclair
Yes, Mr. Considine.
John A. Considine
9:35. Line up the parade.
Arthur Sinclair
Right, Sir Alan.
John A. Considine
Off them purchase, me lads.
Arthur Sinclair
9:35. Parade starting.
Donald Novis
We ain't parading.
APK
Hey, Watson, now get this into your whimy head.
Arthur Sinclair
We ain't parading, Mr. Considine.
John A. Considine
What's with the lay, Jellicoe?
Arthur Sinclair
Some of the artists are showing a little reluctance, Mr. Considine.
John A. Considine
Reluctance? And what for? Come and have a look outside at Main Street. It's bulging with little socks holes and balloons and whistles. And the elders dressed in the Thunderbirds. They're hanging out of windows like clusters of rice carries, waiting for the Considine Wonders.
APK
You waitin for the Mulligan Circus, you mean?
John A. Considine
Who said that?
Arthur Sinclair
Well, that was Mr. Ball what spoke, sir.
Donald Novis
Step forward, Mr. Ball. Gladly, Mr. Ball.
John A. Considine
Take off those silks and spangles. You're unworldly. And incidentally, get out of me Circle. I'll get out when you pay up.
APK
What you owe me.
John A. Considine
Oh Dew. What about me? Three weeks and not a dime and.
Donald Novis
We'Re still working out.
John A. Considine
We're on our way. Yeah, nothing but empty promises.
Gloria Grafton
I learn.
John A. Considine
I gave each and every one of my words that you would be paid every penny. No more, no less and completely.
Donald Novis
How do you expect a pay us when everywhere we go the Mulligan Circus gets all the business? Well, you're a pretty faint hearted lot.
John A. Considine
Mulligan's true. I tell you, one more week or so we'll have that bug trotter on his knees begging me to take him back as my partner.
Donald Novis
Ah, talk reasonable, Mr. Confidantine. There's no use kidding us.
Claudius B. Bowers
What?
John A. Considine
We've got Jumbo, haven't we? The best loved elephant from here to the High Sierra. That elephant's been fed peanuts by mayors.
Claudius B. Bowers
Governors and great financiers from the time.
John A. Considine
There was in store pants. Give this town one look at Jumbo and all our troubles are over. Come on now men, get into your costume.
Arthur Sinclair
You're old enough to parade.
Donald Novis
There'll be no snap decision, Mr. Jellicoe. This matter calls for a vote. Come on boys. The bounty will be in the crook tent.
Dorothy
Hello Daddy.
Donald Novis
Hello Dorothy.
John A. Considine
You're just in time for the parade.
Dorothy
Oh, I'm not going. I have to rehearse.
John A. Considine
Now don't tell me lies, Mickey. There's only one thing that'd be keeping you here and I know what it is. If I ever catch that Mulligan boy around here again, I'll beat the height of him. Now mind what you're up to or.
Donald Novis
I'll skip you back to your mother.
Arthur Sinclair
Considine.
John A. Considine
Considine. What's the matter now?
Arthur Sinclair
There's mutiny in the cook tent. Mr. Ball's advocating that the men join up with the Mulligan, sir.
Donald Novis
I'll fix this wagon for em.
John A. Considine
You stay here while I talk some in.
Arthur Sinclair
Fuck you. Arthur. Who's that fellow sneaking into the tent?
Claudius B. Bowers
He's dressed like a sheep.
Dorothy
We haven't any Arabs in this outfit. Hey Abdul, take off that turban.
Arthur Sinclair
Wait a second. Pashaw. What?
Claudius B. Bowers
Slime me.
Arthur Sinclair
If it ain't Mulligan's son. Si.
Donald Novis
You get out of here.
APK
Just a minute, Mr. Jellicoe.
Donald Novis
This is a sociable call.
Arthur Sinclair
You heard me. Now get going.
Dorothy
Run along Jellicoe. I can handle him.
Donald Novis
All right.
Arthur Sinclair
Ms. Confidante, would you mind your father doesn't catch him here.
APK
Mickey, why didn't you keep the date last night?
Dorothy
I Had more interesting things to do than consorting with a mulligan.
APK
Ah, take the ice pack off your heart, my little pookie. Mickey, I love you. I'm crazy about you. There's nothing in the world I want except you, Mickey. You're the craziest, loveliest kid that ever shined the earth. I dislike talking to you in this vein because it'll only spoil you. And anyway, it's hard for an acrobat to bother anybody except an audience. I won't kiss your hand, madam.
