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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. Squire Assembles Freak Sideshow: White Elephants and the Wild Man of Borneo

    Aug 2, 2025 · 15 min

    Originally Aired: March 18, 1935 In Lum & Abner #66, “Squire Assembles Freak Sideshow,” Lum and Abner are in high spirits about their circus venture, thanks to Squire Skimp’s industrious preparations. But as they inspect Squire’s attractions, discomfort sets in—especially when they discover the circus’s “freaks” include misrepresented animals such as a whitewashed elephant and a possum from Homer Jenkins’ backyard. The humor escalates as Abner gets offended after being called an ape, only to find his name on a cage labeled “Gorilla.” The situation spirals further when Lum and Abner discover the terrifying “Wild Man from Borneo” is none other than Cedric Wehunt. Moral dilemmas collide hilariously with small-town antics, highlighting the duo’s earnestness against Squire’s schemes. Cast: Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), supporting characters including Squire Skimp and Cedric Wehunt Tags: LumAndAbner, oldtimeradio, 1930scomedy, JotEmDownStore, SquireSkimp, PineRidge, radiohumor, vintagebroadcast, circuscomedy, freakshow, smalltownhumor, CedricWehunt, Horlicks, ruralcomedy, classicradio, vaudeville, wildmanofborneo, comedicmisunderstanding, LauckAndGoff

  2. A Circus Deal: Lum & Abner Hire Squire Skimp

    Jul 31, 2025 · 14 min

    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

  3. Using Feed to Pay Admission to Circus

    Jul 24, 2025 · 14 min

    Originally Aired: March 14, 1935 In Lum & Abner #64, “Using Feed to Pay Admission to Circus,” Pine Ridge’s greatest spectacle gets underway as Lum and Abner turn their financial woes into a novel business plan: letting folks into their stranded circus in exchange for animal feed. Abner, resplendent in his ringmaster’s outfit, oversees a parade of Pine Ridge families wheeling in bales of hay, bushels of corn, and buckets of grain for a glimpse at lions, elephants, and even a “sacred cow from India” (actually just one of Abner’s trades). The tent is packed, Cedric is swamped carrying water for the elephants, and the partners marvel at the success of their barter circus—at least until Squire Skimp shows up, angling for a cut and promising to turn their show into a big-time production. Packed with sight gags, rural logic, and Pine Ridge ingenuity, it’s another classic episode of country chaos. Cast: Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), with supporting voices including Dick Huddleston, Cedric, and Squire Skimp Tags: LumAndAbner, oldtimeradio, 1930scomedy, JotEmDownStore, PineRidge, radiohumor, vintagebroadcast, bartercircus, Horlicks, ruralcomedy, admissionforfeed, circusantics, SquireSkimp, animalantics, classicradio, vaudeville, GoffAndLauck

  4. Back in Partnership

    Jul 23, 2025 · 14 min

    Originally Aired: March 13, 1935 In Lum & Abner #63, “Back in Partnership,” the Pine Ridge circus calamity takes a new turn as Lum and Abner—now co-owners of an entire circus, tent and all—find themselves partners again, this time in the wildest business venture yet. After lending Abner $250 to buy the tent (to house all the animals he acquired foreclosing on the circus), Lum realizes he’s now “half owner” of a menagerie featuring elephants, lions, and every barnyard critter in town. With both men liable for debts and desperate for animal feed, they hit on a scheme: admit folks to the circus in exchange for a bale of hay or a bushel of corn. As Abner struts about in the ringmaster’s coat and hat, the partners prepare to open Pine Ridge’s first “barter circus”—and try to feed their way out of trouble! It’s partnership, rural chaos, and classic Lum & Abner comedy at its peak. Cast: Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), with supporting voices including Dick Huddleston and Cedric Tags: LumAndAbner, oldtimeradio, 1930scomedy, JotEmDownStore, PineRidge, radiohumor, vintagebroadcast, circusbusiness, Horlicks, ruralcomedy, partnership, bartercircus, animalantics, classicradio, vaudeville, GoffAndLauck

