Ep 29. The Big Bank Battle

The Beverly Hillbillies season 3 episode 29, titled "The Big Bank Battle," continues the adventures of the Clampett family in their new life in Beverly Hills. In this episode, the clan gets tangled up in a financial feud over their newfound oil wealth.

The story opens with Mr. Drysdale, the Clampett family's banker, nervously approaching Jed Clampett with an urgent matter. It seems that the Commerce Bank of Beverly Hills has been threatening to foreclose on some of the Clampett's properties due to a financial dispute. Jed is understandably upset and demands to know what's going on.

Drysdale explains that the Beverly Hills bank is claiming that the Clampetts owe them money for a loan that was taken out using their properties as collateral. However, Jed insists that he never took out any loan and demands to see the loan documents. Drysdale agrees to get the paperwork, and the Clampetts retire to their mansion to await his return.

Meanwhile, the Clampett's neighbor, Mrs. Drysdale, has heard through the grapevine about the looming financial crisis and immediately sees an opportunity to get back at the Clampetts for her many past slights. She sets in motion a plan to sabotage the Clampetts' oil wells and drive down the value of their properties, hoping to force them into foreclosure.

With the help of her assistant, the bumbling and incompetent Elly May, Mrs. Drysdale manages to cause several costly accidents at the Clampett oil fields. But her plan backfires when this causes Jed to become suspicious and launch his own investigation into the bank's claims.

Jed soon discovers the truth: the Beverly Hills bank was indeed involved in a shady loan scheme, but the Clampetts were never a party to it. The bank had used their property as collateral without their knowledge, hoping to secure a larger loan from a different bank. When the new bank refused to cooperate, the Beverly Hills bank tried to strong-arm the Clampetts into paying off the loan themselves.

In the end, Jed confronts the bank's president and wins the battle of the big banks: the Beverly Hills bank backs down and removes their claim on the Clampett properties. As for Mrs. Drysdale, she is left seething with anger and frustration at her failed scheme, and the Clampetts continue their peaceful life in Beverly Hills.

"The Big Bank Battle" is a classic episode of The Beverly Hillbillies, showcasing the family's wit and ingenuity in the face of financial adversity. It is an entertaining and heartwarming reminder that, no matter how much money one has, it is one's character and integrity that truly matter.