Disc News: 50 Years of The Andy Griffith Show Celebrated

Disc Announcements, News

Has it really been half a century since Mayberry, North Carolina became America’s favorite small town? This charming little burg was kept safe thanks to the efforts of Sheriff Andy Taylor (Andy Griffith) and Deputy Barney Fife (Don Knotts). For those wanting a nice collection of the show instead of buying the complete series, The Andy Griffith Show: 50th Anniversary – The Best of Mayberry arrives on your porch right before Christmas. Here’s the press release from CBS Home Entertainment and Paramount Home Entertainment:

CELEBRATE THE GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY OF THE SIX-TIME EMMY® AWARD-WINNING CLASSIC COMEDY

THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW: 50TH ANNIVERSARY – THE BEST OF MAYBERRY

Nostalgic Collection, Including 17 All-Time Fan Favorite Episodes, The Full-Length Pilot and Return to Mayberry TV Movie, Arrives On DVD December 21

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. (December 3, 2010) – Return to Mayberry with its down-home humor and endearing cast of characters with the celebratory collection of the beloved, iconic television series, THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW: 50TH ANNIVERSARY – THE BEST OF MAYBERRY, debuting on DVD December 21 from CBS Home Entertainment and Paramount Home Entertainment.

Revered by TV Guide as “one of the greatest television shows of all-time,” the three-disc collection features the 17 episodes from the original series most cherished by fans. The episodes have been digitally remastered with restored audio and include vintage sponsor footage on select episodes. With a cast of lovably eccentric characters played by Griffith, Ron Howard, Don Knotts and Jim Nabors, the DVD set includes memorable guest star performances by Denver Pyle and the fan-favorite musical, mountain family The Darlings.

With heartwarming special features including the full-length pilot, the 1986 television movie Return to Mayberry and “Danny Meets Andy Griffith,” the full-length version of the episode from The Danny Thomas Show that inspired the classic series, THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW: 50TH ANNIVERSARY – THE BEST OF MAYBERRY will be available on DVD for the suggested retail price of $24.99 US and $26.99 CAN.

THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW: 50TH ANNIVERSARY – THE BEST OF MAYBERRY DVD is a three-disc set presented in full screen with English Mono. The DVD is not rated in the U.S. and rated G in Canada. With a total running time of approximately seven hours, nine minutes, the DVD disc breakdown is as follows:

Disc One:
* The Christmas Story
* The Pickle Story
* Barney And The Choir
* Mr. McBeevee
* Convicts At Large
* Man In A Hurry
* Special Features:

    o “Danny Meets Andy Griffith” (Full length version from The Danny Thomas Show)
    o Main title with sponsor spots
    o Cast commercial end credits with sponsor spots

Disc Two:
* Class Reunion
* The Darlings Are Coming
* Barney’s First Car
* Dogs, Dogs, Dogs
* Mountain Wedding
* Opie The Birdman
* The Sermon For Today
* Special Features:

    o Main title with sponsor spots
    o Cast commercial end credits with sponsor spots


Disc Three:

* Citizen’s Arrest
* Fun Girls
* Barney’s Sidecar
* Goober And The Art Of Love
* Special Features:

    o Return to Mayberry Television Movie
    o Main title with sponsor spots
    o Cast commercial end credits with sponsor spots


Joe Corey is the writer and director of "Danger! Health Films" currently streaming on Night Flight and Amazon Prime. He's the author of "The Seven Secrets of Great Walmart People Greeters." This is the last how to get a job book you'll ever need. He was Associate Producer of the documentary "Moving Midway." He's worked as local crew on several reality shows including Candid Camera, American's Most Wanted, Extreme Makeover Home Edition and ESPN's Gaters. He's been featured on The Today Show and CBS's 48 Hours. Dom DeLuise once said, "Joe, you look like an axe murderer." He was in charge of research and programming at the Moving Image Archive.