Gloria Grafton
Crazy for you though I am I'll.
John A. Considine
Never woo you on bended knee.
APK
No, madam, not me. Let's forget the screen and stage. And for our children.
Gloria Grafton
Change act orange. My romance doesn't have to have a moon in the sky My romance doesn't need A blue lagoon standing by no mind, no twinkling star no hide away no star desire My romance doesn't need A castle rising in Spain Or a dance what constantly surprising refrain Wide awake I can make My most fantastic dream come true My romance was in need of fe.
Dorothy
Oh, no, Matt. I couldn't. I couldn't leave Daddy.
APK
Who said leave him? We'll take him along, put him in the back seat and let him those.
John A. Considine
Old Irish ballads About how old Paisley.
APK
Hit O'Finnegan with the parlor stone.
Dorothy
Oh, but I'd have to be Mrs. Mullet.
John A. Considine
And who else would you want to be?
APK
Oh, come on, my little Reynard mirror.
Gloria Grafton
My romance doesn't have a tr.
Dorothy
In this time.
APK
My romance doesn't.
Gloria Grafton
Or a dance. What constantly surprising refrain Hide away I can make my most fantastic dream come.
Jimmy Durante
True.
Gloria Grafton
My Roman doesn't need a. My romance.
John A. Considine
Look out.
Arthur Sinclair
Someone's coming. Ms. McCann, I think you better get young Mulligan out of here.
Dorothy
Well, thanks, Jellicoe. Come on, darling.
John A. Considine
Okay, Mickey.
Donald Novis
Is this a concert I want to show?
Arthur Sinclair
Yes.
Donald Novis
If you don't mind, I'd like to pack up a little government literature.
Arthur Sinclair
Here, here, here, here. Half a moment, lad. What do you think you were doing? Packing up them signs on the tent pole. There's no advertisements allowed in this tent. What's that? What does those signs say?
Claudius B. Bowers
Auction.
John A. Considine
You lose. Auction?
Arthur Sinclair
In our circus.
Donald Novis
The United States government. The government for sale. In jeopardy for back income taxes. Code 64, Article 13.
Claudius B. Bowers
It's for trot.
Louis A. Whitten
Me think, Governor.
Arthur Sinclair
There ain't never been no income. Not a fault.
Claudius B. Bowers
Him.
Donald Novis
This fella Considine is the only man in the United States to receive the Triple X warning. And he never even answered that.
Arthur Sinclair
When's it all going to take place?
John A. Considine
Mr.
Arthur Sinclair
The auction, I mean, at high noon.
Claudius B. Bowers
What, today?
Arthur Sinclair
Oh, in the name of humanity, sir. Don't start nothing until you've had it. Cattle, Mr. Conine. I'll go and find him.
Donald Novis
The sooner the better. I'll wait here.
Claudius B. Bowers
Where is everybody? Mr. Conine. Hey, somebody announce me. Tell Mr. Contra Mr. Bowers is here. The place is evacuated. Say, have you seen Mr. Contraind?
Donald Novis
Not yet. I'm waiting for him.
Claudius B. Bowers
Anything I can do for you, squire? Mr. Kunst. Man has no secrets from me.
Donald Novis
Connected with his outfit.
Claudius B. Bowers
What a query. Is the robin connected with the springtime? Is the song of the lark connected with the twilight? That's how I'm connected. Press agent from the Greater Considine Wonder Shoes. Franey Bowes. Indispensable. The mad psychologist waiting for Mr. Considine. You say?
Louis A. Whitten
Business?
Donald Novis
Yes, a little financial matter.
Claudius B. Bowers
I knew it fallen into issue. I spotted you for a banker the minute I clapped eyes on you. Well, squire, let me tell you something right off the record. In this quickness of confidence. This purchase is the best investment there is today. You can't go wrong buying it on issue.
Donald Novis
Is that so? How's it been doing?
Claudius B. Bowers
Well, terrific. The most stupendous cleanup since Ben H.
Donald Novis
I'd like to write some of these facts down, if you don't mind. Now, how did you do in 1931?
Claudius B. Bowers
About 10 a year. We broke all records.
Donald Novis
And how about 1932?
Claudius B. Bowers
I'm glad you asked. How rocky of King Branson, for instance.
Donald Novis
How much would you say you made in those two years?
