Comments on: Blues Bytes – Demagogue in Denim – Rev. Billy C. Wirtz 7.20.12 http://bluesrevue.com/2012/07/blues-bytes-demagogue-in-denim-rev-billy-c-wirtz-7-20-12/ Fri, 10 May 2013 18:46:20 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 By: Dr D http://bluesrevue.com/2012/07/blues-bytes-demagogue-in-denim-rev-billy-c-wirtz-7-20-12/#comment-62483 Dr D Fri, 27 Jul 2012 17:55:44 +0000 http://bluesrevue.com/?p=17661#comment-62483 Wow! Thanks for the summary because I can say for certain this is one movie I will never watch. The images presented here are sufficiently graphic that digging any deeper would simply resurrect a lot of memories that are far better remaining where they are. Thanks, Rev.

]]> By: revbilly http://bluesrevue.com/2012/07/blues-bytes-demagogue-in-denim-rev-billy-c-wirtz-7-20-12/#comment-62464 revbilly Mon, 23 Jul 2012 22:51:05 +0000 http://bluesrevue.com/?p=17661#comment-62464 “Opie the Birdman” was the name of the episode. Ranked 24th for all-time greatest TV episodes by “TV Guide.”

]]> By: revbilly http://bluesrevue.com/2012/07/blues-bytes-demagogue-in-denim-rev-billy-c-wirtz-7-20-12/#comment-62461 revbilly Mon, 23 Jul 2012 03:05:28 +0000 http://bluesrevue.com/?p=17661#comment-62461 Wow!
Where to begin?
Once again, I stand corrected. It was “Sittin’ On Top Of The World.”
(The evolution of that song itself worthy of a column, if not an entire book). Where else but in this column would there be not one, but several folks who know that?
Thanks, however, did anyone see the song listed in the credits?

Personally, I loved the Andy Griffith show. I thought it had great writing and truly awe -inspiring acting. There is a certain regionalism involved. I have met folks from all over the country that remember Andy Griffith, but (as I explained to Chip Eagle) the Andy Griffith Show is an integral part of Southern culture.
Ask almost anyone from the South about their favorite episode and they can tell you.
-I don’t know how many of my friends have used the name E.T. Bass as an alias when signing into motels and for obtaining P.O. boxes.
-”Opie and The Birds” is still one of the greatest single episodes of television ever made.

-Howard Morris’ character Ernest T. Bass was manic, twisted, (improvised on the spot by Morris) genius. Morris also directed several AG episodes and starred in several Twilight Zones.
Barney Fife? “Barney and the Motorcycle?” “The Girls From Mt. Pilot?” (“HI Bernie”) I mean, never mind, don’t get me on an Andy Griffith rant.
BTW- How can you tell what season you’re watching?
Answer- By the key that the theme (Fishin’ Hole) is played in.
Andy Griffith was indeed robbed of an Oscar. But then again, Patricia Neal , director Kazan, were all deserving of far greater recognition than they received for the film.
Thanks to Mr. Melvin for the kind words. Unfortunately, the book you mentioned is out-of-print, however, if you go to Amazon and type in my name (minus Rev. at the beginning) you might be in for a surprise.
…And finally- Apparently Griffith himself admitted that although “A Face In The Crowd” wreaked havoc on his marriage, in some ways it was closer to his own real-life persona than the characters he portrayed in later T.V. shows.
Check out “Mayberry After Dark” for a review of Andy’s album.
This just gets better with every week. I am honored to receive such well-thought out and expressed feedback. Be they corrections, your two-cents worth, or additional information, I welcome and encourage them.
Stay tuned.

]]> By: Thomas Sperandeo http://bluesrevue.com/2012/07/blues-bytes-demagogue-in-denim-rev-billy-c-wirtz-7-20-12/#comment-62456 Thomas Sperandeo Sat, 21 Jul 2012 18:12:35 +0000 http://bluesrevue.com/?p=17661#comment-62456 Couldn’t agree with you more. Being a blues and TCM freak, I’ve seen these movies countless times. I’m not a big fan of Andy’s. Barney Fife was the best thing about his tv shows but a Face In The Crowd is Andy’s only movie that I can still watch.

