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Lum & Abner: Classic Small-Town Comedy artwork

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Lum & Abner: Classic Small-Town Comedy

Presented by lumabner

Step back into the heartwarming world of Pine Ridge, Arkansas, where Lum Edwards and Abner Peabody run their general store—and get into all kinds of hilarious misadventures along the way! Lum & Abner: Classic Small-Town Comedy brings you the best restored episodes of this beloved Old Time Radio show, featuring the quick wit, charming banter, and homespun humor that entertained generations.

Join Lum and Abner as they navigate small-town life, dream up ambitious schemes, and share the kind of laughter that never goes out of style. With crystal-clear remastered audio, accurate episode details, and cast information, this is the ultimate collection for Old Time Radio enthusiasts and new fans alike.

Subscribe now and experience a piece of radio history—one episode at a time!

246 episodes

  1. Tulsa Police Arrest Squire

    Apr 28, 2026 · 14 min

    Originally Aired: September 26, 1935 Lum & Abner #204, "Tulsa Police Arrest Squire," Lum faces a potential penitentiary sentence for violating the Blue Sky Law after selling worthless stock in Squire Skimp's fraudulent silver mine. Despite having paid back all the stockholders with his own money, Lum is still technically guilty of selling fraudulent stock. His only hope for acquittal rests on apprehending Squire Skimp, who has fled to Tulsa, Oklahoma, and bringing him back to Pine Ridge to testify that he was the true instigator of the scheme. Dick Huddleston has contacted the Tulsa police chief for help locating Squire, and he encourages Lum to hire a lawyer, suggesting young Tom Parker, the son of W.L. Parker. At Dick's store, Lum struggles with worry and self-pity as his trial approaches. Dick delivers an impassioned speech about the dangers of feeling sorry for oneself, urging Lum not to give up. Dick reminds him that he even invested two hundred and fifty dollars in the mine himself, which proves he believed the stock was legitimate. With federal court convening the following week, time is running short to locate Squire and mount a proper defense.

  2. Will Lum Will Skip Out On His Bail

    Apr 27, 2026 · 14 min

    Originally Aired: September 25, 1935 In Lum & Abner #203, "Will Lum Will Skip Out On His Bail," Lum faces serious legal trouble for violating the Blue Sky Law through his involvement in Squire Skimp's fraudulent silver mine stock scheme. His only hope of clearing himself is to produce the Squire in time for his trial, but there's a problem: Squire has skipped town to Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Lum's bondsmen, particularly Uncle Henry Lunsford, refuse to let him leave Pine Ridge to retrieve him. With Grandpappy Spears looking on, the men realize they're stuck between a rock and a hard place. If Lum can't bring back the Squire, he's facing ten to fifteen years in prison. A solution emerges when Grandpappy suggests that Abner, as the town constable, should be the one to travel to Tulsa and bring Squire back. Lum eagerly draws up an arrest warrant, and Abner initially agrees to the plan, ready to slap handcuffs on the fugitive. However, when Abner calls his wife Elizabeth to pack his belongings for the trip, he encounters an unexpected obstacle that threatens to derail their entire scheme.

  3. Abner Helps Lum Pack for Trip to Tulsa

    Apr 26, 2026 · 15 min

    Originally Aired: September 24, 1935 In Lum & Abner #202, "Abner Helps Lum Pack for Trip to Tulsa," Lum faces possible conviction for violating the Blue Sky Law after being duped into a fake silver mine scheme. His only hope for acquittal is to track down the elusive Squire Skimp, the shady promoter who's now hiding out in Tulsa, Oklahoma. As Lum prepares for his trip, his well-meaning partner Abner takes charge of the packing, stuffing Lum's valise with everything from six months' worth of clothes to a heavy overcoat in the middle of warm weather. The packing session turns comical when Abner reveals his grand plan for Lum to travel in disguise, complete with fake whiskers made from old settee stuffing. Despite Lum's protests that he's trying to catch Squire, not hide from him, Abner remains convinced his disguise is brilliant, having successfully fooled his own wife Elizabeth that morning, though it cost him two ricks of chopped wood to prove he was a "tramp." As the two friends bicker over unnecessary items and Abner's increasingly ridiculous suggestions, the urgent mission to bring Squire back before trial takes a backseat to their trademark comic misunderstandings.

