Premier Collections:
Lum and Abner, The Early Years, Volume 2
Liner notes and program descriptions by Tim Hollis and Donnie Pitchford of The National Lum and Abner Society

Click to listen to an audio sample

Following the sponsorships of Quaker Oats and the Ford Motor Company, Chet "Lum" Lauck and Norris "Abner" Goff suddenly found themselves in search of a third sponsor. It was the spring of 1934, and "Abner's" wife, Elizabeth Goff, called the boys' attention to a particularly encouraging fan letter from a Mr. William Horlick. Horlick was the aged but vigorous founder of the Horlick's Malted Milk Corporation of Racine, Wisconsin. William and Arabella Horlick had introduced the powdered product in 1883, promoting it as a nutritious, easily digestible drink for infants, invalids and hospital patients. During both the Spanish-American War and World War I, soldiers benefited from the inclusion of Horlick's in their ration kits.

Since Horlick indicated the possibility of a sponsorship in his glowing letter, Mrs. Goff insisted her husband and his partner ignore their network's attitude, as she related years later to the National Lum & Abner Society: "I said, 'Go! NBC thinks you're just a couple of hillbillies, and you're not... so go see Mr. Horlick in Racine!' It's a terrible thing to do that without the agency, but I said, 'Nuts to the NBC agency -- they're not trying to sell you!' So they went to see him, and that's how they got the job!"

As delighted as Horlick, Goff and Lauck were with their friendly contract, they were surprised to learn they were unable to secure a Monday through Friday quarter-hour time slot on either NBC or CBS. As a result, "Lum and Abner" returned to the air on only one station - WCCO, Minneapolis - beginning with the broadcast of April 2, 1934.

With the popularity of "The Lone Ranger" originating from WXYZ Detroit as the catalyst, additional stations WGN Chicago and WOR New York linked to form a triumvirate nucleus of what would become the Mutual Broadcasting System, with "Lum and Abner" broadcasting from WGN.

As national coverage quickly developed, William Horlick worked with Lauck and Goff to offer some of the most collectible items ever associated with the program. In many ways, Horlick's was to "Lum and Abner" what Ovaltine was to "Little Orphan Annie": listeners were given the chance to send for a Horlick's Malted Milk Shaker with the images of Lum and Abner presented in line art, the entertaining "Pine Ridge News" mailings - begun during the days of Ford sponsorship - were continued, and a series of "Lum and Abner's Family Almanacs" began appearing annually.

In partnership with the National Lum and Abner Society, the First Generation Radio Archives recently issued the first volume of "Lum and Abner" shows from the Horlick's years -- the earliest continuity of programs known to exist. Now, in Volume 2, we continue this run of programs from 1935 in newly restored recordings, freshly transferred from 16" RCA Victrolac pressings; these broadcasts, performed live for eastern and mid-western audiences, were recorded and pressed for distribution to west coast radio stations for delayed broadcast. In this new ten-CD collection of forty shows - ten full hours of original broadcasts - you'll be treated to an unusual story of the boys' involvement with a struggling circus, as well as by Lum's bizarre but highly successful variation on a chain letter scheme. In addition, we're offered yet another Horlick's promotion: a photo of Lum and Abner themselves. (We've reproduced the photo here, by the way, since the Horlick's folks insist that this almost seventy-year-old offer has expired and is no longer available.)

Here's the content of this delightful new collection, complete with links to scans of the original disc labels:

