The evolution of the Bradley girls on 'Petticoat Junction'

The television series PETTICOAT JUNCTION aired on CBS from September 1963 to April 1970. The action takes place at the Shady Rest Hotel, which is run by Kate Bradley,(Bea Benaderet) her uncle Joe Carson,(Edgar Buchannan), and her three daughters Billie Jo, Bobbie Jo, and Betty Jo who were portrayed by multiple actresses. The show was produced by Paul Henning, who was also responsible for GREEN ACRES, and THE BEVERLY HILLBILIES.

The name PETTICOAT JUNCTION came from the fact that the Bradley sisters would swim in the water tower and leave their petticoats hanging over the side. The Shady Rest was based on a real hotel that was run by the grandmother of Ruth Henning, who was Paul's wife. Their daughter Linda Kaye Henning is the only actress to portray Betty Jo Bradley during the series run. There were 2 actresses to play Bobbie Jo and 3 who portrayed Billie Jo.

In addition to PETTICOAT JUNCTION Linda Kaye Henning had roles in the movies REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE, BUS STOP, and GIDGET. She was also a dancer in the 1963 Columbia Pictures film BYE BYE BIRDIE. She appeared in a number of musicals, including HIGH BUTTON SHOES, BRIGADOON and THE SOUND OF MUSIC. During the 1960s through the 1980s. Henning was on many television programs including ADAM 12, HAPPY DAYS, MORK AND MINDY, THE FACTS OF LIFE, THE ED SULLIVAN SHOW, THE BEVERLY HILLBILIES where she did the voice of Jethrine Bodine.

The actress was also in SLIDERS, HUNTER, and CAPITOL and made many TV appearances from the 1960s through the 1980s. She was on a variety of programs, including The Ed Sullivan Show, Adam-12, Happy Days, Mork & Mindy, The Facts of Life and The Tonight Show. She provided the voice of Jethrine Bodine in The Beverly Hillbillies. She made dramatic appearances in Hunter and Capitol and in Sliders as Mrs. Mallory.

The first actresses to portray Bobbie Joe Bradley was Pat Woodell After leaving PETTICOAT JUNCTION, Woodell had guest roles on an episode of THE HOLLYWOOD PALACE In 1965 and also in The MUNSTERS in 1966. She toured as a singer, with Jack Benny, and later recorded an album, but did not achieve fame as a vocalist. In 1969 she was the voice of Bunny in several LOONEY TUNES episodes and made her film debut THE BIG DOLL HOUSE In 1971.

She was also in the movies THE WOMAN HUNT (1972), THE TWILIGHT PEOPLE (1972), CLASS OF 1974 (1972), and The ROOMATES (1973). Woodall retired in 1973 after appearing in an episode of THE NEW PERRY MASON, titled The Case of the Murdered Murderer. Although she never returned to acting Pat Woodall has done documentaries related to PETTICOAT JUNCTION. Lori Saunders replaced Woodall in 1965 and she also portrayed Bobbie Jo in 3 episodes of GREEN ACRES and 7 episodes of THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES. From 1972-1973 she had a role in DUSTY'S TRAIL.

Jeannine Brooke Riley was the first Billie Joe. She also appeared in guest roles on television shows such as THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E and THE WILD WILD WEST. She was in the feature films THE COMIC, THE MOUTH , ELECTRA GLIDE IN BLUE and FEVER HEAT. Riley left PETTICOAT JUNCTION in 1965 to pursue the movies already mentioned as well as others. She also was a regular cast member role on the comedy variety series HEE HAW.

The second Bobbie Joe Bradley was Gunilla Hutton who also went on to have a role in HEE HAW. Hutton also appeared in MURDER CAN HURT YOU, PERRY MASON and THE LOVE BOAT. She also was in a MeTV President no with Linda Kay Henning and Lord Saunders. Hutton n as also known for having an affair with singer Nat King Cole white left the actress and returned the happy s when fe Maria after being diagnosed with lung cancer.

The third and final Billie Jo was Meredith McCraewhose parents were actors Gordon and Sheila McCrae. Meredith had the role of Sally on MY THREE SONS from 1963-1965. She took over as Kate Bradley’s daughter to replace Gunilla Hutton and remained until the series ended. Macrae made guest appearances on such shows as THE DONALD OCONNER SHOW,(1968) THE DEAN MARTIN SHOW (1971); THE F.B.I.; THE MIKE DOUGLAS SHOW, THE ROCKFORD FILES, WEBSTER, FANTASY ISLAND, MAGNUM, LOVE, AMERICAN STYLE, AND CHIPS.WEbSTER. and CHiPS.

An interesting fact about the Bradley girls is that Linda Kaye Henning who remained as Betty Jo through the entire series was a redhead. Both women who portrayed Bobbie Jo were brunettes and all 3Billie Jo's were blonde. Petticoat Junction can currently be seen on MeTV as well as the Roku streaming service. Meredith MacRae is the only one of the Bradley sisters who is deceased. She passed away on July 14, 2000.