The Andy Griffith Show (TV Series) Up in Barney's Room (1963) User Reviews

Sweet

[Pocketplayer · 7/10 · 2 August 2006]

This is a sweet episode featuring the great interplay between Griffith & Knotts. Knott's (Barney) love for his old tenet Mrs Mendelbright is touching. Classic Knotts in this episode.

The episode is one of the more simpler story lines, but it works because of the ensemble. J Pat O'Malley guest stars and adds that extra personality. I thought Enid Markey (Mrs Mendelbright) was one of the more outstanding guest appearances. Her sweetness as the older lady renting a room was brilliant. I fell in love with her along with Barney.

This is a very good episode.

I agree with Pocketplayer's review...this one is sweet.

[planktonrules · 8/10 · 21 October 2010]

Sweet is probably the best way to describe this particular episode of "The Andy Griffith Show". Yes, it IS also funny but has a certain sweetness that is touching.

Barney lives in a room with Mrs. Mendelbright. However, he risks incurring her wrath by cooking in his room with a hot plate--which could burn down her home if he isn't careful. Naturally, when she discovers this--and she goes so far as to evict him! After all, she has a gentleman friend (J. Patrick O'Malley) and he's talking marriage...and Barney would just be in the way.

Much of the show consists of Barney trying to find a place to live--such as in the back room of the courthouse. However, later, it takes a darker turn when Barney begins to suspect O'Malley is a con-man. This not only ends with Barney being a hero, but also being invited back to live in the home by his thankful landlady. It's very sweet and silly during this reunion scene and the genuine affection between the characters is hard to resist--particularly when Barney starts crying. Touching and sweet.

What about Thelma Lou's house?

[deblc-91334 · 9/10 · 27 February 2021]

The scene in the courthouse where Andy and Opie caught Barney trying to make out with Thelma Lou was pretty funny, but I couldn't help but wonder why they weren't at her house? In many other episodes, Barney always went to her house to watch tv.

The other funny scene was when Barney got smashed from the hard cider. Don Knott's timing here was perfect.

Barney's Home Life

[jpop59 · 10/10 · 22 October 2014]

This is a hilarious episode that lets us see Barney Fife's home situation. This is what it's like when Barney is off duty and he's not over at Andy's or with Thelma Lou (or Juanita). We see that he rents an upstairs room from Mrs. Mendlebright at the local boarding house. Mrs. Mendlebright is a sweet little old lady who will treat you just fine as long as you are not breaking any of her rules. Unfortunately, her rules are little confining – no cooking in the room, no light bulbs over 40 watts, etc. So Barney copes with this by regularly breaking the rules behind her back. He uses a 60 watt bulb so he is able to read his detective magazines at night, and he smuggles in food to cook on his "illegal" hot plate. One night Andy drops by and Barney is cooking up some stew on his hotplate. Mrs. Mendlebright is occupied downstairs with a prospective new tenant. Andy and Barney get sidetracked while talking about how the room is decorated, when the pan of stew gets overcooked and the room starts filling with smoke. Of course this alerts Mrs. Mendlebright who is horrified that Barney is breaking the rules and has also just ruined her special dresser with his cooking. In her anger she throws Barney out and rents his room to the new tenant (a slick, older man who already seems a bit too over-complimentary of Mrs. Mendlebright). In the meantime, Barney fixes up the back room at the courthouse and decides to stay there until he can find something else. This leads to some awkward moments when Andy and Opie walk in one evening to check on why the lights are flashing on and off and find Barney entertaining Thelma Lou. After a while, Andy realizes that there is nowhere for Barney to go but back to Mrs. Mendlebright's, so he convinces him to apologize and beg for his room back. As it turns out, Barney is too late because Mrs. Mendlebright has already made a decision that will soon change everything.

A rare time Barney's instincts are right

[vitoscotti · 10/10 · 8 May 2022]

Enid Markey (Mrs Mendelbright) in a wonderful performance as Barney's landlord. J. Pat O'Malley (Oscar Fields) is perfectly cast as the shady villain. I really enjoyed when Barney got drunk the many looks on Andy's face as Barney pours his tipsy guts out. Andy is curious, shocked, perplexed, sympathetic all in one minutes time. All with his back to Barney.

Don Knotts was one of the funniest actors playing a drunk only equaled by Hal Smith (Otis Campbell) and a few others. I always liked when drunken Barney wondering where the State Police phone call was. Then when the phone rang he was surprised who would call at a time like this. Don Knotts and Enid Markey really worked well together. Funny with all the crime featured in episodes Andy & Barney always still brag Mayberry is crime free. Touching to see Barney's instincts finally right. Then rewarded with lower rent, and cooking privileges.

Ultimate Barney episode

[kellielulu · 9/10 · 1 October 2022]

This is really the episode that captures the best of Barney Fife . The anger at the limitations of his living situation. The humor in every scene and the loyal, protective, caring person he can be . He also has good instincts for a change and ultimately saves his friend and landlady Miss Mendlebright .

Watch as he gets drunk on hard cider or snaps back at Miss Mendlebright when she catches him breaking some of her rules.

Ultimately everything works out and Barney and Miss Mendlebright learn to appreciate each other more. They always liked each other but this temporary falling out and Barney looking out for her helps her appreciate him. Barney started feeling protective of her and remembering how kind she is and a faithful member of church. Really is a sweet episode.

No Place to Go!

[Hitchcoc · 8/10 · 9 December 2019]

We get a look at Barney's digs. He rents an upstairs room from an elderly lady. When a con man shows up, he loses his room and can't find anywhere else. The guy has his eyes on the old lady's money and is working her. Barney, in his haphazard way, smells a rat, but he doesn't know how to follow up. Andy gets involved. Well done little tale.