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The Andy Griffith Show: Season 01
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The Andy Griffith Show [TV Series]
The pilot for the long-running CBS sitcom The Andy Griffith Show was seen on February 15, 1960, as an episode of The Danny Thomas Show, "Danny Meets Andy Griffith." As originally conceived, Andy Taylor (Andy Griffith) was not only the sheriff of the sleepy North Carolina town of Mayberry, but he was also the mayor, justice of the peace, and newspaper editor. Child actor Ronny Howard (who, as Ron Howard, would in adulthood enjoy a spectacularly successful career as a film director) was seen in the pilot as the widowed Andy's son Opie, but Frances Bavier played an entirely different role than she would in the actual series, while Frank Cady rather than Hal Smith was cast as town drunk Otis Campbell. While there would be changes in concept and casting, the laid-back character of Andy Taylor "clicked" with TV audiences, ensuring that The Andy Griffith Show would join the Monday night CBS lineup come October 3, 1960. Introduced as regulars during season one were of course Andy Griffith, Ronny Howard, and Frances Bavier (now as Aunt Bee, housekeeper for Andy and Opie Taylor), with the significant and salutary addition of Don Knotts as Andy's tightly wound deputy Barney Fife. The rapport between Andy and Barney contributed mightily to the series' success during its shakedown season, with nominal leading character Andy often voluntarily taking a back seat to Barney's overzealous antics. Subsequent additions to the cast included Jim Nabors as bucolic gas station attendant Gomer Pyle (later spun off into his own series, Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.); George Lindsey as Gomer's cousin, Goober Pyle; Howard McNear as dithery barber Floyd Lawson; and Hal Smith as the aforementioned Otis Campbell. Taking advantage of Andy Taylor's widower status, the series' writers tried to pair the character off with a number of eligible young ladies, beginning in the first season with Elinor Donahue as drugstore sales clerk Ellie Walker. But only when Aneta Corsaut joined the cast as Opie's schoolteacher Helen Crump did Andy find the "right" girl. Indeed, Andy and Helen would become engaged during the series' final season. Conversely, Barney Fife had but one steady girlfriend, Thelma Lou, played by Betty Lynn. Don Knotts left the series at the outset of its sixth season (the show switched from black-and-white to color at the same time); it was explained that Barney had accepted a deputy position in Raleigh, permitting Knotts to make a handful of memorable return guest appearances. Barney was briefly replaced by Deputy Warren Ferguson, played by Jack Burns; later on, Goober Pyle became Andy's unofficial deputy. The post-Don Knotts episodes brought forth several other new recurring characters: Jack Dodson as town clerk Howard Sprague, Paul Hartman as handyman Emmet Clark, and Hope Summers as Aunt Bee's best friend, Clara. During the Emmy-winning series' eighth season, Andy Griffith decided to leave the show. At this point, Ken Berry was added to the cast as widowed farmer and later town councilman Sam Jones, with Buddy Foster as Sam's son Mike and Arlene Golonka as Sam's girlfriend, Millie Hutchins. After the final telecast of The Andy Griffith Show on September 16, 1968, the series continued for three additional seasons under the title Mayberry RFD, with Ken Berry taking over as star and with most of the familiar Andy Griffith Show supporting characters still in attendance. One of the most consistently popular sitcoms of all time, The Andy Griffith Show lasted 249 half-hour episodes, and also spawned the high-rated 1986 TV movie Return to Mayberry. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Includes Seasons:
The Andy Griffith Show: Season 01
The "ensemble" feel of The Andy Griffith Show has not entirely solidified during the series' first season on CBS. Thus, we find more episodes centering exclusively around the character of Mayberry, NC sheriff Andy Taylor (Andy Griffith) than would be customary in later seasons. Still, there is plenty of time for the series' secondary characters to shine, notably Don Knotts as Andy's uptight, overzealous deputy Barney Fife (identified as Andy's cousin in the episode "The Manhunt," a familial link that would be ignored and forgotten as the series rolled on). Also allowed to take center stage from time to time are the widowed Andy's young son Opie (Ronny Howard) and Andy and Opie's housekeeper, Aunt Bee (Frances Bavier), who is "hired" in the series' very first episode. Throughout season one, the writers endeavor to develop a romance between Andy Taylor and Ellie May Walker (Elinor Donahue), a headstrong and highly intelligent young woman who clerks at her uncle's drugstore. Evidently, however, the sparks never flew, and Ellie would be written off the show by season's end. Introduced as part of CBS' powerhouse Monday night sitcom lineup (all of them sponsored by General Foods), The Andy Griffith Show ended its first season as the nation's fourth most popular series. As a bonus, Don Knotts picked up the first of his five Emmy awards for Outstanding Performance in a Supporting Role." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Includes Episodes:
The Andy Griffith Show: Bringing up Opie
Season One of The Andy Griffith Show came to a close on May 22, 1961, with the episode titled "Bringing Up Opie." Aunt Bee decides that Opie shouldn't be spending so much time hanging around the town jail where his sheriff father Andy works. Her opinion seems to be confirmed when Opie ends up handcuffing one of his playmates to the school flagpole. Eventually, though, Aunt Bee realizes that it is better to keep Andy and Opie together as much as possible. "Bringing Up Opie" was written by Jack Elinson and Charles Stewart. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
