Weaver’s Newsletter
An Online newsletter of
“The Andy Griffith Show” Rerun Watchers Club (TAGSRWC)
**** Merchandise Update ****
Getting ready for the holidays!
****Holiday Shipping Schedule****
Bah!
As late as December 22, we’ll be shipping orders for Christmas delivery. However, unless you live really near our HQ in Nashville, any orders we receive after Noon CT on Friday, DECEMBER 20, will require FedEx Overnight Delivery to be guaranteed to arrive by Christmas.
PLEASE NOTE: All FedEx charges are in addition to our standard flat rate of $5 for shipping and handling on all orders shipped to the same address. The FedEx charges are billed separately and directly by FedEx to the same credit card you use for ordering items from Weaver’s.)
Malcolm Tucker says: Avoid the stress (and enjoy our flat-rate $5 Shipping & Handling per shipping address in the U.S.!) and just hurry your order on in to us now.
But why pay extra money to FedEx? Avoid the rush. Don’t worry about not being Mayberry-like. You won’t get a “rude” like Ernest T., because this is one time it’s O.K. to hurry up a little bit in Mayberry, so that you–and Goober and Opie in our Shipping Dept–don’t have to rush around and worry so much right before Christmas. Order now, and then just let your feet fall asleep all you want till Christmas!
***
Just in time for the holiday shopping season, ol’ Ben Weaver has several new items that make outstanding gifts for Mayberry fans. Browse the full selection of books, apparel, DVDs, artwork, collectibles (including factory-sealed sets of rare TAGS trading cards from 20+ years ago!), items for your vehicle and much more online at Weaver’s (www.weaversdepartmentstore.com).
We appreciate your shopping at Weaver’s, especially because Weaver’s sales are the main (actually, the only) thing that helps TAGSRWC be able to support Mayberry Days and other Mayberry-connected events and charitable efforts throughout the year.
Christmas Corner
In addition to our wide variety of Mayberry items that make great gifts year-round, we have several geared especially for Christmas, including the print pictured here and Christmas-themed books, CDs and DVDs featuring Andy Griffith. You’ll find them all HERE.
Featured this Christmas at Weaver’s:
2014 Andy Griffith Show Wall Calendar
$15.00
The official “Andy Griffith Show” Wall Calendar is back for 2014! This calendar contains all black-and-white photos (though some are of color seasons). When hanging up, the calendar measures 12 x 22.
Favorite characters featured in the 2014 edition are Andy, Barney, Opie, Aunt Bee, Gomer, Goober, Weaver’s Mannequins and a very skinny Santa (ho-ho-ho). And best of all, when you get to the Weaver’s page with the 2014 calendar, you’ll find an easy way to get a nice discount on the calendar. And here’s a way to get a different discount on your calendar purchase:
SPECIAL OFFER:
Buy 2, Get 1 Free! That’s right. Ol’ Ben Weaver got into that jug of Christmas spirits a little early this year. When you buy 2 of the 2014 Wall Calendar, we’ll add another one to your order for FREE.
Ernest T. has calculated that that’s like getting the 3 calendars for just $10 each, or 1/3 off! Christmas in November! We’ll give thanks for that! So buy a couple of calendars for friends, and get one for yourself. You deserve it! And it’s the same deal if you buy 4 or 6, etc. For every 2 you buy, you get one free.
The TAGS Wall Calendar is a great way for all your friends and family to celebrate Mayberry every month and every day in 2014.
Songs That Make Me Cry
by Maggie Peterson CD (autographed)
New!!!
$12.00
Maggie Peterson (Charlene Darling) sings Songs That Make Me Cry on CD (autographed). This special CD features the original tracks for three songs Maggie sang on “The Andy Griffith Show.”
For 50 years, Maggie carefully preserved the acetate recordings made from the original masters. Now, she is generously sharing with Mayberry fans this CD made from those acetates.
The three songs on this CD are:
* Salty Dog
* Shady Grove
* There Is a Time
This boutique CD is being produced for us in a Mayberry-sized batch. And what’s more…Maggie has also autographed the cover insert of each one for us! So, what is already a truly special collectible becomes even more so.
