Mayberry R.F.D. (TV Series) Aunt Bee's Cruise: Part 2 (1969) User Reviews

Aunt Bee and the Captain

[JordanThomasHall · 7/10 · 21 October 2019]

Aunt Bee returns from her cruise with news she is engaged to the ship's captain, Charles Wolford (Will Geer, the grandfather on "The Waltons") who is retiring after 46 years of service. Aunt Bee prepares a reception party for the captain's arrival to Mayberry. Goober, Emmett, and Howard become leery of the captain, as they don't know much about him. They begin grilling him at the party until his words win them over. Sam shows Charles and Aunt Bee the neighboring Cyrus Winter's farm for sale. They decide to set a wedding date for a week from Sunday. Aunt Bee watches a movie, "The Lure of the Sea", about a man choosing his seafaring career over love, which worries her. His interests and discussion seems centered on nautical/seafaring items and stories. Aunt Bee wishes to postpone the wedding, but Charles tries to reassure her. His return to the ship to get his gear will be a big test.

Good performances in an episode with feeling.

Lame script with some highlights.

[vitoscotti · 6/10 · 26 October 2023]

I'm sure he was a fine actor but Will Geer as Captain Wolford was "dry as dust". An idiotic script of a 2-week romance that turns into a marriage proposal accepted. Aunt Bee's lady cruise ship acquaintances and especially Ella (Renie Riano) that pops up out of nowhere are all very bland castings. Very curious that Andy Taylor (Andy Griffith) and family are no-shows at the upcoming wedding.

Highlights of the episode are the strong performances by regular cast George Lindsey, Paul Hartman, Jack Dodson, and Arlene Golonka. Arlene Golonka is especially humorous giving her expert tips for Aunt Bee to snag an appealing eligible bachelor on the cruise. Episode had charm, but quite silly.

Sail On, Sailor

[zsenorsock · 4/10 · 18 February 2015]

Aunt Bee comes back from her cruise with the Captain of the ship in tow and the announcement that she is finally getting married! Will Geer plays the Captain of the ship who has decided to retire and buy a farm and marry everyone's beloved Aunt Bee.

This episode is another missed opportunity that ignores Mayberry history. If his father's beloved sister who raised him and his son Opie is getting married, Andy doesn't show up? He's not even mentioned? And where's Bea's best friend Clara? This reminds me of the season two opener when Andy and Helen return to Mayberry to get Sam to be the godfather of their new son. Really? Barney, his best friend was unavailable? Will Geer does an excellent job as the old sea captain and he and Bavier make a good pair. So why DON'T they get married? It would have been a nice way to either work Aunt Bea off the show or change her character arc in a surprising and interesting way. And if you count Emmett and his wife, would double the number of Mayberry residents who are married.

Instead in the end Geer returns to the sea and Aunt Bea is stuck alone again, swerving breakfast and making dinner for another widower and his son.