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The eBullet
An Online Newsletter of "The Andy Griffith Show" Rerun Watchers Club (TAGSRWC)
Volume 13, Issue 6
November 2013
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Welcome to our sixth and final issue of The eBullet for 2013. What a fun year of Mayberry events it has been! We've got coverage and links below, including for Mayberry Days and the recent Mayberry Halloween Cruise. And much more is on the horizon for the rest of this year and for 2014!
Turkey Time!
With Christmas just around the corner, shopping for family and friends is on a lot of our minds. Our online Weaver's Department Store has some great new offerings. In addition to the always popular 2014 TAGS Wall Calendar, Weaver's has a new CD with vintage Mayberry recordings from Maggie Peterson (Charlene Darling) and two favorite T-shirt designs are now available as both sweatshirts and hoodies.
And after much pondering, our TAGSRWC Archives has just this month made available some very rare and special items...original TAGS scripts. All of these and much much more are on our Weaver's Department Store shelves online.
Read on for all the latest goin's-on!
Floyd's Barbershop Bulletin Board
&
Event Calendar
Russell Hiatt, America's Barber and proprietor of Floyd's City Barber Shop in Mount Airy, pauses to pose at his shop during Mayberry Days. He and his late friend Charles Dowell, longtime owner and grillmaster next door at the Snappy Lunch, were honored with stars in the walkway at the Andy Griffith Museum during this year's festival.
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The Andy Griffith Museum, featuring the late Emmett Forrest's amazing collection of Andy Griffith memorabilia (the world's best!), is open daily in Mount Airy, N.C. For info, visit the website at www.andygriffithmuseum.org/ or call (336) 786-1604.
Photo by Hobart Jones.
* Nov. 15: Betty Lynn (Thelma Lou) greets fans at the Andy Griffith Museum 12:30-1:30 p.m. She will have autographed 8?--10 photos available ($10). For info, visit the website at www.andygriffithmuseum.or or call (336) 786-1604.
* Nov. 29: The Roland White Band performs at The Station Inn in Nashville, Tenn. Show time is 9 p.m. Admission is $12.
* Dec. 5: David "Mayberry Deputy" Browning sleighs the crowd with laughter at the Evening Christmas Parade in downtown Bristol Tenn./Va.
* Dec. 7: Rodney Dillard and The Dillard Band and Maggie Peterson perform their Mayberry Christmas show featuring David "Mayberry Deputy" Browning at Long Branch Baptist Church in Autryville, N.C. Shows are at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. with a meet-and-greet with the stars at 6 p.m. For more info, call 910-531-3765.
* Dec. 7.: Roland White presents the 16th Annual Bill Monroe Appreciation Night at The Station Inn in Nashville, Tenn. Show time is 8 p.m. Admission is $15. Additional performers TBA.
* Dec. 8: David "Ebenezer" Browning performs his one-man A Christmas Carol at Long Branch Baptist Church in Autryville, N.C.
* Dec. 10: David "Scrooge" Browning performs A Christmas Carol at Montgomery Community College in Troy, N.C.
* Dec. 14: Rodney Dillard and The Dillard Band and Maggie Peterson bring a sleigh full of music and fun to East Tennessee with their Mayberry Christmas show featuring David "Mayberry Deputy" Browning. The show is at Northeast State Community College in Blountville, Tenn. Details TBA.
* Dec. 15: Rodney Dillard and the Dillard Band, Maggie Peterson and David "Mayberry Deputy" Browning move on to Middle Tennessee with their popular Mayberry Christmas show, where they perform today at Mt. Juliet Middle School in Mt. Juliet at 6:30 p.m., presented by Abundant Life Church of Mt Juliet. The evening will begin with a showing of the "Christmas Story" episode. The show will be followed by a meet-and-greet with the performers. For tickets ($20 for General Admission in first five rows; $15 General Admission in all other seats) or more info, call 615-754-7035. Or tickets may be purchased online at Christmas in Mayberry.
* Dec. 18: It's back to East Tennessee for Rodney Dillard and the Dillard Band, Maggie Peterson and David "Mayberry Deputy" Browning and their Mayberry Christmas show. They perform today at Freedom Hall Auditorium in Johnson City, Tenn. Details TBA.
Betty Lynn is ready to share holiday cheer with visitors at the Andy Griffith Museum. Photo by Hobart Jones.
* Dec. 20: Betty Lynn (Thelma Lou) greets fans at the Andy Griffith Museum 12:30-1:30 p.m. She will have autographed 8?--10 photos available ($10). For info, visit the website at www.andygriffithmuseum.org or call (336) 786-1604.
2014
* Jan. 3-5: Clint Howard greets fans and signs autographs at the Hollywood Show memorabilia convention at the Loews Hollywood Hotel in Hollywood, Calif. For info, visit www.hollywoodshow.com.
* Jan. 11: James Best performs "Best in Hollywood" at the Green Room Community Theater in Newton, N.C. For more info, contact the box office at 828-464-6583 or visit www.the-green-room.org.
* Jan. 11: Ronnie Schell performs at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, Calif. More info at www.fantasyspringsresort.com
Photo by Hobart Jones.