We’re pleased to offer this wonderful keepsake collection of beautiful recordings, and we thank Maggie for giving Mayberry fans the chance to enjoy them in our personal collections!
Sweatshirts and Hoodies
In time for winter, we now have two of our most popular T-shirt designs available as both sweatshirts and hoodies, in sizes Small to 3X.
Sweatshirts are $32 and Hoodies are $42.
Two New T-Shirt Designs!
As with all of our officially licensed T-shirt designs (more than 2 dozen in all!), these shirts are 100% cotton and only $18 each. (All-American Andy is on a light gray shirt and Newest Nip It is on a sky blue shirt.) Both shirts (and most of our other designs) are available in sizes adult Small to 2X. A few designs are also in 3X.
Original “Andy Griffith Show”
Scripts
These original scripts from “The Andy Griffith Show” are ones that were used by beloved actor Hal Smith (Otis Campbell.) Many contain markings, notes and doodles by Hal. A few also have bonus features, such as Shooting Schedules, Call Sheets, Signatures and Autographed Photos.
We acquired these scripts from Hal’s estate many years ago. Because these scripts were part of the actual production of the show–and because they were Hal’s–they are some of our most treasured items, and some of the most significant artifacts of the show.
We have preserved these scripts in our archives for all of these years. Our original intent was to eventually donate these scripts as a single Collection to a library or other institution. But then Andy Griffith donated his complete set of scripts to the University of North Carolina, and actor George Lindsey and others donated theirs to the University of North Alabama. A few other scripts from the show are being preserved for posterity and reference at other institutions, including a few that TAGSRWC and others have donated to the Andy Griffith Museum in Mount Airy.
So, it no longer seems as critical to us that we preserve Hal’s Mayberry scripts in a single collection. It’s now probably a better idea for these scripts to find happy homes among our fellow fans, who for years to come will cherish them as much as we have.
“SHERIFF BARNEY”–“O-tis, Otis Campbell, this is your subconscious. Come in, please.”
Our offering these scripts for sale is a lot like Andy Taylor deciding to sell his prized Eagle-Eye Annie fishing rod in order to get the bed jacket for Aunt Bee. In this case, proceeds (100% of the sale amounts) for these scripts will go toward Weaver’s and TAGSRWC’s support of upcoming Mayberry events. Most of the proceeds will be earmarked for the annual Mayberry Days festival in Andy Griffith’s hometown of Mount Airy, N.C., but we hope to be able to use some of the proceeds to support other efforts leading up to show’s 55th Anniversary in 2015.
We think if these scripts find a good home while helping us support some good Mayberry causes, then that’s a wonderful win-win situation for Mayberry and its fans.
For several years, we’ve also offered some of Hal Smith’s non-Mayberry scripts to support Mayberry events and charitable fund-raisers. Several of those scripts are still available, including some from popular and important productions, so we encourage you to browse those online at Weaver’s as well.
“ALCOHOL AND OLD LACE”–Something to celebrate!
As for these “Andy Griffith Show” scripts, each listing has general descriptive information about markings made by Hal Smith and other special features (such as a few that are autographed by legendary writer Jack Elinson). If you want further details about a particular script, beyond what’s on the Weaver’s site, please e-mail us at weavershop@aol.com.
BONUS: A black & white 8×10 photo of Hal Smith as Otis is included with each script. (In a few cases, the photo will be for the same episode as the script.) Also included with each script is a 4-page tribute published about Hal after he passed away in 1994.
“Matlock” Complete Nine Seasons
Now Available on DVD!
Original Price $339.00
NEW in 2013!!!
If you’ve “Ben” waiting all these years for the complete Matlock collection on DVD, your wait is finally over. All 195 episodes on a whopping 52 discs are now available as a Complete Series Set. And at our ridiculously low price, that comes out to less than a dollar per episode. No special packaging. Just each season in its own case. No frills, just substance–just like Matlock himself.
