Andy Griffith Show Memories : Episode #25 - A Plaque for Mayberry
A Plaque for Mayberry
Overview
The direct descendant of a Revolutionary War hero is living in Mayberry. Andy, Baney, and the Mayor are shocked when they discover just who that person is.
Season NUmber: 1
Episode Number: 25
First Aired: April 3, 1961
Writers: Ben Gershman, Leo Solomon
Director: Bob Sweeney
Cast/Crew/Guest Stars
Ron Howard (Opie Taylor)
Don Knotts (Barney Fife)
Andy Griffith (Andy Taylor)
Frances Bavier (Aunt Bee Taylor)
Hal Smith (Otis Campbell)
Dick Elliott (Mayor Pike)
Burt Mustin (Jud)
Isabel Randolph (Harriet Bixby)
Dorothy Neumann (Rita Campbell)
Carol Veazie (Mrs. Wicks)
Joseph Hamilton (Councilman #1)
Joseph Crehan (Councilman #2)
Episode Summary
According to a historical society, Nathan Tibbs, the hero of the Revolutionary War's Battle of Mayberry Bridge, has a direct descendant living in Mayberry. The two historians set out to find who this person is so they can award them a plaque in honor of their forefather's bravery. As the two ladies search the Mayberry records in search of this living relative, there is much speculation about who the person is. Barney is so convinced he is the living descendant of Nathan Tibbs that he goes ahead and pens his acceptance speech. It is revealed, much the disappointment of the Mayor and town council, that the Tibbs relative is none other than town drunk Otis Campbell. Mayor Pike, convinced that Otis will shame both himself and Mayberry if the two ladies find out who he is, orders Andy to not allow Otis to come to the ceremony. After talking with Otis, Andy realizes that despite his bad habits, Otis considers it an honor to represent his town and give his wife, Rita, a reason to be proud of him. As the ceremony begins, Andy confesses that he did not find a replacement for Otis. When Otis is a few minutes late, Barney and Mayor fear the worst --- that Otis is drunk and will appear and embarrass the whole town. Otis shows up a few minutes later, sober, clean shaved, and wearing a suit. He accepts the plaque, not on behalf of himself, since he didn't really do anything to deserve it, but on behalf of the town of Mayberry.
Notes/Trivia/Quotes
- In a rather touching moment, Otis tells Andy that he's given his wife some awful times. This would not be the last time Otis' alcoholism would be addressed, but it's typically played for humor. Otis would eventually sober up for good. In the TV Movie "Return to Mayberry" Otis tells Andy he'd been sober for ten years. Interestingly - Hal Smith had never drank nor had he ever been drunk in his life.
- In this episode, Andy states that Barney's middle name is Oliver. In later episodes Barney refers to himself as Barney "P." Fife and in the episode "Class Reunion," the Mayberry Union High yearbook lists Barney's name as Bernard Milton Fife.
- 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: You know we couldn't have given Otis a sobriety test last night.
Andy: Why not?
Barney: He was too drunk!
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
Episode #20 - Andy Saves Barney's Morale
Episode #21 - Andy and the Gentleman Crook
Episode #22 - Cyrano Andy
Episode #23 - Andy and Opie, Housekeepers
Episode #24 - The New Doctor
