Homer Bedloe comes to Hooterville to stop the citizens from using the Cannonball during Christmas.
It's Xmas in Hooterville and when Kate and Billie-Jo kiss Sam Drucker and his box boy under the mistletoe (respectively), the guys are so wowed they each knock over a display of canned goods. Meanwhile, back at the C & FW Railroad, miserable Homer Bedloe plans a trip to Petticoat Junction just to ruin Xmas for its' residents.
Floyd can't help getting on Charlie's nerves as per usual. Later Uncle Joe and Charlie fight over a Santa Claus suit. When Bedloe arrives, everyone waits on him hand and foot and Bobbie-Jo (Pat Woodell in this episode) serenades him with "O Come All Ye Faithful" sung in Latin.
When Mr. Curtis' secretary clues him in, he selflessly takes a chopper to save the Bradleys' Xmas from "The Original Mister Mean". It's funny when Uncle Joe mistakes him for a hobo, but Kate recognizes Mr. Curtis immediately and Bedloe gets punished by being made to play Santa. It all ends with nighttime shots of the decorated train chugging through the valley as everyone sings Xmas carols while aboard. We don't get to see the cast, though, which is too bad.
Overall, just an average Xmas episode. We don't see enough of the girls and there are no scenes at the Shady Rest until halfway in. This episode would be remade word-for-word in 1966 Season 4 with a few tweaks and a couple of new bits added. The color version looks more festive and Bedloe ends up having to wear a more ridiculous costume, so if you only pick one to watch, skip this and watch Season 4's "The Santa Claus Special" instead. 6/10.