Shorty Kellems Moves West

Shug Fisher (whose real name was George) was a veteran singer, song writer and comedy actor in western films and tv shows. In the early 1930s, he actually hooked up with radio singers in Los Angeles called the Beverly Hill Billies. A coincidence or what?

Here, Shug plays Shorty, long time friend of Jed and the family, who comes to visit a spell --and before you know it, Mr. Drysdale thinks he's another millionaire.

Of course Jethro and his exaggerations play a part, talking about Shorty's investment in a silver mine? "He got a couple of hundred out of it..." Jethro tells Drysdale, who calculates the cash flow into millions! Best of the Best; Mr. D rounds up a bunch of belly-dancers(?) in his office, to woo Shorty into depositing his fortune in the bank. Outrageous, and well written with some camp one liners. Was this scene borrowed by LOVE, AMERICAN STYLE? It fits.

DO NOT miss this; Shorty mistakes Mrs. Drysdale as Mr. D's mother??? This means war! Harriett MacGibbon is hilarious, again ready to EXPLODE. Shug held a record for more than 20 appearances on GUNSMOKE alone, many other tv western shows. A scene stealer here.

Money Update; Jed is now worth $90 million dollars and gets a box of cigars from Mr. D. Producer Paul Hennings annual cost of living update for the Clampetts, the goal obviously to hit 100 mill. What means more to Jed is the box of smokes!

Season 8 Episode 9 restored color. Seasons 6 through 9 are expected to be released on blu ray by 2027.