The Andy Griffith Show, which originally aired from 1960 to 1968 on CBS, not only featured a batch of unique characters, but the beloved sitcom also gave birth to two spin-off series. Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. (United States Marine Corps.) initially ran on CBS from 1965 to 1970, and Mayberry R.F.D. (‘Rural Free Delivery’), was first screened on the same network from 1968 to 1971.
Frances Bavier (top r.) with (from l.) Jim Nabors, Andy Griffith & Ron Howard on ‘The Andy Griffith Show,’ before Nabors spun-off on his ownPhoto byClassic TV Preservation Society
A Closer Look
The Andy Griffith Show starred Andy Griffith as Sheriff Andy Taylor, who presided over the fictional but adored rural Mayberry, North Carolina. The country-com also featured Don Knotts as Deputy Barney Fife, Frances Bavier as Aunt Bee, a pre-Happy Days Ronny Howard as Andy’s son Opie, and a plethora of semi-regulars led by Jim Nabors as the relatively-dim but delightful former-garage-mechanic-turned-Marine Gomer Pyle.
Frances Bavier’s Aunt Bee pays a visit to the ‘Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.’ sequel sitcom.Photo bysitcomsonline.com
Nabors’ Pyle character proved so popular he was spun-off into his own military-based sitcom, on which Griffith characters like Bavier’s Aunt Bee would make guest appearances. Bavier’s Bee would also continue to be seen on Mayberry R.F.D., which, ultimately, was the contiuance of The Andy Griffith Show, without Griffith. Instead, a post-F Troop, pre-Mama’s Family Ken Berry took the lead as Town Council President and farmer Sam Jones on the Mayberry series.
However, while Aunt Bee would become a regular fixture on Mayberry R.F.D., she made a special guest appearance on the Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. show.
In the episode, “A Visit From Aunt Bee,” which premiered September 8, 1967 (at the on-set of the show’s third season), Andy Taylor’s adored relative visits Gomer’s Marine base, where she becomes somewhat frazzled the way he’s treated by his Sgt. Frank Carter (played by Frank Sutton).
In the End
Whether on The Andy Griffith Show, Mayberry R.F.D., or Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., Frances Bavier’s cherished Aunt Bee was always a welcome prescence.
Frances Bavier (center) starred in ‘Mayberry R.F.D.,” alongside (from l.) Arlene Golanka, George Lindsay, Ken Berry & Buddy Foster.Photo byClassic TV Preservation Society
