Frank Cady Was The Connecting Link Between Three Paul Henning Series

by: Nina Ross
April 25, 2023

Source: Everett Collection

Frank Cady was a beloved character actor who appeared in numerous television shows and films during his long career. But one of his most notable contributions to television was his role as Sam Drucker, a general store owner in three different television series created by Paul Henning. Cady’s character Sam was the connecting link between the three series, and his presence helped to tie them all together.

The first of these series was “The Beverly Hillbillies,” which premiered in 1962 and ran for nine seasons. The show followed the Clampett family, a group of backwoods hillbillies who struck it rich with oil and moved to Beverly Hills. Sam Drucker appeared in several episodes of the show, as the Clampetts frequently visited his store for supplies.
After “The Beverly Hillbillies” ended in 1971, Henning created another series, “Green Acres,” which premiered the same year. The show followed a wealthy couple, Oliver and Lisa Douglas, who give up their city life to live in the rural town of Hooterville. Cady’s character Sam Drucker appeared in nearly every episode of “Green Acres,” as he was the owner of the local general store.

Henning also created “Petticoat Junction,” which centered around the lives of the Shady Rest Hotel staff and guests. Cady’s character Sam Drucker was again a recurring character on the show, as his general store was a frequent destination for the characters on “Petticoat Junction.”

Cady’s character, Sam Drucker, was a unifying thread between the three shows. His character was consistent across all three shows, and he was often used to bridge the gap between the different storylines. For example, in an episode of “The Beverly Hillbillies,” Sam informs the Clampetts that the Douglas family from “Green Acres” has moved in nearby. This was a clever way to introduce the new series to “Beverly Hillbillies” fans, and to create a connection between the two shows.

Cady’s portrayal of Sam Drucker was warm and affable, and he brought a sense of familiarity and comfort to the shows he appeared in. His character was always reliable and trustworthy, and he was a friend to all the characters on the shows. Cady’s performance was so well-loved that he was even nominated for an Emmy Award for his role on “Green Acres.”