The verdict is in. Like those courthouse hotdogs that Ben loves so much, “Matlock” is a guilty pleasure! And best of all, “Matlock” has lots of our beloved Andy Griffith in action…with lots of familiar friends, including many from Mayberry!
Load up on “Matlock,” the next best thing to Mayberry! And at an extraordinarily attractive price that even frugal ol’ Ben Matlock himself would love! (But that’s not to say that Ben Weaver’s at all happy about offering such a great price.)
Oh, and Weaver’s of course has individual Seasons, The Entire Series (now only $109.00!) and a 50th Anniversary Collection of TAGS on DVD, as well as “Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.” and favorite movies and other features starring Andy Griffith, Don Knotts, George Lindsey and the Dillards.
Floyd’s Barbershop
Bulletin Board & Event Calendar
The following information is from The eBullet, Official E-mail Newsletter of TAGSRWC.
The Andy Griffith Museum, featuring the late Emmett Forrest’s amazing collection of Andy Griffith memorabilia, is open daily in Mount Airy, N.C. For info, visit the website at www.andygriffithmuseum.org/ or call (336) 786-1604.
* Dec. 7: Rodney Dillard and The Dillard Band and Maggie Peterson perform their Mayberry Christmas show featuring David “Mayberry Deputy” Browning at Long Branch Baptist Church in Autryville, N.C. Shows are at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. with a meet-and-greet with the stars at 6 p.m. For more info, call 910-531-3765.
* Dec. 7.: Roland White presents the 16th Annual Bill Monroe Appreciation Night at The Station Inn in Nashville, Tenn. Show time is 8 p.m. Admission is $15. Additional performers TBA.
* Dec. 8: David “Ebenezer” Browning performs his one-man A Christmas Carol at Long Branch Baptist Church in Autryville, N.C.
* Dec. 10: David “Scrooge” Browning performs A Christmas Carol at Montgomery Community College in Troy, N.C.
* Dec. 14: Rodney Dillard and The Dillard Band and Maggie Peterson bring a sleigh full of music and fun to East Tennessee with their Mayberry Christmas show featuring David “Mayberry Deputy” Browning. The show is at 8 p.m. at Northeast State Community College in Blountville, Tenn. Tickets are $25. For more info, call (423) 354-5173.
Maggie Peterson (center) and Rodney Dillard (far right) share holiday greetings with help from fans Tom and Shirley Ditt (either side of Maggie) and tribute artists Allan “Floyd” Newsome, Bob “Briscoe” Mundy, David “Mayberry Deputy” Browning, Jeff “Howard” Branch and Phil “Ernest T.” Fox.
* Dec. 15: Rodney, Dillard and the Dillard Band, Maggie Peterson and David “Mayberry Deputy” Browning move on to Middle Tennessee with their popular Mayberry Christmas show, where they perform today at Mt. Juliet Middle School in Mt. Juliet at 6:30 p.m., presented by Abundant Life Church of Mt Juliet. The evening will begin with a showing of the “Christmas Story” episode. The show will be followed by a meet-and-greet with the performers. For tickets ($20 for General Admission in first five rows; $15 General Admission in all other seats) or more info, call 615-754-7035. Or tickets may be purchased online at Christmas in Mayberry.
* Dec. 18: It’s back to East Tennessee for Rodney Dillard and the Dillard Band, Maggie Peterson and David “Mayberry Deputy” Browning and their Mayberry Christmas show. They perform today at Freedom Hall Auditorium in Johnson City, Tenn. Details TBA.
Add some genuine joy to your holidays with a visit with Betty Lynn at the Andy Griffith Museum. Photo by Hobart Jones.
* Dec. 20: Betty Lynn (Thelma Lou) greets fans at the Andy Griffith Museum 12:30-1:30 p.m. She will have autographed 8×10 photos available ($10). For info, visit the website at www.andygriffithmuseum.org or call (336) 786-1604.
