Paul Henning

Show Creator / Writer/ Producer

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The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

02:26

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About

About this interview

In his four-and-a-half-hour interview, Paul Henning (1911-2005) describes working as a writer in radio -- for Fibber McGee and Molly and for The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show. He talks of transitioning to the televised version of The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show and how writing for television differed from writing for radio. He recalls writing for The Ray Bolger Show and The Rudy Vallee Show, and getting a chance to produce and create a program with The Dennis Day Show. Henning then details creating/producing the three rural comedies for which he's best known: The Beverly Hillbillies, Green Acres, and Petticoat Junction. He describes casting the shows, which programs he had the most involvement with, and how he felt when the shows were canceled. Bob Claster conducted the interview on September 3, 1997 in Toluca Lake, CA.

All views expressed by interviewees are theirs alone and not necessarily those of the Television Academy.

"Television depends on characters and on people liking those characters and wanting them to visit in their house again. It's an easy thing to click a switch and change channels, so you have to hope that your characters become friends of the people watching. Our characters did."

People Talking About ...

Highlights

Paul Henning on the idea for The Beverly Hillbillies

06:36

Paul Henning on his interest in hillbillies and rural comedies

01:12

Paul Henning on coming up with the title for The Beverly Hillbillies

00:40

Paul Henning on the origins of Petticoat Junction

01:59

Paul Henning on Jim Aubrey offering him a chance for a third series, which became Green Acres

02:08

Full Interview

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Chapter 1

On his childhood and early influences; on his love of singing and wanting to be on the radio; on loving to read and appearing on experimental television in 1929

On the 1939 World's Fair and the Great Depression; on getting a job at a Kansas City radio station and pursuing a career as a writer

Chapter 2

On meeting his future wife at the radio station; on writing a spec script for radio's Fibber McGee and Molly; on seriously considering a career as a writer

On writing for radio's Fibber McGee and Molly; on getting a job writing for Joe E. Brown

Chapter 3

On enjoying writing comedy; on writing for the radio version of The Rudy Valle Show; on World War II

On writing for the radio and television versions of The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show; on the show moving to Hollywood from New York

Chapter 4

On cast changes on The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show; on the Hollywood Blacklist; on The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show moving to film to lessen the load on Gracie Allen

On wanting to become a producer; on producing and creating The Dennis Day Show; on producing and writing for The Ray Bolger Show

On creating and writing for The Bob Cummings Show; on writing two episodes for The Real McCoys; on writing an episode of The Andy Griffith Show and his interest in hillbillies and rural comedies

Chapter 5

On writing films with Stanley Shapiro for Universal: "Lover Come Back", "Bedtime Story"; on being lured back to television by Al Simon

On creating and casting The Beverly Hillbillies

Chapter 6

On the pilot episode, promotions of, and production on The Beverly Hillbillies; on the show's huge ratings; on high rated episodes of The Beverly Hillbillie s occurring shortly after JFK's assassination; on the show's critics

On ending cigarette ads on The Beverly Hillbillies; on shifting from black and white to color; on lawsuits the show faced

On his writing philosophy of placing characters above jokes; on his favorite episode of The Beverly Hillbillies; on the origins of Petticoat Junction

Chapter 7

On creating and producing Petticoat Junction; on working with his daughter Linda on the show; on his favorite episode; on balancing two hit shows on the air

On creating and producing Green Acres; on casting the series

On the cancellation of Petticoat Junction; on the theme songs to Green Acres, The Beverly Hillbillies, and Petticoat Junction

Chapter 8

On the cancellation of The Beverly Hillbillies and Green Acres; on health problems at the time and retiring from television; on writing movies and 1981's Return of the Beverly Hillbillies

On 1991's Green Acres reunion movie; on having no involvement with 1995's The Beverly Hillbillies movie; on the remake of "Bedtime Story" called "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels"; on winning the Paddy Chayefsky WGA Award

On his proudest moments and career regrets; on the enduring popularity of his shows; on his thoughts on people with whom he's worked

