The Andy Griffith Show Episode 66: Mr. McBeevee

Originally Aired on Oct 1, 1962.   Average User Rating: 9.9 out of 10  (13378 entries).

Opie weaves the fabulous tale of Mr. McBeevee, a man who walks in the treetops, wears a silver hat, has twelve extra hands, blows smoke from his ears, and jingles when he walks as if he had rings on his fingers and bells on his toes. But other than those few quirks, Mr. McBeevee is normal. Andy and Barney laugh it off, but when Opie brings back a quarter he claims was given to him by his friend, Andy is forced to call the stories to a halt. Faced with the threat of a spanking, Opie is still unable to betray the existence of Mr. McBeevee. Andy may have to accept the unacceptable in the face of Opie's insistence. Later, when out for a walk, Andy happens past the very same tree Mr. McBeevee, a telephone linesman, is working in. Andy gets his own introduction to the man who walks in the trees and Opie is vindicated.

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comment about 'Mr. McBeevee' posted 11/3/2006 11:51:41 AM PST:

"This is my favorite episode of all time, from this series as well as all of television. "Man In A Hurry" is a close second, "Opie the Birdman" a close 3rd. While it's one of the few episodes that displays Andy smoking (which was common on TV and in real life then), the rest of the episode is a gem. Andy lets Opie run free with his childhood fantasies until he shows up with someone's possessions in what Andy sees as a less than credible explanation. At that point he steps in and tries to get Opie to cross back into reality, not knowing that his poor attempts to explain something new are the only issue. Thinking there is something in Opie's character that requires correcting, he at first gives him chances to explain and back down, then finally feels he has to resort to a spanking. But then he looks more closely at Opie's expression and his sincerity, and decides to trust him with the same blind faith that he asks of Opie. Ron Howard's acting goes far beyond the talent of typical childhood actors. Watch and see his lower lip and chin tremble as he asks, "Don't you believe me, Pa?" This strikes a chord with me, as my older brother would often tease me and provoke fights, always the instigator, and we would both be punished equally. The worst of it is that my father would not listen, would only say, "I don't care what started it, it's going to end right now!" I felt so wronged that my father would not listen to my explanation and understand why I reacted the way I did. In this episode Andy gives Opie that understanding and faith and it pays off when Andy finally meets Mr. McBeevee. This series is clearly the best that TV has ever seen, bar none. It has comedy, drama, tragedy, romance all demonstrated in the most believable depiction that anyone could create. It demonstrates all of life's wisdom and is my moral and emotional guide as a new father." - Bob Lincoln from Taunton, MA

comment about 'Mr. McBeevee' posted 11/3/2006 11:51:32 AM PST:

"This is my favorite episode of all time, from this series as well as all of television. "Man In A Hurry" is a close second, "Opie the Birdman" a close 3rd. While it's one of the few episodes that displays Andy smoking (which was common on TV and in real life then), the rest of the episode is a gem. Andy lets Opie run free with his childhood fantasies until he shows up with someone's possessions in what Andy sees as a less than credible explanation. At that point he steps in and tries to get Opie to cross back into reality, not knowing that his poor attempts to explain something new are the only issue. Thinking there is something in Opie's character that requires correcting, he at first gives him chances to explain and back down, then finally feels he has to resort to a spanking. But then he looks more closely at Opie's expression and his sincerity, and decides to trust him with the same blind faith that he asks of Opie. Ron Howard's acting goes far beyond the talent of typical childhood actors. Watch and see his lower lip and chin tremble as he asks, "Don't you believe me, Pa?" This strikes a chord with me, as my older brother would often tease me and provoke fights, always the instigator, and we would both be punished equally. The worst of it is that my father would not listen, would only say, "I don't care what started it, it's going to end right now!" I felt so wronged that my father would not listen to my explanation and understand why I reacted the way I did. In this episode Andy gives Opie that understanding and faith and it pays off when Andy finally meets Mr. McBeevee. This series is clearly the best that TV has ever seen, bar none. It has comedy, drama, tragedy, romance all demonstrated in the most believable depiction that anyone could create. It demonstrates all of life's wisdom and is my moral and emotional guide as a new father." - Bob Lincoln from Taunton, MA

comment about 'Mr. McBeevee' posted 6/19/2006 1:59:21 PM PST:

