On The Andy Griffith Show, Andy's longest-running romance was with schoolteacher Helen Crump. Although she was introduced as a one-episode guest star, Helen proved a likable enough character that the writers kept her around, and eventually grew her role into more of a central focus. 

Aneta Corsaut, the actor who so deftly portrayed Helen, was, of course, a veteran of the screen by the time she came to Mayberry. While she may have fondly recalled many performances throughout her career, her earliest film role proved to be her least favorite.

Corsaut starred as Jane in the 1958 independent creature feature The Blob. While fans to this day still love that movie, Corsaut told the Anaheim Bulletin about her experience, and the ordeal sounds miserable.

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Aneta Corsaut’s Regret: Reflecting on The Blob Years Later

Long after the Air Force lowered the Blob into the Arctic in the last scene of the 1958 classic, Aneta Corsaut still found herself running from the gelatinous beast's legacy.

"I can't shake that thing," Corsaut said in 1973.

"Friends are phoning me and kidding me about The Blob being back. It may be funny to them, but making it wasn't the happiest experience in my life. They never should have released the picture, it was so bad. Steve [McQueen] and I were just kids out of New York at the time, and that was my first and my only starring role."

The Grueling Production: 18-Hour Days and Exhaustion on The Blob Set

Lots of hard work went into making The Blob. Unfortunately, because it was an independent feature, made outside of the Hollywood system, the filmmakers were able to avoid many union constraints and labor laws. But because there weren't any protections in place, lots of folks who worked on the movie felt they were exploited. 

"We worked 18-20 hours a day, they double-crewed us. I was never so tired in all my life. I never saw the Blob, for which I was thankful. It was always one step behind me. So help me, if that thing is following me, the minute it gets here from Texas, I'm getting out for New York."

Moving On: From The Blob to The Andy Griffith Show and Beyond

"Life has been good to me since then," said Corsaut. She was on The Gertrude Berg Show. In The Andy Griffith Show's sequel, Mayberry RFD, Crump married Andy. She would again reunite with Griffith for a stint on Matlock. In addition, she had guest roles in shows like Adam-12, Columbo, and Emergency!

Corsaut also had an uncredited role in Mel Brooks' comedy classic Blazing Saddles!

As for another leading role, Corsaut was still chasing that golden part. 

"I keep trying, and I've come close. But they better not offer me the starring role in Return of the Blob."