The Andy Griffith Show (TV Series) Lawman Barney (1962) User Reviews

Barney and the Adult Bullies

[MichaelMartinDeSapio · 10/10 · 12 March 2014]

A couple of farmers are selling produce illegally on the side of the road just outside Mayberry. Barney, in his usual imperious way, tells them to move on, but the two men just make fun of him. Andy (as he often does) creates a ruse to bolster Barney's confidence and allow him to scare the farmers out of town. That's the first act. In the second act, the conflict is deepened and broadened, and Barney must finally face the bullies without the "crutch" that Andy often provides him.

This is one of my favorite episodes of THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW. It demonstrates several aspects of what made the series so great: of how it trod the delicate line between comedy and pathos, and between being a kids' show and an adults' show. Certainly, seeing Barney face off the two adult "bullies" is a heartening spectacle for younger viewers, while for adults the episode offers object lessons in different approaches to human relations (Barney's pomposity versus Andy's calm, friendly yet firm approach). Unlike some other episodes in which Andy bails Barney out of a tough spot, this one plays for poignancy rather than laughs, and we see Barney genuinely grow in stature as a person thanks to Andy's guidance. The episode also features beautiful photography of the country road and the produce truck, and a great cinematographic moment as Barney, swelling with pride at his policing skill, stands with his hands on his hips as Earle Hagen's mock-police music blares. After so much dramatic tension, the "epilogue" is a little weak; but that is a small flaw in an outstanding episode.

Barney Shows His Stuff

[Hitchcoc · 9/10 · 4 December 2019]

Generally, Barney is all blow and no go. He confronts a couple of farmers who are selling their good illegally. They intimidate him and he runs off, falling into depression. Andy feels sorry for him and concocts a story of Barney being a deranged killer when pushed to it. It works for a while, but eventually the skinny deputy has to put it on the line.

Bullies are all talk

[mloessel · 8/10 · 24 June 2022]

In the episode Deputy Fife (aka Don Knotts) shows his true character as a Law Enforcer. He confronts two guys who are operating a illegal vegetable stand from behind their truck. The two guys are bigger and show no respect for Fife as a Deputy and he lets them know they are breaking the law. They consider Fife a clown as he tells them to move along and they refuse poking fun when he gets frustrated when they refuse to move.

A short while later Sheriff Taylor shows up and gives the same guys the same warning and they see that he means. They tell the Sheriff why they didn't move along when the Deputy gave them the same warning. They boldly said that the Deputy was acting like a clown and they blew him off. The Sheriff warned them that that's how Fife is before he gets real mad. Fife again shows after later as the guys are packing their stuff and behaves as the Sheriff describes. They see his behavior and move along.

These same guys stop by Mayberry's gas station to get some water and learn that Fife is all talk and no action. Learning this one of the Bullies tells Floyd (whos there drinking a soda) to tell the Deputy that the two guys are back in business. Floyd the Barber stops by the Sheriff's office and lets the Sheriff know of his conversation with the guys. Fife, listening from the backroom, hears the conversation. He realizes what the Sheriff did and knows that his more recent interaction with these guys was the result of the Sheriff's previous visit. Fife knows that he needs to be taken seriously. The Sheriff reminds him that's it's about the badge and not his behavior. In this scene there's a confidence the Sheriff shows in Fife that's very telling.

In the final scene Fife confronts the two bullies at their make shift vegetable/fruit road stand. He again reminds them that they are breaking the law and to move along. They step closer to him appearing to be unintimidated by his words and the warning. Fife finally says that there are guys bigger then these two that won't appreciate what their doing. The guys realize that they won't be dealing with Fife but with a possible army of citizens who they may have to tangle with. The guys capitulate and pack up their wares. The Sheriff was listening behind the truck and walks up to Fife and give him a, "Well Done". This is Fife at his finest (let's not forget the writers) and shows that these bullies were all talk.

Melvin the Great

[parkave-23534 · 8/10 · 30 January 2021]

I like any episode with Allan Melvin. He's great as a "bad guy," or a "good guy" in all 8 episodes. A few years later he was in The Brady Bunch, then All in the Family and Archie Bunker's Place.

Allan Melvin the bully 2 more times

[vitoscotti · 10/10 · 10 April 2022]

An interesting theme Andy challenging Barney's courage. Could of been ugly if the produce vendors were armed. Funny but oddly no huge laughs. Allan Melvin's defeated walking style when told to leave must be part of his actors training repertoire.