Lum & Abner: Classic Small-Town Comedy

Abner Has Not Been Seen at All

Originally Aired: August 1, 1935
In Lum & Abner #164, “Abner Has Not Been Seen at All,” tension grips Pine Ridge after Abner mysteriously disappears following a heated confrontation with Squire Skimp and Snake Hogan. After selling the Jot ’Em Down Store for $2,000, Abner refused to reinvest the money into Squire’s dubious silver mine scheme—thwarting what appears to have been a calculated swindle. When Squire and Snake forcibly drive Abner away for a “private talk,” he vanishes overnight. Lum and Dick Huddleston grow increasingly suspicious, fearing foul play in the mountains outside town. As accusations fly and the sheriff is nearly summoned, Squire hastily revises his story. With sharp dialogue, rural intrigue, and rising suspense, this episode blends comedy with genuine small-town drama—leaving listeners wondering what truly happened to Abner in the hills of Pine Ridge.
Cast:Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), supporting voices including Dick Huddleston, Squire Skimp, and Snake Hogan
Tags:LumAndAbner, oldtimeradio, 1930scomedy, PineRidge, SquireSkimp, SnakeHogan, silverminescheme, missingperson, JotEmDownStore, Horlicks, ruraldrama, smalltownmystery, classicradio, vintagebroadcast, radiohumor, mountainescape, blueskylaw, PineRidgeintrigue

Abner Sells the Jot 'Em Down Store to Snake Hogan

Originally Aired: July 31, 1935
In Lum & Abner #163, “Abner Sells the Jot 'Em Down Store,” Pine Ridge is thrown into uproar after Abner unexpectedly sells the Jot 'Em Down Store to none other than Snake Hogan—for a whopping $2,000 in cash. But the real shock comes afterward: the sale was part of a secret scheme cooked up by Squire Skimp, who hoped Abner would immediately reinvest the money into his dubious silver mine. When Abner refuses, things spiral quickly. Elizabeth sides with Squire, Snake Hogan gets threatening, and Lum fears for his friend’s safety. The episode ends on a tense note with Snake and Squire abducting Abner to "talk business," suggesting their bluff may turn into real danger. This installment blends sharp backroom plotting with Abner’s surprising new ambitions to become a Pine Ridge society man, all while maintaining the show’s trademark humor.
Cast:Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), voices of supporting characters including Squire Skimp, Snake Hogan, Elizabeth Peabody, Dick Huddleston
Tags:LumAndAbner, oldtimeradio, 1930scomedy, JotEmDownStore, SnakeHogan, SquireSkimp, PineRidge, radiohumor, vintagebroadcast, Horlicks, AbnerSoldTheStore, silvermineplot, ruralcomedy, classicradio, vaudeville, leisureclass, societyAbner, storeabduction

Plot to Buy the Jot ‘Em Down Store: Squire’s Schemes and Society’s Grip

Originally Aired: July 30, 1935
In Lum & Abner #162, “Plot to Buy the Jot ‘Em Down Store,” Pine Ridge’s society craze reaches new heights, with Abner caught between his wife Elizabeth’s social ambitions and Squire Skimp’s shady schemes. While Abner laments Elizabeth’s turn toward high society—complete with bridge lessons, debutante parties, and a hired cook—Squire and Snake Hogan attempt a sly takeover of the Jot ‘Em Down Store. Pretending to help, Squire persuades Abner to sell for $2,000, planning to funnel the money right back into their dubious silver mine stock. But Abner flips the script, takes the cash, and bolts—leaving Squire and Snake outwitted and out $2,000. A classic tale of small-town cunning meets backfired con.
Cast:Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), with voices of supporting characters including Squire Skimp, Dick Huddleston, and Snake Hogan
Tags:LumAndAbner, oldtimeradio, 1930scomedy, JotEmDownStore, SquireSkimp, PineRidge, radiohumor, vintagebroadcast, societycraze, Horlicks, ruralcomedy, silverminescheme, classicradio, vaudeville, smalltownlife, Abnerwins, outsmartSquire

