Lum & Abner: Classic Small-Town Comedy

Storm Blows the Big Top Down: Panic, Spectacles, and a County-Seat Scramble

Originally Aired: March 29, 1935
 
In Lum & Abner #75, “Storm Blows Circus Tent Down,” Pine Ridge is abuzz with wind and woe. While Grandpappy minds the Jot ’Em Down Store, Lum and Abner bumble through life with their ill-fitted spectacles—misjudging distances, bumping into storefronts, and debating who’s safe to drive. Squire Skimp phones from the county seat with a shocker: a fierce storm has toppled the circus tent, scattering animals and chaos across town. What began as a cash-and-no-grief venture suddenly turns into a high-stakes roundup under stormy skies, with Cedric itching to go and everyone arguing over the wheel. 
 
Cast:
Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), voices of supporting characters including Grandpappy Spears, Squire Skimp, Cedric, and Dick Huddleston
 
Tags:
LumAndAbner, oldtimeradio, 1930scomedy, JotEmDownStore, SquireSkimp, PineRidge, radiohumor, vintagebroadcast, circusdisaster, bigtop, stormyweather, animalsloose, spectaclesgags, Cedric, GrandpappySpears, countyseat, Horlicks, classicradio, ruralcomedy

Circus is Big Business in Mena

Originally Aired: March 28, 1935
In Lum & Abner #74, “Circus is Big Business in Mena,” the circus has officially moved to the county seat—and business is booming. But back in Pine Ridge, the old fellows aren’t exactly celebrating. Lum, Abner, and Cedric are all battling severe headaches and worsening vision, convinced it’s not their health, but the town’s drinking water. The infamous spectacle salesman has now outfitted nearly the entire community, including a two-month-old baby. As everyone walks around with blurry vision, magnified flies, and exaggerated perspectives, the real problem becomes hilariously clear. Meanwhile, a call from Squire Skimp confirms a packed tent and roaring success in Mena. While the circus thrives, Pine Ridge suffers a headache epidemic—and a serious case of buyer’s remorse.
Cast:Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), voices of supporting characters including Cedric Wehunt, Squire Skimp, and Grandpappy Spears
Tags:LumAndAbner, oldtimeradio, 1930scomedy, JotEmDownStore, circusinmena, SquireSkimp, PineRidge, radiohumor, vintagebroadcast, Horlicks, spectaclefiasco, vaudeville, farsightedfun, smalltownantics, GoffAndLauck, headacheepidemic, countyseatcircus

Walt Bates Will Move Circus to Mena

Originally Aired: March 27, 1935
 
In Lum & Abner #73, “Walt Bates Will Move Circus to Mena,” the duo finally finds a cost-effective way to move their struggling circus. With Squire Skimp’s financial carelessness raising concern, Lum takes matters into his own hands, negotiating with Walt Bates to haul the circus to the county seat for just $40. Meanwhile, the saga of Abner’s questionable spectacles continues, as Lum returns them—only to bring them right back and now insists they might be perfectly fine. Even Grandpappy Spears considers getting his own eyes checked by the mysterious circus “octopus,” and Cedric stumbles in wearing a pair so foggy he can’t even see where he’s walking. With everyone now seemingly blinded by both bad optics and circus schemes, the episode is packed with hilarious mix-ups and small-town absurdity.
 
Cast:
Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), voices of supporting characters including Grandpappy Spears, Cedric Wehunt, and Walt Bates
 
Tags:
LumAndAbner, oldtimeradio, 1930scomedy, JotEmDownStore, circusmove, SquireSkimp, PineRidge, radiohumor, vintagebroadcast, Horlicks, badbargain, spectaclecomedy, vaudeville, smalltownantics, WalterBates, MenaArkansas, GoffAndLauck

Abner Buys a Cheap Pair of Glasses

Originally Aired: March 26, 1935
 
In Lum & Abner #72, “Abner Buys a Cheap Pair of Glasses,” Abner becomes the latest victim of a fast-talking circus peddler, proudly sporting a dubious pair of $5 spectacles he bought for $3. Lum, exasperated by Abner’s foggy vision and gullibility, learns that the purchase was driven by Abner’s inability to follow a pea under a shell—a game he lost, blaming his eyesight. As Lum investigates, it becomes clear the spectacles are ill-fitting and unnecessary, leading him to demand a refund and threaten to expel the swindling circus men. Meanwhile, plans to move the failing circus continue, with debate over trucking elephants versus letting them walk the 18 miles to the next town. It’s an episode full of misjudgments, elephant-sized misunderstandings, and classic Pine Ridge humor.
 
