This episode contains all the classic elements that make "The Andy Griffith Show" appealing to so many people. It centers around Barney and the decision to spend his life's savings($300)on a used car. Of course the car is a supposed one owner, pampered cream-puff that has been "handled with kid gloves". And the car owner is a supposed recently widowed "little old lady" who's husband also happened to be named Bernard. The highlight of the episode is a Sunday drive in the country in Barney's new ride with Andy, Opie, Aunt Bee, Thelma Lou and Gomer. This episode is also a perfect example of how important the incidental music (by composer Earle Hagen)was to the series (note the use of a harpsichord used in the scenes with Mrs. Lesh.) Ultimately, this episode spotlights Don Knotts who gets to display the entire range of Barney's emotions as he navigates his way through his first big purchase. One of the series' best.
7 Reviews
Automovtive Befuddlement
hellraiser722 April 2019
This is my third favorite episode of the show, this is another episode where Barney is center stage and it's one of his absolute best. I really like the plotline, it's one of those comedies where it's funny because it's true. It's a common consumer fear we all carry in the back of our minds, getting ripped off. Yeah some to almost all of us have been there as it's a known fact it happens every day in great numbers, to me it's watching a bad movie in the theater's or renting it out in a video store, sure it's not much money spent but all the same it is your money and you paid to see something good only to see a suck fest which makes the loss all the more painful. Which is exactly what Barney feels, yeah Barn we can feel your pain we've been there.
We pretty much see Barney gets a good deal on a good automotive, from an old widow. But as an old saying goes it's too good to be true, let alone the old widow automotive sale is one of the oldest con's ploys in the book.
It's funny how things just build up, as things get worse for Barney, they just get funnier. Really loved his reaction when he sees that horn just rise on his face for some strange reason. Or seeing Barney's face as he keeps getting worse news from Gomer.
The truck stops here for hilarity.
Rating: 4 stars
We pretty much see Barney gets a good deal on a good automotive, from an old widow. But as an old saying goes it's too good to be true, let alone the old widow automotive sale is one of the oldest con's ploys in the book.
It's funny how things just build up, as things get worse for Barney, they just get funnier. Really loved his reaction when he sees that horn just rise on his face for some strange reason. Or seeing Barney's face as he keeps getting worse news from Gomer.
The truck stops here for hilarity.
Rating: 4 stars
This just shows that a public domain show isn't necessarily bad...
planktonrules20 October 2010
Warning: Spoilers
Somehow, several episodes from "The Andy Griffith Show" have been allowed to slip into the public domain as their copyrights were not renewed. Why, I have no idea. But despite many public domain shows and movies being dogs (hence no one cared to renew them), this one proves that some public domain programs are super.
Barney decides to buy a car. He reads about a deal that is too good to be true and when he meets the sweet old lady (Ellen Corby) selling the vehicle, she is also too good to be true. The very gullible Barney falls for what are obvious lies concerning the quality of the car and, not surprisingly, the car doesn't even make it back to Mayberry before it breaks down...and the 'sweet old lady' is no where to be found. Not only that, but a closer inspection of the car proves it was deliberately misrepresented--with sawdust poured into the transmission to make it work...at least briefly. All seems to be lost...until Barney and Andy happen to accidentally find the lady and her gang of car thieves. Barney's reaction to them is priceless--as is Corby's wonderful performance. The show is exceptionally well-written and acted and is a comedic delight. Very, very funny.
Barney decides to buy a car. He reads about a deal that is too good to be true and when he meets the sweet old lady (Ellen Corby) selling the vehicle, she is also too good to be true. The very gullible Barney falls for what are obvious lies concerning the quality of the car and, not surprisingly, the car doesn't even make it back to Mayberry before it breaks down...and the 'sweet old lady' is no where to be found. Not only that, but a closer inspection of the car proves it was deliberately misrepresented--with sawdust poured into the transmission to make it work...at least briefly. All seems to be lost...until Barney and Andy happen to accidentally find the lady and her gang of car thieves. Barney's reaction to them is priceless--as is Corby's wonderful performance. The show is exceptionally well-written and acted and is a comedic delight. Very, very funny.
A truly hilarious episode
vitoscotti25 April 2022
Non-stop big laughs from beginning to end. Some of TAGS best writng also. An amazing showcase for Don Knotts' comedic gift. Be impossible to list each funny moment there were so many. Some favorites- Barney near tears falling for Mrs Lesh's acting job, Barney loading up the car, don't touch the car, steering column popping up like a cobra, clanks & bangs while driving, Thelma Lou driving,, others pushing, Barneys state of shock stupor.
Very good ending highlighted by Barney fumbling with his bullet, duck walk, wanting to take Myrt's, "let's forget everything deal".
Stellar epilougue with angelic Aunt Rose (Hallene Hill) demonized by misguided Barney.
26 minutes goes by in a breeze it's so funny.
Very good ending highlighted by Barney fumbling with his bullet, duck walk, wanting to take Myrt's, "let's forget everything deal".
