Who is this man?  He appears only in the background.  He has never said a word yet he has been referred to.  He is never credited. Is he a friend of Andy's?  Was he an actor?  Is he a figment in our collective imagination?  Someone must have the answers!  :o

So spill already! :)

No one knows who he is...

Miss Peggy wrote on Dec 30^th, 2008 at 1:16am:

Who is this man?

Puddintame...ya ask me again and I'll tell ya the same!  ;D

I think he's an Alien...  :D ;D

Perhaps the greatest mystery in TAGS folklore. Who was he? What was his real name? What other work has he done?
Even cast members have been asked and unable to answer the question of who he is.
It has been speculated on so deeply here over the years that I think if we ever do find out, it will be somewhat anticlimatic. Kind of like when Howard caught ole Sam.

Puddingtame wrote on Dec 30^th, 2008 at 10:19am:

it will be somewhat anticlimatic. Kind of like when Howard caught ole Sam.

When Howard caught ole Sam... Anticlimatic! Are you kiddin'?...   :D

That story is still being talked about to this day...  ;D

He's an enigma, wrapped in a riddle, topped by the worst-looking toupee ever worn on TV. You'll often see him referred to by his name as it reportedly was printed in the scripts, Schwamp. But the actors were pronouncing it Schwump for who knows what reason--probably because they realized it sounded funnier than Schwamp. And, to me, it looks funnier in print and seems to do him justice. Even though we'll probably never know his true story, I'm satisfied just seeing him appear in the episodes now and then.

Miss Peggy wrote on Dec 30^th, 2008 at 1:16am:

Who is this man?  He appears only in the background.  He has never said a word yet he has been referred to.  He is never credited. Is he a friend of Andy's?  Was he an actor?  Is he a figment in our collective imagination?  Someone must have the answers!  :o So spill already! :)

That someone has probably passed away by now.  I doubt that his identity will ever be revealed.

Ross_Raider wrote on Dec 30^th, 2008 at 11:42am:

the worst-looking toupee ever worn on TV

Are you sure it's a toupee? Maybe Floyd was practicing on him at Barber school...  :D

S imple
C hubby
H omely
W insome
A ffable
M eek
P erson

There you go.  That's who the writers were looking for.  

I FOUND HIM!!!  I FOUND HIM!!!  I FOUND HIM!!!

Moonshine Moo wrote on Dec 30^th, 2008 at 9:40am:

I think he's an Alien...  :D ;D

Your sure you don't know him? Or is he from a different plantet.... :-/

PharmacyGal :) wrote on Dec 30^th, 2008 at 12:17pm:

Your sure you don't know him? Or is he from a different plantet.... :-/

I know him...  :D

I can't tell you his name...  :-/

He is from another planet... ;D

;D ;D ;D

I hear tell he also appears in a Gomer Pyle USMC episode.  Haven't heard if anyone has checked those credits.

I did a little research a couple of years ago, I guess it was.  I called some actors organizations trying to find out if there would be union records or something that would show he was paid for his appearances.  I guess I talked to two or three organizations and they kept tellin' me "Well, you should probably call insert organizations name."  I only did it for a day.  If I still have my notes, I may try again one day.

I don't know why he wasn't listed in the credits at least once. There was a woman in "A Girl For Goober", who Goober thought was his date, who didn't say a word yet she's listed in the credits.  :-?

Yvonne Shubert - girl

Dud Wash wrote on Dec 30^th, 2008 at 3:19pm:

I hear tell he also appears in a Gomer Pyle USMC episode.  Haven't heard if anyone has checked those credits. I did a little research a couple of years ago, I guess it was.  I called some actors organizations trying to find out if there would be union records or something that would show he was paid for his appearances.  I guess I talked to two or three organizations and they kept tellin' me "Well, you should probably call insert organizations name."  I only did it for a day.  If I still have my notes, I may try again one day.

Yes, he is in at least 1 Gomer Pyle USMC episode.  I forget which one, but I've got the series, so I'll have to check. I know he's in a color episode in a supply building.  He's walking in the back of the building while Gomer and Sgt. Carter are in the foreground.

Mr. Schwamp is in 2 episodes of Gomer Pyle USMC.


"Supply Sergeants Never Die"   Season 2

"Gomer, The Welsh Rarebit Fiend"   Season 3

"One of Our Shells is Missing"   Season 3

Wouldn't this mean that there are more potential people who might remember him?  ;)

I think I saw Gomer, The Wlsh Rarebit Firend recently, and I don't remember seeing him in it... :-/

Have there been any other tv shows or movies where there was a confirmed sighting of the man?

Someone posted a link to a YouTube video that had a black and white movie clip that most of us agreed was him.  I forget the name of the movie.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v294/35979/TAGS/1230676660.jpg

This is from the movie "Christmas in Connecticut".

Yup, I've spottem him in Christmas in Connecticut also!

The movie was from 1945. He was probably born around 1910. Could he still be alive?  ;)

Isn't there some show called unsolved mysteries or something....I heard about it recently though I've never seen it...They bring alot of lost people together someone told me, mabey they could find him....Mabey we could bring him to the opening of TOM!

I actually wrote to "Unsolved Mysteries" last year with the suggestion that they do a "fun" story about him. I never received an answer.