Chapter 9

On B-roll photos from his career: cast photos from The Beverly Hillbillies, Green Acres, and Petticoat Junction; on family photos

Shows

Andy Griffith Show, The

Paul Henning on Sheldon Leonard asking him to write an episode of The Andy Griffith Show

01:55

Beverly Hillbillies, The

Paul Henning on creating The Beverly Hillbillies

09:08

Paul Henning on creating the characters of and casting The Beverly Hillbillies

10:26

Paul Henning on shooting the pilot and early production on The Beverly Hillbillies

03:09

Paul Henning on producing, promoting, and audience reaction to The Beverly Hillbillies

08:13

Paul Henning on the writing process, a typical production week, and the laugh track on The Beverly Hillbillies

07:53

Paul Henning on ending cigarette ads on The Beverly Hillbillies

01:56

Paul Henning on color production, legal aspects, and his writing philosophy on The Beverly Hillbillies

08:48

Paul Henning on the theme songs to Green Acres, The Beverly Hillbillies, and Petticoat Junction

03:30

Paul Henning on the cancellation of The Beverly Hillbillies and Green Acres

01:27

Paul Henning on writing 1981's Return of the Beverly Hillbillies

01:35

Paul Henning on having no involvement with 1995's The Beverly Hillbillies movie

00:53

Paul Henning on a picture with writers and the cast from The Beverly Hillbillies

01:21

Paul Henning on a picture with the casts of The Beverly Hillbillies, Green Acres, and Petticoat Junction

03:59

Bob Cummings Show, The aka Love That Bob

Paul Henning on creating and writing for The Bob Cummings Show

06:28

Dennis Day Show. The

Paul Henning on producing and creating The Dennis Day Show

00:51

Paul Henning on producing and creating The Dennis Day Show

06:26

Fibber McGee and Molly

Paul Henning on writing a spec script for radio's Fibber McGee and Molly

01:22

Paul Henning on writing for radio's Fibber McGee and Molly

04:57

George Burns and Gracie Allen Show, The

Paul Henning on writing for the radio version of The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show

07:22

Paul Henning on writing for the television version of The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show

12:21

Paul Henning on The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show moving to film to lessen the load on Gracie Allen

03:52

Paul Henning on the monitor gimmick on The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show

00:37

Green Acres

Paul Henning on creating and casting Green Acres

05:48

Paul Henning on the theme songs to Green Acres, The Beverly Hillbillies, and Petticoat Junction

03:30

Paul Henning on the cancellation of The Beverly Hillbillies and Green Acres

01:27

Paul Henning on 1991's Green Acres reunion movie

01:13

Paul Henning on a picture with the casts of The Beverly Hillbillies, Green Acres, and Petticoat Junction

03:59

New Bob Cummings Show, The

Paul Henning on a picture of Bob Cummings from The Bob Cummings Show

00:58

Petticoat Junction

Paul Henning on the origins of Petticoat Junction

01:59

Paul Henning on the premise of and casting on Petticoat Junction

12:00

Paul Henning on the cancellation of Petticoat Junction

00:51

Paul Henning on the theme songs to Green Acres, The Beverly Hillbillies, and Petticoat Junction

03:30

Paul Henning on hearing of the cancellation of Petticoat Junction

00:34

Paul Henning on a picture with the casts of The Beverly Hillbillies, Green Acres, and Petticoat Junction

03:59

Ray Bolger Show, The

Paul Henning on producing and writing for The Ray Bolger Show

02:00

Real McCoys, The

Paul Henning on writing two episodes for The Real McCoys

01:48

Topics

Characters & Catchphrases

Paul Henning on Buddy Ebsen agreeing to star as "Jed Clampett" in The Beverly Hillbillies

01:55

Health and Medicine

Producer Paul Henning on ending cigarette ads on The Beverly Hillbillies

01:56

Hollywood Blacklist

Paul Henning on recollections of the Hollywood Blacklist

01:35

Industry Crossroads

Paul Henning on recollections of the Hollywood Blacklist

01:35

JFK Assassination and Funeral

Paul Henning on high rated episodes of The Beverly Hillbillie s occurring shortly after JFK's assassination

