Andy Griffith Show Memories : Episode #31 - The Guitar Player Returns
The Guitar Player Returns
Overview
Mayberry guitarist, Jim Lindsey, returns to a hero's welcome. However, Andy suspects trouble with his solo career.
Season Number: 1
Episode Number: 31
First Aired: May 15, 1961
Writer: Jack Elinson, Charles Stewart
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)
Elinor Donahue (Ellie Walker)
Howard McNear (Floyd Lawson)
Dick Elliott (Mayor Pike)
James Best (Jim Lindsey)
Phil Chambers (Jason)
Thomas Browne Henry (Repossession Agent)
Herb Ellis (Bobby Fleet)
Episode Summary
Mayberry rolls out the red carpet for native son, guitarist Jim Lindsey. Jim has left Bobby Fleet's band and struck out on his own solo career. Jim tells everyone how well he's doing. But in reality, Jim is broke and his new sports car is reposessed. Jim has returned to Mayberry because he's got nowhere else to go. When Jim's old friends begin to question why he hasn't paid his bills, Andy sets out to find out the truth about Jim. Andy contacts Bobby Fleet and finds out that Jim's huge ego and ridiculous demands led to Jim to leaving the band. Realizing Jim's potential, Bobby can't pass up the chance to get back his main attraction. Andy forces a meeting between Bobby and Jim the only way he can, by arresting Jim. Bobby agrees to give Jim his job back, with a raise to boot.
Notes/Trivia/Quotes
This episode marks the last appearance of Elinor Donahue as Ellie.
- According to Aunt Bee, Jim Lindsey's favorite dinner is fried chicken and cornbread.
- According to Barney, Jim's big record is "Rock and Roll Rosie From Raleigh".
- 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 can't be an official police escort without a whistle, for heaven sakes."
More From Mayberry
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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
Episode #25 - A Plaque for Mayberry
Episode #26 - The Inspector
Episode #27 - Ellie Saves a Female
Episode #28 - Andy Forecloses
Episode #29 - Quiet Sam
Episode #30 - Barney Gets His Man