Allan Melvin Remembered (1923-2008)

 

Allan Melvin

   Allan Melvin passed away from cancer at his home in Brentwood, Calif., on January 17, 2008, at the age of 84.  He is survived by Amalia, his wife of 64 years, daughter Jennifer Hanson and a grandson. The family will have a private service.
   The following article/interview originally appeared in November 15, 1997 issue (Volume 14, Issue 2) of The Bullet, which was the official printed newsletter of TAGSRWC from 1982 to 2001.
   

Allan Melvin -- Man of a Thousand Voices

and Eight Mayberry Characters!

    
By Jim Clark
 
   Allan Melvin, one of the most familiar faces and voices in all of TV, was born in Kansas City, Mo., on February 18, 1923.  His parents were Marie and Richard Melvin, a film salesman for Fox Film Association. 

   When Allan was a young boy, he and his family moved to New York City, the heart of radio entertainment.  “I essentially grew up in New York,” Allan says.  From an early age, Allan enjoyed using his voice in amusing ways and making funny faces.  “I always had that ability to do impressions,” he recalls.

   Though Allan was around the fringes of the entertainment business, he didn’t really make his first foray into the business until after first seeing how he liked college.  He attended Columbia University, but after a couple of years he decided that wasn’t the right direction for him.  Allan, who later would become best known for his roles as men in uniform, was himself part of the military machine when he helped build DE’s for the U.S. Navy at Port Newark, New Jersey, during World War II.

   But entertainment would be Allan’s calling.  Through networking, he got a job in radio.

   “I got involved in the sound effects business at NBC,” he says.  “I met [British comedian] Peter Donald there.  We became good friends and he helped me get a feel for the business.”  [Fans of Fifties game shows will remember Peter Donald as a frequent host and panelist.]  “Peter was instrumental in opening some doors for me,” says Allan.

   It was during this time that Allan met the love of his life, actress Amalia Sestero  Allan remembers, “Amalia and some college acting friends, including Frank Campanella and Thomas McDermott had started a theatrical group, The Unicorn Players, and Frank invited me to one of their meetings -- and the die was cast!”  In 1994, Allan and Amalia celebrated their 50th anniversary.

   “In about 1947, I met Richard Condon of Manchurian Candidate and Prizzi’s Honor fame,” Allan says.  “We became close friends and Richard arranged an audition for me with Barney Josephson, owner of Cafe Society downtown, where I appeared for three months on the bill with Nellie Lutcher and Rose Murphy.  I was billed as The Man of a Thousand Voices with a witty routine written for me by Richard Condon.”

   From his appearances as a mimic on the New York nightclub scene, Allan became noticed in other areas of entertainment.  He appeared on the “Arthur Godfrey Talent Show” on radio and won.  Then it was on to Broadway and feature role as Reed in the hit Stalag 17, which was produced by Richard Condon and Jose Ferrer.  Allan performed in the show for one year on Broadway and one year in a tour of the country.  Allan then returned to New York City, where he continued comedy club and radio work, and began appearing on some TV shows.

Phil Silvers, Harvey Lembeck and Allan Melvin on “The Phil Silvers Show.”

   His first big splash into TV was in the role of Corp. Henshaw, sidekick to Phil Silvers, on creator Nat Hiken’s “You’ll Never Get Rich” (“The Phil Silvers Show,” aka “Sgt. Bilko”).  Allan worked on “Sgt. Bilko” from 1955-59.  TAGS producer Aaron Ruben wrote for and directed “Bilko” during the 1957-59 seasons.  “Aaron was very helpful in my career, and ‘Bilko’ was a wonderful experience,” Allan says. “We kibitzed around a lot and had a lot of fun.”

   Like so many other show business people in New York , Allan began to see the writing on the wall during the late 1950s.  He knew that in order to survive in the booming TV market, he needed to be in Los Angeles.  So in 1962, at Aaron Ruben’s behest, Allan and Amalia and daughters Amalia and Jennifer made the move to the West Coast.

   One of Allan’s first acting jobs out west was as Rob Petrie’s Army buddy Sol Pomerantz on “The Dick Van Dyke Show” in 1961.  His first of eight TAGS appearances was as trailer park fugitive Clarence “Doc” Malloy in “Jailbreak” (Episode #50) in 1962.

