I know this question has probably been asked about here before but I searched and couldn't find it. Does anyone know why Ms. Donahue left the show so soon? I thought she and Andy had great chemistry together on screen. And she was a pretty woman so that should have posed no problem for her being on the show. I wish she had stayed a lot longer.

I thought I read her and Andy Griffith agreed it wasn't working on screen chemistry wise between the two. She was likable to me but didn't seem to have any comedic talent.

She was on the first year also where Griffith and Knott's characters were forming and changing to Griffith turning to more of Knott's straight man.

I also remember reading she didn't like working on the 70s "Odd Couple".

I also read that there was a bit of age difference. She was around 23 or so and Andy was in his 30's when the show started and he felt she was too young to play a girlfriend.

I'd rather see him with Ellie than that she-devil, Helen Crump.

I also read that there was a bit of age difference. She was around 23 or so and Andy was in his 30's when the show started and he felt she was too young to play a girlfriend.

Even though she didn't work out as Andy's girlfriend, it would have been nice for her to remain on TAGS as a recurring character.

Even though she didn't work out as Andy's girlfriend, it would have been nice for her to remain on TAGS as a recurring character.

Agreed, I really liked her style.

I thought I read her and Andy Griffith agreed it wasn't working on screen chemistry wise between the two. She was likable to me but didn't seem to have any comedic talent.

She was on the first year also where Griffith and Knott's characters were forming and changing to Griffith turning to more of Knott's straight man.

I also remember reading she didn't like working on the 70s "Odd Couple".

Actually SHE said they didn't have chemistry & chose to leave the show. That's too bad because she was the hottest lady in the entire run of that show!

Did Thelma Lou & Helen Crump have any comedic talent?? I never noticed anything in particular. They did a good job of reading their lines just like Elinor did.

Since Don Knotts & Andy handled most of the comedy on the show the women on the show didn't have to worry about comedians or anything.

I'd rather see him with Ellie than that she-devil, Helen Crump.

Me too!

We all know that Griffith and Aneta Corsaut became "very close friends" off camera. And I always suspected that Donahue was retreating from a similar opportunity when she decided that the chemistry between them was unworkable.
I'm aware that several people have painted Griffith to be a shy, choir boy type. but I don't buy it. I think there likely was more Lonesome Rhoades in Andy Griffith than the press releases admit to

We all know that Griffith and Aneta Corsaut became "very close friends" off camera. And I always suspected that Donahue was retreating from a similar opportunity when she decided that the chemistry between them was unworkable.
I'm aware that several people have painted Griffith to be a shy, choir boy type. but I don't buy it. I think there likely was more Lonesome Rhoades in Andy Griffith than the press releases admit to

Yes, Andy even admitted there were aspects of Andy Griffith he wanted to keep OUT of Andy Taylor.

We all know that Griffith and Aneta Corsaut became "very close friends" off camera. And I always suspected that Donahue was retreating from a similar opportunity when she decided that the chemistry between them was unworkable.
I'm aware that several people have painted Griffith to be a shy, choir boy type. but I don't buy it. I think there likely was more Lonesome Rhoades in Andy Griffith than the press releases admit to

Originally Andy Griffith was shy around women to the point that he originally rebuffed Betty Lynn's advances (Lynn is on record of telling him she wished he had a twin brother and would've had had sex with him if Griffith wasn't worried about protecting Barbara) and was awkawrd about romance. Griffith was what one might call a late bloomer and i think where he started to really go after girls was after the Wall Incident (aka the real reason he wears a cast in Aunt Bea the Warden and The County Nurse) where he punched a wall during a heated argument with his first wife Barbara. One only has to compare his romantic performance in Three's a Crowd (The episode after the County nurse) to the romantic ones with Eleanor Donahue and one can see it's night and day.

I think that incident coupled with it slipping out that Sam and Dixie (Griffith and barbara's two children) were adopted probably drove him to having affairs and a sex life in order to "prove" that he could have sex like a normal man and that he wasn't the problem (though in all honesty he probably was infertile). There's also the fact that griffith tended to prefer Blondes and redheads to brunettes which also might explain things as well.