2014
* Jan. 3-5: Clint Howard greets fans and signs autographs at the Hollywood Show memorabilia convention at the Loews Hollywood Hotel in Hollywood, Calif. For info, visit www.hollywoodshow.com.
* Jan. 11: James Best performs “Best in Hollywood” at the Green Room Community Theater in Newton, N.C. For more info, contact the box office at 828-464-6583 or visit www.the-green-room.org.
* Jan. 11: Ronnie Schell performs at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, Calif. More info at www.fantasyspringsresort.com
* Jan. 17: Betty Lynn (Thelma Lou) greets fans at the Andy Griffith Museum 12:30-1:30 p.m. She will have autographed 8×10 photos available ($10). For info, visit the website at www.andygriffithmuseum.org or call (336) 786-1604.
America’s Barber
* Jan. 28: 90th Birthday of Russell Hiatt of Floyd’s City Barber Shop in M0unt Airy, N.C.
* Feb. 12 and 13: Maggie Peterson (Charlene Darling) and Ronnie Schell (two episodes of TAGS and Duke Slater on “Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.”) greet fans and sign autographs at the Andy Griffith Museum in Mount Airy, N.C., from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. both days.
Ronnie Schell
* Feb. 14: Maggie Peterson and Ronnie Schell perform Love Letters during a dinner show at Cross Creek Country Club in Mount Airy, N.C. All tickets are $55, which includes dinner. (No tickets will be available without dinner.) Dinner is at 6:30 p.m., followed by the show. Tickets should be available fairly soon from the Surry Arts Council and its website www.surryarts.org.
* Feb. 21: Betty Lynn (Thelma Lou) greets fans at the Andy Griffith Museum 12:30-1:30 p.m. She will have autographed 8×10 photos available ($10). For info, visit the website at www.andygriffithmuseum.org or call (336) 786-1604.
* Feb. 28-Mar. 16: James Best stars with wife Dorothy Best and Norma Frank in On Golden Pond at the Hickory Community Theatre in Hickory, N.C. For info, visit http://hickorytheatre.org.
* Mar. 6-8: 17th Annual George Lindsey UNA Film Festival in Florence, Ala. For info, visit www.lindseyfilmfest.com.
* Mar. 8: Neal Brower, author of Mayberry 101, presents a lecture on the “Opie’s Hobo Friend” episode of TAGS, the first one written by Harvey Bullock, starting at 2 p.m., in the Andy Griffith Museum Theatre in Mount Airy, N.C. Admission is included with an Andy Griffith Museum armband ($3 or $5) or is $5 without one. For info, visit the website at www.andygriffithmuseum.org or call (336) 786-1604.
Photo by Hobart Jones.
* Mar. 21: Betty Lynn (Thelma Lou) greets fans at the Andy Griffith Museum 12:30-1:30 p.m. She will have autographed 8×10 photos available ($10). For info, visit the website at www.andygriffithmuseum.org or call (336) 786-1604.
* Mar. 21-23: Karen Knotts has four performances of “Tied Up in Knotts” in Folsom, Calif. Details TBA.
* Mar. 22: James Best presents “Best in Hollywood” at the Camden Fine Arts Center in Camden, S.C. For more info, call the box office at 803-425-7676 or visit www.fineartscenter.org.
* Apr. 12: Neal Brower, author of Mayberry 101, presents a lecture on the “The Education of Ernest T. Bass” episode of TAGS, starting at 2 p.m., in the Andy Griffith Museum Theatre in Mount Airy, N.C. Admission is included with an Andy Griffith Museum armband ($3 or $5) or is $5 without one. For info, visit the website at www.andygriffithmuseum.org or call (336) 786-1604.
* Apr. 18: Betty Lynn (Thelma Lou) greets fans at the Andy Griffith Museum 12:30-1:30 p.m. She will have autographed 8×10 photos available ($10). For info, visit the website at www.andygriffithmuseum.org or call (336) 786-1604.