  5. Abner Forecloses on Circus

    Jul 22, 2025 · 14 min

    Originally Aired: March 12, 1935 In Lum & Abner #62, “Abner Forecloses on Circus,” the consequences of Pine Ridge’s most disastrous barter spree come crashing down. With his shelves bare and not a dime left, Abner faces the fact that the circus—his biggest debtor—is about to skip town without paying for hundreds of dollars’ worth of groceries and feed. Armed with a mortgage on the circus animals, Abner must race to the circus grounds to “foreclose” and take possession of lions, elephants, camels, and zebras—adding to his already unmanageable menagerie. Meanwhile, Lum and Dick Huddleston shake their heads as Abner’s law enforcement duties clash hilariously with his business blunders (and a talking parrot adds comic relief). A classic farce of rural commerce, creative debt collection, and the cost of trusting showfolk, this episode is a Pine Ridge original. Cast: Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), with supporting voices including Dick Huddleston and Cedric Tags: LumAndAbner, oldtimeradio, 1930scomedy, JotEmDownStore, PineRidge, radiohumor, vintagebroadcast, circusforeclosure, Horlicks, ruralcomedy, animalchaos, classicradio, vaudeville, barterblunder, lawmanabner, GoffAndLauck

  6. Almost All of Abner’s Merchandise is Gone

    Jul 21, 2025 · 13 min

    Originally Aired: March 11, 1935 In Lum & Abner #61, “Almost All of Abner’s Merchandise is Gone,” the swap-crazy president of the Jot ‘Em Down Store is finally facing the consequences of his barter bonanza. Abner’s side of the store is nearly empty, his shelves traded away for a dizzying assortment of livestock—rabbits multiplying out of control, a goat eating the neighbors’ laundry, and even the prospect of acquiring a talking parrot. As Lum warns that all this business is no good without profit, Abner insists he’ll make it all back when he sells his menagerie. But the feed bills pile up, circus animals need care, and complaints pour in about wandering livestock destroying gardens and clotheslines. By the end, with his animals running loose and angry neighbors calling for the constable, Abner’s “swap plan” finally seems more trouble than it’s worth. It’s a riotous episode of rural chaos, slapstick business, and classic Pine Ridge predicaments. Cast: Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), with supporting voices including Cedric and Pine Ridge townsfolk Tags: LumAndAbner, oldtimeradio, 1930scomedy, JotEmDownStore, PineRidge, radiohumor, vintagebroadcast, bartergonewrong, Horlicks, ruralcomedy, animalchaos, classicradio, vaudeville, storeempty, runawaylivestock, GoffAndLauck

  7. Broken Down Circus Comes to Pine Ridge

    Jul 20, 2025 · 14 min

    Originally Aired: March 8, 1935 In Lum & Abner #60, “Broken Down Circus Comes to Pine Ridge,” the swap fever in the Jot ‘Em Down Store reaches a peak as Abner’s bartering bonanza fills the back lot with everything from possums to pigeons—and even a half-dead horse from Snake Hogan. Pine Ridge gets wilder as a broken-down circus rolls into town, desperate for credit, and Abner strikes a $200 deal to supply the whole show (with a “first mortgage” on their lions, monkeys, and camels). Meanwhile, townsfolk trade anything they can carry for groceries, and Dick Huddleston warns that Abner’s generosity may put him out of business. As Lum and Cedric struggle to keep up with Abner’s ever-growing menagerie, the chaos of a circus in financial distress threatens to leave everyone feeding the animals all winter. Packed with barter gags, rural logic, and slapstick commerce, this episode is a Pine Ridge classic. Cast: Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), supporting voices including Dick Huddleston, Cedric, Grandpappy Spears, and Snake Hogan Tags: LumAndAbner, oldtimeradio, 1930scomedy, JotEmDownStore, PineRidge, radiohumor, vintagebroadcast, circuscomes, Horlicks, ruralcomedy, bartermania, storechaos, SnakeHogan, classicradio, vaudeville, GoffAndLauck