The Circus Boys (#63)
Lum & Abner take over a circus and Abner's first money saving idea is to give free admission tickets to customers who bring animal feed with them!
Wednesday, March 13, 1935 - 15:00 - Mutual, sponsored by Horlick's Malted Milk
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The Squire Wants a Circus Partnership (#64)
Seeing that the boys' animal feed idea is proving to be a success, Squire Skimp announces that he wants a one-third interest in the circus.
Thursday, March 14, 1935 - 15:00 - Mutual, sponsored by Horlick's Malted Milk
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Lum & Abner Hire the Squire to Ballyhoo (#65)
Lum and Abner hire Squire Skimp to be the "ballyhoo man" for their circus.
Friday, March 15, 1935 - 15:00 - Mutual, sponsored by Horlick's Malted Milk
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The Squire's Circus Freak Show (#66)
The Squire assembles a sideshow -- including a white elephant and a wild man of Borneo. But are all the exhibits as authentic as they seem?
Monday, March 18, 1935 - 15:00 - Mutual, sponsored by Horlick's Malted Milk
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Circus Daredevils (#67)
The circus is scheduled to open on Saturday and the Squire wants Lum to be a trapeze artist and Abner to be the lion tamer!
Tuesday, March 19, 1935 - 15:00 - Mutual, sponsored by Horlick's Malted Milk
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Lum, the Elephant Trainer (#68)
Lum, "The King of the Circus," gives up his trapeze act and decides to become an elephant trainer instead.
Wednesday, March 20, 1935 - 15:00 - Mutual, sponsored by Horlick's Malted Milk
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Abner, the Lion Tamer (#69)
Newly appointed as the official lion tamer, Abner practices going into the cage...with the help of a protective plate of glass!
Thursday, March 21, 1935 - 15:00 - Mutual, sponsored by Horlick's Malted Milk
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The Grand Opening Approaches (#70)
Deciding that the current job arrangements just aren't working out, Squire Skimp hires professional animal trainers to replace Lum and Abner.
Friday, March 22, 1935 - 15:00 - Mutual, sponsored by Horlick's Malted Milk
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A Not-So-Grand Opening (#71)
Lum and Abner have lost money on the circus opening, so the Squire thinks the circus should go on the road.
Monday, March 25, 1935 - 15:00 - Mutual, sponsored by Horlick's Malted Milk
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The Old Shell Game (#72)
Abner buys a cheap pair of glasses from a traveling salesman with the circus and, as a result, loses $900.00 in a con game.
Tuesday, March 26, 1935 - 15:00 - Mutual, sponsored by Horlick's Malted Milk
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The Circus Moves to Mena (#73)
Walt Bates announces that he will move the circus to Mena. Meanwhile, Lum and Cedric Weehunt also end up buying cheap spectacles from the same slick-talking con man that sold them to Abner.
Wednesday, March 27, 1935 - 15:00 - Mutual, sponsored by Horlick's Malted Milk
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Big Business in Mena (#74)
While Abner, Lum, and Cedric continue to suffer with their cheap eyeglasses, the Squire reports that the circus is doing big business in Mena. (The incident with the eyeglasses would later find its way into the 1942 RKO motion picture "The Bashful Bachelor," starring Lum & Abner.)
Thursday, March 28, 1935 - 15:00 - Mutual, sponsored by Horlick's Malted Milk
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Circus Animals on the Loose (#75)
Residents of Mena, beware! A storm has blown down the circus tent, and the wild animals are loose!
Friday, March 29, 1935 - 15:00 - Mutual, sponsored by Horlick's Malted Milk
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A Touring Circus Means Money Woes (#76)
The circus has lost another $100.00 in Mena but, before the circus can move on to Belleville, the boys have to come up with a $200.00 city license fee.
Monday, April 1, 1935 - 15:00 - Mutual, sponsored by Horlick's Malted Milk
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Lum in Debt for the Circus (#77)
In order to pay the license fee, Lum borrows $200.00 from the Union Bank of Mena. This event causes another 'Old Eddards saying' to be uttered: "It never rains but it pours!" (Historical note: The Union Bank of Mena, Arkansas exists to this day -- and, in reality, Chet Lauck's father was long associated with that organization.)
Tuesday, April 2, 1935 - 15:00 - Mutual, sponsored by Horlick's Malted Milk
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Dick Huddleston, the Spectacle-Smasher (#78)
Dick solves one of the boys' on-going problems: he smashes the cheap eyeglasses that they bought. (Note: Dick Huddleston was modeled after a long-time friend of Lauck & Goff who lived in Waters, Arkansas; in 1936, the citizens of Waters would request an act of Congress, resulting in their town being renamed "Pine Ridge.")
Wednesday, April 3, 1935 - 15:00 - Mutual, sponsored by Horlick's Malted Milk
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Lum Loves the Bareback Rider (#79)
Visiting the show in Belleville, Lum falls in love with Zenora, the bareback rider. Soon our old friends decide to begin traveling with the circus.
Thursday, April 4, 1935 - 15:00 - Mutual, sponsored by Horlick's Malted Milk
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How Will Lum Tell Evalena? (#80)
Lum is reluctant to tell Evalena that he and Abner are leaving Pine Ridge to travel with the circus.
Friday, April 5, 1935 - 15:00 - Mutual, sponsored by Horlick's Malted Milk
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Circus Money Missing (#81)
The circus is appearing in Mount Ida, and Zenora has Lum wrapped around her little finger when, suddenly, it is discovered that the cash from the weekend's receipts has been stolen from the safe! (Historical note: Mena, Mount Ida, and other cities mentioned in these episodes are all actual towns in Western Arkansas.)
Monday, April 8, 1935 - 15:00 - Mutual, sponsored by Horlick's Malted Milk
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Did Squire Skimp Rob the Circus? (#82)