So you're saying that punching the wall jump started his testosterone production? :rotflmao:

Sorry, I'm more inclined to believe he just wasn't attracted to Betty Lynn. She's got somewhat of a milquetoast persona, and I never found her particularly appealing either.(for that exact reason)

So Elinor Donahue has this opportunity to become a fixture in a popular TV show, a sure-thing paycheck, and she just walks away from it over "chemistry"? I just don't buy that. Co-stars with much deeper personality conflicts than that have managed to tough it out for the sake of success. Look at how long Frances Bavier lasted, yet she and Griffith truly didn't like each other.

Elinor Donahue was always my favorite female lead. I don't buy the chemistry excuse also. I thought Ellie and Andy had lots of chemistry on screen. Actually, Elinor had chemistry with all the actors on the show. I loved her with Ron Howard. It was a loss for the show when she left.

I think we've all had co-workers that didn't particularly appeal to us. The ones we always have a ready excuse for "just in case" they try to invite you over to their house....etc.

But, how bad would it have to get, to cause you to quit and go work elsewhere?

So you're saying that punching the wall jump started his testosterone production? :rotflmao:

Sorry, I'm more inclined to believe he just wasn't attracted to Betty Lynn. She's got somewhat of a milquetoast persona, and I never found her particularly appealing either.(for that exact reason)

So Elinor Donahue has this opportunity to become a fixture in a popular TV show, a sure-thing paycheck, and she just walks away from it over "chemistry"? I just don't buy that. Co-stars with much deeper personality conflicts than that have managed to tough it out for the sake of success. Look at how long Frances Bavier lasted, yet she and Griffith truly didn't like each other.

I think you're off base here. Donahue was coming off a very successful run as Betty Anderson in the very successful Father Knows Best. She was sitcom star, she moves into her first adult role with that on her resume and she's looking to be the female lead and one of the featured players of The Andy Griffith Show. That's not how Andy and the other owners of the series saw that part. They saw the role as the generic "love interest", a character that would be used on an as needed basis. Take another look at the rest of the series run, the love interest which was played for the last five seasons by
Aneta Corsaut was a regular but she had a small part in many episodes, Frances Bavier was the closest thing the series had to a female lead.

This may not seem like a big deal, but to stars this kind of thing is a very big deal. Donahue thought she was going to have major role in this series and that was simply not in the cards, Don's character was going to get major screen time along with Ron and Frances, she thought of the role as a step back and she wasn't ready to do that at this point in her career.

Elinor Donahue was always my favorite female lead. I don't buy the chemistry excuse also. I thought Ellie and Andy had lots of chemistry on screen. Actually, Elinor had chemistry with all the actors on the show. I loved her with Ron Howard. It was a loss for the show when she left.

Well Elinor specifically said she didn't have chemistry with Andy so that's why she left.

But I agree that Elinor was also my favorite female lead & incredibly hot!

I think you're off base here. Donahue was coming off a very successful run as Betty Anderson in the very successful Father Knows Best. She was sitcom star, she moves into her first adult role with that on her resume and she's looking to be the female lead and one of the featured players of The Andy Griffith Show. That's not how Andy and the other owners of the series saw that part. They saw the role as the generic "love interest", a character that would be used on an as needed basis.

This may not seem like a big deal, but to stars this kind of thing is a very big deal. Donahue thought she was going to have major role in this series and that was simply not in the cards, Don's character was going to get major screen time along with Ron and Frances, she thought of the role as a step back and she wasn't ready to do that at this point in her career.

Perhaps I would be more convinced if she had actually risen to that higher calling.

But after her 12 episodes with TAGS ended abruptly in 1961 she did nothing but bit parts until 1964 when she landed a gig doing only 26 episodes for the ill fated "Many Happy Returns"....followed by more odd bit parts up through 1971 when she then began a supporting role of 17 episodes of the Odd Couple. Then more bit parts all the way until 1984, when she ended up on daytime soaps.