  8. Abner Swaps with Snake Hogan

    Jul 19, 2025 · 15 min

    Originally Aired: March 7, 1935 In Lum & Abner #59, “Abner Swaps with Snake Hogan,” the swap-crazy president of the Jot ‘Em Down Store is busier than ever, trading groceries for anything folks can bring—from possums and coons to goldfish and white mice. Abner’s collection of livestock grows to include three possums, a coon, and over sixty rabbits, but the highlight is his deal with Snake Hogan, swapping $50 worth of groceries for a half-dead horse that can barely stand. As Lum and Dick Huddleston look on in disbelief, the swap scheme spirals out of control, turning the store into a barnyard circus. Meanwhile, Abner’s generosity with credit (including a disastrous deal to feed a stranded circus troupe) brings business but threatens his bottom line. By the end, Abner finds himself in hot water—not just with creditors, but also with Ike Reynolds, whose best hounds were swapped away by his wife! It’s pure rural chaos, brimming with Pine Ridge humor and hard-learned lessons in country commerce. Cast: Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), supporting voices including Dick Huddleston, Cedric, Grandpappy Spears, and Snake Hogan Tags: LumAndAbner, oldtimeradio, 1930scomedy, JotEmDownStore, PineRidge, radiohumor, vintagebroadcast, swapstore, Horlicks, ruralcomedy, SnakeHogan, circusdeal, barnyardbarter, classicradio, vaudeville, GoffAndLauck

  9. Abner Operating Store on Swap Basis

    Jul 18, 2025 · 14 min

    Originally Aired: March 6, 1935 In Lum & Abner #58, “Abner Operating Store on Swap Basis,” Pine Ridge witnesses a full-on store war as the divided Jot ‘Em Down Store becomes two separate businesses under one roof. Abner, now proudly operating on a “swap” system, will trade groceries for anything—cows, chickens, pigs, rabbits, or even a horse—while Lum sticks with cash and boasts “honest measurements.” The rivalry gets heated, with ropes down the middle, dueling telephones, and a frantic price war that sends flour plummeting from $1.15 to 30 cents in seconds. Grandpappy Spears, Dick Huddleston, and the rest of Pine Ridge get caught in the crossfire (and enjoy the bargains), as old friendships are tested in a rural retail showdown packed with one-liners and small-town logic. Cast: Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), with supporting voices including Grandpappy Spears, Dick Huddleston, and Cedric Tags: LumAndAbner, oldtimeradio, 1930scomedy, JotEmDownStore, PineRidge, radiohumor, vintagebroadcast, swapstore, Horlicks, ruralcomedy, pricewar, classicradio, vaudeville, storefeud, barnyardbarter, GoffAndLauck

  10. Lum & Abner Divide up the Store

    Jul 17, 2025 · 14 min

    Originally Aired: March 5, 1935 In Lum & Abner #57, “Lum & Abner Divide up the Store,” Pine Ridge’s favorite partners take their feud to the next level as they split the Jot ‘Em Down Store right down the middle. With both men determined to run things their own way, the episode finds Lum and Abner painstakingly dividing up every can, bolt of fabric, and even the apples—often eating leftovers just to make things come out even. As tempers flare over counting methods and arm lengths used for measuring, Cedric gets caught in the middle (and nearly divided himself!). Rivalry and petty bickering turn into comedy gold, setting the stage for a two-store competition under one roof. It’s classic rural humor, small-town stubbornness, and the purest Lum & Abner spirit. Cast: Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), with supporting voices including Cedric Tags: LumAndAbner, oldtimeradio, 1930scomedy, JotEmDownStore, PineRidge, radiohumor, vintagebroadcast, storefeud, Horlicks, ruralcomedy, storedivide, classicradio, vaudeville, pettyrivalry, armmeasuring, Cedric, GoffAndLauck

