Former TV Star's Plans For Beverly Hillbillies Casino
Beverly Hillbillies star Max Baer Jr. may be a long way from his days on the popular 1960s sitcom but he hasn't given up the character of Jethro yet. Baer, who is 71, is looking into buying a closed hotel-casino in Sparks, Nevada and turning it into Jethro's Beverly Hillbillies Hotel and Casino. The mayor of the town says that Baer has met with city officials and councilmen on the possible purchase of what was the Silver Club. Baer already has a home at Lake Tahoe.The former actor has had this idea for a while and already had approval to build his casino in another location, next to a retail complex being built in northern Douglas County about 30 miles south of Reno and Sparks. But the construction of the retail complex has stalled and so Baer, who feels the pressure of age and the economy, is looking at other options.
The Silver Club is one is six Holder Hospitality casinos in Nevada that have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization and all the properties are for sale. Baer's casino plans as shown on his website include a facade that looks like the Beverly Hillbillies mansion and a large oil derrick sign. That sign would be a problem in Sparks because it would be 200 feet tall and the municipal code only allows signs that are about 50 feet tall. His desire to build a huge derrick with a flame on top kept him from building this project in Reno around 10 years ago.
According to his website the multi-million dollar project will feature unique applications of The Beverly Hillbillies theme including Granny's Shot Gun Weddin' Chapel, Jethro's All-You-Ken-Et Buffet, the Cement Pond, Granny's White Lightnin' Bar complete with rain & lightning, Elly May's Buns (Bakery), gourmet meals from Drysdales' Fancy Eatin' Fo Da Richins and Granny's Vittles & Hog Jowls Coffee Shop.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
matt s Aug 21st 2009 12:07PM
Max has been trying to do this for over a 13 years, a bot more than a while. Let's see, I'd go to a Beverly Hillbilly Casino because???? Forty years ago it would have been to see Ellie Mae in the topless revue, but now she probably looks like Grannie....
New York is where I'd rawther be.....oops, sorry, wrong crappy show.
Twinkle M. Wells Aug 21st 2009 5:14PM
Whewwwwww I had to laugh... that was so funny ! Wow u made my day.
John F.C. Taylor Aug 21st 2009 2:09PM
Some people are going to say, "why?". I think it should be "why not?". While not a big fan of the show myself, it had and still has quite a following. If he can get approval, I think it'd be popular. I do hope that he'll be smart enough to include memorabilia from the show. Sort of like the Hilton did with its Star Trek Experience.
Bruno Ronzoni Aug 21st 2009 2:15PM
Go for it Jethro! It sounds like a great idea. The key will be to provide service that is great enough to turn the one time curiousity seekers into regulars.
Mink Aug 22nd 2009 7:14PM
Jethrines Clothing Boutique. Aunt Pearl's Jewelry Palace,
EEEEE Doggie Hot Dogs, Miss Janes for Kids...
Gypsy Aug 21st 2009 7:23PM
He should hire you to head the project !! Great ideas! Reading them made me miss the show. I loved it when I was a kid, & I guess I still do ! How about Mr. Drysdale's " Bank " for all things money related, including cashing in your chips !
jondar Aug 21st 2009 2:36PM
Unlike celebs of this day and age where scandal follows scandal it is nice to remember a piece of our pasts when stars were humble and thankful for their fame and fortune. Max Baer has spent a lifetime in this industry and I never remember him giving it a black eye as he moved from actor to producer to director. No torrid love affairs with the babysitter, no romps in the jacuzzi with drugged underage girls, no drunken escapades while being arrested for driving under the influence, no desires to be on a reality tv show that makes him look like an attention seeking whore. In my book he should get all he aspires to attain. A kooky idea... maybe. But then again if I was in Sparks I'd probably visit.
Jo Ann Aug 21st 2009 6:49PM
I agree!
ohiodi Aug 21st 2009 7:17PM
Hell yes, I would go, why not? Some of the best casinos in Nevada are in small towns.
X Aug 21st 2009 2:40PM
Will there be a Petticoat Junction wet T-shirt contest?
mjdugan Aug 21st 2009 2:46PM
Yeah, just what Reno/Sparks needs to make it a little more "trailer". He's been trying to do this FOREVER, and there is a reason it keep failing. Max...no one cares about Beverly Hillbillies. :( really, they don't!
Dani Aug 21st 2009 5:14PM
You might not care, but I know a large number of people who do & would love to go. I remember watching the show as reruns growing up, and it might have been silly & ridiculous, but it was fun.
joe Aug 21st 2009 2:50PM
That part of Spark's is very popular-across the street form the Nuggent-I like the idea. Go for it Jethro!!!!
Alan Rosin Aug 21st 2009 3:10PM
So do you think Jethro will be the casino pit boss? No wait - a fry chef in the restaurant? Or will he fall back on the old standby "Hollywood movie pro-ducer"? Hot dog! See what a sixth grade education can do for a man? Hopes they has good victuals.
janie Aug 21st 2009 3:11PM
CUTE IDEA !!!
Mike Aug 21st 2009 3:20PM
As a gaming manager I'm all for it. Max is a good guy but the big casinos try and nix everything he or anyone else does...Due to the ecomomy here..I say it's gotta fly. The old Silver club was a dump. I'm sure it would be a boost for our economy here. I live a mile away and many casinos have shut down. It would be nice to see one open again. Besides..Anything is better than the Atlantis or Peppermill or Nugget for that matter. .
Barry Moore Aug 21st 2009 3:18PM
Gosh-Almighty folks, it sounds like a great idea. So many things from the show can be instilled.
Now, for others to buy the other casinos nearby. Then they can work together and get the bigger ones a run for their money.
S3EK_KTX2k7 Aug 21st 2009 3:23PM
Oh, this is a story about an addict named jed, who went to a casino and never kept his kin fed.
Mike Aug 21st 2009 3:24PM
As a gaming manager I'm all for it. Max is a good guy but the big
casinos try and nix everything he or anyone else does...Due to the
ecomomy here..I say it's gotta fly. The old Silver club was a dump.
I'm sure it would be a boost for our economy here. I live a mile away
and many casinos have shut down. It would be nice to see one open
again. Besides..Anything is better than the Atlantis or Peppermill or
Nugget for that matter. I'm sure Max would be a partner and more or less a greeter signing autographs to help business..I'm sure it would work.
sjannese Aug 21st 2009 3:35PM
weeeell doggies!!..........hey jethro,......i think your a-little-too-late for a casino in nevada..........i think-a-few went belly-up already.......whyn't ya fetch the truck and pick me elly-mae, and granny up.........WE'RE gonna go down to the commerce bank and get all our $$$$ out..........i think californny is goin ''under'' !!.............uncle Jed.