I like Elinor, but reality just doesn't support the notion that a meteoric rise beckoned.
I don't think most people will quit a job until they have a better one lined up.....unless they are running away from something. That's kinda why I suspect the latter to be the case.

Gentleman Jim,

I'm not saying that your theory is impossible but Miss Donahue hasn't claimed this to have been the case even all these years after almost every other regular adult cast member's death (and in this Me Too era) so I think with each passing year of her not claiming that sort of thing to have happened, I believe it's less likely than not.

Another aspect, wasn't Griffith's wife "unstable"? Perhaps the demon that Donahue was fleeing was the jealous imagination of Griffith's wife? My Mom had a boss at one time who had a neurotic wife tormented by unjustified suspicion, and my mom eventually changed jobs to escape the unfounded accusations.

Perhaps Donahue was blessed with uncharacteristic grace,.. not wanting to soil reputations? True, it doesn't fit the mold popular today where everyone strives to paint themselves as :"victim"?

But I really more suspect ol Ange was trying to bag Betty Andersen. No proof, but the pieces seem to fit better that way....at least to my perception

(and in this Me Too era) .

Off topic but special attention to that part. Have we as a society come to the point where anytime a boss has a relationship with a female subordinate, that we insist an abuse has occurred?

Aren't there women who are determined to use whatever assets are available to them to advance their fortunes?

Or is it ALWAYS the man's fault nowdays?

Perhaps I would be more convinced if she had actually risen to that higher calling.

But after her 12 episodes with TAGS ended abruptly in 1961 she did nothing but bit parts until 1964 when she landed a gig doing only 26 episodes for the ill fated "Many Happy Returns"....followed by more odd bit parts up through 1971 when she then began a supporting role of 17 episodes of the Odd Couple. Then more bit parts all the way until 1984, when she ended up on daytime soaps.

I like Elinor, but reality just doesn't support the notion that a meteoric rise beckoned.
I don't think most people will quit a job until they have a better one lined up.....unless they are running away from something. That's kinda why I suspect the latter to be the case.


Let's take a look at some of your statements:

"I like Elinor, but reality just doesn't support the notion that a meteoric rise beckoned".

What meteoric rise? She was already a TV star, arguably the second biggest name in the cast coming into the series.

"I would be more convinced if she had actually risen to that higher calling".

Great, hindsight as they say is 2020. Donahue was living this in real time, she had no way of knowing how the rest of her career was going to play out. She might have seen herself as the next Hope Lange or Kim Novak, or maybe Donna Reed in 10 years. To get to where she was in 1960 took talent and ego, she was just entering her mid twenties! The role of Ellie may have been pitched to her as the most important role in the series next to Andy Taylor. As she began viewing the early scripts she may have come to the conclusion that the part was much less than she bargained for. Why is the part of Ellie Walker uncredited in most of the episodes she appeared in SAG rules would require a credit unless she requested otherwise. And again look at how the series handled "the love interest" part the rest of the way, it was a supporting role.

"I don't think most people will quit a job until they have a better one lined up.....unless they are running away from something".

First, this is a career not a job, second maybe she was running away from something, and that would be being typecast as a supporting character (nurse, secretary, next store neighbor ...).

Maybe she was expecting it to be a bigger role, but realized it wasn't going to happen and thus decided to move on to find that bigger role elsewhere. Or maybe she wasn't too thrilled about the show itself, being set in a small town inhabited by country bumpkins and wanted out.

What meteoric rise?
.

That was exactly my point! someone was trying to claim she wasn't content with the opportunity TAGS presented for her.....AS IF SHE HAD ANYTHING BETTER?

Obviously she didn't...over the next 20 years the only roles she had bigger than Ellie Walker was 26 episodes in a failed launch of MHR's, and 17 episodes spread out in the Odd Couple.

So if she left TAGS to pursue a bigger dream.....what was It?

Nothing bigger than the 5 +3 she coulda gotten in Mayberry.

LOL, maybe she was afraid she'd get Jethro'ed?