  11. Abner Wants to Start Trading Merchandise

    Jul 16, 2025 · 14 min

    Originally Aired: March 4, 1935 In Lum & Abner #56, “Abner Wants to Start Trading Merchandise,” the Jot ‘Em Down Store is in turmoil as President Abner unveils his boldest idea yet: swapping groceries for livestock, hay, and produce instead of cash. Lum, stuck doing the hard work and missing the days when he was in charge, is convinced the scheme will bankrupt them. As Abner calculates wild profits from an imagined chicken empire (forgetting you can’t hatch eggs and lay at the same time), Dick Huddleston and Lum try to talk sense into him. The situation boils over into an ultimatum: the store will be split down the middle, with each partner running his own half in open competition. It’s a hilarious, down-home showdown in Pine Ridge, full of misunderstandings, tall tales, and rural ingenuity gone awry. Cast: Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), voices of supporting characters including Dick Huddleston and Cedric Tags: LumAndAbner, oldtimeradio, 1930scomedy, JotEmDownStore, PineRidge, radiohumor, vintagebroadcast, storepolitics, Horlicks, ruralcomedy, chickenmath, classicradio, vaudeville, swapstore, splitthestore, GoffAndLauck

  12. Squire Pays Abner $10,000 for Rights to Soap

    Jul 15, 2025 · 14 min

    Originally Aired: March 1, 1935 In Lum & Abner #55, “Squire Pays Abner $10,000 for Rights to Soap,” the Jot ‘Em Down Store’s new president, Abner Peabody, finds himself in hot water after impulsively buying 10 cases of “World Wonder Soap” from a smooth-talking salesman—and handing over $25 with only a receipt for proof. As Lum shakes his head at Abner’s business acumen, Pine Ridge erupts with talk about the soap’s magical cleaning powers and the suspicious sales demonstration that even fooled Grandpappy Spears. Enter Squire Skimp, always on the lookout for an easy profit, who offers to buy the exclusive territorial rights for the soap—ultimately handing Abner a windfall and a way out of his blunder. Packed with witty back-and-forth, misunderstandings about beds (and flower beds), and a classic Squire Skimp scheme, this episode perfectly blends small-town farce with rural charm. Cast: Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), voices of supporting characters including Squire Skimp, Grandpappy Spears, and others Tags: LumAndAbner, oldtimeradio, 1930scomedy, JotEmDownStore, SquireSkimp, PineRidge, radiohumor, vintagebroadcast, soapdeal, Horlicks, smalltownbusiness, ruralcomedy, classicradio, vaudeville, getrichquick, exclusiveagency, PeabodyProfit, GoffAndLauck

  13. Abner Buys Ten Cases of Soap: The World’s Wonder Soap Comes to Pine Ridge

    Jul 14, 2025 · 14 min

    Originally Aired: February 28, 1935 In Lum & Abner #54, “Abner Buys Ten Cases of Soap,” Abner is riding high as the new president of the Jot ‘Em Down Store—and eager to prove his business smarts. When a smooth-talking salesman arrives in Pine Ridge with a pitch for “the world’s wonder soap,” Abner finds himself dazzled by a dramatic demonstration: axle grease vanishes from a silk handkerchief! Despite Grandpappy Spears’ skepticism and Cedric’s innocent confusion about the store business, Abner impulsively agrees to purchase ten whole cases, locking himself into a pricey (and suspiciously exclusive) deal. Meanwhile, the townsfolk gather to soak up the sunshine and debate the true secret to storekeeping profits. This episode sparkles with classic small-town misunderstandings, a traveling sales pitch, and Abner’s knack for falling for the latest scheme. Cast: Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), voices of supporting characters including Grandpappy Spears and Cedric Tags: LumAndAbner, oldtimeradio, 1930scomedy, JotEmDownStore, wondersoap, PineRidge, radiohumor, vintagebroadcast, Horlicks, salesman, exclusiveoffer, ruralcomedy, classicradio, vaudeville, impulsiveAbner, ChesterLauck, NorrisGoff, smalltownbusiness, soapdeal

