 |  |  |  |
Click here to listen to episode 1
Click here to listen to episode 2
Click here to listen to episode 3
Click here to listen to episode 4
Click here to listen to episode 5
Click here to listen to episode 6
Click here to listen to episode 7
Click here to listen to episode 8
Click here to listen to episode 9
Click here for the current series…
‘Lum and Abner’ is a registered trademark, used by permission of Chester Lauck, Jr. Copyright 2011 FirstArkansasNews.net and Donnie Pitchford. All rights reserved.
[...] Lum and Abner [...]
LOL!!! Very funny and very good. Coulda used Cedrick or Grandpap too!!
Kenneth — I agree and you’re in luck — Grandpap is introduced in the fourth strip! I’m sure he’ll be a regular, provided we find financing for our project…
This is a great idea! Donnie Pitchford’s artwork is top-notch and a smile is guaranteed. In this stressful, vulgar world, we need Lum and Abner more than ever. Bring ‘em back!
Grannies! This was great and looks promising as an ongoing strip. Hope you find sponsors so L&A can entertain another generation and keep us Pine Ridge addicts happy!
Love this idea! To persons and/or businesses reading:
Sponsor. This. Now.
Really nice artwork – can’t be beat. I think the Pitchford kid is on to something.
What a great way to bring the boys from Pine Ridge back! I think this was one of Lum’s very id’s and to have Donnie Pitchford bring it to life in today’s world is so cool! It will be really fun to see the great and funny story lines of the radio show portrayed in this colorful format. I certainly hope you find the sponsors you need to bring this idea life! Uncle Donnie’s artwork is very impressive. Great job! Keep it up and keep us posted.
This is exciting, and I feel honored to be part of this project.
Many thanks to everyone who has taken the time to read and write comments!
Great looking strip, clean, colorful and fresh… and the dialogue rings true. This would be a magnet for nostalgia & OTR buffs, as well as a great PR opportunity for this site.
The strip looks great and you really captured Lum and Abner, but you gotta watch the dialect. It’s “rarin’ to go.”
Bob, you’re not the first to tell me it should have been “rarin’.” But being a Texan who lived in Tennessee for seven years before moving back to Texas for the past 41, I always pronounced “rearin’” as “rarin’” anyway.
Doggies, I must be one o’ them backwoodsy fellers.
Seriously, today has been a wonderful day, reading the great comments on these pages as well as the ones sent to my home and NLAS e-mail accounts. Thank you all! I’m praying that this strip acquires some sponsors who can help us make it a long-running series.
I will be striving to improve with each strip.
Howdy from the original old General Store in downtown Pine Ridge. We know Donny will do as great a job on the new project as he does with the L&A society. Good luck, and we’ll see if the museum can afford to be a sponsor, tho that would mean very low rates.
Lon and Kathy Stucker
Everyone — Thank you for the encouragement. When Donnie approached me with this idea, I thought it would be great so long as the artwork was solid. The artwork is more than solid — it’s fantastic and we know the characters and story lines are very appealing.
Lon and Kathy — anything will help. The mere fact that y’all could sign on as sponsors speaks volumes. Believe me — we can work out something.
I’m a big Lum and Abner fan and am hoping that this will be a huge success. Advertizers can count on fans as potential customers.
Wow, what a beautiful comic strip. It really captures the spirit of Lum and Abner and old time comics both. I sent it to my Dad who first introduced me to Lum and Abner. I can’t wait to see more of it.
[...] Lum and Abner [...]
I love it! I blogged about it here. Hope you can get the needed sponsors!
The strip looks great! I would love to see more of it!!
Great job,the artwork is top-notch and I sure hope this series can get the funding it need. We definitely could use a dose of Lum and Abner these days!
[...] Lum and Abner [...]
Thanks to everyone who is commenting on the strip! We are excited about this possibility and hope sponsorship can be secured. Perhaps this is the way Lum and Abner themselves felt 80 years ago when they were broadcasting at KTHS in Hot Springs on a “sustaining” basis, just before heading off to Chicago to audition for NBC and Quaker Oats!
They had such sponsors as Quaker Oats, Ford, Horlick’s Malted Milk, Postum, Alka-Seltzer, One-a-Day, Frigidaire…
Now there’s an idea.
I’ll have a hot breakfast of Quaker Oats and hot Postum, top it off with ice cold Horlick’s from my Frigidaire to wash down a One-a-Day vitamin, then drive my Ford to the Jot ‘Em Down Store to pick up some Alka-Seltzer to get rid of the indigestion!