   “I didn’t really play that many heavies in my career (besides a guest appearance on ‘Route 66’),” Allan remembers.  “But I was always a heavy on ‘Andy.’”  “It seemed like I was on it [TAGS] more than I was.”  As far as any specific memories about working on TAGS, Allan says he really doesn’t have any favorite anecdotes.  He laughs and good-naturedly echoes a familiar Hollywood line: “I say the words, take the money and pop off home.”  But he adds, “I always enjoyed doing that show.  We had a lot of fun doing it.  They were a great bunch.  Andy and I hit off right away, and between Aaron and Andy, I never for a moment felt like the ‘new kid on the block.’“

   And Mayberry fans likewise have always enjoyed his performances on TAGS.  His eight different roles (in five different seasons) are a record for the show -- for both the number of pivotal guest star roles and for the number of different roles by an actor.  In addition to “Jailbreak,” Allan’s other TAGS appearances were as hotel detective Bardoli in “Andy and Barney in the Big City” (Episode #57) in 1962, troublesome produce vendor Neil in “Lawman Barney” (Episode #73) in 1962, Jake (Myrt :”Hubcaps” Lesch’s accomplice) in “Barney’s First Car” (Episode #90) in 1963, the escaped prisoner in “Andy’s Vacation” (Episode #118) in 1964, judo-recipient Fred Plummer in “Barney’s Uniform” (Episode #135) in 1964 and Clyde Plaunt in “Howard’s Main Event” in 1967.

Allan captured Mayberry’s attention once again in "Andy’s Vacation."

   During that time, Allan also appeared in several installments of the last season (1964-65) of the popular “Joey Bishop Show.”  He also continued his association with the Mayberry Enterprises production team and producer Aaron Ruben when he once again put on a uniform -- this time as Sgt. Charlie Hacker, Sgt. Carter’s nemesis in the last four seasons (1965-69) of “Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.”

   Other TV shows that Allan worked on during the 1960s and early 1970s included episodes of “McHale’s Navy,” “Empire,” “Grindl,” “The Danny Thomas Show,” “The Bill Dana Show,” “My Favorite Martian,” “Perry Mason,” ‘The Jackie Gleason Show,” “Ben Casey,” “Slattery’s People,” “Green Acres,” “Run Buddy Run” “The Partridge Family,” “Arnie,” “Mayberry RFD” and three episodes of “Love, American Style.”  He also matched his TAGS episode tally with a total of eight episodes of “The Dick Van Dyke Show.”

   Fans of “The Brady Bunch” remember Allan as Sam Franklin, the butcher who dated housekeeper Alice Nelson for four seasons (1969-73).  Prior to his “Brady” work Allan’s impressive work with Norman Lear on a TV pilot called “Barnaby and Mr. O’Malley” (which didn’t sell) planted seeds that eventually led to his getting the part of Barney Hefner, Archie Bunker’s pal on “All in the Family” (1973-79).  Allan’s 10-year stint as Barney grew in prominence as the focus on the Bunkers shifted away from the Bunker household and more toward Archie’s bar in “Archie Bunker’s Place” (1979-83). 

   “‘All in the Family’ broke ground for a new wave in television,” Allan says.  “The Bunkers were the first ‘real’ family in TV and it was exciting to be a part of this honest and forthright transition to reality.  It was a great cast and everyone’s input was welcomed.  I was Carroll O’Connor’s friend and enigh on the show and I still am today.”

   Allan’s one venture into feature films is filled with TAGS connections.  He played the desk sergeant in With Six You Get Eggroll (1968, on video), which was directed by Howard “Ernest T.” Morris and whose screenwriters included Allan’s pals and top TAGS writers Harvey Bullock and Ray Allen.  (A few years earlier Allan had starred in a pilot called “Man in the Middle,” which also was written by Harvey Bullock and Ray Allen.)  Along with stars Doris Day, Brian Keith, Barbara Hershey and George Carlin, Allan is joined by at least six other actors who appeared in Mayberry.  “That was a lot of fun,” Allan remembers.  “I enjoyed working with Doris Day and Brian Keith.”

   And as testimony to Allan’s versatility, he was Al the Plumber on the Liquid Plumr for 15 years during the 1970s and ‘80s.  “That’s thanks to the good services of Howard Morris, who directed the spots and is a good friend.”

