Return to Mayberry (1986)

After being away for awhile, Andy Taylor returns home to Mayberry to visit Opie, now an expectant father. While there, he ends up helping Barney Fife mount a campaign for Sheriff.

Director:

Bob Sweeney

Writers:

Harvey Bullock, Everett Greenbaum

Stars:

Andy Griffith, Ron Howard, Don Knotts

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Andy Griffith	...	Andy Taylor
Ron Howard	...	Opie Taylor
Don Knotts	...	Barney Fife
Jim Nabors	...	Gomer Pyle
Aneta Corsaut	...	Helen Crump Taylor
Jack Dodson	...	Howard Sprague
George Lindsey	...	Goober Pyle
Betty Lynn	...	Thelma Lou
Howard Morris	...	Ernest T. Bass
Maggie Mancuso	...	Charlene Darling (as Maggie Peterson-Mancuso)
Denver Pyle	...	Briscoe Darling
Hal Smith	...	Otis Campbell
Rodney Dillard	...	Rodney Darling
Doug Dillard	...	Doug Darling
Mitch Jayne	...	Mitch Darling

Storyline

This was a reunion bringing back most of the characters from The Andy Griffith Show. It begins with Andy Taylor returning to Mayberry and planning to run for his old job of Sheriff but when he arrives, he discovers that his old deputy and friend, Barney Fife, is planning to run also. So Andy decides to back down. And at the same time there are some strange things going on, and Barney's stumped, so Andy has to help him out. Also Barney's planning to propose to his old girlfriend Thelma Lou, and Opie, Andy's son is about to become a father.

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Plot Keywords:

reunion | hometown | older version of character | elections for sheriff | small town newspaper | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Romance

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Did You Know?

Trivia

The subplot of the lake monster, was inspired by the infamous Lake George monster hoax in New York's Adirondack Mountains.

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Goofs

Set in the 1980's, the courthouse still has an old style telephone.

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Quotes

Briscoe Darling: [to Andy] It would be an honor to my dwelling. You can join the musicality. As I recall, you used to pick the twang box fairly tolerable.

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Connections

Followed by Andy Griffith Show Reunion (1993)

User Reviews

Let's All Return To Mayberry !

What a wonderfully nostalgic movie to a classic television show. I think the critics were crazy to complain that this movie looked like a senior citizen reunion; don't they know that these characters are timeless to the fans of the "Andy Griffith Show." I do have to say that I'm a little surprised to notice that Opie[Ron Howard] didn't marry Mary Alice Carter [played in the series by the beautiful Morgan Brittany]. I also miss not seeing Ellie Walker [Elinore Donahue] the pretty lady druggist.Also missing is Leon [Ron's brother Clint who was off filming another film at the time];I'd bet that the adult Leon is still somewhere in town still munching on those PB & J's with his son. Sam Jones [Ken Berry] is also missing or did he move away after "Mayberry R.F.D" ended. I also have to wonder if Rafe Hollister [Jack Prince] is still making moonshine in the cellar of the Old Rimshaw House. For that matter, did Gomer finally marry LuAnne Poovie [Elizabeth McRae] or did he leave her to the Marines ? I guess it really doesn't matter. Andy is still sensible,Barney is still Barney and Ernest T. is still a nut ! [He'll kill ya,you know that.] This movie still captures the flair, style and charisma of the old show as if it never left us.Excuse me as I take down my fishing pole and stroll down to the fishing hole.........

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 April 1986 (USA)

Also Known As:

Return to Mayberry

Filming Locations:

Arroyo Grande, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Strathmore Productions, Viacom Productions

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1