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Permalink Reply by Frank Johnson on December 16, 2015 at 11:23am

I am not 100% sure about this, but I had heard she became a recluse. She had many cats in here house and she didn't like to go anywhere or have any visitors. I seem to also remember Andy going to visit her and it did not go well. So maybe they tried to get her on board and she didn't want anything to do with it. Andy has said in the past that they had a rocky relationship at times during filming. 

I didn't answer the question, but I think the way she lived her later years may of played a big part in her not being included.

Permalink Reply by Scott Paul on December 16, 2015 at 11:45am

Hi Frank.  I think she was not interested in doing it she may not have felt up to it either.  I think Andy wanted her in it.  I think it was Ron Howard who apparently went to visit here and she talked to him through the screen door on the porch.  She was apparently was somewhat difficult and Howard Morris, Ron Howard, George Lindsey and Maggie Peterson have related incidents.  Ironically Andy Griffith always spoke highly of her and I never recall any reports of him saying anything negative.  He merely stated that she did not like him.  She herself in an interview gave Andy credit for the authenticity of the show.  I think she thought people loved her for a part she played not the person she was.  You are right she loved cats and had quite a few.  Andy tells of her calling him not long before her death to say she was sorry they had not gotten along that well.  I have always admired how Andy always gave her so much credit.

Permalink Reply by 1ba14gtwda6fg on December 19, 2015 at 5:50am

Scott, This is so interesting. I never knew any of this. There's probably a lot that went on behind the scenes that are unknown. I really liked this discussion.