Hot Rod Otis (TAGS Episode)

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Episode Info

Hot Rod Otis

  • Filmed: 115
  • Aired: 114
  • Original Air Date: 1964/02/17
  • Writer(s): Harvey Bullock
  • Director: Earl Bellamy

Plot Summary

Otis saves up to buy a used car and becomes the object of a full-time surveillance by a worried Barney. After catching Otis leaving a party drunk, the sheriff and deputy play a trick on Otis in order to convince him to give up the car. It works, but it wasn't necessary. When Otis wakes up, he reveals that he had already sold it.

Odd Facts Known by Few

  • Only episode to feature just 3 characters. The only other actors to appear were 4 extras, who appeared onscreen for a matter of seconds.
  • Look closely - you will notice that Otis's house is the same house where the wild party takes place later in the episode (notice the "X" shaped railings on the front porch).
  • If you look even closer you'll notice that this house is one house down the street, toward town, from the Taylor house. All outdoor scenes were filmed at the 40 Acres backlot.
  • The car Otis purchases is a 1933 Ford Model 40 Cabriolet
  • Barney sings on key in this episode. Barney sings harmonic counterpoint to the melody, which is quite difficult, and takes some training or practice. Barney sings horribly off-key in "Barney and the Choir" but Don Knotts could actually sing quite well.
  • When Andy goes to Otis' cell to bring him a cup of water, he retrieves the cell keys from the wall between the cells where they are usually kept, opens the cell door, and leaves the keys in the door. After giving Otis the water, he shuts the cell door, leaving the keys in the door. He then returns to the back office. Otis calls Andy again, this time implying a request for Andy to quote him 'Jack and the Beanstalk', Andy walks from the back office to the cell door, and again reaches up to the place on the wall where the keys are usually kept, opening the cell door with them.

Character List

  • Andy Griffith - Andy Taylor
  • Don Knotts - Barney Fife
  • Hal Smith - Otis Campbell