"Romeo and Juliet" - Andy Griffith Style (1962)

The Andy Griffith Show was always one of my favorites. The mixture of comedy with some basic lessons in life was the hallmark of the show, and it wasn't lost on me. I actually "got" it. When Opie killed a bird I knew it was wrong; just as I knew that his father's solution to have Opie care for that bird's hatch-ling was right.

In this classic episode Sheriff Taylor has been a bit humiliated. The night before this scene takes place he was confronted at home by 2 young people wanting to get "hitched" by that Justice of the Peace. Although both were of legal age the sheriff was unable to complete the ceremony when the fathers of the bride and groom showed up with shotguns. It seems that the two families were "a fueding";  in the parlance of the time and place.

Andy needs to recover his "lost face" and begins by explaining his actions; or non-actions; of the night before by making an appropriate comparison between the situation at hand and Romeo and Juliet. This is what made Andy Griffith so famous to begin with. He told stories. His legendary "What It Was Was Football" is the vehicle which took him from the Ed Sullivan Show to headlining on Broadway in "No Time for Sergeants."

From there he hit the screen with an Oscar worthy performance as Lonesome Rhodes in the 1958 film “A Face in the Crowd” which co-starred Patricia Neal. In that film Andy Griffith gives one of the best performances of his career as a drunken guitar playing bum who finds himself catapulted to fame. 

It’s not a pretty picture to watch as he becomes a controlling and nasty individual, pushing away all those who love him. It’s a far cry from the roles he became known for as Sheriff Taylor on TV’s “The Andy Griffith Show” and later as the homey attorney “Matlock.” If you have never seen the film before, you should.

Meantime, enjoy the clip above and hit you tube for a peek at Andy Griffith playing Lonesome Rhodes in “A Face in the Crowd.” You will be astonished. Here’s a clip; make sure you catch the performance at about 3 minutes into the clip. 

"Look Who's Barking" - Married With Children (B.B. King and Cheech Marin)

When Fox TV made it's debut in 1987 nobody thought they had a chance against the Big 3. But, before only 3 seasons were over Fox was leading the Sunday night crowd. With innovative programs such as "The Simpsons" and their human counterparts the Bundy's, FOX was way more reflective of what was happening in America than the same old stuff on the same old networks.

In this unique episode of "Married With Children", Buck finds himself neglected and the audience gets a view of life from a dog's point of view. When nobody takes responsibility to feed him Buck is forced to take to the street where he meets a cute little girl dog whom he invites home. His intentions are less than honorable; hey he's a dog, right?

The Bundy's love the new dog, but can only afford to keep one. Sensing this, the new dog sets Buck up for a fall by doing all kinds of bad things around the house and making sure that Buck takes the blame. Though Buck may be slow, he's not stupid and soon he finds a way to turn the tables on his guest, while ensuring that he remains a member of the household.

Highlights of this episode are Cheech Marin doing Buck's voice over, and B.B. King as a street singer performing twice; once near the beginning, and then again at the end when he sings "Woman Makes You Stupid." A very clever show.

"Aunt Bee's Medicine Man" - The Andy Griffith Show (1963)

When the Patent Medicine Man arrives in Mayberry to sell his “cure”, the ladies all flock to him. With his pseudo-western clothing and knowledge of things unfamiliar in the small town he quickly becomes somewhat of a celebrity. And the women are all in a great mood! So, what’s up in Mayberry and who’s going to find out?

Between Barney’s suspicious nature, and Aunt Bee’s sudden desire to play piano and sing around the house, Andy is forced to do a little digging of his own. And when he’s done with his investigation there’s going to be a big crowd in the town jail.

Proving once again that although life may be complicated, Ockham’s Razor still applies in certain instances, Andy sees that Justice is done on all three fronts in this episode from Episode 3 of the iconic series.

John Dehner plays the role of the medicine man, Colonel Harvey. He began his show business career in an unusual fashion, working as an animator for Walt Disney.  He also worked as a disc jockey and professional pianist. With his deep and rich voice he appeared in about a dozen films during the 1940’s; mostly as a card sharp, or outlaw. He was also known for his work on the TV series “The Roaring Twenties” in which he played a crusading news reporter.

But this appearance made him a member of a very exclusive club from the Andy Griffith Show. Some very famous, up and coming actors appeared in Mayberry. Maybe next week I will post the one with Jack Nicholson. They’re all in Public Domain at this point. Meantime, enjoy the show!

"Andy Discovers America" - The Andy Griffith Show (1963)

I am an unabashed fan of the Andy Griffith Show. The earlier shows, from the first 3 seasons, contain all that you need to know about living in harmony with your fellow man. Although not overtly religious, these shows are like sermons, espousing a hard work ethic along with self-reliance and responsibility. Andy Taylor, the Sheriff of Mayberry, does all he can to instill these values into his son, Opie, who grew up to be the great film director Ron Howard. But sometimes even Andy speaks out of turn, and without thinking, winds up with his foot in his mouth, just like a politician.

In this episode from the 3^rd season, Opie is having a problem with his new teacher, Ms. Crump, and her lessons in history. When Sheriff Taylor agrees with him that history is unimportant, he unknowingly sets off a rebellion in Ms. Crump’s classroom, as the boys refuse to do their history homework. When Ms. Crump confronts Sheriff Taylor, he is at once speechless, and slightly smitten with her. Now, all he has to do is undo the damage he has done, while still saving face with his son and the other boys. And let’s not forget his need to repair his reputation with Opie’s teacher, Ms. Crump.

'The Head of the House" - The Honeymooners March 31st, 1956

This episode, titled "Head of the House", from "The Honeymooners" was first aired 56 years ago today. A lot of things have changed since then, but the silent battle of wits between men and women still rages. In this episode, Ralph, who has answered a question for the Inquiring Photographer in the daily paper about who is the "head of his house", sets out to prove that he is, indeed, "master of his own domain." What the boys don't know is that Alice has replaced the wine with grape juice. But that doesn't stop Ralph and Ed from getting drunk.

And, even as a kid, I was cognizant of the similarities between "The Honeymooners" and "The Flintstones." Both shows were about two working class guys, married to their sweethearts, and always in trouble with them nonetheless. In this "Flintsones" clip from 1961, Fred and Barney skirt their chores, only to be discoverd by their hardworking wives, Wilma and Betty. This was actually a private film made for Winston-Salem rather than for the show. The legendary team of Hanna-Barbera knew how to satirize, and in "The Finstones" they created a whole parallel world in fictional Bedrock, to that of Ralph and Ed in "real Life" Brooklyn.