Super fiddlin' episode with the return of Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs, old friends of Jed and Granny. They appeared in a previous episode to cheer up Granny when she was really homesick.
This time around Lester has a wife (Gladys), played by actress and model Joi Lansing. She made six appearences on the show. NATURALLY, naturally, Granny teaches Gladys how to cook.
Lansing the following year appeared in the cheapie creepy, HILLBILLYS IN A HAUNTED HOUSE, though no relation to the sitcom. John Carradine, who also appeared on the show, co-starred with Basil Rathbone and Lon Chaney, Jr. Goofy and more like the MUNSTERS.
Some classic banjo music fills this episode. Watch these guys strut their stuff. Best of the best comes at the very beginning when Jethro re-designs (?) the buggy with helicopter blades so they can escape traffic jams? Jethro gives Jed a demonstration ride and UP they go! The bad news is coming down, and the jalopy crashes in the driveway. Jed's expressions(?) are priceless. Creative writing 101 from producer Paul Henning.
Flatt & Scruggs wrote the famous theme song and were elected to the Country Hall of Fame. The "Balled of Jed Clampett" peaked at #44 on the charts by the end of 1962. Not a mega hit at the time, but the most famous tv show theme to this day.
Gotsta see Miss Jane singing "Little Brown Jug" with Flatt and Scruggs.
SEASON 4 EPISODE 25 remastered color. 4 dvd box set. Released 2014. The famous box set with Jed and his pitchfork on the cover.