  4. Discussing Detective Methods

    Apr 25, 2026 · 15 min

    Originally Aired: September 23, 1935 In Lum & Abner #201, "Discussing Detective Methods," Lum faces a desperate situation after learning that paying back all the silver mine stockholders has only made him look more guilty of violating the Blue Sky Law. His only hope for acquittal lies in tracking down Squire Skimp, the man who actually promoted the fraudulent mining company, and bringing him back to Pine Ridge before the trial. When Abner stops by after his morning route on the rolling grocery store, he brings along his old constable manual on detective work, convinced he has found the perfect solution to Lum's problems. Abner enthusiastically suggests that Lum disguise himself to catch the Squire, peppering his friend with increasingly absurd ideas pulled from the detective book. He proposes everything from dressing up as an Indian or Santa Claus to borrowing Uncle Henry Lunsford's bear costume from a masquerade party. Lum grows increasingly exasperated with each ridiculous suggestion, pointing out the obvious flaws in Abner's logic, but his well-meaning friend remains undeterred, flipping through the manual to find inspiration for the perfect disguise to help catch Squire Skimp.

  5. Dick Huddleston Talks to Judge of Lum’s Case

    Apr 24, 2026 · 15 min

    Originally Aired: September 20, 1935 In Lum & Abner #200, "Dick Huddleston Talks to Judge of Lum's Case," the consequences of the silver mine stock scandal continue to weigh heavily on Pine Ridge. Lum Edwards faces charges for violating the Blue Sky Law after selling stock in the fraudulent Great Western Sterling Silver Company, a scheme orchestrated by the now-vanished Squire Skimp. Desperate to clear his name, Lum borrows money from the Mount Idy bank, putting up his interest in the rolling grocery store as collateral, and systematically repays every stockholder, including his partner Abner. He collects the stock certificates back, hoping to eliminate evidence against him. Meanwhile, Dick Huddleston has secretly traveled to the county seat to speak with the judge on Lum's behalf, trying to get the charges dropped now that all investors have been reimbursed. As Abner and Dick discuss the situation at the store, they worry about the potential ten-year prison sentence Lum faces if convicted. The situation grows even more poignant when Lum reveals he and Evelyn had planned to marry at Christmas, but he now feels he cannot ask her to marry a man so deeply in debt and facing the loss of everything he owns.

  6. Lum Sells All of his Possessions

    Apr 23, 2026 · 15 min

    Originally Aired: September 19, 1935 In Lum & Abner #199, "Lum Sells All of his Possessions," panic grips Pine Ridge when Lum mysteriously vanishes after being released from jail on a $5,000 bond. Having been arrested by federal authorities for violating the Blue Sky Law by selling fraudulent stock in the Great Western Sterling Silver Company, Lum now faces serious criminal charges. When Abner searches everywhere for his partner and discovers Lum's house empty, his livestock gone, and most tellingly, his prized steeple clock missing, the worst seems confirmed. The bondsmen, including Abner and the cantankerous Grandpappy Spears, fear they'll be stuck paying the entire bond if Lum has indeed jumped bail. While Dick Huddleston tries to defend Lum's character, insisting he would never abandon his friends, the evidence mounts against him. The townsfolk grow increasingly bitter, with many stockholders blaming Lum for their losses, despite the fact that he was merely working for Squire Skimp and genuinely believed in the investment. As Cedric Weehunt arrives at the store mysteriously offering to sell a milk cow and claiming to be in the cattle business, the question remains whether Lum has truly fled or if something else is afoot.

