As a member of the much lamented ‘Baby Boomer’ generation I grew up watching television. We may have been the first generation that could make such a claim but where certainly not the last. We were, however, the only generation that also watched television itself, grow up. Viewers of this new age of technological need to understand this before judging the series we loved as kids. By current standards most of these shows were corny and held to a predicable formula. Still, this is what shaped our young minds and began a lifetime of viewing. In the mid sixties the world was deeply problematic. Only a short time before the cold war almost erupted into an all out nuclear war and the President of the United States was murdered. Brutal images of an unpopular war dominated the evening news and the youth of the nation were protesting. What many Americans wanted after dinner was some mindless relief from the woes that surrounded them so they turned to the television sit-com for relief. While members of today’s more sophisticated and technologically advanced generation mat scoff at such faire it elicits a warm, comfortable nostalgic feeling for those of us that remember the first airings of these shows. One of the greatest uses for DVDs is how the studios are able to release these cherished childhood memories. One such series that has become part of the ever expanding release set from CBS Paramount is ‘Petticoat Junction’. Sure it was silly and predicable but like a pint of ice cream after a hard day at work it was much needed comfort food.

In this second season DVD set the cast receives a slight addition; I perky little dog. It appears that a trio of pretty girls and some quirky old men wasn’t enough and there is nothing; like a frisky little pouch to add a mischief factor. The dog in question shows up on the second season opener following Betty Jo. Naturally mom is initially against him staying but Betty Jo and her sisters manage to get there way. ‘Dog’ as he is called gets center stage in several subsequent episodes including one where he becomes a finalist for a dog food commercial. The other story lines typically follow the down home, rural motifs mandated by the premise. Kate becomes upset when Betty Jo gets her first job. It turns out that it is as a secretary of an author whose books are banned in ‘Hooterville’. Other long standing rural themes round out the season with stories including setting up a mobile library in the baggage car of the ‘Cannonball’ the ‘Hooterville’ volunteer fire department and several instance of long standing interpersonal feuds. There is also the return of the recurring nemesis, Homer Bedloe (Charles Lane), an executive for the Cannonball’s owner, the C&FW Railroad. He has been trying unsuccessfully to shut down the unprofitable spur for over a year but only managed to humiliate himself.

This DVD release from CBS Paramount is called the ‘official’ second season. Many early episodes slipped out of copyright into the public domain resulting in numerous unsanctioned releases. Most were made from old video tape or some other substandard source giving horrible results. The episodes here show some signs of age but for the most part are crisp and clear with very good audio. There are also new cast interviews an introduction to help get you back to the sixties. This show remain gentle wholesome family entertainment well worth having.