Starring Andy Griffith...
With Ronny Howard.
Also starring Don knotts.
Gentlemen, gentlemen!
Gentlemen. One at a time, please.
Mayor, all I'm sayin' is
ain't there some way to stall this?
I just don't exactly enjoy
servin' eviction notices, you know.
Andy, we've been over this thing time and time again.
Now, Frank Myers is delinquent in his taxes.
The mortgage is too much for him.
He's got to go.
Harlan, Harlan, couldn't the bank
help the old fella out with a loan?
Andy, I got a responsibility to my depositors.
He's already borrowed to the hilt on that place.
He'd be better off to just get out from under.
Which brings us right back to where we started.
Right, well, the tax payment
is due Tuesday, and Myers can't pay it.
Like he ain't been able to pay the last eight quarters.
Council can't carry him any longer.
Oh, he's gonna have to be evicted.
Now why fight it, Andy?
You're just wasting your sympathies.
I don't know.
Frank's a nice old fella
and he's had a tough string o' luck.
He's had a tough string for the last 25 years.
I say we gotta stop mollycoddlin' this man.
It's time we got Frank outta there
and tore down that place.
It's an eyesore.
It's the first place people see
when you drive in from the north.
The minute they see that house
everybody wants to hightail through mayberry
as fast as they can.
The mayor's right.
That place is mayberry's shame.
Frank has got to go.
Now, go and serve that notice
and let's be done with it.
Well...
All right.
I'll tell ya somethin', though...
This is one part of sheriffin' I can do without.
Who is it?
It's me, Frank... Andy Taylor.
Well, howdy, Andy.
How are you, Frank?
Nice to see you.
Come on in.
You don't come around to see me often enough.
Well, I been busy, Frank.
Well, sit down, Andy.
Sit down.
I believe I'll stand.
Oh, get off of there, Hazel.
Hazel, get off of the couch.
Go on. Now go on.
You get your own chair.
Well, what's up, Andy?
You know what's up, Frank.
I y...
Oh, yes.
Oh, I forgot that.
The eviction notice, huh?
You forgot.
Frank, ain't there somethin'
you could raise money on?
Oh, well, business has been so bad lately, Andy.
Did you ever think o' changin' your business?
Well, well, now, why would I wanna do that?
W-Well, makin' berries for women's hats
just ain't a hot industry right now.
No, but, Andy
with... with women's styles changin' every year
ooh, you never know.
If berries was to come back in again
I'd be sittin' pretty.
That's... You know why?
Mm-mm.
I got a backlog.
Come here. I'll show you.
Look.
This is only one of 50 boxes, Andy.
See? I got all kinds of berries
any kind I want.
I got, uh, I got loganberry, an-and strawberry
and... and BlackBerry I know some...
And blueberry, and huckleberry somewhere.
Yeah, well...
I-I can see where you'll be set, all right
but till that time, Frank
I'm afraid you can't stay here.
Well, I guess I better get on back to the office.
I, uh... I sure hate to do this, Frank,
knowin' you all these years
and having to be the one
to put you out of your house.
Uh, there, there, Andy.
You're just doin' your job.
I'll get out tomorrow.
You see, it's my problem
and I just gotta work it out myself.
And, uh, Andy...
I'm sure glad it was you that served notice.
Kind of made it easier.
Oh, I can imagine how you felt, Andy.
I can't think of anything more unpleasant
than having to evict anybody
especially poor Frank Myers.
Yeah.
Pa, what's evicting?
Hmm?
What's evicting?
Oh, that means turnin' somebody outta their house.
I tried to get the council to stall, but...
Why?
Hmm? Oh...
Well, for not payin' their taxes.
The law says if you don't pay your taxes
well, you got to go.
That mayor and that council
they sure are set in their ways.
Where?
Oh, you... where?
Sure. If you move outta your house
where do you move to?
Oh, you move to another house.
That mayor, he gets somethin' under his bonnet
and you can't budge him.
Oh, then Mr. Myers has another house to move to?
No. Not exactly.
Then where's he gonna move to?
Well, he'll move in with somebody
who's got room for him.
Like us?
Well, no, not us.
Why not?
We got an extra room.
Well, now, Opie, that extra room
is for a relative who might come to visit us
or a friend.
Mr. Myers is a friend.
