• Today’s Topics:
  • THE STORE
  • Helen Twelvetrees Bio
    • Or Head to Amazon to buy my Helen Twelvetrees book
  • Head to WarrenWilliam.com
  • Cliff’s Fiction
  • Blog

Immortal Ephemera

Classic Movies & Movie Collectibles

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Privacy Policy
  • Reviews
    • Pre-Code
    • Horror
    • Gangsters
    • Warner Archive
  • Biographies
  • Card & Collectible Galleries
    • About Movie Collectibles
    • My eBay Store
    • My Books
    • Glossary
    • eBay Shopping Tips
  • Info / Misc
    • About
    • Privacy Policy
    • My Bookshelf
    • Movie Books
    • WAMPAS
  • Social
    • Contact
    • YouTube
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Pinterest
You are here: Home / News - Notes / Andy Griffith, 1926-2012

Andy Griffith, 1926-2012

July 3, 2012 By Cliff Aliperti 8 Comments

Helen Twelvetrees, Pefect Ingenue by Cliff Aliperti
Support the site? Skip buying me a coffee and grab yourself some movie cards & collectibles instead! Shop my eBay store here.


My mother told me, “We all grew up with The Andy Griffith Show,” meaning her, my father and that generation, and I thought, I did too. It seemed to be on an awful lot when I was kid considering we only had a handful of channels! Current recollections have it playing every morning that I skipped school. Then Nick-at-Nite came along and it was on even more.

But for myself, like many others in the classic film community, while Sheriff Andy Taylor of Mayberry springs first to mind, Griffith’s Lonesome Rhodes of Elia Kazan’s A Face in the Crowd (1957) is not far behind and in thoughts and well out ahead as Griffith’s best work.

Andy Griffith in A Face in the Crowd

The first time I saw A Face in the Crowd I had recorded it off, I want to say old commercial-free AMC, onto a VHS tape. Quite a few of my friends would watch that VHS tape before the week was out! (Can you believe this is Andy Griffith?!?)

I couldn’t believe that what was already considered an old movie not only remained relevant but seemed to speak to the moment then, 20 or so years ago, just as it does now. It was light years ahead of itself and for every second since I’ve first seen it remains in the moment.

Griffith’s Lonesome Rhodes is so utterly obnoxious, yet somehow lovable all at once. You completely understand how this bumpkin made his rise and you absolutely believe how far he rises. Wow, this could really happen, you think. We meet him as riff-raff, but good earthy riff-raff, and watch him effortlessly manipulate the manipulators all around him. Rhodes makes moves that anyone already on top would never have the imagination or nerve to make. He is an absolute sleaze, a terrible bully, yet when it all crumbles and he’s left on his own, you can’t help but to feel for him having been along for the entire ride as we have been.

Andy Griffith at the start of A Face in the Crowd

It was the first feature film for the stand-up comedian and in it his performance is as great as the movie as a whole.

Andy Griffith, born June 1, 1926 in Mount Airy, North Carolina, died July 3, 2012, age 86, at his home on Roanoke Island, North Carolina.

Turner Classic Movies will be running a four film marathon beginning at 8 pm EST, Wednesday, July 18, with the classic A Face in the Crowd kicking things off. It’s followed by No Time for Sergeants (1958) at 10:15 pm; Hearts of the West (1975) at 12:30 am; Onionhead at 2:15 am. More info HERE.

TV Land will be running a July 4th marathon of The Andy Griffith Show from 8 am to 1 pm EST. More info HERE.

Here are some other wonderful tributes written earlier today around the web in honor of the late Andy Griffith:

This is A Shroud of Thoughts’ territory and as expected Terence Towles Canote has a wonderful look back at the life and legend of Andy Griffith; fantastic coverage from film critic Lou Lumenick at the New York Post; In Memoriam at the Self-Styled Siren’s place; more from the new classic television site, How Sweet It Was; Brandie at True Classics remembers Griffith’s career; Classic Becky looks at the Four Faces of Andy; Griffith’s death brought up the idea that Being a classic film fan is kind of a bummer at What Happened to Hollywood?; from 50 Westerns from the ’50s, North Carolinian Toby remembers Griffith; and Ivan doesn’t have anything up yet, but I’d bet on something coming soon, so be sure to check Thrilling Days of Yesteryear where Andy Griffith has been regularly covered throughout the years.

