Ep 21. The Marriage Machine

The Beverly Hillbillies is a classic American sitcom that aired from 1962 to 1971. The show follows the Clampett family, a group of rural country folk who strike it rich after oil is discovered on their land. They soon move to Beverly Hills, California, and struggle to adjust to their new life of luxury and opulence.

In season 5 episode 21, titled "The Marriage Machine," the Clampett family is in for a surprise when a young woman named Gertie arrives on their doorstep claiming to be a marriage broker. She has come to Beverly Hills specifically to find wealthy husbands for her clients, and she thinks the Clampetts are the perfect candidates.

Jed, the patriarch of the Clampett family, is initially wary of Gertie and her intentions. He doesn't want his family to become entangled in any schemes or scams. However, when he realizes that Gertie's clients are all wealthy and eligible bachelors, he starts to warm up to the idea.

Meanwhile, Granny, the matriarch of the family, is furious with Gertie. She sees her as a threat to the family's traditional values and warns Jed that she won't stand for any nonsense. Despite Granny's protests, Gertie starts setting up meetings between her clients and the Clampett women.

The first meeting is between Elly May, the Clampett's beautiful and naive daughter, and one of Gertie's clients named Rodney. Jed and Granny are suspicious of Rodney from the start, especially when they learn that he's a divorce lawyer. They fear he's only interested in Elly May's money and won't be a good husband to her.

However, Elly May is smitten with Rodney and doesn't see any red flags. She's thrilled when he takes her on a helicopter ride over Beverly Hills and promises to take her on more extravagant dates in the future.

Meanwhile, Jed and Granny are still skeptical of Gertie and her intentions. They decide to do some investigating and discover that Gertie has a criminal record for scamming wealthy men out of their money. They're horrified and decide to put a stop to her scheme before any harm can be done.

In the final act of the episode, Jed and Granny confront Gertie and demand that she leave their property immediately. Gertie tries to defend herself but ultimately admits that her plan was to scam the Clampetts out of their money. She tearfully apologizes and promises to leave town.

At the end of the episode, the Clampetts are left feeling grateful that they were able to avoid getting caught up in a scam. They're reminded that while their newfound wealth may make them a target for scammers, they're still a family rooted in love and tradition.

Overall, "The Marriage Machine" is a funny and entertaining episode of The Beverly Hillbillies that touches on themes of love, family, and trust. It's a classic example of the lighthearted and charming comedic style that made the show so beloved during its original run.