Jerry Of The Circus

Jerry of the Circus was a wonderfully heartwarming and delightful children’s radio series that was syndicated in 1937. The show follows the adventures of Jerry Dugan, an orphaned young boy, and his dog Rags as they join the Randall Brothers Circus after the death of Jerry’s family.

In the premiere episode, Jerry brings a note to the circus owner, Sam Randall, from his father saying that Jerry “has the circus in his blood.” This is how Jerry and his loyal dog Rags become members of the circus. The series, which is 15 minutes in length, takes listeners on Jerry’s journey as he settles into his new life with the circus performers.

The Stars

The main characters in Jerry of the Circus included:

Jerry Dougan: The orphaned protagonist who joins the circus and becomes friends with many of the performers. Rags: Jerry’s loyal dog who is recruited by the clown Bumps to be part of his act. Mr. Randall: The owner of the Randall Brothers Circus who takes Jerry under his wing. Howard McNear as Bumps the Clown: The clown who befriends Jerry and uses his dog Rags in his act. Elvia Allman as Patsy the trapeze artist: The trapeze artist of the circus. Jason: The large cat trainer. Carmen Bandini: The tightrope walker who leaves the circus for Hollywood. Buddy Duncan as Major Mike: The little person who regards himself as the star attraction on the midway. Decker/Dan Dougan: Jerry’s kindly circus performer uncle who is suffering from amnesia. Lorenz: The knife-throwing performer who controls Decker through bribery. Clara: The costumer. Johnny Bradley: The Shakespearean clown.

Key Dates

• Jerry of the Circus was first syndicated in 1937 and ran for a total of 130 episodes of which 128 are extant.
• The series debuted on June 28, 1937.
• The final episode was broadcast on December 24, 1937.
• There were no significant breaks in the show’s run, and the main cast remained consistent throughout the series.

Other Information

In addition to the main Jerry of the Circus series, there was a follow-up series called Jerry at Fair Oaks that continued the adventures of Jerry Dugan. The series was sponsored by various companies over the course of its run, including a book tie-in promotion.

Jerry of the Circus was a beloved children’s program that captivated audiences with its heartwarming stories, memorable characters, and excellent production values.

The series has endured as a classic of old-time radio, delighting both young and old listeners alike with its timeless charm and adventure.