   But as familiar as Allan Melvin’s face is to millions of TV viewers during the past four decades, it is perhaps his voice that is even more famous.  Likely his best-known voice-over subject is Magilla Gorilla on the popular “Magilla Gorilla Show.”

   He also appeared on “The Flintstones,” “The Cattanooga Cats,” “King Features Trilogy,” “The All-New Popeye Hour” (as Bluto) and “Yogi’s Gang.”  Other children’s and cartoon shows he has appeared on include “Flash Gordon,” “The Adventures of Gulliver” (as the voice of Bunko), as Drooper on “The Banana Splits,” “Motor Mouse,” “The Secret Lives of Waldo Kitty,” “Around the World in 79 Days” (as Bumbler), “Alfred of the Amazon” and as the father in “Alice in Wonderland” (with Howard Morris and Sammy Davis Jr.).  Besides Magilla, some of Allan’s best-loved voice characters are Sgt. Snorkel on “Beetle Bailey,” Barney Google, Punkin’ Puss (teamed with Howard Morris’s Mushmouse), and Bristle Hound.

   Today, though he considers himself largely retired, you can still hear Allan’s voice work on the occasional new cartoon or commercial.  Mostly you’ll find him relaxing on the golf courses in the Los Angeles area or near his summer home in Michigan.  He enjoys visiting with his daughter Jennifer’s family, including grandson Jon, who gleefully recognizes his grandfather’s voice on various cartoons.  (Allan’s other daughter, Amalia, died in 1970 at age 25.)

   Allan’s other favorite pastime these days is writing and collecting higgledy-piggledys.  One of his most recent creations has a Mayberry flair to it:

  And that’s an appropriate way to conclude this glimpse into Allan Melvin’s career because he is a congenial man who is always ready with a hearty laugh or a way to make his audience laugh.  One of the most universally beloved people to work in television, Allan Melvin keeps the smiles coming wherever he goes.

   Original printed issues of The Bullet, including the issue with this article, are available online at Weaver’s Dept. Store at http://www.weaversdepartmentstore.com/index.php?category=81

 

 

**** Update on Mayberry’s Finest Line of Packaged Foods ****

  

   The Mayberry’s Finest line of foods continues to roll into more grocery stores across the country every day.  You can check out the Foley’s Market section of their Web site at http://mayberrysfinest.com to see the current stores carrying the foods.  You can also shop online and buy directly from the fine folks at Mayberry’s Finest.

   The Mayberry’s Finest Recipe Contest is also underway.  You’ll find details about that in the Aunt Bee’s Kitchen section of their site.  And you’ll discover all sorts of fun things to read and hear on their site.  Just browse around. 

   The third issue of their Mayberry’s Finest Gazette newspaper is due in March.  They’ll mail out copies to Goobers they know, and they’ll also have an online version.  And keep an eye out for the Mayberry’s Finest tour bus carrying Bluegrass Music’s Entertainers of the Year, The Grascals, around the country again this year.  You’ll also find Mayberry’s Finest on MySpace http://myspace.com/mayberrysfinestfoods and soon on YouTube.

   Keep checking their Web sites for updates and new happenings from this enthusiastic (and delicious!) TAGS licensee.

 

**** Chapter Update ****

 

We have three new chapters since the last eBullet:
 
“Good Ol’ Barney Fife—He Makes It, He’s Got It, Let’s Take It”         Baxter, Ky.
Mayberry.TV                                                                                        Oak Forest, Ill.
“Gee Whiz—The Prettiest Girl in Town and Nobody Cares”             Norfolk, Va.

 

   That brings our total number of chapters founded to 1,323.  If you’re interested in starting a chapter of TAGSRWC, all you need to do is pick a name that has not already been chosen, and submit it with a list of your founding members by postal mail.

   What you do as a chapter is entirely up to you.  Your group can do as much or as little as you like.  Or write to us also if you would like to contact a chapter near you.  Our address is TAGSRWC, 9 Music Square South, PMB 146, Nashville, TN  37203-3211.

 

 

**** Merchandise Update ****

 

   As we roll along into the new year, here are some of our newest and most popular Mayberry items at Weaver’s Dept. Store at http://www.iMayberry.com.   
 