"I really like this episode becuase of how when Andy is wondering about his son's story and goes out there alone and calls the utility worker's name and he hops down out of the tree right in front of Andy it gets so good. Then when it is right near the end of the episode it shows McBeevee having his special phone hooked into the phone line and he makes a call to the Sheriff's office and Barney picks up. I like it when McBeevee tells Barney to tell Andy that he is comming for Supper! It is so funny with the look that Barney has on his face after he hangs up the phone. Then I also like how it shows good parenting on that episode. One thing I know of although I do not have any children yet but with the things I have seen all but three of my cousins go through with raising their young ones I do know that this show in a way teaches the correct ways to raise a child. One thing I think would help a whole lot of parents of today is if they strongly monitored the tv shows, video games, and other things their children get into. I have found out from what one of my cousins who lives less than a half a mile from he told me he went through a few years ago with his son who is now up in his early teens it shows how bad these new shows are compaired to the old tv shows like Andy Griffith. You see My cousin told me his son was tricked by this other kid into thinking that the trading cards for that Pokemon cartoon were higher value than they were and was about to give the other kid something that costs over 60 dollars for a set of cards that was not worth over 10 dollars. That right there shows how the new tv shows badly influence children into doing the wrong things. Of Animated cartoons ones that were originally recorded from 1930 to 1987 are all G Rated no matter if there is a little hand to hand fights in things like Popeye the sailor. The shows that are made from 88 to 93 only have 2 shows that children under the age of 13 should be kept away from. Those two are Bevis and Butt head and the Simpsons. But from 1993 to now there are hardly any good shows because Reverend Billy Ghram has pointed out on his site that most of the cartoon shows tv networks now claim is ok for children under 13 to watch has hidden Adult content in some episodes or has the characters who are suposed to be the heroes of the show doing criminal activity. The Live action Primetime shows are going down hill too because the only decent shows I can find that I would allow a child to watch if I had a child of my own are certain ones of the game shows and the Reruns of Andy Griffith. Most of the shows they put on now when the children are awake are not good family shows anymore. All you see on tv between the hours of 3 P.M. to 9 P.M. eastern time during most of the half hour time slots are either Courtroom shows, or shows that are not good family shows safe for anyone under 13 to watch. That is why it is good to see that they have DVDs of the Animated Cartoons, Live action Primetime shows and even some of the older movies from back when all films were recorded in Black and white coming out on DVD. Right now if you go to an online Movie store called "Movies Unlimited" you can buy from them all the seasons released so far of "The Andy Griffith Show" and you can also find older movies from the late 1940's and early 1950's like the Ma and Pa Kettle collection on DVD. There are also several animated cartoons that have been released on DVD box sets. One thing if you want to know what has been relased on DVD in the last 3 to 4 years you need to go to this website Http://www.tvshowsondvd.com Then when you go there get a free log on account then look where they say DVD release scedule. Then after that look over the list of the present month then click on the thing at the top of the list or bottom and you can scroll through the list of releases over the last 4 years and even look ahead to the releases for the next 3 months. That will help you find decent shows for your young ones to watch that were of tv shows created before 1993. It is best to get the tv shows that today's parents and Grandparents grew up with for the young ones to watch instead of the bad shows that are being broadcast on tv stations now. " - Ted McAlister from Philadelphia Tennessee

comment about 'Mr. McBeevee' posted 3/14/2006 2:34:15 PM PST:

"The beginning is not all that spectacular, but it sets up the ending which makes it a GREAT episode. The final third of the episode - when Andy declares his faith in his son despite Opie's apparently fabricated or deluded claims - should be considered the best 8 minutes in television history. I have only seen this episode once (7 years ago) but I will never forget it. However, since I now have a 3 year old son and a 20 month old daughter I'm going to go buy this episode today." - Greg from Minneapolis

comment about 'Mr. McBeevee' posted 12/8/2005 10:12:59 AM PST:

"This is my favorite episode besides "Opie and the Bully". Both have my two favorite scenes. This one is when Barney asks if he believes in Mr. Mcbeevee, and Andy says "No, but i believe in Opie." The other scene is in the bully episode and Opie asks if the nuckle sandwich hurts, and Andy picks him up, hugs him and slowly puts him down. If there are any better examples of good parenting then i'd love to hear them." - J. Joiner from Jonesboro, Ar

comment about 'Mr. McBeevee' posted 10/25/2005 9:00:29 PM PST:

"Some people were wondering where to get this episode on DVD. Was just in Target, they had season 1 and 3. It is in 3. Nice to know lots of other people remember and cherish this episode as well, thanks!" - David Wiegand from Illinois