What Is So This Is Washington About?
The premise of So This Is Washington in 303 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
In the modest town of Pine Ridge, Arkansas, the Jot ’Em Down general store serves as the heart of a community that values hard work and simple pleasures. Abner Peabody runs the shop with a quiet curiosity that often leads him to tinker in a makeshift basement lab, while his longtime companion Lum Edwards provides the boundless optimism that keeps their small‑town dreams alive. Their partnership is rooted in a genuine affection for each other’s quirks, creating a warm, homespun rhythm that feels both timeless and distinctly 1940s.
When a wartime radio broadcast calls for civilian ingenuity to aid the national effort, the duo answers the plea. The appeal comes from the head of the Civilian Aid Board, Chester Marshall, whose earnest request for practical solutions sparks Abner’s invention of a rubber‑like substitute made from his own licorice recipe. The notion is as earnest as it is inventive, and Lum sees an opportunity to take their creation to the very center of the nation’s power.
The bustling streets of Washington, D.C., offer a striking contrast to Pine Ridge’s quiet lanes. Bureaucratic corridors, press‑hyped events, and a sea of unfamiliar faces test the pair’s unpretentious sensibilities. Jane Nestor, Marshall’s diligent secretary, watches the newcomers with a mix of professional curiosity and bemused approval as they navigate the capital’s grand yet bewildering landscape. Their straightforward advice and good‑natured humor begin to attract the attention of politicians and everyday citizens alike, turning a simple laboratory breakthrough into a light‑hearted cultural moment.
Amid the clatter of wartime urgency, the film celebrates the charm of ordinary people stepping onto a larger stage. With the support of family—like the steady presence of Aunt Charity Speers—and a community that believes in common‑sense solutions, the story paints an optimistic portrait of ingenuity, friendship, and the unexpected heroism found in everyday life.
What Happens in So This Is Washington?
The complete story of So This Is Washington, from the first scene to the last, in 626 words (about 3 minutes). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 6 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
Abner Peabody, Norris Goff, runs the Jot ‘Em Down general store in Pine Ridge, Arkansas. One day, while tuning in to the radio, he hears Chester Marshall, Alan Mowbray, the head of the Civilian Aid on the War Effort Board, appeal for ideas that could help improve life during wartime. Motivated by the call, Abner decides to set up a small chemistry lab in his basement and quickly develops a new, improved formula for manufacturing synthetic rubber. His partner Lum Edwards, Chester Lauck, believes they should take their breakthrough to Washington, D.C. to present it to Marshall. Lum’s enthusiasm is matched by Abner’s steady curiosity, and the two men set off on an ambitious journey that will push them from a rural store into the heart of the nation’s capital.
In Washington, the duo finds lodging to be a surprising hurdle. An unknown man they meet in a park offers to help, but the place he provides turns out to be the very bedroom displayed in a department store window. After the morning chaos, they reconnect with an old friend, Robert Blevins, Roger Clark, a newspaper columnist who invites them to stay at his house and helps arrange a meeting with Marshall. The line to see the powerful official snakes through busy streets, and Abner and Lum quickly discover that their plainspoken ideas have captured public imagination. Marshall’s secretary, Jane Nestor, Mildred Coles, keeps an eye on the growing spectacle, while Abner and Lum roam the city and soak in its sights, gaining a reputation as practical, down-to-earth consultants.
Back on the park bench, Lum’s quick wit and plainspoken counsel draw crowds and turn the pair into makeshift advisers to anyone who asks. He offers simple but pointed guidance to a senator and to a congressman about drought, soil health, and the migration of people from small towns to big cities, illustrating the power of practical science when paired with everyday common sense. Word of their success travels fast, and before long Marshall himself arrives at the bench with a plan for a formal press event to showcase their discovery. The mood shifts to excitement as a headline moment approaches, but chaos erupts during the press conference when a statue crashes down onto Abner, knocking him unconscious and robbing him of most of his memory and recall of the rubber formula. The public doubtfully questions whether any genuine formula exists, and Marshall finds his own reputation called into question as he faces pressure to deliver results within a tight deadline.
Determined to prove their work, Marshall agrees to bring Abner and Lum back to Pine Ridge so that they can reconstruct the moment of inspiration in a familiar, honest setting. It is there, in the comforts and quirks of home, that Abner’s memory begins to flicker back to life. A second blow to the head, a familiar jolt, and the missing details come rushing back—the very formula that had guided their breakthrough. With the memory restored, the trio returns to Washington to face the consequences and to demonstrate the tangible value of their invention. The country applauds their ingenuity, and both Lum and Abner are recognized for their service, appointed heads of a special committee on farming problems, and Marshall’s public standing is restored.