  7. Raising $5000 Bail Money

    Apr 22, 2026 · 15 min

    Originally Aired: September 18, 1935 Lum & Abner #198, "Raising $5000 Bail Money," Lum finds himself locked in the Pine Ridge jail after being arrested by Mr. Donahue, a Department of Justice representative, for violating the Blue Sky Law by selling fraudulent stock in the Great Western Sterling Silver Company. Abner has been trying to raise the $5000 bond needed to secure Lum's release, but the townsfolk aren't moving quickly enough for Lum's liking. When Lum tries to motivate Abner by invoking the old saying that "tomorrow never comes," he inadvertently creates total confusion. What starts as simple advice quickly spirals into an absurd philosophical debate about the nature of time. Abner becomes genuinely convinced that Lum is claiming tomorrow will literally never arrive, leading him to panic about all the repenting he needs to do, including coming clean about trading a blind horse to Eli Wilkins. As the conversation grows more tangled, Abner begins to suspect that Lum has suffered a head injury and starts testing his mental faculties, much to Lum's bewilderment. When Dick Huddleston arrives to potentially sign the bond, Abner's concern for Lum's supposed confusion threatens to derail the whole arrangement.

  8. Speech on Honesty at School

    Apr 21, 2026 · 15 min

    Originally Aired: September 17, 1935 In Lum & Abner #197, "Speech on Honesty at School," excitement buzzes through Pine Ridge after a mysterious stranger named Mr. Donahue purchases stock in Lum's Great Western Sterling Silver Mining Company. The stockholders are convinced that Donahue, who flashed a large roll of bills and bought shares without asking questions, must have inside information about the mine's potential. Meanwhile, Lum has been strutting around town in his Sunday suit—ostensibly because of his position as company president, though Abner suspects it has more to do with schoolteacher Evelina's return to Pine Ridge. As school opening day approaches, Lum reveals that Evelina has asked him to deliver a speech to the students. When he pulls out a tablet full of notes and begins reading his address about the "harp strings of memory" and "bright and shiny faces," both Abner and Dick Huddleston quickly recognize it as the same tired speech Lum has recycled for the past ten years. Despite Lum's protests that it's brand new, his friends aren't fooled by his windy oratory one bit.

  9. First Day of School

    Apr 20, 2026 · 15 min

    Originally Aired: September 16, 1935 In Lum & Abner #196, "First Day of School," Lum finds himself in hot water with the stockholders of the Great Western Sterling Silver Company. Since schoolteacher Evelina Schultz has returned to Pine Ridge, Lum has been neglecting his duties as president and general manager of the mine to pursue his courtship with her. Down at Dick Huddleston's store, Grandpappy Spears voices his frustration about the investment, which has left many townspeople in financial trouble. The situation looks grim: Squire Skimp sold the stock, pocketed three thousand dollars, and left town, leaving Lum holding all the responsibility but no money to operate the mine. Hope arrives when Dick mentions that a well-dressed stranger has been looking for the manager of the silver mine. Grandpappy and the others speculate that he might be interested in buying the mine, which could help recover their lost investments. Lum, carrying his stock certificates with him at all times, expresses eagerness to make a deal, though he plans to negotiate rather than accept the first offer. The question remains whether this mysterious visitor will provide the solution to their financial troubles.

  10. Operating the Mine on Royalty Basis

    Apr 19, 2026 · 15 min

    Originally Aired: September 13, 1935 In Lum & Abner #195, "Operating the Mine on Royalty Basis," Lum finds himself back in the big chair as president and general manager of the Great Western Sterling Silver Company, reinstated by grateful stockholders after his supposed heroic rescue of Abner from kidnappers. Down at Dick Huddleston's store, Lum basks in his regained importance while Dick tries to pin him down on actual plans for the struggling mine. Though Lum insists he has plenty of ideas, he struggles to articulate exactly what he'll do to help the Pine Ridge citizens recover their investments in Squire Skimp's dubious silver mine venture. Dick suggests selling the mine or operating it on a royalty basis, where a big mining company would pay them for the silver they extract. Lum latches onto this idea enthusiastically, despite admitting the concept is somewhat over his head. The challenge remains finding a legitimate mining company interested in the operation, especially since the only evidence of silver is the suspicious chunk Squire claimed to have dug up himself. Meanwhile, Abner and Grandpap return from their grocery delivery route, with the store running low on supplies while Lum stays preoccupied with his mining responsibilities.

