Donna Douglas ( "Elly May Clampett" ) on a Benny s

[CBSTelevisionCity]

Hi gang, I had an interesting day today. This morning I met and spent a few minutes with Donna Douglas, who is best-remembered for her longtime role as "Elly May Clampett" on "The Beverly Hillbillies"! She is originally from the Baton Rouge area, and was appearing at a church fundraiser not far from where I live.
Before I went, anticipating possibly meeting her, I came online last night to do a little research on her. I learned that before she was Elly May, she appeared in two "Twilight Zone" shows - one of which is the famous "The Eye Of The Beholder" ( 1960 ), where pig-faced doctors and nurses bemoan their patient's ugliness as they unwrap bandages from her face, revealing Donna Douglas! She was also a "Letters, We Get Letters" girl on "The Perry Como Show". But I was surprised to read that she made an appearance on "The Jack Benny Program"! I thought, "If I get to meet her, I'm gonna ask her about that."
Well, I did get to meet her, and one of the first things I asked her, was, "I read online that you appeared on "The Jack Benny Program". What do you recall about that experience?"
She got a twinkle in her eye, and said softly, "My goodness, usually people ask me about "The Beverly Hillbillies"... Now Jack Benny... that's a
l-o-n-g time ago. You're going W-A-Y back! *sigh* I remember doing the show, and I remember Mr. Benny fondly. He was so sweet to me." A pause, and I realized she wasn't going to elaborate any further.
I then asked her about other things, among them, shooting the "Hillbillies" opening credits sequence on Foothill Blvd. in Beverly Hills. I mentioned I made a point to drive down that street when I vacationed in Hollywood. "My goodness, you ARE a fan!" I told her as I was growing up, I wondered what Jed and Jethro were pointing at and looking at, as the ( syndicated ) opening credits quickly faded out. She smiled. I then said, "I saw the 'restored' ( network ) shows on DVD recently, and see that you were driving by Kellogg's Corn Flakes or Winston Cigarettes billboards!" She laughed, and said, "Hon, those billboards weren't really there, they were 'inserted' later by a special effects lab!" Wow, that's interesting, I thought - I'll have to watch those again, more closely, later.
She posed for a photo with me, autographed it, and hugged me. As I thanked her and started to leave, she said, "I'm going to be the guest speaker at the morning church service here tomorrow morning. Will you come? I am going to have lots of interesting 'show biz' stories and anecdotes, and you seem like you'd really appreciate them!" I said I would sure try. ( I hope to go tomorrow. ) When I turned away, a little boy, prompted by his parents, approached her and asked her if she would kindly do "that whistle" - - - and she DID! To my amazement, she can still do that very loud, very shrill, attention-getting whistle! ( 37 years later! )
Of course, I am curious WHAT Jack Benny show she may have appeared on, and when. Does anyone know? Thanks!
Sincerely, William Carroll, Denham Springs, Louisiana

[Yhtapmys]

I told her as I was growing up, I wondered what Jed and Jethro were pointing at and looking at, as the ( syndicated ) opening credits quickly faded out. She smiled. I then said, "I saw the 'restored' ( network ) shows on DVD recently, and see that you were driving by Kellogg's Corn Flakes or Winston Cigarettes billboards!"

I don't remember the Winston ones, but I remember the Kellogg's ones. And in the closing credits, there's a space left in the left or right-hand corner that used to be filled with a picture of box of Corn Flakes or Sugar Smacks or some other cereal. I think a lot of the CBS shows of the era had the same kind of credits. I imagine no one has seen those in years.

Of course, I am curious WHAT Jack Benny show she may have appeared on, and when. Does anyone know?

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0613662/

It's before Paul Henning cast her in Hillbillies.

Yhtapmys

[CBSTelevisionCity]

THANK YOU for that kind information!
Is this episode available for viewing from the IJBFC or on one of those inexpensive DVD box sets?
I also remember seeing sponsors' products superimposed in a lower corner of 1960s TV show closing credits ( seems like I recall seeing a tube of Crest toothpaste sometimes as "Gilligan's Island" was ending, and Kellogg's cereal boxes at the end of "The Monkees" ).
I am having vision problems, which make driving difficult. My brother kindly drove me to meet Miss Douglas yesterday, but nobody was able to take me this morning to hear "her testimony". I am going to call the church office later this week and ask if they taped the service, and inquire about duplicated tapes or CDs of it for sale.
Sincerely, William
P.S. I am puzzled why my header was cut off ( "...on Benny show?" ). I see other posts with longer headers which appear to be complete!

[Shemp]

I don't remember the Winston ones, but I remember the Kellogg's ones. And in the closing credits, there's a space left in the left or right-hand corner that used to be filled with a picture of box of Corn Flakes or Sugar Smacks or some other cereal. I think a lot of the CBS shows of the era had the same kind of credits. I imagine no one has seen those in years.

MPI Home Video released two BEVERLY HILLBILLIES volumes a couple years ago, featuring the first 1-1/2 years of the series. MPI worked in conjunction with Linda Kaye Henning, who provided them with original network 16mm prints, uncut, with all the sponsor ads from her father's library. The DVDs feature the Kellogg and Winston ad placements in the open & close credits, as well as bonus features collecting all the cast commercials.

[TimL2005]

I have the first volume of the "Hillbillies" set..Fascinating!..MPI also put out an "official" Peticoat Junction Ultimate Collection a few years ago with 20 first season episodes, Introductions by Ms. Henning and lots of extras..priced currently at $24.98 on the MPI website..and well worth it..Also from MPI:A PJ/Hillbillies Christmas collection for $10.49..With 2 Beverly Hillbillies and one Petticoat Junction Christmas episode..Along with a bonus epidode of The Bob Cummings Show (LoveThat Bob!)...With commercials and a Christmas greeting from Linda Kaye Henning and Frank Cady (Sam Drucker)..

The Christmas Collection:

http://mpihomevideo.com/?p=25467&pid=1720&pcid=&ccid=


The Ultimate Petticoat Junction Collection:

http://mpihomevideo.com/?p=25467&pid=1708&pcid=&ccid=


Disclaimer:Just a very satisfied customer:I have always thought that MPI would be perfect to do the Jack Benny Season sets, if that should ever come about.

[Mister Kitzel]

I met Donna Douglas at a western film fair in Charlotte, NC years ago. She was a very nice person then. Her hair was done in the Elly May style, and I heard her do the whistle from across the ballroom. It was indeed very loud!

[scottp]

A few years ago I was appalled to hear some news commentator use the phrase "received an invite." They wouldn't call animals "critters" or a swimming pool a "ce-ment pond" on a serious program, would they?
Much to my surprise I found out "invite" is apparently a perfectly acceptable equivalent of "invitation."
And as I placed the dictionary back on the shelf, I could have sworn I heard it say, "Y'all come back now, y'hear?"