Lum & Abner: Classic Small-Town Comedy

Abner Hires Cedric to be Clerk in Store: A New Era at the Jot 'Em Down

Originally Aired: July 11, 1935
In Lum & Abner #149, “Abner Hires Cedric to be Clerk in Store,” a fresh chapter begins for Pine Ridge’s favorite duo—apart. Following a spat that ended their partnership, Lum now solely owns the Pine Ridge Planetarium picture show, while Abner takes full control of the Jot 'Em Down Store. Determined to prove he can run the store alone, Abner hires Cedric as his new clerk and sets out to train him with a series of hilarious role-playing exercises. But Cedric’s confusion between play-acting and real work leads to comic misunderstandings, especially when he impersonates hard-of-hearing Henry Lunsford. Meanwhile, Abner's enthusiasm is tempered when Dick Huddleston reveals he may have gotten the raw end of the deal. Fueled by indignation, Abner storms off to confront Lum, setting the stage for another uproarious twist in their friendly rivalry.
Cast:Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), voices of supporting characters including Cedric, Dick Huddleston
Tags:LumAndAbner, oldtimeradio, 1930scomedy, JotEmDownStore, PineRidge, Cedric, pictureShow, partnershipSplit, ruralcomedy, smalltownbusiness, clerktraining, classicradio, vaudeville, mistakenValue, AbnerInCharge, GoffAndLauck

Argument Over How to Run Picture Show: Screeno vs. Tradition and a Major Trade

Originally Aired: July 10, 1935
In Lum & Abner #148, “Argument Over How to Run Picture Show,” Lum’s latest scheme to boost attendance at the Pine Ridge Planetarium—a bingo-style game called “Screeno”—sparks an uproar. Abner, who sees the plan as a reckless giveaway, digs in his heels. Their heated argument ends in a dramatic split: Lum and Abner dissolve their long-time partnership, swapping ownerships—Abner takes the Jot ‘Em Down Store, and Lum claims full control of the picture show. It’s a turning point in Pine Ridge history, filled with stubborn pride, old-time business values, and a hint of regret under the bravado.
Cast:Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), with appearances by Vic and Dick Huddleston
Tags:LumAndAbner, oldtimeradio, 1930scomedy, JotEmDownStore, PineRidge, radiohumor, vintagebroadcast, Screeno, picturebusiness, ruralcomedy, classicradio, vaudeville, businesssplit, smalltownlife, Horlicks, AbnerVsLum, comedyconflict

Lawyer Lum Decides It’s Time to Retire: A Case Too Close to Home

Originally Aired: July 9, 1935
In Lum & Abner #147, “Lawyer Lum Decides It’s Time to Retire,” Lum’s short-lived legal career runs into a familiar obstacle—himself. After encouraging Mrs. Phillips to sue the owner of a horse that wrecked her garden, he discovers the culprit was his own horse. Desperate to prevent the case from going to court, Lum and Abner scramble to convince Mrs. Phillips to drop the suit. But her stubbornness forces Lum to negotiate a $10 settlement—only to bill her the same amount in legal fees. In true Pine Ridge fashion, Lum’s ambitions crash back to earth in hilarious fashion, and he vows to leave lawyering behind... for good.
Cast:Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), voices of supporting characters including Mrs. Phillips
Tags:LumAndAbner, oldtimeradio, 1930scomedy, JotEmDownStore, PineRidge, radiohumor, vintagebroadcast, Horlicks, classicradio, backyardlawyer, legalmisfire, horseinvasion, ruralcomedy, vaudeville, LumRetires, GoffAndLauck