  11. Newspaper Article on Rescue

    Apr 18, 2026 · 15 min

    Originally Aired: September 12, 1935 Lum & Abner #194, "Newspaper Article on Rescue," Lum basks in his newfound status as Pine Ridge's hero after orchestrating a fake kidnapping of his partner Abner to restore his reputation, which had been tarnished by his involvement with fraudulent silver mining stock. When the county newspaper calls for details about the dramatic rescue, Lum eagerly writes his own account, filling it with grandiose headlines and lavish praise for himself while barely mentioning that Abner was the one actually kidnapped. Dick Huddleston drops by to congratulate Lum and hear the story firsthand, but his innocent questions about the details begin to expose cracks in Lum's fabricated tale. As Dick presses for specifics about the number of kidnappers, their location, and how the rescue unfolded, Lum struggles to keep his story straight, offering contradictory answers and evasive responses. When Abner arrives and Dick prepares to question him too, Lum quickly distracts everyone with an offer to sing together, barely escaping exposure of his elaborate hoax.

  12. Lum’s Story Gets Bigger

    Apr 17, 2026 · 15 min

    Originally Aired: September 11, 1935 In Lum & Abner #193, "Lum's Story Gets Bigger," Lum finds himself trapped in an escalating web of lies about his heroic rescue of Abner from kidnappers. What started as a scheme that Lum himself orchestrated has now spiraled out of control, as grateful townspeople continuously call to praise his bravery. Each time Lum recounts the story, the details grow more dramatic: the number of kidnappers increases from four to six to eight, weapons multiply from bare fists to shotguns and machine guns, and the danger intensifies to include Abner nearly being sawed in two at a mill. With young Cedric Weehunt visiting and phone calls pouring in from citizens like Ms. Phillips and Sister Simpson, Lum can't seem to stop embellishing his tale of courage. He instructs Cedric to spread word of his heroism while maintaining false modesty, even quoting misremembered sayings and patriotic phrases. Meanwhile, Abner awkwardly plays along when pressed to confirm Lum's bravery on the telephone, though his discomfort with the growing deception becomes increasingly apparent as the story continues to snowball beyond anyone's control.

  13. Lum Decides to Admit the Whole Thing

    Apr 16, 2026 · 15 min

    Originally Aired: September 10, 1935 In Lum & Abner #192, "Lum Decides to Admit the Whole Thing," Lum's elaborate scheme to become a hero has completely backfired. What began as a plan to stage Abner's kidnapping and then "rescue" him has spiraled into a dangerous situation. The citizens of Pine Ridge are so enraged about the supposed crime that they've pooled together a hundred dollar reward and are threatening to hang the kidnappers when caught. A detective hired by Lum's wife Elizabeth claims to have enough evidence to name the culprit by nightfall, and Lum is terrified the investigation will lead straight to him. As a nervous wreck, Lum returns home to find Abner, his willing "captive," growing tired of hiding out. Lum describes the angry mob of fifty men at the barber shop planning the kidnappers' fate, and the very real possibility of bloodhounds being brought in to track them down. Caught between facing the wrath of the entire town or being exposed by the detective's investigation, Lum considers the unthinkable: calling everyone on the party line and confessing the whole embarrassing truth.

  14. Towns people Will Set a Trap for Kidnappers

    Apr 15, 2026 · 15 min

    Originally Aired: September 9, 1935 Lum & Abner #191, "Towns people Will Set a Trap for Kidnappers," In this episode, Lum's scheme to fake Abner's kidnapping so he can stage a heroic rescue spirals out of control. While Abner hides comfortably at Lum's house eating his way through a winter's worth of canned goods, poor Lum is forced to join exhausting search parties scouring the mountains all night. Making matters worse, he's squeezing his feet into shoes three sizes too small because Abner's wife Lizabeth has been measuring everyone's footprints against the tracks left at the kidnapping scene. Lum's feet are swollen and his clothes are torn, but he can't risk being identified as the kidnapper. The situation becomes more complicated when Lizabeth calls to say she's delivering the fifty-dollar ransom money to the schoolhouse as instructed in the ransom note. Lum realizes he needs to rescue Abner before she pays the ransom, but the impatient and hungry Abner just wants to go home to his worried wife. As the episode ends, Lum frantically tries to prevent Lizabeth from leaving the money where someone else might find it, threatening to expose their entire scheme.

