bobby fleet

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Host: Allan Newsome
Running time: 0:24:23

In the last episode of the podcast we talked about the 3rd episode of The Andy Griffith Show (TAGS), “The Guitar Player.”  James Best played “Jim Lindsey” and Henry Slate played  “Bobby Fleet.  Now we move on to the character Bobby Fleet’s second appearance on the series in “The Guitar Player Returns.”

“The Guitar Player Returns” is only 7 months and 28 episodes later and the 31st episode of season 1 of TAGS (Oct 17, 1960 – May 16, 1961) and when “Bobby Fleet” appears, he’s a different man.  No longer is Henry Slate playing the character but instead Fleet is played by Herb Ellis.

I mentioned the name Herb Ellis last episode and asked that you remember his name.  There has been discussion about who played the guitar on close-ups of “Jim Lindsey.”  James Best has stated at reunion events that he thought Herb Ellis was the one doing the actual playing of the guitar but he said he wasn’t certain. The Andy Griffith Show Rerun Watcher’s Club member Paul Mulik asked Earle Hagen (the music director for TAGS) who was playing for Jim and he answered he was pretty sure was Barney Kessel.

Barney Kessel as a jazz guitarist from Oklahoma and is considered to be one of the greatest jazz guitarist of the 20th century.  He was a member of many prominent jazz groups as well as a “first call” guitarist for studio, film, and television recording sessions.

Back to Herb Ellis.  Turns out Herb Ellis is also the name of a jazz guitarist but this is a different Herb Ellis from the one who plays “Bobby Fleet” in this episode.  That’s right, there are two “Herb Ellis'” just like there are two “Bobby Fleet’s.”   Let’s leave the guitarist, his name is Mitchell Herbert Ellis (Aug 4, 1921 – Mar 28, 2010), here and move long to the actor.

Herb Ellis the actor was born in Cleveland, OH on Jan 17, 1921 ( 91 years ago the day this podcast is released) and his birth name was Herbert Siegel.  Herb Ellis the actor is best known for work with Jack Webb.  He played Officer Frank Smith on the TV version Dragnet (1952) and many other characters on the radio version of Dragnet.  He appeared on many other series Peter Gunn and Perry Mason.

Follow me on Twitter if you use twitter. I’ve been posting Mayberry things there as another way to let folks know about The Andy Griffith Show.

Don’t forget to leave comments or ask questions on the TwoChairsNoWaiting.com website or using the contact information given in the podcast. We’d love to have you be a part of our next feedback episode. Call the Two Chairs No Waiting Hot-line at (888) 684-8415 and leave a voice mail to be part of the show.

If you use iTunes, please visit the Two Chairs No Waiting page of the iTunes store and leave a review and rating.

Related Links:

• James Best – http://www.jamesbest.com
• Mayberry Historical Society: The Guitar Player – http://www.mayberry.info/
• iMayberry Community – http://imayberrycommunity.com
• Barney Kessel (Wikipedia) – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barney_Kessel
• Herb Ellis (actor) – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbert_Ellis_(actor)
• Herb Ellis (jazz guitarist) – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herb_Ellis
• Facebook Album TCNW:170-172 – http://facebook.com/twochairs
• Mayberry FAQ – http://www.mayberry.info/history/index.php?title=Category:FAQ
• Two Chairs No Waiting 38: James Best Interview – http://imayberry.com/podcasts/2009/06/two-chairs-no-waiting-38-james-best-interview/
• Henry Slate (Bobby Fleet #1 from TCNW 170) on Starsky & Hutch – http://www.tv.com/shows/starsky-and-hutch/watch/losing-streak-32886/ –  The 34:10 mark where his scene occurs.

Executive Producer of Two Chairs No Waiting Episode #171: Rebecca Spears

Visit the Two Chairs No Waiting store and share your love for the show.

Two Chairs No Waiting Shop

Subscribe to Two Chairs No Waiting

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Host: Allan Newsome
Running time: 0:29:19

We first meet Bobby Fleet on The Andy Griffith Show episode “The Guitar Player.”  You’ll remember that episode with James Best as “Jim Lindsey” who Andy helps find a job playing guitar.  There are close-ups of “Jim” playing the guitar and Jame Best can’t play the guitar. Mr. Best has said at events that the fellow who played the close-ups may have been Herb Ellis.  We’ll talk about Herb more later (next podcast) so keep him in your memory.

The character “Bobby Fleet” was played by Henry Slate.  Mr. Slate appeared in only one episode of The Andy Griffith Show but he was in a long list of movies including Winged Victory, You’re in the Navy Now, The Jazz Singer, Rock around the Clock, The Shootist, Norma Rae, and the Disney films The Strongest Man in the World, No Deposit No Return, Gus, The Shaggy D.A., Pete’s Dragon, The Cat from Outer Space and Herbie Goes Bananas.  He was also on many TV series like Mission: Impossible, The Rockford Files, Starsky and Hutch, Barney Miller, Quincy M.E., and Lassie.

We’re going to enjoy meeting Bobby Fleet and the other characters that join us in “The Guitar Player.”  As I was going through this episode, I just kept finding great quotes that brought a smile to my face and I’m sure they’ll do the same for you.

Follow me on Twitter if you use twitter. I’ve been posting Mayberry things there as another way to let folks know about The Andy Griffith Show.

Don’t forget to leave comments or ask questions on the TwoChairsNoWaiting.com website or using the contact information given in the podcast. We’d love to have you be a part of our next feedback episode. Call the Two Chairs No Waiting Hot-line at (888) 684-8415 and leave a voice mail to be part of the show.

If you use iTunes, please visit the Two Chairs No Waiting page of the iTunes store and leave a review and rating.

Related Links:

• James Best – http://www.jamesbest.com
• Mayberry Historical Society: The Guitar Player – http://www.mayberry.info/
• iMayberry Community – http://imayberrycommunity.com

Executive Producer of Two Chairs No Waiting Episode #170: Rebecca Spears

Visit the Two Chairs No Waiting store and share your love for the show.

Two Chairs No Waiting Shop

Subscribe to Two Chairs No Waiting