Lum & Abner: Classic Small-Town Comedy

Abner Hires Cedric: A Sign War Escalates

Episode Title: Abner Hires Cedric: A Sign War Escalates
Originally Aired: February 15, 1935
 
Abner Hires Cedric: A Sign War Escalates
After falling behind in the Jot ’Em Down Store presidential race, Abner hires Cedric Weehunt to parade around town with a hand-painted campaign sign in hopes of regaining voter support. But Lum, not to be outdone, sneaks in some edits to the sign himself—turning it into a shared endorsement for both candidates. As the two vie for Pine Ridge’s support, Lum milks his fake injury for sympathy votes while the townsfolk shake their heads at the increasingly ridiculous antics.
 
Keywords: “Lum and Abner campaign sign episode,” “Cedric Weehunt hired by Abner,” “February 1935 radio comedy,” “Jot ’Em Down Store presidency race,” “Horlicks flashlight promotion,” “Lum fake injury sympathy votes,” “Carlton Brickert announcer”
 
Cast: Chester Lauck (Lum), Norris Goff (Abner), Clarence Hartzell (Dick Huddleston), Carlton Brickert (Announcer), Clarence Hartzell (Cedric Weehunt)

Lum Has the Lead: Campaigns, Confusion, and Calamity

Originally Aired: February 14, 1935
Lum Has the Lead: Campaigns, Confusion, and Calamity
With the race for president of the Jot ’Em Down Store heating up, Lum pulls ahead in the vote count—much to Abner’s confusion and growing paranoia. Convinced Lum said something behind his back during a party line speech, Abner misinterprets an offhand comment about “the last shot” and prepares for a duel. Their argument spirals into a chaotic gun-grabbing scuffle, all while Dick Huddleston and the town try to keep the peace—and the Horlicks flashlight promotion rolling.
Keywords: “Lum and Abner election episode,” “February 1935 Pine Ridge radio,” “Jot ’Em Down Store presidency,” “Horlicks flashlight promotion,” “Abner misinterprets Lum threat,” “radio comedy misunderstanding,” “Carlton Brickert announcer.”
Cast: Chester Lauck (Lum), Norris Goff (Abner), Clarence Hartzell (Dick Huddleston), Carlton Brickert (Announcer).

Dick Huddleston Gets Lum Out of Jail: A Friend Steps Up

Originally Aired: February 13, 1935
Dick Huddleston Gets Lum Out of Jail: A Friend Steps Up
After being wrongly jailed for “robbing” Abner’s house, Lum is rescued by his old friend Dick Huddleston, who posts bail after learning the truth behind the misunderstanding. Abner confesses that Lum never broke in—the door was left open so Lum could retrieve an insurance check before Elizabeth could cash it and land Abner in real trouble. As Lum struggles to repair his reputation and rejoin the race for president of the Jot ’Em Down Store, Abner’s sympathy campaign—complete with fake bandaged arms—continues to dominate the town’s votes, forcing Lum to take to the party line himself to rally support.
Keywords: “Lum and Abner jail episode,” “Dick Huddleston bails Lum out,” “February 1935 Pine Ridge radio,” “Horlicks flashlight promotion,” “Jot ’Em Down Store election,” “Lum party line speech,” “small-town misunderstanding comedy.”
Cast: Chester Lauck (Lum), Norris Goff (Abner), Clarence Hartzell (Dick Huddleston), Carlton Brickert (Announcer), Earle Ross (Squire Skimp).

