The Best Episodes of Petticoat Junction

Episode Rankings

1. #1 Fan Favorite
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   8.0/10(150 votes)

   #1 - Is There a Doctor in the Roundhouse?

   S1:E410/15/1963

   Norman Curtis, who has fallen in love with life at the Shady Rest, is still staying there for free without Kate yet knowing his true identity. He accidentally breaks the throttle handle of the Hooterville Cannonball and folks can't get to Kate's annual Shady Rest Jamboree. Norman decides to come clean about his identity. The problem is no one believes him. In fact, they all believe he's crazy. But the executive tries to make amends with a determined effort to obtain the nearly-nonexistent replacement part. Norman brings three of his friends in to help, who everyone also think are hobos. Thanks to Norman, the Jamboree is a success.

   Director:David Alexander

   Writers:Seaman Jacobs, Ed James

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   Director:David Alexander

   Writers:Seaman Jacobs, Ed James
2. 

   8.0/10(60 votes)

   #2 - Bedloe Gets His Comeuppance

   S2:E284/20/1965

   In this second half of a two-part story, Homer Bedloe has controlling interest in the Pixley Bank and has fired its President, Mr. Guerney. He has decided not only to foreclose on Kate's mortgage, but foreclose on all the bad mortgages in the valley. That will make the Cannonball's services useless. The Shady Rest is going to host a Monte Carlo night as a modest fundraiser. Whoever wins the most fake money by the end of the evening wins the secret grand prize. Betty Jo's friend Willie gets vibrations off of the roulette wheel and can guess the number every spin. Uncle Joe wants send Willie to Vegas to win enough money to solve all their problems. With Willie's help, Kate comes up with a plan to save the valley and get rid of Bedloe.

   Director:Richard L. Bare

   Writers:Jay Sommers, Lou Huston

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   Director:Richard L. Bare

   Writers:Jay Sommers, Lou Huston
3. 

   8.0/10(49 votes)

   #3 - Cannonball for Sale

   S5:E273/9/1968

   The Cannonball arrives at the Shady Rest with a "For Sale" sign and Homer Bedloe. The train will go to the highest bidder. One bid has already come in from a junk dealer who wants it for scrap. Bedloe also tells them that the sale is out of his hands because the C & FW Railroad has been sold to the H. Greene Company. The people of the valley decide to try and raise the money to outbid the junk dealer. They find out that bid is higher than what they can possibly raise. Uncle Joe and Sam decide to go to Chicago and meet with H. Greene. They discover that H. Greene is Henrietta Greene. Once Henrietta realizes how much the Cannonball means to the valley, she calls off the sale.

   Director:Ralph Levy

   Writers:Charles Stewart, Dick Conway

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   Director:Ralph Levy

   Writers:Charles Stewart, Dick Conway
4. 

   8.0/10(55 votes)

   #4 - Kate's Homecoming

   S5:E303/30/1968

   In this valentine to Kate Bradley the citizens of Hooterville pull out all the stops to welcome Kate home, including a parade with floats, songs and fireworks. But first, arguments begin about where her official welcoming celebration will take place and who will preside over such an event. Mayor Potts wants to preside over it at a downtown location. Sam wants to preside over it outside his store. Selma wants to preside over it in her garden. And Joe wants to preside over it at the Shady Rest. They all wait for Kate's three o'clock arrival in front of Sam's store. Then they read her message to Uncle Joe and realize that Joe didn't read the part that said she will be arriving in Pixley. Amid the chaotic festivities, Kate muses "There's no doubt about it, I'm home.

   Director:Ralph Levy

   Writers:Charles Stewart, Dick Conway

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   Director:Ralph Levy

   Writers:Charles Stewart, Dick Conway
5. 

   8.0/10(74 votes)

   #5 - The Valley Has a Baby

   S6:E410/26/1968

   Betty Jo and Steve's baby is due anytime now. Steve thinks it's a good idea if they move back to the Shady Rest until the baby comes. Wendell has been on around the clock watch for the last week keeping the train engine stoked. But it's taking a toll on his body. Betty Jo is trying to hold off the baby's arrival as Billie Jo and Kate are out of town. When Betty Jo finally goes into labor, they can't wake Wendell up, so Betty Jo must work the Cannonball herself. Betty Jo has a baby girl and Billie Jo and Kate do make it back in time.

