Lum & Abner: Classic Small-Town Comedy

The “Un-Chain” Letter: Hog Returns, Corn Floods, and Penitentiary Fears

Originally Aired: May 13, 1935
In Lum & Abner #106, “Lum Wants to Start an Un-Chain Letter,” the boys scramble to undo their hog-chain disaster after learning it’s against the law. Their plan? An “un-chain letter” to send hogs back to their original owners. But Pine Ridge folks aren’t eager to reclaim their pigs—leaving Abner’s place trampled and Elizabeth fit to run him out. As Cedric struggles to corral the swine, new shipments arrive from as far as Nebraska and California, and the corn-chain letter kicks in, burying them under bushels. Lum muses about letting the hogs “find their own way home,” while Abner worries the penitentiary may be closer than ever. It’s small-town logic, legal trouble, and hog-chaos at its funniest.  
Cast:Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), supporting characters including Cedric Wehunt, Elizabeth Peabody
Tags:LumAndAbner, oldtimeradio, 1930scomedy, JotEmDownStore, PineRidge, radiohumor, vintagebroadcast, chainletter, hogbusiness, cornchain, unchainletter, ruralcomedy, classicradio, Cedric, ElizabethPeabody, penitentiaryfears, Horlicks

Chain-Letter Hog Boom Meets the Law: Dick Sounds the Alarm

Originally Aired: May 10, 1935
In Lum & Abner #105, “Dick Tells Lum & Abner Chain Letters Illegal,” the hog-chain craze sweeps Pine Ridge to hilarious extremes. With wagons and buggies unloading squealing donations at Abner’s place, Elizabeth’s garden and even the house itself are overrun. Lum and Abner scheme to sell surplus hogs to neighbors desperate to get in on the chain—while launching a corn-letter scheme to feed the swine. But their pork-barrel dreams hit a snag when Dick Huddleston arrives with sobering news: Washington has branded chain letters as fraudulent, and the authorities are investigating. The boys may have started something too big to stop, and now the law is closing in.  
Cast:Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), supporting characters including Cedric Wehunt, Elizabeth Peabody, Dick Huddleston
Tags:LumAndAbner, oldtimeradio, 1930scomedy, JotEmDownStore, PineRidge, radiohumor, vintagebroadcast, chainletter, hogbusiness, cornchain, ruralcomedy, classicradio, Cedric, ElizabethPeabody, DickHuddleston, postalregulations, fraudwarning, Horlicks

Hog-Chain Fever Hits Pine Ridge: Land Grabs, Fences, and a Feed Panic

Originally Aired: May 9, 1935
In Lum & Abner #104, “Finding a Place to Keep Hogs,” the boys ignite a “farm relief” chain letter that tells folks to mail… a hog. Convinced they’ll net 15,625 porkers, they scramble to buy 80 acres of bottomland from Uncle Henry, haggle the price to $300, and start planning fences—only to realize, too late, that thousands of hogs also need thousands of bushels of feed. As Grandpappy Spears gets buried in donations and Cedric drops a squealing delivery at the Jot ‘Em Down Store, Lum hatches a fix just as wild: a brand-new chain letter for corn. It’s classic Pine Ridge optimism colliding with small-town math, with every oink and brainstorm funnier than the last.  
Cast:Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), supporting characters including Grandpappy Spears, Cedric Wehunt, Uncle Henry
Tags:LumAndAbner, oldtimeradio, 1930scomedy, JotEmDownStore, PineRidge, radiohumor, vintagebroadcast, chainletter, hogbusiness, farmrelief, cornchain, fencebuilding, landdeal, Horlicks, ruralcomedy, classicradio, Cedric, GrandpappySpears