Lum Is Arrested: A Friend Falls Hard

Originally Aired: February 12, 1935
Lum Is Arrested: A Friend Falls Hard
In this pivotal and heartbreaking episode of Lum and Abner, the consequences of small-town suspicion come crashing down as Lum, once Pine Ridge’s most respected citizen, finds himself locked up behind bars.
After their failed attempt to quietly return the fraudulent $200 insurance check, townsfolk discover a piece of cloth matching Lum’s torn pants at the scene of the supposed “robbery.” Outraged and eager for justice, the community—led by Squire Skimp and Ezra Seastrunk—forces Abner, as acting constable, to arrest his own best friend.
Now sitting in the cold jail, Lum reflects bitterly on how quickly friends have turned into accusers. Even loyal figures like Dick Huddleston have voiced disappointment. Only Abner and Grandpappy Spears remain by Lum’s side, trying in vain to secure his bond.
As if Lum’s shame wasn’t enough, Squire and Ezra deliver a final humiliation: a demand that Lum resign as President of the Pine Ridge School Board. No longer trusted as a leader, Lum faces the collapse of everything he has worked for—all because of a lie meant to protect Abner.
Meanwhile, the flashlight election rolls on, and Abner’s popularity soars as voters rally behind him—though Abner’s heart breaks watching Lum suffer for a crime he didn’t commit.
A moving meditation on trust, pride, and the brutal cost of rumors, Lum Is Arrested marks one of the most emotional chapters in Pine Ridge history.
Keywords: "Lum and Abner Lum arrested episode," "February 1935 Pine Ridge jail," "Horlicks flashlight promotion drama," "Squire Skimp and Ezra Seastrunk," "Lum resigns school board president," "Lum and Abner friendship tested," "small town betrayal story radio."
Cast: Chester Lauck (Lum), Norris Goff (Abner), Clarence Hartzell (Grandpappy Spears, Ezra Seastrunk), Carlton Brickert (Announcer), Earle Ross (Squire Skimp).

Lum Is Nervous: Tracks, Trouble, and the Sugar Bowl Scandal

Originally Aired: February 11, 1935
Lum Is Nervous: Tracks, Trouble, and the Sugar Bowl Scandal
In this high-stakes follow-up to the insurance check debacle, Lum and Abner find themselves tangled in a deepening mess—complete with broken sugar bowls, stolen missionary money, and the threat of being run out of Pine Ridge.
After last week’s failed attempt to retrieve the $200 insurance check from Elizabeth’s sugar bowl, Lum is more rattled than ever. The townsfolk are gossiping, the missionary society is furious, and Lum’s attempt to hide his oversized shoe prints has backfired—literally cramming his feet into a pair of too-small shoes.
Trying to dodge suspicion, Lum and Abner retreat to the store, only to be hit with bad news: Elizabeth Peabody may have found a clue about who “broke into” her home. The problem? It was Lum—just trying to help return a fraudulent insurance payout. But with townspeople like Dick Huddleston loudly calling for justice and warning it must’ve been someone close to the family, the clock is ticking.
Meanwhile, the flashlight campaign continues to boom, with sacks of mail arriving and votes rolling in for the store’s next president. The contest between Lum and Abner is heating up—though Lum’s campaign is floundering in the shadow of a burglary accusation.
Tense, absurd, and full of the classic Pine Ridge charm, this episode mixes slapstick panic with a real sense of small-town justice closing in.
Keywords: “Lum and Abner sugar bowl robbery,” “Elizabeth Peabody mystery clue,” “Horlicks flashlight promotion 1935,” “Jot ’Em Down Store election drama,” “Lum oversized shoes joke,” “February 1935 radio comedy,” “missionary money mix-up episode.”
Cast: Chester Lauck (Lum), Norris Goff (Abner), Clarence Hartzell (Dick Huddleston), Carlton Brickert (announcer).

Insurance Money Misfire: Sugar Bowls and Schemes

Originally Aired: February 8, 1935
Insurance Money Misfire: Sugar Bowls and Schemes
In this delightfully tangled episode of Lum and Abner, the consequences of a little white lie come crashing down as an insurance adjuster arrives in Pine Ridge ready to settle a claim—for injuries that never existed.
Still pretending to have both arms broken from a fake car accident, Abner finds himself deeper in trouble when his wife Elizabeth—believing the story—files a claim and receives a $200 settlement check. Despite Abner’s protests, Elizabeth and her cousin Pearl are already planning what to buy with the money. The problem? Accepting that money constitutes fraud, and Lum knows it could land both of them in jail.
The panic reaches a peak as Lum and Abner scheme to get the check back before Elizabeth cashes it. The solution? A late-night mission to sneak into the Peabody kitchen and retrieve the check from the sugar bowl—where Elizabeth stores both missionary funds and household savings. With Abner’s arms still “injured,” Lum is stuck doing the dirty work himself.
Meanwhile, the election for President of the soon-to-be-reopened Jot ’Em Down Store heats up. Lum campaigns with flyers and school speeches while Abner tries to keep up—though he’s a little distracted by his looming legal troubles.
A perfect blend of slapstick, satire, and small-town chaos, this episode showcases why Lum and Abner remains one of the most beloved radio comedies of all time.
Keywords: “Lum and Abner insurance episode,” “Abner fake broken arms story,” “February 1935 Pine Ridge radio,” “Horlicks flashlight election promo,” “Jot ’Em Down Store president vote,” “sugar bowl insurance check scheme,” “Elizabeth and Pearl shopping plans.”
Cast: Chester Lauck (Lum), Norris Goff (Abner), Clarence Hartzell (Cedric Weehunt), Carlton Brickert (Announcer).

