Jack Elinson Movies

When a notorious criminal escapes from the state prison, Mayberry sheriff Andy Taylor (Andy Griffith) and his deputy, Barney Fife (Don Knotts), offer their assistance in tracking down the fugitive. Though the state troopers initially laugh off the bucolic Andy and Barney (especially after Barney not only allows the crook to slip through his fingers, but also gets bound and gagged for his troubles), they soon learn to appreciate Andy's uncanny ability to outguess and outsmart the outlaw. When this episode was originally broadcast on October 10, 1960, the TV Guide listings suggested that the fugitive was none other than town drunk Otis Campbell (Hal Smith), an error the magazine would not make in the future. As a further trivia note, this is the episode which established that Barney is Andy's cousin. "The Manhunt" was written by Jack Elinson and Charles Stewart. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The people of Mayberry tend to be a bit resistant when an "outsider" sets up shop in town. Thus, several locals look askance when Ellie May Walker (Elinor Donahue), niece of the local druggist, takes charge of Walker's Drug Store. Almost immediately, Ellie's "modern" notions rub the traditionalist townsfolk the wrong way; for example, she refuses to sell sugar pills to the town's resident hypochondriac. Attempting to straighten things out, Sheriff Andy realizes that his interest in Ellie is more than professional. Written by Jack Elinson and Charles Stewart, "Ellie Comes to Town" first aired on October 24, 1960. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Sheriff Andy's male chauvinism boils over when his girlfriend Ellie Walker decides to run for town council-the first woman ever to do so. As the campaigning proceeds, Andy and Barney do everything they can to throw roadblocks in Ellie's political career. The Sheriff realizes the error of his ways when his own son Opie begins spouting anti-female propaganda. First shown on December 12, 1960, "Ellie for Council" was written by Jack Elinson and Charles Stewart. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Spinsters Jennifer and Clarabelle Morrison (Charity Grace and Gladys Hurlbut), Mayberry's self-appointed moral arbiters, take it upon themselves to impose their own brand of Prohibition on the town. With Barney's assistance, the Morrison sisters begin rounding up every moonshiner in the county. But the ladies' motives are not entirely altruistic, as Sheriff Andy's son Opie discovers when he happens upon a mason jar full of home brew. Written by Jack Elinson and Charles Stewart, "Alcohol and Old Lace" first aired on January 30, 1961. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Andy infuriates Aunt Bee with his assertion that all the Mayberry women are gossips. To get even, she fabricates a rumor that a travelling shoe salesman is really a talent scout for the TV series Manhattan Show Time. Five points to anyone who guesses what happens next! Like many first-season episodes, "Those Gossipin' Men" was written by Jack Elinson and Charles Stewart. The program first aired on January 16, 1961. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

George Nader guest-stars as George Benson, Mayberry's new doctor. All the ladies in town are impressed by Dr. Benson handsomeness and charming demeanor, including-it seems-Sheriff Andy's sweetheart Ellie Walker. Thanks to the insinuations of well-meaning deputy Barney, Andy becomes convinced that Benson is stealing Ellie away from him. Without giving the game away, it should be noted that this was the episode in which the more perceptive viewers realized that series regular Elinor Donahue would not be returning next season. First shown on March 20, 1961, "The New Doctor" was written by Jack Elinson and Charles Stewart. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Barney is lured away from Thelma Lou by honey-and-molasses Southern belle Melissa Stevens (Beverly Tyler). Little does Barney suspect that Melissa is a con artist, who specializes in tricking gullible bachelors into hefty breach-of-promise suits. Andy's suspicions are aroused by the comparative youthfulness of Melissa's outraged "father" George (Jackie Coogan), and he concocts a scheme to hoist the hucksters on their own petard. Written by Jack Elinson and Charles Stewart, "Barney On the Rebound" was originally broadcast on October 30, 1961. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Written by Jack Elinson and Charles Stewart, "Barney's Replacemnt" finds Deputy Barney Fife exhibiting jealousy towards Bob Rogers (Mark Miller), a go-getting rookie lawman from the state attorney's office. Convincing himself that Sheriff Andy intends to hire the super-efficient Bob as his replacement, Barney quits his job to become a door-to-door vacuum cleaner salesman. It is up to Andy to prove how much Barney is truly needed. Originally broadcast on October 9, 1961, "Barney's Replacement" was the first episode filmed for The Andy Griffith Show's second season, though not the first one shown. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Barney's girlfriend Thelma Lou tries to match Andy up with her cousin Karen Moore. As it turns out, however, Karen is a tougher cookie than anyone could have expected-least of all the chauvinistic Andy. Written by Jack Elinson and Charles Stewart, this episode makes good use of the gun-toting talents of actress Gail Davis (Karen), who previously starred on the TV western Annie Oakley. "The Perfect Female" first aired on November 27, 1961. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Opie is made "Keeper of the Flame" for the Wildcats, a secret boy's club. Shortly thereafter, the club's meeting place, the barn of cantankerous Jubell Foster (Everett Sloane), burns to the ground. It takes the gentle prodding of Sheriff Andy-and an increasingly besotted Barney-to prove that Opie was not to blame. Best line: "He's not so dumb." Written by Jack Elinson and Charles Stewart, "Keeper of the Flame" first aired on January 8, 1962. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

When Mayberry choir director John Masters (Olan Soule) announces that he needs a new first tenor, Barney volunteers for the job. Unfortunately, Barney's musical skills are on a par with his talents as deputy. When it becomes obvious that the other choir members haven't the heart to tell Barney that his singing stinks, Andy comes up with a face-saving strategy that could well have been borrowed from the climax of Singin' in the Rain. Originally shown on February 19, 1962, "Barney and the Choir" was written by Jack Elinson and Charles Stewart. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The moonshining Gordon boys (Paul Bakanas, Orville Sherman) threaten dire consequences for town drunk Otis Campbell, whom they hold responsible for their arrest. As a result, it isn't safe for Otis to occupy his usual cell after his weekly boozefest. Thinking quickly, Andy allows Otis to serve out his sentence in the Taylor household-a move Otis soon regrets when Aunt Bee puts him to work. Did we say Aunt Bee? We meant "Bloody Mary"! Written by Jack Elinson and Charles Stewart, "Aunt Bee the Warden" first aired on March 12, 1962. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide