Premier Collections:
Lum and Abner, Volume 1
Liner notes and program descriptions by Donnie Pitchford, President, The National Lum and Abner Society

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"Lum and Abner" aired as a fifteen-minute comedy serial from 1931 thru 1948, finally becoming a half-hour weekly comedy series from 1948-1950. It returned to its more familiar quarter-hour format in 1953, finally ending its run in 1954. These subtle and witty shows star Chester Lauck and Norris "Tuffy" Goff as Lum Edwards and Abner Peabody, owners and proprietors of the Jot 'Em Down Store in Pine Ridge, Arkansas. Lauck and Goff were both born and raised in Arkansas and always maintained a strong love and affection for the characters they met and grew up with in their home state - quirks and all. The timeless and colorful characters they created for the show - most portrayed by Lauck and Goff themselves - make listening to "Lum and Abner" just as enjoyable and entertaining an experience today as it was when the shows were first aired many decades ago.

During its long run, "Lum and Abner" was heard on practically every radio network in existence, starting with NBC (Red and Blue simultaneously, according to Chet Lauck), bouncing to Dallas-Fort Worth's WFAA and WBAP only, back to NBC, then to Cincinnati only, then being one of the first programs on the fledgling Mutual Network, back to NBC, to CBS... "Doggies, Lum, stop this merry-go-round!" By 1944, "the boys" were broadcasting for Miles Laboratories on the almost-new network ABC, formerly the NBC Blue Network. Being a small network, the Keystone Broadcasting System recorded each program for distribution to stations not connected directly to ABC, providing national coverage for "Lum and Abner" and making it possible for these classic episodes to exist today. The listener will notice a lack of openings and closings on these recordings due to the fact that Keystone supplied a standardized version on a separate 12-inch record during this period.

Listeners will be treated to the introduction of a new character in this set of programs. At the 1988 convention of the National Lum and Abner Society, actor Elmore Vincent explained that "Tuffy" Goff felt he was about to be drafted in 1944. To fill the possible gap resulting from Goff's absence, Goff and Lauck decided to add a new character to the cast and the idea of "Papa" Phinus Stonewall Peabody, Abner's Civil War veteran father, was born. Vincent was hired and proved a delightful addition to the cast. Ultimately, Goff was not drafted and eventually Papa Peabody was phased out, but for a time the third member of the cast made it easier for Lauck and Goff to take occasional time off. A couple of years later, a similar situation would come to pass when Clarence Hartzell joined the cast as Dr. Benjamin Franklin Withers.

The forty consecutive fifteen-minute shows in this Premier Collection all date from April thru June of 1944 and have been newly transferred from original 16" Keystone transcription discs. Each show is complete with original Alka-Seltzer commercials.

Here is the complete content of this delightful Premier Collection:

A Lecture: The Evils of Wealth (#601)
As the treasure hunt continues, Lum and Abner lecture Cedric on the evils of wealth. Their "psycho-lology" backfires when Cedric reacts by tearing up their treasure map!
Wednesday, April 12, 1944 - 15:00 - Blue Network, sponsored by Alka-Seltzer & One A Day Vitamins
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Digging for Treasure (#602)
Following their treasure map, Lum, Abner and Cedric start digging on private property. The old farmer who owns the place interrupts their work...and is strangely cooperative!
Thursday, April 13, 1944 - 15:00 - Blue Network, sponsored by Alka-Seltzer & One A Day Vitamins
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Treasure Hunters Broke (#603)
Lum, Abner and Cedric, their funds exhausted, have turned their map over to the friendly farmer. They decide to telegraph Grandpappy Spears from Little Rock, but after some discussion over wording the telegram, its doubtful they'll get much financial assistance.
Monday, April 17, 1944 - 15:00 - Blue Network, sponsored by Alka-Seltzer & One A Day Vitamins
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Pawn Pinball Machine (#604)
Poor Cedric mourns the loss of his beloved pinball machine, which is now sitting in a pawnshop in Little Rock. Alas, the funds from its sale were needed to finance the drive back to Pine Ridge.
