Last week we told you how plans to create a Barney Fife statue in Mount Airy, NC in honor of the late Don Knotts (he died last February) were stopped because CBS and Paramount had to pull their support of the project because they didn't have the rights to say yes or no to such a project. Knotts' family was against the project as well because they wanted a statue of Knotts that wasn't of Fife but of Knotts as himself.
Now they might get their wish. Officials in Morgantown, WV, where Knotts was born, are well on their way of raising the $50,000 they need to erect a statue of the actor. They already have a small version of the statue (designed by the guy who designed the back of the WV quarter). The statue will show the actor dressed in regular clothes, sitting down, reasding a script.
The town also has a bronze star honoring Knotts on their city sidewalk, and they plan to name a park after him as well.
[via TV Tattle]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-20-2007 @ 10:29AM
Jane said...
It would be wonderful to honor this talented comedian who has brought us all so much laughter over the years. I have always been a fan of Don Knotts and would be proud to contribute to such a project. He brought a sweet wackiness to American movies and television with his comedic works and deserves to be honored and remembered.
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1-20-2007 @ 11:05AM
JEFF said...
I AGREE THERE WILL NEVER BE ANOTHER BARNIE FIFE I STILL WATCH THE SHOW GREAT MAN
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1-20-2007 @ 11:30AM
Geegee said...
I, like many Americans love Barney Fife. He is an American Institution. I have never met a soul who didn't love the show, Andy, Opie, Aunt Bea, Barney, Otis, Goober, Floyd, Howard, Ernest T., etc. etc. There has never been another show quite like it, and there never will be again!!! We all watch the reruns anytime they are broadcast. So we hold this precious part of Americana deep in our hearts. And within that, stands a statue of Barney, with that little sneer of self assurance on his face and his bulletless gun on his hip.
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1-20-2007 @ 12:35PM
Cyndi said...
I grew up in Mt. Airy, NC and I think it is a good thing that Morganton, WV is trying to get the statue of Don Knotts, as Mt. Airy is just trying to capitalize on the popularity of The Andy Griffith Show. Tourism is their main source of income since the textile industry collapsed. They hold an annual Mayberry Day’s Festival to which Don Knotts attended for many years giving them ample opportunity to ask Mr. Knotts permission to erect a statue. Mr. Knotts was an accomplished film actor and should be remembered for his entire body of work not just one character.
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1-20-2007 @ 3:03PM
Design said...
At least they won't need much material to build it.
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1-30-2007 @ 6:52PM
luv2cook21@aol.com said...
on Jan 20th 2007 by Cyndi
Get your facts straight...
Don Knotts NEVER attended a mayberry days.
Good Luck on statue.he deserves it
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1-30-2007 @ 6:58PM
nipit said...
Please allow barney to stand tall in Mt airy one day
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1-30-2007 @ 6:58PM
just the facts mame said...
Cyndi
needs to do research before she puts words to paper.
come on.....................
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