Lum and Abner: Rural America and the Golden Age of Radio (New Directions In Southern History)
$22.85
Description
Beginning in 1931 and lasting for more than two decades, the show revolved around the lives of ordinary people in the fictional community of Pine Ridge, based on the hamlet of Waters, Arkansas. The title characters, who are farmers, local officials, and the keepers of the Jot 'Em Down Store, manage to entangle themselves in a variety of hilarious dilemmas. The program's gentle humor and often complex characters had wide appeal both to rural southerners, who were accustomed to being the butt of jokes in the national media, and to urban listeners who were fascinated by descriptions of life in the American countryside.
Lum and Abner was characterized by the snappy, verbal comedic dueling that became popular on radio programs of the 1930s. Using this format, Lauck and Goff allowed their characters to subvert traditional authority and to poke fun at common misconceptions about rural life. The show also featured hillbilly and other popular music, an innovation that drew a bigger audience. As a result, Arkansas experienced a boom in tourism, and southern listeners began to immerse themselves in a new national popular culture. In Lum and Abner: Rural America and the Golden Age of Radio, historian Randal L. Hall explains the history and importance of the program, its creators, and its national audience. He also presents a treasure trove of twenty-nine previously unavailable scripts from the show's earliest period, scripts that reveal much about the Great Depression, rural life, hillbilly stereotypes, and a seminal period of American radio.
Details
Lum and Abner: Rural America and the Golden Age of Radio (New Directions In Southern History)
Step back in time and experience the charm of rural America during the Golden Age of Radio with Lum and Abner. Dive into the captivating world of Chester "Chet" Lauck and Norris "Tuffy" Goff, the brilliant minds behind this beloved radio show. Take a journey to the 1930s, a time when the airwaves were filled with stories of farmers and small-town residents battling through the hardships of the Great Depression.
Inspired by the authentic community of Pine Ridge, based on the real-life Waters, Arkansas, Lum and Abner transports you to a fictional world where ordinary people face extraordinary situations. Through their hilarious mishaps as farmers, local officials, and keepers of the Jot 'Em Down Store, Lum and Abner bring smiles and laughter to audiences nationwide.
What sets Lum and Abner apart is its snappy, verbal comedic dueling, a format that was a sensation in the 1930s. Lauck and Goff's characters challenge traditional authority and debunk stereotypes about rural life, fostering a sense of empowerment and connection for both rural and urban listeners. Immerse yourself in Lum and Abner's clever banter and experience the allure of hillbilly and popular music, a distinctive feature that drew in an even larger following.
Discover how Lum and Abner not only entertained but also had a significant impact on American culture. This captivating book, Lum and Abner: Rural America and the Golden Age of Radio, penned by historian Randal L. Hall, delves into the show's rich history, the creative minds behind it, and the program's national influence.
As an added bonus, Lum and Abner: Rural America and the Golden Age of Radio includes a collection of twenty-nine previously inaccessible scripts from the show's early days. These scripts provide invaluable insights into the Great Depression, rural life, hillbilly stereotypes, and the transformative era of American radio.
Embark on a journey through time with Lum and Abner: Rural America and the Golden Age of Radio. Immerse yourself in the heartwarming stories, laugh-out-loud humor, and captivating moments that defined a nation. Don't miss out on this unique glimpse into the past - reserve your copy now!
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