The Beverly Hillbillies (1993)

The Beverly Hillbillies (1993) is a comedy film based on the beloved 1960s sitcom of the same name. Directed by Penelope Spheeris, the movie brings the classic fish-out-of-water story to the big screen, following the adventures of the simple, country-dwelling Clampett family as they unexpectedly become billionaires and move to the upscale world of Beverly Hills.

Plot Summary:

Jed Clampett (Jim Varney) is a kind-hearted, old-fashioned mountain man living a simple life in the Ozarks with his tomboyish daughter, Elly May (Erika Eleniak), his feisty, no-nonsense Granny (Cloris Leachman), and his dim-witted but well-meaning nephew, Jethro (Diedrich Bader). One day, while out hunting, Jed accidentally strikes oil on his land, making him an instant billionaire. Encouraged by his neighbors and a slick banker named Milburn Drysdale (Dabney Coleman), Jed decides to move his family to Beverly Hills, where Drysdale promises to help them adapt to their newfound wealth.

Upon arriving in California, the Clampetts purchase a lavish mansion, but their old-fashioned, rural ways immediately clash with the sophisticated and materialistic world of Beverly Hills. They struggle to fit into high society, leading to a series of comedic misunderstandings and culture clashes. Despite their enormous fortune, they remain true to their country roots, much to the confusion (and amusement) of their wealthy new neighbors.

Meanwhile, a greedy, scheming couple, Laura Jackson (Lea Thompson) and her accomplice, Woodrow Tyler (Rob Schneider), see an opportunity to exploit the naive Clampetts. Laura, posing as a charming and sophisticated woman, pretends to fall in love with Jed, hoping to marry him and gain control of his fortune. At the same time, Jethro, eager to prove himself as a successful businessman, falls for Woodrow’s manipulations, setting the stage for a con that could cost the Clampetts everything.

As the film unfolds, Granny remains suspicious of Laura and her intentions, while Miss Jane Hathaway (Lily Tomlin), Drysdale’s well-meaning but often exasperated assistant, tries to warn Jed about the dangers of being too trusting. When Laura and Woodrow’s plan reaches its peak, the Clampetts finally catch on to their deception. With their country smarts and a bit of good luck, they manage to turn the tables on the con artists and expose their scheme.

In the end, the Clampetts prove that while they may not be "sophisticated" by Beverly Hills standards, their honesty, loyalty, and family values make them far richer than any amount of money ever could. Jed ultimately decides that, despite their differences, Beverly Hills isn’t such a bad place to call home—as long as they can stay true to who they are.

Themes and Reception:

The film humorously explores the clash between simple, down-to-earth values and the pretentiousness of high society. It pokes fun at the excess and greed of the wealthy while celebrating the Clampetts’ wholesome, family-oriented way of life. Though The Beverly Hillbillies received mixed reviews from critics, fans of the original show enjoyed seeing their favorite characters brought to life on the big screen. Jim Varney's performance as Jed Clampett was particularly praised for capturing the warmth and charm of the original character.

While the film doesn’t stray far from the sitcom’s classic formula, it delivers plenty of slapstick humor, amusing culture clashes, and a feel-good message about staying true to oneself.