* Jan. 17: Betty Lynn (Thelma Lou) greets fans at the Andy Griffith Museum 12:30-1:30 p.m. She will have autographed 8?--10 photos available ($10). For info, visit the website at www.andygriffithmuseum.org or call (336) 786-1604.
* Jan. 28: Celebrate the 90th Birthday of Hall of Fame Barber Russell Hiatt in Mount Airy, N.C.
* Feb. 12 and 13: Maggie Peterson (Charlene Darling) and Ronnie Schell (two episodes of TAGS and Duke Slater on "Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.") greet fans and sign autographs at the Andy Griffith Museum in Mount Airy, N.C., from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. both days.
* Feb. 14: Maggie Peterson and Ronnie Schell perform Love Letters during a dinner show at Cross Creek Country Club in Mount Airy, N.C. All tickets are $55, which includes dinner. (No tickets will be available without dinner.) Dinner is at 6:30 p.m., followed by the show. Tickets are available from the Surry Arts Council and its website www.surryarts.org.
* Feb. 21: Betty Lynn (Thelma Lou) greets fans at the Andy Griffith Museum 12:30-1:30 p.m. She will have autographed 8?--10 photos available ($10). For info, visit the website at www.andygriffithmuseum.org or call (336) 786-1604.
* Feb. 28-Mar. 16: James Best stars with wife Dorothy Best and Norma Frank in On Golden Pond at the Hickory Community Theatre in Hickory, N.C. For info, visit http://hickorytheatre.org.
* Mar. 6-8: 17th Annual George Lindsey UNA Film Festival in Florence, Ala. For info, visit www.lindseyfilmfest.com.
* Mar. 8: Neal Brower, author of Mayberry 101, presents a lecture on the "Opie's Hobo Friend" episode of TAGS, the first one written by Harvey Bullock, starting at 2 p.m., in the Andy Griffith Museum Theatre in Mount Airy, N.C. Admission is included with an Andy Griffith Museum armband ($3 or $5) or is $5 without one. For info, visit the website at www.andygriffithmuseum.org or call (336) 786-1604.
* Mar. 21: Betty Lynn (Thelma Lou) greets fans at the Andy Griffith Museum 12:30-1:30 p.m. She will have autographed 8?--10 photos available ($10). For info, visit the website at www.andygriffithmuseum.org or call (336) 786-1604.
* Mar. 21-23: Karen Knotts has four performances of "Tied Up in Knotts" in Folsom, Calif. Details TBA.
* Mar. 22: James Best presents "Best in Hollywood" at the Camden Fine Arts Center in Camden, S.C. For more info, call the box office at 803-425-7676 or visit www.fineartscenter.org.
* Apr. 12: Neal Brower, author of Mayberry 101, presents a lecture on the "The Education of Ernest T. Bass" episode of TAGS, starting at 2 p.m., in the Andy Griffith Museum Theatre in Mount Airy, N.C. Admission is included with an Andy Griffith Museum armband ($3 or $5) or is $5 without one. For info, visit the website at www.andygriffithmuseum.org or call (336) 786-1604.
* Apr. 18: Betty Lynn (Thelma Lou) greets fans at the Andy Griffith Museum 12:30-1:30 p.m. She will have autographed 8?--10 photos available ($10). For info, visit the website at www.andygriffithmuseum.org or call (336) 786-1604.
* Apr. 25 and 26: Eagles' Wings fundraiser event in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Guests and schedule TBA. For now, just mark your calendar for this annual event that supports Eagles' Wings' efforts to assist adults with disabilities. More info at www.eagleswingsoftuscaloosa.org.
* Apr. 25-27: Maggie Peterson is a special guest for the Missouri Cherry Blossom Festival in Marshfield, Mo., where she is a perennial favorite. More details TBA. For info, visit www.cherryblossomfest.com.
* Apr. 26: James Best brings his "Best in Hollywood" show to the Newberry Opera House in Newberry, S.C. For more info, call the box office at 803-276-6264 or visit www.newberryoperahouse.com.
* May 2 and 3: 4th Annual Mayberry Comes to Westminster Festival in Westminster, S.C. Details TBA.
* May 10: Neal Brower, author of Mayberry 101, presents a lecture on the "Rafe Hollister Sings" episode of TAGS, starting at 2 p.m., in the Andy Griffith Museum Theatre in Mount Airy, N.C. Admission is included with an Andy Griffith Museum armband ($3 or $5) or is $5 without one. For info, visit the website at www.andygriffithmuseum.org or call (336) 786-1604.
* May 16: Betty Lynn (Thelma Lou) greets fans at the Andy Griffith Museum 12:30-1:30 p.m. She will have autographed 8?--10 photos available ($10). For info, visit the website at www.andygriffithmuseum.org or call (336) 786-1604.
* May 17 and 18: Mayberry in the Midwest in Danville, Ind. Stars confirmed so far include Maggie Peterson, Rodney Dillard and the Dillard Band, and a full slate of Mayberry Tribute Artists. Many more details TBA, but for now, just mark your calendar.
* May 20-25: Ronnie Schell performs at the Improv Comedy Club at Harrah's Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. For more info, visit www.harrahslasvegas.com.
