When the Hooterville Cannonball roared down the tracks in the iconic opening credits of Petticoat Junction from 1963 to 1970, it was like a warm invitation to families across America. Every week, viewers tuned in to visit the fictional town of Hooterville, where a spirited widow named Kate Bradley and her three beautiful daughters ran the Shady Rest Hotel. This wasn’t just any hotel—it was a place where laughter and love filled every corner, and where the charm of small-town life shone brightly.
Petticoat Junction was part of a wave of rural-themed shows that transformed television programming in the early 1960s. The series, created by the same team behind The Beverly Hillbillies and Green Acres, offered a refreshing break from the chaos of modern life. "There wasn’t any violence, swearing, or anything risqué," recalled Lori Saunders, who played the brunette Bobbie Jo, in an exclusive interview with Closer Weekly. "It was a wholesome show that families could enjoy together." And that’s exactly what it was—a show that brought people together, one episode at a time.
A Cast Like Family
The camaraderie among the cast and crew of Petticoat Junction was as genuine as the show itself. "We were one of the friendliest sets around," said Linda Kaye Henning, who played the red-haired tomboy Betty Jo. "We all got along so well." This bond wasn’t just professional—it was personal. The cast members became like a second family to one another, sharing both the joys and challenges of working on a long-running series.
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Of course, with such a close-knit group, there were moments of pure joy—and occasional mischief. Lori Saunders fondly remembered one church scene where laughter threatened to derail the entire production. "One of us would make another giggle, and then we’d all break out laughing," she said. "We couldn’t stop—we had to do five takes that day!" It’s these little moments that remind us how much fun the cast had together, even when the cameras were rolling.
Off-Screen Adventures
Lori also shared a hilarious story about a promotional event in Atlantic City. "We did a matinee and two evening shows with singing and a little dancing—it was a big blitz for Petticoat Junction," she recalled. "We were wearing these white, thigh-high boots, and by the end of the day, we were so tired of them. After the show, we took them off and dumped them in the ocean!" It’s stories like these that show just how much the cast let loose and enjoyed their time together, even when they weren’t in front of the camera.
A Bittersweet Farewell
Tragically, the show’s star, Bea Benaderet, who played the beloved Kate Bradley, passed away from lung cancer in 1968. Her illness was a difficult time for everyone involved, but her professionalism never wavered. "She had a tough time of it, but she was always a professional," Lori remembered. "Toward the end, we were shooting a scene, and her hand was shaking. I put my hand over hers, and we finished the scene that way." Bea’s strength and dedication left an indelible mark on the show and the people who worked on it.
