Andy and Opie Immortalized in Statue

AJC ^ | 10/28/03 | AP

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP)--Andy and Opie are on a permanent fishing trip--immortalized in a bronze statue unveiled Tuesday by Andy Griffith, whose portrayal of a genial Southern sheriff has become a television staple.

The sculpture depicts the scene in the opening credits of ``The Andy Griffith Show'' in which Sheriff Andy Taylor walks to a fishing hole with his son, Opie, to the tune of the jaunty, whistled theme song.

``That beats anything. I kind of wish I looked like that now,'' the white-haired, 77-year-old Griffith told hundreds of fans who gathered next to a pond in Raleigh's Pullen Park for the morning ceremony.

The cable network TV Land agreed to build and maintain the statue at no cost to the city, similar to deals over the past two years that placed a Mary Tyler Moore statue in Minneapolis and a statue of Jackie Gleason's ``Honeymooners'' character, Ralph Kramden, in New York City.

Griffith, who's from Mount Airy, now lives on the North Carolina coast in Manteo. Some in Mount Airy--considered a model for Mayberry--have grumbled that their town is a better spot for the statue.

The actor said the Raleigh park was a great location, but added ``I hope they'll do something for Mount Airy in the future.''

[Vinnie]

Loved that show.

If you haven't heard it, find Griffith's 'What it was was football'.
Recorded way before the TV show and sooo funny.
The local radio station plays it every year just before the first college(NCSU) game broadcast.

Andy has been mentioned several times as a possible candidate for public office (Dem).

[leadpenny]

Immortalizing "The Andy Griffith Show" with Barney Fife is like immortalizing "Seinfeld" without Kramer or George or Elaine.

[leadpenny]

without

[wheelgunguru]

Nah, the best was where Barney got the magic kit and started granting wishes. Andy Griffith acknowledged, years later, that Don Knotts made the show. I had to agree. When Barney left for movies, the show never measured up.

[91B]

I love the statue. They should put a statue of Barney and Ernest T. Bass in Mount Ariy (maybe one with Ernest T. about to break the window with a brick and Barney breaking it instead with his pistol).

[BansheeBill]

Here's the lyrics to the theme song that is whistled at the beginning of the show:

"The Fishin' Hole"
Well, now, take down your fishin' pole and meet me at The Fishin' Hole,
We may not get a bite all day, but don't you rush away.
What a great place to rest your bones and mighty fine for skippin' stones,
You'll feel fresh as a lemonade, a-settin' in the shade.
Whether it's hot, whether it's cool, oh what a spot for whistlin' like a fool.
What a fine day to take a stroll and wander by The Fishin' Hole,
I can't think of a better way to pass the time o'day.
We'll have no need to call the roll when we get to The Fishin' Hole,
There'll be you, me and Old Dog Trey, to doodle time away.
If we don't hook a perch or bass, we'll cool our toes in dewy grass,
Or else pull up a weed to chaw, and maybe set and jaw.
Hangin' around, takin' our ease, watchin' that hound a-scratchin' at his fleas.
Come on, take down your fishin' pole and meet me at The Fishin' Hole,
I can't think of a better way to pass the time o'day.

-----
Music by Earle Hagen and Herbert Spencer
Lyrics by Everett Sloane
(C) Copyright 1960, 1961, 1966 by Larrabee Music

[kaktuskid]

Don't forget the 1957 movie "A Face in the Crowd" which was the story of the rise and fall of an Arkansan bum who became a mega TV star. Andy's character reminds you of another Arkansan who became president!

[whereasandsoforth]

I refuse to believe there was some liberal meaning to The Andy Griffith Show. Sheriff Taylor was a widower with a young son. He brought in a loving maternal aunt to help fill the need for a woman's touch. Otis, the town drunk, was a not a criminal. Otis was a friend that Andy looked after. The shotguns in the office were locked-up because it was the responsible thing to do. Barney's bullet was unneeded. Barney wanted it to feel important. It was all so sweet and innocent.

If you want to attack a classic show, attack Leave It To Beaver. That show was full of double-meaning.

[Ichneumon]

If you've never seen it, rent the old movie "A Face In The Crowd". It was one of Andy Griffith's first acting jobs, in a drama, and he was absolutely *stunning* as a demagogue who is sort of a cross between Will Rogers and Bill Clinton. People who know him mainly as the fatherly Andy Taylor, or the later Matlock, will be amazed at his dead-on portrayal of someone downright scary. It's a hell of a story, too.

At the time it was made and released (1957), the notion of someone turning his popularity on TV into an empire of money and political power seemed like science fiction, but it was extremely prophetic, and it still rings very true today -- it's not dated at all.

Lonesome Rhodes (Griffith): "This whole country's just like my flock of sheep! Hillbillies, hausfraus - everybody that's got to jump when someone else blows a whistle! They're mine!"

Rounding out the cast is Patricia Neal, Walter Matthau in an early role, and watch for a very young Lee Remick as Rhode's cheerleader love interest. Directed by Elia Kazan ("A Streecar Named Desire", "On the Waterfront", "East of Eden").

Truly one of the classics.

[Ichneumon]

LOL -- I was composing my reply (see previous post) when you posted yours, so I didn't see it until I finished mine. I see we both recognized someone from current events in Griffith's "Lonesome Rhodes".

[MarkL]

The Andy Griffith Show is my favorite TV show of all time.

I have to agree with you, that The Andy Griffith Show is great, and IMHO ranks among the best shows ever on TV. I just wish that Mr. Griffith got more respect as a comedic actor. For a master performance, check out "No Time for Sergeants!" Or Andy's narrative about seeing football for the very first time, where he tries to explain what he's seen.

I honestly believe that he ranks equal to Bill Cosby at his best!

Mark

[MarkL]

The primary 'family' in the show was not a husband and wife with children. It was made clear that you didn't need to have normal role models to raise good kids.

If I remember correctly, Andy's character was a widower, wasn't he? And what was Aunt Bea's relationship... Wasn't she Andy's dead wife's older sister or aunt? It's been too long...

It's not as if they were saying that you don't need a mother. In fact, I seem to recall that the difficulties raising a boy without a mother was part of more than one storyline.

Or I might be mixing it up with other shows.

Mark

[ContraryMary]

One of my all-time favorite TV shows. I'll always remember Andy, Opie, and Aunt Bee.

[Vision]

God bless

[Rebelbase]

Flash ahead 40 years....most of the manufacturing in Mt. Airy (Mayberry) has closed and the foreclosure rate is one of the highest in NC.

Otis is no longer the town drunk, he's a crackhead.

[RightWingNut]

Also, rent "No Time for Sargeants" with Andy (and Don Knotts).

An old movie (1950's ?) and very funny !!

[DryFly]

A Face in the Crowd -- The Rush Limbaugh Story

[Re-electNobody]

"No Time For Sergeants" may be the funniest book I have ever read.

[Adder]

AND Barney will get out his bullet!

[#3Fan]

Loved that show. If you haven't heard it, find Griffith's 'What it was was football'. Recorded way before the TV show and sooo funny. The local radio station plays it every year just before the first college(NCSU) game broadcast.

I read your post and I had the audio for the football story linked in my favorites folder and I was going to link it here on this thread, but I tested it and the link isn't loading anymore I guess.