* Goober’s Great 2008 Grab-Bag of Mayberry Stuff   $60.00 
 http://www.weaversdepartmentstore.com/index.php?item=67

   Goober has been rummaging around in the garage again while taking year-end inventory and has come up with another Grab-Bag of interesting Mayberry items.  All of the items are no longer in production and are therefore now in the category of “collectible.”
   At a minimum, each Grab-Bag has the following items:

* 1 Officially Licensed T-Shirt with Barney Fife on it (The shirt design included is our choice according to availability, but you’ll need to specify in the Comments section of the online order form whether you want Medium, Large, or 2XL.  Size XL is not available for this offer.  The default choice if you don’t indicate a size is Large.)
* 1 110-card Set of Series 3 “Andy Griffith Show” Trading Cards (note this Grab-Bag includes Series 3 cards for the first time)
* 1 Mayberry-related book with an original price of at least $10
* 1 “Andy Griffith Show” ornament
* 2 Different newspapers with coverage of major Mayberry events
* 1 Officially-licensed Mayberry license plate
* 1 Mayberry mouse pad
* 2 Vintage (that is, not 2008) Mayberry wall calendars (still in their original shrink wrap)
* 3 Different wooden Mayberry building fronts (Mrs. Mendelbright’s Boardinghouse, Mayberry Hotel, and All Souls Church)
* 3 Different Mayberry bumper stickers
* 1 Mayberry-related audio tape (still sealed)
* 5 Different Mayberry photos (8x10)
* 2 Pairs of 2 different Mayberry birthday balloons (a total of 4 balloons)
* Assorted Mayberry event and news publications and materials (fliers, newsletters, fans, magnets, buttons, etc.)

   If the items were sold separately, their suggested retail prices would total over $120. But Goober is not the best at arithmetic and Ernest T. wasn’t around to help us count by stomping his feet, so our price is only $60 for the whole Grab-Bag.  We have only a handful to offer with this configuration of items because most of the items are in extremely short supply. Get ‘em while you can.
   All proceeds (not just the profits, but 100% of the $60 price) are going toward our annual support of the Surry Arts Council and its Mayberry Days festival in September in Mount Airy, N.C.  So with a Grab-Bag purchase, you get a good deal while also supporting a good Mayberry cause!

 

* Waitress DVD (widescreen version) featuring Andy Griffith   $25.00
http://www.weaversdepartmentstore.com/index.php?category=73

  This hit independent film of 2007 features Andy Griffith as Old Joe, a crusty diner owner.  It also stars Keri Russell.

   There’s a lot of wholesome pie-making in this romantic comedy, but there are also some mature themes that give it a PG-13 rating.  The suggested price is $30.00, but our price at Weaver’s is just $25.00.

 

* 2008 “Andy Griffith Show” Wall Calendar   $14.00
http://www.weaversdepartmentstore.com/index.php?category=44

   This fifth straight year of an officially licensed TAGS Wall Calendar celebrates that milestone with all color photos for 2008.  Now, don’t panic…”all color” doesn’t mean photos only from the color seasons.  Several photos are from the black-and-white era.  They just happen to be in “glorious color” because they are publicity stills.  Some haven’t been published since the first set of trading cards in 1990.  

 

   We also have a Calendar Combo with both the 2007 and 2008 Wall Calendars for only $22.00.

 

* All New Box Set of All Eight Seasons of “The Andy Griffith Show,” Plus the “Danny Thomas” Pilot and Return to Mayberry   $192.00
http://www.weaversdepartmentstore.com/index.php?maincat=72

    The suggested retail price for this Box Set of every episode of “The Andy Griffith Show” (plus the “Danny Thomas” pilot episode and the 1986 Return to Mayberry movie) is over $240.00.  The previous 8-season box-set release (without the pilot and the movie and now also discontinued) carried a suggested retail price of $320.00.  We think our $192.00 price is an exceptional value.

   We also sell individual Complete Seasons on DVD at nice discounts.

 

* Mayberry-opoly Board Game   $30.00
http://www.weaversdepartmentstore.com/index.php?category=56

    This board game, new in 2007, is a dream come true for “Barney Fife, Realtor” and anyone who has ever wished to own a little piece of that paradise we know and love as Mayberry!

   If you love Monopoly and Mayberry or you know somebody who does, then you’ll really love Mayberry-opoly.

   At just $30.00 per game, Mayberry-opoly is worth the price just to have the cool design of the box and the board to look at or display.  We think it’s the most fun opoly game ever created.

