The #1 TV show in the US in the early 60s, setting long-standing ratings records (most sets only received 3 or 4 channels back then). The story of Jed Clampett, who struck oil on his land; with his new wealth, he moved his family - Granny, his daughter Ellie Mae, and nephew Jethro - to the Big City, Beverly Hills. Plots usually involved Culture Shock (inflicted on others), and the greed of their banker, Mr Drysdale (whose secretary Jane usually managed to save him from seppuku).

The Beverly Hillbillies was first aired on the CBS television network in the USA in September 1962. It ran throughout the sixties and concluded in September 1971.

The cast of The Beverly Hillbillies was:

Boddy Ebsen as Jed Clampett
Donna Douglas as Elly Mae Clampett
Irene Ryan as "Granny" Daisy Moses
Max Baer Jr as Jethro Bodine
Nancy Culp as Jane Hathaway
Raymond Bailey as Bank Manager Milburn Drysdale

The title song from the classic television series The Beverly Hillbillies is one of the most enduring of that golden age of TV sitcoms. It was written by the great Paul Henning (who also scriptwrote and composed title songs for Green Acres and Petticoat Junction), and recorded under the title "The Ballad of Jed Clampett"



"The Ballad of Jed Clampett"

Words and music by Paul Henning

Come and listen to a story about a man named Jed,
A poor mountaineer, barely kept his family fed,
Then one day he was shootin' at some food,
And up through the ground came a bubblin' crude.

Oil, that is,
black gold,
Texas tea.

Well the first thing you know ol' Jed's a millionaire,
Kinfolk said "Jed move away from there",
Said Californy is the place you ought to be,
So they loaded up the truck and moved to Beverly.

Hills, that is.
Swimmin' pools,
movie stars.

Well now its time to say good-bye to Jed and all his kin.
And 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.

Hillybilly that is.
Sit a spell.
Take your shoes off.

Y'all come back now, y'hear?

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