Abner Hates Being in High Society

Originally Aired: July 29, 1935
In Lum & Abner #161, “Abner Hates Being in High Society,” the sleepy town of Pine Ridge is in the midst of a social revolution—courtesy of Squire Skimp and his slick-talking city friends. As the townsfolk get swept up in the pretentious wave of high society, Abner finds himself increasingly disillusioned. Pressured by his wife Elizabeth to quit his job at the Jot 'Em Down Store for the sake of appearances, Abner grumbles through country club plans, overpriced golf course land, contract bridge classes, and the confusing etiquette of upper-class life. Things come to a comic boil when Abner arrests two women for indecent dress—only to discover they’re his wife and daughter. A classic send-up of social climbing and the pitfalls of abandoning one’s roots, this episode hilariously skewers the idea of keeping up appearances.
Cast:Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), supporting voices of Squire Skimp, Dick Huddleston, Professor Willoughby, and Elizabeth
Tags:LumAndAbner, oldtimeradio, 1930scomedy, JotEmDownStore, highsociety, PineRidge, radiohumor, vintagebroadcast, countryclubcomedy, Horlicks, SquireSkimp, bridgeclub, ruralcomedy, classsatire, GoffAndLauck, AbnerArrestsElizabeth

They Cut Down the Old Pine Tree: Society Fever and a Musical Rebellion

Originally Aired: July 26, 1935
In Lum & Abner #160, “They Cut Down the Old Pine Tree,” high society fever sweeps through Pine Ridge thanks to the meddling of Professor Willoughby. The town's women are locked in a battle of etiquette and soirées, while Lum fully embraces his role as the “Pine Ridge Playboy,” parading around in golfing gear and taking his dog for society-mandated walks. As Geraldine Seestrunk prepares for her “coming out” party, Lum and Abner are roped into performing a duet. Despite the professor's preference for grand opera, the pair opts for a heartfelt rendition of “They Cut Down the Old Pine Tree,” a move that subtly resists the pretentious wave overtaking their community. With Squire Skimp tying social status to silver mine shares and proposing a country club, this episode perfectly captures the tension between rustic charm and intrusive sophistication.
Cast:Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), voices of supporting characters including Grandpappy Spears, Cedric Weehunt, Squire Skimp, and Professor Willoughby
Tags:LumAndAbner, oldtimeradio, 1930scomedy, JotEmDownStore, SquireSkimp, PineRidge, radiohumor, vintagebroadcast, societyspoof, ProfessorWilloughby, silverminegimmick, classicradio, vaudeville, ruralcomedy, countryclubgrift, debutanteparty, parodyopera, TheyCutDownTheOldPineTree, GoffAndLauck

High Society: 1st Families of Pine Ridge

Originally Aired: July 25, 1935
In Lum & Abner #159, “High Society: 1st Families of Pine Ridge,” Pine Ridge is swept up in a whirlwind of sophistication, thanks to Professor Willoughby’s East Coast influence. Contract bridge, berets, and coming out parties replace box suppers and horseshoe pitching, as Lum dons a flamboyant new outfit hand-picked by the professor to become a beacon of backwoods elegance. Meanwhile, Squire Skimp continues his behind-the-scenes manipulation—using high society as bait to sell shares in a dubious silver mine. Lum, increasingly unsure about the ethics of the operation, finds himself investing his own commissions back into the venture, all while dreaming of debutante status and hosting his own "coming out" party. This episode is a comical jab at social climbing, small-town transformation, and the clever cons that fuel them.
Cast:Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), voices of supporting characters including Squire Skimp and Professor Willoughby
Tags:LumAndAbner, oldtimeradio, 1930scomedy, JotEmDownStore, SquireSkimp, PineRidge, radiohumor, vintagebroadcast, societyspoof, Horlicks, debutantecomedy, miningcon, classicradio, vaudeville, PineRidgeSociety, FFPR, stockscheme, ProfessorWilloughby

Discussing Rules of Proper Etiquette: Wrestling with Refinement

Originally Aired: July 24, 1935
In Lum & Abner #158, “Discussing Rules of Proper Etiquette,” Pine Ridge’s flirtation with high society grows even more absurd as Abner finds himself reluctantly inducted into the FFPR (First Families of Pine Ridge). With Professor Willoughby teaching the town “etiquette,” the locals are struggling to adapt—especially Caleb Wehunt, who still wants to wrestle people at tea parties. Lum is fully taken in, parroting the professor’s rules and defending the legitimacy of the Great Western Sterling Silver Company, while Abner grows more skeptical. Despite himself, Abner is dragged deeper into this social charade—now being pushed into taking singing lessons! Hilarity ensues as small-town values clash with pseudo-sophisticated airs in this satire of status and self-importance.
Cast:Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), voices of supporting characters including Squire Skimp, Professor Willoughby, and Caleb Wehunt
Tags:LumAndAbner, oldtimeradio, 1930scomedy, JotEmDownStore, PineRidge, FFPR, radiohumor, vintagebroadcast, etiquettecomedy, ProfessorWilloughby, socialsatire, ruralcomedy, classicradio, vaudeville, Horlicks, highsocietyclash, singinglessons, Abnerresistschange, silverminepromo

