MovieChat Forums > The Ghost and Mr. Chicken (1966) Discussion > RIP Don Knotts

RIP Don Knotts

posted 19 years ago by mubirshu
10 replies | jump to latest

Don Knotts died today.

He will, of course, be best remembered for Barney Fife on the Andy Griffith Show, but I will always remember him for his work after that. The Reluctant Astronaut, The Shakiest Gun in the West, The Apple Dumping Gang, the Private Eyes, Mr. Furley on Three's Company, and of course, The Ghost and Mr. Chicken.

As a child, the urgency of the organ always scared me, and the secret passageways always intrigued me. And, as always, Don Knotts entertained me. His comic talent was so natural that you never really got a sense of the private person.

Today that person left us. My sympathies (and I'm sure those of everyone at IMDb.com) go out to his family. He leaves behind a body of work that serves as a thesis on physical comedy.

OK, that's the stodgy stuff. All I can really say is this: he always made me laugh.

[–] AeroAsh17 19 years ago

I grew up loving the ghost and mr chicken, and have been wanting to watch it again recently, but now Im just going to cry through it. RIP to a great entertainer.

[–] BilligerVogel 19 years ago

Always loved his 'How to Frame a Fig' too. For me it's the end of an era. I grew up watching all his 60's and 70's movies/shows...

[–] erichard-3 19 years ago

Don Knotts will be missed. Yet another fond memory from my childhood has passed.Indeed, he was a comic genuis.

[–] zintar2001 19 years ago

I have to confess I've never been a really big fan of The Andy Griffith Show, though I do enjoy it when i get the chance to watch it. But I always felt the main highlight of the show was Don Knotts' Barney Fife character.

I had purchased the 4 movie "Reluctant Hero" set quite a while ago, but for some reason never got around to watching the movies. After hearing about Don Knotts' passing this weekend, I figured now is as good a time as any to run them through my player.

Even though they all have that "Sixties" look, they are still quite enjoyable and VERY funny. I would have to say my favorite is still THE RELUCTANT ASTRONAUT, though I found myself laughing at a lot of THE LOVE GOD despite its episodic plot and the fact that Knotts seems to be in only in about half the movie. SHAKIEST GUN IN THE WEST may be the weakest of the lot, a remake of THE PALEFACE (which in turn was a remake of MY LITTLE CHICKADEE), but even so it still is a lot of fun, and more enjoyable on the second viewing. The opening scene in the dental school is a riot! I don't think I ever saw GHOST AND MR CHICKEN before, and I not only found it funny and enjoyable but I also got caught up in the whole mystery of the story.

Another wonderful aspect of all the films are the supporting players. Arthur O'Connell, Jessie White, Jackie Coogan, Carl Ballantine, Dick Sargent, Charles Lane, Edmund O'Brien, Anne Francis, James Gregory, Herbie Faye and even Leslie Nielson are just a few of the performers lending their talents to make these movies so much fun.

I'm looking forward to one day seeing HOW TO FRAME A FIGG, and catching INCREDIBLE MR LIMPET after not seeing it for many years. It's so refreshing to see such fun movies at a time when so many movies nowadays are just over the top in your face megabudget nonsense.

Thank you for the legacy of laughter Mr. Knotts, wherever you are.

[–] noodletim 19 years ago

Amen... Don Knotts was a teriffic entertainer and comedy star. The Ghost & Mr Chicken is one of my all time favorites of his and I have made many of my un-initiated friends watch it over the years - always with great happiness after seeing it. "Shears in the throat!" Has become an in joke with one of my best friends. The soundtrack is actually available for this movie and has a great booklet of info about the filming and scoring. I have been sad since Mr Knotts passed away last week but happy that he gave us such fun entertainment over the years. I join all who loved him in a toast to his fabulous comic talents. He will be missed.

[–] ddman1 19 years ago

OMG yes Don Knotts will be missed very much for his great wit, thank you Don for all your great movies - etc

"That a boy Luther"
ghost and mr chicken

[–] martyvike 19 years ago

Was there ever a role that Don Knotts played in which you didn't root for him? At least not a main role. He was a lovable character in everything he played.

[–] Ktyktz6 19 years ago

I feel very much as as though I have lost a very dear friend. I think about Don very often. I thank God that we have his body of work to help us to keep from missing him so much.

There is not a day that goes by that I do not watch "The Andy Griffith Show."
I watch it every night before I go to sleep. It helps me to rest better knowing that I can visit a safe and beautiful place like Mayberry in my dreams.

Don Knotts and Andy Griffith are the epitome of what great actors are meant to be. We will forever be blessed to share in watching the love and affection they felt for one another both on screen and off.

My prayers and my heart go out to Andy Griffith, and to Don's family during this time. I know that Don is in a safe place and is now making all of the Angels in Heaven laugh at his comedic genius.

As long as we have Barney Fife, Don Knotts will always be with us, and I will be forever greatful for that.

[–] mojotwang 19 years ago

I love Don Knotts. The first movie I ever recall seeing on the big screen was "The Ghost & Mr. Chicken". I remember laughing to Barney's big ideas in Mayberry and my most cherished memory as a child.. watching "The Love God" on television with my grandfather. My grandfather was a quiet & rather sad man and the only time I remember him laughing was to the "bird-calling" scene in "The Love God". I will cherish those memories forever. Don Knotts passed away on my birthday this year. Thanks Don for all the laughs. There will never be another like you!

"Ignore these four words" (George Carlin)

[–] suzycreamcheese1 14 years ago

he was great.

RIP Heath Ledger 1979-2008