Christmas Story 

Crotchety old businessman Ben Weaver wants moonshiner Sam Muggins locked up for Christmas but, after seeing the holiday spirit in Andy's jail, he tries to be arrested himself.

Director:

Bob Sweeney

Writer:

Frank Tarloff (as David Adler)

Stars:

Andy Griffith, Ron Howard, Don Knotts

Cast

Episode cast overview:
Andy Griffith	...	Andy Taylor
Ron Howard	...	Opie Taylor (as Ronny Howard)
Don Knotts	...	Barney Fife
Frances Bavier	...	Aunt Bee Taylor
Will Wright	...	Ben Weaver
Sam Edwards	...	Sam Muggins
Margaret Kerry	...	Bess Muggins

Storyline

Mean old Ben Weaver catches Sam Muggins moonshining and insists Andy lock him up, even though it's Christmas eve. In order to keep Ben off his back and still have the party they had planned, Andy arrests Sam's wife and children as "accessories before, during, and after the fact," and deputizes Ellie, Opie, and Aunt Bee to help watch the prisoners. Everyone is having a good time except Ben, who spies on them and tries to get himself arrested because he's too ornery to admit he wants to participate. Andy finally figures it out and arrests him but lets Ben stop by his store to pick up a few things he might need - presents for the others.

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Plot Keywords:

christmas episode | christmas | jail | courthouse | scrooge | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Family

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Did You Know?

Trivia

The only show of the entire series that portrayed Christmas.

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Goofs

The first card Andy opens shows a snowman with packages piled high. Barney then opens an all-white card from prison while Andy opens a card with Santa driving a Model-T. A few moments later, Barney opens an identical snowman with piled packages card. The camera angle changes. The snowman card is back in Andy's hand while Barney holds a previously unseen card of Santa before a hearth. As the camera changes again, the card in Andy's hand disappears, then reappears when the camera changes back. As Andy talks, Barney opens another envelope with the Santa driving the Model-T card inside, but as they talk it changes into the all-white card from prison.

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Quotes

Andy Taylor: [releases Sam on the moonshining charge due to lack of evidence because the jug is empty] I wouldn't be surprised if Ben's full of the evidence right now.

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Alternate Versions

The DVDs released by Raintree Home Video replaces the classic Andy Griffith Show theme with a generic instrumental song.

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Connections

Featured in The Andy Griffith Show Christmas Special (2015)

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Soundtracks

The Fishin' Hole
Written by Earle Hagen and Herbert W. Spencer (as Herbert Spencer)
Performed by Earle Hagen

User Reviews

Don't You Wish the World Was Like This?

Andy acts in a kind way, releasing some prisoners so they can enjoy Christmas. He starts to head home for a celebration, when old Ben brings in a man who he accuses of moonshining. This throws the holiday into turmoil. But there is a heartwarming twist. One of those episodes that is memorable, though so formulaic.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 December 1960 (USA)

Filming Locations:

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

Company Credits

Production Co:

Mayberry Enterprises

Technical Specs

Runtime:

26 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White Black and White (1960-1965)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1