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).

Election Day in Pine Ridge: President or Pretender?

The race is on in this laugh-filled episode of Lum and Abner, as the old fellows of Pine Ridge decide to settle the question of who should be president of their soon-to-reopen Jot ’Em Down Store—with an election!
Still pretending to have two broken arms to win back sympathy from his wife Elizabeth, Abner figures that if his injuries linger, maybe he should just be made president—after all, all he'd have to do is “sit around and sort of boss things.” But Lum isn’t having it. He’s always been president, and he doesn’t plan on giving up the title now.
To avoid another full-blown argument, the pair agree on a democratic solution: let the customers decide! When sending in a Horlicks wrapper to get one of the aluminum flashlights they’re giving away, listeners can vote by writing either “Lum” or “Abner” on the back of the label. It’s an all-out campaign—with stump speeches, slogans, and appeals to sympathy (especially Abner’s fake injuries).
But the scheme takes a wild turn when Elizabeth finds Abner’s accident policy and files a claim—meaning if she discovers his arms aren't really broken, he might be facing more than just lost votes…
Blending pitch-perfect satire with sweet small-town charm, this episode shines with the kind of folksy wit that made Lum and Abner beloved radio legends.
Keywords: "Lum and Abner election episode," "Jot ’Em Down Store president vote," "Horlicks flashlight promotion," "February 1935 radio comedy," "Abner fake broken arms," "Lum vs. Abner rivalry," "Pine Ridge radio sitcom classic."
Cast: Chester Lauck (Lum), Norris Goff (Abner), Carlton Brickert (announcer).

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).

Flashlight Frenzy: Horlick’s Bright Idea

Originally Aired: February 4, 1935
Flashlight Frenzy: Horlick’s Bright Idea:
In this charming and promotional episode of Lum and Abner, the lovable duo find themselves caught up in another get-rich-quick scheme—this time involving pocket flashlights. Desperate to raise funds to reopen their beloved Jot-Em-Down store, Lum and Abner strike a deal with the Horlick’s Malted Milk Company to offer aluminum flashlights as a free premium to customers.
After sending Mr. Horlick a sample flashlight and a hopeful letter, the boys receive a swift and enthusiastic reply: Horlick’s will include a flashlight with every mailed-in wrapper of their malted milk powder. Lum is elated and immediately takes to the Pine Ridge party line to announce the exciting giveaway, encouraging everyone—men, women, and children—to write in for one.
Meanwhile, Abner continues the charade of having both arms broken from a staged car accident, hilariously demanding help with everything from lighting his pipe to removing his hat. Their slapstick interactions are matched by genuine enthusiasm for their flashlight promotion, which they hope will bring in enough orders to finally stock the store again.
Full of homespun humor, heart, and just a bit of hucksterism, this episode reflects the enduring charm of Pine Ridge and the friendship that keeps Lum and Abner’s misadventures always worth tuning in for.
Keywords: "Lum and Abner Horlicks flashlight episode," "February 1935 Lum and Abner radio," "Jot-Em-Down store scheme," "Horlicks Malted Milk giveaway," "Pine Ridge flashlight promotion," "classic radio comedy duo," "Lum and Abner party line announcement."
Cast: Chester Lauck (Lum), Norris Goff (Abner), with supporting characters including Dick Huddleston.