Lum & Abner: Classic Small-Town Comedy

Lum Goes into Business with Squire: A Broken Partnership and a Questionable Alliance

Originally Aired: July 18, 1935
In Lum & Abner #154, “Lum Goes into Business with Squire,” tensions at the Jot 'Em Down Store hit a boiling point. Tired of Abner’s relentless bossing, humiliation, and stinginess—including refusing Lum a 15¢ advance for a meal—Lum finally snaps. After being forced to haul a hundred-pound sack of feed on an empty stomach, he quits on the spot. But the real twist? He’s already made a deal with none other than Squire Skimp, forming a new business venture with his former nemesis. The episode delivers a sharp turn in the Lum and Abner saga, where pride, desperation, and revenge intersect in an unexpected new alliance that leaves Pine Ridge buzzing.
Cast:Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), with Dick Huddleston and Squire Skimp in supporting roles
Tags:LumAndAbner, oldtimeradio, 1930scomedy, JotEmDownStore, PineRidge, SquireSkimp, Horlicks, radiohumor, classicradio, vaudeville, LumQuits, roleReversal, businessbreakup, SquireAndLum, newventure, LumGoesHungry, ruraldrama, PineRidgePolitics

Boss Abner Makes Clerk Edwards' Life Miserable: A Role Reversal with Plenty of Sass

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L&A 1935-07-16 (152) Lum Forgot to Buy Fire Insurance.txt
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Title:Lum Forgot to Buy Fire Insurance: A Blaze, a Blunder, and a New Job at the Jot 'Em Down Store
Originally Aired: July 16, 1935
In Lum & Abner #152, “Lum Forgot to Buy Fire Insurance,” disaster strikes Pine Ridge as Lum discovers his movie house, the Pine Ridge Planetarium, was destroyed by fire—and worse, he forgot to buy fire insurance. The oversight, triggered by a distraction during a court case with Squire Skimp, leaves Lum penniless and jobless. As he searches for work—from dishwashing to logging—he’s too proud to ask for help. Meanwhile, Abner secretly hopes Lum will join him at the Jot 'Em Down Store. After much hesitation, Lum humbly accepts a job from his old partner. The episode blends heartfelt humility with the duo’s trademark comedic warmth as Lum’s fortunes take a twist—from big-time showman to small-town clerk.
Cast:Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), voices of supporting characters including Dick Huddleston and Luke Spears
Tags:LumAndAbner, oldtimeradio, 1930scomedy, JotEmDownStore, PineRidge, fireinsurance, Horlicks, ruraldrama, vintagebroadcast, comedyduo, radiohumor, PlanetariumFire, LumLosesAll, smalltownlife, backwoodsbusiness, classicradio, vaudeville, LumClerkAgain
 
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L&A 1935-07-17 (153) Boss Abner Makes Clerk Eddards Life Miserable.txt
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POD - Lum & Abner said:
Title:Boss Abner Makes Clerk Edwards' Life Miserable: A Role Reversal with Plenty of Sass
Originally Aired: July 17, 1935
In Lum & Abner #153, “Boss Abner Makes Clerk Edwards’ Life Miserable,” the once-mighty Lum Edwards faces his toughest challenge yet: working as a delivery boy under his former partner, Abner Peabody. Abner quickly lets the power go to his head, turning into a tyrannical boss who calls Lum “boy,” orders him around, and even sends him on a wild goose chase with mislabelled deliveries. Grandpappy Spears watches the chaos unfold and offers comic relief—and sympathy. Meanwhile, Abner’s antics blur the line between revenge and ridiculousness, with his exaggerated store announcements and mispriced flour sales. Despite the torment, Lum plays along, too proud—and too broke—to quit. A hilarious take on pride, humility, and small-town store politics.
Cast:Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), with Grandpappy Spears and Ezra Seastrunk as supporting characters
Tags:LumAndAbner, oldtimeradio, 1930scomedy, JotEmDownStore, PineRidge, Horlicks, vintagebroadcast, ruralcomedy, vaudeville, roleReversal, AbnerBossesLum, GrandpapSpears, clerkLum, radiohumor, classicradio, bossyAbner, smalltownantics, powertripAbner

Lum Forgot to Buy Fire Insurance: A Blaze, a Blunder, and a New Job at the Jot 'Em Down Store

