Petticoat Junction backdrop
Comedy•Family

The Best Episodes of Petticoat Junction

Every episode of Petticoat Junction ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Petticoat Junction!

Binge this in 3d 9h•Peaking at 8.3/10

The Bradley family are proud owners of the Shady Rest Hotel. Kate and her three young daughters do the job of running the hotel.

Airs on
CBS
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons7

All1234567

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Click to reveal
    Petticoat Junction Season 5 Episode 9 - With This Gown I Thee Wed
    8.3/10(56 votes)

    #1 - With This Gown I Thee Wed

    S5:E9

    In this touching episode, Betty Jo finds what she thinks is the perfect wedding dress. Kate was hoping that Betty Jo would wear her old dress. When Kate sees that her daughter has bought a dress she doesn't mention hers. Uncle Joe has also bought a wedding dress. Kate's cousin Mae comes bearing yet another wedding dress for Betty Jo. Neither Uncle Joe or Mae are aware that Betty Jo has bought her own dress. As much as she loves both Uncle Joe and Mae, neither of the dresses they got for her are her style. But she doesn't have the heart to tell them that she has a dress for fear of hurting their feelings. Billie Jo thinks she has the solution to all of Betty Jo's wedding gown problems. It's one that will make Kate very happy.

    Director:Ralph Levy
    Writer:Joanna Lee

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. Petticoat Junction Season 5 Episode 27 - Cannonball for Sale
    8.2/10(45 votes)

    #2 - Cannonball for Sale

    S5:E27

    The Cannonball arrives at the Shady Rest with a "For Sale" sign and Homer Bedloe. The train will go to the highest bidder. One bid has already come in from a junk dealer who wants it for scrap. Bedloe also tells them that the sale is out of his hands because the C & FW Railroad has been sold to the H. Greene Company. The people of the valley decide to try and raise the money to outbid the junk dealer. They find out that bid is higher than what they can possibly raise. Uncle Joe and Sam decide to go to Chicago and meet with H. Greene. They discover that H. Greene is Henrietta Greene. Once Henrietta realizes how much the Cannonball means to the valley, she calls off the sale.

    Director:Ralph Levy
    Writers:Charles Stewart, Dick Conway

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. Petticoat Junction Season 5 Episode 5 - Pop Goes the Question
    8.1/10(49 votes)

    #3 - Pop Goes the Question

    S5:E5

    Uncle Joe tells Kate that he believes that Steve and Betty Jo will get married sooner rather than later. Steve implies to Kate that he does intend to marry Betty Jo. Kate doesn't know what to think as she still sees Betty Jo as her little girl. After a chat with Sam, Kate decides to give Steve her blessing to propose. Steve, who is pretty sure that Betty Jo will say yes, still has a small part of him that is afraid she'll say no. Steve may have to hurry because Uncle Joe learns what's going on and the news could soon be all over the valley. One thing or another keeps preventing Steve from asking the question. But just before the news breaks wide open, Steve asks Betty Jo and she says yes.

    Director:Ralph Levy
    Writers:Charles Stewart, Dick Conway

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. Petticoat Junction Season 1 Episode 4 - Is There a Doctor in the Roundhouse?
    8.0/10(138 votes)

    #4 - Is There a Doctor in the Roundhouse?

    S1:E4

    Norman Curtis, who has fallen in love with life at the Shady Rest, is still staying there for free without Kate yet knowing his true identity. He accidentally breaks the throttle handle of the Hooterville Cannonball and folks can't get to Kate's annual Shady Rest Jamboree. Norman decides to come clean about his identity. The problem is no one believes him. In fact, they all believe he's crazy. But the executive tries to make amends with a determined effort to obtain the nearly-nonexistent replacement part. Norman brings three of his friends in to help, who everyone also think are hobos. Thanks to Norman, the Jamboree is a success.

    Director:David Alexander
    Writers:Seaman Jacobs, Ed James

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. Petticoat Junction Season 2 Episode 28 - Bedloe Gets His Comeuppance
    8.0/10(55 votes)

    #5 - Bedloe Gets His Comeuppance

    S2:E28

    In this second half of a two-part story, Homer Bedloe has controlling interest in the Pixley Bank and has fired its President, Mr. Guerney. He has decided not only to foreclose on Kate's mortgage, but foreclose on all the bad mortgages in the valley. That will make the Cannonball's services useless. The Shady Rest is going to host a Monte Carlo night as a modest fundraiser. Whoever wins the most fake money by the end of the evening wins the secret grand prize. Betty Jo's friend Willie gets vibrations off of the roulette wheel and can guess the number every spin. Uncle Joe wants send Willie to Vegas to win enough money to solve all their problems. With Willie's help, Kate comes up with a plan to save the valley and get rid of Bedloe.

