A Circus Deal: Lum & Abner Hire Squire Skimp

Originally Aired: March 15, 1935

In Lum & Abner #65, “A Circus Deal,” Lum and Abner find themselves in the thick of the circus business, having taken feed as admission and drawn crowds from miles around. Their success attracts Squire Skimp, who tries to secure a third interest in the operation. But Lum and Dick Huddleston have other plans—offering Squire a salary instead of a partnership. Misunderstandings abound, especially when Abner takes “hiring for a song” a bit too literally. With Squire’s flair for promotion and a cast of eccentric circus animals (including a sacred cow and royal foxhounds), the Pine Ridge crew gears up for a tent show like no other. This episode shines with classic miscommunication, cunning business decisions, and small-town charm.

Cast: Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), voices of supporting characters including Dick Huddleston and Squire Skimp

Tags: LumAndAbner, oldtimeradio, 1930scomedy, JotEmDownStore, SquireSkimp, PineRidge, radiohumor, vintagebroadcast, circusbusiness, sacredcow, whiteelephant, Horlicks, ruralcomedy, classicradio, vaudeville, thirdpartner, salaryscheme, feedforadmission