Both Bea Benaderet and Irene Ryan, who are both highly regarded actresses, battled with one another for the coveted part of Granny in this illustrious television series. Despite the fact that Benaderet had tried out for the role, Irene Ryan was ultimately selected for the role because she impressed with her performance.
The creator of the show, Paul Henning, recognized Benaderet's great potential and decided to cast her in the role of Cousin Pearl, Jethro's mother, later in the series. After recognizing which, he would go on to design the character Kate Bradley in the TV show "Petticoat Junction" just for her.
Orion Television's astounding error resulted in a considerable number of episodes from "Beverly Hillbillies" being suddenly released into the public domain. This mishap occurred when Orion neglected to renew copyrights for 55 episodes before they expired. As a result, these episodes became freely available for redistribution, resulting to massive distribution across many platforms.
While this mishap provided an opportunity for various firms to capitalize on the show's success, there was one catch: the renowned opening theme tune was missing. Due to residual copyright protection, the original tune had to be replaced with generic banjo music, a slight setback in an otherwise fortunate turn of events for show lovers.
Elly May Clampett's fondness for animals on "The Beverly Hillbillies" was a defining feature of her character, but behind the scenes, it was Frank Inn's expert hands that ensured her menagerie received the greatest care. Inn, a well-known Hollywood animal trainer best known for his work with the iconic cat in "Breakfast at Tiffany's," was in charge of Elly May's unique assortment of pets.
Inn not only cared for the animals, which ranged from tame canines to exotic species, but also taught them to respond to vocal directions. It is because of his expertise, each animal was able to accomplish the required objectives, contributing to the show's representation of Elly May's unshakable devotion to her pets.
In the humorous universe of these hillbillies, the character of Jethrine Bodine, Jethro's twin sister, provided a wonderful little plot twist. Linda Kaye Henning, daughter of the show's creator, Paul Henning, provided the voice over for Jethrine, who was then played on screen by Mr. Max Baer Jr. in drag.
Linda, best known for her role as Betty Jo Bradley in her father's later series "Petticoat Junction," offered her voice talents to Jethrine, injecting the character with personality and fun. Despite Jethrine's delightfully overdone portrayal of a somewhat intimidatingly masculine woman, Linda's voice work added a new element of hilarity to the show's already beloved and colorful cast.
Max Baer Jr., best known for his portrayal of the endearing but simple-minded Jethro Bodine on the show, demonstrated his commercial skills off-screen with a lawsuit against CBS in 2014. Baer stated that CBS had allowed him permission to use his character for commercial purposes, specifically for a restaurant chain.
However, he discovered that CBS had secretly granted identical rights to the Iowa-based restaurant Jethro's BBQ. In the ensuing court struggle, a settlement was struck in which CBS released Jethro's BBQ from all liability. Despite the legal wrangling, Jethro's BBQ continues to thrive in Iowa, serving patrons with its distinct charm and delectable selections, a monument to the ongoing legacy of "The Beverly Hillbillies."
Despite their on-screen friendship, tensions rose between Nancy Kulp, famed for her depiction of the brilliant yet eccentric Miss Jane Hathaway, and Buddy Ebsen, who brought Jed Clampett to life. Their feud reached a climax when Kulp, a decade after the show ended, ran for Congress as a Democrat in Pennsylvania.
Kulp expected her former castmates to support her, but Ebsen publicly endorsed her Republican opponent, widening the margin. This stunning deceit harmed Kulp, forcing her to lose her race and develop a profound resentment that lasted until she died in 1991. Despite their famed on-screen connection, Kulp and Ebsen's real-life realtionship was such a lie that they used to have to get somebody else to call their dogs for them.
Raymond Bailey, widely remembered for his depiction of the neurotic banker Mr. Drysdale, subsequently suffered a devastating fight with Alzheimer's disease. Despite beginning out as a day laborer on silent film sets, Bailey's talent drove him to the part of Mr. Drysdale, becoming a breakout star on one of television's most popular sitcoms.
As the series came to a close, Bailey began to show signs of Alzheimer's disease, prompting his retirement from performing after only two more films. His passing in 1980 marked the end of an extraordinary career, but his legacy lives on through the eternal comedy of his on-screen persona as Mr. Drysdale, which will continue to provide joy and amusement to viewers for years to come.
In 2015, the 1921 Oldsmobile Model 46 Roadster, which became synonymous with "The Beverly Hillbillies," was placed up for auction. This dependable vehicle had a powerful V8 engine when it was first purchased, and it cost around $2,000 at the time. This one-of-a-kind innovation included cylinder cups specifically intended to enable easy starting in cold weather with a little ether.
