Lum & Abner: Classic Small-Town Comedy

Matrimonial Bureau Swamped by Mail: A Love-Filled Frenzy

Originally Aired: January 21, 1935
Matrimonial Bureau Swamped by Mail: A Love-Filled Frenzy
The Pine Ridge Matrimonial Bureau has taken off in ways Lum and Abner never imagined! After making an announcement over the party line, letters from hopeful romantics all over the country start pouring in. Women are eager to find a husband, men are seeking advice on love, and domestic disputes are thrown in for good measure.
As Lum and Abner sift through the stacks of letters, they hilariously attempt to solve marriage problems—including how to get a stubborn husband to stop sitting behind the stove all day. Meanwhile, Abner is shocked when he finds his own photograph included in a batch of potential suitors. Lum sees an opportunity—why not send Abner’s picture to all the single women to keep them interested while they search for real matches?
Will Abner unknowingly become Pine Ridge’s most eligible bachelor? Or will this scheme backfire in the most unexpected way?
Keywords:
"Lum and Abner matrimonial bureau," "Pine Ridge matchmaking service," "Vintage radio romance comedy," "Old Time Radio domestic advice," "Classic radio humor 1935," "Marriage problems and solutions," "Abner Peabody romance mix-up"
Cast:
Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody)

Operating the Pine Ridge Matrimonial Bureau: Love and Lawsuits

Originally Aired: January 18, 1935
Operating the Pine Ridge Matrimonial Bureau: Love and Lawsuits
Lum and Abner’s latest business venture, the Pine Ridge Matrimonial Bureau, is booming—letters are pouring in, and they’ve even got their first wedding scheduled! However, not everything is going smoothly in Pine Ridge. Squire Skimp’s $4,200 lawsuit against them looms large, threatening to take everything they own.
As Lum rehearses for his role as justice of the peace, Abner struggles with a more personal dilemma—he still hasn’t told Elizabeth that their oil fortune never existed, and now she’s demanding money to return home. Meanwhile, just as they’re beginning to settle into their new business, Squire Skimp arrives with an offer—he’ll drop the lawsuit if they let him become a third partner in the matrimonial bureau.
Furious at yet another underhanded scheme, Lum throws him out—but as Abner points out, if they lose the case, they’ll lose everything. With no way out, their only hope is the missing agreement Squire signed, which would prove he assumed all liabilities for the oil well. But where could it be? As Lum prepares for the wedding, he unknowingly stumbles upon the long-lost document—hidden in his old coat pocket all along!
Keywords:
"Lum and Abner matrimonial bureau," "Squire Skimp lawsuit," "Pine Ridge matchmaking business," "Classic radio comedy 1935," "Old Time Radio legal troubles," "Small-town wedding humor," "Vintage small-town humor"
Cast:
Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), Squire Skimp

Pine Ridge Oil Boom Over: Riches to Rags

Originally Aired: January 9, 1935
Pine Ridge Oil Boom Over: Riches to Rags
The Pine Ridge oil boom has officially gone bust, and Lum and Abner find themselves right back where they started—or worse. After learning that their supposed oil well was actually a Southern Pipeline leak, the town quickly empties out, leaving Lum and Abner penniless and without a business to fall back on.
As they sit in Lum’s house, reality starts to sink in. With no grocery store, no oil fortune, and no money for food, they scramble to figure out their next move. Meanwhile, Squire Skimp, who tricked them into selling the well, is now on the hook for over $4,200 in stolen oil—but when they go to check their signed agreement, it has mysteriously disappeared!
With Squire Skimp involved, could this be yet another scheme? And more importantly, can Lum and Abner pick themselves back up after losing everything?
Keywords:
"Lum and Abner oil boom collapse," "Pine Ridge pipeline disaster," "Squire Skimp tricks Lum and Abner," "Classic radio comedy 1935," "Old Time Radio oil scheme," "Southern Pipeline oil loss," "Vintage small-town humor"
Cast:
Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), Squire Skimp, Dick Huddleston

Squire Receives Visit from Southern Pipeline

Originally Aired: January 8, 1935
Squire Receives Visit from Southern Pipeline
Squire Skimp’s slick business dealings may have finally caught up with him! After tricking Lum and Abner into selling their oil well, Squire takes full ownership of the Southwest Oil Company—but soon, a visitor from the Southern Pipeline Company arrives with some unexpected news.
Meanwhile, Lum and Abner, now completely broke, try to scrape together enough money just to buy a meal. As they debate asking Squire for an advance on their royalties, Dick Huddleston rushes in with a shocking revelation—the oil well isn't a well at all! Instead, they accidentally drilled straight into an underground pipeline, meaning the “oil strike” was actually stolen oil!
Now, with Squire Skimp fully responsible for the damages, he makes a desperate attempt to back out of the deal and give Lum and Abner back their property. But will the duo fall for his scheme once again, or have they finally outsmarted Squire?
Keywords:
"Lum and Abner Southern Pipeline," "Squire Skimp oil scheme," "Pine Ridge oil company sale," "Classic radio comedy 1935," "Old Time Radio business scams," "Southern Pipeline oil disaster," "Vintage small-town humor"
Cast:
Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), Squire Skimp, Dick Huddleston

