Lum & Abner: Classic Small-Town Comedy

Lum’s Story Gets Bigger

Originally Aired: September 11, 1935
In Lum & Abner #193, "Lum's Story Gets Bigger," Lum finds himself trapped in an escalating web of lies about his heroic rescue of Abner from kidnappers. What started as a scheme that Lum himself orchestrated has now spiraled out of control, as grateful townspeople continuously call to praise his bravery. Each time Lum recounts the story, the details grow more dramatic: the number of kidnappers increases from four to six to eight, weapons multiply from bare fists to shotguns and machine guns, and the danger intensifies to include Abner nearly being sawed in two at a mill.
With young Cedric Weehunt visiting and phone calls pouring in from citizens like Ms. Phillips and Sister Simpson, Lum can't seem to stop embellishing his tale of courage. He instructs Cedric to spread word of his heroism while maintaining false modesty, even quoting misremembered sayings and patriotic phrases. Meanwhile, Abner awkwardly plays along when pressed to confirm Lum's bravery on the telephone, though his discomfort with the growing deception becomes increasingly apparent as the story continues to snowball beyond anyone's control.

Lum Decides to Admit the Whole Thing

Originally Aired: September 10, 1935
In Lum & Abner #192, "Lum Decides to Admit the Whole Thing," Lum's elaborate scheme to become a hero has completely backfired. What began as a plan to stage Abner's kidnapping and then "rescue" him has spiraled into a dangerous situation. The citizens of Pine Ridge are so enraged about the supposed crime that they've pooled together a hundred dollar reward and are threatening to hang the kidnappers when caught. A detective hired by Lum's wife Elizabeth claims to have enough evidence to name the culprit by nightfall, and Lum is terrified the investigation will lead straight to him.
As a nervous wreck, Lum returns home to find Abner, his willing "captive," growing tired of hiding out. Lum describes the angry mob of fifty men at the barber shop planning the kidnappers' fate, and the very real possibility of bloodhounds being brought in to track them down. Caught between facing the wrath of the entire town or being exposed by the detective's investigation, Lum considers the unthinkable: calling everyone on the party line and confessing the whole embarrassing truth.

Towns people Will Set a Trap for Kidnappers

Originally Aired: September 9, 1935
Lum & Abner #191, "Towns people Will Set a Trap for Kidnappers,"
In this episode, Lum's scheme to fake Abner's kidnapping so he can stage a heroic rescue spirals out of control. While Abner hides comfortably at Lum's house eating his way through a winter's worth of canned goods, poor Lum is forced to join exhausting search parties scouring the mountains all night. Making matters worse, he's squeezing his feet into shoes three sizes too small because Abner's wife Lizabeth has been measuring everyone's footprints against the tracks left at the kidnapping scene. Lum's feet are swollen and his clothes are torn, but he can't risk being identified as the kidnapper.
The situation becomes more complicated when Lizabeth calls to say she's delivering the fifty-dollar ransom money to the schoolhouse as instructed in the ransom note. Lum realizes he needs to rescue Abner before she pays the ransom, but the impatient and hungry Abner just wants to go home to his worried wife. As the episode ends, Lum frantically tries to prevent Lizabeth from leaving the money where someone else might find it, threatening to expose their entire scheme.

Abner’s Kidnapping Has the Whole Town Upset

Originally Aired: September 6, 1935
Lum & Abner #190, "Abner's Kidnapping Has the Whole Town Upset,"
In a misguided attempt to restore his reputation and become a hero, Lum concocts an elaborate scheme to stage Abner's kidnapping. After reluctantly agreeing to the plan, Abner is now hiding at Lum's house while the whole town of Pine Ridge buzzes with excitement over the supposed crime. A ransom note demanding fifty dollars has been left on Abner's pillow, and news of the kidnapping spreads like wildfire through the community. As Lum returns from town, he finds a nervous Abner hiding under the dining room table, terrified that someone might discover him.
The townspeople are inventing increasingly wild stories about the kidnapping. Ezra Seastrump's wife claims she saw Abner in a black car with a handkerchief in his mouth, while Luther Phillips insists he saw suspicious characters in Abner's yard. Lum even adds his own false lead about a man matching Abner's description being spotted at a Mount Idy filling station. When Sister Simpson calls to discuss the terrible news, Lum cleverly plants the idea that whoever rescues Abner will be considered a real hero, setting the stage for his own triumphant "rescue."

Kidnapping Abner

Originally Aired: September 5, 1935
In Lum & Abner #189, "Kidnapping Abner," Lum Edwards attempts to restore his tarnished reputation by orchestrating an elaborate scheme: he'll kidnap Abner with his partner's permission, then heroically "rescue" him to win back the good graces of their fellow Pine Ridge townspeople. At midnight, Lum sneaks through Abner's bedroom window to execute the plan, but nothing goes smoothly. He has to douse the sleepy Abner with water to wake him, an alarm clock goes off at the wrong time, a lamp gets knocked over, and Abner's dog raises a ruckus as they escape.
The bumbling kidnapping turns into pure chaos as Abner jumps through a closed window, injures his leg, and insists on running away in his nightshirt without proper clothes. As the pair stumbles through the darkness with Abner complaining about his sore feet and refusing to walk any further, Lum is reduced to carrying his "victim" piggyback down the road. The ridiculous spectacle leaves Lum questioning why he ever thought this harebrained scheme would help his reputation in the first place.

