Don Knotts particularly loved “The Pickle Story,” which is an episode many fans cite as their favorite. In it, Aunt Bee makes a huge batch of disgusting that Andy and Barney eventually must consume. The episode is chock full of laugh-out-loud moments, and it’s quite clear the actors were having a blast filming it.
It was composed by Earle Hagen and Herbert Spencer. That’s Earle you hear whistling the song himself on the show’s opening and closing credits. Everett Sloane composed the lyrics to the song, which were never used on the series. Andy Griffith actually made a record of the words to the song. You can hear it on YouTube.
In various episodes, Barney’s middle name is given as Milton, Oliver, and once as the initial “P.” (Andy’s middle name is not, however, nebulous and is Jackson.
One of the most memorable aspects of “The Andy Griffith Show” is its opening credits sequence, with the whistley tune and long shot of Andy and little Opie on their way to fish.
Take a good look next time you see the calendar in Floyd’s barber shop. It’s always on the month of February.