* June 14: Neal Brower, author of Mayberry 101, presents a lecture on the "Barney and Thelma Lou, Phfft" episode of TAGS, starting at 2 p.m., in the Andy Griffith Museum Theatre in Mount Airy, N.C. Admission is included with an Andy Griffith Museum armband ($3 or $5) or is $5 without one. For info, visit the website at www.andygriffithmuseum.org or call (336) 786-1604.
* June 20: Betty Lynn (Thelma Lou) greets fans at the Andy Griffith Museum 12:30-1:30 p.m. She will have autographed 8?--10 photos available ($10). For info, visit the website at www.andygriffithmuseum.org or call (336) 786-1604.
* July 12: Neal Brower, author of Mayberry 101, presents a lecture on the "Back to Nature" episode of TAGS, starting at 2 p.m., in the Andy Griffith Museum Theatre in Mount Airy, N.C. Admission is included with an Andy Griffith Museum armband ($3 or $5) or is $5 without one. For info, visit the website at www.andygriffithmuseum.org or call (336) 786-1604.
* July 18: Betty Lynn (Thelma Lou) greets fans at the Andy Griffith Museum 12:30-1:30 p.m. She will have autographed 8?--10 photos available ($10). For info, visit the website at www.andygriffithmuseum.org or call (336) 786-1604.
* July 23-27: Ronnie Schell performs at the Improv at Harvey's Lake Tahoe (Nev.). For info visit, www.harveystahoe.com.
* Aug. 9: Neal Brower, author of Mayberry 101, presents a lecture on the "The Songfesters" episode of TAGS, starting at 2 p.m., in the Andy Griffith Museum Theatre in Mount Airy, N.C. Admission is included with an Andy Griffith Museum armband ($3 or $5) or is $5 without one. For info, visit the website at www.andygriffithmuseum.org or call (336) 786-1604.
* Aug. 15: Betty Lynn (Thelma Lou) greets fans at the Andy Griffith Museum 12:30-1:30 p.m. She will have autographed 8?--10 photos available ($10). For info, visit the website at www.andygriffithmuseum.org or call (336) 786-1604.
* Sept. 19: Betty Lynn (Thelma Lou) greets fans at the Andy Griffith Museum 12:30-1:30 p.m. She will have autographed 8?--10 photos available ($10). For info, visit the website at www.andygriffithmuseum.org or call (336) 786-1604.
* Sept. 25-28: 25th Annual Mayberry Days in Mount Airy, N.C. Details TBA. Visit www.surryarts.org for more info.
**** News of Cast & Crew ****
Ron Howard's Rush, the film about a legendary saga in Formula One racing, received very good reviews and has had solid box office sales (and now some Oscar buzz), especially overseas, where Formula One is wildly popular. It has grossed over $90 million worldwide since its release in September.
Join the 700,000+ who follow Ron Howard on Twitter (@RealRonHoward) and you'll get to see neat things like this drawing he tweeted with the comment: "A recent phone doodle. I always start with three random lines and while talking it takes form & I color it in."
Jay-Z: Made in America, Ron's documentary about hip-hop star Jay-Z's music festival in Philadelphia, premiered at the Toronto Film Festival in September, and made its debut on Showtime in October. The documentary has also been picked for distribution to theaters next summer.
This is a shot Ron Howard tweeted from the set of In the Heart of the Sea, now filming in London.
Meanwhile, Ron is now filming In the Heart of the Sea, a tragic story of the Essex, a whaling ship destroyed by a whale in 1820.
And Ron and his Imagine Entertainment studio are producing a revival of the popular "24" TV series called "24: Live Another Day," which is set to begin airing sometime in 2014.
Ron and Imagine partner Brian Grazer are also trying to bring the "Friday Night Lights" TV series to the big screen (where filmed versions of FNL, based on the FNL book, started in 2004). The interesting twist is that Imagine likely will use crowdfunding (that is, money from fans and others through Kickstarter or a similar program) as part of the financial backing for the new movie.
HAPPY FACES--Betty Lynn greeting fans at Mayberry Days. Photo by Hobart Jones.
Betty Lynn had surgery the day before her birthday at the end of August. She is recovering well. Always a trouper, she made appearances for key parts of Mayberry Days and she has kept up her autograph sessions once a month (the third Friday from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.) at the Andy Griffith Museum.
Maggie Peterson and Rodney Dillard recently performed in Minnesota. Rodney and wife Beverly also were able to visit the Taylor Home Inn (a B&B that's a remarkable replica of the Taylor house on TAGS) in nearby Clear Lake, Wis.
Riding in Darlings style in the Mayberry Days parade.
Maggie and Ronnie Schell will be appearing at the Andy Griffith Museum (Feb. 12 and 13) and doing a performance of Love Letters for one night only (Feb. 14.) in Mount Airy, N.C. (See Floyd's bulletin board above.)
James Best enjoys a group hug with Mayberry Days Pork Queen Patty Browning, Mayberry Deputy David Browning and Best wife Dorothy.
James Best has had a full schedule with personal appearances and exhibitions of his original art. In October, he was in Ennis, Tex. for a big "Dukes of Hazzard" reunion. Many of his personal appearances are "Dukes" related, but he's often joined for comedy sketches onstage by David "Mayberry Deputy" Browning.
