Yeah, I lived in North Carolina long enough to know Griffith was regarded as a local hero. But I’ve lived in America long enough to remember some pretty racist events in his career back in the 1950s, including a refusal to appear on stage with a very important A-A female singer.

I recollect when another Carolina boy, Enos Slaughter, died several years ago. He, too, was lionized by old baseball fans and, hell, he was one hell of a ballplayer for many years (yeah, I saw him play when I was young). But the first thing that came to my mind when he died was the knowledge that he’d several times and quite intentionally slid, sharpened spikes first, into Jackie Robinson.

Look, Griffith demonstrated serious acting chops in a few plays and films (particularly “A Face in the Crowd”) and helmed a silly but harmless show that was popular for many years (and more in syndication). For all I know, in later years he might have outgrown the rural racism in which he was reared. Maybe so. But if he ever apologized, I missed the news.

I’m willing to overlook racism back then from people my age and older who grew up with it, provided I see some true remorse and serious efforts to do right in later years. Can anyone tell my of anything Griffith ever did in his retirement years in North Carolina to help undo the poisonous legacy of racism? Anything?

I really wish it had been noted that Griffith’s first hit was “What It Was Was Football”….It was a hysterical rendition, and, thankfully, NPR played part of in its tribute….RIP…

He was brilliant in “A Face in the Crowd” as well as a film with Walter Mathau called “Onion Head” A great actor and an even greater human being. RIP and condolences to his family and friends.

I had a record, remember records, of that. It was HILARIOUS. He had a couple of followup comedy bits similar to that. I don’t remember them though.

The man was an increditble talent. You won;t see one like him come along for quite a while, if ever.

I saw an intereview with him. After the Andy Griffith Show went off the air her didn’t work for 8 years. Got a couple a parts on TV movies. Then he decided he had to find himself a job adn Matlock was born.

You can watch his old show with Don Knotts TODAY, and laugh your ass off. Even after seing the show 20-30 times.

Lastly, did you know his character, Sheriff Taylor and the show was a “spin off” from the old Danny Thomas sitcom. Danny was driving through Mayberry in an episode and he got a ticket for not stoping at a stop sign even though there was no road there. Shereiff Taylor’s explanation for giving him the ticket was, “We had the money for the sign. But we didn’t have enough money for the road.” Rather than pay the fine, Danny spent the night in jail. That was the show. The network loved Andy’s character so much they gave him a shot. They ussed the same “set” of the sheriff’s office when they started shooting The Andy Griffith Show”.

RIP Mr. Griffith.

It was HILARIOUS….and ridiculous. My family was very taken with it one Christmas; gave a few as gifts before it had really become a hit….Great fun. Glad you remember.

Great bit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNxLxTZHKM8

That sort of dialog where Sheriff Andy lectures Opey consistent with the Constitution is exactly what should be required of all media outlets for license renewal.

Lastly, did you know his character, Sheriff Taylor and the show was a “spin off” from the old Danny Thomas sitcom.

The way I read it, A producer of Thomas’ show discovered Griffith and after a period of a few weeks, he hired Griffith to do his own comedy show. The character of Andy Taylor was introduced on an episode of the Danny Thomas Show, titled “Danny Meets Andy Griffith”.

Early on he worked at a summer theater on Roanoke Island. It might have predated the movie.

http://thelostcolony.org/

The “Lost Colony” is worth a trip to Cape Hatteras. I saw it in 1962 and again just a few years ago. Part late 1500s history, part speculation about the disappeared colonists.

It’s intriguing he made his last home near there rather than getting inhaled by Calif.

I was speaking of that movie too, this morning, after I heard of his passing.
A family favorite. My dad was a rural boy from Indiana, but, man, how he enjoyed Andy Griffith.
What a great heart has gone to the beyond.

Oh, my, RevB. I listened to a record of that with my dad. Many times.

I loved watching Matlock. I’m so sorry to read of his passing.

A Face In The Crowd is must viewing for anyone involved in politics. While watching remember at the time TV was only about 10 years old!

As a young girl (in boys body) growing up my real world that did not match Mayberry RFD or the Andy Griffith Show, so I did not watch much of it with any pleasure.

His movies were the impact. A Face In The Crowd, No Time For Sargents and Onion Head were great and had the most impact on me.

I will miss the old Dem. RIP

My dad went to Chapel Hill with Mr. Griffith. They are the same age, too. or were.

When he declined to run against Helms because he was “only an actor”, I wish someone in his close family had whispered two words into his ear: “Ronald Reagan”.

He would have obliterated Helms.

Go in peace, you good and gentle man.

Indeed.

Lonesome Rhodes = Glenn Beck

A Face in the Crowd was so unbelievably prescient, sadly.

As Keith Olbermann claimed more than a few times. “Lonesome Rhodes” Beck, Worst Person in the World!

Miss Keith too.

As an old Brooklyn Dodger fan who saw Jackie Robinson play many times.,I have to correct you on the Enos Slaughter spiking incident.When Jackie came up in 1947,he was assigned to the First Base position because the Dodgers had Eddie Stanky at 2B.He had never played 1B before.Slaughter hit a ground ball and Jackie had too much of his foot on the base instead of at the edge like an experienced 1B and Slaughter made contact with the foot.

It was simply a baseball accident which couldn’t be avoided.The sports media tried to make more of it because it made for a good story but it was not deliberate and Jackie never considered it to be deliberate.