    Director:Richard L. Bare
    Writers:Jay Sommers, Lou Huston

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. Petticoat Junction Season 4 Episode 10 - Twenty-Five Years Too Late
    8.0/10(36 votes)

    #6 - Twenty-Five Years Too Late

    S4:E10

    Kate's first boyfriend, Walter O'Connor, who is now a major league baseball manager, is coming to stay at the Shady Rest. While Kate is excited to see Walter, she is still just as anxious and nervous about him actually asking her to marry him. Regardless of Walter's intentions, his being there makes Sam come to the realization that he too has feelings for Kate. Walter proposes to Kate, but she turns him down.

    Director:Ezra Stone
    Writer:Charles Stewart

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 WORST Episodes of Petticoat Junction

    READ
  7. Petticoat Junction Season 4 Episode 17 - Girls! Girls! Girls!
    8.0/10(52 votes)

    #7 - Girls! Girls! Girls!

    S4:E17

    Jealousy will permeate the Shady Rest Hotel. After he agrees to go to the turnabout dance with Bobbie Jo, Tommy Johnson has to back out due to another commitment. As Billie Jo and Steve recently had a fight and Billie Jo isn't speaking to him anymore, Bobbie Jo feels that Steve is fair game. Steve accepts Bobbie Jo's invitation. Tommy tells Bobbie Jo that he now can make it to the dance since the other commitment is no more. Since she already has a date with Steve, she now refuses Tommy. Feeling Tommy is now fair game, Betty Jo wants to ask him to the dance. Tommy says yes to Betty Jo's invitation. The problem with these pairings is that the girls are now jealous about each others boyfriends. Add to the mix Jerry Massett, a mechanic friend of Steve's from his air force days, who is visiting Hooterville. Jerry ends up asking a free Billie Jo to the dance, which makes Steve jealous. A storm helps the girls get together with their proper boyfriends.

    Director:Charles Barton
    Writers:Charles Stewart, Dick Conway

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. Petticoat Junction Season 5 Episode 13 - A Horse On You, Mr. Bedloe
    8.0/10(41 votes)

    #8 - A Horse On You, Mr. Bedloe

    S5:E13

    Kate receives a surprisingly sweet letter from Homer Bedloe saying he will be coming to the Shady Rest for a few days. Kate is suspicious. Upon his arrival, Bedloe is as sweet as his letter. He tells Kate that the reason for his visit is that a valuable race horse is being transported from Hooterville to Pixley on the Cannonball. He wants to be around to make sure all goes smoothly. Ray Rogers, the race horse owner, tells Kate that the horse is being transported to a county fair. But when Kate sees the broken down nag that they are calling a race horse, Kate knows that Bedloe and Rogers are working together. Kate figures out Bedloes and Rogers' scheme and also figures out a way to foil his plan.

    Director:Ralph Levy
    Writer:Dick Conway

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. Petticoat Junction Season 6 Episode 1 - Birthplace of a Future President
    8.0/10(49 votes)

    #9 - Birthplace of a Future President

    S6:E1

    Betty Jo's due date is fast approaching. Everyone is excited that another baby will being born in the valley and be delivered by Doc Stuart. Steve throws everyone for a loop when he announces that he wants the baby to be born in a fancy hospital that's far away. While Betty Jo would rather stay in Hooterville, she knows that Steve only wants what's best for her. The townsfolk see Betty Jo leaving as a slight on the valley and as such they decide to snub Betty Jo and Steve. Steve reconsiders when he sees Doc Stuart in action. Meanwhile, Wendell Gibbs, the new engineer of the Cannonball, is hoping people will start calling him "Cannonball".