  14. Lum & Cedric Don’t Like Abner as Boss: Contraptions, Cracker Barrels, and the Iron-Handed President

    Jul 13, 2025 · 14 min

    Originally Aired: February 27, 1935 In Lum & Abner #53, “Lum & Cedric Don’t Like Abner as Boss,” the Pine Ridge Jot ‘Em Down Store becomes a comic battleground as Abner’s reign grows ever more eccentric. With Lum regretting his decision to step down, the store is now filled with Abner’s inventions—like a trick chair that dumps employees on the floor if they try to sit when a customer enters, and a proposed burglar alarm involving shotguns at every door. As Cedric and Lum grumble about sweeping, dusting, and Abner’s endless rules, even Abner gets caught in his own mousetrap, proving that no one (not even the president) is safe from his new system. Plans for a store sale are debated, but all anyone can really do is dodge Abner’s gadgets and survive the “new deal” until sanity returns to Pine Ridge. Cast: Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), supporting voices including Cedric and Dick Huddleston Tags: LumAndAbner, oldtimeradio, 1930scomedy, JotEmDownStore, Horlicks, PineRidge, radiohumor, vintagebroadcast, AbnerBoss, storecomedy, ruralcomedy, vaudeville, presidentAbner, trickchair, mousetrap, GoffAndLauck, Cedric, shotgunburglaralarm, classicradio, rulesgonewild

  15. Jot ‘Em Down Store Re-Opens to the Public: Abner’s “New Deal” and the Rise of the Department Heads

    Jul 12, 2025 · 14 min

    Originally Aired: February 26, 1935 In Lum & Abner #52, “Jot ‘Em Down Store Re-Opens to the Public,” Pine Ridge’s beloved store swings open its doors under brand-new management: President Abner Peabody. Fresh off a dramatic election (and a behind-the-scenes handover from Lum), Abner seizes his moment—reorganizing the store with a flurry of rules, posted signs, and a comic flurry of department head appointments. Lum and Cedric quickly find themselves assigned a string of official-sounding (but humble) offices: Cedric as Snappy Deliver Service, Cat Feeder, Fire Builder, and Wood Carrier; Lum, to his horror, is officially designated the “Sweep Out Store” officer, tasked with opening and cleaning up each morning. As Abner’s “new deal” for the store takes shape, the lines between leadership and labor blur hilariously, offering a classic dose of rural satire, big ambition, and good-natured bossing that fans of the series love. Cast: Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), with voices of Cedric and additional Pine Ridge townsfolk Tags: LumAndAbner, oldtimeradio, 1930scomedy, JotEmDownStore, Horlicks, PineRidge, radiohumor, vintagebroadcast, AbnerPresident, storecomedy, ruralcomedy, classicradio, vaudeville, departmenthead, Cedric, LumGetsSwept, AbnersNewDeal, GoffAndLauck

