This episode is a timeless lesson about life and will always be applicable. The basic principles of human behavior and influences are clearly illustrated. What appears to be an uncaring businessman turns out to be, at the core, the same as the folks in Mayberry. He is reminded of an earlier time when he, too, made time for the important things in life. This is best illustrated by the man's perseverance toward peeling an apple all in one long piece. It seems that his success in accomplishing this task opens his eyes to the basic life lessons that Andy, Barney and Gomer live everyday. This episode will touch the pure human core of contentment with what you have rather than what you think you can achieve if you just keep pushing harder and harder without consideration for the people around you. The phrase that first comes to mind when I think of this episode is "Stop and smell the roses."
12 Reviews
I love this episode...
planktonrules19 October 2010
Warning: Spoilers
This is a wonderful episode from start to finish. It begins with a very, very impatient rich guy (Richard Emhardt) getting stranded in Mayberry. He is powerful and not used to not getting his way, so when Gomer tells him it might be some time until he gets the parts needed to fix the guy's fancy car, the rich guy is beside himself. Emhardt hates the idea of being stuck in a 'hick town' and makes it clear to everyone the contempt he has for this sort of small town. Throughout the show, however, the writers really stress the slow pace of the town--making the townsfolk incredibly slow-paced on this Sunday--so slow-paced that Emhardt is about to have an apoplectic fit just listening to them! I particularly loved Barney and Andy talking about their plans to possibly go down to the store to get a soft drink--it sounds dull but it really made me laugh. By the end of the show, however, the quiet charms of the town begin to have a positive impact on the city man--and the ending is both touching and funny. I'd say more, but it would spoil this particularly special episode. Great writing, a great guest performance and a perfect pace--this is among the best programs in the series and is a must-see for any fan of the show.
Absolutely one of my favorite episodes
santos4030 March 2011
Warning: Spoilers
The big city businessman breaks down just outside of Mayberry. Somebody directs him to the church where he will find Sheriff Taylor. He does not understand why the town does not have the same urgency he does about getting his car fixed so he can be in Charlotte the next morning. One of the funniest scenes is him trying to talk to the Mendlebright sisters who are very elderly and also evidently a bit hard of hearing. They have tied up the town party-line so they can have their weekly chat as they live in different towns. Most of the conversation seems to consist of discussing why their feet fall asleep. It is hilarious to watch the man from the city get more and more frustrated and everybody else in town just ignore him like a naughty child while they go about their restful Sunday routines. Some fantastic dialog in this episode. Also heartwarming to be able to travel back to that time when businesses where actually closed on Sundays and people did have their day of rest.
If You Could Pick Only One Episode ...
jpop5927 April 2016
If you could pick only one episode to show someone who has never seen a single episode pf "The Andy Griffith Show", this would be a great example. The contrast between the hustling of displaced businessman Malcom Tucker and the easygoing Sunday afternoon antics of Mayberry's finest citizens demonstrates everything that's appealing about the series. It includes the great front porch scene with Barney lazily repeating his mundane afternoon itinerary to the point that it infuriates Tucker. We also learn about "adventure sleeping" and Gomer's cousin Goober (who would later replace him at the filling station). Then there are the two elderly sisters who tie up the phone line every Sunday talking to one another about their health issues. A high point from the classic era that usually ends up at the top of most viewers "Best of" lists.
Touching
Hitchcoc6 December 2019
This episode works because the man in the title can't sit still. He has to be somewhere and nothing can deter him. It's Sunday, and nothing normally would be done. On Sunday, the whole town shuts down and people sit back and enjoy the silence. The guy needs his car repaired and the mechanic who could manage it doesn't work on Sunday. Great kindness and patience are shown to the man and he harumphs and complains over and over. While we don't meet Gomer for the first time, he is much more visible and critical to the plot. Eventually, silence takes a stance. Nice writing and a true philosophical episode.
Adventure Sleeping
schmenga25 May 2020
Another quintessential episode that hits all the buttons that made the Andy Griffith show memorable.
A busy businessman driving on a Sunday to be in Charlotte for Monday morning meetings breaks down in Mayberry. He is desperate to get his car fixed immediately but runs into small town pacing and finds that difficult. Of course spending time waiting at Andy's home exposes him to small acts that stir memories in him from likely simpler times.