Claudius B. Bowers
Well, I should say roughly that the nut intake per annum has been in the vicinity of 250. And 50 grand. You better make that 300,000 to be on the safe side.
Donald Novis
With pleasure.
Claudius B. Bowers
Put down a million for the three years and you'll still be under. I'm telling you, it's a bunz on.
Donald Novis
Would you care to sign this statement you just made?
Claudius B. Bowers
Why not Here out time lawyers. B. Bowers. B is for brain.
Donald Novis
Thank you.
Claudius B. Bowers
By the way, squire, what bank you associated with the Guaranteed Trust?
Donald Novis
I'm not with any bank.
Claudius B. Bowers
I understood you to say we're waiting for Mr. Considine on a financial matter.
Donald Novis
I sure am.
Claudius B. Bowers
Who do you represent, may I ask?
Donald Novis
The government.
Claudius B. Bowers
What government? USA well, that's fine. What's the idea of lying to me and telling me you're elite banker? It's malfeasance of office.
Donald Novis
I said nothing of the sort.
Claudius B. Bowers
Now that you're sailing under your true color, what branch of the government do you rip Present the income tax Department of Paris. Blackmail. Well, this time you bumped up against the wrong three. The time has come to make an example of a few. You hawk doors liberally. Give me back that paper I signed.
Donald Novis
Sorry. It's part of the court record.
Claudius B. Bowers
That statement has got on me by underhand method. That's the word.
Arthur Sinclair
Something horrible has happened.
Claudius B. Bowers
The performers are walking out.
Arthur Sinclair
Oh, hello, Mr.
Claudius B. Bowers
Bow.
Arthur Sinclair
It's really not water this time.
Claudius B. Bowers
Leave us alone, Mr. Jellicoe, till I trash this matter out. So you're going to auction off this circus, are you? That's your little game, huh? Snooping around, undermining honest businessmen, taking them down for money to plant trees with.
Arthur Sinclair
But I knew.
Claudius B. Bowers
I warn you, this manner will be on President Pugil's desk in the morning. Gr paternity, brother Sigma. Kai. Take the telegram, Mr. Jellicoe. Yes? Franklin G. Rougelo. Where is he at the moment?
Arthur Sinclair
He's on a yacht.
John A. Considine
Whose yacht?
Arthur Sinclair
Vincent Astin.
Claudius B. Bowers
Another Sigma tie on a yacht, huh? Well, we'll reach him with pigeon.
Arthur Sinclair
Oh, this is too horrible.
Claudius B. Bowers
Do something, Mr. Bauer. Depend on me. Like the rocket you brought us. I'll be back in a twinkling of an eye.
John A. Considine
This is Jericho. Who put these oxen? Kind of hide it well, you can take them right down and get off these grounds before I go to work on you.
Donald Novis
You're talking uncle Sam. Now, Mr. Considine.
John A. Considine
I don't care what your name is. It's yellow.
Claudius B. Bowers
Hand me that.
Donald Novis
I've got five men here from Washington. All G men. At noon today, we're selling this circus. The highest bidder.
Claudius B. Bowers
What?
John A. Considine
What did I hear you say?
Donald Novis
For sale in Jeopardy. Code 64, Article 13 for back income tax. 37 letters have been sent you.
John A. Considine
That's a political lie.
Donald Novis
Perjury is only going to make matters worse. Considine, do you know a man named Claus B. Bowers?
John A. Considine
Rainy Bow. Show me. Right hand man and one of the finest. True as hops in circus.
APK
Dumb.
Donald Novis
He wouldn't lie to us.
John A. Considine
Mr. Bowers is incapable of lying.
Donald Novis
That's all Lang wanted to know. He said you've been cleaning up. Here's a signature to our case if you're interested. Now, I'll go and have my men take the inventory.
John A. Considine
Brainy Bowers. Hello. Hello, chief.
Claudius B. Bowers
How are ya? Listen confidently, this is critical. There's a guy from the government borrowing around here. Big black hat, gold badge, a little on the stout side.
John A. Considine
Look at that signature.
Claudius B. Bowers
Don't worry about it. It's all fixed. I threaten him with the president of the United States. Then he fold up his compost. Stop.
John A. Considine
All I want to know, Bowers, is was you outnumbered.
Claudius B. Bowers
What's that? I said that they get that statement from you by poor.
John A. Considine
That statement about me supposed income.
Claudius B. Bowers
He squealed, huh? I diagnosed him wrong. He had all the earmarks of a leading banker. Please don't look at me like that. You'll render me useful.
