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The Andy Griffith Show: A Christmas Story [VHS]

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"The Andy Griffith Show" was on network television for 8 seasons (1960-1968), and thanks to syndication it has never been off the air since.

The series' first season featured its one and only Christmas-themed show (entitled "Christmas Story"), and it is one of the finest Yuletide programs ever produced for a weekly TV series (in my own opinion, that is -- which is, I admit, tainted slightly with a built-in "Andy Griffith Show" bias). :)

"Christmas Story" co-stars Will Wright as mean and spiteful local department-store owner "Ben Weaver", who causes a bit of trouble on Christmas Eve for the Mayberry law-enforcement officers (Andy Taylor and Barney Fife). In reality, however, spiteful old Ben is deliberately *trying* to get himself arrested by "Fast Gun Fife", in order to join in the holiday festivities at the Courthouse.

The episode plays out very nicely, with Andy eventually "catching on" to Ben's little scheme. And, in typical Andrew Taylor fashion (with understanding and compassion -- even with regard to a man he's never really liked too much), Andy goes along with Ben's plan and dutifully arrests Weaver on the trumped-up charge of "emptying trash cans on the city streets".

Ben finally is able to join the party at the jailhouse, and even distributes gifts to everyone at the same time. Aunt Bee offers Ben a nice hot turkey dinner, and Ben's irritable and crusty nature melts away by episode's conclusion.

Another highlight of this moving and tender Christmas episode is when Elinor Donahue (who plays Andy's girlfriend, "Ellie Walker") sings "Away In A Manger" -- with guitar and vocal accompaniment from Andy. As the song progresses, the camera begins panning around the Courthouse and eventually pans to an outside window in one of the jail's cells -- and who's standing there behind the barred window? -- Ben Weaver, who sings right along with Andy and Ellie. A great, great scene.

Here's an interesting side note regarding the recording of that Christmas song for this episode ...... Elinor Donahue was evidently as nervous as a cat when it came time to pre-record the song for the show. Andy Griffith asked her to sit down on the floor of the recording studio because he could see she was nervous. They both sat on the floor in the middle of the studio, while Andy played his guitar and hummed along, telling Elinor she should start singing whenever she felt ready. So, whenever you're watching this Christmas episode, remember that Andy and Ellie were really sitting on the floor of a recording studio when they were singing "Away In A Manger".

"Christmas Story" was just the 11th episode of "The Andy Griffith Show" ever to air, first broadcast on CBS-TV on Monday night, December 19, 1960. The episode was directed by Bob Sweeney and written (expertly to say the least) by David Adler.

If this episode of "T.A.G.S." doesn't give you the "warm & fuzzies" all over, then I don't know what will. It's a program that begs to be re-visited each and every December 24th!

This is heartwarming, yuletide family fare with a timeless theme.

WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT [Don't read further if you DON'T want the plot revealed.]:

It's Christmas Eve and old Ben Weaver [Will Wright], owner of Mayberry's department store, has decided to demand that Andy lock up accused Moonshiner Sam Muggins. Ben seems to feel that somehow making a jug of moonshine will adversely impact his business and, after all, it is a crime.

THE PLOT THICKENS:

Andy and Barney had just released all the jail's inmates for a yuletide furlough out of the Christmas spirit and also so that neither jailer would have to spend Christmas guarding the jail. This complaint by Ben against Sam for moonshining effectively dashes their yuletide plans.

BUT ANDY'S GOT A FEW TRICKS UP HIS SLEEVE:

First Andy brings Sam's family into custody and, as Ben protests this, Andy has Sam's family, on cue, admit they knew Sam was making moonshine. Now at least the family is together. Andy's family arrives for Christmas at the jail and as Ben again protests, Opie, Aunt Bea and Andy's lady friend all display their Sheriff badges to Ben as a cute pretense for them all being there. After all, Andy needs extra deputies to guard the extra prisoners. Yet, it looks like there's a party about to start.

BUT THEN SOMETHING MAGICAL HAPPENS:

Ben, seeing the festive scene in the jail, suddenly goes on a one man petty crime wave. He parks in front of a hydrant, he rips up the parking ticket Barney gives him, and he even tries to appear to be stealing the bench from in front of the court house. Nevertheless, it's Christmas and you might say old Ben can't get himself arrested.

UNTIL:

Poor Ben, watching from outside through the bars as the inmates and jailers sing Christmas carols, seems to be the real inmate. Then, he loses his balance and makes a racket out in the alley and Andy goes out to check on the commotion.

When he returns he has Ben with him, now in custody and bearing gifts. Ben finally gets included in the yuletide festivities. In the end, the evidence against Sam seems to have vanished. As Sam inquires about how that might have happened, Andy gestures toward the now-sleeping-peacefully old Ben, who's now sleeping off the moonshine and the evidence. Now, without evidence, Sam and his family, will naturally be free to go, and Ben will blissfully sleep it off in the jail -- a happy Mayberry ending for all.

I never received the item....only a note that says the item is not available, and the seller cannot get another; the seller said Amazon was behind in changing their postings.

My family and I LOVE this Christmas movie! We watched it on Christmas day, and I can see that it will probably be a tradition from now on. It's a classic, feel-good family show!