Originally Aired: July 16, 1935
In Lum & Abner #152, “Lum Forgot to Buy Fire Insurance,” disaster strikes Pine Ridge as Lum discovers his movie house, the Pine Ridge Planetarium, was destroyed by fire—and worse, he forgot to buy fire insurance. The oversight, triggered by a distraction during a court case with Squire Skimp, leaves Lum penniless and jobless. As he searches for work—from dishwashing to logging—he’s too proud to ask for help. Meanwhile, Abner secretly hopes Lum will join him at the Jot 'Em Down Store. After much hesitation, Lum humbly accepts a job from his old partner. The episode blends heartfelt humility with the duo’s trademark comedic warmth as Lum’s fortunes take a twist—from big-time showman to small-town clerk.
Cast:Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), voices of supporting characters including Dick Huddleston and Luke Spears
Tags:LumAndAbner, oldtimeradio, 1930scomedy, JotEmDownStore, PineRidge, fireinsurance, Horlicks, ruraldrama, vintagebroadcast, comedyduo, radiohumor, PlanetariumFire, LumLosesAll, smalltownlife, backwoodsbusiness, classicradio, vaudeville, LumClerkAgain

Lum's Theater Burns Down: Suspicions, Accusations, and a Costly Oversight

Originally Aired: July 15, 1935
In Lum & Abner #151, “Lum's Theater Burns Down,” Pine Ridge is abuzz after the sudden fire that razed the Pine Ridge Planetarium. As the town speculates arson, Abner leaps into constable mode—accusing Grandpappy Spears based on a half-baked interpretation of a figure of speech. Suspicion hovers over Squire Skimp, the town's perennial schemer, but with no evidence, justice stalls. Meanwhile, Dick Huddleston reminds everyone that Lum had been planning to insure the theater—only to discover, in a cruel twist, that no fire policy was ever issued. With the Planetarium in ashes and no insurance payout, Lum faces a total loss… and Abner, for once, might be glad he’s not a partner.
Cast:Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), voices of supporting characters including Dick Huddleston and Grandpappy Spears
Tags:LumAndAbner, oldtimeradio, 1930scomedy, JotEmDownStore, PineRidge, SquireSkimp, radiohumor, vintagebroadcast, arsonmystery, Horlicks, smalltowndrama, classicradio, vaudeville, fireinvestigation, theaterburnsdown, noinsurance, Lumstroubles, GoffAndLauck

Abner Believes Lum Ripped Him Off: A Business Deal Backfires

Originally Aired: July 12, 1935
In Lum & Abner #150, “Abner Believes Lum Ripped Him Off,” tensions flare in Pine Ridge as Abner fumes over a recent business exchange, convinced he got the short end of the stick trading his picture show interest for the Jot ‘Em Down Store. Grandpappy Spears gets caught in the crossfire, and Abner’s rage is only matched by Squire Skimp’s simmering threats. As the dust settles and Lum attempts an apology, the partners reflect on their long history—only to butt heads again over pride and principle. But when a fire alarm rings and the picture show goes up in flames, it seems Abner may have made the better deal after all. A fiery episode filled with comic quarrels, grudging forgiveness, and small-town theatrics.
Cast:Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), supporting voices include Grandpappy Spears and Squire Skimp
Tags:LumAndAbner, oldtimeradio, 1930scomedy, JotEmDownStore, SquireSkimp, PineRidge, radiohumor, vintagebroadcast, badbusinessdeal, pictureShow, firealarm, ruralcomedy, vaudeville, classicradio, GoffAndLauck, businessquarrel, GrandpappySpears

Abner Hires Cedric to be Clerk in Store: A New Era at the Jot 'Em Down

Originally Aired: July 11, 1935
In Lum & Abner #149, “Abner Hires Cedric to be Clerk in Store,” a fresh chapter begins for Pine Ridge’s favorite duo—apart. Following a spat that ended their partnership, Lum now solely owns the Pine Ridge Planetarium picture show, while Abner takes full control of the Jot 'Em Down Store. Determined to prove he can run the store alone, Abner hires Cedric as his new clerk and sets out to train him with a series of hilarious role-playing exercises. But Cedric’s confusion between play-acting and real work leads to comic misunderstandings, especially when he impersonates hard-of-hearing Henry Lunsford. Meanwhile, Abner's enthusiasm is tempered when Dick Huddleston reveals he may have gotten the raw end of the deal. Fueled by indignation, Abner storms off to confront Lum, setting the stage for another uproarious twist in their friendly rivalry.
Cast:Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), voices of supporting characters including Cedric, Dick Huddleston
Tags:LumAndAbner, oldtimeradio, 1930scomedy, JotEmDownStore, PineRidge, Cedric, pictureShow, partnershipSplit, ruralcomedy, smalltownbusiness, clerktraining, classicradio, vaudeville, mistakenValue, AbnerInCharge, GoffAndLauck