Lum Decides to Become a Lawyer: Eddards, Eddards & Eddards Opens for Business

Originally Aired: July 8, 1935
In Lum & Abner #146, “Lum Decides to Become a Lawyer,” fresh off his courtroom success, Lum catches a case of legal ambition. Convinced his clever use of evidence in Squire Skimp’s trial qualifies him for the profession, Lum launches his own law firm—Eddards, Eddards & Eddards (never mind that he’s the only Eddards involved). With no training but boundless confidence, he takes on local “cases,” including collecting a $1.25 corn debt and helping a neighbor sue over garden damage caused by a rogue horse—who turns out to be Lum’s own. This hilarious episode captures Pine Ridge’s brand of legal drama, where good intentions meet comical chaos.
Cast:Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), voices of supporting characters including Grandpappy Spears, Dick Huddleston, and Cedric Wehunt
Tags:LumAndAbner, oldtimeradio, 1930scomedy, JotEmDownStore, PineRidge, radiohumor, vintagebroadcast, Horlicks, legaldrama, classicradio, vaudeville, backyardlawyer, roguehorse, ruraljustice, GoffAndLauck, EddardsEddardsAndEddards, comiclitigation

Lum Arrives with Important Evidence: A Courtroom Turnaround

Originally Aired: July 5, 1935
In Lum & Abner #145, “Lum Arrives with Important Evidence,” the courtroom drama reaches its peak as the trial over Squire Skimp’s injury at the Pine Ridge Planetarium hangs in the balance. With damaging testimony from Snake Hogan and Doc Miller, things look grim for Lum and Abner—until Lum bursts into the courtroom with a game-changing revelation. It turns out Squire applied for life insurance just days after the alleged accident and passed a physical examination with flying colors. The shocking twist not only undercuts Squire's claims of injury but leads to a motion to dismiss the case entirely. A thrilling episode packed with suspense, humor, and a touch of rural justice.
Cast:Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), voices of supporting characters including Squire Skimp, Grandpappy Spears, Cedric Wehunt, and Dick Huddleston
Tags:LumAndAbner, oldtimeradio, 1930scomedy, JotEmDownStore, SquireSkimp, PineRidge, radiohumor, vintagebroadcast, courtroomcomedy, Horlicks, legaldrama, classicradio, vaudeville, ruraljustice, insuranceevidence, GoffAndLauck

Lum, Abner & Squire Off to Court: A Legal Ambush Unfolds

Originally Aired: July 4, 1935
In Lum & Abner #144, “Lum, Abner & Squire Off to Court,” the courtroom showdown looms as Squire Skimp springs a legal trap. After being duped into giving a signed statement to a man they believed was on their side, Lum and Abner discover the stranger actually works for Squire. With the trial set for tomorrow, the duo scrambles at the Pine Ridge Planetarium, hoping to unearth financial records that might aid their defense. The tension rises as they brace for battle against Squire’s underhanded tactics in what could be the most pivotal legal showdown in Pine Ridge yet.
Cast:Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), voices of supporting characters including Squire Skimp
Tags:LumAndAbner, oldtimeradio, 1930scomedy, JotEmDownStore, SquireSkimp, PineRidge, radiohumor, vintagebroadcast, courtroomcomedy, Horlicks, legaldrama, classicradio, vaudeville, schemingSquire, PlanetariumPlot, ruraljustice, GoffAndLauck

Lum Explains the Whole Case to Squire’s Lawyer in Disguise

Originally Aired: July 3, 1935
In Lum & Abner #143, “Lum Explains the Whole Case to Squire’s Lawyer,” just as it seems the worst is behind them, Lum unknowingly delivers the entire case—wrapped with a bow—into the hands of the enemy. When a man posing as their legal representative arrives to collect background details on the lawsuit, Lum eagerly shares every misstep: the damaging letter, the burglary, and even Abner’s signed confession. It’s only after the man leaves that Abner reveals the truth: the visitor wasn’t their lawyer at all, but someone working for Squire Skimp.
In classic Lum & Abner fashion, the comedy of errors spirals, as good intentions meet poor judgment. This episode captures the height of small-town misunderstandings and legal naivety, as the duo unwittingly strengthens the very case that threatens to ruin them.
Cast:Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), voices of supporting characters including Squire Skimp and Mr. Ferguson (a.k.a. Mr. Far from “Far, Far, and Far”)
Tags:LumAndAbner, oldtimeradio, 1930scomedy, JotEmDownStore, SquireSkimp, PineRidge, radiohumor, vintagebroadcast, classicradio, vaudeville, legalcomedy, courtroomdrama, mistakenidentity, GoffAndLauck, Abnerconfession, Horlicks, legalblunder, SquiresLawyerSpy

