Andy Griffith Show Memories : Episode #20 - Andy Saves Barney's Morale
Andy Saves Barney's Morale
Overview
When Andy has to go out of town for half a day, he leaves Barney in charge as acting sheriff for the first time. This results in the jailing of a good part of the town and Barney being the butt of every joke. Andy has to take action to prove Barney's value to the town.
Episode Number: 20 Season Number: 1
First Aired: February 20, 1961
Writer: David Adler
Director: Bob Sweeney
Cast/Crew/Guest Stars
Ron Howard (Opie Taylor)
Don Knotts (Barney Fife)
Andy Griffith (Sheriff Andy Taylor)
Frances Bavier (Aunt Bee Taylor)
Hal Smith (Otis Campbell)
Howard McNear (Floyd Lawson)
Burt Mustin (Jud Fletcher)
Dick Elliott (Mayor Pike)
Florence MacMichael (Hilda Mae)
Joseph Hamilton (Chester Jones)
George Dunn (Pete)
Episode Summary
It's Barney's big chance - his first opportunity to be sheriff. Despite being reluctant to leave Barney in charge, Andy gives Barney a chance. He returns to Mayberry that afternoon to find things outside the courthouse quiet and peaceful. He congratulates Barn on a job well done. But it's a different story inside the courthouse. It seems that Barney has arrested about half the town! Having not been sworn in as Justice of the Peace, Barney was unable to process anyone and has them stuffed into the Mayberry's two cells like sardines in a can! The prisoners include the bank president, the Mayor, and even Opie and Aunt Bee. After Andy dismisses all charges for various reasons and sends everyone on their way, he convinces Barney to keep his chin up because it was his first time being sheriff and he's learned a lot about what not to do. Barney seems convinced but quickly finds that he's the laughing stock of the entire town, being made fun of and picked at almost constantly. The toll on Barney's pride is considerable, which culminates his decision to quit the force. However, Andy, realizing that most people don't realize how their friendly picking is hurting Barney, tells everyone in town he's got to fire Barney because he can't have a deputy that nobody respects. Andy's plan works perfectly! The townspeople start filing into the jail and arresting themselves in support of Barney.
Notes/Trivia/Quotes
- 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.
Barney: "It's like they say, Once burnt, lesson learnt... one mistake, better cake... once bit, best forget."
More From Mayberry
Come join in the fun of The Andy Griffith Show Online Hangman Game. It's therapetic! Just take the link below:
The Andy Griffith Show Online Hangman Game
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
Episode #10 - Ellie for Council
Episode #11 - Christmas Story
Episode #12 - Stranger in Town
Episode #13 - Mayberry Goes Hollywood
Episode #14 - The Horse Trader
Episode #15 - Those Gossipin' Men
Episode #16 - The Beauty Contest
Episode #17 - Alcohol and Old Lace
Episode #18 - Andy the Marriage Counselor
Episode #19 - Mayberry on Record
