RUSC MAILING

Written by Ned Norris

If your December could use a little radio magic, I’ve got just the ticket. The Cinnamon Bear first aired in 1937 as a children’s Christmas serial—26 bite-size episodes, 12–15 minutes each—meant to be heard one a day from Thanksgiving to Christmas. It was built for family ritual, and it still sparkles.

The story is a cozy quest: siblings Judy and Jimmy Barton lose the Silver Star for their tree, meet the dashing Paddy O’Cinnamon—the Cinnamon Bear with the shoe-button eyes—and slip into the miniature world of Maybe Land to find it. Along the way: the Root Beer Ocean, the land of the Inkaboos, the Wintergreen Witch, the Roly-Poly Policeman, Captain Tintop, and the unforgettable Crazy Quilt Dragon.

The production is top-shelf: warm narration, playful sound effects, and Bud Duncan giving Paddy a friendly Irish lilt. The cliffhangers are clever, never frightening, and every “tune in tomorrow” lands with a smile. No rush, no racket—just a gentle pace that’s easy to savor.

I’m planning to listen from RUSC the classic way this year—one episode each evening starting right after Thanksgiving. If you’d like to join me, pour some cocoa, queue up Episode 1, and let’s count down together. Fun note: in Portland, the Bear still inspires family events—proof this tradition still has legs (and shoe-button eyes).

See you on the inside,

RUSC Old Time Radio
www.rusc.com

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