11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
I WANTED MORE, December 27, 1999
This review is from: Barney Fife and Other Characters I Have Known (Paperback)
It was coincidental that two of my Christmas presents were books by the director (Alan Rafkin) and star (Don Knotts) of "The Ghost and Mr. Chicken". And I had the same reaction to both books: Interesting but skimpy, apparently designed to be quick, light reads (I finished both of them within a day and a half).
I'm beginning to suspect that this is an editing problem rather than an authorial one. Perhaps the publishers don't think we'd sit still for longer, more detailed books. I wanted more insight into their worlds and the people with whom they worked.
For instance, Knotts never mentions his participation in "It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World," one of the most misbegotten movies ever released. Imagine the scene: Phil Silvers, master con-man, is teamed for a brief while with Don Knotts, nervous rube. That's *brilliant* casting... and it didn't go anywhere. It would be interesting to learn *why* things like that happened.
Two stories heard elsewhere:
A producer came to Andy Griffith and Don Knotts with a sitcom pilot script. When Griffith found that the script was standard '80's insult humor, he wanted nothing to do with it. Knotts tried to convince him that they could fix it. "I know we can," replied Andy. "But why get into bed with this man when he doesn't understand the relationship?"
Or this: After screening "The Ghost and Mr. Chicken", studio execs came up with the brilliant idea of *showing* the guy who yelled "Attaboy, Luther." Knotts put his foot down (reportedly *very* adamently) and the classic bit remained unspoiled.
Call me greedy, but I find those kind of stories insightful and I wanted more of them. Tell us about having a Playboy centerfold for your leading lady (which had to be a big deal in 1965), or about the sketch on the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour with Leigh French, filled with drug references and sexual innuendoes (and one of the funniest sketches I have ever seen.)
Talk about refusing to speak to the press during the filming of "Return to Mayberry", one of the most justified snubbings in TV history. For twenty years, the press couldn't be bothered with Don Knotts. As soon as he was back in the niche *they* wanted, they were swarming for interviews -- which he didn't grant and who can blame him?
It's a likable book, but for me it was like having three good potato chips. I wanted more.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Tied Up in Knotts, November 28, 1999
This review is from: Barney Fife and Other Characters I Have Known (Paperback)
I really enjoyed reading Don Knotts' autobiography.It was a very fast paced book. There weren't any chapters, instead it was a series of headings that chronicled his life. It was very straight-forward and easy to follow. Readers should be prepared to read a lot about Don's life leading up to the Andy Griffith Show. His home life as the youngest child in a poor family and how he survived that to begin a career in show business as a ventriliquist. He spent time overseas entertaining the troops and later got into radio which led to stints on Steve Allen's various TV shows and ultimately led to his role as Barney Fife.I was a little disappointed in the section on The Andy Griffith Show. I wanted more details of how he felt about the other actors and what it was like to be on such a popular show. Mr. Knotts also skimmed over his time on Three's Company as well but he did devote a lot of space to his movie career. I must reiterate that although I longed for more "dish" on Aunt Bee I thoroughly enjoyed this glimpse into the life of a TV legend.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good AutoBio Sketch of Don Knotts, September 19, 2000
This review is from: Barney Fife and Other Characters I Have Known (Paperback)
Barney Fife and Other Characters I Have Known reveals much more about Don Knotts by what is left unsaid, displaying real character so absent in today's "tell all" market. Early life and influences are nicely detailed and personalized though most of the book centers on his professional career. An anecdotal approach makes this a fun, fast, satisfying read. It's like winning a contest where first prize is a long lunch with Don Knotts at Schwab's. More than anything else, this book is one of the best lessons I have ever read on the "drive" and creativity it takes to succeed in show business.
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