Alongside the main arc, the story threads in a touch of small-town warmth through the support of family and friends. Aunt Charity Speers, Sarah Padden, offers a steadying presence, grounding the adventures in a community that values practical wisdom and friendly encouragement. The tale closes on a hopeful note: the pair’s practical innovations and unpretentious charm have helped the war effort, reshaping perceptions of scientific work and showing how ingenuity, when paired with perseverance, can turn everyday life into a large-scale triumph.
So This Is Washington Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
12 key events in the order they happen, from “Abner starts a basement chemistry lab in Pine Ridge” to “Rewards and the legacy”. 12 events name a place, across 4 locations.
- 1
Abner starts a basement chemistry lab in Pine Ridge
Abner Peabody, owner of the Jot Em Down general store in Pine Ridge, decides to set up a chemistry lab in his basement to contribute to the wartime effort. He partners with Lum Edwards and they begin experimenting on ways to improve life during the war. This venture marks a bold departure from their routine small town life.
When:Early wartime period Where:Pine Ridge, Arkansas
- 2
Lum and Abner develop a new synthetic rubber formula
In the basement lab, they devise an improved formula for manufacturing synthetic rubber. They believe their invention could help the war effort and aim to present it to Marshall, head of the Civilian Aid on the War Effort Board. Their optimism sets the stage for a cross country trip.
When:Soon after starting the lab Where:Pine Ridge, Arkansas
- 3
Washington visit begins with housing troubles
The pair travels to Washington, D.C. to present their discovery to Marshall. Finding lodging proves difficult; at one point they are offered a room in a department store window and are chased out when morning comes.
When:Upon arrival in Washington Where:Washington, D.C.
- 4
Robert Blevine helps them and becomes their host
Their old friend Robert Blevine, a newspaper columnist, reconnects with them. He invites them to stay at his house and accompanies them to see Marshall.
When:During their Washington stay Where:Washington, D.C.
- 5
Waiting in line to see Marshall and secretary's rebuke
Abner and Lum wait in line to see Marshall, while Robert's harsh articles have earned him the secretary's ire. The line underscores the rush for access to the wartime program and how quickly fame can spread.
When:Waiting to see Marshall Where:Washington, D.C.
- 6
Lum's park bench consultations draw crowds
Resting on a park bench, Lum interrupts a senator who is discussing drought and suggests planting worms to improve soil. He also remarks on migration from small towns to big cities and hints at policy ideas. These exchanges establish them as unconventional but practical advisers.
When:During the bench conversations Where:Washington, D.C. park bench
- 7
Word spreads that they are great consultants
Their unorthodox advice draws crowds to the bench, and visitors begin seeking their counsel on the spot. Word spreads that they are great consultants and their reputation grows in Washington.
When:In the days following the bench sessions Where:Washington, D.C.
- 8
Marshall arrives and a press conference is planned
Marshall arrives by the bench to see their work and they present their rubber invention. Marshall is pleased and calls for an immediate press conference.
When:Shortly after the bench consultations Where:Washington, D.C.
- 9
Abner is struck by a falling statue and loses memory
During the press conference, a statue falls and strikes Abner on the head, knocking him unconscious. When he wakes, he experiences near memory loss and forgets his rubber formula.
When:During the press conference Where:Washington, D.C.
- 10
Marshall's ultimatum and the homeward mission
With the public doubting that a workable formula ever existed, Marshall faces public humiliation. He decides to accompany Lum and Abner back to Pine Ridge to extract the formula from Abner in his home environment.
When:Immediately after the incident Where:From Washington, D.C. to Pine Ridge, Arkansas
- 11
Abner regains memory after another head impact
Back in Pine Ridge, Abner suffers another head impact but this time his memory returns and he recalls the formula on the last day of the deadline.
When:Last day of the deadline Where:Pine Ridge, Arkansas
- 12
Rewards and the legacy
Abner and Lum are rewarded for their service and named heads of a special committee on farming problems. Marshall's reputation is restored and the wartime program benefits from their insights.
When:After the deadline Where:Pine Ridge, Arkansas
Who Are the Main Characters in So This Is Washington?
8 characters, among them Abner Peabody (Norris Goff), Lum Edwards (Chester Lauck) and Chester W. Marshall (Alan Mowbray): who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
- AP
Abner Peabody (Norris Goff)
Played by Norris Goff
The jovial owner of the Pine Ridge Jot 'Em Down store who pilots the basement chemistry lab. Curious, stubborn, and trusting, he embodies small-town ingenuity and optimism. His memory and decisions drive the plot forward as he partners with Lum on their radical rubber formula.
