Opie's Hobo Friend (TAGS Episode)

Episode Info

Opie's Hobo Friend

• S2.E6
• Filmed: 40
• Aired: 38
• Original Air Date: 1961/11/13
• Writer(s): Harvey Bullock
• Director: Bob Sweeney

Plot Summary

Opie becomes fascinated with David Browne, a vagrant hobo who uses his wits to live on the edge of the law. After realizing his son has taken a liking to the wily wanderer, Andy tries to find David some honest work. Andy's plan goes sour when Opie, at Dave's encouragement, is caught playing hooky. Andy then has a long talk with the hobo. Dave sees his side and arranges to get himself arrested in order to show Opie that he was not the man Opie thought him to be.

Summary

In *The Andy Griffith Show* episode "Opie's Hobo Friend" (Season 2, Episode 6, originally aired November 13, 1961), the story unfolds in the idyllic town of Mayberry, weaving themes of childhood admiration, parental guidance, and the allure of a carefree lifestyle. The episode centers on Sheriff Andy Taylor, his young son Opie, Deputy Barney Fife, and a charismatic drifter named David Browne, whose presence challenges Andy’s efforts to steer Opie toward responsibility.

The episode opens with Andy (Andy Griffith) and Opie (Ron Howard) heading out for a morning fishing trip at a local lake. As they set up by the water, they briefly encounter a stranger, later revealed as David Browne (Buddy Ebsen), a lanky, easygoing man with a knack for charming conversation. Unbeknownst to Andy and Opie, Browne helps himself to a bag of sandwiches left in Andy’s squad car, strolling off without a hint of guilt, establishing his nonchalant, opportunistic nature.

Back in town, Andy returns to the courthouse to find Barney (Don Knotts) in a tizzy, having arrested Browne for vagrancy and loitering. Barney, ever suspicious, pegs Browne as a hobo scamming Mayberry for free meals, despite no concrete evidence of wrongdoing. Andy, recognizing Browne from the lake, takes a more measured approach. Browne introduces himself and admits he’s penniless, with no job or fixed address. Rather than lock him up, Andy offers Browne a chance to earn his keep by trimming the hedges around the Taylor home, a decision that irks Barney, who distrusts the drifter’s intentions. Browne agrees with a grin, seemingly content with the arrangement.

The next morning, Browne is lounging on Andy’s front porch with Opie, hedge shears in hand, but work is far from his mind. In a whimsical monologue, Browne muses that fish are meant to be caught and eaten, framing fishing as a noble human responsibility. Dropping the shears, he heads to the lake, and Opie, captivated by Browne’s logic and charm, hides his schoolbooks under a bush and tags along, skipping school. This moment highlights Browne’s influence on Opie, who sees the drifter’s life as an exciting escape from routine.

Later, Barney catches Opie sneaking into the courthouse to grab a fishing pole, confirming his fears about Browne’s impact. He confronts Andy, insisting the drifter is corrupting Opie. Andy, reluctant to judge Browne harshly, downplays the concern but grows uneasy when he learns Opie has been spending more time with him. The tipping point comes when Andy discovers Opie shared lunch with Browne—a chicken Browne “acquired” without explanation. Opie’s admiration for Browne deepens, as he marvels at how the drifter lives well—fishing, relaxing, and eating heartily—without apparent effort or means.

Andy realizes Opie is idealizing Browne’s vagabond existence, mistaking its surface freedom for a viable way of life. Instead of letting Barney arrest Browne, Andy seeks him out for a heart-to-heart. In a poignant exchange, Browne challenges Andy, asking why he doesn’t let Opie choose his own path. Andy responds that children are drawn to shiny distractions, like Browne’s lifestyle, without understanding its hardships. He firmly tells Browne he’s no longer fit company for Opie, emphasizing his duty to guide his son. Browne hints that the issue might resolve itself, but Andy laments, “No, Mr. Browne. That boy thinks just about everything you do is perfect. So my problem is just beginning,” foreshadowing the emotional work ahead.