Lum Will Start His Own Chain Letter: From Dimes to Hogs in Pine Ridge

In Lum & Abner #103, “Lum Will Start His Own Chain Letter,” a seemingly innocent chain letter from Denver sets Lum on a new get-rich-quick scheme. Promising over $1,500 in return for a single dime, the letter tempts Lum to enlist his friends—despite Dick Huddleston's warning that such ideas rarely pan out. Abner, ever the opportunist, suggests sending all five letters to himself, while Lum dreams bigger: replacing dimes with hogs. The duo quickly dives into planning a chain-letter system that trades swine instead of coins, convinced it will bring farm relief and national prosperity. In true Lum & Abner fashion, the absurdity escalates with charm, wit, and rural flair.
Cast:Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), with supporting voices including Dick Huddleston and Grandpappy Spears
Tags:LumAndAbner, oldtimeradio, 1930scomedy, JotEmDownStore, chainletter, getrichquick, PineRidge, radiohumor, vintagebroadcast, Horlicks, ruralcomedy, classicradio, vaudeville, hogscheme, dimesforhogs, mailordercomedy, GoffAndLauck

Lum Receives Chain Letter from Denver

Originally Aired: May 7, 1935
In Lum & Abner #102, “Lum Receives Chain Letter from Denver,” the Jot-Em-Down Store is buzzing with plans for remodeling—new counters, show windows, even a fancy basket system to rival the big-city department stores. But dreams cost money, and business is slow. Abner suggests letting Grandpappy Spears go, though neither he nor Lum has the heart to fire him. Just then, Dick Huddleston delivers the mail—including a curious letter from Denver. Lum, thinking it might be from his long-lost Uncle Lige, opens it to find not a fortune in silver, but a chain letter promising riches if he’ll only send out copies (and dimes). Meanwhile, word spreads that Squire Skimp is furious over the “diamond” he bought back for $300—only to learn it’s worthless glass. To Lum and Abner’s delight, Grandpappy’s quick thinking duped the Squire, earning him a permanent spot in the store. With chain letters, fake jewels, and backwoods schemes, this episode is a perfect slice of Pine Ridge mischief.
Cast:Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody); supporting voices including Squire Skimp, Grandpappy Spears, Dick Huddleston
Tags:LumAndAbner, oldtimeradio, 1930scomedy, JotEmDownStore, chainletter, SquireSkimp, GrandpappySpears, PineRidge, radiohumor, vintagebroadcast, Horlicks, fakedi amond, storemakeover, smalltownschemes, basketdeliverysystem, AbnerfiringGrandpappy

Squire Buys Evalena’s Engagement Ring for Lum

Originally Aired: May 6, 1935
In Lum & Abner #101, “Squire Buys Evalena’s Engagement Ring for Lum,” the gents are still smarting over the fake-diamond caper that cost them $200—money Squire Skimp conveniently pocketed. While Abner blusters about giving Squire a whipping, Lum tries to keep the peace and focus on remodeling plans for the Jot-Em-Down Store (with Ezra C. Strunk lined up for carpentry). Then Squire strolls in with a too-good-to-be-true offer: he’ll pay $300 to “make things right” and take the stone that Grandpappy Spears has already had set into a ring—one Lum intends for Evalena. Is Squire being generous…or running a new angle? Between tempers, schemes, and an unexpected engagement plan, the episode delivers classic Pine Ridge mischief—plus a hearty serving of Horlicks chatter.  
Cast:Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody); supporting voices including Squire Skimp, Grandpappy Spears, Dick Huddleston, Evalena
Tags:LumAndAbner, oldtimeradio, 1930scomedy, JotEmDownStore, SquireSkimp, PineRidge, radiohumor, vintagebroadcast, engagementring, fakediamond, GrandpappySpears, EzraCStrunk, Horlicks, smalltownschemes, proposalplot

Lum Needs Engagement Ring for Evalena: A Rivalry Rekindled

Originally Aired: April 29, 1935
In Lum & Abner #96, “Lum Needs Engagement Ring for Evalena,” the sparks of old romance fly again as Lum seizes the chance to woo Evalena after her engagement to Frank Foster is abruptly canceled. Determined to win her over for good, Lum sets his sights on acquiring a diamond engagement ring—perhaps even the one Frank once gave her. Meanwhile, a well-dressed stranger visits Pine Ridge in search of land for a summer home, accidentally dropping a valuable diamond. When he offers $200 to anyone who finds it, the town springs into action, and even the ever-opportunistic Squire Skimp enters the fray. With schemes, rivalry, and a shiny prize on the line, this episode glimmers with charm, comedy, and small-town hustle.
Cast:Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), with voices of Dick Huddleston and Squire Skimp
Tags:LumAndAbner, oldtimeradio, 1930scomedy, JotEmDownStore, Evalena, SquireSkimp, PineRidge, radiohumor, vintagebroadcast, engagementring, Horlicks, smalltownromance, ruralcomedy, classicradio, vaudeville, diamondhunt, lostandfound, GoffAndLauck