01:45

Pop Culture

Paul Henning on Buddy Ebsen agreeing to star as "Jed Clampett" in The Beverly Hillbillies

01:55

Paul Henning on the theme songs to Green Acres, The Beverly Hillbillies, and Petticoat Junction

03:30

TV Theme Songs

Paul Henning on the theme songs to Green Acres, The Beverly Hillbillies, and Petticoat Junction

03:30

Technological Innovation

Paul Henning on appearing on experimental television in 1929

02:26

Paul Henning on shifting from black and white to color on The Beverly Hillbillie s

02:55

World War II

Paul Henning on writing for the radio version of The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show during World War II

01:17

Professions

Producers

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Paul Henning on wanting to become a producer

09:19

Show Creators

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Paul Henning on the writing process for The Beverly Hillbillies

03:12

Writers

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Paul Henning on getting a job at a Kansas City radio station and pursuing a career as a writer

04:35

Paul Henning on beginning to seriously consider a career in writing

05:13

Paul Henning on differences between writing for the radio and television versions of The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show

00:32

Paul Henning on the writing process for the television version of The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show

01:26

Paul Henning on his writing philosophy of placing characters above jokes

01:13

Genres

Comedy Series

Paul Henning on writing for the radio and television versions of The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show

19:43

Paul Henning on The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show moving to film to lessen the load on Gracie Allen

03:51

Paul Henning on producing and creating The Dennis Day Show

06:26

Paul Henning on creating and casting The Beverly Hillbillies

22:43

Paul Henning on the origins of Petticoat Junction

01:59

Producer Paul Henning on production of and promotions for The Beverly Hillbillies

26:50

Paul Henning on the premise of and casting on Petticoat Junction

12:00

Paul Henning on creating and casting Green Acres

05:48

Commercials

Producer Paul Henning on ending cigarette ads on The Beverly Hillbillies

01:56

People

Abe Burrows

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Paul Henning on working with Abe Burrows on The Rudy Valle Show

00:23

Al Simon

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Paul Henning on being lured back to television by Al Simon and creating The Beverly Hillbillies

09:08

Paul Henning on Al Simon predicting the success of The Beverly Hillbillies

00:30

Paul Henning on his thoughts on people with whom he's worked - Al Simon

00:20

Ann B. Davis

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Paul Henning on his thoughts on people with whom he's worked - Ann B. Davis

00:30

Bea Benaderet

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Paul Henning on Bea Benaderet starring in Petticoat Junction

00:13

Paul Henning on his thoughts on people with whom he's worked - Bea Benaderet

00:25

Paul Henning on a picture of him with Bea Benaderet and Buddy Ebsen

00:24

Bob Cummings

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Paul Henning on his thoughts on people with whom he's worked - Bob Cummings

00:32

Paul Henning on a picture of Bob Cummings from The Bob Cummings Show

00:58

Bob Fosse

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Paul Henning on Bob Fosse performing on the live television version of The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show

00:26

Bob Weiskopf

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Paul Henning on getting to know Fred Allen

01:22

Buddy Ebsen

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Paul Henning on casting Buddy Ebsen on The Beverly Hillbillies

01:01

Paul Henning on Buddy Ebsen agreeing to star as "Jed Clampett" in The Beverly Hillbillies

01:55

Paul Henning on his thoughts on people with whom he's worked - Buddy Ebsen

00:22

Paul Henning on a picture of him with Buddy Ebsen and Max Baer

00:26

Paul Henning on a picture of him with Bea Benaderet and Buddy Ebsen

00:24

Cliff Arquette

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Paul Henning on casting Cliff Arquette on The Dennis Day Show

00:38

Danny Thomas

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Paul Henning on his thoughts on people with whom he's worked - Danny Thomas

00:11

Dennis Day

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Paul Henning on working with Dennis Day on The Dennis Day Show

02:52

Donna Douglas

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Paul Henning on casting Donna Douglas as "Elly May Clampett" on The Beverly Hillbillies