   Director:Ralph Levy

   Writers:Charles Stewart, Dick Conway

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   Director:Ralph Levy

   Writers:Charles Stewart, Dick Conway
6. 

   7.9/10(162 votes)

   #6 - The President Who Came to Dinner

   S1:E310/8/1963

   C&F W Railroad President Norman P. Curtis is incensed that ace troubleshooter Homer Bedloe utterly failed to scrap the Hooterville Cannonball. Taking matters into his own hands, he decides to do it himself, incognito. Although Curtis doesn't intend on appearing as such, he comes across to Kate and others in the valley as a hobo after he takes a tumble in a field, ripping and dirtying his suit and losing his wallet in the process. But, he has a change of heart when he experiences Kate's hospitality and kindness.

   Director:David Alexander

   Writers:Seaman Jacobs, Ed James

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   Director:David Alexander

   Writers:Seaman Jacobs, Ed James
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7. 

   7.9/10(151 votes)

   #7 - Cannonball Christmas

   S1:E1412/24/1963

   The Bradleys, Sam Drucker, Herby, Charlie and Floyd are decorating the Cannonball for its annual Christmas Eve trip of caroling, gift-giving and merriment around the valley. But, Homer Bedloe is determined to be a Scrooge and take possession of the train on Christmas Eve. Railroad President Norman Curtis finds out what Bedloe is up to and goes to Hooterville to stop him.

   Director:Guy Scarpitta

   Writers:Paul Henning, Mark Tuttle

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   Director:Guy Scarpitta

   Writers:Paul Henning, Mark Tuttle
8. 

   7.9/10(66 votes)

   #8 - Kate the Stockholder

   S1:E294/7/1964

   Norman Curtis, President of the C&FW Railroad, is currently on vacation in Europe. He left instructions not to do anything to the Cannonball while he's gone. However, Homer Bedloe has a scheme to shut down the Cannonball for good. He hopes to do it without disobeying Curtis' orders. The plan entails Bedloe being appointed Superintendent of the Cannonball. He would then enforce an efficiency program with an impossible to meet new schedule. He expects Charley and Floyd will eventually just give up. Kate and the gang go to the stockholders meeting where she believes they've got a secret weapon to ruin Bedloe's plans.

   Director:David Alexander

   Writers:Jerry Seelen, Leo Rifkin

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   Director:David Alexander

   Writers:Jerry Seelen, Leo Rifkin
9. 

   7.9/10(95 votes)

   #9 - Betty Jo's Dog

   S2:E19/22/1964

   It's the first day of school and Kate is having trouble getting a couple of her daughters motivated to go. Betty Jo has a new friend, a little dog that follows her back from school. Kate refuses to let Betty Jo keep the dog, despite it being cute and well trained. Kate believes that he must belong to someone. Betty Jo brings him back to school, but he stills follows her home. Kate decides to let the dog stay until the owner claims him or until the dog starts to cause problems for the family. The dog does end up causing some problems, but Kate has a change of heart and let's him stay.

   Director:Richard L. Bare

   Writers:Jay Sommers, Lou Huston

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   Director:Richard L. Bare

   Writers:Jay Sommers, Lou Huston
10. 

    7.9/10(54 votes)

    #10 - Pop Goes the Question

    S5:E510/7/1967

    Uncle Joe tells Kate that he believes that Steve and Betty Jo will get married sooner rather than later. Steve implies to Kate that he does intend to marry Betty Jo. Kate doesn't know what to think as she still sees Betty Jo as her little girl. After a chat with Sam, Kate decides to give Steve her blessing to propose. Steve, who is pretty sure that Betty Jo will say yes, still has a small part of him that is afraid she'll say no. Steve may have to hurry because Uncle Joe learns what's going on and the news could soon be all over the valley. One thing or another keeps preventing Steve from asking the question. But just before the news breaks wide open, Steve asks Betty Jo and she says yes.