I even wrote to "America's Most Wanted" & suggested the same thing.  :)

Unsolved Mysteries went off the air 6 years ago, and unless Mr. Schwamp committed a murder or a major felony, America's Most Wanted isn't gonna help you either.   ;D

Actually Unsolved Mysteries began airing episodes starting October 13, 2008 at 5 p.m., and 6 p.m., ET Time on Spike TV. (channel 168 dish network)

Briscoe Darling wrote on Dec 30^th, 2008 at 4:44pm:

unless Mr. Schwamp committed a murder or a major felony, America's Most Wanted isn't gonna help you either.   ;D

;D

DB wrote on Dec 30^th, 2008 at 4:48pm:

Actually Unsolved Mysteries began airing episodes starting October 13, 2008 at 5 p.m., and 6 p.m., ET Time on Spike TV. (channel 168 dish network)

yep, I watch it sometimes, they are having a marathon maybe New's Day (on Spike)

Wow, I just noticed I am in the 11th grade now!!! :)

That's great Thelma Lou!  [smiley=birthdays.gif]

PharmacyGal :) wrote on Dec 30^th, 2008 at 5:23pm:

That's great Thelma Lou!  [smiley=birthdays.gif]

Thanks PG...me and you will make it to Trained Noticers one of these days! ;)

Thanks Thelma Lou...I may make it to trained noticers in posts, but it will be a long time before I really am a trained noticer.... :( Something to look forward to though! :)

PharmacyGal :) wrote on Dec 30^th, 2008 at 5:47pm:

Thanks Thelma Lou...I may make it to trained noticers in posts, but it will be a long time before I really am a trained noticer.... :( Something to look forward to though! :)

Maybe we can solve the Schwump mystery , I bet you get a special title for that  ;D

That would THE Trained Noticer if you solved the Schwamp case!

If Briscoe can't solve it, no one can!

Ross_Raider wrote on Dec 30^th, 2008 at 11:42am:

You'll often see him referred to by his name as it reportedly was printed in the scripts, Schwamp.

Didn't I read somewhere that Helen's name in the scripts was Cramp?

The mystery of Mr. Schwump is indeed a true puzzler. I brought the subject up about a year ago and I see we are nowhere near to solving it than we were back then.
My take is that someone still alive must know who he was, maybe not his name, but whether he was a "walk-on' type extra, or one of the writers or production staff that wanted some face time. I believe Andy knows the answer, but may never tell, as a little in-joke of his own. Betty Lynn may know, possibly Jim Nabors. If I had a lot of money, I'd hire someone to find out. Since that is out of the question, we may never know !

Maybe his real name was Mr. Schwump.  ;D

SWFLguy wrote on Dec 31^st, 2008 at 10:55am:

I believe Andy knows the answer, but may never tell, as a little in-joke of his own. Betty Lynn may know, possibly Jim Nabors.

Folks, I don't mean to be mean on this but don't you think we've already asked those people?  They all remember the man but none of them know his "real" name.

TAGSRWC has been looking into this for 30 years and so far...no luck. They, Jim Clark in particular, have asked all the cast and crew members that the club has contact with and so far nobody knows Mr. Schwamp's real name.  

I'm not saying it's not out there somewhere and someday somebody will find the answer but the obvious ways of finding out (like asking crew and cast) have been attempted.  We'll have to be more creative than that to figure this mystery out.

Our best lead might be the picture posted of him in Christmas in Connecticut, maybe since he was younger in that film he may have done more acting in that time period and earlier, could be that by his days on TAGS he had stopped acting and was a behind the scenes worker and they just stuck him in the show when they needed him...If Jim Clark has not found a TAGS connection then no one can.

"America's Most Wanted"! "America's Most Wanted"! They could show the segment during the April 4, 2009 broadcast. Sort of an April Fools Edition.  ;D

"How's the Schwump case going?"
"Fine, fine. Getting closer all the time."

;D ;D

Seth Taylor wrote on Dec 31^st, 2008 at 3:02pm:

"How's the Schwump case going?" "Fine, fine. Getting closer all the time."

;DVery good Seth. ;D

Mabey we could find someone from the Christmas in Connecticut set who knew who he was..... :-/

PharmacyGal :) wrote on Dec 31^st, 2008 at 4:12pm:

Mabey we could find someone from the Christmas in Connecticut set who knew who he was..... :-/

Anyone still living from the movie is going to be 85 years old at the minimum.    Finding anyone from the movie would be as difficult as finding the identity of Mr. Schwamp himself.

Yeah, I didn't think of that.... :-[

DB wrote on Dec 30^th, 2008 at 4:00pm:

This is from the movie "Christmas in Connecticut".

Isn't it funny how Mr. Schwump is doing what he does best... just chit-chatting in the background.

It reminds me of his appearance at the dance in the Fun Girls episode.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v294/35979/TAGS/1230676660.jpg

I wonder what he sounded like. Do you think he spoke with an accent? Maybe a foreign language?  ;D

Mr Schwamp was a time traveler from our future. His name is Homer Higgenbottom. In the future they have the option to travel to the past to see what things were like. Homer enjoyed appearing on a movie or TV lot and sneeking into the shot. That is why he always has that funny smile on his face but never says anything. Once he appeared in a shot it was easier to just give him a name than it was to re-shoot the whole scene.  :D :D ;) ;D ;D

Happy New year to all.

I will try rent the Christmas in Conneticut Movie to see if there are any credits of the extras that imbd might not have.

As Spock would say "Fascinating!"  ;D

I just watched the last episode in the last season and I think I saw Mr Schwamp in the audience....I got to thinking about him, and I don't think we'll ever find out who he is....I guess its just meant to remain a mystery.....

