Customer Reviews

Barney Fife and Other Characters I Have Known

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

I have really enjoyed reading this book, and have read some of the other reviews of it. I think Andy Griffith summed it all up in the foreword he wrote for this book, when he stated..."Don was not Barney Fife. Barney Fife was a character that Don created. I know Don to be a bright man and very much in control of himself. As everyone knows, Barney Fife had very little control of himself." Obviously Don did not write this book as Barney would have, but there are little traces of that personality hidden in it, if you infer it that way.
People who buy this book expecting to hear the caustic ramblings of a Hollywood burnout will be sorely disappointed. Mr. Knotts seems as warm and fuzzy as your favorite stuffed toy, without a harsh word to say about anyone. If you want more real background information on him from a more objective standpoint, watch the excellent Biography Channel special on his life and career. Or visit the website www.interestingideas.com and look for the essay someone wrote about him, that was gritty and much more candid and philosophical. You will be fascinated!
However, if you are new to watching the Andy Griffith Show, like I am, and this is the first book you read on the show, like it was for me, this book is a great way to get introduced to the show, and prepare you for the more theoretically advanced books you will read about it in the future. Especially if you are a "Trained Noticer" like me!
Now, if Howard Morris (Ernest T. Bass) would just write his autobiography...

This is a very charming, simple book filled with fun stories. Nothing earth-shattering, but then it really shouldn't be. You can almost imagine this as a transcript of Barney Fife and Andy Taylor on the porch, shooting the breeze.

This is a very pleasant read from a marvelous talent. Don Knotts is so good, but there is not a drop of ego to be seen, which also makes this quite refreshing.

I first obtained this book from the library and liked it so much I bought it. My husband and I relate to Don's growing up poor in WV in the 30's. Don tells his story with humor but malice toward none (very refreshing!). Also, he brings back pleasant memories of the old TV shows we loved and he adds interesting details about them. I will share this book with my 40-something daughters whom I'm sure will enjoy it as much as we did.

Barney Fife and other Characters I Have Known is a romp through the show business life of Don Knotts. Its staccato style makes for an easy read showcasing Don's characters, his life and work from his early high school days up to the near present. No hard hitting or in depth analysis of his life is given here, the book is just a pure joy to read for any Don Knotts fan. If you are a Knotts fan this book may entice you to rent or buy some of Don's early films, I had forgotten how much fun they were to watch until I read this book. On a scale of one to five I give it four stars but I admit I am an unabashed Knots fan.

Comedy is the hardest thing to do well. It takes consumate talent and impeccable timing to pull it off. In my book, Don Knotts ranks right up there with the very best, and I'm talking Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy, Buster Keaton, etc. When Don has had good material to work with, as he did on the ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW, and in some of his other projects, he showed that he was a master of his craft, for he not only was funny, he set a standard that those who followed could measure themselves by. This warm memoir provides an intelligent and insightful look into the life of a great comic actor.

This book is simply Okay. I really hoped Don Knotts would go into more detail about his films. He only mentions his role in "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World" merely once in passing. The photos are mostly duped over publicity shots fans have already seen. The cover is atrocious. I know that Don's publisher could have put out a better product for all of his fans.

If you really want a great book about Don Knotts: See "The Incredible Mr. Don Knotts" by Stephen Cox and Kevin Marhanka. Now THAT's a fantastic book about the legendary comedian!!

I really enjoyed reading this book, it was like talking to my 5th grade teacher, always telling stories from his childhood. Reading this was very funny, like when he was talking about Andy Griffith, and a few jokes, and how Andy laughs when he really thinks somthing is funny. It's a very good book for people who think Don Knotts is a great actor, he talks about, "No Time for Sargeants", "The Andy Griffith Show" and "Three's Company" just to mention a few, but still more movies and shows he has done, not to forget his army days too!