And look for James (and David Browning, along with John Schneider, Bruce Davison and an attractive cast) in Return of the Killer Shrews. (Our Weaver's Dept. Store has it on DVD. )
On a tamer note, James is also set to star in a production of On Golden Pond at the Hickory (N.C.) Community Theatre starting February 28 next year.
The Surry Arts Council/Mayberry Days has an outstanding and extensive festival gallery of photos by Hobart Jones at www.surryarts.org/mayberrydays.
By the way, the TAGS stars at this year's Mayberry Days festival were Betty Lynn, Maggie Peterson, James Best, Elizabeth MacRae, George Spence, Morgan Brittany, Peggy McCay, LeRoy McNees, Roland White (making his festival debut), and Margaret Kerry, along with Karen Knotts and George Lindsey Jr., plus other favorite entertainers such as the VW Boys, Michael Hoover, Ginger Boatwright and all the Mayberry tribute artists.
A month after Mayberry Days, it was all aboard for a floating Mrs. Wiley's Tea Party when Jackie Joseph (Ernest T.'s Sweet Romeena) set sail in October with the Halloween Cruise to Mayberry 8 with fellow cast member LeRoy "Mack" McNees and a full deck of Mayberry frolickers.
LeRoy McNees (far right) with a boatload of tribute artists on the Mayberry Cruise. Photo by Jan Newsome.
Jackie Joseph spreading good cheer on the Mayberry Cruise. Photo by Jan Newsome.
And then about a week after returning from the Mayberry Cruise, Jackie Joseph celebrated her milestone 80th birthday with family and friends back home in Toluca Lake, Calif.
Richard O. (Dick) Linke, TAGS associate producer and longtime manager of Andy Griffith, Jim Nabors, Ken Berry, Maggie Peterson, Ronnie Schell and others, reports that he's doing well. He celebrated his 96th birthday with a gathering of family and friends at his home in Hawaii on October 23rd.
Margaret Kerry has been collaborating with George Lindsey Jr. on some comedy performances. And she did some interviews with George about show business and his memories of his dad. Those are expected to be on her website (www.tinkerbelltalks.com) at some point.
Karen Knotts (center) celebrated John Lennon's birthday at Enoch's Irish Pub & Cafe in Monroe, La., during a day off from her Louisiana tour with "Tied Up in Knotts" in October.
Karen Knotts's performance of "Tied Up in Knotts" in Corydon, Ind., in October also helped raise $4,000 for the town's public library. Attagirl, Karen! She also had recent engagements in Louisiana, Ohio and Kansas. Book her HERE to perform in your area!
And finally, we were late in hearing the news that actor Arthur Malet died on May 18. He was 85.
Born Vivian R. Malet in Lee-on-Solent, England, on September 24, 1927, he appeared in two episodes of TAGS, both in the Sixth Season. First he was the Vagrant in "Lost and Found" (Episode #178) and then he played Purvis in "The Battle of Mayberry" (Episode #188).
Arthur Malet as Purvis (in the barbershop with Floyd) in "The Battle of Mayberry."
That wide range of roles was typical for Arthur Malet, who changed his name for acting and played everything from a judge on "Bewitched" and a professor on "Wild, Wild West" to Graveyard Keeper in Halloween and a bum on "Bosom Buddies."
He won a Special Award from the Drama Desk Awards in 1957 for his contributions to the Broadway revival of Volpone/The Misanthrope that was performed in French. He was also in three Broadway productions in the late 1950s before concentrating on film work.
Arthur Malet as the Vagrant in "Lost and Found."
Among his hundreds of film roles was also Mr. Dawes Jr. in Disney's Mary Poppins. He was especially visible on TV shows from the 1960s through the 1980s, ranging from "The Dick Van Dyke Show" and "The Monkees" to "Columbo" and "Charlie's Angels" to "MacGyver" and "Dallas."
Arthur Malet had a gloriously varied and full career playing interesting parts, large and small. We're lucky that he made a couple of stops in Mayberry.
Special thanks to our unofficial stringer, Eagle-Eye Brent Seguine, for bringing Arthur Malet's passing to our attention.
**** Chapter Update ****
We have seven new chapters since the September eBullet, which brings us to 1,416 chapters founded since TAGSRWC began.
| Myers Lake Bait Shop | Perrysburg, Ohio |
| "What About Our Evil Influence?" | Staunton, Va. |
| "Are You Joshing" | Warsaw, N.C. |
| I Miss Mayberry | |
| "Is That You, Ernest T.?" | Stanton, Ky. |
| "Now That's a Pickle" | Roanoke, Va. |
| "Mornin' Honey" | Thomasville, N.C. |
If you'd like to start a chapter of TAGSRWC, it's easy. Just pick a name that hasn't already been chosen, and submit it with a list of your founding members by e-mail to Goober@imayberry.com or by U.S. Mail to TAGSRWC's HQ in Nashville. There's a searchable list of chapter names that are already taken at www.tagsrwc.com.
