town of mayberry. at his side the inept but loveable deputy barney fife. the show s combination of homespun humor and wholesome storytelling created a ratings hit. eventually griffith moved from onscreen to the big city. web you re under oath. reporter: matlock cast griffith as a folksy country attorney. country people will sometimes fool you. there are a lot of bright people in the south. reporter: what it was was football led griffith to acting. oh, heck, no, sir. i m plo. you re what? permanently trained orderly. reporter: no time for sarngs was a hit for griffith on broadway, tv and film. for most of us, andy griffith will always be remembered as the sheriff of mayberry and opie s
loveable deputy barney fife. the show s combination of homespun humor and wholesome storytelling created a ratings hit. eventually griffith moved from onscreen to the big city. and remember, you re under oath. reporter: the drama matlock cast griffiths as a folksy atlanta defense attorney. country people will sometimes fool you. there are a lot of bright people in the south. reporter: griffith himself grew up in the small north carolina town of mt. airie. his success first came with a hit record. bunches of folks wanted this funny pumpkin to play with. reporter: football led griffith to acting. oh, heck, no, sir. i m plo. you re what? permanently trained orderly. reporter: no time for sergeants was a hit for