Five.That's what it said on the back of Barney's watch in a classic
episode.Five.That's how many Emmy awards Don Knotts won for his work on "The
Andy Griffith Show."Five.That's how many years it's been since the great Don
Knotts passed away. His comic genius was recognized during his career and life
and our admiration will only grow.Here's what I wrote when he passed. He was
great and I miss him and thank him for all the laughter and insight.
It's not unusual I was watching an Andy Griffith Show" episode Saturday night.
I had just returned from some friends' home and caught the final 10 minutes of
perhaps the best episode the series ever produced, "Three Wishes for Opie."
But it was eerie to learn a few minutes after the episode ended that Don Knotts
had died a day earlier at the age of 81. I knew he was ill and expected the
news, but I was still saddened by his passing while I was appreciative of his
work.
It's fitting to see his best work and remember his genius at the end of his
long and productive life. That's right, genius. That's not too strong a word.
"Three Wishes for Opie" is a precursor to "The Ghost and Mr. Chicken," the
wonderfully funny Knotts movie, perhaps the best movie he produced in his
career. Both are silly in a delightful manner and have small moments of
suspense. Knotts and Griffith worked together to create both shows; their
small-town Southern upbringings helped the friends craft the brilliant series,
which has never stopped airing and left prime time in 1968 as the No.1 show on
TV.
Neither man approached that height of popularity and brilliance again. I
personally feel "Three Wishes for Opie" is their best work. I have seen the
show many times but enjoyed the sly twists, the clever writings and the
brilliant comic faces that Knotts was able to create. He literally twisted his
face in Knotts.
Sure, I laughed again as I watched it. It's like a sunset, a pretty face or a
well-cooked steak; there is no limit to how many times you can enjoy it.
Knotts won Emmys, fame and riches playing that part and he deserved to. His
work as Deputy Barney Fife has been immortal since he created the role in 1960.
He left the series in 1965 to make movies for Disney but returned a few times
to reprise his greatest role as the shaky-handed, quick-shooting comic foil
with the good heart and bad aim.
Knotts did a lot of TV, film and stage work in the last 40 years of his life,
but he will always be known as Barney Fife. That was fine with him. It was sure
great for me and the other millions of fans of the show, the character and the
man.
And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you; ask what
you can do for your country.
_______________________________________________
WBMUTBB mailing list
WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com
http://www.mayberry.com/tagsrwc/wbmutbb/