Once your submitted chapter name is approved, you'll receive your Official Chapter Charter, fancily inscribed and "suitable for framing" by Sherry Hyatt, our master calligrapher from the "Compelsion Nuts" chapter in East Tennessee. (Odd fact known by few: Sherry is also the 2013 Champion in the highly competitive Racin' Weasels NASCAR fantasy racing group.)
What you do as a chapter is entirely up to you. Some chapters get together regularly and do elaborate activities. Others are doing well if they can find the TV remote control in the couch cushions. ("That's the couch I was telling you about.") Either way, or anything in between, is perfectly fine.) Like Andy in Mayberry, we don't carry a gun and enforce a lot of rules. (Don't tell Barney!)
Or if you're feeling more like a joiner than a starter, you can write to us at Goober@iMayberry.com, and we'll see if we can hook you up with an active chapter near you.
And you can also join our online "Who's Been Messin' Up the Bulletin Board?" chapter. (It's really quick and easy to do. Info is at tagsrwc.com.)
We always enjoy hearing news (and seeing photos) from existing chapters. (See the Chapter News section below.) And if HQ can ever be of any service to your chapter, we're always eager to do whatever we can.
We hope you can enjoy the fun of being part of a TAGSRWC chapter!
**** Merchandise Update ****
Just in time for the upcoming holiday shopping season, ol' Ben Weaver has several new items that make outstanding gifts for Mayberry fans. Browse the full selection of books, apparel, DVDs, artwork, collectibles, items for your vehicle and much more online at Weaver's (www.weaversdepartmentstore.com).
We appreciate your shopping at Weaver's, especially because Weaver's sales are the main (actually, the only) thing that helps TAGSRWC be able to support Mayberry Days and other Mayberry-connected events and charitable efforts throughout the year. We appreciate it!
Featured This Month at Weaver's:
2014 Andy Griffith Show Wall Calendar
$15.00
The official "Andy Griffith Show" Wall Calendar is back for 2014! This calendar contains all black-and-white photos (though some are of color seasons). When hanging up, the calendar measures 12 x 22.
Favorite characters featured in the 2014 edition are Andy, Barney, Opie, Aunt Bee, Gomer, Goober, Weaver's Mannequins and a very skinny Santa (ho-ho-ho).
Be sure to make your dates with Mayberry in 2014!
SPECIAL OFFER:
Buy 2, Get 1 Free! That's right. Ol' Ben Weaver got into that jug of Christmas spirits a little early this year. When you buy 2 of the 2014 Wall Calendar, we'll add another one to your order for FREE.
Ernest T. has calculated that that's like getting the 3 calendars for just $10 each, or 1/3 off! Christmas in November! We'll give thanks for that! So buy a couple of calendars for friends, and get one for yourself. You deserve it! And it's the same deal if you buy 4 or 6, etc. For every 2 you buy, you get one free.
The TAGS Wall Calendar is a great way for all your friends and family to celebrate Mayberry every month and every day in 2014.
Songs That Make Me Cry
by Maggie Peterson CD (autographed)
New!!!
$12.00
Maggie Peterson (Charlene Darling) sings Songs That Make Me Cry on CD (autographed). This special CD features the original tracks for three songs Maggie sang on "The Andy Griffith Show."
For 50 years, Maggie carefully preserved the acetate recordings made from the original masters. Now, she is generously sharing with Mayberry fans this CD made from those acetates.
The three songs on this CD are:
* Salty Dog
* Shady Grove
* There Is a Time
This boutique CD is being produced for us in a Mayberry-sized batch. And what's more...Maggie is also autographing the cover insert of each one for us! So, what is already a truly special collectible becomes even more so.
We're pleased to offer this wonderful keepsake collection of beautiful recordings, and we thank Maggie for giving Mayberry fans the chance to enjoy them in our personal collections!
Sweatshirts and Hoodies
In time for winter, we now have two of our most popular T-shirt designs available as both sweatshirts and hoodies, in sizes Small to 3X.
Sweatshirts are $32 and Hoodies are $42.
Two New T-Shirt Designs!
As with all of our officially licensed T-shirt designs (more than 2 dozen in all!), these shirts are 100% cotton and only $18 each. (All-American Andy is on a light gray shirt and Newest Nip It is on a sky blue shirt.) Both shirts (and most of our other designs) are available in sizes adult Small to 2X. A few designs are also in 3X.
Original "Andy Griffith Show"
Scripts
A publicity photo for "Deputy Otis," one of the original scripts available at Weaver's.
These original scripts from "The Andy Griffith Show" are ones that were used by beloved actor Hal Smith (Otis Campbell.) Many contain markings, notes and doodles by Hal. A few also have bonus features, such as Shooting Schedules, Call Sheets, Signatures and Autographed Photos.
Writer Harvey Bullock looking over a script with Andy on the TAGS set. A few of the classic scripts written by Harvey are among those in this collection.
We acquired these scripts from Hal's estate many years ago. Because these scripts were part of the actual production of the show--and because they were Hal's--they are some of our most treasured items, and some of the most significant artifacts of the show.
We have preserved these scripts in our archives for all of these years. Our original intent was to eventually donate these scripts as a single Collection to a library or other institution. But then Andy Griffith donated his complete set of scripts to the University of North Carolina, and actor George Lindsey and others donated theirs to the University of North Alabama. A few other scripts from the show are being preserved for posterity and reference at other institutions, including a few that TAGSRWC and others have donated to the Andy Griffith Museum in Mount Airy.