PharmacyGal :) wrote on Jan 1^st, 2009 at 1:17am:

I just watched the last episode in the last season and I think I saw Mr Schwamp in the audience....I got to thinking about him, and I don't think we'll ever find out who he is....I guess its just meant to remain a mystery.....

Mr. Schwamp was in "Mayberry RFD"  #241 which aired last, but wasn't numbered last.  He was also in "Sam, for Town Council"  #247.

"A Girl for Goober" is #249, the last episode written.

Oh, wonder why the dvd has them listed differently...Anyways, I watched all three of those episodes earlier, infact I watched almost the full disc..I like to do that, pick one disc and just watch most or all of them. :)

PharmacyGal :) wrote on Jan 1^st, 2009 at 1:30am:

Oh, wonder why the dvd has them listed differently...Anyways, I watched all three of those episodes earlier, infact I watched almost the full disc..I like to do that, pick one disc and just watch most or all of them. :)

The dvd's have them listed by production number, not by air date, because several episodes were aired out of order from their original production number.

The Episode Guide on the website here shows this.

Ok, thanks Briscoe...

I keep lookin' for Shwumpie's hair piece to be up for sale at a props sale on E-Bay......it may have his name printed on the label tag!  :-/

uncle nat wrote on Jan 1^st, 2009 at 2:38am:

I keep lookin' for Shwumpie's hair piece to be up for sale at a props sale on E-Bay......it may have his name printed on the label tag!  :-/

It probably reads  6 and 7/8ths!!!

Briscoe Darling wrote on Jan 1^st, 2009 at 2:53am:

[/highlight] It probably reads  6 and 7/8ths!!!

That'd be too tight fer me!  ;D

Briscoe Darling wrote on Jan 1^st, 2009 at 2:53am:

[/highlight] It probably reads  6 and 7/8ths!!!

Just my luck! I thought I might get a new TV to watch TAGS on. I never win anything and the boat is sinking too. Oh well I guess I'll just stand here and watch this guy play checkers.

Orville Monroe wrote on Jan 1^st, 2009 at 3:46am:

Just my luck! I thought I might get a new TV to watch TAGS on. I never win anything and the boat is sinking too. Oh well I guess I'll just stand here and watch this guy play checkers.

Don't look over his shoulder unless a red-haired man is nearby!  ;D

Wink'um pink'um,
nodamus rex,
protect us all,
from the man with the hex...

;D ;D

DB wrote on Dec 30^th, 2008 at 4:48pm:

Actually Unsolved Mysteries began airing episodes starting October 13, 2008 at 5 p.m., and 6 p.m., ET Time on Spike TV. (channel 168 dish network)

The Unsolved Mysteries marathon is on Spike TV starting Friday morning at 9 am est. It runs for 11 hours. Looks like the first 5 are new, then they repeat with a new one at the end.

There's a story about Noah's ark during the 1 pm show (repeat at 6pm)

DB wrote on Jan 1^st, 2009 at 5:07pm:

The Unsolved Mysteries marathon is on Spike TV starting Friday morning at 9 am est. It runs for 11 hours. Looks like the first 5 are new, then they repeat with a new one at the end. There's a story about Noah's ark during the 1 pm show (repeat at 6pm)

Thanks DB, I will get to watch it since they didn't take Spike off of my cable!

I did get a chance to watch a Christmas in Conneticut last night and another Mayberry alum that I saw was Mayor Pike. I don't remember Mr. Schwamp in any episodes until the Mayor Stoner administration though. Mr Schwamp is probably just some extra that will only appear in movies or TV shows that have mayberry charactors in them.

There were at least three TAGS alumni in Christmas in Connecticut. Dick Elliot (Mayor Pike), John Dehner (Colonel Harvey) & Walter Baldwin (The first Floyd).

Mr Schwump makes an appearance tonight in "My Fair Ernest T. Bass". 11:30 est.

Take this for whats it's worth, But I did see a thing on this very subject once. Mr. Schwump is no other than a one of the creators of the show according to this thing I seen once. I do remember learning that you could always see his real name in the closing credits after each episode.

What was it you saw?

Nat Pike wrote on Jan 4^th, 2009 at 1:10am:

Take this for whats it's worth, But I did see a thing on this very subject once. Mr. Schwump is no other than a one of the creators of the show according to this thing I seen once. I do remember learning that you could always see his real name in the closing credits after each episode.

I don't know about that one. If it were true, I think the cast and crew would have known his name and we'd know who he was by now.

Sounds kind'a like the rumor when Barney shot himself in the chest. :)

Principal wrote on Jan 4^th, 2009 at 6:55am:

Sounds kind'a like the rumor when Barney shot himself in the chest. :)

;D

That's what Mavis Neff said... ;)

Principal wrote on Jan 4^th, 2009 at 6:55am:

I don't know about that one. If it were true, I think the cast and crew would have known his name and we'd know who he was by now. Sounds kind'a like the rumor when Barney shot himself in the chest. :)

Wow. I'm offended that you accused me of starting a rumor. Juz cause you a principal don't make your winders safe from my rocks I'm fixin to heave at em .

What I seen this on was either a reunion type show where footage was run and surviving cast members talked about rare things about the show, or something on E, like Hollywood mysteries. What ever it was I clearly recall them covering the number of scenes he was in and how he got a kick out of he when he made a cameo appearance. While reporting this story I remember it was the scene where he was at the dance standing around the punch bowl. If yall can remember, a lot of times he was on screen, he looked right at the camera. That's what makes this legion so cool.  

