Customer Reviews

Mayberry Memories: The Andy Griffith Show Photo Album

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

This a very unique book on a unique show. It is not the usual Ken Beck and Jim Clark quote book with quotes taken directly from the show or text describing the characters or episodes. The text briefly describes each season and the rest of the book is filled with photos and quotes from the actors (many bit players), writers, producers, etc. The quotes range from talking about certain actors or scenes to behind-the-scenes tidbits and general feelings about The Andy Griffith Show. It reads like a scrapbook. Many of the photos I have not seen in any other TAGS book. There are a lot of behind-the-scenes photos. Some of my favorites show the cameramen, lights, and equipment as scenes were being filmed. There is also a cool aerial shot of the set of the Forty Acres lot in Culver City that was used for downtown Mayberry (p. 44). I also like the photos of TAGS memorabilia (TV Guide and comic book covers). The photos start with early publicity and scene shots from the pilot episode on The Danny Thomas Show and go on through all 8 seasons of TAGS, ending with photos and quotes on the spin-offs Gomer Pyle USMC, Mayberry RFD, and the 1986 reunion Return to Mayberry. Many people are quoted, but some of them include producer Sheldon Leonard, assistant producer Ronald Jacobs, music director Earl Hagen, Rance Howard, writer Jack Elinson, producer Aaron Ruben, Elinor Donahue, Margaret Kerry-Wilcox (played Bess Muggins and Helen Scobey), Joy Ellison (played Mary Wiggins, Opie's choice for Miss Mayberry), members of The Country Boys, Kit McNear (Howard McNear's son), James Best, Renee Aubry (choir member), Don Knotts, Julie Adams and Sue Ane Langdon (both nurse Mary Simpson), writer Harvey Bullock, Keith Thibodeaux (Johnny Paul), Jim Nabors, Jack Prince (Rafe Hollister), members of The Dillards (The Darlings) Mitch Jayne, Dean Webb, Rodney Dillard, Doug Dillard, their on-screen sister Maggie Peterson (Charlene), Bernard Fox (Malcolm Merriweather), Howard Morris (director as well as Ernest T Bass), director Earl Bellamy, Ron Howard, Clint Howard (Leon), Mary Grace Canfield (Mary Grace Gossage), George Lindsey, Betty Lynn, Hal Smith (on riding a cow), George Spence who was Frank the boyfriend in "Guest in the House" (there is an entire page on his memories of the show), Dennis Rush (played one of Opies pals, Howie Pruitt/Williams), Ruta Lee, Jack Dodson, Ken Berry, Paul Hartman's grandson Bill (one of my favorite quotes. He talks about how fans sent his grandfather Emmett radios and toasters to fix), Jack Dodson's widow Mary, associate producer Richard O. Linke, Arlene Gonlonka (Millie). Not an exhaustive list, but you get the idea. The quotes are all very positive. No bitterness in Mayberry.

My only qualm about the book is the lack of coverage of one of my favorite, and greatly unappreciated, characters Warren Ferguson. No Jack Burns quotes, I guess that is understandable. But beneath one of only three photos of him is the sarcastic caption: "Andy hires Floyd's nephew Warren Ferguson as Mayberry's new deputy, `know what I mean, huh-huh-huh?' (Please don't get him or us started)." Not keeping with the Mayberry spirit, in my opinion. Oh well, you can't have it all, I guess. The book ends with a very useful episode guide that includes a synopsis of each episode (some even include some extra tidbits or trivia) and guest characters with cast credits. It is an excellent addition to any TAGS fan's collection.

An excellent book and well put together. You will find amazing photographs of all the characters in the cast...and then some. One of the most interesting photos, in this book, is one of an ariel view of the Mayberry Town near Culver City, California. An actual town within a town.

I have read other books and also found them interesting with regard to the Andy Griffith show, but it was great to see all the pictures and read the personal comments of the stars and the people behind the scenes.

I believe that anyone , like myself, who really loved the show will enjoy this a great deal. Well done. This was one of my all time favorites shows and this book shows a lot of the people who made it such a great series.

I recieved this book yesterday from amazon and finished it today. This book kept me interested and I loved seeing all the candid behind-the-scene, and rare photo's. It was also nice to see rare interview's with every cast member including Aneta Corsaut (Helen Crump Taylor), Andy Griffith (Andy Taylor), Don Knott's (Barney Fife), and many more! You will not be dissappointed, a must for any Mayberry fan!

I recently bought this book for my grandparents. It was such a joy to sit and watch them remember back on all the episodes they had watched. If you were a fan of the Andy Grifith show this is a must buy for you

I've never seen such a great Mayberry book before!! It has many wonderful pictures, and tons of great history. I read this straight for around 3-4 hours, and it has great memories or the actors reminiscing... Ah, well, it's worth buying for the price, this book is worth it!! Very high quality.

Since publication of my "Andy Griffith Show Scrapbook" in 1993 I have regrettably been away from the world of Mayberry working on many other books in the ensuing years. However, Jim Clark and Ken Beck's "Mayberry Memories" made me recall just why this show is the epitome of classic American comedy. It is superb in every respect, and filled with dozens of rare photos that will impress even the most hard-core Griffith collector. Clark and Beck are uniquely suited for this project, having spent so many years documenting the Griffith show phenomenon through other books, fan clubs, and events. They've outdone themselves with this definitive tribute to one of the truly great shows. There's only one word for it...."Big!" (Or as Mr. Fife would say, "Aw, big ain't the word for it....it's REALLY big!")

The new "Mayberry Memories" is truly a treasure of memories, photo's, personal stories and thoughts from actors and production alike. As a true Andy Griffith Show fan, it has taken me hours to sift through this treasure chest and the wonderful precious memories it has brought back to me.

The book is well organized, is so comprehensive that I can't think of things being left out and is a true tribute to Andy Griffith, the cast of the show and the people behind the scenes.

It is truly a jewel in the "The Andy Griffith Show" treasure chest and is a wonderful way to celebrate the show's 40th Anniversary.

Well done Mr. Beck and Mr. Clark!

Lots of good pictures and stories behind the filming of the show. If you are a fan of Andy Griffith, you can't go wrong with this book.

Loved this book! Has everything from TV GUIDE Portraits to the comic books and coloring books...most from Joel Rasmussen's vast collection! I would have liked to have seen all the color images a little bit sharper and there are some poor scans and video grabs I could have done without BUT overall, the good definitely outweighs the bad. Finally, a couple of guys do the book we all wanted to see! Bravo!