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Host: Allan Newsome
Running time: 0:15:41
Two Chairs No Waiting
Imagine my surprise when watching Joe Friday on Dragnet when who should appear but Mayberry’s own Frances Bavier as Hazel Howard. The episode of Dragnet is from the television version of the crime drama and was first aired on May 27, 2954. The title is “The Big False Make” (season 3 episode 39).
Strangely, the future Andy Griffith Show costar Frances Bavier is billed in the closing credits by her character name “Hazel Howard” rather than her real name. This final episode of Dragnet’s third season is based on a radio broadcast of May 17, 1953.
We also discuss a little about the 1966 Studebaker Daytona which was the personal car of Frances. Reports are that she had people try to convince her to get a newer car but she loved the Studebaker and would never consider getting a different vehicle.
The car was purchased for $20,000 a the June 2, 1990 auction of her personal property. The proceeds of the auction went, at Frances’ bequest, to North Carolina Public Television.
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Related Links:
- Frances Bavier (Wikipedia)
- Aunt Bee Retires (YouTube) – See the rare interview that Carolina Camera Reporter Bill Ballard got with Francis Bavier after she retired to North Carolina.
- Aunt Bee’s Studebaker – 1966 Studebaker Daytona was the personal car of actress Frances Bavier. Produced in the last year of the Studebaker brand, assembled in Canada with a six-cylinder engine made by Chevrolet and labeled “Studebaker Super Skybolt Six.”
Executive Producer of Two Chairs No Waiting Episode #140: Jay Hicks
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Frances Bavier also appeared in the 1st episode of “Alfred Hitchcock Presents”. It was titled “Revenge”and she was a neighbor lady to to Vera Miles in a trailer park.
Very interesting show. I did not know she had been on Dragnet and also the 1st episode of “Alfred Hitchcock Presents” according to Chuck Knoll in his comment. I enjoyed the link to the website featuring her car. Up until recently it seems that most of the publicity she has recieved has been from the negative side of her days on the TAGS set. It was nice to hear Andy in an interview once saying that before she died he had talked to her on the telephone and they had come to good terms and shared some kind words before they passed away She sure was very generous to her adopted community. Next time I am up around Siler City, I will have to visit her gravesite.