"he looked right at the camera"
hmmmm--- is that common for a walk on extra ??? Maybe it is a sign that  Mr. Schwump was more than that ?? I'm going to have to watch more closely at those scenes where he shows up. Maybe someone can start cross-referencing the cast/crew credits on those shows to see if there is a common denominator ??

Maybe it was an actor in a "Mr. Schwump" costume...  :D

Nat Pike wrote on Jan 4^th, 2009 at 1:10am:

Take this for whats it's worth, But I did see a thing on this very subject once. Mr. Schwump is no other than a one of the creators of the show according to this thing I seen once. I do remember learning that you could always see his real name in the closing credits after each episode.

Sheldon Leonard was the Creator and Executive Producer for TAGS.  

All the credits reveal the crew that worked on the show, behind the scenes.  

Mr. Schwamp was an extra like a lot of the other extras on the show that never had speaking parts, therefore no credits or name was ever shown.

There was an extra that everyone calls "Nice Dress Nellie" and her name was never revealed either.

Briscoe Darling wrote on Jan 4^th, 2009 at 12:26pm:

Mr. Schwamp was an extra like a lot of the other extras on the show that never had speaking parts, therefore no credits or name was ever shown

DB wrote on Dec 30^th, 2008 at 3:25pm:

There was a woman in "A Girl For Goober", who Goober thought was his date, who didn't say a word yet she's listed in the credits. Yvonne Shubert - girl

A little discrepancy there...  :D

Maybe Mr Schawmp didn't want his name listed in anything....Maybe it was just fun being on the screen... :-/

I've seen him in the background at dances on Rigel 7...  :D ;D

Moonshine Moo wrote on Jan 4^th, 2009 at 12:34pm:

A little discrepancy there...  :D

Nope.  No discrepancy there.  Yvonne Shubert was an actress just like Teri Garr in "The Wedding"  She didn't speak either.

Extras aren't considered actors and actresses.  That's why they're called "extras"  They just make up the townsfolk and crowds in movies and TV.

I used to work with a guy who was an extra in "The Last of the Mohicans"  He didn't receive any screen credit either.

Briscoe Darling wrote on Jan 4^th, 2009 at 12:50pm:

"The Last of the Mohicans"

Was Mr. Schwump in "The Last of the Mohicans"?...  :-?

I thought I saw him in a scene where he got scalped and his wig was taken...  :D ;D

In the first three seasons (1060-1963) none of the first 95 episodes had hide nor hair of old man Schwamp. However, he make his debut in season four in "My Fair Ernest T. Bass" (Episode 113) . He appears next in that same season in " Fun Girls" (Episode 123).
The next time we got a look at Schwamp was in season five in "The Education of Ernest T. Bass" (Episode 133), and "Otis Sues the County" (Episode 141) in that same season.
Season six (1965-1966) would be the next time Schwamp would show up on the Mayberry radar. This would mark the mystery mans first appearance in color. It was in "Otis the Artist" (Episode 175). Season seven would let viewers see him twice, first in " Only a Rose" (Episode 203) and later in "Floyd's Barbershop" (Episode 210).
Schwamp, the man of Mystery who make his last two appearances In the final season (Season 8, 1967-68). TAGS would first see him in "Barney Hosts a Summit Meeting" (Episode 240), and then in his grand finale "Sam for Town Council" (Episode 247).
It's unbelievable that Mr. Schwamp appeared in a total of nine episodes and never spoke a word. That is more episodes than Ernest T Bass were in.  Things like this is way TAGS is the legion it is today with new & old viewers alike.

But seriously---- let's take the scene where he is sitting on a bench in front of the courthouse (?)---when they shot the scene, wouldn't the director have to say to the actors and "extras"--- "OK--- you (Mr.X) sit down on the end of the bench and act like you are paying attention to what is happening". At least that's how I envision how things might be done when filming such scenes. You'd think that the others on the set would have heard this guy's name mentioned during those directions. Well ?? Anyone knowledgeable about TV filming methods know if that is a possibility ??

Mr. Schwamp was actually in 22 episodes of TAGS.  Apart from him being called by name, he was always in the background.

Bass, Schwamp also appeared in Mayberry RFD, the episode in the 8th season.

Nat Pike wrote on Jan 4^th, 2009 at 1:50pm:

appeared in a total of nine episodes

The "Mayberry Historical Society" states Mr. Schwump was in a total of 20 episodes...

http://www.mayberry.info/history/index.php?title=Character_List

Scroll to the very bottom...  :D

Always in the background? What exactly does that mean, always in the background?

He's here... He's there... He's everywhere... ;D ;D

22 episodes.  Click his name.  

Nice... Real Nice...  ;) :D

Holly cow. I guess I made a fool outta myself. I had never seen that before. My episode guide is badly outdated. I want to apologize to all of you for posting that worthless bit of information.

But Now it really gripes me that I can't recall what I seen this story on. I know you experts think I'm an idiot, but I swear It was real. And I haven't been to the Morrison sisters house either. I don't partake.

I don't think your making it up Bass. Let us know if you think of it! ;)

The Morrison sisters love to celebrate Badly Undated Episode Guide Day...  :D ;D  

and everyday is Alien Moose Day. Moo visiting the Morrison sisters would explain a lot around here!

Seth Taylor wrote on Jan 4^th, 2009 at 2:59pm:

and everyday is Alien Moose Day. Moo visiting the Morrison sisters would explain a lot around here!

