The Beverly Hillbillies
(1993)
PG | 94 mins | Comedy | 15 October 1993
Director:
Penelope SpheerisWriters:
Lawrence Konner, Mark Rosenthal, Jim Fisher, Jim StaahlProducers:
Ian Bryce, Penelope SpheerisCinematographer:
Robert BrinkmannEditor:
Ross AlbertProduction Designer:
Peter JamisonProduction Company:
Twentieth Century Fox
A 23 Sep 1964 HR item indicated that interest in a motion picture adaptation of The Beverly Hillbillies (CBS, 26 Sep 1962—23 Mar 1971) began while the popular television series was still on the air. Although Filmways planned to distribute through CBS theatrical affiliate Paramount Pictures, news items in the 2 Oct 1987 and 20 Jun 1990 DV later linked the project to Warner Bros. Pictures after producer David Permut obtained rights to the property. Television series creator Paul Henning, producer Dale Launer, and screenwriters Peter Farrelly, Bennett Yellin, and Bob Farrelly were also attached. Only Permut remained involved with the production, although he did not receive a credit in the final film.
The1 Oct 1992 HR announced that Penelope Spheeris would direct for Twentieth Century Fox, following her $121-million hit, Wayne’s World (1992, see entry), and the recent success of other television adaptations such as Dragnet (1987, see entry) and The Addams Family (1991, see entry). At the time, production was expected to begin in Jan 1993 for a 4 Jul 1993 release.
The 2 Mar 1993 HR stated that principal photography began 22 Feb 1993. According to the 4 May 1993 Long Beach Press-Telegram, highway markers along Shoreline Drive in Long Beach, CA, were changed to resemble Los Angeles, CA, signs during filming. Although that specific area was free from the strict jurisdiction of the California Department of Transportation, modifications were reportedly made without Long Beach city permission. A 17 Oct 1993 LAT article also named the Beverly Hills Civic Center, Rodeo Drive, and Beverly Hills ...
A 23 Sep 1964 HR item indicated that interest in a motion picture adaptation of The Beverly Hillbillies (CBS, 26 Sep 1962—23 Mar 1971) began while the popular television series was still on the air. Although Filmways planned to distribute through CBS theatrical affiliate Paramount Pictures, news items in the 2 Oct 1987 and 20 Jun 1990 DV later linked the project to Warner Bros. Pictures after producer David Permut obtained rights to the property. Television series creator Paul Henning, producer Dale Launer, and screenwriters Peter Farrelly, Bennett Yellin, and Bob Farrelly were also attached. Only Permut remained involved with the production, although he did not receive a credit in the final film.
The1 Oct 1992 HR announced that Penelope Spheeris would direct for Twentieth Century Fox, following her $121-million hit, Wayne’s World (1992, see entry), and the recent success of other television adaptations such as Dragnet (1987, see entry) and The Addams Family (1991, see entry). At the time, production was expected to begin in Jan 1993 for a 4 Jul 1993 release.
The 2 Mar 1993 HR stated that principal photography began 22 Feb 1993. According to the 4 May 1993 Long Beach Press-Telegram, highway markers along Shoreline Drive in Long Beach, CA, were changed to resemble Los Angeles, CA, signs during filming. Although that specific area was free from the strict jurisdiction of the California Department of Transportation, modifications were reportedly made without Long Beach city permission. A 17 Oct 1993 LAT article also named the Beverly Hills Civic Center, Rodeo Drive, and Beverly Hills High School as locations, while the 2 Dec 1993 LAT stated the “Clampett” mansion in “Beverly Hills” was actually located on South Oakland Avenue in Pasadena, CA. The property had previously burned down and a developer was in the process of reconstruction when Fox offered to complete exterior renovations in exchange for its use. Neighbors allowed the production to film a cattle drive on the same street, but the scene was cut from the final film. A 13 Jun 1993 LAT item estimated a final production cost of $25 million.