    Director:Ralph Levy
    Writers:Dick Conway, Charles Stewart

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. Petticoat Junction Season 6 Episode 4 - The Valley Has a Baby
    8.0/10(71 votes)

    #10 - The Valley Has a Baby

    S6:E4

    Betty Jo and Steve's baby is due anytime now. Steve thinks it's a good idea if they move back to the Shady Rest until the baby comes. Wendell has been on around the clock watch for the last week keeping the train engine stoked. But it's taking a toll on his body. Betty Jo is trying to hold off the baby's arrival as Billie Jo and Kate are out of town. When Betty Jo finally goes into labor, they can't wake Wendell up, so Betty Jo must work the Cannonball herself. Betty Jo has a baby girl and Billie Jo and Kate do make it back in time.

    Director:Ralph Levy
    Writers:Charles Stewart, Dick Conway

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. Petticoat Junction Season 1 Episode 1 - Spur Line to Shady Rest
    7.9/10(205 votes)

    #11 - Spur Line to Shady Rest

    S1:E1

    Homer Bedloe, trouble-shooter for the C&F W Railroad, is sent by railroad president Norman P. Curtis to the little community of Hooterville to find out why a branch line doesn't connect with the main line. The branch line carries the "Cannonball" train, and is vital to the Shady Rest Hotel, run by Kate Bradley, her three grown daughters and "Uncle Joe" Carson. If Bedloe succeeds in shutting down the Cannonball, Kate faces ruin. John Ashley appears as passenger Fred.

    Director:Richard Whorf
    Writer:Paul Henning

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. Petticoat Junction Season 1 Episode 3 - The President Who Came to Dinner
    7.9/10(147 votes)

    #12 - The President Who Came to Dinner

    S1:E3

    C&F W Railroad President Norman P. Curtis is incensed that ace troubleshooter Homer Bedloe utterly failed to scrap the Hooterville Cannonball. Taking matters into his own hands, he decides to do it himself, incognito. Although Curtis doesn't intend on appearing as such, he comes across to Kate and others in the valley as a hobo after he takes a tumble in a field, ripping and dirtying his suit and losing his wallet in the process. But, he has a change of heart when he experiences Kate's hospitality and kindness.

    Director:David Alexander
    Writers:Seaman Jacobs, Ed James

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. Petticoat Junction Season 1 Episode 14 - Cannonball Christmas
    7.9/10(143 votes)

    #13 - Cannonball Christmas

    S1:E14

    The Bradleys, Sam Drucker, Herby, Charlie and Floyd are decorating the Cannonball for its annual Christmas Eve trip of caroling, gift-giving and merriment around the valley. But, Homer Bedloe is determined to be a Scrooge and take possession of the train on Christmas Eve. Railroad President Norman Curtis finds out what Bedloe is up to and goes to Hooterville to stop him.

    Director:Guy Scarpitta
    Writers:Paul Henning, Mark Tuttle

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  14. Petticoat Junction Season 1 Episode 29 - Kate the Stockholder
    7.9/10(58 votes)

    #14 - Kate the Stockholder

    S1:E29

    Norman Curtis, President of the C&FW Railroad, is currently on vacation in Europe. He left instructions not to do anything to the Cannonball while he's gone. However, Homer Bedloe has a scheme to shut down the Cannonball for good. He hopes to do it without disobeying Curtis' orders. The plan entails Bedloe being appointed Superintendent of the Cannonball. He would then enforce an efficiency program with an impossible to meet new schedule. He expects Charley and Floyd will eventually just give up. Kate and the gang go to the stockholders meeting where she believes they've got a secret weapon to ruin Bedloe's plans.

    Director:David Alexander
    Writers:Jerry Seelen, Leo Rifkin

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  15. Petticoat Junction Season 2 Episode 1 - Betty Jo's Dog
    7.9/10(88 votes)

    #15 - Betty Jo's Dog

    S2:E1

    It's the first day of school and Kate is having trouble getting a couple of her daughters motivated to go. Betty Jo has a new friend, a little dog that follows her back from school. Kate refuses to let Betty Jo keep the dog, despite it being cute and well trained. Kate believes that he must belong to someone. Betty Jo brings him back to school, but he stills follows her home. Kate decides to let the dog stay until the owner claims him or until the dog starts to cause problems for the family. The dog does end up causing some problems, but Kate has a change of heart and let's him stay.

