Going to the Circus – All Set and Saddled (1942)

Summary

Old Time Radio Westerns Podcast: Episode Summary

Title: Going to the Circus – All Set and Saddled (1942)
Host: Andrew Ryans
Release Date: April 6, 2025

---

Introduction

In this episode of Old Time Radio Westerns, host Andrew Ryans presents an exclusive look into the only surviving episode of the 1942 show All Set and Saddled, titled "Going to the Circus." Despite the age of the series, Ryans assures listeners of enhanced audio quality that brings clarity to every creak, hoofbeat, and gunshot, immersing them fully into this classic Western tale.

---

Character Introductions

• Shorty Long: The protagonist, a steadfast cowboy with a deep bond to his horse, Kim.
• Tex Morton: Shorty's companion, often involved in Shorty's ventures.
• Irene Johnson: Daughter of Mr. Johnson, engaged to Reg Tracy.
• Mike Kelly: A former rodeo worker now associated with the circus, harboring ulterior motives.
• Reg Tracy: Irene's fiancé, later revealed to be involved in horse stealing.
• Mr. Johnson: Irene's father, owner of the prized horse, Kim.

---

Plot Development

The episode opens with Tex Morton announcing his decision to reject offers from circuses to stay loyal to his horse, Kim. At [01:22], Tex declares, "I've been offered big money by more than one circus to go with a merced spruca," setting the stage for the central conflict of loyalty versus financial temptation.

Shorty Long defends their bond, responding at [03:31], "Kim and I sort of belong together. I've had him from the time he was born right up till now," highlighting the depth of their relationship and the stakes involved.

---

Major Conflicts and Climax

The tension escalates when Mike Kelly reappears, now working with the circus, and attempts to acquire Kim. At [03:35], Mike insists, "He'd make it well worth your while," prompting Shorty to firmly decline, asserting, "Kim's not for sale." This confrontation underscores the central struggle over the ownership of Kim.

Unexpectedly, Reg Tracy, Irene's fiancé, is revealed to be complicit in attempting to steal Kim alongside Mike Kelly. During a heated exchange at [09:38], Shorty confronts Reg, stating, "you walk out on both of them," which leads to a dramatic showdown.

The climax unfolds on the circus train, where a confrontation between Shorty and Tracy ensues. At [10:14], Shorty warns, "I'm going to get you," setting the stage for a classic Western duel. Their altercation intensifies as they wrestle for control of the horse, culminating in Shorty overpowering Tracy and exposing his betrayal.

---

Resolution

Following the confrontation, Shorty Long reaffirms his commitment to Kim. At [11:31], Tex challenges Shorty's decisions, to which Shorty responds, "I have Old Faithful Kim along with me," solidifying their unbreakable partnership.

The episode concludes with a heartfelt song from Kim, expressing the enduring bond between horse and rider. The lyrics at [12:13] encapsulate the theme of loyalty and companionship:

"Old faithful, we rode the range together,
Most faithful in every kind of weather..."

---

Conclusion and Reflections

"Going to the Circus" masterfully weaves themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the unbreakable bond between a cowboy and his horse. Through engaging dialogue and dynamic character interactions, the episode delivers a timeless Western narrative. Andrew Ryans successfully revitalizes this 1942 classic, offering listeners a rich and immersive experience that honors the golden age of radio Westerns.

---

Notable Quotes

• Tex Morton (01:22): "I've been offered big money by more than one circus to go with a merced spruca."
• Shorty Long (03:31): "Kim and I sort of belong together. I've had him from the time he was born right up till now."
• Shorty Long (09:38): "You walk out on both of them."
• Shorty Long (11:31): "I have Old Faithful Kim along with me."
• Kim (12:13):
  "Old faithful, we rode the range together,
  Most faithful in every kind of weather..."

---

Final Thoughts

This episode stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of Western radio dramas. With its expertly restored audio and compelling storytelling, Going to the Circus offers both nostalgia for longtime fans and an engaging introduction for new listeners.

---

Thank you for diving into this episode summary. For more enriching Western tales, be sure to subscribe to otrwesterns.com.

Transcript

[Grainger Advertiser]

If your job at a healthcare facility includes disinfecting against viruses, you know prevention is the best medicine. And maintaining healthy spaces starts with a healthy cleaning routine. Grainger's world class supply chain helps ensure you have the quality products you need when you need them. From disinfectants and cleaning supplies to personal protective equipment so you can help deliver a clean bill of health. Call 1-800-GRAINGER clickgranger.com or just stop by Granger for the ones who get it done.