… And many others I’m sure. If I missed you, I apologize. Feel free to link to your Andy Griffith tribute in the comments section, or if you don’t operate your own website please feel free to leaves your thoughts directly in the comments below.
[phpbaysidebar title=”Andy Griffith on eBay” keywords=”Andy Griffith” num=”5″ siteid=”1″ sort=”StartTimeNewest” minprice=”19″ id=”2″]

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Share on Tumblr

Like this:

Like Loading...

Related

Filed Under: News - Notes Tagged With: a face in the crowd, andy griffith, andy griffith show, lonesome rhodes, obituary

← July 2012 TCM Preview – A Look Inside My Now Playing Guide Happy Independence Day! Odds and Ends for July 4 →

About Cliff

I write about old movies and movie stars from the 1920s to the 1950s. I also sell movie cards, still photos and other ephemera. Immortal Ephemera connects the stories with the collectibles. Read More…



Ways to Help Support the Site:

Every little bit helps pay the bills. My thanks in advance if you'd consider helping out through one of the following methods:
 

Preferred: Shop the Immortal Ephemera Store and get yourself some vintage movie items for your trouble!

Donate direct through my PayPal.me link.

Or begin your regularly scheduled Amazon shopping through my Amazon affiliate link.

Thanks again!
—Cliff Aliperti

Comments

  1. Brandie says

    July 3, 2012 at 11:27 pm

    Thanks for the link, Cliff. It’s wonderful to see so many heartfelt tributes to Griffith not only from TV fans but fans of his relatively short filmography as well.

    Loading...
    Reply
    • Cliff Aliperti says

      July 4, 2012 at 5:29 am

       You’re welcome, @520c3fde49d32b5ac8aece5cbd5c8c13:disqus. I haven’t always been the biggest fan of the TV show, but I loved A Face in the Crowd from the first time I saw it and every time since!

      Loading...
      Reply
  2. devans00 says

    July 4, 2012 at 12:30 am

    A Face in the Crowd is also my favorite. I like the darkness of Lonsome Rhodes contrasted with then grinning and picking good ole boys Andy Griffith played for much of his career.

    Loading...
    Reply
    • Cliff Aliperti says

      July 4, 2012 at 5:30 am

       I agree @devans00:disqus I still remember that first shock upon seeing Lonesome Rhodes. Basically I stuck the movie in friends and family’s faces asking them if they could believe that was the same Andy Griffith!

      Loading...
      Reply
  3. Aurora says

    July 4, 2012 at 7:28 am

    Cliff,

    Great piece, all the up-coming TV listings and thanks for the mention of HOW SWEET IT WAS.  
    Aurora

    Loading...
    Reply
    • Cliff Aliperti says

      July 4, 2012 at 1:21 pm

       Thanks so much @1f8648e49b97fe0e154f6d6e14900221:disqus I tried to get all of the substantial links I could find by the time I started working on this and you certainly fit the bill! Glad you enjoyed my memories as well.

      Loading...
      Reply
  4. Jill says

    July 5, 2012 at 9:30 pm

    Cliff, 

    This is wonderful. I grew up watching TAGS and still watch episodes several times a week. A part of Southern life!
    Thanks!

    Loading...
    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Links 7.04.12 « Speakeasy says:
    July 4, 2012 at 6:56 am

    […] More on ANDY GRIFFITH from self-styled siren / immortal ephemera […]

    Loading...
    Reply

Leave a ReplyCancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Copyright © 2002-2025 Immortal Ephemera - (privacy policy) - Article by Cliff Aliperti unless otherwise noted.

%d