I think he lives in their hot house  ;D ;D just funning you, Moo...or am I  :o

I seem to remember in one of the reunion shows, where Andy interviews different cast members, that when he talks to Howard they say something about Mr. Schwamp. I have that on video.  I'm gonna have to get that out and see what they said or if I've remembered correctly.

Seth Taylor wrote on Jan 4^th, 2009 at 2:59pm:

and everyday is Alien Moose Day. Moo visiting the Morrison sisters would explain a lot around here!

ThelmaLou wrote on Jan 4^th, 2009 at 3:20pm:

I think he lives in their hot house just funning you, ;D ;D Moo...or am I  :o

You both bring out the Moonshine in Moonshine Moo...  :D ;D ;D

Moonshine Moo wrote on Jan 4^th, 2009 at 4:55pm:

You both bring out the Moonshine in Moonshine Moo...  :D ;D ;D

well technically speaking there is no Moose in your name, I thought you was a cow till I saw your picture  ;D ;D ;D

Dud Wash wrote on Jan 4^th, 2009 at 4:50pm:

I seem to remember in one of the reunion shows, where Andy interviews different cast members, that when he talks to Howard they say something about Mr. Schwamp. I have that on video.  I'm gonna have to get that out and see what they said or if I've remembered correctly.

I hope you can find that Dud....

I was wrong.  It's not in that reunion show.  I just went through it.  I'm wondering why I have this memory of "Howard" saying the guy that played Mr. Schwamp was a grip.  I don't have anything to back that up and now I don't know if it was a made up memory from something I heard or whether I actually saw it.

ThelmaLou wrote on Jan 4^th, 2009 at 4:59pm:

well technically speaking there is no Moose in your name, I thought you was a cow till I saw your picture  ;D ;D ;D

Of the three of us, I'm Moo...  :D

and the other two are Moonshine and Moose...  ;D

You all get a chance to study Mr. Schwump again. "My Fair Ernest T. Bass" is on TV Land at 8:30 est tonight.

I think that Mr. Schwump was Sheldon Leonard in disguise...........

Maybe we can "get a grip" and make a note of the cast/crew credits on this one !

Can anyone post a photo of how Mr. Schwump would look without his wig?  :-?

Watching "My Fair Ernest T. Bass" and had a thought---they did not give Mr.Schwump a speaking part on purpose !! Why would they not have him at least make a comment about the rock in the opening scene ??
reaction ?

Mr. Schwump lived in the neighborhood surrounding the 40 Acres backlot and
did not realize that he was on a TV set.  

During the filming of The Andy Griffith Show, he thought he was in downtown
Culver City.

Considering the awful wig that he wore ( a disguise ), considering the name that he had ( whoever heard of the name Schwump ) and considering that he seemingly just dropped out of sight, I think the mystery of Mr. Schwump is easily understood.. Apparently he was in the "witness protection program". His true identity is forever sealed in FBI documents. ;D ;D ;D ;D

Ole_Sam wrote on Jan 5^th, 2009 at 12:11am:

Considering the awful wig that he wore ( a disguise ), considering the name that he had ( whoever heard of the name Schwump ) and considering that he seemingly just dropped out of sight, I think the mystery of Mr. Schwump is easily understood.. Apparently he was in the "witness protection program". His true identity is forever sealed in FBI documents. ;D ;D ;D ;D

That's probably true, Sam!  I bet if we discovered who Mr. Schwamp was, we would find Jimmy Hoffa!!!   ;D

What does it mean, that Mr. Schwamp was a "grip"?

Goober Pyle wrote on Jan 5^th, 2009 at 6:15am:

What does it mean, that Mr. Schwamp was a "grip"?

A worker who moves the camera around while a film or television show is being made.

Miss Peggy wrote on Dec 30^th, 2008 at 1:16am:

Who is this man?  He appears only in the background.  He has never said a word yet he has been referred to.  He is never credited. Is he a friend of Andy's?  Was he an actor?  Is he a figment in our collective imagination?  Someone must have the answers!  :o So spill already! :)

I'm gonna take you fishin' Miss Peggy.. You shore opened a can of worms!

Goober Pyle wrote on Yesterday at 6:15am:
What does it mean, that Mr. Schwamp was a "grip"?


DB wrote on Jan 5^th, 2009 at 7:52am:

A worker who moves the camera around while a film or television show is being made.

Okay... now 'splain what a Dolly Grip is ... and Who is the Best Boy?

Pierre wrote on Jan 6^th, 2009 at 3:10pm:

Dolly Grip

That would be Walt Simpson's horse...  :D  ;D

"Who is this man?  He appears only in the background.  He has never said a word yet he has been referred to.  He is never credited. Is he a friend of Andy's?  Was he an actor?  Is he a figment in our collective imagination?  Someone must have the answers!  

So spill already! "



So.... Back to the question.

If we really want an answer - time is running out.  Actors, camera men, writers and those associated with TAGS in the 60's are aged, at best.  Those of you, especially out there on the west coast, with lists of those who worked on the show - make a few phone calls.


or....


Do we really want to know? Would it ruin that mystique? Or would we be excited to finally know his name and give him well deserved props?


Interesting. Talk amongst yourselves....


;)

I think i'd prefer to know who he is, at least put a name to him :) I don't like mysteries! I'm not sure we ever will find out who he is though... :(

I didn't plow through all 8 pages of this thread, but it seems to me that a man appearing that many times would have to sign his name on some paperwork. Somebody must know his name but they aren't talking for whatever reason. Maybe someone should make a documentary and finally get at the truth. :P

Moonshine Moo wrote on Jan 7^th, 2009 at 2:02pm:

That would be Walt Simpson's horse...