Andy must have been blind. I'd have hired her & tasted her peaches too.
266360

Another aspect, wasn't Griffith's wife "unstable"? Perhaps the demon that Donahue was fleeing was the jealous imagination of Griffith's wife? My Mom had a boss at one time who had a neurotic wife tormented by unjustified suspicion, and my mom eventually changed jobs to escape the unfounded accusations.

Perhaps Donahue was blessed with uncharacteristic grace,.. not wanting to soil reputations? True, it doesn't fit the mold popular today where everyone strives to paint themselves as :"victim"?

But I really more suspect ol Ange was trying to bag Betty Andersen. No proof, but the pieces seem to fit better that way....at least to my perception

In regards to this topic originally Griffith was very shy about women. Betty Lynn (Thelma Lou) was very in love with him when the series began to the point she wished he had a twin brother, but at the time Griffith wanted to keep his marriage happy though it was starting to show awfulness even then.

As i've said before i think the wall punching incident (why Andy is wearing a cast in Aunt Bea the Warden and The County Nurse) might've been where Andy started on the path to being fine having intimate moments with Helen within earshot of underage cast members. One thing that is not brough up is Andy and Barbera's two kids Dixie and Sam Griffith were both adopted and were not biologically Andy or Barbera's. There's speculaton that one of the reasons Andy and Barbera started their fighting was Barbera mad she couldn't get pregnant and blamed Andy for it which royally annoyed Andy who returned it in full. Adding to this was the fact that Don Knotts was a ladies man to the point that his wife left him to raise his daughter Karen (Who i should point out is Don and his first wife's bilogical daughter) as a single parent. The fact that Don was getting the girls and had succeed in having a biological daugher wheareas Andy and Barbera had been forced to adopt probably forced Andy's hand into being more romantic and making Anita his mistress despite being married and in later seasons his wife dying.

Throughout her interviews Eleanour Donahue has never said anything about Andy or his wife causing her problems and I think that says it all.

Throughout her interviews Eleanour Donahue has never said anything about Andy or his wife causing her problems and I think that says it all.

I understand that to be fairly common among emotional trauma victims. :D

I believe it's called suppression.

LOL, I just said that because your most recent reply is a near carbon copy of the one you made earlier, and I'm just trying to show that I can "take it" without being discouraged.

Obviously we are not going to find common ground here, and I'm fine with that. You are content with the official version, while I am not. It sounds to me more like concocted spin designed to protect egos. (for the reasons I have already outlined)

One has to remember, this was an earlier time, people were not as frank about personal affairs as they are now. In movies people would fall into each other's arms, and the camera would cut to a clip of trains colliding, forcing the audience to draw their own conclusion of what was really happening https://i.imgur.com/I5fxh0v.gif

That was exactly my point! someone was trying to claim she wasn't content with the opportunity TAGS presented for her.....AS IF SHE HAD ANYTHING BETTER?

Obviously she didn't...over the next 20 years the only roles she had bigger than Ellie Walker was 26 episodes in a failed launch of MHR's, and 17 episodes spread out in the Odd Couple.

So if she left TAGS to pursue a bigger dream.....what was It?

Nothing bigger than the 5 +3 she coulda gotten in Mayberry.

Let's start with here:

"What meteoric rise"?
.
That was exactly my point! someone was trying to claim she wasn't content with the opportunity TAGS presented for her.....AS IF SHE HAD ANYTHING BETTER?

I think you misunderstood me, she was already a star, as I said in the original post arguably the biggest star in the cast next to Andy. She didn't need to rise, she was already there. She signs on for what seems like a major role and all of a sudden the scripts start flowing and she realizes her character is really more of a supporting character than a lead character.

With respect to the rest of her career, she was living it as it happened she had no idea that she was going to be a supporting actress for the rest of her career (with a few guest appearances sprinkled in along the way). Actors are always afraid of being typecast and oftentimes turn down roles just for that very reason. With respect to the years immediately following Griffith, you have no idea the roles she auditioned for. The feedback in that period of time may have helped her set more realistic goals, who knows.