"Hot Rod Otis"
So, it no longer seems as critical to us that we preserve Hal's Mayberry scripts in a single collection. It's now probably a better idea for these scripts to find happy homes among our fellow fans, who for years to come will cherish them as much as we have.
Our offering these scripts for sale is a lot like Andy Taylor deciding to sell his prized Eagle-Eye Annie fishing rod in order to get the bed jacket for Aunt Bee. In this case, proceeds (100% of the sale amounts) for these scripts will go toward Weaver's and TAGSRWC's support of upcoming Mayberry events. Most of the proceeds will be earmarked for the annual Mayberry Days festival in Andy Griffith's hometown of Mount Airy, N.C., but we hope to be able to use some of the proceeds to support other efforts leading up to show's 55th Anniversary in 2015.
We think if these scripts find a good home while helping us support some good Mayberry causes, then that's a wonderful win-win situation for Mayberry and its fans.
For several years, we've also offered some of Hal Smith's non-Mayberry scripts to support Mayberry events and charitable fund-raisers. Several of those scripts are still available, including some from popular and important productions, so we encourage you to browse those online here at Weaver's as well.
As for these "Andy Griffith Show" scripts, each listing has general descriptive information about markings made by Hal Smith and other special features (such as a few that are autographed by legendary writer Jack Elinson). If you want further details about a particular script, beyond what's on the Weaver's site, please e-mail us at weavershop@aol.com.
BONUS: A black & white 8x10 photo of Hal Smith as Otis is included with each script. (In a few cases, the photo will be for the same episode as the script.) Also included with each script is a 4-page tribute published about Hal after he passed away in 1994.
"Matlock" Complete Nine Seasons
Now Available on DVD!
List Price $339.00
NEW in 2013!!!
If you've "Ben" waiting all these years for the complete Matlock collection on DVD, your wait is finally over. All 195 episodes on a whopping 52 discs are now available as a Complete Series Set. No special packaging. Just each season in its own case.
The verdict is in. Like those courthouse hotdogs that Ben loves so much, "Matlock" is a guilty pleasure! And best of all, "Matlock" has lots of our beloved Andy Griffith in action...with lots of familiar friends, including many from Mayberry!
Load up on "Matlock," the next best thing to Mayberry! And at an attractive price that even frugal ol' Ben himself would like!
Oh, and Weaver's of course has individual Seasons, The Entire Series (now only $109.00!) and a 50th Anniversary Collection of TAGS on DVD, as well as "Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C." and favorite movies and other features starring Andy Griffith, Don Knotts, George Lindsey and the Dillards.
Return of the Killer Shrews on DVD
List Price: $20.oo Our Price: $18.00
More scary than The Monster from out of Town, more bizarre than Anteaters from Outer Space. Watch out for Return of the Killer Shrews!
Otis, grip a bottle and take cover under your courthouse cot! Aunt Bee, grab your rolling pin! Barney, find your bullet. Opie, test your slingshot. Ernest T. Bass, uh...never mind. He'll be fine. Even Killer Shrews know to avoid that nut and his sack of rocks!
Yes, the Killer Shrews of legend are back in Return of the Killer Shrews, the long-awaited sequel to the original 1959 cult classic starring James Best as Capt. Thorne Sherman.
James and his ''Dukes of Hazzard'' buddies John Schneider and Rick Hurst are joined by not only the talented Mr. Davison, but also Jennifer Lyons (yes, in the required monster movie bikini), Sean Flynn (grandson of Errol Flynn), David "Mayberry Deputy" Browning (as earnest Neavis), plus Patty Browning (David's wife) as the endearing Intern, and other able and highly watchable actors. As for the shrews, they're simply, viciously, blood-thirstily horror-able.
Special features: Trailer, "Making of" videos (including commentary by James Best), music video with Dean Torrence (Jan & Dean), plus special bonus: a brand-new digital film transfer of the original 1959 cult classic The Killer Shrews.
And beyond Killer Shrews and such, Weaver's of course has all of the normal items you expect to find in an online store that's all about Mayberry, including lots of wonderful items for the holidays, which will be here before Aunt Bee can say "Oh, flibbertigibbet!"
Christmas Corner
In addition to our wide variety of Mayberry items that make great gifts year-round, we have several geared especially for Christmas. You'll find them HERE.
Find all of these items and much more at weaversdepartmentstore.com, or just click on the Weaver's button at the top left or top right of the page whenever you're visiting www.imayberry.com.
**** Chapter News ****
It has been a busy fall (and entire year!) for many TAGSRWC chapters. We'll share a lot of the news through photos.
Some of TAGSRWC's chapter leaders at the Annual Meeting during Mayberry Days.
A whole bunch of chapters attended and helped out at Mayberry Days in September. We have a gallery of photos of TAGS stars and fans on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/tagsrwc.