The climax arrives when Barney hauls Browne into the courthouse, accusing him of stealing Aunt Bee’s pocketbook. Opie, present at the scene, is crushed to learn Browne allegedly stole from his beloved aunt. Heartbroken, he returns a handmade fish lure Browne had given him—a symbol of their bond—and walks out, visibly shaken. Alone with Browne, Andy reveals he knows the truth: the purse was one Aunt Bee had thrown out, suggesting Browne orchestrated the incident to shatter Opie’s illusions. As a train whistle echoes in the distance, Andy opens the cell door and urges Browne to leave Mayberry for good. When Andy tries to thank him for setting things right, Browne deflects with a sly, “Like you said, sheriff, I got a train to catch,” and saunters off, his enigmatic smile leaving his true motives ambiguous.

The episode closes on a bittersweet note. Browne’s departure frees Opie from his influence, but Andy faces the challenge of helping his son process the disappointment. The story balances humor and heart, using Browne’s roguish charm to explore the tension between childhood wonder and parental responsibility, a hallmark of the show’s gentle wisdom.

This detailed recounting captures the episode’s key moments, character dynamics, and underlying themes, staying true to its narrative arc and emotional resonance.

Odd Facts Known by Few

• The following year, Buddy Ebsen would star in The Beverly Hillbillies (1962) as 'Jed Clampett,' a character not far removed from 'David Browne.'

• Opie never takes the first gumball from David's hand. When David drops a second gumball into Opie's hand, it's into an empty hand, and Opie, without reaching for anything, has a big wad in his cheek.

• The Acorn and Oak gumball machines shown here cannot dispense a gumball without the handle turning. The gumball machines use a rotating plate to capture and then dispense the gum. Although Mr Browne is shown using a wire to "jimmy" the machine, this is not possible as the machines are sealed and there is nothing to jimmy that would facilitate moving the gumball into the dispensing location.

• When Andy puts the key in the lock of the cell door to let David Browne out of jail, he opens the door without turning the key.

• The scenes from inside the courthouse have the "cut out" Mayberry patrol car sitting outside the courthouse doors when they bring in Mr.Browne.

• In one scene, when Opie is seen looking down after hearing that Mr. Browne stole Aunt Bee's purse, the bottom of the backdrop can be seen outside of the courthouse door.

• When Opie asks Mr. Browne if he really stole it as Mr. Browne is standing in jail, the camera comes in close on Opie. Opie walks a few steps, turns around and hangs the fishing lure on the cell door. The exact same close up shot of Opie is used a second time.

• When Andy and Dave are talking in the sheriff's office near the end of the show, a train whistle is heard in the distance. In the U.S., by 1960 steam locomotives had been replaced by diesel engines, which had horns instead of whistles. So the sound they heard should have been a horn, not a whistle.

• Actor Buddy Ebsen was originally cast as the Tin Man in 1939's The Wizard of Oz. Buddy was hospitalized as a result of inhaling aluminum powder used as part of his make-up. One chorus of "We're Off to See the Wizard" in the movie and soundtrack album retain Ebsen's original vocals as the Tin Man, recorded before he was forced to leave the production. Because of the prolonged hospitalization, he was replaced by Jack Haley (whose reformulated make-up used pre-mixed aluminium dust), and Ebsen's scenes were re-shot using Haley. Footage of Ebsen as the Tin Man still exists, and was included as an extra with the U.S. 50th anniversary video release of The Wizard of Oz. In the 1930s, Disney animators filmed him dancing in front of a grid to "choreograph" Mickey Mouse's dance steps for the Silly Symphony cartoons.

• The character of David Browne tapped into the romanticized image of hobos prevalent in mid-20th-century America, a nod to the Great Depression era when transient wanderers were common.

Quotes

Dave Browne: Who's to say that the boy would be happier your way or mine? Why not let him decide?"

Andy: You can't let a young 'un decide for himself. He'll grab at the first flashy thing with shiny ribbons on it, then when he finds out there's a hook in it, it's too late.

Character List

• Andy Griffith - Andy Taylor
• Don Knotts - Barney Fife
• Ronny Howard - Opie Taylor
• Frances Bavier - Aunt Bee Taylor
• Buddy Ebsen - David Browne