[Andrew Ryans]

Welcome to the Old Time Radio Westerns. I'm your host, Andrew Ryans. And let's get into this episode. This episode is going to be Western Stories Original air date. Well, we know it comes from 1942. We don't know much about the show. This is the only surviving episode from what I can find. The show was called All Set and Saddled. And the title of this episode is Going to the Circus. It's an interesting take and it does come from 1942, so expect some corniness in there. I hope you enjoy. And again, thanks for listening.

[Tex Morton]

Now look here, you two. I've made up my mind. I'm not going to have any more cracks about my voice. All right then, Jordy. You fellas mightn't believe it, but I've been offered big money by more than one circus to go with a merced spruca.

[Shorty Long]

Why didn't you take a batman, Shorty?

[Tex Morton]

Well, trouble with circuses, Texas, they ain't no excitement in it. Oh, darn it. I get more excitement just riding around with you. Well, perhaps. Perhaps Tess has got something to do with it.

[Irene Johnson]

Surety.

[Tex Morton]

I remember once he and Tim found a circus pretty exciting. The circus didn't have nothing to do with it. It was that no good low damn thieving. Wait a minute, wait a minute. Shorty, let Tex tell the folks about it.

[Shorty Long]

Well, you see, Dory, some time back, Shorty and I went to see a circus that came to town when the show in the big tent was over and the boys were getting a fellow who used to work around the rodeo's.

[Tex Morton]

Hi, Tex.

[Shorty Long]

I know, Short. You want to eat?

[Tex Morton]

I want. How do you know? Oh, darn it. You ought to get a job as a fortune teller.

[Shorty Long]

Why, Mike. Mike Kelly.

[Mike Kelly]

Ah, sure, it does me heart good to see you. Gee, I've been missing you fellas since I left the rodeos.

[Shorty Long]

Oh, we've missed you too, Mike. What are you doing now?

[Mike Kelly]

Why, I work here with the circus. Didn't you know? Hey, there's the boss and his office. I want you to meet them. Tex. Mr. Johnson. Mr. Johnson, I want you to meet some old pals of mine. I'd be delighted. Mike, this is Tex Morton and his pal, Shorty Long. Oh, and Tex. And Shorty, this is Mr. Johnson's daughter, Ms. Irene. The pride and joy of the Johnston. Socrates.

[Irene Johnson]

Mike, you didn't kiss the Blarney Stone. You swallowed it. Mr. Morton. Mr. Long, this is a very great pleasure.

[Mike Kelly]

Yes, indeed, Mr. Morton. As a matter of fact, something I heard made me very anxious to meet you and your horse, Kim.

[Shorty Long]

Well, Kim staked out behind the tent. I'll get him for you, if you like.

[Irene Johnson]

That's wonderful. Father's wanted to own that horse ever since Mike told us about him.

[Shorty Long]

Oh, now, hold on a minute. I said I'd get him for you. I didn't say I'd sell him.

[Mike Kelly]

He'd make it well worth your while.

[Shorty Long]

Oh, I'm sorry, but Kim's not for sale.

[Mike Kelly]

Well, if it's a question of price.

[Shorty Long]

Mr. Johnson, you couldn't buy that horse if you gave me your whole circus in exchange. You see, Kim and I sort of belong together. I've had him from the time he was born right up till now and, well, we've gone through some tough spots together and we've had fun together and somehow I think we. Well, I think we ought to end up that way.

[Mike Kelly]

Mike, see if you can't talk. Mr. Morton.

[Irene Johnson]

No, Father, please. Mr. Morton's right. He was thoughtless of us to suggest buying him.

[Shorty Long]

Oh, I wouldn't say that. Lots of people have tried to buy him. But anyhow, thanks for understanding the way I feel.

[Irene Johnson]

We would like to see him, though, if you could arrange it.

[Shorty Long]

Foldy. Easiest thing in the world. Irene. Oh, Irene.

[Irene Johnson]

Mr. Morton, this is my fiance, Mr. Tracy. Reg, this is Tex Morton.

[Shorty Long]

How do you do? Glad tonight. Oh, hello, Irene.

[Mike Kelly]

I'd like to speak to you and.

[Shorty Long]

Mr. Dawson for a minute.

[Mike Kelly]

I'm sure can wait, Reg. Mr. Morton is just going to show us his horse, Kim.

[Shorty Long]

Well, I'm sorry, sir, but this is rather important. We're breaking up and there are certain details that need your attention.

[Mike Kelly]

All right.

[Shorty Long]

Hey, wait a minute, Tex.

[Tex Morton]

That candy like Kim?

