Andy Griffith Show Memories : Episode #10 - Ellie for Council
Ellie for Council
Overview
Ellie's decides to run for office, breaking the Mayberry tradition of previously having an all-male town council. Andy learns a lesson from Opie when he hears his own anti-female opinions repeated by his own son. After realizing the error of his ways, Andy speaks out in favor of Elliem which rallies the townspeople around her.
Episode Number: 10 Season Number: 1
First Aired: December 12, 1960
Writers: Jack Elinson, Charles Stewart
Director: Bob Sweeney
Cast/Crew/Guest Stars
- Andy Griffith (Andy Taylor)
- Ron Howard (Opie Taylor)
- Frances Bavier (Aunt Bee Taylor)
- Don Knotts (Barney Fife)
- Hal Smith (Otis Campbell)
- Elinor Donahue (Ellie Walker)
- Frank Ferguson (Sam Lindsey)
- Forrest Lewis (Angry Man)
- Mary Treen (Clara Lindsey)
- Dorothy Neumann (Rita Campbell)
- Florence MacMichael (Hilda Mae)
After learning that the Mayberry Town Council is comprised entirely of men and that no woman has been on the council or ever been considered, Ellie decides to throw her hat in the ring. This is much to the astonishment of every man in town, especially Andy. Despite their best efforts, Ellie gets on the ballot and has a decent chance of winning election. The men then come with a scheme to force their wives to give up their support of Ellie. The women quickly fire back with a plan of their own, which results in a full blown battle of the sexes. When it becomes clear that things are getting out of hand, Ellie withdraws her candidacy. When Opie boldly announces that the men showed the women who's really boss, Andy realizes the problems with his anti-female attitude and sets out make ammends. Allthough the outcome of the election is never revealed in the episode, Ellie is part of the town council in later episodes.
Notes/Trivia
- This episode turned out to be an early TV editorial on feminism. It was an example of how the show went beyond the perception that it was only a rural show by using universal themes.
- The series was filmed entirely in Hollywood, at Desilu Productions on the former RKO Pictures lot. Mayberry exteriors were shot on the former Selznick International Pictures lot, later known as Forty Acres. The rural fishing hole that opened each episode was Franklin Canyon Lake, just north of Beverly Hills. Franklin Canyon was also the site of the show's Myers Lake and other outdoor locales.
- The whistled theme song, "The Fishin' Hole" was composed by Earle Hagen (the music coordinator and famous whistler of the show) and Herbert Spencer, with unsung lyrics by Everett Sloane. Hagen also wrote the music for the series.
More From Mayberry
Come join in the fun of The Andy Griffith Show Online Hangman Game. It's therapetic! Just take the link below:
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Also see:
Episode #1 - The New Housekeeper
Episode #2 - The Manhunt
Episode #3 - The Guitar Player
Episode #4 - Ellie Comes to Town
Episode #5 - Irresistible Andy
Episode #6 - Runaway Kid
Episode #7 - Andy the Matchmaker
Episode #8 - Opie's Charity
Episode #9 - A Feud is a Feud
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