Actually that is Walt Simpson's Hose's denture adhesive.

As stated before, the folks that have the time and resources have already investigated this at length. I think it will just be one of those great Mayberry mysteries.

In my not so humble opinion Griffith knows who he is.  He just ain't sayin'.  

His appearance is too gratuitous at times.. his name never changes...  He was someone everyone knew.  

He does kindy favor Jack Prince.... Maybe a relative?

Pierre wrote on Jan 8^th, 2009 at 8:52am:

In my not so humble opinion Griffith knows who he is.  He just ain't sayin'.   His appearance is too gratuitous at times.. his name never changes...  He was someone everyone knew.   He does kindy favor Jack Prince.... Maybe a relative?

In my not so humble opinion, you're wrong, Pierre.

Last night's Episode #123 the "Fun Girls" is Mr.Schwump's shining moment. He gets lots of face time and Andy even greets him by name. Come on now ! When they set the scenes, the set director or someone must have to tell everyone where to sit and how to move around during the scene. Don't tell me they just assigned them numbers (#1, #2, etc.)
So I still say someone --in all probability--several people knew his name.
BTW-- I really did not know that Episode #123 is the only one where both Gomer and Goober are seen. "Judy-Judy-Judy !"

Pierre wrote on Jan 8^th, 2009 at 8:52am:

In my not so humble opinion Griffith knows who he is.  He just ain't sayin'.   His appearance is too gratuitous at times.. his name never changes...  He was someone everyone knew.   He does kindy favor Jack Prince.... Maybe a relative?

In several different interviews, Andy has stated that he remembers him, but he doen't know his name.  

Does the rock that Mr. Schwump touched  in "My Fair Ernest T. Bass" still exist? Maybe they can get a DNA sample from it?  ;D

DB wrote on Jan 8^th, 2009 at 1:45pm:

Does the rock that Mr. Schwump touched  in "My Fair Ernest T. Bass" still exist? Maybe they can get a DNA sample from it?  ;D

I don't know, DB.  Just think about how many people handled that rock?  ;D

What about the boys at the lab?  What boys at what lab?   ;D

;D ;D

SWFLguy wrote on Jan 8^th, 2009 at 10:39am:

Episode #123 the "Fun Girls"

Did Skippy ever called Barney by his right name?  ;D

DB wrote on Jan 8^th, 2009 at 5:41pm:

Did Skippy ever called Barney by his right name?  ;D

She never did.      "Let's listen to Bernie"   ;D

In the "Fun Girls" episode when Goober, Gomer, Helen & Thelma Lou are sitting at the dance you can see Mr. Schwump in the background sitting with a bottle of pop & actually talking to a lady.

Later on he can be seen standing in the background again talking to someone. Was this the only episode when he was seen talking?

Mr. Schwump is seen sittin' on the bench with Andy in The Education of Earnest T. Bass. Writer Everett Greenbaum says of the scene, "Mr. Schwump was not scripted. The guy probably could have used a day's pay, so they put him in."

:)

Bucket Mouth wrote on Jan 9^th, 2009 at 7:20pm:

The guy probably could have used a day's pay

Maybe he needed his rug cleaned...  :D  ;D

Bucket Mouth wrote on Jan 9^th, 2009 at 7:20pm:

"Mr. Schwump was not scripted. The guy probably could have used a day's pay, so they put him in."

My theory is Mr. Schwump lived adjacent to 40 Acres and thought Mayberry
was just part of his own neighborhood.  

He didn't realize he was on TV.

http://www.andygriffithshow.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10013/Mr_Schwamp1.jpg
Mr. Schwamp , an American treasure.

Nat Pike wrote on Jan 14^th, 2009 at 5:48am:

Schwamp , an American treasure.

;D  He is indeed.

Quite a collection of pens in that pocket, too.

Phil Sunkel wrote on Jan 14^th, 2009 at 11:42am:

Quite a collection of pens in that pocket, too.

I still stick with my original story. Time traveler from the future, pops in on sets, smiling, staring at the camera, lot of pens in his pocket to get cast autographs........It couldn't be much clearer.
:D :D

;D ;D ;D

This guy is still an enigma wrapped in a riddle. I spotted in in 'The Lodge' tonight and I wanted to check to see if that was one of the episodes that was listed for. At the head of the page it says he was in 20 episodes, if you open the page it says 22 episodes, and if you look at the numbering of the episodes it's the number 23 (I think there was a movie by that name I wonder if Mr Schwamp had anything to do with that). I am also starting to wonder if Moonshine Moo might be Mr Shcwamp in one of his personalities?!?!?! :o :o :D :D ;D

Orville Monroe wrote on Jan 22^nd, 2009 at 5:34am:

I am also starting to wonder if Moonshine Moo might be Mr Shcwamp in one of his personalities?!?!?! :o :o :D :D ;D

My hair looks better that Mr. Schwump's...  :D ;D

Dud Wash wrote on Jan 4^th, 2009 at 5:20pm:

I was wrong.  It's not in that reunion show.  I just went through it.  I'm wondering why I have this memory of "Howard" saying the guy that played Mr. Schwamp was a grip.  I don't have anything to back that up and now I don't know if it was a made up memory from something I heard or whether I actually saw it.

