Through Banker Drysdale's management, Jed Clampett has purchased historic Mammoth Pictures Studio, yet Drysdale's plans are to tear it down and put up a condominium. Leading the fight to save the studio is legendary Hollywood columnist Hedda Hopper. The Clampetts initially think Hedda's interest in Jed is romantic (Granny pipes in "You're wearing your best courtin' hat - don't tell me you wear something like that ever' day!") but eventually she successfully persuades Jed to save studios and make films in the tradition of old - and becomes special guest at a screening in the rushes of the Clampetts' first masterpiece, a silent travesty called "Little Orphan Elly" which has the regular cast lampooning Mary Pickford (Elly May), William S. Hart (Jed), Rudolph Valentino (Jethro), Nita Naldi (Miss Jane), and stock silent movie characters of the villain (Drysdale) and little old lady (Granny).
The silent movie spoof is hilarious (a few years later, The Beverly Hillbillies did another one featuring no less than Gloria Swanson herself!) but I also enjoyed the bits where Hedda holds on for dear life on the back of the Clampett truck as she leads Jed and Jethro around town to show them some Hollywood landmarks. When Jed sees the footprints and signatures at Grauman's Chinese Theatre however he is aghast that such heroes as Douglas Fairbanks, Tom Mix, and Valentino defaced the cement with their names and prints! Jethro chimes in that "this girl Betty Grable put her whole leg in it!". Jed is particularly upset that little Mary Pickford went alone with this mischief. "Now Clara Bow, she's a little rascal, that I could see but not sweet little Mary!" The final gag is a riot and kudos to Hedda Hopper for joining in the hijinks with gusto. This is a highly enjoyable episode and one that should really appeal to silent movie lovers.
The silent movie spoof is hilarious (a few years later, The Beverly Hillbillies did another one featuring no less than Gloria Swanson herself!) but I also enjoyed the bits where Hedda holds on for dear life on the back of the Clampett truck as she leads Jed and Jethro around town to show them some Hollywood landmarks. When Jed sees the footprints and signatures at Grauman's Chinese Theatre however he is aghast that such heroes as Douglas Fairbanks, Tom Mix, and Valentino defaced the cement with their names and prints! Jethro chimes in that "this girl Betty Grable put her whole leg in it!". Jed is particularly upset that little Mary Pickford went alone with this mischief. "Now Clara Bow, she's a little rascal, that I could see but not sweet little Mary!" The final gag is a riot and kudos to Hedda Hopper for joining in the hijinks with gusto. This is a highly enjoyable episode and one that should really appeal to silent movie lovers.
