The Andy Griffith Show – Season One
Picture: C+
Sound: C Extras: D Show: B-
Sometimes a hit TV show is so far past being a classic
that it is easy to forget why it was a hit in the first place. The Andy Griffith Show debuted in
1960, coming from The Danny Thomas show, became a big hit, would be one
of the first big hit shows to have a huge spin-off (Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.)
and be continued in a later incarnation without its lead star (Mayberry,
R.F.D.) when Griffith felt the show went on long enough. No one had seen that kind of longetivity
before in a show, but the reason the show was such a hit is because it took a
step forward into a relative direction of naturalism the situation comedy never
had happen to it before.
If you think about it, it is an innovation that a sitcom
would be out in a small town without the restrictions of the city or only a few
rooms. Only Westerns had that going for
it, but then the show was the modern, soft side of that genre to some extent,
while still being a show with family appeal more like the sitcoms of the
1950s. At the same time, it felt like
the natural progression of the sitcom and Andy Griffith was natural in front of
the camera. Adding Don Knotts, one of
the best comic actors of his generation, and Ron Howard as young Ronny Howard
brought on excellent chemistry. Howard
was breaking the mold of past child stars without knowing it, not seeming like
he was talking his likes at the actors.
No wonder this became a legendary hit.
Of course, we cannot forget Frances Bavier as mother
figure Aunt Bee, complete with superior cooking skills. Andy Taylor (Griffith) is an unexpected
widower who is suddenly a single parent to son Opie (Howard). That this was not a regular family to begin
with shows that television had already begun to play out the “regular family”
formula, though this would hardly be anything shocking or subversive. The episodes here over 4 DVDs include:
1) The New
Housekeeper
2) The
Manhunt
3) Guitar
Player (James Best stars in the title role)
4) Ellie Comes
To Town (with Elinor Donahue)
5) Irresistible
Lady
6) Runaway
Kid
7) Andy The
Matchmaker
8) Opie’s
Charity
9) A Feud
Is A Feud
10) Ellie For Council
11) Christmas Story
12) Stranger In Town
13) Mayberry Goes Hollywood
14) The Horse Trader
15) Those Gossipin’ Men
16) The Beauty Contest
17) Alcohol & Old Lace
18) Andy, the Marriage Counselor
19) Mayberry On Record
20) Andy Saves Barney’s Morale
21) Andy & The Gentleman Crook
22) Cyrano Andy
23) Andy & Opie, Housekeepers
24) The New Doctor
25) A Plaque For Mayberry
26) The Inspector
27) Ellie Saves A Female
28) Andy Forecloses
29) Quiet Sam
30) Barney Gets His Man
31) The Guitar Player Returns
32) Bringing Up Opie
The full frame monochrome image is somewhat varied
throughout, with the earliest shows looking a bit softer than the later
shows. It looks like the show was
generally shot on 35mm film, but some of it looks almost like 16mm in the early
episodes, yet that could just be the age of the materials used. The stocks involved could also be a
factor. This is not as crisp and clear
as The Honeymooners set Paramount issued of the 39 original filmed
shows, which were shot five years prior to this, while some shows have
artifacts on end credits or out of nowhere.
Sid Hickox, A.S.C., was this season’s main cinematographer. Otherwise, there are still plenty of moments
of fidelity and sharpness that are impressive.
The Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono feels small throughout and though the series
had simple soundtracks, this is still too low sounding for its own good. There are no extras, but fans will enjoy
having the whole season in a nice box with slender cases.
- Nicholas Sheffo
