What Was the Inspiration for Green Acres? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Shacks Train · 09-25-2008, 02:57 AM

When I saw an old Cary Grant film..."Mr Blandings Builds His Dream Home"
There were parts in that which were oddly familliar to the Green Acres theme.
I love Green Acres & today remains one of My favorite shows of all time.
I never knew what its source of inspiration came from....????

Any Ideas?

Maynard · 09-25-2008, 10:39 AM

There was a radio show in the 40s or 50s that was written by one of the Green Acres writers that was very similar to the show.

MichaelKeith · 09-26-2008, 11:45 AM

There was a 1947 movie called "The Egg and I" starring Fred McMurray and Claudette Colbert that may have inspired this TV show. The movie is hilarious with Ma and Pa Kettle co-starring as the neighbors. It's about Fred who wants to move to the country to be a farmer and his wife Claudette who tags along. Great movie. Check it out!

Schmoopie · 09-26-2008, 10:12 PM

I haven't seen "Mr Blandings" yet, but I want to. Or at least I haven't seen it all the way through. The other movie that was mentioned; "The Egg and I" sounds good, too. Thanks for the suggestions! Oh and I'm a Green Acres fan too! I love that show!

Andrea

treky · 09-27-2008, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maynard

There was a radio show in the 40s or 50s that was written by one of the Green Acres writers that was very similar to the show.

the radio show was in the 40s, and it was called "GABBYS GREEN ACRES". It stared Gale Gordon (Lucys Mr. Mooney) & Bea Benederet as his wife. You can hear some episodes at www.greenacres.net

Dusty's Fan · 09-28-2008, 05:53 PM

The correct title was "Granby's Green Acres."

Miss Lisa · 03-25-2009, 10:20 PM

Drugs inspired it.... haha! Actually I'm pretty sure that it first started out as the radio show Granby's Green Acres. I think if you go to Maggiore.net you can listen to a few of the episodes. I tried listening to the first one and it wasn't bad. I think it's worth a try for any Green Acres fan out there.

jehobden · 04-19-2009, 04:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schmoopie

I haven't seen "Mr Blandings" yet, but I want to. Or at least I haven't seen it all the way through. The other movie that was mentioned; "The Egg and I" sounds good, too. Thanks for the suggestions! Oh and I'm a Green Acres fan too! I love that show!

Andrea

I've read that "Mr. Blandings..." was the inspiration for the 80s Tom Hanks movie, "The Money Pit". Both movies involved men spending lots of time and money on their own remodeling efforts.

Dusty's Fan · 04-19-2009, 05:32 PM

The Ma and Pa Kettle series of movies (which includes The Egg and I, already mentioned), certainly were popular.

Another rural humor series was Lum & Abner, on radio and in films. Their scenes in the store now remind viewers of the later goings on in Sam Drucker's, such as the checkers games.

I noticed that another, earlier TV series Paul Henning and Guy Scarpitta were involved with, The Bob Cummings Show (syndicated as "Love That Bob") served as the original use of the phone-atop-the-poll gag in Green Acres. Bob has to climb a pole to use the phone in one of his late 1950s episodes. This series also gave birth to Nancy Kulp's odd character, who was similar to her later Miss Jane on The Beverly Hillbillies. Bird-watching included.

TripperFan · 04-19-2009, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichaelKeith

There was a 1947 movie called "The Egg and I" starring Fred McMurray and Claudette Colbert that may have inspired this TV show. The movie is hilarious with Ma and Pa Kettle co-starring as the neighbors. It's about Fred who wants to move to the country to be a farmer and his wife Claudette who tags along. Great movie. Check it out!

That's exactly the movie Green Acres is based on.

Mr. Blandings was remade into "The Money Pit" with Shelley Long.

09-25-2008, 02:57 AM	#1
Shacks Train Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Sep 25, 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 10	What Was the Inspiration for Green Acres? When I saw an old Cary Grant film..."Mr Blandings Builds His Dream Home" There were parts in that which were oddly familliar to the Green Acres theme. I love Green Acres & today remains one of My favorite shows of all time. I never knew what its source of inspiration came from....???? Any Ideas?

09-26-2008, 11:45 AM	#3
MichaelKeith Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 01, 2007 Posts: 1,139	1947 movie "The Egg and I" inspired this show There was a 1947 movie called "The Egg and I" starring Fred McMurray and Claudette Colbert that may have inspired this TV show. The movie is hilarious with Ma and Pa Kettle co-starring as the neighbors. It's about Fred who wants to move to the country to be a farmer and his wife Claudette who tags along. Great movie. Check it out!

09-26-2008, 10:12 PM	#4
Schmoopie Keep Calm and Love Snoopy Forum Star Join Date: Jul 13, 2008 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 15,697	I haven't seen "Mr Blandings" yet, but I want to. Or at least I haven't seen it all the way through. The other movie that was mentioned; "The Egg and I" sounds good, too. Thanks for the suggestions! Oh and I'm a Green Acres fan too! I love that show! Andrea
	__________________ In memory of my wonderful husband. I love and miss you more than words can say, but I will always and forever keep you in my heart. September 23, 1961-January 14, 2019

03-25-2009, 10:20 PM	#7
Miss Lisa Member Senior Member Join Date: Jan 08, 2005 Location: My very own Green Acres Posts: 1,113	Drugs inspired it.... haha! Actually I'm pretty sure that it first started out as the radio show Granby's Green Acres. I think if you go to Maggiore.net you can listen to a few of the episodes. I tried listening to the first one and it wasn't bad. I think it's worth a try for any Green Acres fan out there.
	__________________ TEAM COCO ~♥~"No matter how big or soft or warm your bed is, you still have to get out of it."~♥~ - Grace Slick http://deviantrose112.posterous.com/

09-25-2008, 10:39 AM	#2
Maynard Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jan 02, 2008 Location: Tennessee Posts: 72	There was a radio show in the 40s or 50s that was written by one of the Green Acres writers that was very similar to the show.

09-28-2008, 05:53 PM	#6
Dusty's Fan Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 13, 2007 Location: Indiana Posts: 1,092	The correct title was "Granby's Green Acres."

04-19-2009, 05:32 PM	#9
Dusty's Fan Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 13, 2007 Location: Indiana Posts: 1,092	The Ma and Pa Kettle series of movies (which includes The Egg and I, already mentioned), certainly were popular. Another rural humor series was Lum & Abner, on radio and in films. Their scenes in the store now remind viewers of the later goings on in Sam Drucker's, such as the checkers games. I noticed that another, earlier TV series Paul Henning and Guy Scarpitta were involved with, The Bob Cummings Show (syndicated as "Love That Bob") served as the original use of the phone-atop-the-poll gag in Green Acres. Bob has to climb a pole to use the phone in one of his late 1950s episodes. This series also gave birth to Nancy Kulp's odd character, who was similar to her later Miss Jane on The Beverly Hillbillies. Bird-watching included.