Lee Philips Movies
Lee Philips studied playwriting at Adelphi College, and later with Harold Clurman. Originally a stage actor, Phillips made his stage debut in the early '50s and appeared on Broadway in dramas such as Paddy Chayefsky's Middle of the Night, with Edward G. Robinson, Gena Rowlands, Anne Jackson, and Martin Balsam, and The Mandragola, directed by Sanford Meisner and starring Albert Paulsen, John Fiedler, and Mark Rydell. He followed this with television work on Armstrong Circle Theatre, and other dramatic anthology shows, and feature film appearances in movies such as Peyton Place (1958), in which he distinguished himself with an impassioned performance as the earnest school principal. Additionally, he appeared in the television productions of Marty and 12 Angry Men. Phillips turned to directing in the early '60s on sitcoms such as The Dick Van Dyke Show, and followed this with numerous TV movies and occasional feature films, most notably The Girl Most Likely To (1973), a black comedy about a formerly homely girl (Stockard Channing), transformed by plastic surgery, who decides to revenge herself on the high school classmates who tormented her. ~ Bruce Eder, Rovi- 1967
Erstwhile standup comedian Howard Sprague scores a big hit on the TV variety show "Colonel Tim's Talent Time." Unfortunately, the citizens of Mayberry do not take kindly to being the butt of Howard's jokes. For a while, Howard is persona non grata amongst the Mayberryites-but human nature proves to be a very curious and changeable thing. Dick Haynes guest-stars as Colonel Tim. Written by Michael Morris and Seaman Jacobs, "Howard the Comedian" first aired on March 20, 1967. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1967
Howard Sprague becomes a Big Brother for problem teen Tommy Parker (Scott Lane). Balking at Howard's insistence that he concentrate on his schoolwork, the crafty Tommy arranges a few dates between Howard and his big sister Betty Parker (Elizabeth MacRae). Succumbing to Betty's charms, Howard is on Cloud Nine until the awful truth brings him crashing back to earth. First shown on March 27, 1967, "Big Brother" was written by Fred S. Fox. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Jack Dodson, Howard McNear, (more)
- 1967
When milkman Walt Simpson's dairy horse Dolly is replaced by a truck, Opie agrees to look after the old nag. Pretty soon everyone in Mayberry is frettng over the fact that Dolly refuses to eat. Realizing that Dolly is yearning for her old job, Opie comes up with an ingenious solution. Leathery character actor Tommy Tully plays Walt Simpson, while Dolly is cast as "herself." Originally aired on March 6, 1967, "Goodbye Dolly" was written by Michael Morris and Seaman Jacobs. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1967
Opie insists upon taking piano lessons from Clara, only to find that the lessons cut into his football practice. For a while, it looks as if Opie is going to have to choose between a musical and an athletic career. It is up to the boy's football coach Flip Conroy (Rockne Tarkington)-a former professional gridiron star and a classically trained pianist-to save the day. Written by Leo and Pauline Townsend, "Opie's Piano Lesson" was originally telecast on March 13, 1967. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1967
Don Knotts makes another of his highly-rated return trips to The Andy Griffth Show in the role of Barney Fife. When Andy comes to visit him in Raleigh, Barney boasts about his importance as a city detective. In truth, however, bumbling Barn' is on the verge of being fired. His only hope for salvation is to solve a string of supermarket robberies-and as it turns out, the solution is closer to home than Barney ever realized. Richard X. Slattery appears as Captain Dewhurst, while Betty Kean plays Barney's deceptively sweet-natured landlady. The first of a two-episode story arc, "A Visit to Barney Fife" was written by Bill Idelson, and originally aired on January 16, 1967. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Don Knotts
- 1967
Andy finds himself in hot water when his former girlfriend Alice Harper (Joanna McNeil) pays a return visit to Mayberry. Despite Andy's protestations, his present sweetheart Helen Crump is convinced that Alice is trying to rekindle old romantic flames. In a reversal of the usual Andy Griffith Show formula, it is Andy who teaches Helen a lesson this time out. Written by Sid Morse, "Andy's Old Girlfriend" was first broadcast on January 30, 1967. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1967
Fast-talking George Jones (Roger Perry) breezes into Mayberry with an attractive get-rich-quick scheme involving a buried treasure. Everyone in town falls for Jones' line, despite repeated warnings from the suspicious Andy. Eventually, however, even Andy secretly invests money in Jones' scheme-with sobering results. Written by Fred S. Fox, "Don't Miss a Good Bet" was originally telecast on January 2, 1967. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1967