Argument Over How to Run Picture Show: Screeno vs. Tradition and a Major Trade

Originally Aired: July 10, 1935
In Lum & Abner #148, “Argument Over How to Run Picture Show,” Lum’s latest scheme to boost attendance at the Pine Ridge Planetarium—a bingo-style game called “Screeno”—sparks an uproar. Abner, who sees the plan as a reckless giveaway, digs in his heels. Their heated argument ends in a dramatic split: Lum and Abner dissolve their long-time partnership, swapping ownerships—Abner takes the Jot ‘Em Down Store, and Lum claims full control of the picture show. It’s a turning point in Pine Ridge history, filled with stubborn pride, old-time business values, and a hint of regret under the bravado.
Cast:Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), with appearances by Vic and Dick Huddleston
Tags:LumAndAbner, oldtimeradio, 1930scomedy, JotEmDownStore, PineRidge, radiohumor, vintagebroadcast, Screeno, picturebusiness, ruralcomedy, classicradio, vaudeville, businesssplit, smalltownlife, Horlicks, AbnerVsLum, comedyconflict

Lawyer Lum Decides It’s Time to Retire: A Case Too Close to Home

Originally Aired: July 9, 1935
In Lum & Abner #147, “Lawyer Lum Decides It’s Time to Retire,” Lum’s short-lived legal career runs into a familiar obstacle—himself. After encouraging Mrs. Phillips to sue the owner of a horse that wrecked her garden, he discovers the culprit was his own horse. Desperate to prevent the case from going to court, Lum and Abner scramble to convince Mrs. Phillips to drop the suit. But her stubbornness forces Lum to negotiate a $10 settlement—only to bill her the same amount in legal fees. In true Pine Ridge fashion, Lum’s ambitions crash back to earth in hilarious fashion, and he vows to leave lawyering behind... for good.
Cast:Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), voices of supporting characters including Mrs. Phillips
Tags:LumAndAbner, oldtimeradio, 1930scomedy, JotEmDownStore, PineRidge, radiohumor, vintagebroadcast, Horlicks, classicradio, backyardlawyer, legalmisfire, horseinvasion, ruralcomedy, vaudeville, LumRetires, GoffAndLauck

Lum Decides to Become a Lawyer: Eddards, Eddards & Eddards Opens for Business

Originally Aired: July 8, 1935
In Lum & Abner #146, “Lum Decides to Become a Lawyer,” fresh off his courtroom success, Lum catches a case of legal ambition. Convinced his clever use of evidence in Squire Skimp’s trial qualifies him for the profession, Lum launches his own law firm—Eddards, Eddards & Eddards (never mind that he’s the only Eddards involved). With no training but boundless confidence, he takes on local “cases,” including collecting a $1.25 corn debt and helping a neighbor sue over garden damage caused by a rogue horse—who turns out to be Lum’s own. This hilarious episode captures Pine Ridge’s brand of legal drama, where good intentions meet comical chaos.
Cast:Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), voices of supporting characters including Grandpappy Spears, Dick Huddleston, and Cedric Wehunt
Tags:LumAndAbner, oldtimeradio, 1930scomedy, JotEmDownStore, PineRidge, radiohumor, vintagebroadcast, Horlicks, legaldrama, classicradio, vaudeville, backyardlawyer, roguehorse, ruraljustice, GoffAndLauck, EddardsEddardsAndEddards, comiclitigation

Lum Arrives with Important Evidence: A Courtroom Turnaround

Originally Aired: July 5, 1935
In Lum & Abner #145, “Lum Arrives with Important Evidence,” the courtroom drama reaches its peak as the trial over Squire Skimp’s injury at the Pine Ridge Planetarium hangs in the balance. With damaging testimony from Snake Hogan and Doc Miller, things look grim for Lum and Abner—until Lum bursts into the courtroom with a game-changing revelation. It turns out Squire applied for life insurance just days after the alleged accident and passed a physical examination with flying colors. The shocking twist not only undercuts Squire's claims of injury but leads to a motion to dismiss the case entirely. A thrilling episode packed with suspense, humor, and a touch of rural justice.
Cast:Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), voices of supporting characters including Squire Skimp, Grandpappy Spears, Cedric Wehunt, and Dick Huddleston
Tags:LumAndAbner, oldtimeradio, 1930scomedy, JotEmDownStore, SquireSkimp, PineRidge, radiohumor, vintagebroadcast, courtroomcomedy, Horlicks, legaldrama, classicradio, vaudeville, ruraljustice, insuranceevidence, GoffAndLauck