The Mayberry Days Silent Auction organized by TAGSRWC's "Who's Been Messin' Up the Bulletin Board?" chapter on the Internet raised $2,507.50 this year (according to the meticulous recordkeeping of chief organizer Jeff Koontz). All the proceeds go toward future enhancements of Mayberry Days. Most of the donated items (and many of the bids) come from WBMUTBB members.
Members of "WBMUTBB?" chapter gathered at Mayberry Days. Photo by Jan Newsome.
David Browning holds his Jim Schwenke Memorial Award moments after the presentation by Allan Newsome.
TAGSRWC presented its two major awards during Mayberry Days. First was the Jim Schwenke Memorial Award. Traditionally presented during TAGSRWC Annual Meeting, the Schwenke Award (honoring Houston's Mayberry Texans founder Jim Schwenke, who died in 2002) this year was presented during the VW Boys concert in order to accommodate the hectic Mayberry Days schedule of its recipient. This year the Schwenke Award was presented to David Browning, founder of the "I Ain't No Rockefeller" chapter (Bristol, Va.) and beloved for all the joy he has brought to millions of people as the Mayberry Deputy.
Bob Mundy plights his troth as Briscoe with Aunt Bee (Alma Venable) as Ernest T. (Phil Fox) eyes a potential meal in a Colonel Tim's Talent Time sketch during Mayberry Days.
The other award presented by TAGSRWC is the Mayberry Friendship Award. Kenneth Junkin presented the award to Bob Mundy, founder of Briscoe of Mayberry chapter (Indianapolis, Ind.) and a Briscoe Darling tribute artist. Bob has given generously of his talents and time to Mayberry events all over the country as he spreads Mayberry smiles. All we can say is, "More power to ya, Bob! And thanks."
Congratulations to David and Bob for their well-deserved awards!
FIELD OF DREAMS--As Don Kernan (left) of Foley's Market tells us, "The exit says 'Wayne City' but the station owner explained that years ago a small community named Mayberry was annexed by Wayne City. The residents were, and still are, unhappy about it so they maintain a Mayberry city limit sign." At right is Robert Shelby of "Goober's Auto Dismantling." Photo by Joyce Kernan. Photo supervision by Jill Shelby.
On the way back from Mayberry Days, members of Foley's Market (Farmington, Mo.) and Goober's Auto Dismantling (West Frankfort, Ill.) stopped at gas station on I-64 to fill up and say goodbye before continuing in separate directions toward home. The accompanying photo and caption at left explain the rest.
"Still Ugly, Single, and Pitting Prunes" chapter (Casey, Ill.) reports they gathered on Halloween to watch James Best and David & Patty Browning in Return of the Killer Shrews. Ditto for Andy chapter (Nashville, Tenn.).
BIG SHOT--Four members of "Only One Word I Can Think of...Big" "cannon-ize" their visit at Mayberry Days.
The newly minted "Only One Word for It..Big!" chapter (Mint Hill, N.C.) wrote before Mayberry Days to say that they had a big first month with already 47 members at that point. And they invite other fans to join their exchange of photos and TAGS lines on their Facebook page.
Pat Bullins (Barney chapter, Greensboro, N.C.) brandishes her latest First Place trophy from the Mayberry Days Trivia Contest. Dennis Beal (Mayberry chapter, Knoxville, Tenn.), himself a multi-time champ of this esteemed "Super Bowl of Mayberry Trivia," holds his humble Second Place trophy. Photo by Hobart Jones.
Wally's Front Porch chapter (Wilson, N.C.) had a spaghetti dinner for their November meeting. Member Lee Cooper reports they then of course watched Andy eat his three spaghetti meals in "Dinner at Eight." ("Well, what do you know, spaghetti!")
A good contingent of Mayberry fans joined forces with the annual Pat Buttram Day Festival in Addison, Ala., in October. The "Hearty Men and Beautiful, Delicate Women" chapter (Tuscaloosa, Ala.), and Mayberry Minutemen chapter (Graysville, Ala.) organizers of the Mayberry Squad Car Nationals, put on a Mayberry race day for the Addison festival.
Drivers, crews and officials at the race in Addison. Photo courtesy of Allan Newsome.
Because the race was a pint-sized version of the usual Nationals, it was nicknamed The Otis Campbell Mayberry Squad Car Obstacle Course. But MASCAR (that is, Mayberry Authentic Squad Cars and Racing) officials are in talks with the Buttram festival for a full-fledged alliance for 2014. As they say on the MASCAR circuit, stay tuned.
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**** In Memoriam ****
It is with a heavy heart that we share news of the recent passings of some wonderful TAGSRWC friends.
On August 2, Mayberry chapter in Knoxville lost member Mattie Maxine Baird. She was 81. She brought great fun to the chapter's meeting and events and to festivals, such as Mayberry Days, with her inspired tribute portrayal of lady convict Big Maude.
Maxine "Big Maude" Baird at Mayberry Days. (Note the clever "Bail "jar she used for "donations" for a signed photo.) Photo courtesy of Mayberry chapter.
Maxine was the mother of Mayberry chapter's Georgia Branam (herself a remarkable Aunt Bee tribute artist) and Georgia's husband Bill (an able Andy Taylor tribute-dour). In addition to Georgia and Bill, Maxine is survived by a son, two brothers, a sister, and a large, loving family. And a lot of friends in Mayberry and beyond.
