The Andy Griffith Show (TV Series) Alcohol and Old Lace (1961) User Reviews

This one is a winner thanks to a good story and some sweet characters.

[planktonrules · 10/10 · 12 October 2010]

Barney and Andy are having a devil of a time getting to the bottom of the illegal moonshine business. Despite their best efforts (and a lot of smashed stills and arrests), Otis and the other drunks seem to have no trouble getting all the booze they want. Finally, the trail leads to the most adorable sisters, the Morrisons--who are very reminiscent of the two sweet aunts from "Arsenic and Old Lace" (minus all the murders). Among the best moments in the show are all the scenes with the Morrisons as well as seeing Barney accidentally getting drunk.

This is one of the funnier episodes of the series but also works well because of the great characters. Despite this being their only episodes, the Morrisons really made this a fun show. Plus the sweet, gentle nature of this show really shines through--making it among the most memorable--one any fan of the series MUST see.

A word or two for those not from the United States, the South or just too dang-gone young to know. Back during the time of this show, huge portions of the Southern United States (including most of North Carolina--where the show is set) were officially 'dry'--meaning that ANY sale or use of alcohol was prohibited--well after the national experiment with Prohibition ended in 1933. Other municipalities allowed only lower alcohol consumption and sales--such as lower alcohol beers.

Pow! Pow ! Pow!

[kellielulu · 10/10 · 9 November 2022]

While Prohibition had ended nationally not all states and counties followed suit. It took decades for that to change.

The Morrison sisters have the perfect cover. No one would suspect them of running a still. One by one they turn in all the moonshiners and corner the Mayberry market. Soon drinkers have to come up with special occasions in order to buy it. The Morrison sisters have a code about that! Andy thinks they're model citizens!

Opie is actually the one who inadvertently outs the sisters as he is picking flowers from their hot house so his teacher will get un mad ! The way he describes the still to Andy and Barney is priceless! Otis is listens in despair.

Barney is a regular Carrie Nation on this one! Pow! Pow! Pow!

Morrison sisters showcase.

[vitoscotti · 8/10 · 26 September 2022]

The perfect casting and cute performances of the Morrison sisters Jennifer and Clarabelle (Charity Grace, Gladys Hurlbut) make the episode tick. Otis gives us a first look of his network of moonshine suppliers one the future talented singer Rafe Hollister (Jack Prince) here Ben Sewell. Otis has some classic sour faces as Andy & Barney figure out his remaining supplier's identities. The episode actors are all very good. But the Morrison sisters are the truly outstanding ones here. Barney certainly enjoys destroying the stills with his trusty "pow pow pow" axe. Ron Howard has some cute scenes as usual. Epilogue of Barney getting tipsy is one of many times Dom Knotts will have classic drunken scenes.

Queens of Booze

[hellraiser7 · 9/10 · 1 February 2020]

This episode is another honorable mention, you could say this could also be a holiday episode as it takes place on a certain day, if you like to count it that is. The episode was slightly inspired by the play "Arsenic and Old Lace" as we have to elderly lady characters that are somewhat similar only in this episode they don't kill people, they make and sell illegal booze.

I really like both characters as they are both so sweet it's strange. But what I like is that both are well meaning people as their goal is to spread joy and make the world better. The only problem is there are holes in their ideology as their all the same making and selling non legalized liquor but mainly on holiday that are officially national.

As usual Andy and Barney are at their best doing their business. It's just funny how as usual Barney exercises his overzealousness, he has one of my favorite lines he just delivers with gusto "Pow, pow, pow!"

And even Otis was really good as usual being his drunk self, it's really funny as both Andy and Barney notice Otis coming into his cell a little more than normal, even like seeing his facial reactions of despair knowing his liquor hole is about to evaporate when Andy and Barney were starting to find out when the hidden still is.

This episode is a distillery of laughs that won't leave you dry.

Rating: 3 and a half stars

Loved Those Old Ladies

[Hitchcoc · 10/10 · 25 November 2019]

The prohibition of alcohol ended before this series ever started. I'm a little confused about the law. Obviously, selling liquor without proper licensing was at the center. I know that Mayberry was in a dry county. That aside, Andy and Barney are tipped off about stills set up in the area. Two very funny little old ladies are the ones blowing the whistle but they have a secret of their own. A very funny episode

The Morrison Sisters.

[gene-07202 · 7/10 · 22 March 2024]

Don Knotts and Andy Griffith and everyone are brilliant in this episode. Also Opie and Otis Campbell. One big goof that I never see documented. Barney always wants to take a great big axe, and "Pow!, Pow!, Pow!". However? When he starts in doing this with the Morrison's sister's still? You cannot do it with a fire burning underneath it. Otherwise, Barney, Andy, and the Morrison sisters would all be blown up in a fiery explosion. Suspension of disbelief. However, it is a great episode! Charity Grace and Glady Hurlbut provide comedic performances that are still entertaining today. This is one of my favorite episodes.