Strange and Curious Happenings

The following are events or activities that happen in Mayberry that are not as they should be. They are pointed out not in an attempt to tear apart "our home town" but because we love the show so much that we have studied each episode and have become "trained noticers."

Runaway Kid

Runaway Kid - Episode #6 (aired)

When Andy is talking to George about leaving for Texas, Andy is laying on the couch looking toward George who has the kitchen door wall behind him. Suddenly the double doors from the other side of the room are behind George when he says, "It ain't?" (time 18:33) then there's a cut and George is back where he should be. George then walks behind the couch around past the fireplace and then where the double doors are behind him from Andy's view. Andy "Too bad that ain't cowboy rations" and THEN Tex says, "It ain't?" (time 19:49) exactly the same as he had said in the shot just about one minute before. The first occurrence is also a "reversed" image of the second shot.

(The times are from the season one DVD.)

The Bookie Barber

The Bookie Barber - Episode #60 (aired)

Tom Jacobs is seen on the bench when Andy & Barney get out of the car (time 9:13 to 9:26) but the next shot, six seconds later, in front of the courthouse (time 9:32) he is gone. ²

When Barney dresses up like a woman, he has on one dress as he steps outside the door to the courthouse (time 17:53) and another on the streets of Mayberry (time 18:14). Notice the pattern of the dresses. The first has small light color pattern on a dark background and the second has a much more busy light color pattern on a dark, but lighter than the first, background. The second dress is seen in all future scenes in which Barney is dressed as a woman.²

Lawman Barney

Lawman Barney - Episode #70 (aired)

In this episode, both Barney (time 0:52) and later Andy (time 6:10) arrive to speak with the truck farmers and ask them to leave. In both cases, the Mayberry squad car is parked by it's driver (Barney then Andy) at an angle to the road but when they get out of the car it is parked parallel to the road.

After speaking with the truck farmers, Andy returns to the courthouse. As he enters the courthouse door you can see the squad car through the open door (time 10:20). Take careful note and you will see that it is not a "real" car but is a flat, possibly wooden, painted version of the squad car.

When Barney goes back to confront the truck farmers (time 11:53) the car is parked again at an angle then straightens. If you look very closely in the scene behind the two farmers who are watching Barney from behind their truck you will see a building in the far background. In front of that building you will see a man (time 12:10 it begins and repeats several times before time 12:31) who appears to be working with something on the ground.

(Times are from the season three DVD.)

Citizen's Arrest

Citizen's Arrest - Episode #106 (aired)

When Barney pulls Gomer over for making an illegal u-turn and gets out of the squad car (time 4:11), the light on the car is turned off. The long conversation with Gomer about u-turns goes along with the crowd watching until Barney finishes lecturing Gomer and returns to the squad car (time 6:40) and we see that the beacon is on.

(Times are from the season four DVD.)