    Director:Ralph Levy

    Writers:Charles Stewart, Dick Conway

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    Director:Ralph Levy

    Writers:Charles Stewart, Dick Conway
11. 

    7.9/10(62 votes)

    #11 - With This Gown I Thee Wed

    S5:E911/4/1967

    In this touching episode, Betty Jo finds what she thinks is the perfect wedding dress. Kate was hoping that Betty Jo would wear her old dress. When Kate sees that her daughter has bought a dress she doesn't mention hers. Uncle Joe has also bought a wedding dress. Kate's cousin Mae comes bearing yet another wedding dress for Betty Jo. Neither Uncle Joe or Mae are aware that Betty Jo has bought her own dress. As much as she loves both Uncle Joe and Mae, neither of the dresses they got for her are her style. But she doesn't have the heart to tell them that she has a dress for fear of hurting their feelings. Billie Jo thinks she has the solution to all of Betty Jo's wedding gown problems. It's one that will make Kate very happy.

    Director:Ralph Levy

    Writer:Joanna Lee

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    Director:Ralph Levy

    Writer:Joanna Lee
12. 

    7.8/10(224 votes)

    #12 - Spur Line to Shady Rest

    S1:E19/24/1963

    Homer Bedloe, trouble-shooter for the C&F W Railroad, is sent by railroad president Norman P. Curtis to the little community of Hooterville to find out why a branch line doesn't connect with the main line. The branch line carries the "Cannonball" train, and is vital to the Shady Rest Hotel, run by Kate Bradley, her three grown daughters and "Uncle Joe" Carson. If Bedloe succeeds in shutting down the Cannonball, Kate faces ruin. John Ashley appears as passenger Fred.

    Director:Richard Whorf

    Writer:Paul Henning

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    Director:Richard Whorf

    Writer:Paul Henning
13. 

    7.8/10(107 votes)

    #13 - Bedloe Strikes Again

    S1:E1011/26/1963

    The Cannonball and its primary passenger, Uncle Joe, are pelted with eggs after the Hooterville Hornets, coached by Uncle Joe, are drubbed in what may be their worst game ever. Another unexpected passenger on that run is Homer Bedloe, who is surprisingly cordial and pleasant. Uncle Joe doesn't see anything wrong with Bedloe being cordial and taking it like a man in defeat in his efforts to scrap the Cannonball. Kate on the other hand believes Bedloe is up to no good. News gets to Sam that John Fisher and Max Thornton, two bigwigs from the railroad, are coming for a surprise inspection the following day. When Kate learns this news, they have to go clean-up the Cannonball. Plus, they have to keep Bedloe preoccupied so that he won't know what they're up to. And third, they have to railroad the visiting bigwigs about how deluxe the service on the Cannonball is. Fisher and Thornton are very impressed with the service.

    Director:David Alexander

    Writers:Paul Henning, Mark Tuttle

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    Director:David Alexander

    Writers:Paul Henning, Mark Tuttle
14. 

    7.8/10(61 votes)

    #14 - Bedloe's Nightmare

    S2:E912/1/1964

    Billie Jo is upset that the Cannonball is late and she believes it has outlived its usefulness. Meanwhile, Homer Bedloe, the Hooterville Cannonball's arch-enemy, has been having terrible nightmares about the train. To get rid of them, his psychiatrist Dr. Leonard suggests that he "learn to love" the Cannonball. The Cannonball has been encountering some broken tracks. Kate decides to let the C&FW Railroad know. Bedloe writes back that he will fix the tracks. When Bedloe visits the Shadyrest Hotel, he is surprised how friendly everyone is being to him. Everyone except Uncle Joe. But Kate was just gas-lighting Bedloe and didn't really believe the change in him when he said he loved the train. She finds out Bedloe is planning to remove the old damaged tracks instead of replacing them to shut down the Cannonball. Kate comes up with a plan to stop him.

    Director:Richard L. Bare

    Writers:Jay Sommers, Lou Huston

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    Director:Richard L. Bare

    Writers:Jay Sommers, Lou Huston
15. 

