Andy Griffith, at 83, Still Wants to Play the Game



2009 August, 26th
Phil Butler
Phil Butler
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Andy Griffith’s new movie “Play the Game” just opened in his hometown of Mount Airy, NC according to the latest news. The theater in the North Carolina town was packed on Sunday to see Hollywood and TV icon Griffith play a grandfather trying to get back into dating after being widowed. the independent film, scheduled to be released elsewhere on Friday, also stars Marla Sokoloff, Paul Campbell, Liz Sheridan, Doris Roberts.

Interestingly, in the audience sat one of the original cast of the Andy Griffith Show, Betty Lynn, who played Thelma Lou. Below is the trailer for Andy’s new film. Not many of the original cast of the Andy Griffith show are still around, Ron Howard of course being the most notable cast member still working. So, in the absence of side kick Don Knotts, it is great to see Andy doing so well.

Griffith, now 83, is best remembered for his as the town of Mayberry’s sherriff from way back in the 60′s. Some younger fans may also remember him as defense attorney Ben Matlock another popular TV series. For those of us wondering how Andy was doing, I guess this latest release let’s us know he is at least still kicking. So many of my favorite TV and motion picture stars have passed away in the last few years, I wonder if there are any left from back in “the day” at all sometimes. As for Andy, I actually remember him from one of his first roles “No Time For Sergeants“, released in 1958. Griffith, while not my favorite actor, always exhibited an honest charm and talent for making viewers feel at home. In many ways, like so many other celebrities, Griffith seems to not really act so much as he is being himself on camera.

Andy characteristically patient with Barney

Andy characteristically patient with Barney

It is good to see him working still. The Andy Griffith Show as I remember it, is one of the most enduring and brilliant works ever conceived on the big or little screen. Who can forget the dynamic of calm old Andy and “wired tight” deputy Barney Fife, played by the late Don Knotts? That was an age of TV we will never see again, that is for sure. As for Andy, Everything wishes him the very best in this and future endeavors. If anyone knows how to “play the game” by now, it is surely one of acting’s most beloved stars. If any reader thinks funny has to be crass or contain cursewords, please watch the following video’s from the Andy Griffith Show, this is pure genius.

About the Author

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Phil Butler is editor-in-chief of Everything PR and senior partner at Pamil Visions PR. He’s a widely cited authority on beta startups, search engines and public relations issues, and he has covered tech news since 2004. Phil wrote in the past for ReadWriteWeb, Mashable, Profy, SitePoint, Search Engine Journal, AltSearchEngines. Follow Phil on Twitter or send him an email at phil [at] pamil-visions [dot] com.

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