The Keeper of the Flame (8 Jan. 1962)

Opie joins a secret club and is in charge of the candle they use in their meetings. After the barn where they meet burns down, he is accused by the owner of starting the fire.

Director:

Bob Sweeney

Writers:

Jack Elinson, Charles Stewart

Stars:

Andy Griffith, Ron Howard, Don Knotts

Cast

Episode cast overview:
Andy Griffith	...	Sheriff Andy Taylor
Ron Howard	...	Opie Taylor (as Ronny Howard)
Don Knotts	...	Deputy Barney Fife
Frances Bavier	...	Aunt Bee Taylor
Flip Mark	...	Leader of the Wildcats
Everett Sloane	...	Jubal Foster
Mark Rodney	...	Wildcat
Grace Lenard	...	Celia on radio soap opera (voice)
Robert Gallagher	...	John on radio soap opera (voice)
Terry Dickinson	...	Wildcat

Storyline

After joining the Wildcats, a secret club, Opie is made the keeper of the flame, the boy who will be responsible for for hanging on to the candle and matches that they use during their meeting. They've taken to meeting in Jubal Foster's barn and he runs them off regularly even complaining to Andy about the trespassers. Jubal has his own reasons for keeping them out of the barn - he runs a still in the back room. When Jubal accidentally sets his barn on fire he blames the Wildcats so when Andie finds the candle in Opie's room, he blames the boy for setting the fire. Andy is prepared to make restitution since he thinks it's his son who's responsible but it's another of Barney's blunders that sorts it all out in Opie's favor.

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Genres:

Comedy | Family

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 January 1962 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Desilu Studios - 9336 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Mayberry Enterprises

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The title is based on the political thriller Keeper of the Flame starring Katharine Hepburn covered by a reporter played by Spencer Tracy.

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Goofs

When Andy and Barney are driving up the lane to Jubal Foster's farm and Jubal is frantically stashing his moonshine jars in the shed, there is a cow munching hay directly behind Jubal who is now standing by the shed door. As Andy and Barney are exiting the squad car the cow instantly disappears from behind Jubal. There one second, gone the next.

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