  15. Abner’s Kidnapping Has the Whole Town Upset

    Apr 14, 2026 · 14 min

    Originally Aired: September 6, 1935 Lum & Abner #190, "Abner's Kidnapping Has the Whole Town Upset," In a misguided attempt to restore his reputation and become a hero, Lum concocts an elaborate scheme to stage Abner's kidnapping. After reluctantly agreeing to the plan, Abner is now hiding at Lum's house while the whole town of Pine Ridge buzzes with excitement over the supposed crime. A ransom note demanding fifty dollars has been left on Abner's pillow, and news of the kidnapping spreads like wildfire through the community. As Lum returns from town, he finds a nervous Abner hiding under the dining room table, terrified that someone might discover him. The townspeople are inventing increasingly wild stories about the kidnapping. Ezra Seastrump's wife claims she saw Abner in a black car with a handkerchief in his mouth, while Luther Phillips insists he saw suspicious characters in Abner's yard. Lum even adds his own false lead about a man matching Abner's description being spotted at a Mount Idy filling station. When Sister Simpson calls to discuss the terrible news, Lum cleverly plants the idea that whoever rescues Abner will be considered a real hero, setting the stage for his own triumphant "rescue."

  16. Kidnapping Abner

    Apr 13, 2026 · 13 min

    Originally Aired: September 5, 1935 In Lum & Abner #189, "Kidnapping Abner," Lum Edwards attempts to restore his tarnished reputation by orchestrating an elaborate scheme: he'll kidnap Abner with his partner's permission, then heroically "rescue" him to win back the good graces of their fellow Pine Ridge townspeople. At midnight, Lum sneaks through Abner's bedroom window to execute the plan, but nothing goes smoothly. He has to douse the sleepy Abner with water to wake him, an alarm clock goes off at the wrong time, a lamp gets knocked over, and Abner's dog raises a ruckus as they escape. The bumbling kidnapping turns into pure chaos as Abner jumps through a closed window, injures his leg, and insists on running away in his nightshirt without proper clothes. As the pair stumbles through the darkness with Abner complaining about his sore feet and refusing to walk any further, Lum is reduced to carrying his "victim" piggyback down the road. The ridiculous spectacle leaves Lum questioning why he ever thought this harebrained scheme would help his reputation in the first place.

  17. Lum Wants to be a Hero

    Apr 12, 2026 · 14 min

    Originally Aired: September 4, 1935 In Lum & Abner #188, "Lum Wants to be a Hero," Lum finds himself desperate to restore his reputation after the Western Sterling Silver Company collapses, leaving him ostracized by the townspeople who blame him for their losses. In a scheme born of desperation, he devises an elaborate plan to stage a fake kidnapping of his partner Abner, believing that rescuing him will transform Lum into a hero and restore the stockholders' confidence. Lum even arranges for Grandpappy Spears to run their store temporarily, planning to tell everyone he's bought them out since customers refuse to patronize a business associated with Lum. Abner initially resists the harebrained scheme, worried about fooling people and especially concerned that his wife Elizabeth will see through the deception. However, Lum expertly manipulates his partner's loyalty by playing on their friendship and reminding Abner of past favors. Despite his misgivings, Abner reluctantly agrees to be "kidnapped" and hide in Lum's house. As they work out the details, including Lum's insistence on using a ladder for authenticity even though Abner's window sits just three feet off the ground, the absurdity of their plan becomes increasingly apparent.

  18. Stockholders Want Their Money Back

    Apr 11, 2026 · 14 min

    Originally Aired: September 3, 1935 In Lum & Abner #187, "Stockholders Want Their Money Back," Lum Edwards finds himself in dire straits after being left holding the bag in a fraudulent silver mine scheme. After hiding in Abner's barn to avoid angry investors, Lum cautiously emerges to face a hostile Pine Ridge community. When he ventures out on the rolling store with Abner, customers literally turn their backs and retreat into their homes at the sight of him. Even Mose the barber refuses to serve him when other customers walk out. Dick Huddleston visits Lum to discuss the situation, explaining that as president of the mining company, Lum is being held responsible for the seven thousand dollars that the absconded promoter Squire Skimp collected from townspeople. Despite the community's cold shoulder threatening to bankrupt their joint store, loyal partner Abner refuses to dissolve their partnership. When Abner reports taking in only a dollar and sixty cents on his entire delivery route, he insists on standing by Lum no matter the financial consequences. However, tensions escalate when Abner warns that Caleb Weehunt, the blacksmith, has been making threats about what he'll do if he doesn't get his investment back, adding physical danger to Lum's mounting troubles.

