Where To Watch
10 Mayberry residents you never noticed in movies made in the 1980s
You can find them in thrillers and teen comedies!
In 1986, the surviving cast members of The Andy Griffith Show reunited for a charming made-for-TV movie titled Return to Mayberry. Opie was all grown up and had the mustache to prove it. It would be the only glimpse into Mayberry during the Eighties.
That being said, some familiar faces from the fictional small town popped up in some surprising places that decade. All those years later, they might have been unrecognizable.
Here are ten character actors from The Andy Griffith Show who can be found in 1980s films.
Watch The Andy Griffith Show on MeTV!
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*available in most MeTV markets1. Doug Darling in 'Popeye' (1980)
The musical Darling clan occasionally came down from the mountains to entertain viewers with their cheerful bluegrass. The banjo-plucking brother was played by Doug Dillard, part of the real-world musical act the Dillards who portrayed the sons of Brisco Darling. Doug's furious fingers could be seen working his banjo again in another slice of nostalgia, the live-action adaptation of Popeye with Robin Williams.
Image: Paramount Pictures
2. Ella Carson in 'Body Heat' (1981)
A steamy erotic thriller might be the last place you'd expect to find one of Aunt Bee's friends. Nevertheless, this Southern noir with William Hurt and Kathleen Turner found a small role for Ruth Thom, best recognized as Mayberry's own Ella Carson (as well as Myrtle and Maggie Peters). In Body Heat, spot her early on as Mrs. Singer, one of Hurt's clients. It was her only screen role following her time in Mayberry!
Image: Warner Bros.
3. Millie in 'My Tutor' (1983)
The R-rated comedy My Tutor was one of the many teen sex romps so common in that era, somewhere between Porky's and Loverboy. A knockoff Tom Cruise named Matt Lattanzi, also Olivia Newton-John's first husband, stars in the flick as Bobby Chrystal, a randy student in need of a French tutor. Look for scenes with Bobby's mom — she's played by Arlene Golonka, better known as Millie on The Andy Griffith Show and Mayberry R.F.D.! Howard Sprague would blush as seeing his beloved bakery girl in such a movie.
Image: Crown International Pictures
4. Ernest T. Bass in 'Splash' (1984)
Ron Howard transitioned from young sitcom star to Hollywood titan throughout the 1980s. The budding director evolved from adult comedy in Night Shift (1982) to family drama like Parenthood (1989). Along the way, you could count on the former Opie Taylor to hire some Mayberry folk. Splash, Howard's first great film, featured Tom Hanks, John Candy and Eugene Levy. Keep your eyes peeled for the latter's mentor, Dr. Zidell. He's played by Howard Morris! He is the one who suggests throwing water on the mermaid. Ernest T. Bass might have said the same.
Image: Buena Vista
5. Leon in 'Gung Ho' (1986)
Of course, Ron Howard frequently offered roles to his younger brother, Clint Howard. The two grew up together on the Andy set, as Clint played the silent, sandwich-loving cowboy Leon. Clint could be seen in Night Shift, Splash and Cocoon, not to mention Ron's next hit, the blue-collar Michael Keaton comedy Gung Ho. Sporting a mustache and a Pirates helmet, Clint plays one of the autoworkers.
Image: Paramount
6. Mayor Stoner in 'License to Drive' (1988)
When not voicing the Keebler elf in cookie commercials, Parley Baer took the rare live-action role. We are particularly fond of his presence in License to Drive, the Corey Haim and Corey Feldman vehicle about teens having a night out in grandpa's beloved automobile. Baer played Grandpa. He utters his line, "Where's the Caddy?" as soon as he comes home in the end. The Cadillac, of course, is toast.
Image: 20th Century Fox
7. Otis Campbell in '18 Again!' (1988)
George Burns had a late Renaissance in the 1980s, as the elder, cigar-chomping comedian turned his unexpected comeback Oh, God! (1977) into a brand of lighthearted comedy-fantasy. 18 Again! was one of the many "body-swap" movies that were inexplicable popular at the time, alongside Vice Versa, Like Father Like Son, Dream a Little Dream (speaking of the Coreys…), etc. Burns plays a man who switches bodies with his grandson. Look for Hal Smith, a.k.a. Mayberry town drunk Otis, as one of his pals, Irv, playing lawn games later in the movie.
Image: New World Pictures
8. Malcom Merriweather in '18 Again!' (1988)
Bernard Fox was the Brit who turned up in Mayberry from time to time. Coincidentally, he also had a role in 18 Again!
Image: New World Pictures
9. Miss Rosemary / Myra Tucker in 'Pretty Woman' (1990)
Yes, Pretty Woman hit theaters in March 1990, but the film was produced in the 1980s. All you have to do is look at the haircuts and shoulder pads to suss that out. Also, look for an elder "Matron" in the opera scene. She is played by Amzie Strickland, who had a handful of roles on The Andy Griffith Show. Fans likely best remember her as Miss Rosemary in the early tale "Andy the Matchmaker." Later, she played Myra Tucker and a couple of other characters!
Image: Buena Vista
10. Ellie Walker in 'Pretty Woman' (1990)
From Walker's Drugstore to an upscale department store! Yes, there is another, more familiar Mayberry face in Pretty Woman, none other than Ellie Walker herself! Sheriff Andy's first lover can be found about 45 minutes into the film, helping Julie Roberts class up her wardrobe. It's hard to believe she is 30 years older here!
Image: Buena Vista
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