How to Be a Li'l Abner Fan

Li'l Abner was the main character in the comic strip of the same name. He was a hulking hillbilly from the poor town of Dogpatch. Li'l Abner was created by Al Capp during the Depression era, eventually inspiring a movie and a Broadway show.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Learn about Al Capp. Born Alfred Gerald Caplin, he created Li'l Abner for United Features Syndicate in 1934. At the age of 19, Capp became the youngest syndicated cartoonist in America for his work on "Colonel Gilfeather." Capp retired Abner in 1977.
2. Celebrate Sadie Hawkins Day. In 1937, Capp started a sensation when he introduced the Sadie Hawkins Day race into the comic strip. The race was initiated by Hekzebia Hawkins, the father of Sadie Hawkins, in an attempt to get his ugly daughter married. The idea was so popular that women across the nation began asking men out on dates. The national institution became a standing feature in the comic strip every November.
3. Buy Schmoo merchandise. The Schmoo is the best and worst thing that ever happened in Li'l Abner. The Schmoo joined the comic strip in 1948 and led to mass merchandising throughout the 40s and 50s. Merchandise inspired by the Schmoo included dolls, toys, books, jewelry, clocks, ashtrays, apparel, a Shmoo game and wallpaper. Schmoo memorabilia is highly collectible.
4. Drink Kickapoo Joy Juice. Kickapoo Joy Juice was a Dogpatch moonshine made by Hairless Joe and Lonesome Polecat. The potent liquor burned on the way down and made your hair stand on end. You can purchase a non-alcoholic version that is manufactured by Monarch Beverage of Atlanta, Inc. The drink is available at Pop Soda's website.
5. Watch the movie. In 1959, the film version of "Li'l Abner" was released. It was directed by Melvin Frank and starred Peter Palmer as Li'l Abner and Leslie Parrish as his love, Daisy Mae. The movie focused on the Sadie Hawkins Day race. You can purchase the movie on DVD from Amazon. It's a musical with several surprisingly good songs and a great performance by Broadway legend Stubby Kaye, who stops the show with his rousing rendition of "Jubliation T. Cornpone."