Stellar epilougue with angelic Aunt Rose (Hallene Hill) demonized by misguided Barney.
26 minutes goes by in a breeze it's so funny.
Naive Barney
kellielulu26 December 2022
Warning: Spoilers
It's so funny even when they are about to arrest Mert and her gang Barney almost falls for another deal! But then he suspicious of any old lady when he thinks of buying another car.
Watching it again I laughed so hard when the steering wheel column starts rising up like a snake! Almost like it's going to attack Barney! Then watching Andy, Gomer and even Opie and Aunt Bee pushing the car was a classic scene.
Barney is an emotional guy and we see a whole range of emotions and reactions in this episode.
One tiny tiny nitpick . I don't know why Andy and Barney were driving that lemon back to Mount Pilot as unreliable as it was especially without telling anyone. Andy had to go back to a store to call Gomer. But it's still a good setup for how the catch Mert and her gang . Ellen Corby could play and kind of old lady.
I once heard Andy Griffth say this episode and Convicts At Large were his favorite episodes. I agree with him. They are the best and funniest episodes.
Watching it again I laughed so hard when the steering wheel column starts rising up like a snake! Almost like it's going to attack Barney! Then watching Andy, Gomer and even Opie and Aunt Bee pushing the car was a classic scene.
Barney is an emotional guy and we see a whole range of emotions and reactions in this episode.
One tiny tiny nitpick . I don't know why Andy and Barney were driving that lemon back to Mount Pilot as unreliable as it was especially without telling anyone. Andy had to go back to a store to call Gomer. But it's still a good setup for how the catch Mert and her gang . Ellen Corby could play and kind of old lady.
I once heard Andy Griffth say this episode and Convicts At Large were his favorite episodes. I agree with him. They are the best and funniest episodes.
Barney Learns a Hard Lesson about Cars!
philip-4723022 December 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Simply want to add this episode is among my top five of all Andy Griffith Shows. Barney buys a used car for $300 bucks and finds out it has been tampered with. It breaks down during a family ride. Barney feels like a fool, but him and Andy get the last laugh.
They confront the car Sales Lady and her cohorts to end their charade. The won't be selling junk cars in Mayberry any more. Great acting by everyone. Well written and directed.
They confront the car Sales Lady and her cohorts to end their charade. The won't be selling junk cars in Mayberry any more. Great acting by everyone. Well written and directed.
BARNEY MEETS THE LIL' OLE LADY FROM PASADENA?
tcchelsey10 May 2024
THE episode all us kids back in the day just loved, and still do. A textbook defintion of Creative Writing 101, and thanks to James Fritzell, who in a few years would create the DORIS DAY SHOW, later to write for MASH.
With those credentials, you know this is classic stuff.
It's time for Barney to get a car, and lucky him -- he meets nice, little old lady Myrt (played to the hilt by Ellen Corby). Long before the WALTONS, Corby was a master of motherly and grandmother roles, some with a touch of larceny. She is spot on here, telling Barney a bunch of baloney how the car belonged to her late husband, and she has no choice but to sell it.
CLASSIC TV scene hands down; Barney gives Andy and the gang a ride in the jalopy and everything goes wrong, including the hilarious part where the steering column unwinds in his face like a snake! See to believe.
No surprise Myrt is a car thief, sort of a "Ma Barker" type, running a gang of car thieves, assisted by popular character actor Allan Melvin, who also played some bad apples in his long career. In yet another prime scene, Andy and Barney hide out in Myrt's garage and catch the gang red-handed. Very well directed, and with a cop show ending.
10 stars for the the wild dialogue, especially Ellen Corby's part. Myrt tries to sell Barney another car when he's arresting her. Outrageous.
From SEASON 3 EPISODE 27 remastered dvd box set. Two sets; released 2005 and 2013, both with 5 dvds.
With those credentials, you know this is classic stuff.
It's time for Barney to get a car, and lucky him -- he meets nice, little old lady Myrt (played to the hilt by Ellen Corby). Long before the WALTONS, Corby was a master of motherly and grandmother roles, some with a touch of larceny. She is spot on here, telling Barney a bunch of baloney how the car belonged to her late husband, and she has no choice but to sell it.
CLASSIC TV scene hands down; Barney gives Andy and the gang a ride in the jalopy and everything goes wrong, including the hilarious part where the steering column unwinds in his face like a snake! See to believe.
No surprise Myrt is a car thief, sort of a "Ma Barker" type, running a gang of car thieves, assisted by popular character actor Allan Melvin, who also played some bad apples in his long career. In yet another prime scene, Andy and Barney hide out in Myrt's garage and catch the gang red-handed. Very well directed, and with a cop show ending.
10 stars for the the wild dialogue, especially Ellen Corby's part. Myrt tries to sell Barney another car when he's arresting her. Outrageous.
From SEASON 3 EPISODE 27 remastered dvd box set. Two sets; released 2005 and 2013, both with 5 dvds.
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