Tuesday, April 18, 1944 - 15:00 - Blue Network, sponsored by Alka-Seltzer & One A Day Vitamins
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No Questions from Grandpap (#605)
Back in Pine Ridge and expecting to be bombarded with embarrassing questions about their failed treasure expedition, Lum and Abner brace themselves for a stampede of nosy people. Instead they are visited by Grandpappy Spears, who seems oblivious to the whole affair.
Wednesday, April 19, 1944 - 15:00 - Blue Network, sponsored by Alka-Seltzer & One A Day Vitamins
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Lum Will Give a Speech (#606)
Cedric has come to Lum and Abner for help in writing a V-Mail letter to his friend in the military, but Lum is distracted and playing "hard-to-get" to their lodge. Seems they've asked Lum to present a speech concerning his experiences as a "treasury digger-upper" in Tennessee.
Thursday, April 20, 1944 - 15:00 - Blue Network, sponsored by Alka-Seltzer & One A Day Vitamins
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Mysterious Package Arrives (#607)
The first of several boxes arrives from Tennessee and the boys figure it must be a batch of treasure unearthed by the friendly old Farmer to whom they gave their map
Monday, April 24, 1944 - 15:00 - Blue Network, sponsored by Alka-Seltzer & One A Day Vitamins
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Can't Open Package (#608)
The mysterious package from Tennessee contains an old chest, but there is no key. How will they open it? Luckily, thanks to an accident, the "treasure chest" falls to the floor, breaks open, and reveals its contents. (This episode contains some foreshadowing, thanks to writer Roz Rogers, and another bonus is the rare chance to hear Lauck and Goff struggle with a case of on the air giggles near the end of the show.)
Tuesday, April 25, 1944 - 15:00 - Blue Network, sponsored by Alka-Seltzer & One A Day Vitamins
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Using Worthless Old Coins (#609)
Thinking they're wealthy, Abner and Cedric study "the wish book" and pick out a pair of fancy "leckatrick git-tars" while Lum travels to the county seat to begin spending their treasure. Unfortunately, Lum soon returns with bad news: the coins are nothing but worthless "ol' Chinese coins."
Wednesday, April 26, 1944 - 15:00 - Blue Network, sponsored by Alka-Seltzer & One A Day Vitamins
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Squire Wants Treasure Company (#610)
Even though the "treasure" is worthless, town gossip says otherwise -- and, of course, con man Squire Skimp wants to buy a piece of the action. Lum and Abner have almost chosen to accept his offer, but soon find there is news of more "treasure" from Tennessee.
Thursday, April 27, 1944 - 15:00 - Blue Network, sponsored by Alka-Seltzer & One A Day Vitamins
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Lum Decides to Open a Museum (#611)
The new "treasure" consists of such items as old clothing, household articles and even a stuffed owl. Lum is curious as to why the packages are addressed to Abner only and both wonder whether the items they've received are valuable antiques. This gives the boys an idea: Why not open their own museum?
Monday, May 1, 1944 - 15:00 - Blue Network, sponsored by Alka-Seltzer & One A Day Vitamins
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Labeling Items in the Museum (#612)
Lum's creativity is evident in his outlandish labeling of the "rare antiques" as they convert the Jot 'Em Down Store into a museum to showcase their "treasury" items. Lum is certain that the items once belonged to someone of royalty -- and the stuffed owl seems to be the most interesting item of all.
Tuesday, May 2, 1944 - 15:00 - Blue Network, sponsored by Alka-Seltzer & One A Day Vitamins
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Cedric's Latest Date (#613)
Cedric can't concentrate on business because he has a "heavy date" coming up with Clarabelle Seastrunk, But there's a little problem: one way or another, his rival, Gomer Bates, will undoubtedly interfere.