He's always been real nice to me.
Well, you see, Opie...
If you're the one tellin' him to move
you ought to be the one to give him a place to move to.
Well, now, I'm not sure Frank would want to move in with us.
Why not ask him?
Well, you see, son...
Well, now, Opie, you just don't understand.
You can't ask people to come and live with you.
Yeah, uh... That's right, ope.
Uh...
Well, people can't...
Um...
What do you think, aunt bee?
Well, it's all right with me if it's all right with you.
We can at least put him up
until he can find a permanent place to stay.
Well, sure. Why not?
I'll tell him first thing in the mornin'.
Opie, you know
sometimes you're a pretty outstandin' young fella?
We've had real good luck fishin' that stump over there.
I always do my fishin' south side.
Hi, pa. Hi, Mr. Myers.
Hi, ope. Take the box there.
Hey, aunt bee.
Frank, it's so good to see you.
Come on over and sit down.
We've got everything ready.
It's sure nice of you to take me in.
I'll get us some coffee.
Have off your sweater, Frank, here in the house.
Yeah, yeah.
Here, put the box there and get it out your way.
What's that, Mr. Myers?
What?
That.
Oh, that's my strongbox, Opie.
Where I keep my valuables.
You mean like a treasure chest?
Well, yeah, yeah, you might say that.
If you got some valuables in there
maybe there's somethin' you could sell
to raise some money on.
Sell my valuables?
N-No. I'd hate to do that, Andy
unless it was a real big emergency.
Well, Frank, you've just been thrown outta your house.
I'd call that an emergency.
Well...
Yeah, you got a point there.
Well, maybe there is somethin' I could part with.
Yeah, let's, let's see what's in there.
Well...
Yeah. Uh-huh. What's
oh, I wouldn't wanna give that up.
You know what that is?
A medallion
from the St. Louis world's fair of 1906.
That's real brass, that is.
Yeah, well, Frank
this is one o' them irreplaceable items
that you really ought not to give up.
You're right 100%.
What's this spoon with the funny handle?
Oh, that? Oh...
That might bring somethin'.
Look at the carvin' on it.
You know what it is, Andy?
No.
That is the skyline
of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
My grandma left it to me.
Yeah. Well, what else you got in there, Frank?
Well, let me see.
Oh... A napkin ring...
Genuine whalebone
and, uh, oh, look.
Look at this. Buttonhook.
Used for boots with buttons on them.
You wouldn't remember that.
No.
Oh, they had 'em.
Yeah.
Let me see what else I got here.
Oh...
Red, white and blue sleeve guard.
I used to wear it on the fourth of July.
Well, I don't know, Frank.
These are all fine items
but they got such sentimental value
that, well, maybe you ought not to try to sell 'em.
They, uh...
Ain't worth a diddly boo?
What's this thing with all the funny writin' on it?
Oh, now, there is a real sentimental relic.
Did I ever show you this, Andy?
No.
It's a bond issued by the town of mayberry
back in 1861.
A hundred years old.
Yeah, and my great-granddaddy bought it.
Yeah, I used to have it in a frame
but the glass broke a couple of years ago
but, oh, one of these days, I'll hang it up again.
Well, why don't you cash it?
Oh, I reckon the time for cashin' it in
is just long past.
Well, it just says it's, it's redeemable
at a hundred dollars plus 8 1/2 percent interest
and I don't see any deadline date.
Then, uh, maybe, maybe I could cash it in...
Get me a whole hundred dollars?
Sure, plus 8h percent interest.
Wait a minute...
A hundred dollars at 8 1/2 percent interest
compounded annually over the last hundred years?
Sarah? Get me, get me Harlan Fergus
over at the bank, right away.
Wait a minute. I don't know why
this special meeting was called.
Sheriff Taylor insisted...
Howdy, gentlemen. Howdy, mayor.
Well, Andy... what's this man doin' here?
Oh, Frank?
Oh, he's the subject of this meetin'.
We already passed on his case.
The matter's closed.
You did evict him, didn't you?
Oh, yeah, yeah, I did do that.
There's nothin' more to talk about.
Andy, we're busy men.
We don't have time to discuss Frank Myers.
I think we're gonna have to find time
to discuss Frank Myers.
A lot of time.
What?
Mayor, you see this right here?
Yeah.
