The Andy Griffith Show (TV Series) Andy and the Gentleman Crook (1961) User Reviews

The Attractions of Evil

[MichaelMartinDeSapio · 9/10 · 11 October 2014]

Here's an episode that has a good deal to say about the false allurements of evil. Nationally known con man "Gentleman Dan" Caldwell is the picture of a debonair villain, and he succeeds in enchanting everyone around him in Mayberry - except Andy. The episode offers some deliciously satirical moments, particularly when Barney - overjoyed to have a "prestigious" criminal in their midst - fawns over Caldwell. Further, I am informed that this episode marks the first instance of Barney accidentally firing his gun into the courthouse floor, one of the series' favorite gags. And although I could imagine the role of "Gentleman Dan" Caldwell being played a touch more charismatically than Dan Tobin does, he is more than adequate. Nine stars, upon my word as a gentleman.

Barney Boob

[Hitchcoc · 8/10 · 26 November 2019]

When a major con man is kept temporarily in the Mayberry jail, Barney treats him like a celebrity. Soon Opie and everyone but Andy is falling for his slickness. Once again, Barney shows his utter incompetence.

Better than I remember.

[vitoscotti · 7/10 · 4 October 2022]

Starts out sappy with Barney (Don Knotts) laying it on way too strong with adulation and primping for notorious criminal "Gentleman" Dan Caldwell (Dan Tobin). Then after that it got quite good. GDC delivered some excellent lines like "I give my word a lot" when he's holding Barney's gun on him. Aunt Bee even shows interest in the con man. Good acting by Ron Howard showing very natural enthusiasm for the gangster breakout stories. Some excellent tension between Andy and GDC with some thinly veiled threats aimed at Andy. Very good tie in with Barney's gun and bullet. Funny epilogue again with nitwit Barney .

Early Episode Opening Shows Griffith's Joke Telling Skill

[[e-mail] · 7/10 · 17 February 2023]

When this otherwise memorable episode opened this evening, I realized how chock full the opening was with the folksy Griffith storytelling style of humor. Then it fell into a more predictable format of plot development, with Barney fawning over a legendary crook who has been relegated to stay overnight in the Mayberry jail.

Everyone is charmed by Gentleman Dan until the Sheriff Andy Taylor with a gun in order to make his escape. This is where Opie (and Barney and Aunt Bee?) learns the true character of bad people.

This is a very well acted episode; riveting in fact. It gets too serious for small children at the end with Gentleman Jim turning out to be a man without conscience. But Andy Griffith never shied away from telling the full story. Some other episodes, such as the one with Buddy Ebsen as the drifter, have redemptive endings with the "bad" guy turning out to do something exemplary.

BARNEY IS A DISASTER!

[JSGal · 5/10 · 29 July 2021]

I can't believe how many times Barney disobeys the sheriff's order without being fired! It is ridiculous, as no sheriff with put up with such insolence! I much rather enjoy episodes where Andy and Opie are featured.