Andy Griffith Show Memories : Episode #6 - Runaway Kid

Runaway Kid

Overview

Andy has a problem after teaching Opie a lesson about the importance of always keeping your word. Opie has promised his new friend that he will not divulge his runaway status. Andy is conflicted with violating Opie's trust or returning the boy to his family.

Episode Number: 6 Season Number: 1

First Aired: November 7, 1960

Writer: Arthur Stander

Director: Don Weis

Cast/Crew/Guest Stars

Ron Howard (Opie Taylor)

Frances Bavier (Aunt Bee Taylor)

Don Knotts (Barney Fife)

Andy Griffith (Andy Taylor)

Pat Rosson (George "Tex" Foley)

Pat Losby (Tommy)

Dennis Holmes (Steve)

Episode Summary

A practical joke by Opie and his friends leads to a lesson on the value of keeping your promises. Despite promising to keep quiet, Opie decides to turn hones and tell Andy that he and his friends were the ones who pushed the squad car in front of a fire hydrant. This leads to a classic confrontation between Barney and Andy. Although Andy appreciates Opie being honest, he explains to Opie that it's more important to keep one's word. This seemingly good life lesson quickly turns the tables on Andy. When Opie befriends a runaway boy, Opie, having promised not to reveal the boy's real name (he calls himself Tex) or the town he comes from, refuses to give up this information to Andy because he really took the earlier lesson to heart. Rather than contradict his own words, Andy gives up trying to find out. When Andy receives word of the runaway from local police, he is able to convince Tex to let him call his parents. Andy then explains to Opie that keeping one's promises is certainly important, but there are times when a greater good and using a little common sense requires one to bend the rules.

Notes/Trivia

• 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.

Memorable Dialogue

Andy simple example of not trying to rescue someone who was drowning just because there was a "No Swimming" sign posted is a classic example of how common sense can go a long way toward solving a problem.

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