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 (149 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

Eddie Albert revealed in a January 1966 "TV Guide" article that as part of his deal he was given a 10 percent interest in Green Acres. He also mentions that he was offered the part after Don Ameche turned it down, and that actresses Marsha Hunt and Janet Blair had screen-tested with him before Paul Henning had the idea to cast Eva Gabor (over CBS's objections that no one would understand her because of her accent).

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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

Sam Drucker: Call the sheriff.
Hank Kimball: OK. Sheriff.
Sam Drucker: No. On the phone.

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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 Mystery Science Theater 3000: Hangar 18 (1989)

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Soundtracks

"Green Acres"
Sang by Eddie Albert & Eva Gabor

User Reviews

Worthy of a reappraisal

This programme was traditionally thought of as just another of the cornpone country comedies that CBS used to be noted for, like "Petticoat Junction" or "The Beverly Hillbillies". But with its button-down straight man, Eddie Albert, surrounded by a wild assortment of extraordinary oddballs, "Green Acres" looks both backwards to the screwball comedies of the '30s and ahead to the Bob Newhart series of shows which followed a similar premise.

I am a fan of the British absurdist tradition, as exemplified both by university humour, like "Monty Python" and "Fawlty Towers", with its basis in the antics of the Goons (and Alfred Jarry), and by John Lennon's disassociated imagery, with its basis, probably, in Edward Lear (and Hilaire Belloc), but I personally happen to believe that this particular show belongs to a distinct comedy continuum, one that's entirely American. But I do agree completely that where these two styles are concerned, fans of one are bound to appreciate the other.