Jerry At Fair Oaks

Jerry at Fair Oaks was a 1938 syndicated radio serial broadcast for a juvenile audience. It was presented in 32 15-minute episodes and served as a sequel to the 1937 series Jerry of the Circus. The series followed the adventures of Jerry Dougan, an orphan who joins the Randall Brothers Circus after the death of his father, as he transitions to life at the Military Academy at Fair Oaks.

Jerry’s adventures at Fair Oaks are often seen as a touching coming of age drama of a young boy taking his first steps towards manhood. While Jerry hates to leave the circus behind, he soon makes new friends – and even enemies – among his fellow cadets while participating in the academy’s football and polo teams. Jerry also becomes involved in a mystery surrounding his roommate and fellow cadet Les.

The Stars

Jerry Dougan, the main protagonist, is an orphan who joins the Randall Brothers Circus after the death of his father. He is later enrolled at the Military Academy at Fair Oaks by the circus owner, Sam Randall, who becomes Jerry’s legal guardian. Jerry’s dog Rags also accompanies him to the academy.

Other notable characters include Bumps, a circus performer who recruits Jerry’s dog Rags for his act; Patsy, the circus artist; and Major Mike, a performer who regards himself as the star attraction on the circus. At the academy, Jerry befriends fellow cadets like Red, Tubby, and Harold, while also encountering rivals like Les.

Key Dates

• Jerry at Fair Oaks debuted in 1938 and ran for 32 episodes that year, serving as a sequel to the 1937 series Jerry of the Circus.
• The series was produced and syndicated by Transco.

Other Information

Jerry at Fair Oaks was one of the few radio shows from Radio’s Golden Age that managed to spin off an equally successful sequel series. The original Jerry of the Circus series proved so popular with young listeners that the follow-up series about Jerry’s adventures at a military school was quickly conceived.

The series is considered a timeless and classic coming of age story that still enthralls listeners with its powerful storytelling. While Jerry initially struggles with leaving the circus behind, his experiences at Fair Oaks Academy help him mature and take important steps towards adulthood.