    7.8/10(63 votes)

    #15 - The Curse of Chester W. Farnsworth

    S2:E141/12/1965

    Mr. Richardson is a guest at the hotel. Uncle Joe tells him about the curse of Chester W. Farnsworth, a guest at the hotel fifty years ago. He was a traveling drummer and notorious hotel towel thief. Since then, Chester has been haunting all the hotels that he stole towels from. He has to return them all before he can end up in his final resting place. Joe figures it won't be long before Chester visits the Shady Rest. After Joe tells the story, strange events start to occur. Kate finds out that a bunch of salesmen who were supposed to be guests won't be returning until the curse has been lifted. When more strange things occur, Kate decides to talk to Doc Stuart. He recommends speaking with Dr. Melman, a psychiatrist and an expert is paranormal events. Something happens to make everyone believe that Chester arrived and the curse has been lifted. But did he actually show up?

    Director:Richard L. Bare

    Writers:Jay Sommers, John L. Greene

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    Director:Richard L. Bare

    Writers:Jay Sommers, John L. Greene
16. 

    7.8/10(54 votes)

    #16 - The Black Box

    S2:E264/6/1965

    Kate's spring cleaning coincides with the US Air Force doing maneuvers over the valley. Part of those maneuvers includes testing out a new high powered camera. It looks like an ordinary black box with wires coming out of it and is set to explode twelve hours after any unauthorized removal from the plane. Colonel Millbank, who is flying the aircraft, accidentally loses the camera. It winds up landing on the Shady Rest property. Joe finds it and thinking it might be valuable, brings to the hotel. But as often as Kate and the girls try to get rid of it, Dog keeps bringing it back. General Elmer Loomis and Millbank make it to Hooterville. With little time to spare, they get to the hotel and start searching for the box. Dog brings them the box with no time left. However, the box winds up being a dud and doesn't explode

    Director:Richard L. Bare

    Writers:Jay Sommers, Howard Harris

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    Director:Richard L. Bare

    Writers:Jay Sommers, Howard Harris
17. 

    7.8/10(60 votes)

    #17 - Bedloe's Most Fiendish Scheme

    S2:E274/13/1965

    Kate has a lot of outstanding debts, plus she hasn't made a mortgage payment in six months. Mr. Guerney, the President of the Pixley Bank, informs her that there is a new majority shareholder of the bank. Because of this, she has two weeks to pay $138 on her mortgage or the bank will have to foreclose. Mr. Guerney didn't tell Kate that the majority shareholder is Homer Bedloe, who hopes to ruin Kate. The girls say they will get part time jobs to help raise the money. Kate gets a job as a short order cook, but she doesn't last long at it. Kate and the girls do come up with the amount needed, but some of it's in I.O.U.s. Bedloe says that isn't good enough and still wants to foreclose. Mr. Guerney comes up with a way to give Kate a little more time.

    Director:Richard L. Bare

    Writers:Jay Sommers, Lou Huston

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    Director:Richard L. Bare

    Writers:Jay Sommers, Lou Huston
18. 

    7.8/10(52 votes)

    #18 - Billie Jo's Independence Day

    S3:E181/18/1966

    Billie Jo wants to move out of the hotel and into her own apartment in Pixley. Kate repeatedly says no. Kate finally gives in, but she has to approve of the place and the landlord. She only agreed because she believes there is not an apartment to be found in Pixley. However, Billie Jo finds a place that meets Kate's standards. After a few days, Billie Jo says she loves her independence, even though all the comforts of home are not quite there. But not long after she becomes homesick and finds a way to come back.

    Director:Dick Moder

    Writers:Al Schwartz, Lou Huston

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    Director:Dick Moder

    Writers:Al Schwartz, Lou Huston
19. 

    7.8/10(51 votes)

    #19 - Birthplace of a Future President

    S6:E19/28/1968

    Betty Jo's due date is fast approaching. Everyone is excited that another baby will being born in the valley and be delivered by Doc Stuart. Steve throws everyone for a loop when he announces that he wants the baby to be born in a fancy hospital that's far away. While Betty Jo would rather stay in Hooterville, she knows that Steve only wants what's best for her. The townsfolk see Betty Jo leaving as a slight on the valley and as such they decide to snub Betty Jo and Steve. Steve reconsiders when he sees Doc Stuart in action. Meanwhile, Wendell Gibbs, the new engineer of the Cannonball, is hoping people will start calling him "Cannonball".