* Apr. 24 and 25: Eagles’ Wings fundraiser event in Tuscaloosa, Ala. The golf tourney is on Thurs., and the dinner, silent auction, and entertainment are on Fri. night at the Bryant Conference Center. Guests and more details TBA. For now, just mark your calendar for this annual event that support Eagles’ Wings efforts to assist adults with disabilities. More info at www.eagleswingsoftuscaloosa.org.
* Apr. 25-27: Maggie Peterson is a special guest for the Missouri Cherry Blossom Festival in Marshfield, Mo. More details TBA. For info, visit www.cherryblossomfest.com.
* Apr. 26: James Best brings his “Best in Hollywood” show to the Newberry Opera House in Newberry, S.C. For more info, call the box office at 803-276-6264 or visit www.newberryoperahouse.com.
* May 2 and 3: 4th Annual Mayberry Comes to Westminster Festival in Westminster, S.C. Details TBA. For updates, visit: www.westminstersc.com/mayberry.
* May 10: Neal Brower, author of Mayberry 101, presents a lecture on the “Rafe Hollister Sings” episode of TAGS, starting at 2 p.m., in the Andy Griffith Museum Theatre in Mount Airy, N.C. Admission is included with an Andy Griffith Museum armband ($3 or $5) or is $5 without one. For info, visit the website at www.andygriffithmuseum.org or call (336) 786-1604.
* May 16: Betty Lynn (Thelma Lou) greets fans at the Andy Griffith Museum 12:30-1:30 p.m. She will have autographed 8×10 photos available ($10). For info, visit the website at www.andygriffithmuseum.org or call (336) 786-1604.
* May 17 and 18: Mayberry in the Midwest in Danville, Ind. Stars confirmed so far include Maggie Peterson, Rodney Dillard and the Dillard Band, and a full slate of Mayberry Tribute Artists. Many more details TBA, but for now, just mark your calendar. Updates at www.visitdowntowndanville.com.
* May 20-25: Ronnie Schell performs at the Improv Comedy Club at Harrah’s Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. For more info, visit www.harrahslasvegas.com.
* June 12-14: Ruta Lee appears at the Memphis Film Festival at the Sam’s Town Hotel and Casino in Tunica, Miss. For more info, visit, www.memphisfilmfestival.com.
* June 14: Neal Brower, author of Mayberry 101, presents a lecture on the “Barney and Thelma Lou, Phfft” episode of TAGS, starting at 2 p.m., in the Andy Griffith Museum Theatre in Mount Airy, N.C. Admission is included with an Andy Griffith Museum armband ($3 or $5) or is $5 without one. For info, visit the website at www.andygriffithmuseum.org or call (336) 786-1604.
* June 20: Betty Lynn (Thelma Lou) greets fans at the Andy Griffith Museum 12:30-1:30 p.m. She will have autographed 8×10 photos available ($10). For info, visit the website at www.andygriffithmuseum.org or call (336) 786-1604.
* July 12: Neal Brower, author of Mayberry 101, presents a lecture on the “Back to Nature” episode of TAGS, starting at 2 p.m., in the Andy Griffith Museum Theatre in Mount Airy, N.C. Admission is included with an Andy Griffith Museum armband ($3 or $5) or is $5 without one. For info, visit the website at www.andygriffithmuseum.org or call (336) 786-1604.
* July 18: Betty Lynn (Thelma Lou) greets fans at the Andy Griffith Museum 12:30-1:30 p.m. She will have autographed 8×10 photos available ($10). For info, visit the website at www.andygriffithmuseum.org or call (336) 786-1604.
* July 23-27: Ronnie Schell performs at the Improv at Harvey’s Lake Tahoe (Nev.). For info visit, www.harveystahoe.com.
* Aug. 9: Neal Brower, author of Mayberry 101, presents a lecture on the “The Songfesters” episode of TAGS, starting at 2 p.m., in the Andy Griffith Museum Theatre in Mount Airy, N.C. Admission is included with an Andy Griffith Museum armband ($3 or $5) or is $5 without one. For info, visit the website at www.andygriffithmuseum.org or call (336) 786-1604.
