Lum & Abner: Classic Small-Town Comedy

Lum, Abner & Squire Off to Court: A Legal Ambush Unfolds

Originally Aired: July 4, 1935
In Lum & Abner #144, “Lum, Abner & Squire Off to Court,” the courtroom showdown looms as Squire Skimp springs a legal trap. After being duped into giving a signed statement to a man they believed was on their side, Lum and Abner discover the stranger actually works for Squire. With the trial set for tomorrow, the duo scrambles at the Pine Ridge Planetarium, hoping to unearth financial records that might aid their defense. The tension rises as they brace for battle against Squire’s underhanded tactics in what could be the most pivotal legal showdown in Pine Ridge yet.
Cast:Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), voices of supporting characters including Squire Skimp
Tags:LumAndAbner, oldtimeradio, 1930scomedy, JotEmDownStore, SquireSkimp, PineRidge, radiohumor, vintagebroadcast, courtroomcomedy, Horlicks, legaldrama, classicradio, vaudeville, schemingSquire, PlanetariumPlot, ruraljustice, GoffAndLauck

Lum Explains the Whole Case to Squire’s Lawyer in Disguise

Originally Aired: July 3, 1935
In Lum & Abner #143, “Lum Explains the Whole Case to Squire’s Lawyer,” just as it seems the worst is behind them, Lum unknowingly delivers the entire case—wrapped with a bow—into the hands of the enemy. When a man posing as their legal representative arrives to collect background details on the lawsuit, Lum eagerly shares every misstep: the damaging letter, the burglary, and even Abner’s signed confession. It’s only after the man leaves that Abner reveals the truth: the visitor wasn’t their lawyer at all, but someone working for Squire Skimp.
In classic Lum & Abner fashion, the comedy of errors spirals, as good intentions meet poor judgment. This episode captures the height of small-town misunderstandings and legal naivety, as the duo unwittingly strengthens the very case that threatens to ruin them.
Cast:Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), voices of supporting characters including Squire Skimp and Mr. Ferguson (a.k.a. Mr. Far from “Far, Far, and Far”)
Tags:LumAndAbner, oldtimeradio, 1930scomedy, JotEmDownStore, SquireSkimp, PineRidge, radiohumor, vintagebroadcast, classicradio, vaudeville, legalcomedy, courtroomdrama, mistakenidentity, GoffAndLauck, Abnerconfession, Horlicks, legalblunder, SquiresLawyerSpy

Abner Arrested for Breaking & Entering: A Deal with the Devil

Originally Aired: July 2, 1935
In Lum & Abner #142, “Abner Arrested for Breaking & Entering,” the consequences of last episode’s ill-fated scheme come crashing down. After sneaking into Squire Skimp’s home to retrieve a damaging letter, Abner is caught red-handed—literally pinned under Squire, who wastes no time calling the sheriff. Facing charges from burglary to larceny and even firearms possession, Abner's in deeper trouble than ever before.
As panic spreads, Lum and Dick Huddleston attempt to reason with Squire, who agrees to drop the charges… in exchange for Abner signing a mysterious document. But as the ink dries, the trio realizes the signature may have doomed their lawsuit defense entirely. Squire proves once again he’s the master manipulator of Pine Ridge.
This episode is a brilliant blend of comedy, tension, and small-town intrigue, showcasing how a single misstep can unravel everything.
Cast:Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), voices of supporting characters including Dick Huddleston, Grandpap Spears, and Squire Skimp
Tags:LumAndAbner, oldtimeradio, 1930scomedy, JotEmDownStore, SquireSkimp, PineRidge, radiohumor, vintagebroadcast, legalcomedy, Horlicks, classicradio, vaudeville, AbnerArrested, breakingandentering, baddeal, courtroomdrama, publicenemyPineRidge, GoffAndLauck

