The Magnificent Charm of the Beverly Hillbillies

For those of you not in the know - I teach a two-part course for my high school seniors called Topics in U.S. History/History of Los Angeles (the kids have named this TUSHLA…) Anyway, during the first semester, the students engage in some rigorous original research and writing toward the crafting of a paper on topic of their choosing - covering any aspect of American history, including a historiographical component. It’s pretty tough stuff with a series of incremental assignments and peer review sessions. They’re good too - many better than the college papers I graded at UVA. Then…during the second semester, since most of the kids have already accepted offers of college admission and are winding down their high school career, we shift gears and discuss the history of our fair City of Angels - much of which we cover through the lens of popular culture. We watch movies and some television shows that take place in the city, emphasizing the theme: LA is forever redefining itself.

We had a little free time on our hands last week and so I thought it would be fun to watch some television camp as we begin our transition to our next semester and new phase of the class. To my surprise, when I asked the kids if they had ever heard of the show The Beverly Hillbillies not a one responded in the affirmative. Of course, I felt it my duty as an educator to introduce them to this magnificent work of art immediately.

And just in case you’re not familiar with the show, it premiered in 1962 and ran for nine seasons. Starring Buddy Ebsen, Irene Ryan, Donna Douglas, and Max Baer Jr. as Jed Clampett, Granny, Ellie Mae Clampett, and Jethro Bodine respectively, The Beverly Hillbillies was part of a comedic television genre focusing on simple country folks, which included Petticoat Junction, Green Acres, and a number of others. As a kid, I picked up The Beverly Hillbillies in syndication in the late 1970s and watched every episode. The plot - a rural Arkansas family, led by Jed Clampett, unexpectedly strikes it rich when oil is discovered on their property. Now millionaires, the Oil Company and money grubbing investment bankers convince them to move to the luxurious and sometimes ostentatious Beverly Hills, California. This odd juxtaposition, as one might guess...leads to all sorts of hilarity. Sure, there is some tongue-in-cheek ribbing when it comes to rural southern simplicity. But beyond that, this show underscores the character of rural Americans. This is a show about virtuous people.

Here's the thing. The Clampetts were uneducated, simple, country folks - but they were honest, hardworking, kind, and considerate. Though they were unsophisticated, they were wise and compassionate. During a period of American history better know for tumult and strife, the show evoked a sense of nostalgia for simplicity, portraying a family-centric, values-driven narrative that resonated with many viewers. Despite their newfound wealth, the Clampetts were humble individuals who didn't let their riches change their fundamental values. In short, the Clampetts represented the very best of rural America, which, for all its campiness, was what the show was about.

My students found the first two episodes of the show utterly charming (they even applauded at the end) and now of course, they want more. They’ll have plenty of time over the winter break to watch by following this link. And then we’ll start getting into film. And believe me, there are lots of excellent films that cover the ever-changing landscape of Los Angeles - which are set in some particularly salient period of LA history. First up: Chinatown, then Sunset Boulevard, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, and of course, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.

Stick around. I’ll be reviewing them all - as part of my course curriculum shared with you here.

With compliments,

Keith