  19. Abner Hides in Barn

    Apr 10, 2026 · 14 min

    Originally Aired: September 2, 1935 In Lum & Abner #186, "Abner Hides in Barn," Lum finds himself in a desperate situation, hiding in Abner's barn loft to avoid angry stockholders of the Great Western Silver Mine. The disgruntled investors, led by the particularly enraged Caleb, are threatening violence against Lum and Squire Skimp after discovering the mine is a fraud. They learned that a man named Worthington, who had offered a million dollars for the mine, was actually a fake brought in by Squire to drive up stock prices and sell more shares. Though Lum protests his innocence, claiming he knew nothing of Squire's scheme and even bought more stock himself, the stockholders believe he was in on the swindle. As Abner brings Lum his noonday meal of turnip greens and cornbread, Lum works on a letter to explain his innocence to the stockholders. He addresses it to Abner and signs it "somewhere's in the USA" to keep his location secret, intending for Abner to read it at a stockholders' meeting. However, Lum nearly gives away his hiding place when he accidentally includes in the letter that he's hiding in Abner's barn loft, forcing him to quickly revise his words.

  20. A Lynch Mob for Abner

    Apr 9, 2026 · 14 min

    Originally Aired: August 30, 1935 In Lum & Abner #185, "A Lynch Mob for Abner," tensions run high in Pine Ridge after the stockholders discover that the mysterious Mr. Worthington, who offered a million dollars for the Great Western Silver Mine, was a fake brought in by Squire Skimp to inflate stock prices. When Abner stops by Lum's house to inform him that the stockholders are holding a secret meeting at Sister Simpson's place, Lum is indignant that he, as president and general manager who controls 57 percent of the stock, wasn't invited. Despite owning the controlling interest, Lum finds himself deliberately excluded from the proceedings. As Dick Huddleston and Cedric stop by with bits of information about the meeting, Lum grows increasingly suspicious about what the angry stockholders might be planning. The visit from Dick reveals that folks in town have been asking about a letter from the chief of police, and Sister Simpson has figured out Squire's scheme to defraud the investors. With Abner attending the meeting as the only one who can report back, Lum anxiously waits to discover what actions the betrayed stockholders are plotting against those they hold responsible for their losses.

  21. Sell the Mine

    Apr 8, 2026 · 14 min

    Originally Aired: August 29, 1935 In Lum & Abner #184, "Sell the Mine," Lum becomes enthusiastic about expanding their silver mining operation into a full-scale manufacturing business. He envisions building a factory right in Pine Ridge to produce silverware, jewelry, and other goods, which would bring jobs and prosperity to the entire town. The only problem is finding the money to make his grand vision a reality. As Lum excitedly plans for new buildings, a railroad, and skyrocketing property values, Abner struggles to keep up with his partner's ambitious schemes. The two partners wrestle with various solutions to their financial dilemma, including selling more stock or making deals with Squire Skimp. When they recall that Mr. Worthington previously offered them a million dollars for the mine, Lum hatches a plan to sell him a partial interest to raise capital for the factory. However, their logic becomes increasingly tangled as they try to work out whether they can sell the mine and still have something to process in their proposed factory. Lum decides to contact Worthington in Arizona, but their planning session is interrupted just as he gets the address from Squire.