Abner & Grandpap Break into Squire's House: A Desperate Move for Justice

Originally Aired: July 1, 1935
In Lum & Abner #141, “Abner & Grandpap Break into Squire's House,” desperation pushes the old fellows to the brink as Squire Skimp tightens his grip on the looming lawsuit. With a handwritten letter inadvertently admitting fault over Squire’s staged injury, Lum and Abner face near-certain defeat in court. After weighing the threat of losing their picture show—or worse—Abner and Grandpap hatch a bold plan: sneak into Squire’s house to steal back the incriminating note.
What unfolds is part comedy, part heist, and all Pine Ridge ingenuity. As the clock ticks down, the duo’s fumbling stealth mission teeters between absurdity and justice, with the fate of the Jot ‘Em Down Store’s co-owners hanging in the balance.
Cast:Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), voices of supporting characters including Dick Huddleston, Grandpap Spears, and Squire Skimp
Tags:LumAndAbner, oldtimeradio, 1930scomedy, JotEmDownStore, SquireSkimp, PineRidge, radiohumor, vintagebroadcast, courtroomdrama, Horlicks, classicradio, vaudeville, legalcomedy, noteheist, AbnerandGrandpap, sneakymission, GoffAndLauck, smalltownjustice, breakinplot

Letter Will Become Incriminating Evidence: Squire’s Legal Trap

Originally Aired: June 28, 1935
In Lum & Abner #140, “Letter Will Become Incriminating Evidence,” Squire Skimp turns a staged stumble at the Pine Ridge Planetarium into a high-stakes legal trap. Claiming injury, he files a $1,000 personal injury lawsuit against Lum and Abner—despite there being little to no medical evidence of harm. As the duo scrambles to avoid court, Doc Miller’s clean bill of health and Squire’s suspicious insistence on paying admission begin to paint a clearer picture: the fall was no accident. When a well-meaning letter of apology from Lum and Abner is presented as a confession of guilt, the stakes escalate. In a masterful stroke of manipulation, Squire offers to drop the suit… for a controlling interest in their movie theater.
This episode is a clever tale of small-town schemes, legal loopholes, and the consequences of seemingly innocent words.
Cast:Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), voices of supporting characters including Dick Huddleston and Squire Skimp
Tags:LumAndAbner, oldtimeradio, 1930scomedy, JotEmDownStore, SquireSkimp, PineRidge, radiohumor, vintagebroadcast, smalltownschemes, courtroomdrama, Horlicks, fakeinjury, classicradio, vaudeville, legalcomedy, incriminatingletter, picturetheaterblackmail, GoffAndLauck

Lum & Abner Rcv Lawsuit Notice

Originally Aired: June 27, 1935
In Lum & Abner #139, “Lum & Abner Rcv Lawsuit Notice,” the peaceful rhythm of Pine Ridge is shattered when Lum and Abner receive a registered letter—official notice of a $1,000 lawsuit from none other than Squire Skimp. Still recovering from injuries he sustained during a picture show at their Planetarium, Squire's sudden legal action stuns the duo. Meanwhile, Cedric battles sleep deprivation, Abner refuses to tidy up the store, and Lum offers free legal help—only to be harshly rejected by Squire. When Dick Huddleston delivers the letter, the gravity of their predicament sets in. A mix of backwoods stubbornness, comedic tension, and escalating stakes make this episode a standout in the series.
Cast:Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), voices of supporting characters including Cedric, Squire Skimp, and Dick Huddleston
Tags:LumAndAbner, oldtimeradio, 1930scomedy, JotEmDownStore, SquireSkimp, PineRidge, radiohumor, vintagebroadcast, lawsuitdrama, Horlicks, smalltownantics, theateraccident, classicradio, vaudeville, legalcomedy, GoffAndLauck

Squire Goes to See a Lawyer: A Suspicious Recovery

Originally Aired: June 26, 1935
In Lum & Abner #138, “Squire Goes to See a Lawyer,” concern grows in Pine Ridge after Squire Skimp’s mysterious accident at the local planetarium. Though Dr. Moore finds nothing seriously wrong, Squire remains bedridden—until he suddenly vanishes from his sickbed for a secret trip to the county seat. Lum and Abner, riddled with guilt, send a heartfelt note to cheer him up, only to learn he might be playing possum. When it's revealed that Squire has gone to see a lawyer, suspicion runs high. Is it a lawsuit, a scam, or something worse? This episode blends small-town sympathy with rising tension, as everyone tries to figure out Squire’s true intentions.
Cast:Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), with voices of Grandpappy Spears, Cedric, and others
Tags:LumAndAbner, oldtimeradio, 1930scomedy, JotEmDownStore, SquireSkimp, PineRidge, radiohumor, vintagebroadcast, suspiciousinjury, Horlicks, ruralmystery, classicradio, vaudeville, fakeinjury, legalplot, smalltownintrigue, GoffAndLauck

