FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Gregory Schell (310) 614-0272 or Stark Howell (661) 877-2819
CHILDREN OF “THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW” CAST DEVELOPING NEW FEATURE-LENGTH COMEDY ABOUT MODERN-DAY MAYBERRY LOS ANGELES, CA (August 16, 2019)—The Andy Griffith Show debuted on television nearly 60 years ago and has aired in syndication virtually every day since, amassing a devoted fanbase seeking high-quality, wholesome entertainment that harkens back to a simpler time. Now, the children of the actors who appeared in the original series are developing a feature-length comedy that will capture the spirit of Mayberry and serve it up to the passionate Mayberry fan community. It’s called Mayberry Man. In Mayberry Man, an arrogant movie star is busted for speeding in a small Southern town and is sentenced by a local judge to attend Mayberry Days, a week-long festival celebrating The Andy Griffith Show. Immersed in this modern-day Mayberry, he discovers the true meaning of friendship and family. Writer-Director Stark Howell, an independent filmmaker and Hollywood storyboard artist, is the son of Hoke Howell, a character actor known for portraying hillbilly Dud Wash on the original series. The younger Howell was inspired to make the movie after attending his first Mayberry Days festival in Mount Airy, North Carolina, Andy Griffith’s hometown. “I’ve always been a fan of the show, but I was shocked to discover the spirit of Mayberry still exists today within the tight-knit Mayberry fan community,” says Howell. “It’s the perfect setting to tell a modern-day, family-friendly story that expresses the virtues of the fictitious town of Mayberry that we all fell in love with so many years ago.” What makes this project unique is that it will showcase original cast members of The Andy Griffith Show alongside real-life fans including tribute artists who dress up as characters from the show. Much of the film takes place in Mount Airy during the annual Mayberry Days festival and is scheduled to be shot there in September 2020. Original Andy Griffith Show cast members slated for the film include Clint Howard (Ron Howard’s younger brother who played PB&J-eating Leon), Ronnie Schell (two episodes, also Duke Slater in Gomer Pyle, USMC), and Keith Thibodeaux (13 episodes, also played Little Ricky on I Love Lucy). “Hollywood shouldn’t make this movie,” proclaims Howard in support of the independent filmmaking approach. Howard, who has appeared in every type of production from low-budget to Hollywood blockbuster (Apollo 13, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Austin Powers), says “This movie needs to be made by Mayberry citizens in Mayberry,” referring to Mount Airy. Additional family members involved in the project are producers Cort Howell (Hoke’s son) and Gregory Schell (Ronnie’s son). Also set to appear in the film is George Lindsey, Jr., son of George Lindsey who played Goober on the series. For more information, visit www.mayberryman.com or contact Gregory Schell at (310) 614-0272 or gregorysch...@gmail.com. Stark Howell at (661) 877-2818 or howst...@ca.rr.com. _______________________________________________ WBMUTBB mailing list WBMUTBB@wbmutbb.com http://www.wbmutbb.com/