   

* Fiddler’s Ghost by Mitch Jayne   $15.00
http://www.weaversdepartmentstore.com/index.php?category=25

    Darling boy Mitch Jayne’s fascinating new novel, Fiddler’s Ghost, is getting fantastic reviews.  It’s absorbing reading for anybody who loves a good ghost story, music, skillful writing, or just plain great storytelling from a true master.  Few people have as much of a command and appreciation of language (especially the Ozark variety) as Mitch.  We don’t want to give away the plot, but we will say that it’s a charming, entertaining and engrossing tale.

 

* Complete Third Season of “Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.” on DVD   $32.00
http://www.weaversdepartmentstore.com/index.php?category=91

    The Complete Third Season of Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. (the first season featuring Elizabeth MacRae as Lou Ann Poovie) is now available at Weaver’s, along with the Second and Third Seasons.

 

Other Mayberry-related items:

   * The Complete First Season of “Matlock”  is scheduled to be released on DVD on April 8.  We’ll stock it at our online Weaver’s Dept. Store and probably start taking pre-orders in mid-March.

    * Hallmark has a Mayberry greeting card with sound that’s available in selected stores.  We won’t spoil potential surprises by telling what it is, but if Opie is shopping for a card, he might want to consider this one.

 

**** Chapter News ****

 

   We heard from lots of chapters during the holidays (“bunches, bunches!”).  Several chapters told us about gatherings they were having, including Barney chapter (Greensboro, N.C.) and Mayberry chapter (Knoxville, Tenn.), which also put out a big holiday issue of its chapter newsletter.

   The brand new “Shakedown!  Shakedown!” (Laurinburg, N.C.) had its first social event in December.  All 15 members turned out at a local restaurant for trivia and of course good food.  The local paper heard about the meeting and even did a follow-up story about the chapter.  Here’s a link to the story: http://www.laurinburgexchange.com/articles/2007/12/20/news/news02.txt.  Another meeting is scheduled this month.

   Members of a good number of chapters also passed through Nashville during their holiday travels, and several were able to say “hey” to us at HQ, which was nice.  We’ve also heard from several chapters that are planning to attend a day or two of the George Lindsey UNA Film Festival in Florence, Ala., the first week of March.  It’ll be here before you can say Edward G. Robinson three times fast. 

   Other than holiday greetings and a few folks passing through town, news from chapters has been pretty light since our last issue.  But that’s also typical for this time of year.  Howie and Opie will be bring us lots more news as things thaw out and we Welcome Sweet Springtime in a few weeks.

 

**** Miss Crump’s Mayberry Quizzes  ****

 

Answers to Miss Crump’s Mayberry Quiz #74

 

   We had lots of outstanding entries to this quiz in our last issue.  It appears to have been one of our more popular quizzes in a while.  Here was the question, which was a little involved:

   Identify 12 separate and distinct instances when egg or eggs are seen or mentioned in Mayberry or in a situation when a Mayberrian is in another location besides Mayberry, with the following additional requirements: 

* A person making reference to egg or eggs can only be used one time, even

if the person makes reference to egg or eggs in different episodes.

* Only one egg can be counted per instance.  So, for example, if you see a plate of scrambled eggs and a dozen eggs in a carton in a scene, that counts as only one egg reference. 

* And the same egg or eggs seen or mentioned by more than one character in different situations counts as only one egg reference.

* Eggs contained in something else, such as bread or a cake, do not count, unless, of course, egg is specifically mentioned as being part of that item.  (So, Goober, you can’t see a pie and say it’s an egg because it has eggs in it.)

 

   Almost every entry we received qualified for the drawing from the hat by having the minimum number of correct answers.  We put the names in the hat and drew a winner: John Floyd of Wilmington, N.C.  Cockle-doodle-doo, John!  We don’t want to say you’re an egghead or anything,  but you do win the prize.  You get to choose any single item available at Weaver’s.

   Also, Miss Crump, being soft-boiled this time of year, is also awarding a special prize for egg-fort to Vince Watson of “All Them Watsons” chapter (Vail, Ariz.).  We believe his answers qualify as the most egg-stensive—one might even say egg-austive—quiz answers ever submitted to Miss Crump.  We figure his egg-cellent work deserves a special prize, so Vince gets his choice of any item at Weaver’s that’s valued at $30 or under.

   We’ll use Vince’s answers below as our sample of possible answers.  There’s some overlap that would eliminate some of his answers from being allowed after others were used, but you’ll get a good feel for the range of possible answers. 