]]> By: Vern Melvin, Ft Pierce, FL http://bluesrevue.com/2012/07/blues-bytes-demagogue-in-denim-rev-billy-c-wirtz-7-20-12/#comment-62454 Vern Melvin, Ft Pierce, FL Sat, 21 Jul 2012 15:58:50 +0000 http://bluesrevue.com/?p=17661#comment-62454 Billy, thanks for bringing attention to the movie in your last Blues Bytes article. Like many my familiarity with Andy G was thru The Andy Griffith Show and Matlock. Again, due to your reminder of the existence of the “Face” I recorded it last week on TCM and finally got around to watching it last night. Your analysis of the movie is spot on! Additionally, I believe that Griffith’s acting in this drama should have resulted in an academy award nomination for best actor because,as has been previously noted, this is NOT the Andy we come to know and love. On another note, I thought the background instrumental music was one of my favorite blues songs, “Sittin’ On Top Of The World,” but I defer to you as I’m a blues fan and you’re a blues man! I’ve also ordered Griffith’s 1959 blues album from MusicStack.com that you recommended.
Switching gears for a moment, also wanted to say that I just reread your book, “Sermons & Songs,” and highly recommend it to any and all Rev fans. It is classic Billy, i.e., funny, irreverent, and enlightening. BTW, I was born and raised in SE NC, the Lumberton area (yes, I’ve stayed at the Motel 6) and very familiar with Beach Music, Doug Clark, Pedro’s South of the Border, etc., etc.!

]]> By: Thomas Stecher http://bluesrevue.com/2012/07/blues-bytes-demagogue-in-denim-rev-billy-c-wirtz-7-20-12/#comment-62453 Thomas Stecher Sat, 21 Jul 2012 10:06:02 +0000 http://bluesrevue.com/?p=17661#comment-62453 A Face In the Crowd has long been one of my 2 favorite movies, along with The Manchurian Candidate. I saw it as a first run movie, then years later (having seen it again in the intervening years), paid a ridiculously high price for a VHS of it, when home video was realtively new, and I could not anticipate that it would become cheaper. (I also saw No Time For Sergeants as a first run movie, at Radio City Music Hall.) I was never a fan of The Andy Griffith Show. I did not dislike it, but was not inspired to tune in. I have wondered if I had ever met Andy Griffith and told him that I considered his greatest work to be something that he did so early in his career, he might have felt offended. Of course one should note that the recurring theme song in the movie is Sitting On Top of the World, originally recorded in 1930 by the Mississippi Sheiks (but not their version). I hope that your column has made more people aware of the movie, which I consider underappreciated.

]]> By: Tim Connor http://bluesrevue.com/2012/07/blues-bytes-demagogue-in-denim-rev-billy-c-wirtz-7-20-12/#comment-62451 Tim Connor Sat, 21 Jul 2012 04:19:09 +0000 http://bluesrevue.com/?p=17661#comment-62451 Let it not be forgotten–Andy Griffith recorded a blues album, with Brownie McGhee backing him up. It wasn’t great, but it didn’t suck. He understood more about the real South than he showed in Mayberry.

]]> By: John of Milpitas http://bluesrevue.com/2012/07/blues-bytes-demagogue-in-denim-rev-billy-c-wirtz-7-20-12/#comment-62449 John of Milpitas Fri, 20 Jul 2012 20:53:58 +0000 http://bluesrevue.com/?p=17661#comment-62449 WEird…
I just borrowed this movie from the library after ordering it shortly after Mr. Griffith’s passing and watched it yesterday. (Had seen it years ago) My wife just finished watching it not 15 minutes ago. we both liked it, though agreed that the last 1/3 could have been shortened.
Peace, John

]]> By: Danny Coulthard http://bluesrevue.com/2012/07/blues-bytes-demagogue-in-denim-rev-billy-c-wirtz-7-20-12/#comment-62444 Danny Coulthard Fri, 20 Jul 2012 16:04:20 +0000 http://bluesrevue.com/?p=17661#comment-62444 Started watching the movie when TCM aired it. Had to stop and taped the rest of it. Glad to have your input as I watch the rest of it.

Thanks.

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