That's a bond issued by the city of mayberry
back in 1861.
So, what about it?
Well, i-it's in the amount of a hundred dollars.
It's owned by Frank Myers and it's due and payable
upon presentation by the owner, and Frank's presentin' it.
So what is it? It's $100.
You're the town treasurer, Harlan.
Go on and pay it. Don't bother us about it.
I can't.
Why can't ya?
You see, this is a bond that pays
eight and one-half percent interest...
Yeah?
Compounded annually...
Yeah?
For over 100 years.
Well, come on... Come to the point, man!
Andy...
Well, mayor
the point is
accordin' to the computation machines...
Down at the bank
and they're good machines...
We, that is the town of mayberry...
We owe Frank Myers...
$349,119.27.
Over a quarter of a million dollars!
I'll take it in cash.
Frank, be reasonable.
Reasonable? Oh, sure. Why not?
Now, what's more reasonable
than a man with a bond decidin' to cash it?
That's reasonable.
Frank, I'm sure we'll be able to work out
a nice, friendly settlement.
We can?
Of course we can.
After all, we're old friends, Frank, you and me, right?
Right. Oh, I'll never forget you, mayor.
You're the old friend who threw me out of my house.
You can get back in it now, Frank.
And we're willing
to forget all about those past-due taxes.
And Harlan here will find some kind of an adjustment
for that mortgage.
Well, I'd like to settle my taxes
and get the mortgage paid off and all.
You would?
Oh, sure, sure, and I'll do it
just as soon as I cash my bond.
Then I'll pay off everything.
But who's going to cash that bond?
No, not me.
It's got to come from the town treasury
and we only got a little over $10,000.
Don't you go apologizin', Harlan.
That'll make a very nice down payment.
Come, gentlemen.
Obviously, there's nothing further to discuss.
Uh...
It's all your fault!
If you hadn't turned that man out,
that bond might never come to light,
at least not during my term of office.
Yeah, I guess you're right, mayor.
But I didn't give the order for eviction.
As I recall, that order was given by you.
Oh, let's not hash over ancient history!
Never mind who gave the order.
The point is, what are we going to do about it now?
Harlan, what do you say?
It's obvious that none of us
can get anywhere with Frank.
Except you, Andy.
He likes you.
Maybe you can make a deal with him.
What kind of deal?
Something realistic. Something within reason.
Offer him 25 a month over the years.
You're gonna pay off
a quarter of a million dollars
at 25 a month?!
It's the only thing we can do, Andy.
Anything to keep him out of our hair.
Well, I'll try.
You know a funny thing?
Just a few days ago, we was ready to give Frank the boot.
And now, for all we know,
he may be giving the town 24 hours to get out.
Who is it?
It's me, Frank... Andy Taylor.
Oh, come on in.
The door's open.
Howdy, Frank.
Hi, Andy.
Sit down.
Oh, Hazel
how many times have I gotta tell you
to get off of places?
Go on. Shoo. Shoo.
Sit down, Andy.
I'll get you a cup of coffee.
No, thank you.
No?
I was just lookin' over this mail-order catalog.
Oh? Thinkin' of orderin' some things, are ya?
Oh, I just ain't thinkin', Andy.
I'm orderin'.
I ordered an air-conditioner, a new stove, a color TV set
and... oh...
I ordered a stereo phonograph.
Plays music all over the house.
Frank, you ain't gonna be able to pay for all them things.
Oh, but I will when I cash my bond.
That's just it. The town can't pay.
Huh?
I was delegated to tell you.
Andy...
I can't cash my bond?
Frank, mayberry just ain't got the money.
The town couldn't pay if it wanted to.
I just wanted to buy them things to improve the place
you know, so the whole town wouldn't be ashamed of it.
I know I always say
that it don't matter what people say, but...
It sure ain't fun being known as the fella
with the worst house in town.
Well, Frank...
Maybe you don't have to be known
as the fella with the worst house in town.
Maybe something can be done about that.
Look at it.
Oh, look at that.
Hiya, Frank. How's she look?
How do you like it, Frank?
Well...
"Frank Myers." Got my name.
Yeah, watch it open and close.
Sheriff, sure is fancy.
Ain't it, though?
Come over here and see the rest of it.
Hi.
Well, lookit there.
What do you think of this, Frank?