Abner Arrested for Breaking & Entering: A Deal with the Devil

Originally Aired: July 2, 1935
In Lum & Abner #142, “Abner Arrested for Breaking & Entering,” the consequences of last episode’s ill-fated scheme come crashing down. After sneaking into Squire Skimp’s home to retrieve a damaging letter, Abner is caught red-handed—literally pinned under Squire, who wastes no time calling the sheriff. Facing charges from burglary to larceny and even firearms possession, Abner's in deeper trouble than ever before.
As panic spreads, Lum and Dick Huddleston attempt to reason with Squire, who agrees to drop the charges… in exchange for Abner signing a mysterious document. But as the ink dries, the trio realizes the signature may have doomed their lawsuit defense entirely. Squire proves once again he’s the master manipulator of Pine Ridge.
This episode is a brilliant blend of comedy, tension, and small-town intrigue, showcasing how a single misstep can unravel everything.
Cast:Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), voices of supporting characters including Dick Huddleston, Grandpap Spears, and Squire Skimp
Tags:LumAndAbner, oldtimeradio, 1930scomedy, JotEmDownStore, SquireSkimp, PineRidge, radiohumor, vintagebroadcast, legalcomedy, Horlicks, classicradio, vaudeville, AbnerArrested, breakingandentering, baddeal, courtroomdrama, publicenemyPineRidge, GoffAndLauck

Abner & Grandpap Break into Squire's House: A Desperate Move for Justice

Originally Aired: July 1, 1935
In Lum & Abner #141, “Abner & Grandpap Break into Squire's House,” desperation pushes the old fellows to the brink as Squire Skimp tightens his grip on the looming lawsuit. With a handwritten letter inadvertently admitting fault over Squire’s staged injury, Lum and Abner face near-certain defeat in court. After weighing the threat of losing their picture show—or worse—Abner and Grandpap hatch a bold plan: sneak into Squire’s house to steal back the incriminating note.
What unfolds is part comedy, part heist, and all Pine Ridge ingenuity. As the clock ticks down, the duo’s fumbling stealth mission teeters between absurdity and justice, with the fate of the Jot ‘Em Down Store’s co-owners hanging in the balance.
Cast:Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), voices of supporting characters including Dick Huddleston, Grandpap Spears, and Squire Skimp
Tags:LumAndAbner, oldtimeradio, 1930scomedy, JotEmDownStore, SquireSkimp, PineRidge, radiohumor, vintagebroadcast, courtroomdrama, Horlicks, classicradio, vaudeville, legalcomedy, noteheist, AbnerandGrandpap, sneakymission, GoffAndLauck, smalltownjustice, breakinplot

Letter Will Become Incriminating Evidence: Squire’s Legal Trap

Originally Aired: June 28, 1935
In Lum & Abner #140, “Letter Will Become Incriminating Evidence,” Squire Skimp turns a staged stumble at the Pine Ridge Planetarium into a high-stakes legal trap. Claiming injury, he files a $1,000 personal injury lawsuit against Lum and Abner—despite there being little to no medical evidence of harm. As the duo scrambles to avoid court, Doc Miller’s clean bill of health and Squire’s suspicious insistence on paying admission begin to paint a clearer picture: the fall was no accident. When a well-meaning letter of apology from Lum and Abner is presented as a confession of guilt, the stakes escalate. In a masterful stroke of manipulation, Squire offers to drop the suit… for a controlling interest in their movie theater.
This episode is a clever tale of small-town schemes, legal loopholes, and the consequences of seemingly innocent words.
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, smalltownschemes, courtroomdrama, Horlicks, fakeinjury, classicradio, vaudeville, legalcomedy, incriminatingletter, picturetheaterblackmail, GoffAndLauck