Andy Griffith Show, The: Volume 1 (1999) Rating: Starring: Andy Griffith, Frances Bavier, Ron Howard, Don Knotts Director: Earl Bellamy Category: Comedy, Classics, Classics, Television, Television Studio: Laserlight Subtitles: Length: 120 mins     Classic Favorites Few people know about Andy's background before he starred in The Andy Griffith Show. He grew up in a small, rural North Carolina community. He graduated from college with a major in singing. Throughout those college years he performed a wide variety of leading roles on stage, including classical, traditional and musical plays. Obviously, his early theatrical training was far different from the Sheriff Andy character in his later TV career. Still, that character ultimately became one of the all-time great TV icons. The thing about The Andy Griffith Show that made it so popular is it made people feel comfortable with themselves. The regular cast of the show was to a great extent just like real-life normal folks; you felt like you were friends with the whole gang. This was because the show's stories, crafted with intelligence and heart, dealt with normal human predicaments with which we all could identify. It didn't matter that the characters were rustic types who talked with a heavy southern accent. It didn't matter that they entertained us artfully. For eight years, The Andy Griffith Show ranked at the top of TV polls. The single, solitary reason for its popularity was Andy Griffith himself. Not only was he a marvelous and appealing character, he also had a heavy hand in the shaping of each and every show-in short, he knew good material from weak. This DVD contains six of the all-time classic Andy Griffith Show episodes. Andy, Don Knotts, Ron Howard and Francis Bavier are joined by guest stars through some unforgettable moments from television's truly classic era. Includes Episodes: High Noon in Mayberry Guest star Jim Nabors and Dub Taylor. Barney's worried when an ex-convict comes back to town. The Big House Guest stars George Kennedy. Barney has to guard two theives until the rest of their gang is cuaght. A Wife For Andy Barney is faced with the task of trying to find Andy a spouse. Mountain Wedding Guest stars Howard Morris, Denver Pyle and Dub Taylor. Andy has to settle a fight between neighboring hillbillies. Opie And The Spoiled Kid Guest stars Ronnie Capo. Opie wants Andy to raise his allowance so he can compete with a rich kid. Rafe Hollister Sings Guest stars Jack Prince. Andy helps a farmer make a good impression when he is chosen to perform at a concert.