Return to Maybery (1986)

Reviewed By Jason Lockard

As I kid growing up I like many others grew up on reruns of The Andy Griffith Show. In the 80s into the 90s it was cool to see reunion movies of shows people grew up on. So we got, Return of the Beverly Hillbillies, Rescue from Gilligan's Island, Return to Green Acres just to name a few.

Well, April 13, 1986 the unforgettable characters returned to Mayberry one last time on NBC, and was the highest-rated television film of 1986.

Andy Taylor, now a US Postal Inspector, returns to his hometown of Mayberry, North Carolina with wife Helen. All to see son Opie welcome his first child into the world. When he arrives he learns the office of sheriff is open. Andy puts aside any thoughts of running when he learns that his old deputy, Barney Fife, left Raleigh, and was appointed acting sheriff. Barney intends to win the elected position outright.

This reunion movie follows the lives of all our favorite Mayberry citizens. In addition to Andy and Opie, we get to see Helen Crump-Taylor, Howard Sprague, Gomer and Goober Pyle, Ernest T. Bass, Briscoe Darling and the rest of the Darling clan, Otis Campbell and Thelma Lou. The one huge missing piece was Aunt Bee, but it is understandable as she was 83 and in not the best of health.  

I have to say while I enjoyed this reunion movie, I have to admit that the movie plot is a bit off. The story lines are all over the place. But for diehard Andy Griffith Show fans the story line craziness won't be that big of a deal! You'll just love taking another trip back to Mayberry!

A couple of years ago Paramount released this TV movie on DVD. It is presented in it's original full screen format and looks good for a made for TV movies from the mid 80s.

So if you love the Andy Griffith Show as much as I do. Your collection is not complete until this reunion movie is on your shelf. So head over to Amazon.com and get your copy today!

Moral Rating: Nothing offensive
Audience: Family
Genre: Comedy
Length: 1 hour 36 Minutes
DVD Rating: B