Posted on 04/01/2016 2:22:05 PM PDT by EveningStar
A recent post noted that the top-rated television programs in 1965 included “The Beverly Hillbillies” at No. 2. Since I am likely the only one among your readers who remembers viewing the first episode of that series when it was telecast one evening in September 1962, I would like to say a few things about its virtues.
The intellectuals hated “The Beverly Hillbillies.” They hated it for the same reasons ordinary Americans loved it: It offered thirty minutes of simple, clean comedy, crisp writing, and characters who were decent, honest, happy, and had plenty of moral fiber. The critics just could not stand the thought that Americans were enjoying entertainment that included no despair, no messages, no murders, and no pretentious nonsense. There was nothing dark or cynical or profane for the critics to feast upon and “interpret.”
“The Beverly Hillbillies” projected what Ayn Rand called a “benevolent sense of life.” The early black-and-white episodes were the best. They teem with brightness, good cheer, and optimism in the comical situations, misunderstandings, and musical themes heard at intervals throughout. The comedy ranges from slapstick to word play to understated, self-effacing humor.
(Excerpt) Read more at thinkinghousewife.com ...
Strangely enough I watched the Season 1 first episode again last night. It’s on Youtube.
What prompted that viewing was a facebook post of part of Season 1 Episode 3 where Jethro explains his experience with fast women to Jed.
Season 1.. full episodes... ENJOY!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alJGbCHehAo&list=PLDKIdNwa9rzN9hHHwqPfD5RpE8TuNHY6h
bttt
I watched because I thought Ellie Mae was hot and even as an 8 year old I had good taste.
Thank you for the brief respite from all the rancor and vitriol that seems to be everywhere in our culture now.
Thanks for posting that, an interesting read. I have an extensive collection of old movies and TV shows.
It reminds me of how far America has fallen.
The intellectuals hated “The Beverly Hillbillies.”
Jethro’s secret agent car.
Granny’s rheumatis medicine.
Great stuff.
I happened to be living in Los Angeles in a very exclusive (not Beverly Hills) area and it was by far the most watched TV show among my parents and their friends. All they talked about. I was too busy riding motorcycles and surfing (it WAS LA, after all) and occasionally getting to drive my grandmothers ‘56 T-Bird. My Step father was an engineer at Litton and I got interested and worked with him in rockets, jets, fast machines and computers. Show was still still popular there, people loved it, even up in Woodland Hills and out in the high Desert. So, no, you are NOT the old man around here.
The first few episodes were somewhat stilted as they felt their way along developing the characters. Now the show would be cancelled before they got their footing.
Most of the sayings used by the Clampetts were real Ozarkisms.
There were several TV shows with rural settings during the 1960’s such as Green Acres, Andy Griffith, Mayberry RFD and Mr. Ed. By the early 1970’s, they were all gone, replaced by shows with urban settings such as All in the Family.
I moved on to Mary Ann (no, not Ginger) after Ellie Mae.
Later marry a red head... maybe I was too young to fully appreciate Ginger.
And more racy themes and since ever 10 years the bar get lowered a bit more.
Jethro going to work at the bank was a good one.
Where the Bloom is on the Sage--The Beverly Hill Billies (1930)
Do you remember the Clampetts eating their dinner at the billiard table? They used the cue sticks as “pot passers”.
I know what you mean. I moved on to Ellie Mae, after Betty Ruble.
The show had some great characters - greedy Mr. Drysdale, snooty Mrs. Drysdale (and her ongoing feud with Granny), Miss Jane Hathaway, the actors who dated Ellie Mae like Dash Riprock and Bolt Upright, et al.
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