   So sit down and settle back as we lay Vince’s answers on you.  If you’re still reading at the end of Vince’s answers, Miss Crump has another quiz for this issue.  Here we go:

 

Andy:

“The New Housekeeper” Andy asks how long the eggs are in there (cooking) and says he likes 45 min. eggs.  Later, when Aunt Bee arrives he asks if she likes real hard-boiled eggs “Ellie for Council” Andy cooks good old scrambled eggs (well done) for Opie and him and later tells Opie to eat his eggs “Christmas Story” Talking to Aunt Bee on the telephone, Andy mentions that Ellie is bring the eggnog “Andy and Opie, Housekeepers” Andy says that he’ll whip up a batch of bacon and eggs “Aunt Bee the Warden” Andy tells Aunt Bee that Otis likes two 4 min. soft-boiled eggs for breakfast “The Bank Job” Andy says that he will eat lunch at the drugstore and order an egg salad sandwich “The Great Filling Station Robbery” Andy asks Barney to stand up to see if there’s an egg in the chair “Andy’s English Valet” Andy tells Malcolm that Opie has to eat eggs without funny faces on them “The Cow Thief” Andy teases Barney that he likes to use a little egg white in his moulage “The Darling Baby” Andy and Opie discuss getting an egg into a bottle “Goober Takes a Car Apart” Andy reads a letter from Barney that includes 1 egg, any style “Aunt Bee’s Invisible Beau” Numerous references to Orville Hendricks, the butter & egg man (I think the best idea is to attribute this episode reference to Mr. Hendricks) “The Bazaar” Andy offers scrambled eggs to the townspeople “Eat Your Heart Out” In the epilogue Andy and Helen are taking hard-boiled eggs on a picnic “Politics Begin at Home” Andy tells Aunt Bee that he could use an egg

Opie:

“The New Housekeeper” Opie says that he has the eggs boiling “Andy’s English Valet” Opie says that Mr. Malcolm drew (a face) right on the egg........and later says that he was going to be shown how to make those funny faces on eggs “Aunt Bee, the Crusader” Opie tells Aunt Bee that Mr. Frisbie, the egg man, is at the door “The Darling Baby” Opie discusses with Andy how he got the egg in the bottle “Dinner at Eight” Opie mentions learning how to make pancakes out of powdered eggs

Barney:

“Cyrano Andy” Barney stares and sees Thelma Lou’s face in his breakfast eggs “A Medal for Opie” In the epilogue Barney tells Opie about liking and saying egg foo yung “Ernest T. Bass Joins the Army” Barney’s order at the diner includes 3 eggs over, making sure they’re not runny “Opie’s Ill-Gotten Gain” Barney didn’t want the other kids to think that he was an egghead so he got bad grades “Barney and the Cave Rescue” Barney educates Thelma Lou about bat eggs and moth eggs getting into their hair and making them go crazy “Andy and Opie’s Pal” On Andy’s porch Barney says he had 3 eggs basted with his breakfast “Aunt Bee’s Invisible Beau” Numerous references...and besides, we’re giving this one to the Chicken Coop Casanova

Aunt Bee:

“Aunt Bee, the Crusader” Aunt Bee mentions Mr. Frisbie, the nice man we’ve been buying eggs from all these years “Andy Saves Gomer” Aunt Bee decides to make angel food cake because she has a lot of egg whites left...later she pulls out a bowl of eggs to be separated by Gomer (I guess she didn’t have any egg whites after all) “Aunt Bee’s Invisible Beau” Numerous references, but it’s interesting to know that 3 minute eggs are just what they eat “Girl Shy” In the opening Aunt Bee says that at Dave’s Hong Kong with 3 you get egg foo yung “Lost and Found” During Warren’s investigation Aunt Bee mentions that the egg man stopped by “A Baby in the House” Aunt Bee tells the salesman that she needs an egg beater “Politics Begin at Home” After she concedes the election Aunt Bee offers Andy a full breakfast including eggs...the next morning you can see sunny side up fried eggs “Only a Rose” While Opie is in the yard you can hear Aunt Bee in the background asking “Some eggs, Andy?” “Opie’s Most Unforgettable Character” Aunt Bee mentions Mr. Bristol, the egg man “Howard the Bowler” Aunt Bee offers Howard some eggnog to keep up his strength “The Tape Recorder” Aunt Bee talking to Clara on the phone gives a recipe for Chip Beef Puffs that require beating the egg white until stiff