It's apparent that this revered piece of television history was wildly appealing, because by the end of the auction the car sold for a whopping $275,000. From its humble origins on screen to its successful sale decades later, the truck driven by the Clampetts is a symbol of nostalgia and curiosity for fans of the classic comedy.
Max Baer Jr., best known for his performance of Jethro Bodine on "The Beverly Hillbillies," faced a common dilemma for actors: becoming too closely associated with a single role. Despite the show's success, Baer struggled to move on from his legendary character, which hampered his acting career. Casting directors struggled to visualize him in other parts, restricting his options when the show ended.
After "Beverly Hillbillies," Baer tried his hand at a few small acting roles, but eventually he shifted his concentration to producing, writing, and directing instead. Some say, because of this transformation, he was able to pursue a range of creative choices outside of acting, demonstrating resilience in the face of the unpredictability that Hollywood was, and still is, experiencing.
Mattel released the "Elly May" Barbie doll in 2010, which featured a portrait of Donna Douglas as the renowned figure. However, the actress, who was 77 at the time, was dissatisfied with CBS and Mattel's failure to provide consent and pay. Douglas filed a lawsuit against the corporations, alleging illegal exploitation of her picture.
The lawsuit resulted in a settlement, albeit the exact sum remains unknown. We're not sure why they didn't get permission and compensate her for commercial use of ther likeness, but it didn't work out in the end for them. It serves as a cautionary tale for businesses and even individulas to ask before using someone's image. You go girl!
This show pioneered commercial placement, with Kellogg's Corn Flakes serving as one of its most notable advertisers. Kellogg's used the catchy tune "K-E-Double L-O-Double Good. Kellogg's best to you" to remind viewers of their support at the end of each show. In addition, the characters made periodic references to Kellogg's in promotional segments and ads.
In a manner that was reminiscent of the advertising practices of the 1960s, the theme song of the show included lines that promoted Winston cigarettes and Corn Flakes. This particular partnership between a well-known comedy and a well-known Corn Flake was referred to as the "breakfast of champions" at an era in which those kinds of partnerships were highly valued.
On the show Donna Douglas' character, Elly May Clampett, unwittingly sparked fashion trends with her signature hillbilly chic clothes. In each show, she wore flannel blouses and snug blue jeans, and her style, albeit uncommon at the time, captivated audiences. By the end of the first season, Elly May's fashion effect was evident, resulting in an increase in the popularity of denim products among women.
Douglas was even commended by a Levi Strauss executive, who claimed that she had a greater impact on blue jeans sales in a single year than cowboys did in an entire century. Elly May's ageless allure continues to attract and inspire fashion fans, cementing her place as a cultural legend.
The renowned mansion portrayed in "The Beverly Hillbillies" is not as secluded as one may believe. The house, located in Bel-Air rather than Beverly Hills, belonged to a real estate investor and art collector, whose widow agreed to let the show use it on the condition that it be kept secret.
Maintaining this concealment proved difficult, since the persistent presence of a film crew became obvious. Despite efforts to conceal the site, the mansion's appearance became familiar to viewers across the country, eventually leading to the discovery of its genuine location. Nonetheless, the estate serves as a lasting reminder of the show's sumptuous backdrop and ageless appeal.
Buddy Ebsen's legacy extends beyond his iconic performance as Jed Clampett. Before dazzling television viewers, Ebsen demonstrated his talent as a singer and dancer on Broadway, where he began his career in 1936. In 1965, he returned to his musical origins, producing the country-western album "Buddy Ebsen Says Howdy in Song and Story," which is still accessible on outlets such as Amazon.
In addition, Ebsen demonstrated his adaptability by venturing into the world of literature and penning a novel and naming it "Kelly's Quest." The legacy of Ebsen extends far beyond the cherished part he played on "The Beverly Hillbillies." His career was marked by artistic diversity and enduring contributions to the entertainment industry.
When Buddy Ebsen joined "The Beverly Hillbillies," he lobbied for a more sophisticated characterization of Jed Clampett than the original screenplay called for. This contrasted with the original script and writers where at first, opposed to it. Initially, the figure was portrayed as illiterate and lacking in common sense. Ebsen urged for a more nuanced representation of the character.
His persistence prompted a critical decision: a shift in the humorous simplicity to Jethro, while allowing Jed to demonstrate keen intellect paired with comedic mistakes about city life. This change proved to be a stroke of genius, improving the character dynamics and adding to the show's long-term humorous success. Ebsen's impact on Jed's persona ultimately formed the famous representation that viewers adored.
