Product Details

• Actors: Buddy Ebsen, Donna Douglas, Irene Ryan, Max Baer Jr., Raymond Bailey
• Writers: Myron Shenova, Paul Henning, Sharmagne Leland-St. John
• Producers: Martin Ransohoff
• Format: Box set, Black & White, Full Screen, NTSC
• Language: English (Mono)
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 5
• Rating: Unrated
• Studio: Paramount
• DVD Release Date: October 7, 2008
• Run Time: 30 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B001BN4WHW
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #17,295 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

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  Movies & TV > Comedy > Television > The Beverly Hillbillies

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
The Beverly Hillbillies's second season is "funnier than a hog on ice" as the Clampetts continue their adjustment to life in tony Beverly Hills. Not for nothing was the clan honored with Favorite Fish Out of Water at the TV Land Awards. They are shocked for example, that the community does not observe Possum Day, and it is up to their banker and next door neighbor, Mr. Drysdale, who will do anything to keep the Clampetts' $35 million in his bank, to convince the mayor to stage a parade. Wealth has not spoiled the Clampetts, who remain true to their mountain roots. They endeavor to plant crops in their front yard, and Granny (Emmy nominee Irene Ryan), "no bigger than a minute and scrappy as a bantam hen," continues to practice her spells, outraging the local medical community. And when critter-lovin' Elly Mae (Donna Douglas), simple-minded Jethro (Max Baer), and Granny do "go Hollywood" (Jethro's Brando-esque Wild One is a real hoot), it takes Jed (Buddy Ebsen) outfitted as a rhinestone cowboy to show them how ridiculous they look. Critics "mean-mouthed" The Beverly Hillbillies, but it was the ultimate "People's Choice." It was TV's top-rated show its first two years, and ran for nine seasons. At the heart of its success was that the Clampetts were not the objects of ridicule. As in classic Depression-era screwball comedies, it was the rich who were mostly made to look foolish and no match for the Clampetts' plain-spoken common sense and traditional mountain ways. In one episode, the Clampetts transform snobby Mrs. Drysdale's boring garden party into a wild success, thanks to some bluegrass music and spiked punch. This season does contain "The Giant Jackrabbit," which, if not the series' funniest half hour (Granny is bedevilled by a wayward kangaroo), was certainly its highest rated and is reportedly among the 20 top-rated TV episodes of all time. Memorable guest stars include Henry Gibson as Granny's favorite TV cowboy, who is revealed to be a faker, and bluegrass legends Flatt & Scruggs, who can be heard in each episode performing the TV theme song that even those who have never watched the show can probably recite. Peter Whitney is a welcome guest in a three episode arc as no-account mountain con man Lafe, who schemes to get his hands on some of the Clampett fortune. And that's the ill-fated Sharon Tate as Mrs. Drysdale's secretary in several episodes. This is The Beverly Hillbillies' first official DVD release (episodes from the first season are in the public domain), and they've done it up right proud with a heapin helpin' of extras, including Irene Ryan's screen test, network new show previews and promos, and an informal interview with series creator Paul Henning. Viewers have the option of watching each episode with the original Winston cigarette openings and episode tags. Mmm, doggies! --Donald Liebenson

Product Description
An instant hit, the rural comedy was the ultimate fish-out-of-water story. The Clampett family strikes it rich in oil and move from their mountain cabin in the Ozark Mountains to the upscale neighborhood of Beverly Hills. Each hilarious episode revolves around the culture clash between the "uncivilized" Clampetts and the "civilized" culture of their elitist neighbors.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superlative!, October 26, 2008

By	Superbu (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews

Having already owned these episodes as released by MPI from Paul Henning's personal 16mm prints, I wasn't quite sure what to expect from Paramount's release.

I was thrilled to see that not only are the original sponsor openings and cast commercials included, but you have the option of watching with them INTEGRATED INTO THE SHOW via seamless branching! That's a feature even the "Ultimate Collection" couldn't boast... there, the sponsor clips were available only in a supplemental section.

The prints are much better here, too, with the exception of the opening and closing credits, which appear to be sourced from Henning's 16mm prints. Nonetheless, Parmount did a tremendous job on this release.

What a thrill to watch these episodes EXACTLY as originally broadcast. And what a trip, in our politically correct age, to see the Hillibillies actually smoking!

Thanks, Paramount, for not insulting our intellect by "deciding for us" what is or is not appropriate to watch.

29 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Classic Series--Done Right!, October 8, 2008

By	Dennis G. Duryea "Justin Kipper" (Arkansas, USA) - See all my reviews

With so many recent releases being comprised of incomplete and altered versions of our beloved classic TV shows, it's smart to wait and decide to purchase (or not) well after the release date. It seems that the firestorms of complaint following releases such as THE FUGITIVE SEASON TWO VOL. ONE have been noticed, at least for the time being. I must say that THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES OFFICIAL SECOND SEASON set is of far higher quality than I expected. Yes, this is the complete second season, with excellent picture (a bit grainy at times, but overall superb) and sound transfers of every episode...but most important, the episodes are complete and with the original music as far as I can tell. It's nice to see a good bit of bonus material here too; the original sponsor opening and closings are great segments that have been lost to time over the years. Some of the closing segments are continuations of the episodes themselves and extend the episodes by several minutes; for example, the third episode, "Granny's Garden", runs 29 minutes with the sponsor segments added back in. This is nice stuff, and really adds to the value!

Don't hesitate to order this fine DVD set. Just as companies should be boycotted when they mangle releases, they should also be praised and supported when they make the effort to do things right. I don't think anyone will be disappointed with THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES OFFICIAL SECOND SEASON, and I hope that this high quality is maintained as a standard in future releases.

19 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Way better picture quality! Beverly Hillbillies fans rejoice!!, October 8, 2008

By	KS62 (Michigan, United States) - See all my reviews

The second season set from Paramount is sooooo much improved over the MPI Volumes 1 & 2. I can't believe i had something nice to say regarding Paramount.

I never thought i would see it this clear and that is viewing it on my large screen LCD tv which sometimes makes older shows seem a little more off or grainey. I also tested a disc in my player hooked up to my 36 inch glass screen tv and it seems nice and clear without any real noticeable grainey quality.

This is such an improvement over MPI and those horrible other sets that were out there prior. This was one of my very favorite shows growing up. I was so sad to think all we'd ever see are episodes in the previous quality of the MPI sets.

While the episodes are remastered the opening and closing credits are not. One feature is the option to view each episode with or without the original sponsor opening and closing. The sponsor opening extends the scene with all four driving in the truck while passing a truck or billboard with the Winston cigarettes or Kelloggs cereals logo on it. It also has extended theme lyrics mentioning one of the two sponsors. The closing is actually a short scene wrapping up the episode while having the Clampetts using one of the products in the scene. Unfortunately the sponsor closings are not remastered.

As far as the music, it plays the original theme song (with original vocalist) exactly as how we remembered it. Also i noticed that the regular intro music you would hear in the beginning of a scene is also the original music. So maybe the music that is altered pertains to performances of songs on the show or something along that line.

Seven of the episodes in season 2 have Sharon Tate wearing a black wig playing the part of Janet Trego, a bank secretary. In one episode "The Garden Party" she plays a guest at the party who dances with Jethro with her own blonde hair. She also appears in the "Elly Starts To School" episode as a "blink and you'll miss her" character named Mary. While it's nice to see her....it makes me sad at the same time.

If you are true fan of this show and was disheartened like i was with prior sets you'll want to pick this set up. I'm so glad i did!

Welllll doggies....it's time for me to have a heapin' helpin' of vittles in a Jethro sized bowl and set a spell with the Clampetts!