Evalena & Frank Foster to Be Married: A Hero Scheme Backfires

Originally Aired: April 26, 1935
In Lum & Abner #95, “Evalena & Frank Foster to Be Married,” Lum hatches a harebrained scheme to win Evalena back by staging a fake kidnapping at her engagement party—hoping to heroically "rescue" her and win her heart. He recruits Abner to play the masked kidnapper, but the plan goes wildly awry when Evalena’s fiancé Frank Foster punches Abner unconscious before Lum can intervene. With bruises, bandages, and wounded pride, Abner bears the fallout of the botched prank. But in an unexpected twist, Evalena calls off the wedding after the ordeal, blaming Frank for his violent overreaction. Lum’s plan might have failed on paper, but it worked in the end—thanks to Abner’s accidental sacrifice.
Cast:Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), with appearances by Evalena, Frank Foster, Dick Huddleston, and Grandpappy Spears
Tags:LumAndAbner, oldtimeradio, 1930scomedy, JotEmDownStore, PineRidge, radiohumor, vintagebroadcast, fakekidnapping, engagementdrama, Horlicks, comicprank, classicradio, vaudeville, Abnergetsbeat, weddingcanceled, Evalena, GoffAndLauck

Lum & Abner Reconcile: Bandaged Lies and a Business Revival

Originally Aired: April 23, 1935
In Lum & Abner #92, “Lum & Abner Reconcile,” the comedic duo patch up their fractured friendship in classic Pine Ridge fashion—with bandages, misunderstandings, and heartfelt apologies. After days of dodging Lum, Abner appears wrapped in fake injuries, hoping to avoid a beating that was never coming. The ruse backfires hilariously, but leads to a touching moment of forgiveness and reconciliation. As the two tally their circus profits, Abner dreams up increasingly absurd new careers—from barbering to building a railroad—before Lum offers the most logical solution of all: return as partners in the Jot ‘Em Down Store. With grand plans for modern improvements, the episode ends with their business—and friendship—stronger than ever.
Cast:Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), with Grandpappy Spears and mentions of Elizabeth, Charity, and Dick Huddleston
Tags:LumAndAbner, oldtimeradio, 1930scomedy, JotEmDownStore, PineRidge, radiohumor, vintagebroadcast, businessrevival, Horlicks, reconciliationscene, classicradio, vaudeville, storecomedy, fakeinjuries, Abnerdreamsbig, ruralcomedy, GoffAndLauck

Lum & Abner Sell Their Circus

Originally aired April 22, 1935, this episode finds the old fellows of Pine Ridge tangled up in the aftermath of their ill-fated circus venture. Having sold the show to Squire Skim for $1,000, Lum and Abner are stunned to discover that Squire quickly turned it for a $4,000 profit, leaving them swindled out of $3,000.
Back at Jot ’Em Down Store, Lum recounts the loss to Dick Huddleston and Grandpappy Spears, vowing that no one could out-trade him—though Squire apparently did just that. Meanwhile, Abner, still convinced Lum means to whip him for meddling with the circus money, goes to comic lengths to avoid him, sneaking out back doors and dodging around Pine Ridge. When Lum finally tries to corner him with the help of the others, Abner’s fright drives him straight through a plate glass window in a burst of slapstick panic.
With Horlick’s Malted Milk ads sprinkled throughout—including a testimonial about a once-ailing baby turned blue-ribbon healthy—this lighthearted installment captures the small-town missteps, misunderstandings, and homespun comedy that made Lum and Abner enduring radio favorites