Cast:
Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), voices of supporting characters including Squire Skimp and the unnamed circus crew
 
Tags:
LumAndAbner, oldtimeradio, 1930scomedy, JotEmDownStore, SquireSkimp, PineRidge, radiohumor, vintagebroadcast, Horlicks, circusantics, baddeal, AbnersGlasses, elephantlogic, smalltowncomedy, vaudeville, GoffAndLauck, spectaclefiasco

Lum & Abner Lose Money on Circus

Originally Aired: March 25, 1935
 
In Lum & Abner #71, “Lum & Abner Lose Money on Circus,” the comedic duo grapples with the sobering aftermath of their circus venture’s grand opening. Despite high hopes and Squire Skimp’s so-called expertise, the event proves a financial disaster, losing $40—an amount Lum painstakingly explains as a “paper loss.” As blame bounces between ticket miscounts, cash drawer withdrawals, and questionable circus math, Abner grows increasingly confused and Cedric remains focused on getting his picture taken with Clarabelle. With Squire pushing to move the circus to the county seat, the trio faces the stark reality of their “white elephant.” It’s an episode rich with small-town charm, befuddled accounting, and vaudevillian wit.
 
Cast:
Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), voices of supporting characters including Grandpappy Spears, Cedric Wehunt, and Squire Skimp
 
Tags:
LumAndAbner, oldtimeradio, 1930scomedy, JotEmDownStore, circuscomedy, SquireSkimp, PineRidge, radiohumor, vintagebroadcast, Horlicks, smalltownantics, vaudeville, lostmoney, whiteelephant, ticketmishap, circusfiasco, GoffAndLauck

Grand Opening of Circus Tomorrow

Originally Aired: March 22, 1935
In Lum & Abner #70, “Grand Opening of Circus Tomorrow,” the Pine Ridge circus venture teeters between chaos and comedy. After Abner’s ill-fated glass-partition lion stunt leaves him bandaged and shaken, the boys reconsider their suitability as animal trainers. Squire Skimp continues to prioritize spectacle over safety—planning to act as a “barker” (not the canine kind)—while dodging the actual risks. Lum and Abner reflect on their roles, only for Squire to break the news: they’ve been replaced. Surprisingly, both friends are relieved, putting the circus first. As the grand opening looms, this episode delivers a delightful blend of physical comedy, backwoods logic, and Squire’s ever-suspect scheming.
 
Cast:
Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), voice of Squire Skimp
 
Tags:
LumAndAbner, oldtimeradio, 1930scomedy, JotEmDownStore, SquireSkimp, PineRidge, radiohumor, vintagebroadcast, circuscomedy, liontrainer, Horlicks, ruralcomedy, classicradio, vaudeville, glasspartition, Abnerinjured, circusopening, go-getters-and-waiters

Lum Thinks All Circus Jobs Dangerous

Originally Aired: March 21, 1935
 
In Lum & Abner #69, “Lum Thinks All Circus Jobs Dangerous,” Squire Skimp tries to save money by pushing Lum into performing risky circus stunts—either riding elephants in the parade or swinging from the high trapeze. The elephant act, complete with the beast lying on top of Lum, strikes him as downright life-threatening. While Lum dreams of a safe job cranking the circus calliope, Abner shocks everyone by volunteering to train the lions and tigers. The big reveal? Cedric has installed a nearly invisible plate-glass barrier between Abner and the cats, turning a deadly stunt into a clever illusion. It’s a comical look at small-town showmanship, cost-cutting schemes, and the fine art of avoiding danger while looking brave.
 