* Aug. 15: Betty Lynn (Thelma Lou) greets fans at the Andy Griffith Museum 12:30-1:30 p.m. She will have autographed 8×10 photos available ($10). For info, visit the website at www.andygriffithmuseum.org or call (336) 786-1604.
* Sept. 19: Betty Lynn (Thelma Lou) greets fans at the Andy Griffith Museum 12:30-1:30 p.m. She will have autographed 8×10 photos available ($10). For info, visit the website at www.andygriffithmuseum.org or call (336) 786-1604.
* Sept. 21-24: Life Lessons From Mayberry: It’s All There in Black and White in Ridgecrest, N.C. (outside Asheville), is a celebration of “The Andy Griffith Show” and the biblical truths and life applications found in the show. The three-night/four-day event is $295 per person (based on double occupancy). This price includes on-campus lodging, Bible study sessions based on favorite TAGS episodes, worship, an orchestra concert of TAGS tunes, and more. To register, call Ridgecrest Conference Center at (800) 588-7222 or visit www.lifeway.com/mayberry.com.
* Sept. 25-28: 25th Annual Mayberry Days in Mount Airy, N.C. As always, numerous “Andy Griffith Show” stars will on hand. Stars already confirmed are hometown favorite Betty Lynn (Thelma Lou) and Darling Boy Rodney Dillard and the Dillard Band, who will perform a matinee show on Fri. Other festival favorites include David “Mayberry Deputy” Browning and the Mayberry band of tribute artists, the VW Boys, and Michael Hoover’s Elvis.
Also, there will be a special show on Fri. night by James Gregory, “the Funniest Man in America,” and the legendary Tams bring their soulful coastal music to the amphitheater on Fri. evening. And much more! There will be something for everybody at this special 25th Mayberry Days. Visit www.surryarts.org for more info.
**** News of Cast & Crew ****
Ron Howard’s Rush, this fall’s film about a legendary saga in Formula One racing, received very good reviews and has had solid box office sales (and now awards recognition, including some Oscar buzz), especially overseas, where Formula One is wildly popular. It has grossed over $90 million worldwide since its release in September.
Jay-Z: Made in America, Ron’s documentary about hip-hop star Jay-Z’s music festival in Philadelphia, premiered at the Toronto Film Festival in September, and made its debut on Showtime in October. The documentary has also been picked up for distribution to theaters next summer.
Ron Howard tweeted this photo from his Thanksgiving feast in the Canary Islands, where he has been filming “In the Heart of the Sea.” Follow Ron on Twitter at @RealRonHoward.
Meanwhile, Ron is now filming In the Heart of the Sea, a tragic story of the Essex, a whaling ship destroyed by a whale in 1820. He has been filming in Great Britain and, most recently, the Canary Islands, where in early December the production company had to take shelter from devastating storms of near-typhoon strength.
And Ron and his Imagine Entertainment studio are producing a revival of the popular “24” TV series called “24: Live Another Day,” which is set to begin airing sometime in 2014.
Look for Rance Howard as Uncle Ray in director Alexander Payne’s critically acclaimed film “Nebraska,” now in theaters.
Ron and Imagine partner Brian Grazer are also trying to bring the “Friday Night Lights” TV series to the big screen (where filmed versions of FNL, based on the FNL book, started in 2004). The interesting twist is that Imagine likely will use crowdfunding (that is, money from fans and others through Kickstarter or a similar program) as part of the financial backing for the new movie.
Riding in Darlings style in the Mayberry Days parade.
Maggie Peterson and Rodney Dillard recently performed in Minnesota. Rodney and wife Beverly also were able to visit the Taylor Home Inn (a B&B that’s a remarkable replica of the Taylor house on TAGS) in nearby Clear Lake, Wis.
Maggie and Ronnie Schell will be appearing at the Andy Griffith Museum (Feb. 12 and 13) and doing a performance of Love Letters for one night only (Feb. 14.) in Mount Airy, N.C. (See Floyd’s bulletin board above.)