John A. Considine
Kindly keep that big punk of yours out of me trouble. And maybe I can raise my head out of the dust and overthrow me. Oppressor Jelly ho.
Donald Novis
Yes, sir.
John A. Considine
Go into the menagerie and see that nobody touches gumbo.
Claudius B. Bowers
Bowers, are you still standing there like the pyramid.
John A. Considine
Get back to your post and fond dak out of harm's way. It was a black day that I missed you.
Claudius B. Bowers
Where are you going, Chief? Not to the river. I don't know where I'm going.
Donald Novis
But the show must go on.
Arthur Sinclair
They'll never crush that noble ark.
Claudius B. Bowers
Not while I am at his side.
Arthur Sinclair
You better jump when the chief tells you to jump.
Claudius B. Bowers
I'm not going to Fond du Lac.
Arthur Sinclair
No?
Claudius B. Bowers
No. They need me here. Everybody does what they want. No management. What this circus needs is system. Unification of ethics. Why, I got a 5% interest in a little filling state in Albuquerque. And it makes more money than this whole shebang.
Arthur Sinclair
Yes, but what's the secret of your success?
Claudius B. Bowers
The secret of my success is no secret. I sell technical fire chiefs. Anyone who wants to cross the desert and get there buys from me.
Arthur Sinclair
But isn't a 5% interest rather small?
Claudius B. Bowers
I coincide with that. It may be small, but it's sure. Once a man tries Pixico. Fire chief Gasoline. He wants it all the time. He becomes a natic. It's that extra power, a pep it gives you without any extra charge. Do you know what horsepower is, Jellicoe? Horsepower? Yeah. Well, technical fire chief has elephant power. It's a jumbo of gasoline.
Arthur Sinclair
Well, I'd try some of that if I had a car.
Claudius B. Bowers
You don't need a car. Anything on wheels will do. Why, I once took a car with the whooping cork and I gave it one drink of Texaco and it went away humming like a lark. It's anti nut gas. It takes the knock out of your motor.
Arthur Sinclair
Takes the knockout.
Claudius B. Bowers
Yeah. You ought to rub some of it on your knees.
Arthur Sinclair
Oh, well, Mr. Ballard, I'm glad you'll have something to turn to. We'll be missing you, Mr. Bar.
Claudius B. Bowers
Not so fast, Jellicoe. I never desert a sinking ship. As long as John A Ton is in trouble, he can rest his burden on my two broad children.
Arthur Sinclair
Well, I'm going to look for Mr. Considine now. And you better be off before I return with him.
Claudius B. Bowers
Missy.
Dorothy
Where'd you drop from?
Claudius B. Bowers
Fond of that, Brainy?
Dorothy
They're stealing the circus.
Claudius B. Bowers
Not yet.
Arthur Sinclair
I wouldn't let no heartbreak happen to you, Mickey.
Claudius B. Bowers
You think of me as Brainy Bowers. Cold, unscrutable. What a genius for efficiency. Well, there's another Bowers. A dreamer. Just a bundle of emotions. Mickey, if you could look inside my heart. It's a typhoon.
Dorothy
It's a heart of gold.
Claudius B. Bowers
Solid.
Dorothy
Yeah. I don't know what we'd do without you, Brainy. What? Makes me happy just to see you.
Claudius B. Bowers
See, I'm glad to hear you talk like that. A woman who ain't just face crazy. Listen, I know how much you love the searches. And I'll figure out some way to save us from the auction block. Don't cheer up, Mickey. Let's see a laugh.
Dorothy
There's nothing to laugh about.
Claudius B. Bowers
That's when it's time to laugh. You've got to laugh, laugh, laugh. When things are tattered. Laughing, you've gotta laugh.
Jimmy Durante
Laugh, laugh and take it.
Claudius B. Bowers
Philosopher. Why, I remember years ago when you were just a baby. We were playing this furry town. Always a hard luck town for the Tunch 9 Wonder Gold. A guy walking and said, are you Brady Bowers? I says, yes, I'm Brainy Powers. He says, see Brady Bowers? I said, sure. And with that, the guy hands me a paper. Why, you could eliminated me from the Olympic Games. But I laughed. I laughed some right out of it. And only yesterday I was trolling through a department store. The Boston saw Minneapolis. I was stopped for a hatter, a nice red crab batter. By filter. By filter. Then I strolled over to the chemise department. I don't know why, but there I was in the chemise department, unescorted, a lone wolf. When suddenly I see the same guy coming straight towards me, saying, now that's the kind of a guy you have. A semi fancy. A twiddle twa. Be a twiddle twa. That's meant fight. I make the leap for him. I miss him. He makes a leap for me. He connects. Then what do I do? I resorted to gigistic. I grabbed his wrist with one hand, and with the other hand I twist his leg around his neck. And the first thing you know, I'm flat on the back. I get some kind of waffle, gathers all my strength.