00:47

Paul Henning on his thoughts on people with whom he's worked - Donna Douglas

00:52

Dwayne Hickman

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Paul Henning on his thoughts on people with whom he's worked - Dwayne Hickman

00:32

Eddie Albert

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Paul Henning on casting Eddie Albert on Green Acres

00:21

Paul Henning on 1991's Green Acres reunion movie

01:13

Eva Gabor

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Paul Henning on casting Eva Gabor on Green Acres

01:47

Paul Henning on 1991's Green Acres reunion movie

01:13

Paul Henning on his thoughts on people with whom he's worked - Eva Gabor

00:16

Fred Allen

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Paul Henning on getting to know Fred Allen

01:22

George Burns

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Paul Henning on writing for the radio and television versions of The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show

19:43

Paul Henning on how George Burns came into his own on the television version of The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show

01:20

Paul Henning on The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show moving to film to lessen the load on Gracie Allen; on Gracie Allen's talent and the love between her and George Burns

03:42

Paul Henning on George Burns' company co-producing The Bob Cummings Show

00:56

Paul Henning on his thoughts on people with whom he's worked - George Burns

00:31

Paul Henning on a picture of him and his wife with George Burns

01:16

Gracie Allen

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Paul Henning on writing for the radio and television versions of The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show

19:43

Paul Henning on The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show moving to film to lessen the load on Gracie Allen; on Gracie Allen's talent and the love between her and George Burns

03:42

Paul Henning on a picture of him with Gracie Allen

01:26

Harry S. Truman

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Paul Henning on attending law classes at night at the recommendation of Harry S. Truman

01:11

Irene Ryan

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Paul Henning on casting Irene Ryan as "Granny" on The Beverly Hillbillies

02:01

Paul Henning on his thoughts on people with whom he's worked - Irene Ryan

00:41

James T. Aubrey

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Paul Henning on CBS' Jim Aubrey immediately picking up The Beverly Hillbillies

02:15

Paul Henning on Jim Aubrey offering him a chance for a third series, which became Green Acres

02:08

Paul Henning on his thoughts on people with whom he's worked - Jim Aubrey

00:28

Jay Sommers

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Paul Henning on Jay Sommers' idea for Green Acres and Henning producing the series

05:48

Paul Henning on his thoughts on people with whom he's worked - Jay Sommers

00:37

Joe E. Brown

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Paul Henning on getting a job writing for Joe E. Brown

03:52

John F. Kennedy

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Paul Henning on high rated episodes of The Beverly Hillbillie s occurring shortly after JFK's assassination

01:45

John Rich

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Paul Henning on working with director John Rich on The Dennis Day Show

00:30

Max Baer

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Paul Henning on casting Max Baer as "Jethro Bodine" on The Beverly Hillbillies

01:16

Paul Henning on his thoughts on people with whom he's worked - Max Baer

01:43

Paul Henning on a picture of him with Buddy Ebsen and Max Baer

00:05

Michael Dann

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Paul Henning on his thoughts on people with whom he's worked - Michael Dann

00:10

Nancy Kulp

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Paul Henning on his thoughts on people with whom he's worked - Nancy Kulp

00:35

Ralph Levy

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Paul Henning on working with director Ralph Levy on the live television version of The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show

01:17

Paul Henning on his thoughts on people with whom he's worked - Ralph Levy

00:08

Ray Bolger

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Paul Henning on working with Ray Bolger on The Ray Bolger Show

00:54

Sharon Tate

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Paul Henning on Sharon Tate being considered for one of the daughters on Petticoat Junction

01:24

Sheldon Leonard

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Paul Henning on Sheldon Leonard asking him to write an episode of The Andy Griffith Show

01:55

Vic Mizzy

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Paul Henning on the theme songs to Green Acres, The Beverly Hillbillies, and Petticoat Junction

02:51

William S. Paley

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Paul Henning on believing that Bill Paley did not like The Beverly Hillbillies

00:53

Paul Henning on his thoughts on people with whom he's worked - William S. Paley

00:19