Aunt Bee's Romance

Doesn't speak too highly of Aunt Bee's taste socializing in her youth with a con man like Roger Hanover (Wallace Ford). Great creepy performance by Wallace Ford. Can't think of anybody possibly playing the part any better.

The mental chess game between Andy and Roger was very interesting. Always liked the lines (the lamp wire), "these things are tricky, either you have it, or you don't... people come around for miles to just to hear me talk about pottin' petunias,."

Great scene Roger setting Andy up for a cash pay off to leave. Then, Andy playing it cool. Boiling on the inside, but visibly emotionless. Surprised Andy didn't look up Roger's criminal background. He had to have a bad feeling about him early. Also when Roger joke punched Opie in the nose odd Andy & Bee were silent about it.

Somtimes a character is so annoying and devoid of any redeeming qualities, that it makes it hard to sit through the entire episode. That's the case with me and the character of Roger Hanover, and old friend (beau?) of Aunt Bee's who has come to Mayberry to visit. In the first place, it hard to believe that Aunt Bee would ever have anything to do with this guy or tolerate his endless nonsense. Credit actor Wallace Ford for bringing out the worst in this character and making you despise him almost immediately. From the first time he pulls back his hand before Andy can shake it, we know he is going to be irritating. It starts out with bad jokes/pranks and turns into condescending behavior towards Andy "(Here Boy, let me show you how to do it") when he's trying to repair a lamp. The funniest line in the whole episode belongs to Opie after he asks his Pa if he likes Mr. Hanover. Of course Andy's response is very diplomatic as he tries to tell his son to see the good in people and to understand that because he is Aunt Bee's friend they should be forgiving. Opie's response to that is "I don't like him either". A funny line in an episode that contains more drama than comedy. It's not a bad episode, but it does follow a trend in the uneven fifth season of the series that foreshadows the inconsistency of the next three seasons of "color" episodes.,

Once again some shyster shows up, putting the moves on Aunt Bea. He is an insufferable character who can't take any conversation seriously. He is also up to something. Fortunately, Andy immediately smells a rat. He doesn't seem to have any money and asks for small amounts. But even Opie has concerns.

The episode really never lets on that Andy gave him the $400. Are we to assume the old guy was just looking for a hand-out?

British actor Wallace Ford does a fine job as a scallywag from Aunt Bee's school days; coming to Mayberry to see her and possibly reignite a spark that (both of them?) perceived from the old days. He's actually not a very likeable guy; and some of the best scenes involve Andy trying to defend him to Opie, until they both realize that neither one of them really likes him. But this is, after all, a story about a possibly unfulfilled Aunt Bee. It will not please those who want more laughs from the episodes featuring the wonderfully imperceptive Barney. But the bottom line is that The Andy Griffith Show tackles it all. This episode is a believable and very well written show about human beings and universal feelings, and is a good example of why "The Andy Griffith Show" will remain in TV history as an important achievement.