Abner Buys a Cheap Pair of Glasses

Originally Aired: March 26, 1935

In Lum & Abner #72, “Abner Buys a Cheap Pair of Glasses,” Abner becomes the latest victim of a fast-talking circus peddler, proudly sporting a dubious pair of $5 spectacles he bought for $3. Lum, exasperated by Abner’s foggy vision and gullibility, learns that the purchase was driven by Abner’s inability to follow a pea under a shell—a game he lost, blaming his eyesight. As Lum investigates, it becomes clear the spectacles are ill-fitting and unnecessary, leading him to demand a refund and threaten to expel the swindling circus men. Meanwhile, plans to move the failing circus continue, with debate over trucking elephants versus letting them walk the 18 miles to the next town. It’s an episode full of misjudgments, elephant-sized misunderstandings, and classic Pine Ridge humor.

Cast: Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), voices of supporting characters including Squire Skimp and the unnamed circus crew

Tags: LumAndAbner, oldtimeradio, 1930scomedy, JotEmDownStore, SquireSkimp, PineRidge, radiohumor, vintagebroadcast, Horlicks, circusantics, baddeal, AbnersGlasses, elephantlogic, smalltowncomedy, vaudeville, GoffAndLauck, spectaclefiasco