Squire Skimp’s Scheme: The Truth Behind Southwest Oil

Originally Aired: January 7, 1935
Squire Skimp’s Scheme: The Truth Behind Southwest Oil
Just when Lum and Abner thought they had made the deal of a lifetime, they uncover the shocking truth—Squire Skimp is the real mastermind behind the Southwest Oil Company! After selling their oil well for $3,000 cash and a royalty of 10 cents per barrel, they realize they’ve once again fallen victim to Squire’s slick business dealings.
As the new owner, Squire wastes no time taking control, and Lum and Abner grow suspicious about whether they’ll ever see a dime of their promised royalties. With no way to undo the deal, they scramble to figure out how to keep Squire honest, debating everything from counting every barrel themselves to hiring an auditor (though Abner hilariously mistakes this for a train conductor!). Meanwhile, Grandpappy Spears joins the discussion as they attempt to divide up their money—only to realize that after expenses, they actually owe money instead of making a profit!
With Squire at the helm, will Lum and Abner ever get the fortune they dreamed of? Or will they once again be left empty-handed?
Keywords:
"Lum and Abner Squire Skimp scheme," "Pine Ridge oil company sale," "Old Time Radio financial scams," "Classic radio comedy 1935," "Small-town humor vintage radio," "Southwest Oil Company deception," "Pine Ridge business mishaps"
Cast:
Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), Grandpappy Spears, Dick Huddleston, Squire Skimp

Selling the Oil Well: A Deal Too Good to Be True

Excitement fills the air in Pine Ridge as Lum and Abner strike what seems like the deal of a lifetime! A representative from the Southwest Oil Company, Mr. Carter, arrives in town eager to purchase their newly drilled oil well, and after much negotiation, the duo agrees to sell their stake for $3,000 cash—plus a royalty of 10 cents per barrel on every drop of oil pumped from the land.
The deal sounds too good to be true, and Lum and Abner begin dreaming of a life of luxury, swearing off work for good. They imagine themselves as wealthy men, dining at Sister Simpson’s boarding house, indulging in cigars, and even planning vacations. But when it’s time to finalize the agreement, a shocking revelation threatens to unravel their good fortune—the true owner of the Southwest Oil Company is none other than Squire Skimp!
Will Lum and Abner really cash in, or have they once again fallen into one of Squire’s elaborate schemes?
Keywords:
"Lum and Abner oil well sale," "Pine Ridge oil business," "Squire Skimp swindle," "Classic radio comedy 1935," "Old Time Radio financial schemes," "Vintage radio sitcom," "Classic small-town humor"
Cast:
Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), Dick Huddleston, Mr. Carter, Squire Skimp

Hunting the Lion: A Wild Chase in Pine Ridge

Originally Aired: January 2, 1933
Hunting the Lion: A Wild Chase in Pine Ridge
There’s chaos in Pine Ridge after an escaped lion—set free when an elephant tore the door off the jailhouse—sends the town into a frenzy! Determined to restore peace, Lum and Abner embark on a daring lion hunt, though their approach may be a little... unconventional.
As Abner prepares for the big chase, he insists on using an elephant instead of dogs, inspired by a book on African big-game hunting. Lum, skeptical as ever, questions the plan, but Abner is determined—especially after working out a plan with Cedric to rig up an old car body as a seat atop the elephant. Meanwhile, the whole town is terrified, refusing to venture out at night, despite Lum’s assurance that the lion is harmless and completely toothless!
Adding to the excitement, Lum and Abner announce a contest to name the elephant, offering a brand-new Ford radio as a prize. With the town in an uproar, a lion on the loose, and a very confused elephant, this is one wild adventure you won’t want to miss!
Keywords:
"Lum and Abner lion hunt episode," "1933 Pine Ridge radio comedy," "Old Time Radio hunting stories," "Cedric and the elephant hunt," "Vintage radio sitcom," "Classic radio comedy adventures," "1930s small-town humor"
Cast:
Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), Cedric Wehunt, Dick Huddleston

Friday Night Sociable: A Crowd Gathers in Pine Ridge

Originally Aired: January 1, 1933
Friday Night Sociable: A Crowd Gathers in Pine Ridge
The town of Pine Ridge is buzzing with excitement as Lum Edwards and Abner Peabody host their Friday Night Sociable at the schoolhouse. The event is a big success, drawing a packed crowd eager for music, laughter, and a bit of small-town charm.
Lum, ever the showman, makes announcements over the party line, inviting everyone to join in the festivities. The Pine Ridge Spring Band provides lively tunes, while a series of special guests entertain the crowd. Larry Adler, a renowned harmonica player, delivers a stunning performance, followed by George Hartrick, who sings the classic western ballad "Home on the Range."
The biggest surprise of the night? Frances Langford, a rising Hollywood star, takes the stage, delighting the audience with her smooth vocals. As the night unfolds, the town’s quirky humor and warm camaraderie shine through, making this sociable one to remember.
With its remastered audio and historical accuracy, this episode brings a slice of 1930s small-town life to modern listeners.
Keywords:
"Lum and Abner 1933 radio," "Friday Night Sociable episode," "Pine Ridge comedy radio," "Larry Adler harmonica performance," "Frances Langford 1930s music," "Old Time Radio small town humor," "Classic radio variety shows"
Cast:
Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), Larry Adler, George Hartrick, Frances Langford, The Pine Ridge Spring Band