More Mail for the Matrimonial Bureau

Originally Aired: February 5, 1935

More Mail for the Matrimonial Bureau: Bears, Flashlights, and Broken Hearts

In this hilarious and heartwarming episode of Lum and Abner, the folks of Pine Ridge find themselves swamped—not with flashlight orders, but with letters seeking love advice from their recently launched "Matrimonial Bureau." While Lum is anxiously waiting for a flood of mail requesting the aluminum flashlights they're giving away with Horlicks wrappers, most of the letters are addressed to their matchmaking service instead.

One letter from Muncie, Indiana, stands out: it describes the troubled relationship of two bears—yes, bears—named Susan and Mickey, who live in McCullough Park and are no longer getting along. Lum and Abner approach the problem with their usual earnest humor, theorizing about bear hibernation, marital snoring, and nighttime prowling.

Meanwhile, Cedric Weehunt drops by with the day's mail (a disappointing six letters) and news that he’s patched things up with his sweetheart, Gertrude Seastrump. Inspired, Abner tries to boost flashlight orders with his own heartfelt party-line speech, declaring that if people don’t send in their Horlicks wrappers, “we’re ruined!”

A perfect blend of old-time radio charm, comedy, and down-home ingenuity, this episode showcases the duo’s lovable optimism—even as their big flashlight promotion seems to fizzle.

Keywords: "Lum and Abner Matrimonial Bureau," "Horlicks flashlight promotion," "February 1935 radio comedy," "Susan and Mickey the bears," "Cedric Weehunt Gertrude Seastrump," "Pine Ridge party line humor," "classic Lum and Abner episodes."

Cast: Chester Lauck (Lum), Norris Goff (Abner), with supporting voices likely including Clarence Hartzell (Cedric) and Carlton Brickert (announcer).