  22. Lum Decides to Buy a Trailer for an Office

    Apr 7, 2026 · 14 min

    Originally Aired: August 28, 1935 In Lum & Abner #183, "Lum Decides to Buy a Trailer for an Office," Lum faces a frustrating predicament after the stockholders of the Great Western Sterling Silver Company refuse to pay him a salary as general manager or fund a helper for Abner on their rolling store. Despite recently ousting Squire Skimp from office and taking over management duties himself, Lum finds the stockholders maddeningly tight-fisted. He's determined to establish a proper office befitting his new position, arguing that a company president shouldn't be seen weighing out nickel-and-dime purchases from a traveling store when important business deals need conducting. The situation grows more complicated as customers begin calling, expecting the store to make its regular rounds. Abner remains skeptical of Lum's grand ambitions, pointing out that he has plenty of time to handle both jobs and shouldn't neglect their actual moneymaking business. As tensions mount over who will do the work and how they'll manage both enterprises, Lum considers hiring Grandpappy Spears to help in the store, though he can barely afford it. The two partners bicker over responsibilities and fall into their typical comedic misunderstanding when Lum mentions someone "filling his shoes."

  23. Lum Becomes Proud Owner of Silver Mine

    Apr 6, 2026 · 12 min

    Originally Aired: August 27, 1935 In Lum & Abner #182, "Lum Becomes Proud Owner of Silver Mine," Lum takes his newfound position as president and general manager of the Great Western Sterling Silver Company very seriously—perhaps too seriously. After the stockholders vote to oust Squire Skimp and install Lum in his place, with Squire graciously handing over his shares to give Lum controlling interest, Lum becomes consumed with his own importance. When Abner arrives to collect him for their grocery store delivery route, Lum announces he's far too busy with mining business to bother with such mundane matters as weighing potatoes and slicing cheese. Abner finds himself in a predicament as Lum insists he can't risk having million-dollar ideas bounced out of his head by truck bumps or interrupted by customers wanting a dime's worth of cheese. The two partners attempt to work out a solution involving Grandpappy Spears as replacement help, but they quickly tie themselves in knots trying to figure out how to pay him without either partner bearing an unfair burden. Their convoluted reasoning about splitting grocery payments and stockholder assessments reveals the comedic chaos that erupts when Lum's newfound executive status collides with the practical realities of running their humble store.

  24. Stockholders in Silver Mine Upset w Squire

    Apr 5, 2026 · 14 min

    Originally Aired: August 26, 1935 In Lum & Abner #181, "Stockholders in Silver Mine Upset w Squire," tensions are running high in Pine Ridge as Squire Skimp returns from Arizona without having sold the Great Western Sailing Silver Company mine. Lum and Abner have been doing well with their new grocery store on wheels, but their attempt to expand to Cherry Hill hits a snag when armed businessmen and the mayor block them at the town bridge. Lum diplomatically talks his way out of the confrontation, even earning invitations to the Rotary Club, though he privately admits the rickety bridge wouldn't have supported their store anyway. Meanwhile, Abner and Grandpappy approach Lum with surprising news. The angry stockholders, furious that Squire hasn't delivered any dividends and is now planning to move to Oklahoma, have held a secret meeting without their company president. With the mine in Arizona, the stockholders in Pine Ridge, and Squire heading to Oklahoma, the investors see disaster ahead. Their solution: convince Lum to take full control of the operation away from Squire, who reportedly passed up a million-dollar offer for the mine.

  25. Naming of the Store Contest Ends

    Apr 4, 2026 · 14 min

    Originally Aired: August 23, 1935 In Lum & Abner #180, "Naming of the Store Contest Ends," Lum and Abner grapple with the finances of their new store on wheels while the naming contest draws to a close. After their first day of business looked disappointing, Lum realizes they've been calculating their expenses incorrectly, spreading costs like a new tire over just one day instead of its useful life. Their spirits lift as profits improve, and Dick Huddleston stops by with a fresh batch of contest entries, many from the neighboring town of Terry Hill. The partners discuss expanding to other towns, though they're frustrated at not having a proper name to call their business yet. With the contest deadline approaching on Sunday at midnight, Dick suggests Lum make another announcement on the party line to remind folks to submit their entries. Meanwhile, Abner worries about Cedric, who's driving the store and eating so many candy bars on credit that he already owes more than he's earned in wages. Lum rings Doc Miller's number on the party line to broadcast a final reminder, encouraging everyone including children to send in their name suggestions before time runs out.