The Andy Griffith Show: Opie's Charity
Sheriff Andy is coaxed into heading the fund-raising campaign for the children's charity established by Annabelle Silby (Lurene Tuttle), the wealthiest woman in Mayberry. Reasoning that charity begins his home, Andy scolds his son Opie for contributing a puny three cents to the charity. Andy soon discovers to his embarrassment that, in his own small way, Opie is actually the most charitable and generous person in town. First telecast November 28, 1960, "Opie's Charity" was written by Arthur Stander. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
The Andy Griffith Show: The New Housekeeper
Originally telecast October 3, 1960, the first episode of The Andy Griffith Show was titled "The New Housekeeper." The title character is of course Aunt Bee, played by Frances Bavier. Though Sheriff Andy Taylor welcomes Aunt Bee's arrival, his son Opie is not so enthusiastic: after all, previous housekeeper Rose knew how to train frogs, while Bee simply despises amphibians. By episode's end, however, both Opie and Aunt Bee have formed a strong mutual admiration society. "The New Housekeeper" was written by Jack Elinson and Charles Stewart. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
The Andy Griffith Show: The Manhunt
When a notorious criminal escapes from the state prison, Mayberry sheriff Andy Taylor (Andy Griffith) and his deputy, Barney Fife (Don Knotts), offer their assistance in tracking down the fugitive. Though the state troopers initially laugh off the bucolic Andy and Barney (especially after Barney not only allows the crook to slip through his fingers, but also gets bound and gagged for his troubles), they soon learn to appreciate Andy's uncanny ability to outguess and outsmart the outlaw. When this episode was originally broadcast on October 10, 1960, the TV Guide listings suggested that the fugitive was none other than town drunk Otis Campbell (Hal Smith), an error the magazine would not make in the future. As a further trivia note, this is the episode which established that Barney is Andy's cousin. "The Manhunt" was written by Jack Elinson and Charles Stewart. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
The Andy Griffith Show: The Guitar Player
James Best makes the first of two Andy Griffith Show appearances as itinerant guitarist Jim Lindsey. Tossed in the Mayberry jail, Jim is afforded an opportunity to crack the Big Time when Sheriff Andy Taylor "coincidentally" places the members of the Bobby Fleet Band-including Bobby (Henry Slate) himself-in an adjoining cell on a parking violation. Like many another first-season episode, this one was written by Jack Elinson and Charles Stewart. "The Guitar Player" originally aired on October 17, 1960. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
The Andy Griffith Show: Ellie Comes to Town
The people of Mayberry tend to be a bit resistant when an "outsider" sets up shop in town. Thus, several locals look askance when Ellie May Walker (Elinor Donahue), niece of the local druggist, takes charge of Walker's Drug Store. Almost immediately, Ellie's "modern" notions rub the traditionalist townsfolk the wrong way; for example, she refuses to sell sugar pills to the town's resident hypochondriac. Attempting to straighten things out, Sheriff Andy realizes that his interest in Ellie is more than professional. Written by Jack Elinson and Charles Stewart, "Ellie Comes to Town" first aired on October 24, 1960. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
The Andy Griffith Show: Irresistible Andy
Sheriff Andy mistakenly believes he can second-guess the opposite sex in general and Ellie Walker in particular. Convinced that Ellie is trying to snare him into marriage, Andy escorts her to the church picnic and encourages three local bachelors to woo her away. When Ellie finds out what's up, she and Andy's son Opie conspire to teach the misguided Sheriff a good lesson. First broadcast on October 31, 1960, "Irresistible Andy" was written by David Adler. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
The Andy Griffith Show: Runaway Kid
Opie befriends 8-year-old runaway George "Tex" Foley (Pat Rosson-and also forms a strong bond with George's pet frog. Having been told by his father Andy to always keep his word, Opie dutifully refuses to divulge the fact that George has run away from home. An embarrassed Andy must set things right without disillusioning his son. First broadcast on November 7, 1960, "Runaway Kid" was written by Arthur Stander. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
The Andy Griffith Show: Andy the Matchmaker
Deputy Barney wants to ask Rosemary Benton (Amzie Strickland) for a date, but lacks the courage to do so. Sheriff Andy decides that Barney needs a quick and instant jolt of self-confidence. To that end, Andy and Ellie concoct a phoney crime that will transform Barney into a hero. "Andy the Matchmaker" was written by Arthur Stander, who penned several of the series' first-season installments. The episode first aired on November 14, 1960-at which time the TV Guide listed mistakenly noted that Andy played matchmaker for Barney and Ellie (who, of course, was the Sheriff's gal!) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
The Andy Griffith Show: A Feud is a Feud
Mountaineer Josh Wakefield (Arthur Hunnicutt) wants to get hitched to his sweetheart Hannah Hoskins (Tammy Windsor). Alas, the Wakefields and the Hoskins have long been engaged in a feud, which though no longer a shootin' war is still churning up bad blood. Hoping to patch up the feud, Andy uses a bit of radical reverse psychology on Josh and Hannah's respective fathers. Written by David Adler, "A Feud is a Feud" originally aired on December 5, 1960. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

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Andy Griffith Show: The Complete Series 1-8 [40 Discs] DVD

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