With both Aunt Bee and Opie out of town, Andy is left to fend for himself. Goober shows up one night to alleviate Andy's loneliness, fixing a tasty spaghetti dinner in the process. It is only after the boys have finished their meal that Goober remembers why he came over-he was supposed to invite Andy to Howard's house for another spaghetti supper. By the time this episode comes to a conclusion, Andy has consumed enough spaghetti to feed Italy and Sicily combined. Written by Budd Grossman, "Dinner at Eight" first aired on January 9, 1967. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1966
Invited to a school party, Opie is terrified to learn that he'll be expected to dance. Hoping to allay the boy's fear, Andy and Helen offer to teach Opie how to trip the light fantastic. Problem is, the adults aren't too good at cutting a rug themselves. Ben Starr's teleplay blithely ignores the fact that Opie had ostensibly learned to dance in the fifth-season episode "Opie Loves Helen." "Look Paw, I'm Dancing" first aired on February 14, 1966. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1966
Much against Andy's advice, Aunt Bee purchases a car from Goober and begins taking driving lessons. After several harrowing driving sessions-harrowing, that is, to the hapless instructor!-Bee feels ready to take a solo spin around town. When she arrives home, she finds a huge and ugly bump in the car-and, thinking herself responsible, she attempts to hide the damage from Andy. One of the funniest episodes of The Andy Griffith Show's sixth season, "Aunt Bee Learns to Drive" was written by Jack Elinson, and originally aired on February 7, 1966. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1966
Gidget (Sally Field) lodges a complaint about "Helpful Hannah", who writes an advice-to-the-lovelorn column for the school newspaper. As a result, Gidget is herself enlisted to become "Helpful Hannah"--and she takes her job quite seriously. Of course, it's only a matter of time (about thirty minutes) before our heroine's well-intentioned advice causes a whole heap of trouble! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1966
Goober returns from a fishing trip with a full beard. Basking in the compliments directed towards his distinguished-looking chin whiskers, Goober begins fancying himself an intellectual, and before long he is boring his friends to death with his endless discourses on a variety of topics-all centered on himself. It takes a few harsh words from Andy to bring Goober back down to earth. Written by John L. Greene and Paul David, "Goober Makes History" first aired on December 19, 1966. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1966
Several years before gaining fame as Father Mulcahy on MASH, William Christopher essayed the title role in the Andy Griffith Show episode "A New Doctor in Town." The folks of Mayberry are wary of the town's new doctor Thomas Peterson, who seems too young and casual for his job. Andy chastizes his friends for not giving Dr. Peterson a chance-but even he has second thoughts about Peterson's qualifications when Opie comes down with tonsilitis. Originally broadcast on December 26, 1966, "A New Doctor in Town" was written by Ray Brenner and Barry Blitzer. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1966
Weekend gardener Aunt Bee cultivates a magnificent hybrid rose that she hopes will win the annual flower show-a contest perenially won by her friendly rival Clara. But Opie dashes Bee's hopes when he accidentally destroys the rose while playing football in the backyard. In the end, it is up to Clara to do The Right Thing. Written by Jim Parker and Arnold Margolin, "Only a Rose" made its TV network bow on December 5, 1966. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1966
Andy is captured and held hostage by a gang of bank robbers. Emergency deputies Howard and Otis go to the rescue, but Howard also falls into the gang's clutches. Thus, it is up to Otis to rescue his two comrades-a daunting task, considering the fact that Otis is, as usual, drunk as a skunk. Joe Turkel, a semi-regular in the films of Stanley Kubrick, appears as an outlaw named Fred, while his companion Larry is portrayed by familiar flat-nosed character player Charles Dierkop. First telecast on December 12, 1966, "Otis the Deputy" was written by Jim Parker and Arnold Margolin. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Hal Smith, Jack Dodson, (more)
- 1966
As a result of a minor auto accident, Goober suffers a slight pain in the back. Thanks to garrulous barber Floyd, Goober becomes convinced that he has incurred a serious injury-and that he is in fact at death's door! Retreating to the bedroom of Andy Taylor, Goober refuses to allow anyone to convince him that he's as hale and hearty as ever. Andy is forced to resort to trickery to get Goober back on his feet again. First telecast on October 31, 1966, "Mind Over Matter" was written by Ron Friedman and Pat McCormick. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1966
