I had a boyhood crush on Elly May.

Did anyone else here have a crush on her ?

I think a lot of us did. But she had such a spectacular figure I think she also opened up our feelings of lust for perhaps the first time. Charming character, charming actress, but wow she was attractive. An article, maybe in TV Guide,
reported that a Levi Strauss (one of the sponsors of the show) executive said that "Donna Douglas has done more for the sale of blue jeans in one year than cowboys have done in a hundred.” Her sex appeal was almost a secret appeal of the show.

Take a number but don't be surprised if it's in the millions!

No doubt the late Donna Douglas's appeal was a contributing factor in the show lasting nine years!

I never had a crush on Elly May, but you can't help but notice her.

Did she have her own theme music on the show? Seems like they would play a certain melody when she would come out in a pretty dress or when she was in the woods talking to the animals.

On Elly Mae....... Jethro, and Jethrine

I never had a crush on Elly May, but you can't help but notice her.

Did she have her own theme music on the show? Seems like they would play a certain melody when she would come out in a pretty dress or when she was in the woods talking to the animals.

Good question. I never noticed, but I'd bet that music was "her" theme and hers only.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLNCvt9Mqh0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9n7dtAosWqM

With the body and the blonde hair, it was challenging to ignore her obvious assets, so I could definitely understand what Dash Riprock saw in her. But....there was something about her personality that plundered her physical charms. The mixture of loud, innocent, and Tom Boyish personality wore out quick.

I'd definitely take Merry Florene over Ellie....given any choice in the matter.

She had a nice body. She looked good when she was "dolled up". She isnt my type however.

I was sort of surprised that she was older than Max Baer by a few years. To me Elly May was a teenager while Jethro was in his 20's.

With the body and the blonde hair, it was challenging to ignore her obvious assets, so I could definitely understand what Dash Riprock saw in her. But....there was something about her personality that plundered her physical charms. The mixture of loud, innocent, and Tom Boyish personality wore out quick.

I'd definitely take Merry Florene over Ellie....given any choice in the matter.

Poor Dash! Remember the episodes where everything worked around so that he thought Miss Jane was Elly?

When I was a teenager we used to call peers who were exceeding their bounds "Dash Riprock" as a pejorative (what would later come to be known as a "poser" in the internet age),

No, but I did have a bit of a crush on Miss Hathaway.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kLNCvt9Mqh0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9n7dtAosWqM
That's cool, not only because she did have a theme, but because there are people who are still playing it on their own instruments.

I remember I used to be fascinated with the incidental music from The Flintstones. My friends and I used to hum the dramatic music from Star Trek whenever something ominous happened - the same music Jim Carrey was doing in The Cable Guy during the fight at Medieval Times.

She had a nice body. She looked good when she was "dolled up". She isnt my type however.

I was sort of surprised that she was older than Max Baer by a few years. To me Elly May was a teenager while Jethro was in his 20's.

I went more for her tomboyish look. And yeah, Elly ~Donna Douglass~ was pushing 40 by the time the show ended.... I sorta thought it was looking very unrealistic that we were supposed to buy Elly and Jethro as teens in those later seasons.

I never had a crush on Elly May, but you can't help but notice her.

Did she have her own theme music on the show? Seems like they would play a certain melody when she would come out in a pretty dress or when she was in the woods talking to the animals.


In the early episodes she had her own music, as well as Miss Hathaway. But they sorta phased it out in later episodes I think

In the early episodes she had her own music, as well as Miss Hathaway. But they sorta phased it out in later episodes I think
Oh, I haven't noticed a theme for Miss Hathaway, I'll look out for it.
Maybe the Elly May theme sticks out because it's so memorable. It's a nice piece of music in its own right.

In the early episodes she had her own music, as well as Miss Hathaway. But they sorta phased it out in later episodes I think
Update: Found the Miss Hathaway theme on YouTube (sounds suitably elegant), and also found out that they had a Commerce Bank theme:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAtx5uRGqj8

All three were by the same guitarist apparently, nice jazz sounds.
I still think the Elly May theme is the best of the three. Can't beat the show's main theme song though.

Update: Found the Miss Hathaway theme on YouTube (sounds suitably elegant), and also found out that they had a Commerce Bank theme:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAtx5uRGqj8

All three were by the same guitarist apparently, nice jazz sounds.
I still think the Elly May theme is the best of the three. Can't beat the show's main theme song though.

Yes! Now I remember they did have a Commerce Bank theme, I always considered it Mr Drysdale's theme though, but I guess it did only play when the bank was shown

Flatt and Scruggs sang their song "Pearl, Pearl, Pearl" on an early episode, and I noticed shortly after that they started using the melody to that song as Pearl's theme music.

I always liked that song, especially the lines "Don't you marry Lester Flatt, he slicks his hair with possum fat" and "He won't hold you in his lap, unless you are an old five string banjo".

Flatt and Scruggs sang their song "Pearl, Pearl, Pearl" on an early episode, and I noticed shortly after that they started using the melody to that song as Pearl's theme music.