Lum Wants to be a Hero

Originally Aired: September 4, 1935
In Lum & Abner #188, "Lum Wants to be a Hero," Lum finds himself desperate to restore his reputation after the Western Sterling Silver Company collapses, leaving him ostracized by the townspeople who blame him for their losses. In a scheme born of desperation, he devises an elaborate plan to stage a fake kidnapping of his partner Abner, believing that rescuing him will transform Lum into a hero and restore the stockholders' confidence. Lum even arranges for Grandpappy Spears to run their store temporarily, planning to tell everyone he's bought them out since customers refuse to patronize a business associated with Lum.
Abner initially resists the harebrained scheme, worried about fooling people and especially concerned that his wife Elizabeth will see through the deception. However, Lum expertly manipulates his partner's loyalty by playing on their friendship and reminding Abner of past favors. Despite his misgivings, Abner reluctantly agrees to be "kidnapped" and hide in Lum's house. As they work out the details, including Lum's insistence on using a ladder for authenticity even though Abner's window sits just three feet off the ground, the absurdity of their plan becomes increasingly apparent.

Stockholders Want Their Money Back

Originally Aired: September 3, 1935
In Lum & Abner #187, "Stockholders Want Their Money Back," Lum Edwards finds himself in dire straits after being left holding the bag in a fraudulent silver mine scheme. After hiding in Abner's barn to avoid angry investors, Lum cautiously emerges to face a hostile Pine Ridge community. When he ventures out on the rolling store with Abner, customers literally turn their backs and retreat into their homes at the sight of him. Even Mose the barber refuses to serve him when other customers walk out. Dick Huddleston visits Lum to discuss the situation, explaining that as president of the mining company, Lum is being held responsible for the seven thousand dollars that the absconded promoter Squire Skimp collected from townspeople.
Despite the community's cold shoulder threatening to bankrupt their joint store, loyal partner Abner refuses to dissolve their partnership. When Abner reports taking in only a dollar and sixty cents on his entire delivery route, he insists on standing by Lum no matter the financial consequences. However, tensions escalate when Abner warns that Caleb Weehunt, the blacksmith, has been making threats about what he'll do if he doesn't get his investment back, adding physical danger to Lum's mounting troubles.

Abner Hides in Barn

Originally Aired: September 2, 1935
In Lum & Abner #186, "Abner Hides in Barn," Lum finds himself in a desperate situation, hiding in Abner's barn loft to avoid angry stockholders of the Great Western Silver Mine. The disgruntled investors, led by the particularly enraged Caleb, are threatening violence against Lum and Squire Skimp after discovering the mine is a fraud. They learned that a man named Worthington, who had offered a million dollars for the mine, was actually a fake brought in by Squire to drive up stock prices and sell more shares. Though Lum protests his innocence, claiming he knew nothing of Squire's scheme and even bought more stock himself, the stockholders believe he was in on the swindle.
As Abner brings Lum his noonday meal of turnip greens and cornbread, Lum works on a letter to explain his innocence to the stockholders. He addresses it to Abner and signs it "somewhere's in the USA" to keep his location secret, intending for Abner to read it at a stockholders' meeting. However, Lum nearly gives away his hiding place when he accidentally includes in the letter that he's hiding in Abner's barn loft, forcing him to quickly revise his words.

A Lynch Mob for Abner

Originally Aired: August 30, 1935
In Lum & Abner #185, "A Lynch Mob for Abner," tensions run high in Pine Ridge after the stockholders discover that the mysterious Mr. Worthington, who offered a million dollars for the Great Western Silver Mine, was a fake brought in by Squire Skimp to inflate stock prices. When Abner stops by Lum's house to inform him that the stockholders are holding a secret meeting at Sister Simpson's place, Lum is indignant that he, as president and general manager who controls 57 percent of the stock, wasn't invited. Despite owning the controlling interest, Lum finds himself deliberately excluded from the proceedings.
As Dick Huddleston and Cedric stop by with bits of information about the meeting, Lum grows increasingly suspicious about what the angry stockholders might be planning. The visit from Dick reveals that folks in town have been asking about a letter from the chief of police, and Sister Simpson has figured out Squire's scheme to defraud the investors. With Abner attending the meeting as the only one who can report back, Lum anxiously waits to discover what actions the betrayed stockholders are plotting against those they hold responsible for their losses.

Sell the Mine

Originally Aired: August 29, 1935
In Lum & Abner #184, "Sell the Mine," Lum becomes enthusiastic about expanding their silver mining operation into a full-scale manufacturing business. He envisions building a factory right in Pine Ridge to produce silverware, jewelry, and other goods, which would bring jobs and prosperity to the entire town. The only problem is finding the money to make his grand vision a reality. As Lum excitedly plans for new buildings, a railroad, and skyrocketing property values, Abner struggles to keep up with his partner's ambitious schemes.
The two partners wrestle with various solutions to their financial dilemma, including selling more stock or making deals with Squire Skimp. When they recall that Mr. Worthington previously offered them a million dollars for the mine, Lum hatches a plan to sell him a partial interest to raise capital for the factory. However, their logic becomes increasingly tangled as they try to work out whether they can sell the mine and still have something to process in their proposed factory. Lum decides to contact Worthington in Arizona, but their planning session is interrupted just as he gets the address from Squire.