Product placement?
Seriously, I hope to be producing this strip weekly for your entertainment. Thanks!
Dear Donnie,
A great first strip. It creates the location, establishes the two major characters and gives us a gag as well. The artwork is very clean and fits the style of the strip. It might be a little too clean. You might want to try some feathering lines and/or cross hatching to give the strip a more old fashion look. Just a suggestion.
Best,
Nick
Thank you so much, Nick! It is an honor to have your review posted here.
For those of you who do not know, Nicola “Nick” Cuti is an award-winning writer, illustrator and comic book editor. He started his career as assistant to the great Wally Wood, wrote prize-winning stories for Warren Magazines, worked as assistant editor at Charlton Comics, created the wonderful hero character “E-Man” (then illustrated by the current artist of “Dick Tracy” – Joe Staton), was an editor at DC, moved on to the animation industry and then got into producing his own television segments starring “Captain Cosmos, the Last Starveyer.” He’s putting the finishing touches on a new feature film based on his original script, “Tagged!”
We’re in distinguished company here!
Actually Nick, future strips (four total have been produced) will display some extra detail and feathering as you suggested. We’re hoping this project will fly if the sponsorship becomes a reality.
Thanks again!
Nick — like Donnie said, it’s always good to hear from you and get some input from someone who’s done this type of thing for a living. I’ve not been involved with a project that excites me this much for some time, so the more feedback the better.
This is such a great idea!! We have always loved and enjoyed Lum and Abner audios and movies. The cartoon will help bring them back to life again. Wonderful world!! Wonderful artwork!!
Thanks so much! Please tell your friends about this comic strip. I know how much “Lum and Abner” meant to my dad, uncles, aunts and other family in Arkansas in the 1930s-50s. Likewise, my mother’s family loved the show. My grandfather, in the 1930s-early 40s, could not afford a radio for them so in the evenings after work he would walk through the woods about three miles to his brother’s house where they would listen to “Lum and Abner.” He’d get really concerned when “the boys” would be in some kind of trouble, and he just could not miss the next program to see how things progressed!
[...] Lum and Abner [...]
I think this is a great idea! And it honors such a great comedy radio series and it’s creators and stars! It’s still just as funny today as it was when it first aired! Timeless comedy! I’d LOVE to see more!
[...] Lum and Abner [...]
[...] Lum and Abner [...]
[...] Lum and Abner [...]
I want to sincerely thank everyone who has made this possible!
I encourage everyone to subscribe to First Arkansas News by e-mail so you can receive the handy daily summary of new articles. This will help you to remember to read “Lum and Abner” every Sunday also!
Remember, you who were interested and generous made this happen! I feel truly honored!
Donnie Pitchford
Carthage, Texas
“Popeye” is in Hy Eisman’s capable hands, and now, “L&A” is in your capable hands. Congrats!
[...] Lum and Abner [...]
Great idea…how often will these come out? Daily or weekly?
Rick
“Nicola Cuti said”
I remember your work fondly from Charlton. Wonder how many here do also. Thankyou.
Rick
Great idea! I remember that thirty years ago George Lilly, from somewhere in Iowa and the source for my first Cinnamon Bear tapes, tried to convince local tv stations to reenact the audio from the old L and A shows with puppets acting out the dialogue, but it never got off the ground. This seems much more realistic and do-able.
One word of gentle advice, if you care to use it. I know this isn’t meant to be caricature, but Chester had an unusually long neck which would be so easy to exaggerate in your drawings! It was also another way (as in their movies) one could distinguish Chester’s tall height with the shorter Norris. Maybe if Lum had the goat’s whiskers instead of Abner, the feature wouldn’t have been so noticable!
Best of luck with the strip, and let’s hope it also appears in newspapers (if they still carry cartoons or even exist in a few years!)
(1) Thanks for these recent comments!
(2) Yes, many people know about Nick Cuti’s Charlton Comics connections! In fact, I invite everyone to check out a magazine called “Charlton Spotlight” published by Argo Press. A new one is on the way with a lengthy interview with editor-artist George Wildman and artist Hy Eisman. There are also contributions from Nick, Bill Pearson, Ron Frantz and others I may be leaving out (I have not seen everything yet).
(3) I remember George Lillie well! He hooked me up with Sam Brown of Dongola, Illnois, and from that connection along with our meeting with Tim Hollis, the National Lum and Abner Society was formed.
(4) Yes, the long neck! Good point!
Thank you all so much! I’m hoping and praying this strip will be a hit. Please tell folks with vision problems about the audio version too! Helping Hands for the Blind in California is helping us promote this aspect of the strip.
