The Andy Griffith Show (TV Series) The Manicurist (1962) User Reviews

The Attractive Outsider

[MichaelMartinDeSapio · 9/10 · 5 January 2017]

In this memorable entry of TAGS, attractive young Ellen Brown (the beauteous Barbara Eden) arrives in Mayberry intending to set up as a manicurist in Floyd's Barber Shop. The menfolk of Mayberry don't quite know how to react to Miss Brown, being both bashful and fascinated at the same time; as for the womenfolk, they become highly suspicious and jealous. The usually sensible Andy ends up putting his foot in his mouth in front of Miss Brown and must then correct his faux pas, winning back her confidence.

We have some funny and perceptive observation of human (paricularly male) behavior in this episode, leading to some subtly risqué material as the men absentmindedly ogle Miss Brown in the barber shop. Andy, with his gallantry, exemplifies the real way to act toward a woman. A solid human story arc, as well as an affecting performance from Eden as a good-natured outsider who is simply looking for a "friendly town" in which to set up shop. Don't miss this one.

Just Look at Barbara Eden

[Hitchcoc · 9/10 · 30 November 2019]

I have to admit to too much maleness here. I'd forgotten what a gorgeous creature Barbara Eden was, especially in her younger days. She steals every scene she is in here. I kind of thought she would remain if she had appealed to the wives and girlfriends. Were there no beauty shops or other venues? This was a lot of fun.

I am an insatiable Barbara Eden fan all the way back from the 1950's

[frankmortjr · 10/10 · 8 June 2006]

Barbara Eden to me was on of the most gorgeous women in show business. She was a fantastic comedian also. The Andy Griffith show ' the Manicurist' was awesome as another appearance she made on the I Love Lucy show. Any time there was a program on with Barbara Eden in it I would watch it. I would watch her in anything she did even if it was reruns. This program on the Andy Griffin show Barbara Eden shows up in Mayberry and gets off a bus. All the boys are in Floyds barber shop just yakking away. All of a sudden she is spotted. She gets a job in the barber shop but none of the men will get a manicure as it is not manly. Andy feels sorry for her so Andy gets a manicure. Then all the men are getting manicures on a daily basis. Well, the women of Mayberry will not put up with this as she ( Barbara Eden is much too beautiful) So the town women want her to live. Andy goes up to her to tell her what is happening and tells her that the LORD has been very good to her. That the town and the town women want her to leave town as she is single and much too pretty to be holding their men's hands while giving the manicure. Well the manicurist thinks Andy wants to marry her and she tells him that she would accept she is returning home and leaving Mayberry to marry her boyfriend. That is the reason she left in the first place. Happy ending for all. I wish her and all her endeavors the very, very best.

Interesting Footnote to this Episode

[jadyimdb · 22 June 2009]

This is the last episode in which Mayor Pike (Dick Elliott) appears. Mr. Elliott died on December 22, 1961, one month (to the day) before this episode aired. In my opinion, Mr. Elliott's contributions to the show were extremely valuable and I'm sure we would have seen many more appearances by the "Little Fat Mayor" had he not left us so suddenly. Any serious fan of the show will fondly remember his performances in episodes like "Mayberry Goes Hollywood", "The Beauty Contest", "A Plaque for Mayberry" and so many others. His appearance in "The Manicurist" was his 11th of the first 48 episodes. He was just one of many who made Mayberry a special place - even to this day.

Fascinating portrayal of men's reactions to women in the 1960s

[tweiss-67368 · 10/10 · 2 September 2021]

From a distance, the men claim to be real cocky and confident with beautiful women. But right next to them, they cower in sheer terror. Very insightful episode and throughly entertaining. And a wonderful vehicle for Barbara Eden's talent.

A visiting manicurist

[vb1der · 10/10 · 28 May 2007]

One of my all time favorite episodes, purely because of Barbara Eden. She comes to town and Andy begins to think that she has developed feelings for him. At one point, Andy talks to her and says something to the effect of "the Lord has been good to you, very, very good to you. In fact, I don't know when I've seen the Lord spend so much time on one person". I might have the quote a little wrong, but it captures the thought.

Of course, it turns out that Barbara Eden was escaping her home town and her boyfriend to get time to think. In the end, she decided to return to her fiancé and get married.

This was the first time I saw her and she was stunning. Somehow her figure had more impact than when she later wore the genie outfit tho on a par with her appearance in "The 7 Faces of Dr. Lao".

I really really like this episode

[bbcds · 10/10 · 26 August 2022]

First things first. Barbara Eden is very possibly the most attractive woman that Mayberry has ever seen. Andy's line to her was right. She was extremely pleasant to look at from any direction. ( Gotta love the drums as she walked away down the sidewalk.) Barney said he would treat her a little rough !! Wow !

Did I mention how gorgeous Ms Eden was in that vacuum sealed dress ?

10* for Barbara Eden

[vitoscotti · 10/10 · 20 March 2022]

Certainly not a typical TAGS episode. More of a novelty episode to feature Barbara Eden. Floyd made tipsy by her beauty will retain a lot of the tipsy-ness as the Floyd character is reaching full stride.

A Great Laugh At The Sham of Woke

[AudioFileZ · 9/10 · 13 November 2023]

This episode will introduce many people to a young Barbara Eden. If there is any female with more absolute beauty and innocent kindness then please let us all know. Eden presents herself like the perfect female. And therein lies the trouble. This package (excuse me) is just too much. At planet earth's least likely venue for a manicurist she is able to supplant herself using the friendliest town mantra as a guise. Of course a bit of chaotic confusion ensues and it's classic in more than "small town" lack of sophistication. It's down to the battle of the sexes. And Eden is convincing in the fairer sex winning. Men, by nature perhaps, resists the simple act of a manicure until...until Barbara Eden appears. She could sell ice cubes to Eskimos as the saying goes. But wait, there's sure to be a flip-side as these things go. Just when she wins over the impossible audience of men the women of the town are appalled. As if just in time when Eden's character thinks Andy is on his knee inquiring that big question she has been won back by a suitor she was fleeing. Like wars when there is a vacuum there must be someone to fill the void and the ending is hilarious. A great episode that introduced many a TV viewer to a Jeanie of actress.

Barbara Eden steals this episode

[mloessel · 6/10 · 1 April 2022]

Floyds barber shop is suddenly invaded with the manicurist visiting from Nashville. She is pure eye candy and a very skilled manicurist. Unfortunately she picked the wrong town. Mayberry is not friendly though they have a sign when you enter this supposed small town welcoming visitors to the friendly town of Mayberry. Anyway Ms Barbara Eden (aka Ellen Brown in this episode) plays the manicurist and enters Floyd's barber shop when she arrives. The usual male suspects are there such as: Mayor Pike, Deputy Fife, and Sam are very unfriendly.

It's typical behavior for these guys who are all talk and little action when it comes to being friendly to visitors. At best they are overtly inquisitive. Instead of welcoming Ms Brown they ignore her and leave the barber shop without as much as a, "Hello". What i like is how Ms Eden steals the scene as her charm and friendly ways makes up for the guys insolence. She greets Floyd and Sheriff Taylor who's getting a hair cut. It is a fun episode but falls short as very predictable. The married ladies are jealous as the guys finally warm up (Sheriff Taylor leads the pack of male customers) to getting a manicure. In the end Ms Brown decides to return to Nashville and accept a marriage proposal from a beau name Pierre. In the final scene Ms Brown shares this with Sheriff Taylor. She leaves Mayberry on a more friendly note despite how she was greeted just a few days ago. Barbara Eden does a super job as her charm gentle ways givens this predictable episode a very positive lift.