    Director:Ralph Levy

    Writers:Dick Conway, Charles Stewart

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    Director:Ralph Levy

    Writers:Dick Conway, Charles Stewart
20. 

    7.8/10(50 votes)

    #20 - The Game Warden

    S7:E210/4/1969

    Uncle Joe, caught with too many fish in his possessions by Game Warden Orrin Pike, is threatened with a jail sentence.

    Director:Elliott Lewis

    Writer:Unknown

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    Director:Elliott Lewis

    Writer:Unknown
21. 

    7.8/10(45 votes)

    #21 - Kathy Jo's First Birthday (1)

    S7:E1112/6/1969

    Baby Kathy Jo almost misses her ffirst birthday party when she lands in jail with Uncle Joe.

    Director:Elliott Lewis

    Writer:Unknown

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    Director:Elliott Lewis

    Writer:Unknown
22. 

    7.7/10(157 votes)

    #22 - Quick, Hide the Railroad

    S1:E210/1/1963

    Kate uses a combination of charm, subterfuge, and wiles to prevent Homer Bedloe from catching the Hooterville Cannonball and getting to Pixley in order to initiate proceedings that would permanently terminate the train's operation. She has to keep him at the Shady Rest long enough to convince him that the Cannonball is an integral part of the valley's life. When all else fails, Kate gets Sam, the Hooterville Jack of all professions, to scare Bedloe into changing his mind.

    Director:David Alexander

    Writers:Paul Henning, Mark Tuttle

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    Director:David Alexander

    Writers:Paul Henning, Mark Tuttle
23. 

    7.7/10(102 votes)

    #23 - A Night at the Hooterville Hilton

    S1:E1312/17/1963

    A brochure made by Uncle Joe describing the incomparable Shady Rest Hotel of the future is accidentally mailed to The Centerville Sun Express travel columnist Gladys Stroud. In the brochure was the vision of what he hoped the hotel would one day be, including indoor ice rink, bowling alley, and swimming pool. Gladys decides to come and review the Shady Rest. Now the family has to scramble to keep her from finding out the truth and closing them down for lying. Despite their best efforts, Gladys finds out. Uncle Joe manages to sweet talk Gladys into not closing them down.

    Director:Jean Yarbrough

    Writers:Seaman Jacobs, Ed James

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    Director:Jean Yarbrough

    Writers:Seaman Jacobs, Ed James
24. 

    7.7/10(83 votes)

    #24 - The Ladybugs

    S1:E273/24/1964

    Beatlemania has hit Hooterville by storm. Uncle Joe recruits Billy, Bobbie, and Betty Joe along with their friend Sally Ragsdale to form their own band called the Ladybugs. Colonel Partridge, a booking agent, comes to the Shady Rest to see the girls in action. Partridge likes what he hears and wants to book the girls. Sally's father, Sheriff Ragsdale, comes by and says he wants his daughter to finish school and not tour the country. Uncle Joe thinks he has a way to save the group and dresses up as a Ladybug.

    Director:Donald O'Connor

    Writers:Paul Henning, Mark Tuttle

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    Director:Donald O'Connor

    Writers:Paul Henning, Mark Tuttle
25. 

    7.7/10(52 votes)

    #25 - For the Birds

    S2:E202/23/1965

    The Cannonball has temporarily ceased operations. The reason is a bird has built a nest on top of the smokestack and has laid five eggs. Charley and Floyd refuse to move the train until the eggs have hatched. They figure it will be two weeks before they hatch. When Homer Bedloe hears of this news, he is all in support of what Charley and Floyd are doing, he even puts an article in the paper about it. But he has a reason why he wants to help the birds: If the train doesn't run for two weeks, he can shut it down permanently. Homer shows up at the hotel and Kate is suspicious of his motives. Billie Jo and Betty Jo overhear Homer's plan and tell Kate. Kate comes up with a plan to save both the Cannonball and the birds.

    Director:Richard L. Bare

    Writer:Jay Sommers

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    Director:Richard L. Bare

    Writer:Jay Sommers