James Best has had a full schedule with personal appearances and exhibitions of his original art. In October, he was in Ennis, Tex. for a big “Dukes of Hazzard” reunion. Many of his personal appearances are “Dukes” related, but he’s often joined for comedy sketches onstage by David “Mayberry Deputy” Browning.
James Best enjoys a group hug with Mayberry Days Pork Queen Patty Browning, Mayberry Deputy David Browning and Best wife Dorothy.
And look for James (and David Browning, along with John Schneider, Bruce Davison and an attractive cast) in Return of the Killer Shrews. (Weaver’s has it on DVD. )
On a tamer note, James is also set to star in a production of On Golden Pond at the Hickory (N.C.) Community Theatre starting February 28 next year.
The Surry Arts Council/Mayberry Days has an outstanding and extensive festival gallery of photos by Hobart Jones at www.surryarts.org/mayberrydays.
By the way, the TAGS stars at this year’s Mayberry Days festival were Betty Lynn, Maggie Peterson, James Best, Elizabeth MacRae, George Spence, Morgan Brittany, Peggy McCay, LeRoy McNees, Roland White (making his festival debut), and Margaret Kerry, along with Karen Knotts and George Lindsey Jr., plus other favorite entertainers such as the VW Boys, Michael Hoover, Ginger Boatwright and all the Mayberry tribute artists.
LeRoy McNees (far right) with a boatload of tribute artists on the Mayberry Cruise. Photo by Jan Newsome.
A month after Mayberry Days, it was all aboard for a floating Mrs. Wiley’s Tea Party when Jackie Joseph (Ernest T.’s Sweet Romeena) set sail in October with the Halloween Cruise to Mayberry 8 with fellow cast member LeRoy “Mack” McNees and a full deck of Mayberry frolickers.
Jackie Joseph spreading good cheer on the Mayberry Cruise. Photo by Jan Newsome.
And then about a week after returning from the Mayberry Cruise, Jackie Joseph celebrated her milestone 80th birthday with family and friends back home in Toluca Lake, Calif.
Richard O. (Dick) Linke, TAGS associate producer and longtime manager of Andy Griffith, Jim Nabors, Ken Berry, Maggie Peterson, Ronnie Schell and others, reports that he’s doing well. He celebrated his 96th birthday with a gathering of family and friends at his home in Hawaii on October 23rd.
Margaret Kerry has been collaborating with George Lindsey Jr. on some comedy performances. And she did some interviews with George about show business and his memories of his dad. Those are expected to be on her website (www.tinkerbelltalks.com) at some point.
George Jr. also was a contestant on an episode of “Shop ’til You Drop” (Ben Weaver likes the sound of that!) airing on the Game Show Network in early December. George won a trip to the Bahamas!
Karen Knotts’s performance of “Tied Up in Knotts” in Corydon, Ind., in October also helped raise $4,000 for the town’s public library. Attagirl, Karen! She also had recent engagements in Louisiana, Ohio and Kansas. Book her HERE to perform in your area!
A final note: We were late in hearing the news that actor Arthur Malet died on May 18. He was 85.
Born Vivian R. Malet in Lee-on-Solent, England, on September 24, 1927, he appeared in two episodes of TAGS, both in the Sixth Season. First he was the Vagrant in “Lost and Found” (Episode #178) and then he played Purvis in “The Battle of Mayberry” (Episode #188).
Arthur Malet as Purvis, pondering on a bench with Goober and Floyd in “The Battle of Mayberry.”
That wide range of roles was typical for Arthur Malet, who changed his name for acting and played everything from a judge on “Bewitched” and a professor on “Wild, Wild West” to Graveyard Keeper in Halloween and a bum on “Bosom Buddies.”
He won a Special Award from the Drama Desk Awards in 1957 for his contributions to the Broadway revival of Volpone/The Misanthrope that was performed in French. He was also in three Broadway productions in the late 1950s before concentrating on film work.
Arthur Malet as the Vagrant in “Lost and Found.”