I always liked that song, especially the lines "Don't you marry Lester Flatt, he slicks his hair with possum fat" and "He won't hold you in his lap, unless you are an old five string banjo".


Come to think of it, I think they used that music for Pearl even before Flatt and Scrugs did the song, I can picture the scene opening on Pearl in her living room back in the Hills and that music playing before she even goes to Beverly Hills

The thing with Elly at least for me was the hype, she couldn't live up to it, I'm not sure any woman could. The elegant Elly theme comes on and it's like we're supposed to faint she's so beautiful. She's great looking, but so are a lot of women on TV and in the movies, it just seemed like too much of a fuss was being made.

Donna Douglas was particularly gorgeous early in the series. Here are a few screencaps I've taken from Season 1.

Episode 1 -- One of TV's prettiest faces:

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Episode 4 -- Again we see such a beautiful face:

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And one more from Episode 4. Very lovely figure, so nice.
Donna was an incredible hottie:

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Come to think of it, I think they used that music for Pearl even before Flatt and Scrugs did the song, I can picture the scene opening on Pearl in her living room back in the Hills and that music playing before she even goes to Beverly Hills
Really? Any idea what episode(s) that might be? I thought they had used some generic banjo music when Pearl showed up on the screen previously. Flatt and Scruggs sang the song in the 20th episode (Jed throws a wingding).


The thing with Elly at least for me was the hype, she couldn't live up to it, I'm not sure any woman could. The elegant Elly theme comes on and it's like we're supposed to faint she's so beautiful. She's great looking, but so are a lot of women on TV and in the movies, it just seemed like too much of a fuss was being made.
You're right that there are a lot of beautiful women - everywhere, not just on TV and the movies. And I do think they were putting a lot of pressure on her to be beautiful. But I think she stands up to it.

I was just looking up her age, and I was surprised to learn she was almost 30 when she started to do The Beverly Hillbillies. Not that 30 is old, but IIRC they have her playing a teenager, and it is often easy for girls in their 20s to look very beautiful.

The episode that Pearl arrives in Beverly Hills is when Granny sang "Pearl, Pearl, Pearl your're just an ugly girl". It was the same theme. Flatt & Scruggs arrived a few episodes later.

Really? Any idea what episode(s) that might be? I thought they had used some generic banjo music when Pearl showed up on the screen previously. Flatt and Scruggs sang the song in the 20th episode (Jed throws a wingding).



You're right that there are a lot of beautiful women - everywhere, not just on TV and the movies. And I do think they were putting a lot of pressure on her to be beautiful. But I think she stands up to it.

I was just looking up her age, and I was surprised to learn she was almost 30 when she started to do The Beverly Hillbillies. Not that 30 is old, but IIRC they have her playing a teenager, and it is often easy for girls in their 20s to look very beautiful.

I think it was the one where Pearl was covering her furniture getting ready to go to Beverly Hills. I'm just picturing it in my mind

The episode that Pearl arrives in Beverly Hills is when Granny sang "Pearl, Pearl, Pearl your're just an ugly girl". It was the same theme. Flatt & Scruggs arrived a few episodes later.

I think it was the one where Pearl was covering her furniture getting ready to go to Beverly Hills. I'm just picturing it in my mind
I've been checking out some episodes on YouTube and I haven't been able to locate either scene. I'm not saying you're wrong, I'm just saying I haven't been able to find it. The Hillbillies return to Bevery Hills with Pearl in episode 16 of season 1. Her and Granny start butting heads immediately. Flatt and Scruggs show up in episode 20, so it must be in there somewhere.

Getting back to the original question. Yes I did. There were more than looks going for her. She was sweet and kind. I'm not to bothered that she couldn't cook. Now a days that a non issue for most. Lastly, she had a special connection with animals. I liked the episode where she gives up her fur coat since she was afraid that her animal friends might feel they would be her next coat.

Also on the crush list for me were all of the Bradley girls from Petticoat Junction, Ann Marie from That Girl, Mrs. Brown from My Favorite Martian, Mary Ann from Gilligan’s Island, Carol Post from Mr. Ed, and Jeannie from I Dream of Jeannie.

I've been checking out some episodes on YouTube and I haven't been able to locate either scene. I'm not saying you're wrong, I'm just saying I haven't been able to find it. The Hillbillies return to Bevery Hills with Pearl in episode 16 of season 1. Her and Granny start butting heads immediately. Flatt and Scruggs show up in episode 20, so it must be in there somewhere.


I had that episode on VHS when I was a kid, so I'm wondering if the scene was cut out?

But Pearl is covering her furniture, and arguing with Jetherine because Jetherine doesn't wanna go and leave her boyfriend. Jetherine then brings out a big trunk and Pearl discovers that she has crammed her tiny boyfriend inside it planning on taking him with her lol Was that scene in the episode you watched?

[QUOTE=TheLittleFaerie;6138865]I had that episode on VHS when I was a kid, so I'm wondering if the scene was cut out?

If you have access to the DVD or you can watch it on Pluto TV. Both would have uncut episodes.

