Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 29:21 — 6.7MB)
A star studded surprise to welcome Lum and Abner to their new show, and new format. The coast to coast fun includes appearances from many of the top celebrities of the day.
Wendle Niles hosts, and the fun kicks off with a visit by Bob Crosby. He sings, You Were Only Fooling. Columnists and actress, Hetta Hopper joins in on the jokes. She and Bob joke about theme songs. Barbers, dentists, and even fan dancers all deserve a theme song… right? The Modernaires sing, Love Somebody but I Won’t Say Who.
Wendel promises to tell how Lum and Abner got their start on radio but it meets with interruptions when Clem Kadiddlehopper visits. No relation to Hetta, but he jokes with her about his pals, and the surprise party in store for them. Margret Whiting arrives and sings, There’s a Tree in the Meadow. She stays around to joke with Bob Crosby, and together they sing, Dancing in the Dark.
Finally the phone rings with a personal salute from Bob Hope. Connected by long distance from New York, Bob brings good words, and is even joined by Jerry Kolonna. Lum and Abner make their appearance to thank everyone for the surprise, and in launching their new half hour show.