 Gomer:

“Gomer, the House Guest” Gomer says that his furnishings at the filling station included an egg crate “Andy Saves Gomer” Gomer offers to bust the eggs for Aunt Bee but drops an egg “Barney and Thelma Lou, Phfftt!” Gomer says he had 3 eggs for lunch   Warren: “Otis the Artist” Warren adds a raw egg to Otis’ morning pick-me-up drink “Lost and Found” Warren asks Goober to check out George Barstow, the egg man (lots of turnover in this job)

 Warren:

“Otis the Artist” Warren adds a raw egg to Otis’ morning pick-me-up drink “Lost and Found” Warren asks Goober to check out George Barstow, the egg man (lots of turnover in this job)

Goober:

“Lost and Found” Goober says that he checked out the egg man during Warren’s investigation

 Howard:

“Dinner at Eight” Howard has to pick up a doz. brown eggs from the market...he has to hurry though before Mother thinks he had an accident with the eggs "Helen the Authoress” Howard ordered a malted with an egg in it....but Mavis Neff forgot to include it

Fred Boone:

“Andy, the Marriage Counselor” Fred says that Jenny’s eggs are delicious during one of their morning sessions

Floyd:

“Convicts at Large” Floyd recites the grocery list including 4 doz. eggs....later they can be seen sticking out of the top of the grocery bag

Malcolm:

“Andy’s English Valet” In the epilogue Malcolm says that he left 2 doz. eggs with faces on them “The Return of Malcolm Merriweather” Malcolm makes Aunt Bee comfortable at breakfast and says that he’ll get her eggs for her

Mr. Frisbie:

“Aunt Bee, the Crusader” Mr. Frisbie gives Aunt Bee a gift for buying eggs and being nice all these years

Thelma Lou:

“Barney’s Physical” Thelma Lou brings Barney “Double Rich Vanilla Malted with 2 raw eggs” ice cream

Mr. Hendricks:

“Aunt Bee’s Invisible Beau” Numerous references...he delivers 3 doz eggs...nice ones this week

Mr. Thurston:

“Aunt Bee’s Invisible Beau” Another egg man, Thurston, heard that they could use a new butter & egg man

Flora:

“Eat Your Heart Out” Flora offers to personally make bacon and eggs for Andy

Clara:

“Aunt Bee’s Crowning Moment” Clara offers chopped egg canapes to the visiting reverend

Renee (Barney’s co-worker in Raleigh):

“Barney Comes to Mayberry” Renee invites Barney to brunch-she makes great scramble eggs

Charlie (Spare Ribs Tavern):

“Aunt Bee’s Restaurant” Charlie mentions that he can make egg rolls

Round Sign on market window (Eggs 25c doz):

“Three Wishes for Opie” “If I Had a Quarter-Million Dollars” “Aunt Bee, the Swinger”

Rectangular Sign on market window (Eggs 25c doz):

“Opie’s Job” “Malcolm at the Crossroads” “Aunt Bee Learns to Drive” “The Gypsies” “Goober’s Replacement” “The Battle of Mayberry”

More Signage:

“The Guitar Player” Two signs on the diner wall...”Bacon & Eggs 50c” and “Egg Salad Sandwich 20c” “Aunt Bee’s Invisible Beau” Sign on truck reads “Hendricks Butter & Eggs, Mt. Pilot” “A Warning from Warren” Breakfast Special 79c reads: 1. Hot Cakes, Bacon, 1 egg 2. Hot Cakes, 2 eggs 3. Ham, Bacon or Sausage; 2 eggs, potatoes, toast 4. Ham & Cheese Omelet, potatoes, toast “Aunt Bee on TV” When Aunt Bee opens her new refrigerator the word “eggs” is visible on the inside egg tray

Egg Cartons:

