The Andy Griffith Show Episode 95: The Big House

Originally Aired on May 6, 1963.   Average User Rating: 4.8 out of 10  (733 entries).

Two escapees are held temporarily in the Mayberry jail while the feds wait for their partners to arrive. Gomer is deputized to help Barney out, but between the two of them, the criminals manage to escape three times.

Please share your comments about this episode, or read the newest user comments below:

comment about 'The Big House' posted 10/8/2006 12:14:45 PM PST:

"peggy the episode that you are looking for is called "Aunt Bee the Warden."" - shannah from ohio

comment about 'The Big House' posted 4/20/2006 7:50:50 AM PST:

"Is this the episode where Barney goes out and buys a woodburning kit, Metal working kit and a Mr. Potato Head to give to the prisoners for rehabilibation? It seems there were three prisoners. I can't seem to find that episode." - Peggy from Chicago

comment about 'The Big House' posted 3/9/2006 11:55:29 AM PST:

"This episode cheered me up on one of my darkest days. I was depressed as depressed could be but all I had to do was see this episode and suddenly I was laughing real hard! If I were a shrink I'd prescribe this episode as therapy! I love Barney's clumsiness and him thinking he's a bigshot, as one of the 2 crooks puts it. I knew Gomer was stupid, but this episode is Gomer at his dumbest --- or so it appears. I mean, lying down on the job? When you're supposed to be a lookout? People have gotten fired for less. That's why Andy tells Barney, "What's he got? Eyes at the bottom of his feet?" That was priceless, that and Gomer dropping his gun 3X! Jeez Louise! Then again, Gomer's stupidity is why we love him so much! In that sense, at least, he's the Elmer Fudd of Mayberry." - Big Bad Bobcat from Tyler, Texas

comment about 'The Big House' posted 3/4/2006 8:38:32 PM PST:

"Anytime Barney goes into a long-winded speech, it's funny." - John Robertson from Cambridge, Ontario, Canada

comment about 'The Big House' posted 1/17/2006 6:30:16 PM PST:

"Another episode where Andy gives 'ol Barney the credit for the happy ending !! Classic TV !" - SWFLguy from SW FL

comment about 'The Big House' posted 11/16/2005 10:47:38 PM PST:

"Yeah, I agree, another classic. Andy watching Gomer, who's listening to Barney, who's giving a classic speech. Three greats going at the same time. And I love that "take that gun outta your mouth" line too. That is a classic! " - Ken from New Jersey

comment about 'The Big House' posted 8/16/2005 1:33:16 PM PST:

"Former Dead End Kid Billy Halop is one of the prisoners. One of the top ten best!!!! "Here at Thr Rock...."" - ME from USA

comment about 'The Big House' posted 3/3/2005 12:59:24 PM PST:

" This episode is best remembered for Barney's stern introduction speech for the convicts to "The Rock". Gomer, as Barney's assisant deputy, is truly memorable, as he is entranced by his mentor's moving diatribe." - r.p. from virginia

comment about 'The Big House' posted 11/15/2004 6:54:58 PM PST:

"..."Shakedown!!"..."No Sarah, I didn't say anything about payday"..."just for that, no more Mr. Niceguy"...Barney sure keeps you reeling with laughter in this one. Another one of the many 10s!" - Jimmy from L.A.

comment about 'The Big House' posted 11/12/2004 10:20:26 AM PST:

"Rule #1 - Obey all rules Rule #2 - Do not write on the walls" - G. Redmon from GC Mi

comment about 'The Big House' posted 10/28/2004 5:16:37 PM PST:

"This is a very good episode. Can anyone tell me more about the DVD's that will be coming out?" - demon deac from roanoke, va

comment about 'The Big House' posted 10/22/2004 1:32:07 PM PST:

""Tickeeettttt boookkk!!! Whistttttlllle!!!" Rusty is right. This hilarious scene always gets cut. I can't wait until the uncut DVD series from Paramount gets the first 5 seasons out......" - Chris from Hilton Head, SC

comment about 'The Big House' posted 10/14/2004 7:42:00 PM PST:

"Those who see the TV Land version of this episode won't know what John from Lecanto is talking about. The scene where Barney introduces Gomer as the new deputy is substantially cut. In the full episode, Barney puts Gomer through his paces, including presenting the ticketbook and pencil. All this gone just to get one more commercial... " - Rusty from North Carolina

comment about 'The Big House' posted 10/4/2004 2:45:58 PM PST:

"Andy:"And take that gun out of your mouth!" I laugh at this part the most!" - Abby from

comment about 'The Big House' posted 9/16/2004 3:10:08 PM PST:

""Instead of capturing two more, you now lost all four."" - Abby from

comment about 'The Big House' posted 5/31/2004 8:08:55 AM PST:

"GOOD! Very Funny!" - Detective Barney Fife from Raleigh, NC

comment about 'The Big House' posted 4/14/2004 9:25:47 AM PST:

"Pennnnnnn...Cilll!!!!" - John from Lecanto, Fl

comment about 'The Big House' posted 2/20/2004 1:00:56 PM PST:

"This is my all-time favorite. The speech Barney gives to the prisoners is a classic: "Now men, there are a few things we should get staightened out tight from the start to avoid grief later on. Now here at the rock, we have two basic rules. Memorize them so that you can say them in your sleep. The first rule is: Obey all rules! Secondly, do not write on the walls, as it takes a lot of work, to erase writings off of walls. Now as we tell all men u are starting a new life, and if you are wise u will begin rehabilitation." HILARIOUS!" - Joel Boersma from Michigan

comment about 'The Big House' posted 7/30/2003 6:26:56 AM PST:

"this show is featured in a Sunday School class, titled, The Pride of Fife. In it, we read various new and old testament scriptures that remind us that "pride goeth before the fall" and that humility (as shown by Andy) service (as shown by Gomer when he happily puts away the Christmas lights that Barney felt was beneath his dignity to do) are assets above the prideful behavior Barney displayed. " - Chris Miller from St Louis

comment about 'The Big House' posted 7/26/2003 6:09:18 AM PST:

"I loved Barney's speech about "The Rock." We have a lot of TAGS fans where I work, and often at meetings, when we address our coworkers, we start with a high pitched "Now, men!" Now, BARNEY, I ain't gonna have time to go catch them other two if I have to keep on recapturing THESE SAME TWO!! " - Kenneth S. Reedy, FLMI,PCS,PAHM,ACS,ARA,AIRC,AIAA from Greensboro, NC

comment about 'The Big House' posted 2/25/2002 5:41:29 AM PST:

"Loved it when the two cops asks Andy" You do have some help don't you?" Andy thinking of Gomer said " Well about that..." leaves the sentence unfinished. Gomer and Barney were helping I just am not sure which side" - Ryan Warren from Kanorado Kansas

comment about 'The Big House' posted 9/14/2000 5:52:52 PM PST:

"I always thought this program always did have the line of lines that showed Mayberry's innocence and what a line it was. When Gomer and Barney are up on the courthouse and see two cops but they think are two crooks. Barney says"There they are." Gomer says,"Shazam we'd better call the police." Barney says "we are the police." Gomer says," Oh yeah we are aren't we?" Pure classsic" - ryan warren from kanorado kansas