The Bank Job

Strong episode with Al Checco as Howie the bank robber. He'll be in "If I Had a Quarter Million" episode as Hennessy which will be even better. Charles Thompson (Asa), and Jim Nabors (Gomer) first of many strong appearances. Wonder if mixing up Glenn Ford with James Cagney is intentional or not? Very good epilogue. This time mixing up Barney's name Fife for Fike which never gets old is always funny.

This is the ONE Andy Griffith Show episode in which Deputy Barney Fife(Don Knotts) proves his point. Barney vehemently complains to Andy how the local Mayberry Security Bank is a 'targeted crackerbox,anyone can rob the bank at free will because of no security measures,also cash drawers wipe open in plain sight and open bank vault door open. He really gets on edge when the moronic bank manager,dimwitted teller Harriet and really sleepy bank guard don't take Barney seriously,he even growls at Andy to the point Deputy Fife disguises himself as cleaning lady and steals cash from vault to prove his point. Barney lashes to everyone involved "When will you ever learn"?!

Sure enough the Mayberry Secutity Bank is held up,Andy,Harriet and Mildren believe its Barney but they're wrong. However Andy manages to capture the robber and Barney just happens to be outside giving his accomplice numerous parking tickets not knowing a Real bank robbery took place. Still today Deputy Barney Fife doesn't receive enough respect.'Its as simple as that.

Barney goes to see a movie and that sets in motion his efforts to tighten up security in Mayberry, starting with the bank. The place really is a cracker box but no one listens. So Barney tries several ways to make people up and take notice. He is at his manic best here, trying to make Mayberry comparable to the big cities. He is feature from beginning to end.

What is just as bad as a poor security bank? A law enforement officer who does not carry a weapon.