The Andy Griffith Show (TV Series) Andy on Trial (1962) User Reviews

Barney's Finest Hour

[MichaelMartinDeSapio · 10/10 · 11 October 2014]

I watched reruns of THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW from such a young age that many episodes are etched indelibly in my memory. This is one of them. It's a classic, and one of the more serious and dramatic entries in the series. Andy nabs a publishing magnate for speeding, and the magnate takes revenge by having one of his reporters (played by beautiful, blonde Ruta Lee) pose as a college student to get compromising information about Andy from Barney. After she publishes this information in a smear article, Andy is put on trial by the state attorney's office. Barney, who had earlier put his worst qualities of vanity and bragging on display, now redeems both himself and Andy with an eloquent speech in defense of his best friend. This is a fine - and surprising - dramatic acting moment for Don Knotts, and a high point for the series overall. Don't miss this episode!

Perhaps My Favorite Episode

[Hitchcoc · 10/10 · 2 December 2019]

Andy ticks off a big time publisher who then seeks revenge on him. He sends a pretty young reporter to look for dirt. She gets her hands on Barney, and he is soon popping off. What he says comes back during a hearing on Andy's competence. Barney shows his love, but it's obvious at the end he still doesn't learn his lesson.

Incredibly touching episode

[nancy-gail · 10/10 · 10 November 2021]

One of my favorite episodes. Always makes me wonder if there ever was a town with law enforcement like this. Where they rule more by the heart than by the book.

Andy Is Why Mayberry & The Series Will Live On & On

[AudioFileZ · 8/10 · 15 November 2023]

Andy is called to the mat by a revenge seeking big city publisher caught speeding and failing to appear. Using a perky pretty reporter to loosen Barney's lips brings allegations of mis-use of office leading to a hearing where Andy is temporarily relieved of his duties. Barney makes the best "speech" of his run in this one and it works. Andy is reinstated and all charges dropped. This distills what Mayberry is due to Andy's wise enforcement of the law. It's a showcase for Barney beyond his self-absorbed yet comical self. For these reasons this episode shines. Fine guest stars and the focus on the rare combination of Andy, Barney, and Mayberry itself are why so many years later this show still resonates.

Almost Perfect

[[e-mail] · 10/10 · 31 May 2022]

This is a great story that explains the Mayberry adherence to a sysyem of justice based not just on the word of the law, but a larger issue of respect for the law. Also its about the relationship between Andy and Barney, and Barney's constantly wanting to impress a pretty female, even if he can't see the potential danger. My only complaint is that the talented Ruta Lee seems too mature to portray a "college girl". But it makes absolutely no difference to Barney, who will spill his guts to any pretty face with a flattering word. This episode is quite serious and very touching.

small town Southern sheriff?

[spodso · 3 July 2017]

I checked the spoiler box just in case. Andy travels to somewhere in suit and tie to give a summons to somebody for a speeding ticket. Instead of telling him he could plead not guilty and come to Mayberry for a trial or he could pay $15 for his speeding ticket violation he doesn't tell the whole truth. The man comes to Mayberry and then Andy fesses up about the situation. The man gets very upset that Andy made him come to Mayberry to pay a $15 fine and I really don't blame him. The man then goes overboard by hiring a young woman to dig up dirt on Andy and she did mainly with the help of Barney. I still can't figure out why Andy wasn't open and honest in the man's office. That's the reason for the title of this summary.

Barney does it again

[vitoscotti · 10/10 · 31 March 2022]

The beginning of Andy traveling to arrest a speeding ticket violator who missed his court date is unrealistic. To then travel back for a measly $15 fine. Andy has turned a blind eye to the "fun girls" speeding when it benefitted him.

After the farfetched beginning it's a truly classic episode. 27 year old Ruta Lee looks young but not college age. Roy Rogers was great. I remember him most from "Bewitched" appearances.

Another version of Don Knotts digging a hole and having to climb out of it. A very atypical episode in the serious aspect of it.

Barney is a Poor Witness

[cate08 · 4/10 · 8 October 2023]

This is one of my least favorite episodes The premise of Andy being suspended from his job because of one newspaper article is absurd even for TAGS.

The newspaper owner hiring Rita Lee to worm condemning stories out of Barney is completely believable. The story of the big city powers putting their thumb on the scales of justice is a common theme and Barney falls for the ruse completely.

This is forgivable. Barney's testimony on the witness stand is where this episode's believability collapses. He is the worst witness and his defense of Andy is juvenile and goes nowhere in proving the case of Andy's ability as a sheriff and citizen of Mayberry. I would have convicted Andy on this testimony and he was completely innocent.

Unbelievable.

[valstone52 · 4/10 · 8 January 2022]

Has to be one of the stupidest episodes of the tv series. Bad enough they had Andy, talking like a hick sometimes. When I was younger I used to laugh, since I'm older the show really isn't that funny. Ruta Lee as a college, student and real??? I She must have been failed to a lot of high school.