Jewell Kutzer aka The Mayberry Momma.
Mayberry author Jewell Kutzer died on September 7, in St. Augustine, Fla. She was 77. A native of Mount Airy, N.C., and 10 years younger than Andy Griffith, Jewell had many wonderful memories of Mount Airy and of Andy at just about the time he was starting to gain some notoriety. She shared many of those recollections in one of her books, Memories of Mayberry.
Jewell and her Mayberry Momma persona were familiar fixtures at several Mayberry Days over the years. She also followed up her first book with Mayberry Momma's Food for the Soul and Body. Jewell is survived by two sons and a daughter.
On September 19, Rhonda Cloud-Haviland, wife of 2011 Mayberry Days Trivia Contest Champion (and 2012 runner-up) Mike Haviland, passed away in Lowell, Ind. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mike and all of his and Rhonda's family.
On October 18, we lost a truly great friend of many TAGSRWC members when Trisha Parker passed away in Lebanon, Va. Many TAGSRWC members first grew to love Trisha (aka Emma) in our online Sarah's Chat Room community. She was also a member of the "WBMUTBB? online chapter. For two decades, she was a dedicated participant in Mayberry Days and other TAGSRWC activities.
Trisha Parker (aka Emma) remains forever front and center in the hearts of her Mayberry friends. She is seen here (with canvas bag) with Sarah's Chat Room friends and Maggie Peterson and Jackie Joseph at Mayberry Days in 1997.
Trisha is survived by a son, two daughters, eight grandchildren, a sister, and a large extended family. And by her "Mayberry family."
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**** Mayberry on the Web ****
The iMayberry Community
This TAGSRWC online group is organized and overseen by webmaster Allan "Floyd" Newsome. You can check it out and sign up for free at: http://imayberrycommunity.com/.
The iMayberry Community complements our other online activities, including our main www.imayberry.com page, podcasts, Facebook page, online newsletters (such as The eBullet!), weaversdepartmentstore.com and chat rooms. Combined with TAGSRWC chapters and the various Mayberry events for all fans (from Mayberry Days to ocean cruises), not to mention enjoying the sites of Mount Airy year-round, the world of Mayberry fun keeps expanding.
And best of all, it's all rooted in watching the show itself. Whether through DVDs, streaming video, local stations or TV Land, loving to watch the show continues to be the energy that feeds all the other Mayberry fun and activities that we enjoy. What a wonderful thing Andy Griffith and his talented team of actors, musicians, writers and crew people created 53 years ago--for us and generations to come!
Two Chairs, No Waiting is our weekly podcast of TAGS news, interviews and pretty much whatever happens to be going on in and around Mayberry. It's hosted by Allan Newsome. There's a new episode every Tuesday (and you can watch and listen live during tapings on Monday evenings). Past episodes are in an online Archives in case you want to listen to or view episodes you've missed. (There have been 259 episodes since the podcasts began five years ago, including a fascinating recent pair of episodes featuring an interview with Betty Lynn!)
There's a lot of info and discussions that you simply won't find anywhere else, including rare interviews (vintage and new) with cast and crew members of TAGS. If you've got sound on your computer or have an iPod or similar device, you can easily tune in live or download these podcasts.
Also, check out the podcast area of our www.imayberry.com site for info about a Mayberry Bible Study Podcast, also hosted by Allan, and a "brother figure" podcast called Burke on Mayberry, hosted by Kevin Burke.
TAGSRWC's official page on Facebook now has more than 42,000 friends! You can find us at www.facebook.com/tagsrwc. There's a variety of comments about Mayberry, and a lively stream of fans' favorite TAGS lines and photos. And our Facebook page is also one of the first places we post announcements and breaking news about TAGS. If you haven't already dropped by the page, we hope you'll check it out sometime when you have the chance. We invite you to become a TAGSRWC Facebook Friend!
**** Post Note ****
If you ever miss receiving an issue of The eBullet, you can always catch up by reading it in the eBullet Archives in the Newsletters section at iMayberry.com. Each issue is usually placed in the Archives within about a week or so of its being distributed to subscribers.
Between issues of The eBullet, keep up with all the happenings in Mayberry with the daily Who's Been Messin' Up the Bulletin Board? (aka WBMUTBB) Digest. It's a free subscriber list that consists entirely of comments, newsflashes, and questions and answers from subscribers. You can sign up for that list by going to the Mailing Lists link at tagsrwc.com. WBMUTBB also has its own Archives where you can follow the ongoing stream of messages.
And TAGSRWC publishes Weaver's Newsletter in more-or-less alternate months to The eBullet. Like The eBullet, the Weaver's Newsletter is free. Its focus is mainly on new Mayberry merchandise and collectibles and quick newsflashes. To sign up, go to: Weaver's Newsletter Sign-Up.
TAGSRWC's other main vehicle for Mayberry information is simply our website at www.tagsrwc.com (and its sister site www.iMayberry.com). Both sites have extensive content and links for just about everything a Mayberry fan might be looking for.
The next eBullet is planned for January, but we'll have one more Weaver's Newsletter for this year coming out in December.
Happy Thanksgiving!!