Thankee thankee thankee!
Very nice! It certainly captures the spirit (and look?) of the original – sweet, innocent, hometown humor. Even though many of us early-commenters are surely familiar with Lum and Abner from their Old Time Radio programs, I expect that this well-done strip may be many reader’s first contact with them: a fine introduction! And by pairing it with an audio version, this becomes a rather innovative idea on the web! Who’d'a’thunk it? Keep up the great work writing, drawing, acting, and recording…Bravo, to all involved!
Great job does Pitchford rascal does!
I am waiting in anticipation for the comic where Abner is told to deliver the groceries and instead opens up “the box” with Grandpap and puts the robot together – only to see the robot deliver groceries and maim at the same time.
What a great job of bringing the store back to life.
I can actualy here them.
Thank you Sir.
I am willing to give this a try, but to me this isn’t of the caliber of classic strips. As far as I am concerned, the only truly great comic strip was/is “Thimble Theatre.” Popeye rules! But I know (being an old codger) that “Lum and Abner” was a classic radio show, and if I’m not mistaken, there were some movies produced. As I wrote to Mr. Pitchford on his Facebook page, I think he needs to work harder to develop a more professional product. He’s no Elzie Segar, but he shows promise. No offense intended! I wish you all success.
To Mr. Snork and all, I appreciate all the feedback. There have been concerns expressed about the art style. Some have wanted a highly-detailed Norman Rockwell look. Others have said “the less detail the better” to “allow the reader to use his/her imagination as in listening to the radio show.”
I fully understand the difficulty of adapting a classic radio show to comic strip format and I hope everyone will continue to follow our new “Lum and Abner” comic strip. I think you’ll find we are not trying to “improve on the radio show” or “replace” it in any way. We truly love the radio shows and want this to serve as a tribute to them while also helping introduce “the two old fellows from Pine Ridge” to a new audience.
Thanks!
Keep up the good work. This is neat.
Love the comic, this whole proget is wonderful and the audio the for blind and the sighted is a stoke of genius.
Was in Fort Smith a few weeks ago but ran out of time and did not get down to Pine Ridge but will stop by in the spring and visit with Kathy and Lon.
Best of everything to all involved.
Barbara & Jerry Williams
Oroville, California
[...] Lum and Abner [...]
Rockwell? Looks more like Lyendecker.
Actually, I think the art is magnificent.
Thank you all! Lyendecker is one of my heroes along with Rockwell! Also we’ve received some nice reviews on the audio feature. One blind person said this is the first time he’s ever heard of this being done for a comic strip. We may have blazed a new trail! “Huh? What did you say Lum? Blazed a trail? Did you set the trail on fire? Doggies, somebody’s liable ta git blistered…”
Donnie, the Father’s Day edition comic is the best yet!
[...] Lum and Abner [...]
I love the new strips! The story line is really developing, and I could totally see myself reading these religiously over a cup of coffee in the morning. Keep them coming!!
Not bad but would look much better in black and white– that computer coloring ruins it…
[...] Lum and Abner [...]
Nice artwork Donnie! I really enjoy the comic strip. I remember Bsus & Csus that you did when we were kids, Ha! Your artwork has greatly improved since then. Very professional, keep it up Dude! TTYL
“Bsus Csus” – and I thought those were only known to some folks as guitar chords these days! Someone here knows me from way back, and I know who it is. Thanks Tommy, it’s great to see old friends and neighbors and nieces and former students comment on the comic strip!
[...] Lum and Abner [...]
[...] Lum and Abner [...]
[...] Lum and Abner [...]
I have started a “Lum and Abner Comic Strip” group on Facebook. I invite you to join if you’re interested. But please continue to comment here. Thanks!
Well I have written before, but I just LOVE the comics! Very talented work! Tonight was the first time I have been able to actually listen to them, too! WONDERFUL! Feels like the old fellows have been revived once again! Thanks Donald for your talents! God bless your efforts and may you go far!
Thanks Davy, and everyone who takes the time and gives the effort to comment. Have you all noticed as of recently “Lum and Abner” is on top of the “most commented” list below? Thank you all! That means a lot!
My grandpa talked about listening to Lum and Abner when he was young. I searched high and low until I found a cassette of two of their shows and listened to them till it wore out. When I heard of this strip I was so excited and wished my grandpa was still around so I could have told him. These two characters are part of Americana and as a historian I am so happy to see them brought back to life. Thank you.