Several classic events: Barney analyzing his plans for the rest of the day, the older sisters tying up the party line telephone talking about their sore feet, the thrill of peeling an apple with the skin in one piece, Opie looking forward to adventure sleeping on an ironing board, and Goober being thrilled just to work on a car like the businessman's.
A fitting ending which I won't spoil, but well worth the wait.
A note of complaint about TV Land which is running a marathon on Memorial Day. They have cut the tag scenes off in every episode. In a few the loss of the tag are a big loss. Especially this one (and Mr. McBeevee). We get they need to sell x minutes of commercials and run a tight schedule but they surely have editors that can cut minutes from these episodes in more strategic moments.
A busy businessman driving on a Sunday to be in Charlotte for Monday morning meetings breaks down in Mayberry. He is desperate to get his car fixed immediately but runs into small town pacing and finds that difficult. Of course spending time waiting at Andy's home exposes him to small acts that stir memories in him from likely simpler times.
Several classic events: Barney analyzing his plans for the rest of the day, the older sisters tying up the party line telephone talking about their sore feet, the thrill of peeling an apple with the skin in one piece, Opie looking forward to adventure sleeping on an ironing board, and Goober being thrilled just to work on a car like the businessman's.
A fitting ending which I won't spoil, but well worth the wait.
A note of complaint about TV Land which is running a marathon on Memorial Day. They have cut the tag scenes off in every episode. In a few the loss of the tag are a big loss. Especially this one (and Mr. McBeevee). We get they need to sell x minutes of commercials and run a tight schedule but they surely have editors that can cut minutes from these episodes in more strategic moments.
🏆 BEST Andy Griffith Episode Ever Made!!
floridacalisurferboy16 October 2021
"Man In A Hurry" is without a doubt, one of the all time BEST episodes (if not The Very Best) ever written!... So real a presentation of a small town and their calm traditional world of daily habit and familarity... A Stand Out Comedy with incredibly funny scenes, like where two old women the up the entire city's party line talking about their feet falling asleep 😂 Everyone always acting so calm and serene while the outsider Man In A Hurry is hysterical with total non-belief... So much of this episode is Right On Target... A True Comedy Classic TV Masterpiece.
A bit of irony?
kkmoeigep4 February 2019
Ironically, Robert Emhardt appeared in an episode of Alfred Hitchcock presents entitled "Road Hog" in December of 1959. In it he played a man who was NOT in a hurry, in fact he was an obnoxious road hog and so caused the death of a injured man. Later in the episode, he was now a man in a hurry as the tables were turned on him and he was desperately trying to get to a hospital before he died of poisoning. It makes you wonder if he was chosen on purpose for this episode of Andy Griffith as a tongue in cheek tribute to that episode.
So much to this episode
vitoscotti18 April 2022
Richard Emhardt's (Malcolm Tucker) brilliant performance certainly shines. But each scene, and all the actors performances are all some of classic comedy's most memorable.
Favorite scenes- Norman Leavitt's (Wally) clogged fuel line impression, Barney's repeating nap, over to Thelma Lou's, watch a little tv, then his wonderfully offended walk, and facial expression leaving the porch. First time Gomer's "all the best to you and yours". Andys masterful laid back relaxed man playing off the stressed man in a hurry weaved a poignant story in Malcolm Tucker's mind.
There seemed to be some inconsistency as to where Barney was supposed to be. Left for a nap, then Thelma Lou's in a huff then there he is again on the porch near the end. Also, seemed odd a brand new car would get a clogged fuel line. Also enjoy seeing "The Real McCoys" set behind Gomer at the filling station.
Favorite scenes- Norman Leavitt's (Wally) clogged fuel line impression, Barney's repeating nap, over to Thelma Lou's, watch a little tv, then his wonderfully offended walk, and facial expression leaving the porch. First time Gomer's "all the best to you and yours". Andys masterful laid back relaxed man playing off the stressed man in a hurry weaved a poignant story in Malcolm Tucker's mind.
There seemed to be some inconsistency as to where Barney was supposed to be. Left for a nap, then Thelma Lou's in a huff then there he is again on the porch near the end. Also, seemed odd a brand new car would get a clogged fuel line. Also enjoy seeing "The Real McCoys" set behind Gomer at the filling station.
Hello Gomer
bbcds27 May 2022
We should all be thankful that Jim Nabors changed his Gomer voice after this because it just sounds so wrong. I know it's because we later heard the voice we came to know and love but this first version is quite strange to hear.
Should be mandatory viewing for all
thompsonjayalan29 December 2021
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