Writing Letter of Apology to Squire: A Guilty Conscience and a Barn Door Parable

Originally Aired: June 25, 1935
In Lum & Abner #137, “Writing Letter of Apology to Squire,” guilt looms large in Pine Ridge after Squire Skimp's unexpected injury at the Planetarium. As the town buzzes with concern, Lum wrestles with remorse, prompting him and Abner to compose a heartfelt letter of apology—despite Abner's confusion over old sayings like “locking the barn door after the horse is stolen.” Misunderstandings multiply, even as the duo earnestly tries to do right. Meanwhile, Squire lies in bed, dramatically milking his injury while Doc Miller remains baffled by the lack of physical damage. Packed with comedic banter and surprising empathy, this episode shines with character and classic rural wit.
Cast:Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), with supporting voices including Doc Miller and Squire Skimp
Tags:LumAndAbner, oldtimeradio, 1930scomedy, JotEmDownStore, SquireSkimp, PineRidge, radiohumor, vintagebroadcast, apologyletter, Horlicks, ruraldrama, classicradio, vaudeville, PlanetariumTheater, guiltyconscience, comedyoferrors, Abnerlogic, DocMiller, nohardfeelings

Theater Attracting Big Crowds: Free Shows, Squire’s Farewell, and a Shocking Ending

Originally Aired: June 24, 1935
In Lum & Abner #136, “Theater Attracting Big Crowds,” Pine Ridge flocks to the reopened Planetarium after Squire Skimp’s theater is shut down by Lum’s justice court ruling. With the competition gone, Lum and Abner find themselves doing brisk business and dream of offering free shows for children. Amid the bustle of ticket sales and hometown chatter, Squire unexpectedly arrives at the theater. Instead of causing trouble, he surprises everyone with an olive branch—and even pays for his own ticket. But just as he appears reformed, disaster strikes inside the theater, leaving Squire gravely injured. The episode ends with a dramatic turn that casts doubt on Squire's transformation and leaves listeners stunned.
Cast:Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), with supporting voices including Cedric Wehunt, Grandpappy Spears, Dick Huddleston, and Squire Skimp
Tags:LumAndAbner, oldtimeradio, 1930scomedy, JotEmDownStore, SquireSkimp, PineRidge, radiohumor, vintagebroadcast, PlanetariumTheater, Horlicks, smalltownlife, ruraldrama, classicradio, vaudeville, theaterrush, SquireReturns, freeforthekids, unexpectedtwist

Squire Is Tried in Lum's Court: Justice, Romance, and Small-Town Pressure

Originally Aired: June 21, 1935
In Lum & Abner #135, “Squire Is Tried in Lum's Court,” justice takes center stage in Pine Ridge as Squire Skimp faces trial for illegally running a theater on the second floor of a building—against town ordinance. With Lum presiding as Justice of the Peace, the courtroom drama is complicated by personal stakes: Squire manipulates Evelina into threatening Lum’s relationship if he doesn’t drop the charges. Torn between duty and love, Lum must weigh legal fairness against his own happiness. Despite the emotional turmoil, he ultimately rules by the book, fining Squire $50 and ordering the Hippodrome closed. A powerful episode filled with legal tension, romantic manipulation, and moral clarity.
Cast:Chester Lauck (Lum Edwards), Norris Goff (Abner Peabody), voices of supporting characters including Dick Huddleston, Grandpappy Spears, Squire Skimp, and Evelina
Tags:LumAndAbner, oldtimeradio, 1930scomedy, JotEmDownStore, SquireSkimp, PineRidge, radiohumor, vintagebroadcast, courtroomdrama, Horlicks, smalltownjustice, ruralcomedy, classicradio, vaudeville, EvelinaUltimatum, LumOnTheBench, SkimpTrial, HippodromeClosed