Everyone Interested in High Society: The Rise of the FFPR

Originally Aired: July 23, 1935
In Lum & Abner #157, “Everyone Interested in High Society,” the town of Pine Ridge is swept up in a wave of high-society fever as the Great Western Sterling Silver Company’s stock promotion transforms ordinary citizens into self-proclaimed aristocrats. Lum, now fully invested in selling the silver mine stock, genuinely believes in its potential, while Abner remains skeptical—until his wife Elizabeth insists on joining the exclusive new social circle: the FFPR (First Families of Pine Ridge). The satire runs high as the town's citizens abandon their jobs, don lavish outfits, and demand gourmet foods they've never heard of before—all to play at being part of "society." Even Grandpappy Spears gets dressed up for a tea party! It’s a hilarious critique of class pretensions and a sharp look at how quickly ambition and vanity can spread in a small town.
Cast:Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), voices of supporting characters including Dick Huddleston, Squire Skimp, and Grandpappy Spears
Tags:LumAndAbner, oldtimeradio, 1930scomedy, JotEmDownStore, FFPR, PineRidge, radiohumor, vintagebroadcast, silvermine, getrichquick, highsociety, SquireSkimp, ruralcomedy, classicradio, vaudeville, Horlicks, socialclimbing, AbnerjoinsFFPR, stockscheme

Selling Shares in Arizona Silver Mine: Pine Ridge Turns Millionaire Overnight

Originally Aired: July 22, 1935
In Lum & Abner #156, “Selling Shares in Arizona Silver Mine,” the town of Pine Ridge is gripped by a get-rich-quick frenzy. Squire Skimp’s latest scheme—selling stock in the “Great Western Sterling Silver Company”—has captivated everyone from Grandpappy Spears to Cedric, Uncle Henry, and even the town barber, who closes shop to retire early. Abner, left alone at the Jot 'Em Down Store and struggling without a delivery boy, is bewildered as his townsfolk abandon labor for lavish dreams. When Lum arrives in grand fashion, revealing himself as President of the silver company, the twist becomes clear: he and Squire are behind the entire operation. Abner is stunned, and the town’s fate may hinge on whether this silver mine is genuine—or just another Squire Skimp con.
Cast:Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), with Grandpappy Spears and Cedric Wehunt in supporting roles
Tags:LumAndAbner, oldtimeradio, 1930scomedy, silverminescheme, PineRidge, SquireSkimp, JotEmDownStore, LumPresident, Horlicks, radiohumor, classicradio, vaudeville, ruralcomedy, getrichquick, stockfrenzy, ArizonaSilver, conmancomedy, smalltownantics

Lum Has New Business Venture with Squire: A President’s Title and a Suspicious Partnership

In Lum & Abner #155, “Lum Has New Business Venture with Squire,” the fallout from Lum’s resignation at the Jot 'Em Down Store continues. After a failed attempt by Dick Huddleston to reconcile the feuding partners, Lum doubles down on his anger—chasing Abner off his porch with threats of his dog, Lead. But just as the dust settles, Squire Skimp arrives to reveal their new venture. Squire has had fancy letterheads printed, naming Lum “President” of the company—a title that blinds Lum to the lack of any actual business plan. Despite warnings from Dick about Squire’s reputation and past schemes, Lum is starry-eyed and convinced of their inevitable riches. The episode blends comedy and caution as Lum may be stepping out of the frying pan and into a conniving fire.
Cast:Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), with Dick Huddleston and Squire Skimp in supporting roles
Tags:LumAndAbner, oldtimeradio, 1930scomedy, SquireSkimp, PineRidge, businessventure, vaudeville, JotEmDownStore, radiohumor, vintagebroadcast, classicradio, suspiciouspartnership, LumPresident, SquireSchemes, Horlicks, conmancharm, ruraldrama, smalltownantics