“Ellie for Council” An opened carton is on the stove while the man attempts to cook and the wife is eating scrambled eggs “Jailbreak” When Art calls Barney to pick up Sam the dog there are 4 cartons of eggs on the counter “The Rivals” There’s a carton of eggs on Thelma Lou’s kitchen counter “Andy’s Rival” There’s a carton of eggs on the kitchen counter while Aunt Bee makes Zucchini Casserole “Aunt Bee the Swinger” A carton of eggs is visible on the kitchen counter while Aunt Bee appears to be preparing scrambled eggs “A Baby in the House” When the boys are looking in the fridge for something to eat there appears to be an upside down carton on the bottom shelf....Later when Andy is unloading groceries a carton of eggs is visible on top of the bag “A Singer in Town” What appears to be another upside down carton is on the bottom shelf “Politics Begin at Home” When Andy returns the milk to the fridge a carton is visible “A New Doctor in Town” A carton is visible in the open fridge “Don’t Miss a Good Bet” A carton is visible when Aunt Bee opens the fridge door...it’s hard to see but if you look frame by frame, it’s located near her forearm “Goodbye Dolly” A carton is visible when Walt opens the fridge...second shelf from the bottom “Opie’s Most Unforgettable Character” There’s a carton sticking out of Aunt Bee’s grocery bag “Opie Steps up in Class” In the epilogue there’s a carton on the kitchen table “Andy’s Investment” A carton is visible when Andy opens the fridge

Scrambled Odds & Ends:

“A Feud Is a Feud” Aunt Bee appears to be cooking scrambled ham & eggs the morning after the halted wedding “Christmas Story” Ellie does indeed bring the eggnog that everyone, including Ben, enjoys “Dogs, Dogs, Dogs” Andy brings Otis a nice big breakfast that includes scrambled eggs and a fixer-upper that includes a raw egg “Opie the Birdman” Aunt Bee appears to be having scrambled eggs while Opie is talking about great big juicy worms “Family Visit” Aunt Bee serves Andy fried eggs after he spent the night with Ollie “Goodbye Sheriff Taylor” Goober catches a hard boiled egg thrown by Barney “The Foster Lady” Aunt Bee serves Mr. Foster a salad that includes sliced boiled eggs “Politics Begin at Home” Aunt Bee serves Opie a complete breakfast that includes sunny side up eggs “Goodbye Dolly” Andy and Aunt Bee are finishing scrambled eggs when Walt arrives

Last Play:

“Aunt Bee’s Romance” While Aunt Bee is washing breakfast dishes she rinses off an egg beater!

That’s all from Vince!  For those of you still with us, let’s try a new quiz from Miss Crump.

 

 Miss Crump’s Mayberry Quiz # 75 

   Miss Crump has decided to make this quiz more streamlined than the last quiz--just your basic right and wrong answers.  Simple.  Here’s the quiz.  Good luck!

 

   1. Identify an instance in Mayberry where an umbrella is seen on a bottle opener.

   2. True or False: Old Sam is the name of the legendary silver carp in Myers Lake.

   3. Name somebody in Mayberry besides Orville Monroe and Emmett Clark who is accepted as a professional at TV repair.

   4. It is written that who is (are) most likely to “invade Venus on giant bats”?

   5. Andy is once asked to supply accident reports from what year as part of a statistical study comparing accidents and population growth?

BONUS: Where have a blue sofa and a green rug been seen together in black and white in Mayberry?

 

   Submit your answers by e-mail to OldLadyCrump@iMayberry.com or, if you just don’t trust a machine with your entry, mail your answers to TAGSRWC, 9 Music Square South, PMB 146, Nashville TN 37203-3211.  All entries must be e-mailed or postmarked by March 15.

   The person whose quiz has the required correct answers will receive his or her choice of any single item offered online at Weaver’s.  (Neither a box set of TAGS DVDs nor a set of Wooden Mayberry Building Fronts is considered a single item.  Neither are sets of tin signs, grab-bags or combos.)  

   If there is more than one person with the most correct answers (as is usually the case), we’ll draw a winner from all the top entries.

 

**** Postnote ****

 

   Between issues of The eBullet, keep up with the goings-on in Mayberry with the daily “Who’s Been Messin’ Up the Bulletin Board?“ 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 http://tagsrwc.com.

   TAGSRWC also 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: http://mail.weaversdepartmentstore.com/mailman/listinfo/newsletter_weaversdepartmentstore.com

   TAGSRWC’s other main vehicle for Mayberry information is simply our Web site at http://www.tagsrwc.com (and it’s nearly identical sister site http://www.iMayberry.com.  Both sites have extensive content and links for just about everything a Mayberry fan might be looking for.

   The next issue of The eBullet is scheduled for late March, with a Weaver’s Newsletter planned for February.