- 🧪 Inventor
- 🧠 Curious
- 🤝 Partner
- LE
Lum Edwards (Chester Lauck)
Played by Chester Lauck
Abner’s quick-witted partner, known for street-smart advice and practical thinking. He guides Abner through the political maze of Washington while offering humorous commentary on urban vs rural perspectives. His social charm helps them win attention and crowds.
- 🛠️ Inventor
- 🧠 Quick-witted
- 🤝 Partner
- CW
Chester W. Marshall (Alan Mowbray)
Played by Alan Mowbray
Head of the War Effort on the board, a stern administrator who is publicly challenged by the public and the press. He embodies political pressure and the fragility of reputation during wartime policy debates.
- 🎖️ Authority
- 🧭 Bureaucracy
- 🧭 Leadership
- RB
Robert Blevins (Roger Clark)
Played by Roger Clark
A newspaper columnist and friend who helps connect Abner and Lum to Washington society. His editorials create tension with Marshall and drive public interest in their invention.
- 🗞️ Media
- 🧭 Connector
- 👫 Friend
- AC
Aunt Charity Speers (Sarah Padden)
Played by Sarah Padden
Matriarchal figure in the Speers family who anchors Abner’s world with warmth and community ties. Her presence grounds the story in family and local culture.
- 👵 Family
- 🏡 Community
- ❤️ Support
- JN
Jane Nestor - Marshall's Secretary (Mildred Coles)
Played by Mildred Coles
The secretary who keeps Marshall’s schedule and serves as a gatekeeper to the top level of government. She represents the procedural guardrails and the seriousness of the wartime administration, often clashing with the duo’s informal approach.
- 🗂️ Office
- 👩💼 Secretary
- 💬 Gatekeeper
- SV
Senator Vickers (Ben Taggart)
Played by Ben Taggart
A senator who embodies the political pressure and interest in rural solutions. His interactions with Lum and Abner highlight the tension between national policy and creative, grassroots input.
- 🏛️ Politician
- 🗣️ Debates
- 🔎 Oversight
- S(
Senator (Boyd Irwin)
Played by Boyd Irwin
Another political figure who interacts with the duo in Washington, adding to the atmosphere of legislative scrutiny and public persuasion.
- 🏛️ Politician
- 🗣️ Debates
- 🧭 Policy
Where and When Is So This Is Washington Set?
So This Is Washington is set in Pine Ridge, Arkansas, Washington and D.C. (World War II era). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
World War II era
Set during America’s wartime mobilization, the film reflects home-front efforts to aid the war and boost production. The War Effort Board and the push for synthetic rubber anchor the plot in the early 1940s. Lighthearted adventures juxtapose with the urgency of national defense, all within a few days of the push for results.
Where
Pine Ridge, Arkansas, Washington, D.C.
The story begins in Pine Ridge, a rural Arkansas town centered around the Jot 'Em Down general store. The plot then moves to Washington, D.C., the nerve center of wartime policy and national heroism. Key scenes unfold on the streets and in the public spaces of the capital as Abner and Lum seek their chance at making an impact.
- 🏡 Small-town
- 🏛️ Capitol city
- 🚗 Travel
What Are the Themes of So This Is Washington?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Innovation, Patriotism and Memory & Resilience.
-
01
Innovation
Abner and Lum’s basement chemistry lab becomes a catalyst for real-world change as they develop a new synthetic rubber formula. The film treats invention as practical problem-solving that can influence policy and industry. Their creativity drives the plot and demonstrates how small-town brilliance can affect the national stage.
-
02
Patriotism
Set against wartime America, the duo’s ideas are framed as contributions to the war effort and national service. The story shows how civic duty and public service can be fostered through collaboration, outreach, and presentation to federal leadership. It blends humor with a respect for national requirements and morale.
-
03
Memory & Resilience
A turning point comes when Abner loses his memory after a statue falls on him, threatening the project. The episode tests character and perseverance, forcing Lum to navigate public scrutiny. Memory restoration becomes the key to completing the formula and saving their chances.
What Kind of Film Is So This Is Washington?
Light in tone, with steady pacing and a straightforward story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Light
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Straightforward
- Intensity
- Low
- Ending
- Happy
A folksy and optimistic comedy that warmly follows two small-town store owners on a whimsical adventure to Washington D.C., celebrating ingenuity and community spirit with a comforting, light-hearted tone.
- folksy
- optimistic
- uplifting
- whimsical
- comforting
- down-to-earth
- wartime ingenuity
- small town heroes
- bureaucratic satire
- friendship
Quiz
How well do you remember So This Is Washington? Test yourself on the story.
