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.''

[#3Fan]

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

You mean:

June: "Ward, don't you think you were a little hard on the Beaver?"

[stainlessbanner]

A Southern Classic!

[truthkeeper]

I just wish that Mr. Griffith got more respect as a comedic actor. For a master performance, check out "No Time for Sergeants!"

That was great. Remember the scene in which he got the toilet seats to stand at attention?

[condi2008]

"Hey Ange....wanna go up to the fillinstation and get a bottle of pop?"

[4CJ]

Life as it was.

[yarddog]

Your review of "A Face in the Crowd" was dead on.

Griffith gave a truly great performance. I believe he would have been a better villain than comedian. I have noticed that many comedians make very fine dramatic actors.

I truly despise Robin Williams and don't care for his comedy but always thought he would have made a good "heavy".

[STONEWALLS]

"A Southern Classic!"

yes indeed it was......a nice portrayal of down-to-earth, good hearted, common sense, small town Southern folks....the kind of people you'd run into at the K&W Cafeteria at lunch on Sunday....much, much more accurate than the other Southern stereotypes TV liked to show; Jed Clampett; Boss Hogg; sadist cops ect......BTW if I'm not mistaken Andy got his stage start in the Old North state as an actor in the outdoor production of "The Lost Colony"....

P.S. Choo Choo Charlie Justice died a couple of weeks ago......he's largely forgotten now, but in his prime was one of the great ones......a veteran too!......can you imagine that these days?.....a big time ball player actually serving his country?

Hope everybody's doing good today!

Stonewalls

[yarddog]

I too have noticed many tv shows have all kinds of subliminal anti-gun or anti-conservative messages but don't think Andy Griffith's was one of them.

Guns were actually portrayed pretty well in several episodes. I remember one in which Andy takes a girl shooting and then competes in a skeet match. In another, several of the cast try the shooting gallery at a carnival. Although the game is rigged, the shooting aspect is portrayed very positively.

Of course the guns are locked up in the Sheriff's office. That would simply be typical. All in all a very gentle show which didn't beat you over the head with messages.

[RebelBanker]

Yes, indeed! Too bad nobody can seem to make a TV show anywhere near as good now (although I will still watch Star Trek - Enterprise.)

Your Humble Servant...

[carton253]

"Can I get my bullet out, Andy? Can I?"

LOL funny!

[carton253]

Did your Freeper name come from Stonewall Jackson?

[Gorjus]

And I suggest you stop thinking about it now.

Hey, lighten up. I made it clear I was passing along a thought originated by someone else. There were certainly leftist propoganda messages in the show. I'm sure you could make the point that there were rightist propoganda messages as well. What was it overall?

That was the point of the posting. If you don't want to examine things like that, there's an easy solution . . . don't! But shooting the messenger is not a particularly effective way to address issues, for all that it ensures you only get good news.

[N. Theknow]

Ernest T. Bass, "You have taken my job, you have come between me and my beloved Rowena and you are an Englishter. Therefore, I hates you."

[HeadOn]

...and if you wonders who I be, it's me, it's me, it's Ernest T. !

[newgeezer]

This thread almost brought a tear to my eye.

Praise God for TV Land. :-)

[TracyPA]

I don't think Andy Griffith Show was anti-conservative. One big difference of the liberal sit-coms today-religion was a big part of their lives. Everyone got dressed up and went to church on sunday. When they all sang "Leaning On The Everlasting Arms" was one of my favorites.

[Sloth]

Wow, that's a good likeness.

[stainlessbanner]

I remember when Aunt Bee bought an organ for the church. Good episode.

[yarddog]

Agree with you. Religion although pretty tame was portrayed positively.

BTW I bought Andy's binoculars on eBay. I did some checking before bidding and am sure they are genuine as the auction house was reputable and they supplied a certificate of authenticity. I doubt if they are really worth much but thought it would be a good conversation piece.

One thing which caught my attention was a sticker, which was coming off it was so old which had his and his wife's name and address, just like I might have put on my property. I think when they moved from Hollywood back to NC a few years ago they sold a lot of junk instead of moving it. The certificate is signed by Andy and he said they were kept in a roll top desk in his den.

[Snuffington]

Why is Richie Cunningham on the statue? (ducking)