Wednesday, May 3, 1944 - 15:00 - Blue Network, sponsored by Alka-Seltzer & One A Day Vitamins
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Lum Wants to Hire a Woman (#614)
Lou Crosby's opening announcement about women in the wartime workplace leads perfectly into this episode, in which Miss Milbank sweet-talks Lum into considering her for a job in the store. The closing reflects Miles Laboratories' cooperation in this appeal for the hiring of women during wartime.
Thursday, May 4, 1944 - 15:00 - Blue Network, sponsored by Alka-Seltzer & One A Day Vitamins
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Lum's Boring Museum Lecture (#615)
Neither Abner nor Cedric seem too enthused over Lum's rehearsal of his "leckature" for the upcoming tours of their royal exhibit and, eventually, the boredom even affects Lum himself. (Perhaps they all need the B vitamins Lou Crosby touts in his ad for One-a-Day vitamins!)
Monday, May 8, 1944 - 15:00 - Blue Network - sponsored by Alka-Seltzer & One A Day Vitamins
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The Stuffed Owl Disappears (#616)
More items arrive from Tennessee. Abner thinks Grandpappy Spears would make a good museum exhibit (perhaps as a "living fossil") and, meanwhile, what has become of that stuffed owl? It has been moved -- and there is strong evidence of breaking and entering!
Tuesday, May 9, 1944 - 15:00 - Blue Network, sponsored by Alka-Seltzer & One A Day Vitamins
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The Mystery of the Stuffed Owl (#617)
The stuffed owl continues to move around and trying to solve the mystery causes nothing but more confusion for the boys. (During the program, Chet Lauck ribs "Lum and Abner's" head writer when he ad-libs, "Roz Rogers is the only feller I know of that's just crazy 'bout owls!"
Wednesday, May 10, 1944 - 15:00 - Blue Network, sponsored by Alka-Seltzer & One A Day Vitamins
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Is the Owl Alive or Not? (#618)
Lum and Abner decide to organize a stake out inside the store/museum to find out who is moving the stuffed owl. While they're secretly watching, they're surprised and shocked to see their "stuffed" owl take wing and fly out the window!
Thursday, May 11, 1944 - 15:00 - Blue Network, sponsored by Alka-Seltzer & One A Day Vitamins
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A Visit to Convalescent Lum (#619)
Lum got "whopped on the head" with a baseball bat by Abner during their nocturnal "stuffed owl stakeout" and, today, Grandpap and Abner pay him a visit. It turns out that owl-fancier Mousey Gray has been tampering with the stuffed owl all along.
Monday, May 15, 1944 - 15:00 - Blue Network, sponsored by Alka-Seltzer & One A Day Vitamins
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Abner Was Once a King (#620)
The Museum is almost ready to open and a new "royal" item arrives by mail from Tennessee: a suitcase, containing a photo of a much younger Abner Peabody! How can this be? Was Abner once a king and is all this his royal treasure?
Tuesday, May 16, 1944 - 15:00 - Blue Network, sponsored by Alka-Seltzer & One A Day Vitamins
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Phinus Peabody to Visit (#621)
It's opening day for the museum and a crowd is gathering outside when Lum arrives with surprising news: a postcard has come in the mail informing Abner that his father, Phinus Peabody, is coming for a visit and all the "treasure" items from Tennessee are actually his papa's personal belongings! What to do about the crowd? Oh, well, they were only interested in the free refreshments anyway...
Wednesday, May 17, 1944 - 15:00 - Blue Network, sponsored by Alka-Seltzer & One A Day Vitamins
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Telling Elizabeth About Phinus (#622)
Abner is overjoyed by his Papa's upcoming stay, but memories of past visits and, in particular, Papa's meddling with their business haunts the boys. To demonstrate that this visit will be no different than his earlier ones, twelve cartons of beaded handbags arrive for Lum and Abner to sell in their store -- items clearly ordered by Phinus without the boys' knowledge or approval.