Playing to the audience’s familiarity with the television series, Spheeris hired country singer Jerry Scoggins to re-record his original theme song, “The Ballad Of Jed Clampett.” According to the 31 Oct 1993 LAT, the updated version changed a key lyric, elevating the eponymous character from “millionaire” to “billionaire.” Jesse Dupree, lead singer of the band Jackyl, was also signed to perform a song for the film’s soundtrack, but the 12 Aug 1993 HR reported that Spheeris revoked Dupree’s participation after learning of his nude photo spread in the Aug 1993 issue of Playgirl magazine.
A 16 Aug 1993 HR article announced that positive feedback from test screenings in Fort Worth, TX, prompted Fox to move the Thanksgiving weekend opening up to 24 Sep 1993, thereby avoiding competition with that year’s other holiday releases, Sister Act 2, The Three Musketeers, and Addams Family Values (see entries). As a result of the compressed schedule, Subway Sandwiches and Shasta soft drinks were forced to drop their promised media funding and instead promoted the film through point-of-purchase materials and sweepstakes contests beginning 20 Sep 1993. Despite the earlier reported release date change, however, The Beverly Hillbillies actually opened three weeks later, on 15 Oct 1993. The premiere took place 11 Oct 1993 at Mann’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, CA, as reported in the 13 Oct 1993 DV.
Although reviews were generally negative, LAT critic Peter Rainer and NYT critic Janet Maslin praised the film’s strong cast for invoking the humor of the television show.
End credits include the following acknowledgements: “The character Barnaby Jones provided by Evergreen Programs, Inc., a unit of Spelling Entertainment Group”; “Clip from People’s Court provided by Ralph Edwards Productions”; and, “The Producers wish to thank: The City of Beverly Hills, The City of Long Beach, The City of Pasadena, O. W. Lee Outdoor Furniture, Imperial Wallcoverings, Precor.” A statement notes that animal action was monitored by the American Humane Association, and, “The orangutan used in this film is a captive-born animal. He belongs to a highly endangered species protected by international laws and treaties.”
While hunting in the backwoods of Arkansas, poor mountaineer Jedediah “Jed” Clampett accidentally strikes an oil well worth $1 billion. That evening, Aunt Pearl and Cousin Jethro Bodine advise Jed to sign a contract with Ozark Mountain Oil and move somewhere more luxurious, such as Beverly Hills, California. Jethro, Jed, and daughter Elly May Clampett pack their belongings in Jethro’s dilapidated jalopy, strapping their resistant Granny, Daisy May Moses, to her wooden chair on top of the car. Awaiting their arrival in California, Commerce Bank of Beverly Hills President Milburn Drysdale expects the newcomers to be refined and sophisticated individuals. As personal overseer of their account, Mr. Drysdale finds them a mansion in his affluent neighborhood and convinces his layabout son, Morgan, to show Elly May around school. Meanwhile, conniving but dim-witted bank employee Woodrow Tyler plans to extort the Clampetts with the help of his money-grubbing girl friend, Laura Jackson. Once they reach Beverly Hills, the bewildered Clampetts pull up to their lavish estate and explore the property, but Mr. Drysdale’s assistant, Jane Hathaway, mistakes them for burglars and telephones police. At the police station, Miss Hathaway and Mr. Drysdale are shocked to learn the rednecks are the Clampett billionaires. Although Mr. Drysdale fires Miss Hathaway, the kindhearted Jed requests she be reinstated as the family’s personal assistant. Concerned that any dissatisfaction will prompt the Clampetts to withdraw their money from his bank, Mr. Drysdale allows Jethro to drive his expensive Rolls Royce and promises him the position of vice president at his company. When Jed announces his intention to marry, Miss Hathaway is charged with finding him a wife. The Clampetts invite their new friends to dinner, ...
