Green Acres (1965–1971)

A New York attorney and his wife try to live as genteel farmers in the bizarre community of Hooterville.

Creator:

Jay Sommers

Stars:

Eddie Albert, Eva Gabor, Tom Lester

4 nominations.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Eddie Albert	...	Oliver Wendell Douglas (170 episodes, 1965-1971)
Eva Gabor	...	Lisa Douglas (170 episodes, 1965-1971)
Tom Lester	...	Eb Dawson (150 episodes, 1965-1971)
Frank Cady	...	Sam Drucker (142 episodes, 1965-1971)
Pat Buttram	...	Mr. Haney (141 episodes, 1965-1971)
Alvy Moore	...	Hank Kimball (135 episodes, 1965-1971)
Hank Patterson	...	Fred Ziffel (80 episodes, 1965-1971)

Storyline

Manhattan lawyer Douglas drags his protesting socialite wife and her finery to the rural backwash of a rundown farm outside Hooterville. They attempt to get the farm fixed up. Farmer Fred Ziffel's pig Arnold watches TV and is in many ways smarter than the Hootervillians.

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Plot Keywords:

Farm | Famous Opening Theme | Pig Actor | 1960s | Multiple Actors For One Character | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Family

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 September 1965 (USA)

Also Known As:

Country Cousins

Filming Locations:

General Service Studios - 1040 N. Las Palmas, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Filmways Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min 30 min (170 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

4:3

Did You Know?

Trivia

Was one of the victims of the infamous rural purge in 1971, along with The Beverly Hillbillies, Mayberry R.F.D., Hee Haw and The Ed Sullivan Show (aka "The Ed Sullivan Show"). At the time, close analysis of demographics came into vogue, and these shows were perceived by CBS executive Fred Silverman to appeal only to those who lived in rural areas and older people, so he decided to cancel them, even though they were all still hugely popular. The oft-told joke that has passed into legend is that "CBS canceled every show with a tree in it".

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Goofs

In the opening song when Oliver sings "You are my wife," he reaches for Lisa with his left hand. As Lisa sings "Goodbye city life," Oliver reaches in and grabs her with his right hand.

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Quotes

Eustace Charleton Haney: [after learning Oliver and Lisa are going to be out of town for a few days] While yer away on yer trip, I thought you might like to avail yerself of Haney's Farm Mindin' Service.
Oliver Wendell Douglass: HANEY'S FARM MINDING SERVICE?
Eustace Charleton Haney: Yessir, at Haney's Farm Mindin' Service, for a nom-yew-nal fee we will move into yer house, eat yer food, drink yer likker, and turn away any unwanted relatives that might show up at yer door.

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Crazy Credits

In some episodes, the opening credits appear in unusual locations (e.g.: chicken eggs, towels, writing on walls, newspaper headlines). In other episodes, the characters - particularly Lisa - react to the appearance of the credits.

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Connections

Referenced in Pioneers of Television: Sitcoms (2008)
"The Andy Griffith Show" paved the way for rural-themed sitcoms like "Green Acres".

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Soundtracks

"Green Acres"
Sang by Eddie Albert & Eva Gabor

User Reviews

"Oli-va!"

Watching this as a child during the late 1960's I didn't like this show. I didn't find it funny because it frustrated me! With all of the locals frustrating Mr. Douglas endlessly, they frustrated me too. Stumbling upon the show years later, the frustration was gone and I could finally enjoy the humor of it all. This was light years ahead of the tame (and boring) "Pettycoat Junction." This was life with "The Three Stooges." I always loved the on-going home improvement projects with the closet doors opening to the outside, the telephone poll phone, the over-blown big chic New York City furniture stuffed into a little farmhouse, Lisa's pink appliances, her cooking, Arnold the pig and many more. When they say they don't make 'em like they used to, they don't, and that's a darn shame.