It's hard to believe now that Don Knotts was once a real gamble in the movie business. Today, we see him as someone who built a legacy on TV and film, with success on both screens. However, when he first attempted the transition, Knotts wasn't such a sure shot.

His first feature as lead performer, The Incredible Mr. Limpet, was a mild success. He wasn't yet a bona fide movie star, but Limpet performed well enough for Warner Bros. that Universal Studios took notice. While Warner funded that first movie, Universal sought to capitalize on it. They viewed The Incredible Mr. Limpet as an overlooked gem, convincing Knotts that the movie would've been a blockbuster if another studio had more confidently marketed it. Universal Studios put their money where their mouths were and offered Knotts a five-year motion picture contract. 

With Universal firmly in the Don Knotts business, arrangements were made for his first movie under his new contract. Studio head Lou Wasserman assigned Ed Montagne to produce the picture, hoping Mongtagne's experience producing McHale's Navy would translate to the big screen.

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In Knotts' book, Barney Fife, and Other Characters I Have Known, he wrote about his recollections in the early stages of what would become The Ghost and Mr. Chicken. 

"I got a bright idea," Knotts wrote. "Remembering what a good story constructionist Andy Griffith is, I called Andy and asked if he would consider helping us put this story together. He said he'd be happy to."

"I called Ed Montagne and he arranged for Universal to pay Andy a token compensation for helping us."

The resulting movie, The Ghost and Mr. Chicken, helped propel Don Knotts to box office superstardom, cementing him as a surefire hit at the movie theater. 

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