John A. Considine
And I was off. Yes, I was off.
Claudius B. Bowers
Off like a toupee in a windstar. But he overtakes me, pitched me up and throws me against the wall. My bouncer's back I'm getting Throws me against the wall again. I bounce his back. A handball player. But to show him what kind of a guy I was, I get stuff and what do I do? I throws myself against the wall and bounces back singing Billy, Billy bump your baby boy Billy, Billy bump your baby boy Billy, billy bump Tell McGee, whenever you're in trouble, I want you to always remember the bad words. Pin up, old beat and stand the cast to the Apatriachian laughter Don't worry, Mickey. Hold the port till I return with reinforcements. And if things look dark when I'm away and disaster threatens, remember one thing. Rainey Powers is on the job.
Donald Novis
Where is Mr. Confidine?
John A. Considine
What can I do for you, mister?
Donald Novis
Of all very little, Mr. Contradine. We're leaving.
John A. Considine
Well, you're a pretty pink half of nothing. Walking out in the circus an hour before the oxen.
Donald Novis
We ain't eaten for a week.
John A. Considine
Having between us and popcorn, we haven't got a sir. Boys and girls, I'm a human. I ain't ever felt, said or thought a reasonable thing since I was born. I believe in what my heart is. And my heart tells me that no one can take me purpose away from me. Are you with me, pooh? Bruce McGuire, you know the rumors as.
Donald Novis
Well as the rest of us.
John A. Considine
Mulligan's razor packs are laying outside with stakes in their hands ready to bust the parade to pit. Well, Mulligan's gonna start hitting us over the head, is he? That's an answer to me prayers, boys. I been begging for a Santa fight for a year.
Donald Novis
We're outnumbered two to one, Chief.
John A. Considine
Besides, they've been eating outnumbered and undernourished for more glory. Come on. We've got Jumbo, haven't we? Hannibal captured carfish with a single elephant half the size of Jumbo. Well, according to all the historians and you scouts before Mulligan, shame on you. Shame on you all. Fall in. Follow three tiers fritgon a trompady. Hoorah. Hoorah. Ah, it's now you boys and girls. I'm going out there alone and parading by myself if you don't follow me. Listen to that music. Doesn't it do anything, dear? When we were broke in Milwaukee, when they had us on our knees in Raspine, when we were starving in Amarilla, it was that song that lifted us up and won the day for us. Let's hear you sing it now. Come on, everybody. Young man's right.
Donald Novis
Come on, men.
John A. Considine
We'll run the mulligan punch.
Claudius B. Bowers
In line.
John A. Considine
In line, everybody.
Claudius B. Bowers
It.
Louis A. Whitten
Undoubtedly Brainy Bowers will work out a plan to save the day. Just how? Well, we'll find out later. Brainy said fire chief has elephant power. It's the jumbo of gasoline. Well, that's his way of saying it. And perhaps it's just as good a way as any to describe the extra the power of fire chief. Brainy knows the people of Albuquerque want fire chief. And that's true everywhere. The Texaco pump is the popular stopping place for gasoline. Why? Because fire chief fully meets United States government emergency specifications for fire engines and ambulances. It's faster, you get more speed out of it. And yet you pay the same price as for ordinary gasoline. Try a tank full of fire chiefs. Drive with second and save. Louis A. Whitten speaking for the Texas Company invite you to tune in again next Tuesday to the Jumbo Fire Chief program for further adventures of the Considine Wonder Show. And remember, whenever you hear the siren.
Donald Novis
And bell, think of Texaco. This is the Masimo Broadcasting Company.
Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio – "The Circus Is In Trouble"
Episode Title: Jumbo Fire Chief Program 35-10-29 01
Release Date: February 28, 2025
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio
Description: Dive into the golden era of radio with "The Circus Is In Trouble," a captivating episode from the Jumbo Fire Chief Program. Set against the vibrant backdrop of the New York Hippodrome, this episode weaves a tale of ambition, rivalry, and redemption within the bustling world of circus entertainment.