[Shorty Long]

Yeah, it was. And somebody's riding him. Hey, Kim.

[Tex Morton]

Here.

[Mike Kelly]

Boy.

[Irene Johnson]

I hope nothing's wrong. I feel terribly guilty of engineering.

[Shorty Long]

Hey, what's the big idea, mister?

[Mike Kelly]

I don't know what you're talking about.

[Tex Morton]

Come on, you dumb beast.

[Shorty Long]

Hey, get down off my horse. Come on, get down.

[Mike Kelly]

Suppose you just try and make me.

[Shorty Long]

Well, Miss Irene, I think this is Just as good a time as any to show you some of Kim's tricks. All right, boys. Come on down, Kim. Lie down. Hey.

[Mike Kelly]

Hey, wait a minute. What's going on here?

[Shorty Long]

All right, Kim, roll over. Over. That's the boy. Hey, what are you trying to do, kill me?

[Mike Kelly]

Why, you no good.

[Shorty Long]

No, you don't. You don't want to stand and you can't finish, mister. Now, what are you doing on my horse? Come on, start talking.

[Mike Kelly]

I was taken into the train with the rest of Mr. Johnson's horses.

[Irene Johnson]

He.

[Shorty Long]

He said he bought it from you.

[Irene Johnson]

What?

[Mike Kelly]

Oh, that's ridiculous. I said no such thing.

[Shorty Long]

I'll take your word on that, Mr. Johnson.

[Mike Kelly]

You have my word. Daggett, I don't know what you're up.

[Shorty Long]

To, but I want no part of it.

[Mike Kelly]

Now get out of here before I have you whipped off. You can't kick me around like that. I'll show you.

[Irene Johnson]

I hope you know how Father and I feel about you.

[Shorty Long]

Oh, that's all right. No harm done.

[Irene Johnson]

Well, just to prove that there's no hard feelings, won't you and your friend have dinner with us on the circus train? We've got a wonderful cook.

[Tex Morton]

All right, we eat. And a bad time.

[Shorty Long]

Well, we'd like to. I'm sorry to break in on this happy little gathering, but there's work to be done.

[Irene Johnson]

She has to have dinner and I thought.

[Shorty Long]

Oh, not this time, Miss Irene. Thank you very much just the same.

[Irene Johnson]

But we're heading for Long Reach Tech. If we get up that way.

[Shorty Long]

If we do, you'll have visitors. Goodbye, Miss Irene. Come on, Shorty.

[Tex Morton]

Salon. Gee, am I glad to be getting some food at last. You know Tex. Say, what's got into you? A nice free meal we could add. With a bunch of girl like that Miss Irene and you just kick it in the nose.

[Shorty Long]

Yeah, that Miss Irene's all right, but. Oh, that fellow she's engaged to. Oh, no.

[Tex Morton]

Yeah, I lose me appetite just thinking of him. Hey, Shorty, what's the matter?

[Shorty Long]

I'll swear I just saw that Tracy fell peeking in this window. And that horse, Steven Twer was with him.

[Tex Morton]

The one who tried to steal Kim. Ah, you must be wrong.

[Shorty Long]

I hope I am. But let's take a look at Kim anyway. If one of those fellas has hurt Kim. Ch. He's done those no good horse stuffers. Come on, Shorty, we're going after them. Your horse is going to have to ride double for a while.

[Mike Kelly]

Okay. Excellent.

[Tex Morton]

But how we going to catch them? You see that? The circus Train's pulling out now.

[Shorty Long]

We're heading for Bryce Summit. The train comes out of a tunnel there and we're going aboard it.

[Tex Morton]

Oh, well, I guess you. You mean while the train's going?

[Shorty Long]

Unless you can think of a better way to get on. Shorty. Come on, climb up.

[Tex Morton]

All right, I'm up, but I don't like the old thing.

[Shorty Long]

Come on, Missy. Come on, Missy. Let's r.

[Tex Morton]

Let's think this out. Maybe if we climb down on the track.

[Shorty Long]

Yeah. Stay here and let Kim think I ran out on them. Not me. I was just thinking, Shorty. Here she is. Shorty, when I give you the word, jump. I still think. Okay, let's go. You all right, Jordyn?

[Tex Morton]

Oh, I think I skinned my knees right down to the yak.

[Shorty Long]

You'll be all right. I'll find that darn horse that it takes me the rest of my life.

[Mike Kelly]

Look at that horse, Bill. Yep, me and Tracy got a bargain all right when we bought Kim. Boy, just think of the money we'll win down there.

[Tex Morton]

Hey, what was that?