Thursday, May 18, 1944 - 15:00 - Blue Network, sponsored by Alka-Seltzer & One A Day Vitamins
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Abner's Weird Behavior (#623)
When they examine them closely, the boys discover that all of Phinus' beaded handbags have the words "Come to Memphis" printed on them. How will they ever sell them to the citizens of Pine Ridge...and more importantly, how will Abner ever break the news to his wife Lizabeth that Papa is coming to visit? Perhaps Lum would like a roommate...
Monday, May 22, 1944 - 15:00 - Blue Network, sponsored by Alka-Seltzer & One A Day Vitamins
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Confessions of a Nervous Abner (#624)
Abner continues to be nervous about telling his wife the "good news," but his strange behavior eventually tips Elizabeth off to the approaching visit of Phinus Peabody.
Tuesday, May 23, 1944 - 15:00 - Blue Network, sponsored by Alka-Seltzer & One A Day Vitamins
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Phinus Calls from Mena (#625)
With all his quirks, many Pine Ridge residents are dreading the arrival of Phinus Peabody. Abner receives a call from the county seat; it's Phinus, and he's angry. He's in jail...for disturbing the peace!
Wednesday, May 24, 1944 - 15:00 - Blue Network, sponsored by Alka-Seltzer & One A Day Vitamins
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Phinus Peabody Arrives (#626)
After a lengthy buildup, Phinus Peabody (Elmore Vincent) arrives in Pine Ridge. The befuddled old gent thinks Cedric Weehunt is Vesper Hawkins...and doesn't recognize Lum at all!
Thursday, May 25, 1944 - 15:00 - Blue Network, sponsored by Alka-Seltzer & One A Day Vitamins
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Phinus Takes Waves Prisoner (#627)
Abner's Papa, who isn't convinced the Civil War is over, is having trouble getting settled in Pine Ridge. In a clever promotional tie-in, Lum tries to explain the modern WAVE program to him but, unfortunately, this only results in Phinus taking the WAVE recruiters prisoner and threatening to turn them over to General Stonewall Jackson!
Monday, May 29, 1944 - 15:00 - Blue Network, sponsored by Alka-Seltzer & One A Day Vitamins
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50th Wedding Anniversary (#628)
Grandpa Otis and Grandma Clementine Masters are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. The boys are spending a few moments reflecting on their perfect marriage when Grandpappy Spears enters the store to tell of the exciting conclusion to the golden anniversary celebration: it seems Papa has stirred up quite a battle between the dear old couple!
Tuesday, May 30, 1944 - 15:00 - Blue Network, sponsored by Alka-Seltzer & One A Day Vitamins
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The History of the Peabody Family (#629)
Phinus wants to read his massive scrapbook, "The History and Main Facts About the Peabody Family and All Its Branches," to his good friend Vesper Hawkins (Cedric Weehunt), but Lum won't have it going on in the Jot 'Em Down Store!
Wednesday, May 31, 1944 - 15:00 - Blue Network, sponsored by Alka-Seltzer & One A Day Vitamins
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Will Cedric and Phinus Travel? (#630)
Phinus Peabody has a pressing need to get to Fort Smith, but gas rationing is in force. How will Cedric get the fuel for the trip? Lum tries to convince Ezra Seastrunk to authorize the extra gasoline for this important excursion...which may not prove to be as important as first thought.
Thursday, June 1, 1944 - 15:00 - Blue Network, sponsored by Alka-Seltzer & One A Day Vitamins
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Phinus Makes Elizabeth Nuts (#631)
All the "little things" that make up Papa's personality are taking a toll on Abner's wife and Abner can't bring himself to intervene. Phinus himself expresses his concerns to Lum and wants to know if he's a burden to his son. Well, yes...but Lum just can't seem to get up the nerve to tell him that.