  16. Lum Wins Election by 17 Votes: Abner’s Sacrifice and the End of the Squire Skimp Scheme

    Jul 7, 2025 · 14 min

    Originally Aired: February 25, 1935 In Lum & Abner #51, “Lum Wins Election by 17 Votes,” Pine Ridge buzzes with anticipation as the votes are counted for the presidency of the Jot ‘Em Down Store. Squire Skimp anxiously oversees the tally, hoping to cash in on a contract that would award him 10% of Abner’s future earnings if Abner wins. As the count concludes, it’s revealed that Lum wins the election by a razor-thin margin—thanks to a surprising twist: Abner, in an act of self-sacrifice, campaigned for Lum to help avoid Squire’s grip. With honesty, humor, and a dash of rural cunning, the contract is torn up, Lum turns over the presidency to Abner anyway, and Squire is left outmaneuvered. This episode is a heartwarming portrait of friendship, cleverness, and Pine Ridge justice. Cast: Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), voices of supporting characters including Dick Huddleston, Grandpappy Spears, and Squire Skimp Tags: LumAndAbner, oldtimeradio, 1930scomedy, JotEmDownStore, SquireSkimp, PineRidge, radiohumor, vintagebroadcast, electionresults, Horlicks, smalltownpolitics, ruralcomedy, classicradio, vaudeville, friendship, AbnerSacrifice, LumWins, torncontract, GoffAndLauck

  17. Listeners to Cast Their Votes: A Campaign Twist and a Secret Withdrawal

    Jun 14, 2025 · 14 min

    Originally Aired: February 22, 1935 In Lum & Abner #50, “Listeners to Cast Their Votes,” the presidential race for the Jot ‘Em Down Store hits its boiling point as Abner considers stepping down—not because he’s losing, but because he’s winning. With nearly 800 votes over Lum, Abner grapples with the consequences of a contract that would force him to hand over 10% of his future earnings to the conniving Squire Skimp. Meanwhile, Lum tries to play fair, but both men face unexpected dilemmas as Sunday night’s deadline looms. In a surprising twist, Abner secretly campaigns for Lum to win… all to spite Squire and protect his own future. This episode is a delightful mix of backwoods politics, moral wrestling, 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, campaigncomedy, flashlightpromo, Horlicks, smalltownpolitics, ruralcomedy, classicradio, vaudeville, electiondrama, Abnerwithdraws, voteLum, GoffAndLauck

  18. Insurance Money Donated: A Campaign Gone Wrong

    Jun 6, 2025 · 14 min

    Originally Aired: February 21, 1935 Synopsis: After entrusting Squire Skimp to cash a $200 insurance check, Abner learns from the newspaper that a $180 donation was made in his name to the county library—without his consent. As Lum warns him of legal trouble for accepting the insurance payout under false pretenses, Abner grows increasingly desperate to recover the funds. He confronts Squire, who calmly defends the donation as a political maneuver and claims his 10% cut. Furious and determined to do what’s right, Abner demands the remaining $20 and vows to return the money to the insurance company—even if it costs him the election. Keywords: “Lum and Abner insurance check mix-up,” “Squire Skimp campaign scandal,” “$180 library donation episode,” “1935 Lum and Abner radio,” “Horlicks sponsor episode,” “Jot ’Em Down Store politics,” “classic rural radio comedy” Cast: Chester Lauck (Lum), Norris Goff (Abner), Earle Ross (Squire Skimp), Carlton Bricker (announcer)

  19. Newspaper Reports on Abner: Big Promises, Bigger Trouble

    May 20, 2025 · 14 min

    Originally Aired: February 20, 1935 Newspaper Reports on Abner: Big Promises, Bigger Trouble With Squire Skimp running Abner’s campaign, the election stunts escalate—culminating in a newspaper headline announcing Abner’s $180 donation to the public library, a contribution he never actually made. As Lum and Dick Huddleston puzzle over the news, they uncover a trail of exaggerated promises and shady maneuvers, including Abner jumping from a belfry into a fire net to impress child voters. When Lum realizes Abner gave Squire the insurance check to cash—and the donation matches that amount exactly—he races to confront Squire, fearing the worst. Keywords: “Lum and Abner newspaper donation,” “Squire Skimp misuses insurance check,” “February 1935 radio episode,” “Jot ’Em Down Store election,” “Horlicks flashlight campaign,” “Abner jumps in safety net,” “Pine Ridge political schemes” Cast: Chester Lauck (Lum), Norris Goff (Abner), Clarence Hartzell (Dick Huddleston), Earle Ross (Squire Skimp), Carlton Brickert (Announcer)

