Christmas Story, The (TAGS Episode)

Episode Info

The Christmas Story

• S1.E11
• Filmed: 11
• Aired: 11
• Original Air Date: 1960/12/19
• Writer(s): David Adler
• Director: Bob Sweeney

Plot Summary

Andy and Barney keep the spirit of Christmas alive for Sam Muggins and his family after the town Scrooge, Ben Weaver, demands Andy keep Muggins incarcerated for running a still. After being accidentally inoculated with a little of the courthouse's Christmas spirit, Weaver comes around and manages to get himself arrested so he can bring gifts for all.

Plot

On the eve of Christmas, Ben Weaver insists Andy jail moonshiner Sam Muggins. Weaver brought along a jug of moonshine as evidence of Sam's law breaking ways. Andy complies with Ben's request to jail Sam but feels it's only fair that Sam's wife, Bess, and his two young children be incarcerated as well since they all had knowledge of Sam's moonshining.

With the entire Muggins family in jail, Andy, Barney, Aunt Bee, Ellie, and Opie all come to the Courthouse, prepare a Christmas feast with all the trimmings, and decorate a Christmas tree.

Peeping through the window, Ben Weaver is touched by the Christmas spirit and tries to get himself arrested in order to be included in the holiday festivities. Ben has several unsuccessful attempts to be arrested Andy eventually arrests him after he falls off a crate in the alley while watching Barney come into the Courthouse dressed as Santa Claus.

Before taking Ben to jail, Andy allows him to go back to his store where he picks up a suitcase. When they arrive at the courthouse, we learn that Ben's suitcase is full of gifts from his store. Ben is welcomed and given food, drink, and fellowship just as the season encourages. Ben falls asleep in one of the jail cells after finishing the jug of Sam's moonshine. Sam and family are released due to lack of evidence.

Odd Facts Known by Few

• This is the only holiday episode of The Andy Griffith Show.

• This is the first appearance of the "Ben Weaver" character.

• Ben Weaver is said to be the richest man in town.

• Ben Weaver says that he sells "spirits" in his store, but Mayberry is dry.

• Sam Edwards, Margaret Kerry, and Joy Ellison play the Scoby family in a later episode of season one, Andy Forecloses (S1.E28).

• This is the first character played by Joy Ellison, who plays five characters in five episodes.

• When Ben Weaver is in the alley, he tries to peek into the courthouse by standing on a crate. Just as he pulls himself up using the bars on the window, you can see the entire wall move a little.

• This is the only Christmas-themed episode in the entire run of the series.

• Margaret Kerry is the live action model for Tinker Bell from the Disney Studio's animated film "Peter Pan".

• Andy is constantly arresting citizens of Mayberry for moonshining, and in "Alcohol and Old Lace" he explicitly states that Mayberry County is "dry." But in this episode, Ben Weaver hauls Sam Muggins in for making homebrew with the complaint that it siphons off profits from his store, because he sells liquor.

• In the alley behind the courthouse is seen a banner reading "Circus" and a poster announcing "Harness Racing at the Fairgrounds Every Saturday".

• The tag number on Ben Weaver's car is BTV 663

• Notice the Christmas cards being opened by Andy and Barney, in particular the card Andy opens featuring a snowman holding boxes of presents. The card seems to shift around during the scene. After Andy has it, Barney opens the same card from Hilda Mae. However, on the next shot, Hilda Mae's card has changed and Andy again has the snowman card.

• The card Andy and Barney receive from the Hubacher Brothers features a photo (with Elmer in the middle) and the words, "Greetings from State Prison". In a slight blooper, when Andy reads the card aloud he is heard to say, "Merry Christmas from State Prison".

• This episode reported by Elinor Donohue to be her favorite.

Notes

• In the cell, during the "Away in a Manger" sing-a-long, when the camera pans up to Ben, the initials "R S" can be seen. This was done by Reggie Smith, the show's prop master.

• Actor Will Wright makes his first of three appearances here as stubborn old Ben Weaver. Previously, Wright had appeared as Mr. Johnson in "The Danny Thomas Show" episode "Danny Meets Andy Griffith", the pilot episode for "The Andy Griffith Show."

Character List

• Andy Griffith - Andy Taylor
• Ronny Howard - Opie Taylor
• Don Knotts - Barney Fife
• Frances Bavier - Aunt Bee Taylor
• Elinor Donahue - Ellie Walker
• Will Wright - Ben Weaver
• Sam Edwards - Sam Muggins
• Margaret Kerry - Bess Muggins
• Joy Ellison - Effie Muggins
• Kelly Flynn - Billy Muggins