Some personal remembrances of Don Knotts...
Seven years ago, he was starring in a play at one of the Atlantic City casino hotels, and I bought tickets to a Saturday matinee. A lifelong fan of his work, particularly THE STEVE ALLEN SHOW and THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW, I figured I had nothing to lose by sending him a letter, c/o the hotel, inviting him to dinner after the show. I really didn't expect an answer, several weeks passed, and I had practically forgotten about it.
The night before my ticket date, I came home from work... and Don Knotts himself is on my answering machine! He couldn't accomodate time for dinner, but he invited me to visit him in his dressing room after the performance. Needless to say I made the appointment, and although he only had about 10 minutes to spare (his health was frail even then, and he napped for several hours between performances), he made time for me, pictures, autographs, and pleasant conversation. (Yes, I saved that cassette tape.)
Several more occasions the past few years, I saw him at the Hollywood Collector Shows in Los Angeles. He and his fiance remembered me from the AC visit, and always found time for pleasantries.
One thing at those shows, it's Hollywood. No one really takes much notice of the celebrities as they arrive, and this particular show generally hosts approximately 75 celebrities. BUT every time Don showed up, attendees and other celebrities would stop to acknowledge his entrance... once I saw a standing ovation that brought Don to tears. Don always had the longest line.
Don's eyesight failed about 25 years ago while he was doing THREE'S COMPANY. He had an operation that restored his peripheral vision, but his forward vision was virtually nil, and he always went to great lengths to make sure no one noticed.
In live appearances, particularly plays, stage movements were carefully choreographed and set designed so Don could coordinate his movements with peripheral vision. The stage floor was marked with fluorescent tape that the audience couldn't see, but flared up under the stage lights so Don never missed his mark.
He frequently made himself available for autographs at collector shows and ANDY GRIFFITH fan events, even though signing autographs was a chore that actually made him ill. Without forward vision, locating sections of 8x10s photos where he could legibly sign was a deliberate and slow chore. He would sign for hours, but frustration with his disability led to blood pressure headaches. Often he would leave shows early due to headaches, but the fact was, he would suffer as long as he could so as few fans as possible went home disappointed.
I'm an annual attendee at "Mayberry Days" in Mt. Airy NC. Of all the GRIFFITH actors and crew who have been guests at this event, not one has had less than personal and professional praise for Don Knotts! And these guests have included the Dillards, Maggie Peterson, Betty Lynn, Howard Morris, George Lindsey, Harvey Bullock, Jack Elinson, James Best, Elinor Donahue, Earle Hagen... and some guy named Andy Griffith.
Don Knotts was a regular guy with a great deal of talent. He was fortunate to have his talent meet with Andy Griffith and the production staff of Danny Thomas & Sheldon Leonard, and they created a cultural icon known as 'Barney Fife.' Mr. Knotts always appreciated his fans, and went more than the extra mile to acknowledge them.
I will miss Don Knotts. But, I have 'Barney Fife,' 'Nervous Man,' and his movie characters to always remember him by.
"Atta boy Luther!"