Well, how ya like her, Frank?
Don't look like the same place.
Oh, it's really beautiful.
Oh, that's a nice job, mayor.
Well, I kinda think so myself, Andy.
But you know something?
I painted three windows
and Harlan only painted two of them.
Wait a minute.
I know what you did.
Well, now, that's not surprisin'
considerin' you've always been known
as the kind of a man
that spreads it on a lot more than anybody else.
Thanks, Andy. I appreciate what...
You insinuatin' something?
Oh, no, no, no.
It's just that you've worked real hard
and I'm sure Frank appreciates it.
You bet, Andy.
I sure do appreciate it.
And thank you, Mr. Mayor.
Well, you're welcome.
Well, let's get these brushes cleaned up.
Let's finish up and clean up here now.
Don't forget, I got a town to run.
Mr. Mayor...
Yeah, what is it?
If you've any leftover paint
maybe I could borrow your brush
to touch up the frame
of my great-great-granddaddy's portrait.
It shows him shaking hands with general Lee.
Yeah, but be sure and clean it.
Oh, sure.
Hey, just a minute.
Did you say your ancestor posed
with general Robert e. Lee?
Well, certainly.
Who else would a southerner pose with?
And it was the same great-great-grandfather
who bought this bond back in those days?
He's the one.
Well, in that case, gentlemen
the town of mayberry doesn't owe this man a penny.
Wait a minute. What do you mean?
Well, don't you see?
Oh, we was so blind not to realize it before.
At the time this bond was bought
mayberry was in the confederacy.
Which means that that bond was bought
with confederate money.
It can only be paid back in confederate money.
Which means it's worthless.
Now, wait a minute.
Don't look at me like that.
It wasn't my idea.
Well, it looks like we're back right where we were at first.
In other words, Myers
you owe those back taxes
and you're borrowed up to the hilt
like you always were.
In short, sheriff, evict this man.
Yeah, that's right. Evict him.
Just a minute.
Now, everythin' ain't quite like it was.
What do you mean?
You was all willin' to help out a neighbor.
Now you're turnin' on him like wolves.
Andy, the fact is...
You've just done something nice for a fella townsman.
Why not let it go at that?
And besides that
you've turned Frank's house here
into a showplace.
Why, a newcomer drives by
spots Frank's house...
He's got to say to his self, "my, what a charmin' town.
I got to spend some time in a place like this."
Banker Fergus, wouldn't you consider it good business
to loan money on a valuable landmark
like Frank's house here and keep it going?
Why, I, I...
Frank, stop by the bank in the morning to see Harlan.
But I didn't say...
Mayor, you wouldn't want to evict the owner
of the garden spot of mayberry
and let it get run
well, I...
Fine. Then everything's settled.
Frank's got enough money to pay off all his debts
and mayberry has got itself a spankin' new house
to be proud of.
Pardon me.
Is there by any chance a motel
in this charming town?
See? Frank's place is paying off already.
Yes, sir.
Straight down the street there
about six blocks.
Thank you.
Oh, by the way
did you decide to stop here
because of the impression created by this showplace?
Well, i-it... it doesn't make any difference.
We're always glad to have visitors.
So whatever your reason for stoppin'
welcome to mayberry.
Mayberry? We thought this was elm city.
Now, Frank, we got to show this to mayor.
He'll be pleased. Show me? Show me what?
Frank Myers is the most modest man I have ever seen,
keeping things to his self the way he does.
What is it? What's this all about?
Mayor, you talk about Frank's house being a showplace.
Do you know what he's got in his possession?
No. A letter from the president.
What? That's right.
It's... it's an answer to an invitation
to come and visit in mayberry.
No, no, really? That's right.
Now, come on, Frank. Let's see the letter.
No, we've got to show it to the mayor.
Look, look. Now, listen to this.
Says... says, "dear, Mr. Myers.
"Thank you so much for your kind invitation
to come and visit with you in mayberry."
Huh? Well.
"As you may well understand,
"current critical events have been keeping me
"close to my office, however, I may be down your way
"before too long, and perhaps I shall be able
to stop for at least a brief visit."
How about that?
Well, I'll be. And signed by the president?
Yeah, look right here.
"Sincerely, Jefferson Davis,
president, confederate states of America."
See, Frank, I told you. I told you he'll be interested.