While hunting in the backwoods of Arkansas, poor mountaineer Jedediah “Jed” Clampett accidentally strikes an oil well worth $1 billion. That evening, Aunt Pearl and Cousin Jethro Bodine advise Jed to sign a contract with Ozark Mountain Oil and move somewhere more luxurious, such as Beverly Hills, California. Jethro, Jed, and daughter Elly May Clampett pack their belongings in Jethro’s dilapidated jalopy, strapping their resistant Granny, Daisy May Moses, to her wooden chair on top of the car. Awaiting their arrival in California, Commerce Bank of Beverly Hills President Milburn Drysdale expects the newcomers to be refined and sophisticated individuals. As personal overseer of their account, Mr. Drysdale finds them a mansion in his affluent neighborhood and convinces his layabout son, Morgan, to show Elly May around school. Meanwhile, conniving but dim-witted bank employee Woodrow Tyler plans to extort the Clampetts with the help of his money-grubbing girl friend, Laura Jackson. Once they reach Beverly Hills, the bewildered Clampetts pull up to their lavish estate and explore the property, but Mr. Drysdale’s assistant, Jane Hathaway, mistakes them for burglars and telephones police. At the police station, Miss Hathaway and Mr. Drysdale are shocked to learn the rednecks are the Clampett billionaires. Although Mr. Drysdale fires Miss Hathaway, the kindhearted Jed requests she be reinstated as the family’s personal assistant. Concerned that any dissatisfaction will prompt the Clampetts to withdraw their money from his bank, Mr. Drysdale allows Jethro to drive his expensive Rolls Royce and promises him the position of vice president at his company. When Jed announces his intention to marry, Miss Hathaway is charged with finding him a wife. The Clampetts invite their new friends to dinner, which takes place at the family’s billiard table. As Woodrow Tyler barges in with a bouquet of flowers to welcome the Clampetts, he overhears Jed suggesting the beautiful but tomboyish Elly May should be more genteel, like her late mother. Jed is receptive to Mrs. Drysdale’s idea of hiring a French tutor, and Tyler shares this information with Laura. Intending to sabotage Jed’s prospective engagement, Laura poses as a French governess named “Laurette Voleur.” As the Clampetts settle in, Jethro begins work at the bank and helps Miss Hathaway write a personal advertisement to find Jed a suitable partner. Tyler eavesdrops, and Laura uses her newfound knowledge of Jed’s favorite foods and music to charm him. Despite Miss Hathaway’s attempts at discretion, Jethro rents a flashy billboard on Sunset Boulevard and produces a television commercial, drawing thousands of interested suitors to the office. At the high school, Elly May invites the student body to watch as she challenges a wrestling captain who has been bullying Morgan. She easily defeats him, and the coach asks her to take over as the team leader. Later, the Clampetts throw a birthday party for Jed, and everyone is impressed when Elly May arrives wearing an elegant evening gown. The new debutante accepts Morgan’s request to go on a date, and Miss Hathaway teases Jethro, with whom she has become smitten. While flirting with Jed, Laura plants the idea that she would make a proper wife and mother to Elly May. Jed agrees, and announces their betrothal to the guests. Once he signs the prenuptial papers, however, distrustful Granny catches Laura conspiring with Tyler about transferring the Clampett family fortune to a Swiss bank account. The two forcibly admit her to a retirement home, claiming she is mentally unstable. Suspecting foul play, Miss Hathaway files a missing persons report with police, and Detective Barnaby Jones uncovers Laura’s history of marrying wealthy men and stealing their money. With only hours until the wedding, Miss Hathaway telephones the Clampett residence to cancel the ceremony, but Tyler intercepts the call and purposely fails to relay the message to Mr. Drysdale. She disguises herself as a nurse and rescues Granny from the retirement home, where she was being treated with electroshock therapy. A swig of Granny’s homemade tonic revives her, and she reveals the details of Laura’s plan. Back at the Clampett estate, the ceremony begins, with Jed’s large extended family in attendance. Unable to get past security, Granny and Miss Hathaway barge in riding Jethro’s jalopy, which was recently outfitted with monster truck wheels. Amid the commotion, Tyler sets up his portable computer to perform the money transfer, but Jane grabs one of the Clampett relative’s shotguns and destroys the machine. Once the criminals are arrested, Jed encourages the Clampett clan to carry on with the party.
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