From the creative genius of TV pioneer Paul Henning (The George Burns & Gracie Allen Show, Love That Bob, Petticoat Junction), comes the story of poor Ozark mountaineer Jed Clampett and his kin, striking it rich with oil and headin' for Beverly Hills, California. This series follows the Clampett family from the Ozarks to posh Beverly Hills after they strike oil and become millionaires. Banker Mr. Drysdale tries to keep them from foolishly spending their newfound wealth, and he also tries to "civilize" them - usually succeeding in making a fool of himself. Joined by the feistiest Granny of them all, wise Uncle Jed, his critter-loving daughter Elly May and love-crazy Cousin Jethro in their unrefined, legendary quest for an idyllic West Coast existence. Welllll, Doggies!
Cast & Characters
- Buddy Ebsen as Jed Clampett
- Irene Ryana s Daisy Moses
- Donna Douglas as Elly May Clampett
- Max Baer Jr. as Jethro Bodine
- Raymond Bailey as Milburn Drysdale
- Nancy Kulp as Jane Hathaway
Broadcast History
First Telecast: September 26, 1962Last Telecast: September 7, 1971
Original Network:
CBS
Number of Seasons: 9
Number of Episodes: 274
The Beverly Hillbillies Episode Guide
Original Primetime TV Schedule:
- September 1962- September 1964, CBS, Wednesday 9:00-9:30pm
- September 1964- September 1968, CBS, Wednesday 8:30-9:00pm
- September 1968- September 1969, CBS, Wednesday 9:00-9:30pm
- September 1969- September 1970, CBS, Wednesday 8:30-9:00pm
- September 1970- September 1971, CBS, Tuesday 7:30-8:00pm
Theme Song Lyrics & Opening Credits
"The Ballad of Jed Clampett" by Paul HenningCome 'n listen to my story 'bout a man named Jed
A poor mountaineer, barely kept his family fed
And then one day, he was shootin' at some food
And up through the ground come a bubblin' crude
Oil, that is, black gold, Texas tea
Well, the first thing you know, old Jed's a millionaire
Kin folk said, Jed, move away from there
Said, Californy is the place you oughta be
So they loaded up the truck and they moved to Beverly
Hills, that is, swimmin' pools, movie stars
Well, now it's time to say goodbye to Jed and all his kin
They would like to thank you folks for kindly droppin' in
You're all invited back again to this locality
To have a heapin' helpin' of their hospitality
Hillbilly, that is, set a spell, take your shoes off
Y'all come back now, hear?
Watch opening intro:
Listen to theme song:
The Beverly Hillbillies On DVD
The Beverly Hillbillies Official Complete Seasons 1-5 23 DVD Set All 168 Episodes Includes Glossy Print TV Take Art Card
- 5 Box Sets
- Fullscreen 1.33:1 Aspect Ratio
- Dolby Digital
- Includes Glossy Print TV Take 4.5 x 5.5 Inch Art Card
$99.96
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The Beverly Hillbillies Trivia
Nancy Kulp originally spelled her last name with a "C". She changed it to avoid any potential confusion with "I Spy" star Robert Culp.The show was filmed in black & white for the first three seasons and in color thereafter.
Max Baer Jr. (Jethro) was no idiot in real life. In fact, he had a degree in Business Administration. Also, his father, Max Baer Sr. was at one time the heavyweight boxing champion of the world!
At the beginning of the series it was stated that Jed Clampett got $25 Million for the oil on his property. By the end of the series his net worth was mentioned as being $95 Million!
You may have known that Bea Benaderet (Cousin Pearl) also appeared on "Green Acres (1965)" and "Petticoat Junction (1963)" but she also was on the "George Burns & Gracie Allen Show (1950)" as early as 1950!. Even before that she was a star on the radio with Lucille Ball on "My Favorite Husband", on "Fibber McGee & Molly", the "Jack Benny Program" and many others. She also did many cartoon voices ... the best-known being "Betty Rubble" on "The Flintstones (1960)".
"The Ballad of Jed Clampett" climbed to #44 on the hit parade chart in the first season (1962). Not bad for a TV show theme song!
The Beverly Hillbillies was the #1 show (highest rating) during 1962 & 1963! In fact, it went to the #1 position within its first three weeks on the air ... faster than any other series ever had! Episodes #10-17 were the most-watched episodes of all time, probably because of the assassination of President John Fitzgerald Kennedy on November 22, 1963. The nation needed a reason to laugh again after that terrible tragedy!
