Angel in My Pocket

I can't honestly say I remember all the details of this movie. It's been a very long time since I've seen it, and I've been keeping my eye out for a copy for a while. I do remember that I was completely taken back by Andy's performance, and the story was very sensitive, funny, and believable. It's sort of like "It's a Wonderful Life" in some ways, but funnier. Andy plays a do-gooder that has a special flair for handling other people's problems. I don't want to give it all away, so that's all I'll say about it. Definitely see this movie if you get a chance to. It won't let you down one bit. A five-star pic all the way.

This was written by the same team that wrote all the classic "Andy Griffith Show" episodes- Jim Fritzell and Everett Greenbaum, so you get the same simple and folksy humor you got in Mayberry and again, it works well for Andy's comic style. This time out, though, Andy plays the newly-appointed pastor of a small-town church that's got a few problems. Along the way you 'll see several familiar character actors (including Hope Summers- "Clara" from the Griffith show) and Ellen Corby ("Grandma Walton"). If you love the folks from Mayberry, you'll enjoy this movie. Unfortunately, I don't think this has been released on home video yet, but it occasionally pops up on TBS or The Family Channel.

I saw this on Turner Classic Movies. Andy Griffith is a wanna-be pastor. He's got the education, the maturity, a family, and is even an ex-marine, but no church. Well, this particular church has an ornery congregation (a Hatfield/McCoy situation), and they keep chasing away the pastors. So finally, the Bishop digs through his old file and tries Andy Griffith.

Andy and his family are totally idealistic and naïve, expecting to help people and spread the love of the Lord. This congregation does not want to be helped, nor do they want the love of the Lord. They want to control the town, the finances, and have the pastor be their yes-man.

There are a lot of interesting characters, played by many familiar faces from 1960's sit coms. "Uncle Joe" from Petticoat Junction plays the mean mayor. "Howard Spragug" from Andy Griffith show plays a star-crossed lover. The band "Wildcats" which appears in many sitcoms plays at this church's social. Margaret Hamilton plays a vindictive gossip. There were many faces that I recognized, but I could not place them.

Andy tries to stand up to the feuding congregants, but they just call the Bishop and get him into trouble. Andy does not give up, and he keeps doing what is knows is the right thing, and they keep turning up the heat to cause more conflict. Being a family film, it does have a happy ending where everything works itself out anyway, which is nice.

One thing I really liked about this movie was that it involved a church, but was never preachy. Most of TV and movies pretend that no one has any faith at all, but most people believe in something. This accepted that church is a normal part of many American's lives.

The story supposedly took place in Kansas, but it had rolling hills and eucalyptus trees. I suspect they filmed it in California's Central Valley, or maybe in Fillmore.

I recommend it for any family that wants some good, old-fashioned fun, without worrying about something popping up that might be offensive for the kids.

(For the super-sensitive: there is one scene where Andy goes to a burlesque place to talk to the owner, and they do have spicy but corny showgirls doing a routine, but that is it. They are more covered up than women you see on the beach today. The movie still has a "G" rating.)

ANGEL IN MY POCKET was a charming and folksy 1969 comedy that took Griffith's Sheriff Andy Taylor persona and brought to the big screen in the form of a devoted minister named Reverend Samuel Whitehead, who has just been assigned a new church in a rural area and all the various problems and troublesome townsfolk he has to deal with. This role is not much of a stretch for Griffith and fits him like a glove. Jerry Van Dyke is very funny as his useless brother-in-law as is Kay Medford as his meddlesome mother-in-law. Lee Meriwether makes a lovely Mrs. Whitehead. A few years later she would play Andy's wife in a CBS TV series called HEADMASTER. This old fashion comedy is predictable as they come with several film and TV veterans in supporting roles (including Andy's TV co-star Jack Dodson). Take special notice of the wonderful scene where the Reverend goes to a burlesque house to purchase an organ for the church. A light and amusing family comedy that goes a long way on Andy Griffith's considerable screen charisma.

We just loved this movie and have been searching for a very long time for the DVD or VHS copy of this. Can you, please help us find it, or transfer our deep wish to get this? We viewed this with our children way back when and they also would like to get it.

We loved the story and the actors were so perfect for the characters. It is so wholesome and family appealing. It moved along and kept our interest and our children also.

Is Andy Griffith hindered legally in making this movie available in DVD or VHS? Can we help in any way to request this to the original source? We would at least like to see it on our television channels and maybe that is the route we should take.

We will so very much appreciate your help in any way. This is a great movie !!

Thank you, Marian Hess