    Director:Richard L. Bare
    Writers:Jay Sommers, Lou Huston

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  16. Petticoat Junction Season 2 Episode 9 - Bedloe's Nightmare
    7.9/10(56 votes)

    #16 - Bedloe's Nightmare

    S2:E9

    Billie Jo is upset that the Cannonball is late and she believes it has outlived its usefulness. Meanwhile, Homer Bedloe, the Hooterville Cannonball's arch-enemy, has been having terrible nightmares about the train. To get rid of them, his psychiatrist Dr. Leonard suggests that he "learn to love" the Cannonball. The Cannonball has been encountering some broken tracks. Kate decides to let the C&FW Railroad know. Bedloe writes back that he will fix the tracks. When Bedloe visits the Shadyrest Hotel, he is surprised how friendly everyone is being to him. Everyone except Uncle Joe. But Kate was just gas-lighting Bedloe and didn't really believe the change in him when he said he loved the train. She finds out Bedloe is planning to remove the old damaged tracks instead of replacing them to shut down the Cannonball. Kate comes up with a plan to stop him.

    Director:Richard L. Bare
    Writers:Jay Sommers, Lou Huston

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  17. Petticoat Junction Season 2 Episode 27 - Bedloe's Most Fiendish Scheme
    7.9/10(55 votes)

    #17 - Bedloe's Most Fiendish Scheme

    S2:E27

    Kate has a lot of outstanding debts, plus she hasn't made a mortgage payment in six months. Mr. Guerney, the President of the Pixley Bank, informs her that there is a new majority shareholder of the bank. Because of this, she has two weeks to pay $138 on her mortgage or the bank will have to foreclose. Mr. Guerney didn't tell Kate that the majority shareholder is Homer Bedloe, who hopes to ruin Kate. The girls say they will get part time jobs to help raise the money. Kate gets a job as a short order cook, but she doesn't last long at it. Kate and the girls do come up with the amount needed, but some of it's in I.O.U.s. Bedloe says that isn't good enough and still wants to foreclose. Mr. Guerney comes up with a way to give Kate a little more time.

    Director:Richard L. Bare
    Writers:Jay Sommers, Lou Huston

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  18. Petticoat Junction Season 5 Episode 30 - Kate's Homecoming
    7.9/10(53 votes)

    #18 - Kate's Homecoming

    S5:E30

    In this valentine to Kate Bradley the citizens of Hooterville pull out all the stops to welcome Kate home, including a parade with floats, songs and fireworks. But first, arguments begin about where her official welcoming celebration will take place and who will preside over such an event. Mayor Potts wants to preside over it at a downtown location. Sam wants to preside over it outside his store. Selma wants to preside over it in her garden. And Joe wants to preside over it at the Shady Rest. They all wait for Kate's three o'clock arrival in front of Sam's store. Then they read her message to Uncle Joe and realize that Joe didn't read the part that said she will be arriving in Pixley. Amid the chaotic festivities, Kate muses "There's no doubt about it, I'm home.

    Director:Ralph Levy
    Writers:Charles Stewart, Dick Conway

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  19. Petticoat Junction Season 7 Episode 11 - Kathy Jo's First Birthday (1)
    7.9/10(43 votes)

    #19 - Kathy Jo's First Birthday (1)

    S7:E11

    Baby Kathy Jo almost misses her ffirst birthday party when she lands in jail with Uncle Joe.

    Director:Elliott Lewis
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  20. Petticoat Junction Season 2 Episode 20 - For the Birds
    7.8/10(48 votes)

    #20 - For the Birds

    S2:E20

    The Cannonball has temporarily ceased operations. The reason is a bird has built a nest on top of the smokestack and has laid five eggs. Charley and Floyd refuse to move the train until the eggs have hatched. They figure it will be two weeks before they hatch. When Homer Bedloe hears of this news, he is all in support of what Charley and Floyd are doing, he even puts an article in the paper about it. But he has a reason why he wants to help the birds: If the train doesn't run for two weeks, he can shut it down permanently. Homer shows up at the hotel and Kate is suspicious of his motives. Billie Jo and Betty Jo overhear Homer's plan and tell Kate. Kate comes up with a plan to save both the Cannonball and the birds.

