Lum & Abner: Classic Small-Town Comedy

Sell the Mine

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.

Lum Decides to Buy a Trailer for an Office

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."

Lum Becomes Proud Owner of Silver Mine

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.

Stockholders in Silver Mine Upset w Squire

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.

Naming of the Store Contest Ends

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.

Dick is Losing Customers to Rolling Store

Originally Aired: August 22, 1935
In Lum & Abner #179, "Dick is Losing Customers to Rolling Store," Lum and Abner finally get their rolling grocery store up and running after a week of mechanical troubles. The mobile store proves to be an immediate hit, stopping at every house in Pine Ridge and making sales wherever they go. Meanwhile, at Dick Huddleston's general store, Grand Pappy Spears discusses the new venture with Dick, who begins to realize the impact on his own business.
Dick's concerns prove well-founded as phone calls start coming in from his regular customers asking him to pass messages to Lum and Abner about stopping by their homes with the rolling store. The blow to Dick's trade becomes increasingly apparent, though he tries to remain optimistic that customers will return once the novelty wears off. When Abner arrives announcing they've taken in over sixty-two dollars in their first day, it's clear the rolling store is a major success. However, Lum has literally fallen victim to his own venture's mobility, having forgotten they were moving and stepping off the back porch to help with a spooked horse.

The Store’s First Day on the Road

Originally Aired: August 21, 1935
In Lum & Abner #178, "The Store's First Day on the Road," Lum and Abner's ambitious mobile store venture hits a major snag on its inaugural journey. Already handicapped by engine trouble that forced them to substitute horses for their motorized vehicle, the partners face an unexpected problem: every time their traveling store hits a bump or slant in the road, the canned goods come tumbling off the shelves onto the floor. As Lum and Abner stand by the roadside surveying the mess, they desperately try to devise solutions, from nailing boards across the shelves to gluing down display cans.
While the partners bicker and brainstorm increasingly impractical ideas, their driver Cedric timidly attempts to offer a suggestion. Lum and Abner repeatedly dismiss him, too caught up in their own schemes and philosophical discussions about perseverance and the proper way to look backward. The frustrated Abner even suggests giving up entirely and converting their rolling store into a stationary shop. However, when Cedric finally manages to propose slanting the shelves backward so the cans can't fall out, Lum naturally takes credit for the solution and orders them back to the blacksmith shop to implement the fix.

Squire Goes to Arizona to Sell Silver Mine

Originally Aired: August 20, 1935
In Lum & Abner #177, "Squire Goes to Arizona to Sell Silver Mine," Lum and Abner face mounting obstacles as they attempt to launch their new traveling store on wheels. After loading merchandise yesterday, the duo discovers the rear end is too heavy, causing the front wheels to lift completely off the ground. They're forced to haul everything back to Caleb Weehunt's blacksmith shop for modifications. At Dick Huddleston's store, Grandpappy Spears and Dick discuss the problematic venture, agreeing the body was built far too large and unwieldy for country roads.
The troubles continue to pile up when Lum arrives with news that someone has stolen spark plugs from the engine overnight. Rather than cutting down the oversized body as planned, they've added a third set of wheels using old cultivator parts from Caleb's shop, creating an awkward six-wheeled contraption. Dick warns that the mismatched wheels won't work properly, but Lum remains hopeful. Meanwhile, Abner and Cedric are still trying to get the engine running, and Grandpappy anxiously awaits news about whether their venture will succeed enough to offer him employment.

Cedric Loads Merchandise into the Store

Originally Aired: August 19, 1935
In Lum & Abner #176, "Cedric Loads Merchandise into the Store," Lum and Abner prepare to launch their innovative rolling grocery store after finally extracting it from Caleb Wheel's blacksmith shop. The store on wheels, built too large to fit through the shop door, made its dramatic exit when Abner accidentally crashed it through the side wall. Now at the rear of Dick Huddleston's store, Lum, Abner, and their helper Cedric load merchandise onto their mobile venture. Dick generously offers his feed room as storage space for their extra inventory, helping the partners manage the logistical challenges of their ambitious enterprise.
As preparations continue, Lum and Abner take to the party line telephone to announce their inaugural run and remind listeners about their naming contest. They're disappointed by the low response rate and urge their friends not to overthink the contest, suggesting simple names like "the speed wagon" or "store at your door." With Cedric hauling sacks of feed and the shelves stocked, the partners face the challenge of explaining their unusual twenty-four-foot-long contraption to the community, where the front of the store sits on the back of an automobile.

Abner Gets the Rolling Store out of the Blacksmith

Originally Aired: August 16, 1935
In Lum & Abner #175, "Abner Gets the Rolling Store out of the Blacksmith," the partners face a peculiar predicament when they discover their new rolling store can't be extracted from Caleb Weehunt's blacksmith shop. The local blacksmith has completed construction of their store on wheels, but he built the entire contraption inside his shop without considering how to get it out. When Lum and Abner arrive to claim their new business venture, they find only Caleb's son Cedric working at the anvil, as Caleb himself is home napping and insisting the delivery problem isn't his responsibility.
Desperate to open for business before a shipment of groceries arrives that evening, Lum telephones Caleb to negotiate a solution. The blacksmith suggests tearing down his shop and having them build him a new one, which Lum suspects is a scheme Caleb has wanted for fifteen years. Various impractical ideas emerge, from lifting the store through the roof with a block and tackle to digging an elaborate tunnel underneath the building. With time running out and their rolling store trapped inside, the partners must find a way to free their new business venture without breaking the bank or demolishing the entire blacksmith shop.