Lum Tells the Truth: No Broken Arms, No Sympathy Vote

Originally Aired: February 7, 1935

Lum Tells the Truth: No Broken Arms, No Sympathy Vote

In this hilariously tangled installment of Lum and Abner, the scheme to win the Jot 'Em Down Store presidency—and avoid trouble with Elizabeth—begins to unravel. With a phony story about Abner having both arms broken in a car wreck gaining traction across Pine Ridge, sympathy votes start pouring in from listeners sending away for the Horlicks flashlight.

But when Abner’s wife files an insurance claim on his behalf, thinking his injuries are real, the boys find themselves in hot water. Now, not only are they risking being caught by the insurance company, but also by the one person they fear more: Elizabeth herself.

To make matters worse, the mail is tipping the election heavily in Abner’s favor—thanks to voters feeling sorry for his (fake) injuries. Frustrated and desperate to clear the air, Lum takes to the party line with a surprise announcement: Abner’s arms aren’t broken at all. It was just a stunt to fool Elizabeth.

The result? Instant regret, as the party line lights up—and Elizabeth herself is on the other end of the call, burning up the telephone wire.

Packed with classic misunderstandings, escalating consequences, and the kind of backfires only Pine Ridge can produce, this episode perfectly blends small-town politics with big-time laughs.

Keywords: "Lum and Abner broken arms reveal," "Horlicks flashlight promotion 1935," "Elizabeth hears party line confession," "Lum exposes Abner’s fake injury," "Pine Ridge comedy radio classic," "Jot ’Em Down Store election scheme," "February 7 1935 Lum and Abner episode."

Cast: Chester Lauck (Lum), Norris Goff (Abner), Carlton Brickert (announcer), Clarence Hartzell (Dick Huddleston).