  20. Squire to Cash Check: A Favor with Fine Print

    May 10, 2025 · 14 min

    Originally Aired: February 19, 1935 Squire to Cash Check: A Favor with Fine Print As the Jot ’Em Down Store election nears its chaotic climax, Abner—now fully under the spell of Squire Skimp’s campaign schemes—hands over a $200 insurance check for Squire to cash on his behalf. The only catch? It’s tied to a phony arm injury, and Lum warns Abner that trusting Squire with money is like handing a fox the keys to the henhouse. Despite the tension, Abner stays loyal to his campaign manager, even as Lum and Cedric brace for the inevitable trouble that’s bound to follow. Keywords: “Lum and Abner insurance check,” “Squire Skimp campaign plan,” “Jot ’Em Down Store president race,” “Horlicks flashlight promotion,” “February 1935 Pine Ridge radio,” “Abner fake arm injury plot,” “small-town radio comedy” Cast: Chester Lauck (Lum), Norris Goff (Abner), Earle Ross (Squire Skimp), Clarence Hartzell (Cedric, Dick Huddleston, Grandpappy Spears), Carlton Brickert (Announcer)

  21. Restocking the Store: Shortcuts and Shenanigans

    May 6, 2025 · 14 min

    Originally Aired: February 18, 1935 Restocking the Store: Shortcuts and Shenanigans With two truckloads of new merchandise delivered to the Jot ’Em Down Store, Lum is eager to stock the shelves—but Abner’s chaotic system of stacking canned goods upside-down and mixing unrelated items has Lum pulling his hair out. As Lum struggles to maintain order, Abner’s efforts to save time only cause more headaches. Meanwhile, the presidential race heats up when Abner hires Squire Skimp as his campaign manager, promising a sudden and dramatic turnaround in the polls. Keywords: “Lum and Abner store restocking,” “February 1935 radio episode,” “Squire Skimp campaign manager,” “Horlicks flashlight offer,” “Jot ’Em Down Store president race,” “canned goods chaos Abner,” “Pine Ridge radio comedy” Cast: Chester Lauck (Lum), Norris Goff (Abner), Clarence Hartzell (Dick Huddleston), Earle Ross (Squire Skimp), Carlton Brickert (Announcer)

  22. Abner Hires Cedric: A Sign War Escalates

    May 5, 2025 · 14 min

    Episode Title: Abner Hires Cedric: A Sign War Escalates Originally Aired: February 15, 1935 Abner Hires Cedric: A Sign War Escalates After falling behind in the Jot ’Em Down Store presidential race, Abner hires Cedric Weehunt to parade around town with a hand-painted campaign sign in hopes of regaining voter support. But Lum, not to be outdone, sneaks in some edits to the sign himself—turning it into a shared endorsement for both candidates. As the two vie for Pine Ridge’s support, Lum milks his fake injury for sympathy votes while the townsfolk shake their heads at the increasingly ridiculous antics. Keywords: “Lum and Abner campaign sign episode,” “Cedric Weehunt hired by Abner,” “February 1935 radio comedy,” “Jot ’Em Down Store presidency race,” “Horlicks flashlight promotion,” “Lum fake injury sympathy votes,” “Carlton Brickert announcer” Cast: Chester Lauck (Lum), Norris Goff (Abner), Clarence Hartzell (Dick Huddleston), Carlton Brickert (Announcer), Clarence Hartzell (Cedric Weehunt)