Your memory is fine Dud, I recall that show too. Although I don't recall him calling him a grip, I do remember Jack Dodson saying something like "this man with the worst toupee I've ever seen."

Maybe Opie knows who Mr. Schwump is or was?  All I know is he was usually seen at dances standing in the stag line.  That's one heck of a rug he wears too.

Lake Loon

I think Mr. Schwump will be an Unsolved Mystery.

Hear, Hear, Hear! (Thats something that you say at meetings when you like something that someone said) ;)

Nice to see some mysteries are still around.  I've been doing exhaustive research and think I'm close.  Could I have found Mr. Schwamp and Ms. Wiley's love child?  You be the judge.

http://highwiredsith.homestead.com/files/schwamp.jpg

http://highwiredsith.homestead.com/files/sonofschwump.jpg

roflmfao!!!

too funny!!  i did see referance to mr schwamp being in a 1940's movie about christmas....

i will look back and see the exact name of the movie....

jiffy wrote on Feb 4^th, 2009 at 12:08pm:

roflmfao!!! too funny!!  i did see referance to mr schwamp being in a 1940's movie about christmas.... i will look back and see the exact name of the movie....

"Christmas in Connecticut"

so if he was definitely in the movie...would his name be listed on the cast or production list? imdb apparently doesnt have complete cast photos for that film. seems someone could figure out which one he is by a process of elimination.

thirdtwin wrote on Feb 4^th, 2009 at 3:58pm:

so if he was definitely in the movie...would his name be listed on the cast or production list? imdb apparently doesnt have complete cast photos for that film. seems someone could figure out which one he is by a process of elimination.

Unless he had a speaking role, he would have not been listed in the movie's credits.  His identity has been researched for over 30 years but to no avail.  All the TAGS actors have been asked his name, even Andy, and no one knows his name.  Most all of the writers and directors have passed on.  They would have possibly known, but extra's names aren't usually paid much attention to.

as someone else has mentioned...he had to get paid somehow..so his name was prob part of the records of his work so he could get checks and pay taxes on his parts...and if he actually was a grip also, even they are listed on credits sometimes.  fascinating mystery, of course no one back then planned that we'd all get together like this and sift thru every bit of info about the show.   luckily we have big enough wires nowadays to handle it...unlike barneys intercom.

is he the only unknown extra on the show? has everyone else been identified at this point?

Hazel from Barney and the Choir hasn't been identified...I don't think..

Neither "Hazel" nor "Nice-Dress Nellie"  have been ID'd.  

Who is nice dress Nellie?  :-/ :-?

She's in the background in a lot of episodes...  :D

In "Andy Saves Barney's Morale" as she's coming out of the jail cell Andy says to her "Nice dress Nellie"...

I'll look for her next time I watch that episode.

Moonshine Moo wrote on Dec 30^th, 2008 at 11:51am:

Are you sure it's a toupee? Maybe Floyd was practicing on him at Barber school...  :D

Like Floyd's cats, lol.

Mayberry had the baldest cats in the county...  :D

Is Nice Dress Nellie the same person as the Mayberry Mystery Woman?  If so, she has been identified.

:o

http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/4518/woman2iq4.jpg

Is this the woman we are speaking of ?

Does someone know her name ?

That's her...  :D

Do you suppose the Screen Actors Guild would be of any assistance?

Phil Sunkel wrote on Feb 6^th, 2009 at 3:43pm:

http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/4518/woman2iq4.jpg Is this the woman we are speaking of ? Does someone know her name ?

Yes and No, not yet.  :-/

This lady's name has been identified on this forum, maybe about a year ago.  It seems to me that her name is Hazel something, and she was a stand in for Lucille Ball occasionally.  She is in the IMDB.

I found this post...   :D


Re: MYSTERY WOMAN OF MAYBERRY??  
Dan Caldwell wrote on Aug 23rd, 2007, 6:41am:

This info was taken from the Digest that Alan/Floyd/Miss Crump sends out everyday. I haven't verified it yet but the lady seems pretty confident about this. Some one here that has more time than I do could verify by watching the Lucy episode she's credited in you can also check her out on IMDB.

From the Digest (below)

Yes, Silvia, her name is Hazel Pierce.  She was Lucille Ball's stand-in for all the "I Love Lucy" episodes.  She also was an extra on a number of ILL episodes, as well as some TAGS and Dick Van d**e shows.  She may have appeared in other shows as well, but these are the ones I've seen her in.  Hazel finally had a spoken line in one of the Lucy shows, "Lucy Goes to Sun Valley," which was one of the hour-long shows.  She played a waitress in that one.

Moonshine Moo wrote on Feb 6^th, 2009 at 10:04pm:

I found this post...   :D Re: MYSTERY WOMAN OF MAYBERRY??   Dan Caldwell wrote on Aug 23rd, 2007, 6:41am: This info was taken from the Digest that Alan/Floyd/Miss Crump sends out everyday. I haven't verified it yet but the lady seems pretty confident about this. Some one here that has more time than I do could verify by watching the Lucy episode she's credited in you can also check her out on IMDB. From the Digest (below) Yes, Silvia, her name is Hazel Pierce.  She was Lucille Ball's stand-in for all the "I Love Lucy" episodes.  She also was an extra on a number of ILL episodes, as well as some TAGS and Dick Van d**e shows.  She may have appeared in other shows as well, but these are the ones I've seen her in.  Hazel finally had a spoken line in one of the Lucy shows, "Lucy Goes to Sun Valley," which was one of the hour-long shows.  She played a waitress in that one.