Monday, June 5, 1944 - 15:00 - Blue Network, sponsored by Alka-Seltzer & One A Day Vitamins
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Odd Collecting Habit (#632)
These days, Abner dreads going home after the store closes. It seems Papa Peabody is cluttering up the house with mountains of junk he picks up at bargain prices...and he will part with nothing!
Tuesday, June 6, 1944 - 15:00 - Blue Network, sponsored by Alka-Seltzer & One A Day Vitamins
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Grandpap Can't Stand Phinus (#633)
Grandpappy Spears' out-loud reading of the Almanac is interrupted by a visit to the store by Phinus Peabody. Grandpap warns Abner of the dangers of Phinus' presence in the store. And just what is the elder Mr. Peabody doing to cause Grandpap such annoyance? Why, reading out-loud from the Almanac, of course!
Wednesday, June 7, 1944 - 15:00 - Blue Network, sponsored by Alka-Seltzer & One A Day Vitamins
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The Man Who Came to Dinner (#634)
Phinus Peabody's latest habit: inviting total strangers to supper at Abner's home! (On the advertising front, more historic wartime appeals are made by announcer Lou Crosby for women to enter industry "to bring our fighting men home quicker" in cooperation with Miles Laboratory, the U.S. Employment Service Office and the Drug, Cosmetic and Allied Industries Committee.)
Thursday, June 8, 1944 - 15:00 - Blue Network, sponsored by Alka-Seltzer & One A Day Vitamins
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Phinus Meets Sister Simpson (#635)
Lum would love to go fishing, but Papa is coming to read to him. Lum has another distraction, too: Sister Simpson needs to discuss school board matters over the phone. Exasperated, Lum finally hands old man Peabody the receiver and he and Abner sneak out to fish!
Monday, June 12, 1944 - 15:00 - Blue Network, sponsored by Alka-Seltzer & One A Day Vitamins
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Trying to Find a Job for Phinus (#636)
Perhaps a job for Papa would help everyone's frazzled nerves. Lum and Abner brainstorm for the best job, but only end up finding possible new careers for themselves.
Tuesday, June 13, 1944 - 15:00 - Blue Network, sponsored by Alka-Seltzer & One A Day Vitamins
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A Job at a Defense Plant (#637)
Lum finds a job for Phinus: timekeeper at Walt Bates' defense plant. The boys complete the application and send it with Grandpap but, unfortunately, Grandpap decides to grab the job for himself. (This episode contains a rare blooper: Chet Lauck accidentally speaks in Grandpap's voice instead of Lum's, ad-libbing, "My voice don't sound natural anyway...I sound more like Gran'pap ever' day.")
Wednesday, June 14, 1944 - 15:00 - Blue Network, sponsored by Alka-Seltzer & One A Day Vitamins
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Tire Rationing Board Job (#638)
The boys rehearse Phinus with the details of another job opportunity, this time working for the Tire Rationing Board. This results in a clever chance for an on-air review of instructions for conserving rubber during wartime rationing.
Thursday, June 15, 1944 - 15:00 - Blue Network, sponsored by Alka-Seltzer & One A Day Vitamins
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A Rich Stranger Arrives (#639)
Lum is trying to explain his "Old Eddards Sayin'" about a "needle in a haystack" to Abner when a rich stranger arrives in a chauffeured car. The boys observe the big limousine parking across the street...and are stunned to see that Phinus Peabody is one of the passengers!
Monday, June 19, 1944 - 15:00 - Blue Network, sponsored by Alka-Seltzer & One A Day Vitamins
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Phinus is Acting as Guide (#640)
The wealthy stranger in the car is B. J. Webster and it seems he is paying Phinus to be a "director" of some kind. Lum is eaten up with envy until he learns the old fellow is only being asked to "direct" Webster to various locations around town. As the show (and this CD collection) comes to a close, Lum himself is summoned by the mysterious Mr. Webster.
Thursday, June 20, 1944 - 15:00 - Blue Network, sponsored by Alka-Seltzer & One A Day Vitamins
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