  23. Lum Has the Lead: Campaigns, Confusion, and Calamity

    Apr 30, 2025 · 14 min

    Originally Aired: February 14, 1935 Lum Has the Lead: Campaigns, Confusion, and Calamity With the race for president of the Jot ’Em Down Store heating up, Lum pulls ahead in the vote count—much to Abner’s confusion and growing paranoia. Convinced Lum said something behind his back during a party line speech, Abner misinterprets an offhand comment about “the last shot” and prepares for a duel. Their argument spirals into a chaotic gun-grabbing scuffle, all while Dick Huddleston and the town try to keep the peace—and the Horlicks flashlight promotion rolling. Keywords: “Lum and Abner election episode,” “February 1935 Pine Ridge radio,” “Jot ’Em Down Store presidency,” “Horlicks flashlight promotion,” “Abner misinterprets Lum threat,” “radio comedy misunderstanding,” “Carlton Brickert announcer.” Cast: Chester Lauck (Lum), Norris Goff (Abner), Clarence Hartzell (Dick Huddleston), Carlton Brickert (Announcer).

  24. Dick Huddleston Gets Lum Out of Jail: A Friend Steps Up

    Apr 28, 2025 · 14 min

    Originally Aired: February 13, 1935 Dick Huddleston Gets Lum Out of Jail: A Friend Steps Up After being wrongly jailed for “robbing” Abner’s house, Lum is rescued by his old friend Dick Huddleston, who posts bail after learning the truth behind the misunderstanding. Abner confesses that Lum never broke in—the door was left open so Lum could retrieve an insurance check before Elizabeth could cash it and land Abner in real trouble. As Lum struggles to repair his reputation and rejoin the race for president of the Jot ’Em Down Store, Abner’s sympathy campaign—complete with fake bandaged arms—continues to dominate the town’s votes, forcing Lum to take to the party line himself to rally support. Keywords: “Lum and Abner jail episode,” “Dick Huddleston bails Lum out,” “February 1935 Pine Ridge radio,” “Horlicks flashlight promotion,” “Jot ’Em Down Store election,” “Lum party line speech,” “small-town misunderstanding comedy.” Cast: Chester Lauck (Lum), Norris Goff (Abner), Clarence Hartzell (Dick Huddleston), Carlton Brickert (Announcer), Earle Ross (Squire Skimp).

  25. Lum Is Arrested: A Friend Falls Hard

    Apr 27, 2025 · 14 min

    Originally Aired: February 12, 1935 Lum Is Arrested: A Friend Falls Hard In this pivotal and heartbreaking episode of Lum and Abner, the consequences of small-town suspicion come crashing down as Lum, once Pine Ridge’s most respected citizen, finds himself locked up behind bars. After their failed attempt to quietly return the fraudulent $200 insurance check, townsfolk discover a piece of cloth matching Lum’s torn pants at the scene of the supposed “robbery.” Outraged and eager for justice, the community—led by Squire Skimp and Ezra Seastrunk—forces Abner, as acting constable, to arrest his own best friend. Now sitting in the cold jail, Lum reflects bitterly on how quickly friends have turned into accusers. Even loyal figures like Dick Huddleston have voiced disappointment. Only Abner and Grandpappy Spears remain by Lum’s side, trying in vain to secure his bond. As if Lum’s shame wasn’t enough, Squire and Ezra deliver a final humiliation: a demand that Lum resign as President of the Pine Ridge School Board. No longer trusted as a leader, Lum faces the collapse of everything he has worked for—all because of a lie meant to protect Abner. Meanwhile, the flashlight election rolls on, and Abner’s popularity soars as voters rally behind him—though Abner’s heart breaks watching Lum suffer for a crime he didn’t commit. A moving meditation on trust, pride, and the brutal cost of rumors, Lum Is Arrested marks one of the most emotional chapters in Pine Ridge history. Keywords: "Lum and Abner Lum arrested episode," "February 1935 Pine Ridge jail," "Horlicks flashlight promotion drama," "Squire Skimp and Ezra Seastrunk," "Lum resigns school board president," "Lum and Abner friendship tested," "small town betrayal story radio." Cast: Chester Lauck (Lum), Norris Goff (Abner), Clarence Hartzell (Grandpappy Spears, Ezra Seastrunk), Carlton Brickert (Announcer), Earle Ross (Squire Skimp).