[Mike Kelly]

Oh, what's the matter with that pool? Cut it out. Shut up. I'll beat the living daylights out of you.

[Shorty Long]

Keep your hands off that horse. What? Yeah, I'll teach you to go stealing other people's horses.

[Tex Morton]

All right, put your hands up, all of you. This is quickly between Tex and that. Go on, Tex. Give him one for me.

[Shorty Long]

All right, Mel, where's Sway? Come on, start talking, Twinkle.

[Mike Kelly]

He won't talk for a long time, mister. But Quesie's back with all the other cars.

[Shorty Long]

Okay, thanks. Come on, Shorty, we got work to do. Irene, your entire attitude is most unreasonable. You've changed so completely.

[Irene Johnson]

I'm sorry, Rach, but I can't go to Sydney or anywhere else with you. That's fine.

[Shorty Long]

I'm sure you're weak and you've had a trying day. Thanks. All right, Tracy. I've got a little business to settle with you. Oh, really? That's very interesting. You were in on that horse stealing job with Dagger. I saw you together.

[Irene Johnson]

And Ridge, you didn't.

[Shorty Long]

I'm sorry, Ms. Irene, but he did. He took Kim. And I'm gonna give him the threshing of his life for it.

[Mike Kelly]

Now, look here, Morton. All right, reach for the roost, cowboy. Beat me up, will you?

[Shorty Long]

Now you'll have to catch me first. Hey, grab him. Stop him, somebody. Hey, Shorty, where did Tracy go?

[Tex Morton]

I don't know, Ticks. I think he climbed up on top.

[Shorty Long]

Well, get up in front and tell him to stop this train. I'm going up after him.

[Tex Morton]

Okay, Tick.

[Shorty Long]

It'S not that you're running crazy. I'm going to get you. If I have to take you to China. You ask for help. All right, mister, if that's the way you want to play, I can wait. You're not so good with a gun, Tracy. I could insert it with a pea shooter.

[Mike Kelly]

Why you.

[Shorty Long]

All right, Tracy, your gun's empty. I think that's enough playing around.

[Mike Kelly]

You wait for me more. I'm watching.

[Irene Johnson]

Keep away.

[Shorty Long]

Put a knife on them. You got a knife too, have you? Dirty snake. That's a couple from me and one extra for Tim.

[Tex Morton]

How you doing?

[Shorty Long]

Fine, Shorty. Tell the sergeant to dust out an extra cell. He's going to have a high class horse sleep for a steady border.

[Tex Morton]

I don't understand you.

[Shorty Long]

Well, what's the matter now, Shorty?

[Tex Morton]

A beautiful girl like that Miss Irene just fining to be noticed. And her father willing to give us a bunzer job. And then you walk out on both of them.

[Shorty Long]

Well, you know how I am, Curie foot loose and free. That's my kind of life. Pull up stakes and ride away down the trail anytime I feel like it. What do you say, Kim?

[Kim]

Yeah.

[Mike Kelly]

Well, it's.

[Tex Morton]

It's an awful lonesome kind of life, that's all I can say.

[Shorty Long]

Oh, I don't know, Shorty. I'll be all right so long as I have Old Faithful Kim along with me.

[Kim]

Old faithful we rode the range together. Most faithful in every clim the weather. When your roundup days are over There'll be passive quiet with clover for you O faithful pal of mine. Hurry up old fella. Cause the moon is yellow tonight. Hurry up old fella. Cause the moon is mellow and bright. There's a coyote a howling to the moon above. So carry me back to the one I love. Hurry up. Oh Felicus. We gotta get home tonight. O Faithful. We rode the range together O Faithful in every kind of weather when you round up days of oh they'll be patches white with clover for you faithful pallor mine.

[Shorty Long]

Yippee yippee yippee yip.

[Kim]

Old heart. There's food and rest and you've done your best so far. Oh carry me over the mountain ridge down the trail to the old times R Gal Lily, Bunkhouse Lily and the boy. Oh faithful, we roll the lane together. Oh Faithful in every kind of weather. When you found such things I hope there'll be packets white with clover for you O the faithful pal of mine.

[Mike Kelly]

Foreign.

[Andrew Ryans]

This has been a presentation of otrwesterns.com and we hope you enjoyed. Please take some time to like and rate our shows in your favorite podcast application. Follow us on Facebook by going to otrwesterns.com Facebook join in the conversation by going to otrwesterns.Com Discord and don't forget to send us an email podcasttrwesterns.com this episode is copyright under the Attribution Non Commercial Share Like Copyright. For more information go to otrwesterns.com copyright have a great day and again, thanks for listening.