Once again, the hillbilly Darling family storms into Mayberry. With a fortune in hand-nearly three hundred dollars, cash!-Briscoe Darling (Denver Pyle) has come to town looking for brides for his goonish sons. Acting upon an old mountain superstition, the boys all choose the first woman they see walking down the street-who turns out be Andy's sweetheart Helen. Written by Jim Parker and Arnold Margolin, "The Darling Fortune" was originally telecast on October 17, 1966. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1966
Preparing for a visit from Mayberry's guest minister Rev. Leighton (Ian Wolfe), Aunt Bee worries that her natural hair-do won't survive the night. Thus, she quickly dons an attractive blonde wig, which duly impresses the visiting cleric. The problem: Aunt Bee grows fond of the minister, and hasn't the nerve to tell him that she isn't a natural blonde. The most amusing aspect of this episode is the fact that supporting actor Ian Wolfe is rather obviously wearing a "rug" himself! First shown on October 10, 1966, "Aunt Bee's Crowning Glory" was written by Ronald Axe. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1966
Andy is elected to umpire that championship Little League game between Mayberry and Mount Pilot. Exercising fine impartiality, Andy calls his own son Opie out, then promptly gets it in the neck from everyone in town. Ultimately, Andy is redeemed by Howard Sprague's newspaper sports column, but camera-bug Helen discovers the story isn't quite over yet. This episode was cowritten by Sid Morse and Rance Howard, the father of series regular Ronny Howard. "The Ball Game" first aired on October 3, 1966. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1966
Novice fisherman Howard Sprague joins Mayberry's veteran anglers on the first day of fishing season. Almost immediately, Howard hooks "Old Sam", the legendary silver carp of Myers Lake. In so doing, Howard almost single-handedly destroys the morale of the town. Originally broadcast on November 28, 1966, "Big Fish in a Small Town" was one of several top-rank Andy Griffith Show episodes written by Bill Idelson and Sam Bobrick. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Howard McNear
- 1966
Opie and his friend Anold (Sheldon Golomb) find an abandoned baby. Hoping to save the child from an orphanage, the boys try to find a new home for the abandonee on their own. And then the real parents show up in Mayberry. Jack Nicholson makes the first of two Andy Griffith Show appearances in the role of Mr. Garland. Written by Stan Dreben and Sid Mandel, "Opie Finds a Baby" originally aired on November 21, 1966. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1966
Chosen to direct the senior high school play, Helen allows the kids to dance the Watusi during one of the production numbers. As a result, the show is closed down by ultra-conservative Principal Hampton (Leon Ames), who considers the production too "revolutionary". Helen retaliates with a new play which proves that Hampton's generation was considered pretty radical in itstime. First shown on November 14, 1966, "The Senior Play" was written by Sid Morse. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Leon Ames, Aneta Corsaut, (more)
- 1966
Andy asks for it when he talks Howard into running for town council. It seems that Aunt Bee is dissatisfied with the local political scene, and has been persuaded to run for council herself. The battle royal culminates in a public debate, wherein Aunt Bee's "will of the people" platform doesn't stand much of a chance against Howard's common sense and civic knowhow. Written by Fred S. Fox, "Politics Begin at Home" first aired on November 7, 1966. Though it was the 200th episode of The Andy Griffith Show, it was only the 197th to be aired. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1966
Andy nominates Howard Sprague for membership in the Regal Order of Good Fellowship. Thanks to the intervention of Howard's domineering mother (Mabel Albertson), Goober is persuaded to blackball the hapless Mr. Sprague. This episode was written by Jim Parker and Arnold Margolin, later two of the leading lights of the comedy anthology Love, American Style. "The Lodge" originally aired on September 19, 1966. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- 1966
Season Seven of The Andy Griffith Show commenced on September 12, 1966, with the episode titled "Opie's Girlfriend." Slated to entertain Helen's niece Cynthia (Mary Ann Durkin), Opie is sorely aggrieved that the girl turns out to be smarter than he is-and a better athlete to boot! Sensing that Cynthia is fond of Opie, Helen imparts a bit of womanly wisdom to the girl. "Opie's Girlfriend" was written by Budd Grossman. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
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