But Pearl is covering her furniture, and arguing with Jetherine because Jetherine doesn't wanna go and leave her boyfriend. Jetherine then brings out a big trunk and Pearl discovers that she has crammed her tiny boyfriend inside it planning on taking him with her lol Was that scene in the episode you watched?
Okay, I remember that scene well. It's in episode 16, Back to Californy. I checked out that scene on YouTube and just as you say, they're playing the music to "Pearl, Pearl, Pearl" at the start. So kudos, you must have an excellent memory.

Now if I could just find where Granny sings "Pearl, Pearl, Pearl, you're just an ugly girl". That sounds familiar to me, but I haven't been able to locate it.

Getting back to the original question. Yes I did. There were more than looks going for her. She was sweet and kind. I'm not to bothered that she couldn't cook. Now a days that a non issue for most. Lastly, she had a special connection with animals. I liked the episode where she gives up her fur coat since she was afraid that her animal friends might feel they would be her next coat.

Also on the crush list for me were all of the Bradley girls from Petticoat Junction, Ann Marie from That Girl, Mrs. Brown from My Favorite Martian, Mary Ann from Gilligan’s Island, Carol Post from Mr. Ed, and Jeannie from I Dream of Jeannie.
These days, it looks like women being able to cook is the exception rather than the rule.

Of all those girls, Betty Jo from Petticoat Junction was the one I liked. I'm partial to redheads, they make me weak in the knees. More recently, I've come to find Mary Tyler Moore from the Dick Van Dyke Show attractive (that era specifically), which oddly, I had never noticed before.

Okay, I remember that scene well. It's in episode 16, Back to Californy. I checked out that scene on YouTube and just as you say, they're playing the music to "Pearl, Pearl, Pearl" at the start. So kudos, you must have an excellent memory.

Now if I could just find where Granny sings "Pearl, Pearl, Pearl, you're just an ugly girl". That sounds familiar to me, but I haven't been able to locate it.

This was one of my favorite shows when I was little and, I remember that scene because back then, when I was like 7 or 8 I didn't realize it was Max Baer playing Jetherine as well, I just thought she was a really tall, strong woman and remember thinking, wow she's strong!

Of all those girls, Betty Jo from Petticoat Junction was the one I liked. I'm partial to redheads, they make me weak in the knees.

Have a look at Linda Kaye Henning's natural red hair from Match Game 74. Long and gorgeous:

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when I was like 7 or 8 I didn't realize it was Max Baer playing Jetherine as well, I just thought she was a really tall, strong woman and remember thinking, wow she's strong!
Lol :lol:


Have a look at Linda Kaye Henning's natural red hair from Match Game 74. Long and gorgeous:
Trying to tease me now? Long, gorgeous, and blurry! :eyes: :thumbsup:

Speaking of Elly May, I like to watch her scenes with the animals. For instance, in one scene she brings Skipper into the kitchen and gives him some cereal in a bowl. Apparently he's supposed to pick up the spoon and start eating it with it, but he doesn't. So Elly goes to pick up the spoon to give it to him to use. I guess he didn't want her messing with his food, so he kind of goes to give her a nip. But then he starts using the spoon.

Donna Douglas looks up off camera, either to the trainer or director, not sure which, but the scene continues. The focus was on the other actors, so either it wasn't noticed or they didn't think it mattered.

Speaking of Elly May, I like to watch her scenes with the animals. For instance, in one scene she brings Skipper into the kitchen and gives him some cereal in a bowl. Apparently he's supposed to pick up the spoon and start eating it with it, but he doesn't. So Elly goes to pick up the spoon to give it to him to use. I guess he didn't want her messing with his food, so he kind of goes to give her a nip. But then he starts using the spoon.

Donna Douglas looks up off camera, either to the trainer or director, not sure which, but the scene continues. The focus was on the other actors, so either it wasn't noticed or they didn't think it mattered.


There were some bloopers.... I forget the episode, but Granny is outside wearing "war like hat" I think she was feuding with someone, then she walks inside and after she passes through the door she's wearing her regular hat

this !

As a male child in the 1970’s watching the show (which I thought was ancient when it was only on about ten years ago, but I was eight then, I knew I was attracted to Donna Douglas. The woman did have a beautiful body and she was actually a beautiful woman, when the show “dolled her up” with a hairstyle and formal clothing to look like a starlet.

But as an adult, she just isn’t my “type”. I like dark haired, brown eyes ethnic women. For example, Marlo Thomas would have been a lot more attractive than Donna Douglas. For me (although I thought the show was dumb) that Joyce DeWitt was the best looking girl of them all on Three’s Company.

Joyce - Renowned to have worn pantyhose in every episode of Three's Company (even when seen in her bathing suit) later did "L'Eggs Panty Hose TV Ads

The woman did have a beautiful body and she was actually a beautiful woman, when the show “dolled her up” with a hairstyle and formal clothing to look like a starlet.
There's a season two episode, "The Clampetts go Hollywood", where they try to transform Elly into a starlet. She says "Howdy, Pa", in a throaty, sexy voice, that seems rather inappropriate for talking to her father. Pretty funny though, and she's almost unrecognizable as Elly.