Former TV Star's Plans For Beverly Hillbillies Casino

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed)
Aug 21st 2009 at 10:01AM

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.

Tags: beverly hillbillies, BeverlyHillbillies, casino, max baer jr, MaxBaerJr, nevada, sparks

Filed under: Real Estate Developments

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Reader Comments (Page 2 of 3)

albinder Aug 21st 2009 3:54PM

good luck a casino gm with a great track record is living close by he is retired but might want the challange his name is howard reinhardt he lives in minden was vp for horizon in tahoe

lee scott Aug 21st 2009 4:01PM

Max is a good man....Count me in on a visit to his new enterprise.

Josie Aug 21st 2009 4:11PM

Nevada is now longer a place to throw your money away. It's Vegas and Atlantic City now. Even better, the Indian Casinos in California offer more.

Souettelee Aug 21st 2009 4:23PM

Where's your schooling? Were you 25 in the fifth grade with Jethro? Las Vegas IS in Nevada!!
Go for it Max...and be sure that YOU visit often and are highly visible among the players. Get ready for the cameras because your character is still loved, still famous and still getting laughs. Thanks to adding to some light-hearted evenings at my house. Good luck to you.

Babs Sep 30th 2009 9:28PM

Been to the Indian Casinos in CA, didn't have a good time. Love Reno, Sparks and Carson City. Vegas is ok if you go off the strip. I have been waiting for this new casino and get online every once in awhile to see what the progress is. Now I see he is trying to open in Spraks. I will be a vistor. Love the show love the idea of the casino. Go for it Max.

ibvinniep Aug 21st 2009 4:15PM

Great idea!! I will visit.

GB Aug 21st 2009 4:15PM

I love the Beverly Hillbilles, and I watch it every chance that I get!! The show is a Classic!! Great for Max Baer, and I hope that everything works out for him. Although I am not a gambler, I would make a special trip to visit his casino!! Maybe he will offer the public the opportunity to buy shares so he can expand the Brand and offer more outlets. I'd probably be willing to invest and buy some shares!! I think he has a great idea for a themed casino!!

tetonauto Aug 21st 2009 4:38PM

He wrote and produced "Macon County Line" AND produced "Ode To Billie Joe" Who knew Jethro had some smarts.................... He just might pull this off.

LARRY SULLIVAN Aug 21st 2009 5:20PM

The Beverly Hillbillies is one of the greatest television sitcoms ever created.
I grew up in that era when the show was current, and me and my family would all gather around our 12 inch black and white television set, which got channels 2-4-5-7-11 and 20 and 44 if the rabbit ears were turned at the perfect angle.
Jethro was a classic character: unique in the annals of television history.
I would definitely spend some bucks at his casino; if just to sit in a lounge chair at the cement pond. How dumb--or should I say, how naive--was that? The cement pond. Ha ha ha.

jeannette clark Aug 21st 2009 4:53PM

I love Jethro and the Beverly Hillbillies! Good Memories from my childhood!!

daniel barwacz Aug 22nd 2009 6:16AM

Will Aunt Pearl run the brothel

elena Aug 21st 2009 5:25PM

i think it's a pretty cute idea....how refreshing to hear something that sounds like GOOD news for a change

mslong333 Aug 21st 2009 5:30PM

BRAVVO.. MAX I HOPE YOU GET IT OFF THE GROUND.
.. I'LL JUUST MOSSE ON DOWN THER FROM BEVERLY HILLS

DON'T FORGET THE MS JANE .....SLOT MACHINES... WE know THAT THE MR. DRYSDALE WON'T PAY..SMILE

GOOD LUCK..cute idea

Angela Aug 21st 2009 5:58PM

I understand Max Baer, Jr., to be a good businessman, but I hope he steers clear of Miss Hathaway's Bordello and Jethrene's Beauty Boutique! Ahh haa ha! Seriously, I hope he has some serious investors on board. This will require a huge initial investment, and sounds like it will take a long time to recoup his bucks... if he can. I hope it doesn't come back to bite him in the britches.

Peggy Aug 21st 2009 6:01PM

Pa would be real proud!

harm Aug 21st 2009 7:17PM

I have a generally positive view of "The Beverly Hillbillies" and the cast. I wish
Mr. Baer the best, certainly, but opening a casino? In THIS economic climate?
I fear this plan is going nowhere. I used to love going to Reno and Vegas, and
losing a couple hundred bucks, but no more. Since the casinos decided to try and
squeeze every last dollar from visitors, it's no longer a good deal. (And at least in
Vegas, beware the 'resort fee', added to your bill at checkout....which was somehow
not mentioned at check in.)

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 !

donald Aug 21st 2009 7:21PM

it about time that the show got it fame from one of it's fellow show man perhaps it will be a big smash the show rand for some time and the people went on to play in other show as well and the people in time come to love them short brief and to the point it 's about time jetthro took the lead and did some thing about this hop he is able to complete his hop wish and dream donald kunkel (doni1157@aol.com) napa california 94558