Cast:
Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), voices of supporting characters including Squire Skimp and Cedric
 
Tags:
LumAndAbner, oldtimeradio, 1930scomedy, JotEmDownStore, SquireSkimp, PineRidge, radiohumor, vintagebroadcast, circuscomedy, elephants, liontamer, trapeze, calliope, glasspartition, sideshow, Horlicks, classicradio, vaudeville, GoffAndLauck

Lum Gives Up the Trapeze

Originally Aired: March 20, 1935
 
In Lum & Abner #68, “Lum Gives Up the Trapeze,” the Pine Ridge circus preparations take a hilarious turn when Squire Skimp tries to save money by casting Lum and Abner in the show. Lum is assigned to the high trapeze but quickly decides the dizzying heights aren’t for him. After some comic negotiating, he swaps the trapeze for what he thinks is a safe and dignified role—riding the parade elephant as “King Eddard.” But Abner warns him the job comes with some risky “tricks,” including lying under the elephant! Meanwhile, Squire works to convince a reluctant Abner to take on the role of lion trainer. Between fear of heights, ferocious cats, and giant pachyderms, the circus is shaping up to be a real small-town spectacle.
 
Cast:
Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), voices of supporting characters including Squire Skimp and Grandpappy Spears
 
Tags:
LumAndAbner, oldtimeradio, 1930scomedy, JotEmDownStore, SquireSkimp, PineRidge, radiohumor, vintagebroadcast, circuscomedy, trapezeact, elephantparade, liontrainer, Horlicks, ruralcomedy, vaudeville, classicradio, slapstickhumor, KingEddard, pachydermpranks

Circus Will Open Saturday: Cedric’s Wild Makeover and Trapeze Troubles

Originally Aired: March 19, 1935
 
In Lum & Abner #67, “Circus Will Open Saturday,” Pine Ridge prepares for a grand spectacle as Squire Skimp hastily arranges a sideshow circus using the town’s modest collection of animals—and imagination. Squire falsely advertises house cats as exotic Persian felines and paints Cedric to pass him off as a “wild man from Borneo,” causing quite the stir when his own family fails to recognize him. As Cedric’s father Caleb seeks revenge, Squire dodges danger and swiftly ropes Lum into becoming a reluctant trapeze artist and Abner into a lion—or rather, “cat”—trainer. With misunderstandings about “cats” turning into tigers, and the return of the flashlight promotion drama, this episode blends slapstick, confusion, and clever rural wit in classic Lum & Abner fashion.
 
Cast:
Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), voices of supporting characters including Squire Skimp and Cedric Wehunt
 
Tags:
LumAndAbner, oldtimeradio, 1930scomedy, JotEmDownStore, SquireSkimp, PineRidge, radiohumor, vintagebroadcast, circuscomedy, Horlicks, CedricWildman, flashlightpromo, ruralcomedy, classicradio, vaudeville, beardedlady, trapezehumor

Squire Assembles Freak Sideshow: White Elephants and the Wild Man of Borneo

Originally Aired: March 18, 1935
 
In Lum & Abner #66, “Squire Assembles Freak Sideshow,” Lum and Abner are in high spirits about their circus venture, thanks to Squire Skimp’s industrious preparations. But as they inspect Squire’s attractions, discomfort sets in—especially when they discover the circus’s “freaks” include misrepresented animals such as a whitewashed elephant and a possum from Homer Jenkins’ backyard. The humor escalates as Abner gets offended after being called an ape, only to find his name on a cage labeled “Gorilla.” The situation spirals further when Lum and Abner discover the terrifying “Wild Man from Borneo” is none other than Cedric Wehunt. Moral dilemmas collide hilariously with small-town antics, highlighting the duo’s earnestness against Squire’s schemes.
 
Cast:
Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), supporting characters including Squire Skimp and Cedric Wehunt
 
Tags:
LumAndAbner, oldtimeradio, 1930scomedy, JotEmDownStore, SquireSkimp, PineRidge, radiohumor, vintagebroadcast, circuscomedy, freakshow, smalltownhumor, CedricWehunt, Horlicks, ruralcomedy, classicradio, vaudeville, wildmanofborneo, comedicmisunderstanding, LauckAndGoff