Gary, you are so welcome. I had the same thought. My dad, his brothers, their parents, my mother’s family… everyone in my family enjoyed listening to “Lum and Abner” because it was so much like their own lives. They could identify. Tuffy Goff said in a 1973 TV interview that he and Chet Lauck wrote their scripts with the idea that they were entering the homes of their listeners and they never wanted to say or do anything to offend those people. Many of us feel there is still a place for this type of entertainment and I encourage everyone reading this to help us spread the word about “Lum and Abner” the comic strip and audio feature. It’s another way to keep the great traditions of the original program alive. Also I invite you all to look for the Lum and Abner Comic Strip group on Facebook. Thank you!
[...] Lum and Abner [...]
I almost LOL at the latest strip!
I grannies, you must be like Abner, Jimbo. He cain’t hardly read er write NUTHIN’ without LOLin’ his tongue out.
[...] Lum and Abner [...]
Wunnerful worrld!!
Great likeness’ of characters. Can’t wait for future strips. these are alot of fun. Brilliant blend of media- Comic strip & audio. Keep ‘em comin’!
[...] Lum and Abner [...]
Good stuff!
Does anyone remember that episode where Grandpap and Abner are sitting on Grandpap’s porch and Aunt Charity is calling for Grandpap? That is such a memorable episode…
SPERDVAC, the Society to Preserve and Encourage Radio Drama, Variety And Comedy, publishes “Radiogram” edited by Patrick Lucanio. The July issue announces “Lum and Abner Now in the Sunday Comics” on the cover, and inside is a reproduction of the first comic strip and a very nice article discussion the series. Many thanks to SPERDVAC and Patrick Lucanio!
Coincidentally, Jimbo (and I remember the program you mentioned), there are quotes from your site (the interview we did).
Thanks to all!
[...] Lum and Abner [...]
“Lum and Abner” – Chester Lauck and Norris Goff – grew up in Mena, Arkansas. Our first newspaper publication of the “Lum and Abner” comic strip will be in “The Mena Star!” That’s the same newspaper that published the first news about the “Lum and Abner” radio show 80 years ago! Enough Mena and area citizens requested the “Lum and Abner” comic strip to make it happen. You can do this as well in your city! If you enjoy our “Lum and Abner” strip, but know folks who can’t see it online, we encourage you to contact your newspaper editors and make a request. Thanks so much to our friends in the Mena, Arkansas area who made this possible.
Thanks for the heads up Unk.
[...] Lum and Abner [...]
Bob Burchett is preparing an article about Lum and Abner for the “Old Radio Times” magazine. This is available online as a publication of the Old Time Radio Researchers Group. I encourage you to visit them at http://www.otrr.org and I am certain you will be very pleased. This is an all-volunteer, nonprofit group, and their work is incredible! The pages I saw from the upcoming issue feature some fascinating articles (in addition to the Lum and Abner content). You can sign up for free copies of their amazing “Old Radio Times” very easily. Please give them a visit!
[...] Lum and Abner [...]
Donnie I am curious… do ya member the L&A nomenclature or do you e’r consult the L&A Dictionary?
It’s a beautifully done strip again this week.
Doggies, Jimbo… Norman Clature? Who’s he? Mus’ be from over ’round Board Camp. No, Jimbo, I write these strips right outa my head. You can tell. I must be outa my head when I write ‘em. Seriously, your L&A Dictionary is excellent, and I recommend it to everyone. Thank you for your nice review of the strip! Incidentally, this ends “Abner, Thy Name is Laziness.” Next week we start something… different!
My apologies, I got my own title backerds. “Laziness, Thy Name is Abner.” Musta read it in the mirror.
Donie – that’s amazing that you can remember all of that stuff. I am into the words everyday and though I am starting to remember them, most of the time I have to look them up.
Norman Clature?
That’s a good one.
Jimbo, I could write more and more Lum and Abner dialect, but it would get to the point that some readers unfamiliar with it would wonder what the characters were saying. Of course, then they could use your excellent Lum and Abner Dictionary!
Stay tuned! Sunday we begin a Lum and Abner mystery story – “Murder in Pine Ridge?” Will someone be murdered? Well, you’ll just have to tag along for the ride…
Norman Clature
[...] Lum and Abner [...]
I love Lum and Abner. I am 82 years old and I remember when I was about 10. We would walk about a mile to my uncle’s house to hear them on his radio. (We did no have one then.) My wife loves them too. We have CDs of many of the old broadcasts on our car radio that we play continually when we are travelling. We love it.
Leave your response!
Recent Posts
Most Commented
Most Viewed