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