Summary[]
Arnold Winkler tries to teach Opie how to manipulate his father by throwing tantrums. After Winkler's bike is impounded Opie sees Winkler's ways just don't wash.
Plot[]
Andy and Barney are walking through town when Mrs. Rodenbach is run down by a young
Arnold Hits Mrs. Rodenbach
boy riding a bicycle illegally on the sidewalk in front of the grocery store. While Andy and Barney tend to Mrs. Rodenbach, the boy rides by again and runs down Barney, but too quickly for Barney to identify and detain him.
The young boy, whose name is Arnold Winkler, rides to the Taylor house, where Opie is doing chores for a weekly 25-cent allowance. Opie admires Arnold's brand new expensive bicycle, saying that Arnold must have worked hard to earn money to buy it. Arnold retorts that he didn't have to work for the bike; his parents give him anything he wants, including a money allowance of 75 cents a week, without any work.
Meanwhile, back at the courthouse, Opie pays his father a visit as he is pondering whether Arnold is right about not working for an allowance. He asks his father if there are rules about how a father should raise his son. Andy replies that there are no such rules, that each parent raises and rewards his or her child in the manner he or she sees best, and that it is best that Opie earn his allowance by doing chores.
Back at home, Opie tells Arnold about the discussion with his father. Arnold tells Opie that
Arnold Nearly Hits Barney
throwing tantrums is the best way to get whatever he wants. Then Arnold rides off back to town and continues to defy the law about riding his bike on the sidewalk. Barney sees him and stops him with a warning, but Arnold rides off again on the sidewalk in defiance. This time, Andy stops Arnold and impounds the bike. Arnold storms off, threatening to tell his father. Opie comes to the courthouse and defiantly rehashes his point about not having to work for allowance, much to his father's chagrin. Andy replies, 'no work, no allowance,’ so Opie holds his breath and begins to throw tantrums as Arnold suggested. However, Andy simply ignores him. Barney then enters with Arnold and his father, Simon Winkler, in tow. Mr. Winkler heatedly confronts Andy about impounding the bike and upsetting his son, ignoring Andy's explanation of the situation and demanding Andy be more lenient since Arnold is a child.
Opie Tries Arnolds Advice
Andy confronts Winkler about how he spoils Arnold, and threatens to lock up Mr. Winkler in the jail, if he will not take responsibility for his son's actions. Arnold defiantly tells Andy to lock up his father if it means he will get his bike back, openly admitting when questioned that he cares more about the bike than his father. Mr. Winkler, horrified by the truth, tells Andy that he will sell the bike as soon as he gets it back. Because of this, Arnold throws a gigantic tantrum, so Andy suggests Mr. Winkler continue his discussion with his son at the "woodshed" behind the courthouse, implying Arnold should be spanked. Mr. Winkler agrees and leaves. Opie is obviously moved by what he has observed as well.
The next day, Opie apologizes to his father and asks to do the chores again. Andy agrees and raises his son's allowance from 25 to 27 cents.
Notes/Trivia[]
- Arnold's bike is the same one Opie would get for straight A's.
- In 2016, The Mount Airy News caught up with Ronnie Dapo (Arnold Winkler), the retired 64-year-old actor, who reflected on his career and time in Mayberry. After he delivered his famous fit on the set, "The whole place stood up and applauded me," he recalled. "Parts like that were great." He left showbiz at the age of 14 and would go on to work in music, steel and printing.
Goofs[]
Music[]
Quotes[]
Opie: Is Arn gonna get spanked, Pa?
Andy: Don't you think he deserves it?
Opie: I don't wanna say. After all, he is one of my own kind.
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