The episode opens with Louis A. Whitten setting the stage at the [00:07] New York Hippodrome, highlighting a live audience of 4,500 eager listeners. Whitten introduces the creative minds behind the story—Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur—and the musical talents of Richard Rogers and Lawrence Hart. The cast is led by the charismatic Jimmy Durante as Claudius B. Bowers, affectionately dubbed "Brainy," alongside Arthur Sinclair as John A. Considine, the determined owner of the Jumbo Show, and Donald Novis as Matt Mulligan, the son of Considine's fiercest rival.
Notable Quote:
"Mexico is on the air... with original songs by Richard Rogers and Lawrence Hart." — Louis A. Whitten [00:07]
At [01:40], Whitten narrates the bustling preparations of the Greater Considine Wonder Show. The circus is abuzz with rain jugglers, animal trainers, contortionists, and acrobats rehearsing their acts. Daredevils practice their high-wire and trapeze routines, all set to the enchanting "song of the circus."
Notable Quote:
"We are broadcasting from the sawdust ring of the New York Hippodrome, scene of the most spectacular theatrical venture of the time." — Louis A. Whitten [00:07]
The plot thickens as John A. Considine ([02:49]) attempts to perfect a grand spectacle—shooting Diablo the elephant out of a cannon. However, tensions arise when Arthur Sinclair and APK (an actor portraying Jellicoe) express reluctance to proceed with the parade ([03:38]). The underlying issue is revealed: Considine's circus is losing business to the rival Mulligan Circus, leading to strained relationships and financial woes.
Notable Quote:
"We ain't parading, Mr. Considine." — Arthur Sinclair [03:38]
"Reluctance? And what for? Come and have a look outside at Main Street." — John A. Considine [03:46]
Considine grapples with unpaid debts and promises to his troupe ([04:27]). The situation escalates when government agents, led by Claudius B. Bowers ([12:00]), arrive to auction off the circus to recover back income taxes. Considine vehemently denies the allegations, branding them as political lies ([16:37]).
Notable Quote:
"This is a sociable call." — Donald Novis [11:41]
"Perjury is only going to make matters worse." — Donald Novis [14:57]
Bowers emerges as a pivotal character, masquerading as a banker while covertly working with government officials to seize the circus. His interactions reveal a manipulative nature, attempting to deceive and pressure Considine into compliance ([14:03]–[15:17]). However, moments of vulnerability surface when Bowers interacts with Dorothy, Considine's daughter, showcasing his "heart of gold" despite his antagonistic role.
Notable Quote:
"The secret of my success is no secret. I sell technical fire chiefs." — Claudius B. Bowers [19:11]
"When things are tattered, you've gotta laugh." — Claudius B. Bowers [21:27]
As the threat of the auction looms ([16:47]), Considine rallies his troupe, invoking memories of past hardships overcome through unity and perseverance. He urges everyone to join him in a final parade to fend off Mulligan's forces, symbolizing hope and resilience.
Notable Quote:
"We'll run the Mulligan punch." — John A. Considine [26:24]
"When we were broke in Milwaukee... it was that song that lifted us up and won the day for us." — John A. Considine [25:06]
In the face of adversity, Brainy Bowers devises a plan to save the circus, blending his technical expertise with genuine concern for the troupe. The community's support and the troupe's unwavering spirit culminate in a triumphant resolution, preventing the auction and ensuring the circus's survival.
Notable Quote:
"Undoubtedly Brainy Bowers will work out a plan to save the day." — Louis A. Whitten [28:49]
"Forget the screen and stage. And for our children." — APK [07:20]
The episode concludes with a heartfelt musical number, celebrating the unity and indomitable spirit of the Considine Wonder Show. Louis A. Whitten wraps up the episode by praising Brainy Bowers' ingenuity and inviting listeners to tune in for future adventures, leaving the audience inspired by the timeless themes of courage and community.
Notable Quote:
"Louis A. Whitten speaking for the Texas Company invite you to tune in again next Tuesday." — Louis A. Whitten [29:26]
"Whenever you hear the siren and bell, think of Texaco." — Donald Novis [30:28]
"The Circus Is In Trouble" encapsulates the essence of old-time radio drama—dynamic characters, intricate plots, and moral resolutions. Through its engaging storytelling and memorable performances, the episode offers both entertainment and timeless lessons on resilience and unity.