"Nice-Dress Nellie"  is NOT Hazel Pierce.  I researched this extensively a couple of months ago.  First off, "Nice-Dress Nellie" was a lot shorter than Lucille Ball and Hazel Pierce was an older woman than Lucille Ball, but she was the same height and build, so she was used as a stand-in, but she also acted in a few episodes.

From Mrs. Briscoe's "Lucy" collection, I found several episodes that Hazel Pierce was in, as an actress, and she is definitely NOT "Nice-Dress Nellie"

I just watched The Facts of Life (1960) starring Lucille Ball and Bob Hope.  Hazel Pierce had a small role in the movie, and Briscoe is correct.  Hazel Pierce is NOT Nice Dress Nellie.  Howerver, TAGS alumnus William Lanteau, aka Ed Sawyer, had a small role in the movie.

KC wrote on Feb 12^th, 2009 at 7:07pm:

I just watched The Facts of Life (1960) starring Lucille Ball and Bob Hope.  Hazel Pierce had a small role in the movie, and Briscoe is correct.  Hazel Pierce is NOT Nice Dress Nellie.  Howerver, TAGS alumnus William Lanteau, aka Ed Sawyer, had a small role in the movie.

He was also in the 1st episode of "Sanford and Son"     It's interesting to see his salt and pepper hair and his long sideburns.  

Did you like that movie KC? I thought about watching it before, but I read reviews that it was so boring.....

Pharmacy Gal:  It's OK, but not great.  I laughed outloud a couple of times.  The reviews are correct that it is boring at times.  I guess I am glad that I watched it.  The romance between Lucille Ball and Bob Hope reminded me of some of the romances of Fraser Crane.  But Fraser is funnier.

My favorite Lucy movie is The Long, Long Trailer.  Very funny.  Also has
Howard McNear in it a decade before playing Floyd in TAGS.  Hoists up
his trousers just like Floyd does.

YouTube Clip.  Floyd at 4:11.

Thanks KC

Phil, I love theLong Long trailer too! I just bought the collection of Here's Lucy. It has 24 episodes, and teriffic special features! I mostly bought it for the episode with Donny Osmond ::)

http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/4518/woman2iq4.jpg http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/23/Lynn_Bari%2C_Edward_G._Robinson-Tampico5.JPG/180px-Lynn_Bari%2C_Edward_G._Robinson-Tampico5.JPG

I dunno... looks a bit like Edward G. Robinson in drag to me.

(He's the one with the hat)

Pierre wrote on Feb 13^th, 2009 at 8:23am:

I dunno... looks a bit like Edward G. Robinson in drag to me.

:o :o :o :o

Pierre wrote on Feb 13^th, 2009 at 8:23am:

http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/4518/woman2iq4.jpg http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/23/Lynn_Bari%2C_Edward_G._Robinson-Tampico5.JPG/180px-Lynn_Bari%2C_Edward_G._Robinson-Tampico5.JPG I dunno... looks a bit like Edward G. Robinson in drag to me. (He's the one with the hat)

You know what I have to agree with you!Although I would never have said it in front of him in his younger days. ;D ;D ;D

thats cruel....funny as crap!!!! but cruel...........

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

http://highwiredsith.homestead.com/files/schwamp.jpg

Does anyone know the episode that this shot of Mr. Schwump is from?  Is it a scene from The Andy Griffith Show, or some other series?

This scene is from TAGS.  "Floyd's Barbershop"   #210

Briscoe Darling wrote on Feb 15^th, 2009 at 12:30pm:

This scene is from TAGS.  "Floyd's Barbershop"   #210

Thanks Briscoe!

Phil Sunkel wrote on Feb 12^th, 2009 at 9:08pm:

My favorite Lucy movie is The Long, Long Trailer.  Very funny.  Also has Howard McNear in it a decade before playing Floyd in TAGS.  Hoists up his trousers just like Floyd does. YouTube Clip.  Floyd at 4:11.

I *love* that movie! When I first saw it, I happened to be cross stitching, so I wasn't watching the tv the whole time. Then I heard a familiar voice, and before I even looked up, I knew that "Floyd" was in the movie. He always makes me laugh.  ;D

Howard McNear appears as Andy the Barber in the "Leave It To Beaver" episode "The Shave" today at 7pm est on TV Land...  :D

I thought this thread was about Mr. Schwamp?

Briscoe Darling wrote on Feb 15^th, 2009 at 5:54pm:

I thought this thread was about Mr. Schwamp?

It seems to be what ever anyone wants to change it too! >:(
It seems as of late here people do not care what the title or subject of a post (thread)is,they'll just post it anyway in hopes of,getting heard,gaining more post to get to a higher grade level,etc!  Look
when folks who do not stop here often or maybe they do and there looking for info on something,they'll be upset if they have to look thru a bunch of post titled one thing and over 50 % of the subject is about something else  This is just my opinion and does not mean it is the opinion of others here! Brian

My apologies, gentlemen.  :-[

----and no one mentioned that the newspaper that Mr.Schwump seems to be reading is UPSIDE DOWN ! Looking closely is seems that there is something else inside the newspaper that has Mr.Schwump's attention!!

[edit] Portion of post removed by Principal[/edit]

SWFLguy wrote on Feb 15^th, 2009 at 8:01pm:

----and no one mentioned that the newspaper that Mr.Schwump seems to be reading is UPSIDE DOWN ! !

The paper is not upside down.  It's folded and we see the bottom of the fold.