THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW

Andy Griffith was flying high on the success of the film “No Time For Sergeants” when Leonard Sheldon approached him to play a small-town sheriff in his own television show. Griffith was cast in the role for an episode of Danny Thomas’ show “Make Room for Daddy” as the new show’s pilot. The episode was a hit, General Foods wanted to sponsor, and “The Andy Griffith Show” was launched later that year. His longtime friend Don Knotts played deputy Barney Fife, and child actor Ron Howard starred as his son, Opie Taylor. Andy’s character, a widower, parented Opie with the help of “Aunt Bea” (Francis Bavier). Andy handed out rural wisdom for eight seasons, this artwork published prior to the show’s premiere in 1960.