Among his hundreds of film roles was also Mr. Dawes Jr. in Disney’s Mary Poppins. He was especially visible on TV shows from the 1960s through the 1980s, ranging from “The Dick Van Dyke Show” and “The Monkees” to “Columbo” and “Charlie’s Angels” to “MacGyver” and “Dallas.”
Arthur Malet had a gloriously varied and full career playing interesting parts, large and small. We’re lucky that he made a couple of stops in Mayberry.
Special thanks to our unofficial stringer, eagle-eyed Brent Seguine, for bringing Arthur Malet’s passing to our attention.
**** Mayberry on the Web ****
The iMayberry Community
This TAGSRWC online group is organized and overseen by webmaster Allan “Floyd” Newsome. You can check it out and sign up for free at: http://imayberrycommunity.com/.
The iMayberry Community complements our other online activities, including our main www.imayberry.com page, podcasts, Facebook page, online newsletters (such as The eBullet!), weaversdepartmentstore.com and chat rooms. Combined with TAGSRWC chapters and the various Mayberry events for all fans (from Mayberry Days to ocean cruises), not to mention enjoying the sites of Mount Airy year-round, the world of Mayberry fun keeps expanding.
And best of all, it’s all rooted in watching the show itself. Whether through DVDs, streaming video, local stations or TV Land, loving to watch the show continues to be the energy that feeds all the other Mayberry fun and activities that we enjoy. What a wonderful thing Andy Griffith and his talented team of actors, musicians, writers and crew people created 53 years ago–for us and generations to come!
Two Chairs, No Waiting is our weekly podcast of TAGS news, interviews and pretty much whatever happens to be going on in and around Mayberry. It’s hosted by Allan Newsome. There’s a new episode every Tuesday (and you can watch and listen live during tapings on Monday evenings). Past episodes are in an online Archives in case you want to listen to or view episodes you’ve missed. (There have been 259 episodes since the podcasts began five years ago, including a fascinating recent pair of episodes featuring an interview with Betty Lynn!)
There’s a lot of info and discussions that you simply won’t find anywhere else, including rare interviews (vintage and new) with cast and crew members of TAGS. If you’ve got sound on your computer or have an iPod or similar device, you can easily tune in live or download these podcasts.
Also, check out the podcast area of our www.imayberry.com site for info about a Mayberry Bible Study Podcast, also hosted by Allan, and a “brother figure” podcast called Burke on Mayberry, hosted by Kevin Burke.
Barney tests his Constitution when he chooses to face his old history book. Fortunately, history will show that We the People have an easier time finding the right words when we Facebook!
TAGSRWC’s official page on Facebook now has more than 42,000 friends! You can find us at www.facebook.com/tagsrwc. There’s a variety of comments about Mayberry, and a lively stream of fans’ favorite TAGS lines and photos. And our Facebook page is also one of the first places we post announcements and breaking news about TAGS. If you haven’t already dropped by the page, we hope you’ll check it out sometime when you have the chance. We invite you to become a TAGSRWC Facebook Friend!
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Between issues of Weaver’s Newsletter, keep up with the happenings in Mayberry with the daily “Who’s Been Messin’ Up the Bulletin Board?” Digest. It’s a free subscriber list that consists entirely of comments, news flashes, and questions and answers from subscribers. You can sign up for that list by going to the “Mailing Lists” link at www.tagsrwc.com.
TAGSRWC also publishes The eBullet in more or less alternate months to Weaver’s Newsletter. The eBullet is the online successor to our longtime printed newsletter, The Bullet. Like Weaver’s Newsletter, The eBullet is free. It includes some of the same news as Weaver’s Newsletter, but with more features and depth and a little less emphasis on merchandise news. To sign up, go to: http://www.tagsrwc.com/ebullet/joinebullet.htm.
TAGSRWC’s other main vehicle for Mayberry information is simply our website at www.tagsrwc.com (and its sister site www.iMayberry.com). Both sites have extensive content and links for just about everything a Mayberry fan might be looking for.
The next issue of Weaver’s Newsletter is scheduled for February, with the next eBullet planned for January.