    Director:Richard L. Bare
    Writer:Jay Sommers

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  21. Petticoat Junction Season 2 Episode 26 - The Black Box
    7.8/10(50 votes)

    #21 - The Black Box

    S2:E26

    Kate's spring cleaning coincides with the US Air Force doing maneuvers over the valley. Part of those maneuvers includes testing out a new high powered camera. It looks like an ordinary black box with wires coming out of it and is set to explode twelve hours after any unauthorized removal from the plane. Colonel Millbank, who is flying the aircraft, accidentally loses the camera. It winds up landing on the Shady Rest property. Joe finds it and thinking it might be valuable, brings to the hotel. But as often as Kate and the girls try to get rid of it, Dog keeps bringing it back. General Elmer Loomis and Millbank make it to Hooterville. With little time to spare, they get to the hotel and start searching for the box. Dog brings them the box with no time left. However, the box winds up being a dud and doesn't explode

    Director:Richard L. Bare
    Writers:Jay Sommers, Howard Harris

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  22. Petticoat Junction Season 3 Episode 18 - Billie Jo's Independence Day
    7.8/10(49 votes)

    #22 - Billie Jo's Independence Day

    S3:E18

    Billie Jo wants to move out of the hotel and into her own apartment in Pixley. Kate repeatedly says no. Kate finally gives in, but she has to approve of the place and the landlord. She only agreed because she believes there is not an apartment to be found in Pixley. However, Billie Jo finds a place that meets Kate's standards. After a few days, Billie Jo says she loves her independence, even though all the comforts of home are not quite there. But not long after she becomes homesick and finds a way to come back.

    Director:Dick Moder
    Writers:Al Schwartz, Lou Huston

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  23. Petticoat Junction Season 3 Episode 26 - The Windfall
    7.8/10(48 votes)

    #23 - The Windfall

    S3:E26

    The hotel is empty and bills piling up. In order to get some money, Kate suggests Uncle Joe find a paying job. Joe appears to be looking for a job, but he does his best not to get one. Joe takes a break in an empty lot in Pixley with Dog. While there, Dog digs up a tin can full of money. Uncle Joe doesn't tell Kate about the money, but Dog makes him feel guilty. Joe secretly pays off all of Kate's bills. Even though she doesn't know who to thank, Kate is surprised and happy. Uncle Joe learns that the money was probably stolen from the Crabwell Corners Bank. Joe takes what moneys left and returns it to the can. He then finds out that the stolen money was found somewhere else. But before he can get the money back, he hears that someone else's dog dug it up

    Director:Charles Barton
    Writers:Al Schwartz, Lou Huston

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  24. Petticoat Junction Season 4 Episode 11 - The Runt Strikes Back
    7.8/10(36 votes)

    #24 - The Runt Strikes Back

    S4:E11

    There's a dance on Saturday. Billie Jo and Bobbie Jo will only accept a date from either Steve or Don, the new young doctor in the valley. Neither Steve or Don have asked anyone to the dance yet. Billie Jo believes she has the right of first choice being the oldest. Left out is Betty Jo, who feels she has the right to be included in the dating discussion. Not wanting to take it anymore, Betty Jo decides to strike out on her own by moving out and getting a job. Through a series of misunderstandings, Billie Jo and Bobbie Jo wind up going to the dance with Eb and Betty Jo shows up with Steve and Don. It's not long before the girls are paired off with the boys they should've been with all along.

    Director:Charles Barton
    Writer:Dick Conway

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  25. Petticoat Junction Season 5 Episode 4 - You Know I Can't Hear You When the Thunder is Clapping
    7.8/10(43 votes)

    #25 - You Know I Can't Hear You When the Thunder is Clapping

    S5:E4

    While flying back from Springdale, Steve and Betty Jo are caught in an unexpected thunderstorm. Although there were some tense moments, Steve and Betty Jo make it down safely. The experience throws Steve and Betty Jo into each others' arms. Could it be that they are falling in love with each other. Betty Jo confides her feelings for Steve to her mother, who cautions her to take a wait and see approach. But Steve later confirms to Kate that he has feelings for Betty Jo as well. This could cause problems, especially with Billie Jo, who Steve has been going with for quite some time. Kate tells Billie Jo and Bobbie Jo, and surprisingly they are fine with it. Not wanting to hurt the family, Steve decides to leave. But fortunately something prevents him from doing so.

    Director:Ralph Levy
    Writers:Charles Stewart, Dick Conway

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Best Episodes Summary

"With This Gown I Thee Wed" is the best rated episode of "Petticoat Junction". It scored 8.3/10 based on 56 votes. Directed by Ralph Levy and written by Joanna Lee, it aired on 11/4/1967. This episode scored 0.1 points higher than the second highest rated, "Cannonball for Sale".