The Squire is the main suspect in the robbery -- but not the only one! Was it Cedric? Was it Zenora? The mystery deepens!
Tuesday, April 9, 1935 - 15:00 - Mutual, sponsored by Horlick's Malted Milk
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Lum Hides the Circus Money (#83)
With the many robbery suspects lurking about the office, Lum decides to hide the money in a different spot. Meantime, speculation about the identity of the safe robber continues -- but Zenora's brother has become the prime suspect.
Wednesday, April 10, 1935 - 15:00 - Mutual, sponsored by Horlick's Malted Milk
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More Circus Money Disappears (#84)
Despite choosing a safe hiding place, the money disappears again! One thing is settled, however: the Squire is no longer a suspect, as he was out of town.
Thursday, April 11, 1935 - 15:00 - Mutual, sponsored by Horlick's Malted Milk
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The Circus Sold (#91)
Lum and Abner have sold their circus and the mystery of the stolen money has been solved, but Abner fears Lum is angry with him for his role in the situation.
Monday, April 22, 1935 - 15:00 - Mutual, sponsored by Horlick's Malted Milk
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Time to Improve the Store (#92)
Lum and Abner meet for the first time after their conflict and discuss how to invest the money they received from the sale of the circus.
Tuesday, April 23, 1935 - 15:00 - Mutual, sponsored by Horlick's Malted Milk
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Evalena Engaged (#95)
Lum & Abner succeed in disrupting Evalena's engagement party and, as a result, she changes her mind about marrying Frank Foster. Their success comes with a price, though: Abner now has a black eye!
Friday, April 26, 1935 - 15:00 - Mutual, sponsored by Horlick's Malted Milk
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Lum and the Lost Diamond (#96)
Lum needs an engagement ring for Evalena. By an odd coincidence, a stranger has lost a diamond right in front of the Jot 'Em Down Store!
Monday, April 29, 1935 - 15:00 - Mutual, sponsored by Horlick's Malted Milk
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The Squire Buys Lum's Engagement Ring (#101)
The Squire buys Evalena's engagement ring from Lum.
Monday, May 6, 1935 - 15:00 - Mutual, sponsored by Horlick's Malted Mil
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Lum Receives a Chain Letter (#102)
Lum receives a chain letter from Denver, Colorado. In the meantime, Grandpappy Spears has helped the boys get the best of Squire Skimp so his job is assured.
Tuesday, May 7, 1935 - 15:00 - Mutual, sponsored by Horlick's Malted Milk
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Lum Starts Hog Chain Letter (#103)
Lum decides to start his own chain letter, but with a twist: people will send each other hogs instead of dimes!
Wednesday, May 8, 1935 - 15:00 - Mutual, sponsored by Horlick's Malted Milk
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Where to Keep the Hogs? (#104)
The "Farm Relief Chain," AKA the "Hog Chain Letter," is expected to yield over fifteen thousand hogs, so Lum and Abner buy some land from Uncle Henry Lunsford in order to have a place to keep them.
Thursday, May 9, 1935 - 15:00 - Mutual, sponsored by Horlick's Malted Milk
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Chain Letters are Illegal (#105)
After Postmaster Dick Huddleston informs Lum & Abner that chain letters are illegal, they find that another of their good ideas has been dashed.
Friday, May 10, 1935 - 15:00 - Mutual, sponsored by Horlick's Malted Milk
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Lum's "Unchain" Letter (#106)
Lum decides that he wants to start an "unchain" letter so that everyone will give the hogs back. (Note: A Lum and Abner/Horlick's photo premium is advertised in the commercial segment of this program.)
Monday, May 13, 1935 - 15:00 - Mutual, sponsored by Horlick's Malted Milk
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Dick Okays Hog Chain Letter (#107)
Dick Huddleston thinks the boys' can legally keep their hog chain letter "earnings" -- which is a tremendous relief, since the hogs are arriving faster than they can be shipped back!
Tuesday, May 14, 1935 - 15:00 - Mutual, sponsored by Horlick's Malted Milk
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The Squire Will Sell the Hogs (#108)
Squire Skimp offers to take the hogs to Chicago and sell them.
Wednesday, May 15, 1935 - 15:00 - Mutual, sponsored by Horlick's Malted Milk
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A Lum & Abner Statue (#109)
Lum thinks Pine Ridge should erect a statue of Lum and Abner, now known as "The Hog Kings!" Meantime, various ways of transporting the hogs to Chicago are explored.
Thursday, May 16, 1935 - 15:00 - Mutual, sponsored by Horlick's Malted Milk
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The Hog Kings (#110)
Lum and Abner discuss what sort of statue the city's monument to "The Hog Kings" should be.
Friday, May 17, 1935 - 15:00 - Mutual, sponsored by Horlick's Malted Milk
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Lum Shops for a Statue (#111)
Lum receives a catalog from a monument company and he and Abner discuss the merits of various statues -- including the Venus de Milo, the Spirit of '76, and one of President Lincoln.
Monday, May 20, 1935 - 15:00 - Mutual, sponsored by Horlick's Malted Milk
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Lum Edwards, King of the Hogs (#112)
Lum orders a statue of himself, based upon a figure of Ulysses S. Grant.
Tuesday, May 21, 1935 - 15:00 - Mutual, sponsored by Horlick's Malted Milk
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The Squire Returns with the Hog Money (#113)
The Squire returns from Chicago with the boys' money from selling the hogs - and just in time, too, since the statue is scheduled to arrive tomorrow.
Wednesday, May 22, 1935 - 15:00 - Mutual, sponsored by Horlick's Malted Milk
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King Midas' Golden Touch (#114)
The sale of the hogs has brought in a profit of $2300.00, which leads to the telling of the story of King Midas -- and another bout of confusion for poor Abner.
Thursday, May 23, 1935 - 15:00 - Mutual, sponsored by Horlick's Malted Milk
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