The Girl in the Empty Grave

They had a wonderful thing on TBS a number of years ago, they had a double feature of Deadly Game and The Girl In The Empty Grave with Andy Griffith as everyone's favorite small town sheriff. Griffith alone makes these films worthwhile with his natural talent, ability and charm, the same that he brought to his classic tv show. He spoke out in an article once and said that the shows that he produced are better than the stuff they put out on tv today and he is right! As small town Sheriff Abel Marsh he persues an industrial polluter and a mysterious killer with the help of his bumbling deputy (like Barney Fife) and his pathologist lady friend. Like most tv movies, there is no real sense of suspense or danger, it is really by the book and predictable, but you still enjoy watching because of these likeable characters that you see. Andy Griffith can do comedy and drama very well and he never lets you down. He is one of our true national treasures and just watch these films and enjoy a master at work.

Andy Griffith plays police chief Abel Marsh and is just a little more serious than Sheriff Andy Taylor of Andy's TV show fame.

Here, were have a "cosy murder" mystery and Andy has to follow up on all the clues. The supposed dead girl has been intermittently seen driving through town in her convertible. A cast of timeless characters promotes the film's upbeat, humorous undertones.

The casting is very good but the locations and sets are superb. This film is SORT OF one of a series of three films and this one is the best of the three. The others are "Deadly Game" and "Winter Kill," although, in the latter film, Andy plays Sheriff Sam McNeill -- still, it's the same sort of movie in the same sort of location. I love all three of these mysteries.

These films are very tough to find on the video market so you may have to catch them on television.

The story is about a small town police Chief (Andy Griffith) who one day spots a girl drive by the police station who was supposed to have commited suicide months before. He then spots her again at the funeral of her parents and an investigation begins to try and uncover the truth. An O.K. movie with an O.K. plot, but seems to drag along in spots. The ending though will surprise you! If you want to see Griffith at his best, try and catch him in "Winter Kill!"

The seventies was a long decade for Andy Griffith but he was working. Its tough to break out of the only character people knew Andy as. The lovable sheriff of Mayberry. In this role Andy plays Chief Able, of a small town with very little funds to operate upon. The entire cast get thier careers started with this movie and its a enjoyable film. The first time watching you will not know the ending, which is a good thing. Worth watching...

Andy Griffith is in great form and shows a very humorous side. The supporting cast limps along but all in all the movie provides a simple, entertaining evening in front of the TV. There are some quick one-liners and rapid back and forth quips that provided a chuckle. Each character, although stereotypical small town types, provided a comfortable mix of personalities.

Interesting twist at the end but a bit predictable.

Best of all it is rated for the whole family to watch.