The fact that she received only three credits for the 12 episodes she appeared in tell us that she was dissatisfied with the part. Elinor had to specifically request not to be listed.

You missed mentioning her time on the series "Get A Life".

You missed mentioning her time on the series "Get A Life".

Actually, I stopped intentionally when she moved to daytime soaps, figuring 20+/- years was an adequate span to confirm that tangible opportunity was not any factor in her decision to leave TAGS (my response to the earlier assertion that she felt "undercast" on TAGS)

Personally, I'd think that someone seeking a bigger gig would want the exposure available to her through TAGS, hoping that someone else might rediscover her, in the process.
As opposed to just quitting and starting over?

Different, but similar to the story around Don Knotts' departure. For years the official version was that - expecting the show to only run 5 years, He made plans to move on that included movie deals, which precluded him from continuing as a regular on TAGS.
Only after his death did the other details come out about him demanding a percentage, that neither Griffith nor Sheldon Leonard were willing to surrender.

Niot wanting to burst anyone's bubble, they make up these innocuous cover stories to shelter the fan base from any hint there might be trouble in paradise.

Different, but similar to the story around Don Knotts' departure. For years the official version was that - expecting the show to only run 5 years, He made plans to move on that included movie deals, which precluded him from continuing as a regular on TAGS.
Only after his death did the other details come out about him demanding a percentage, that neither Griffith nor Sheldon Leonard were willing to surrender.

Niot wanting to burst anyone's bubble, they make up these innocuous cover stories to shelter the fan base from any hint there might be trouble in paradise.

Wow, really?? :eek:

Can you please provide a link on that?

Why would Andy be so greedy?? He could've easily offered Don at least a measley 5% or something. After all, Knotts was the main star of the show. I think we all agree this show wouldn't have been the hit it was without Don Knotts!

Off topic but special attention to that part. Have we as a society come to the point where anytime a boss has a relationship with a female subordinate, that we insist an abuse has occurred?

Aren't there women who are determined to use whatever assets are available to them to advance their fortunes?

Or is it ALWAYS the man's fault nowdays?


Having been in the workforce for X number of decades, I know that not only does sexual harassment exist but so does literally kissing up to the boss (and I've seen all the above cross every gender and preference line imaginable).

Hence, I think we need to carefully LISTEN to each side of every claim and then, via logic and what one has previously been established as irrefutable facts (and NOT any sentimentality ) be the deciding factors. A tough order to be sure but this is the only way to procreed.

Sad to say, every single kind of crime has had folks out there who have either exaggerated or even outright lied about stuff happening. That doesn't mean we should automatically disbelieve anyone. This means we need to investigate and do our best to prosecute criminals and protect victims and if anyone has been proven to have lied, use perjury laws against them.

I've seen folks who've thrown fits when someone says 'not all men are rapists'. Would anyone get upset if a woman said 'not all women are shoplifters' and not think that those who objected to that were themselves being needlessly paranoid and encouraging others to be the same?

As for Miss Donahue? As I said, it's not impossible for her to have had harassment (or even worse) have happened with Mr. Griffith, other cast members or even the show's directors or producers but she has so far not claimed this to have been the case thusfar. I don't think we should automatically assume it (and I certainly don't think anyone should attempt to bully her just to contribute to any cause). IOW, for now let's just take her at her word re the reasons for her exit with and not hold one's breath waiting for any possible other shoe to drop.

Why would Andy be so greedy?? He could've easily offered Don at least a measley 5% or something. After all, Knotts was the main star of the show. I think we all agree this show wouldn't have been the hit it was without Don Knotts!

True, but perhaps Andy figured the show was his creation and he was responsible for making Don the star. Apparently, Andy Griffith was not nearly as nice as Andy Taylor.

Wow, really?? :eek:

Can you please provide a link on that?

Why would Andy be so greedy?? He could've easily offered Don at least a measley 5% or something. After all, Knotts was the main star of the show. I think we all agree this show wouldn't have been the hit it was without Don Knotts!

Wish I could accommodate that request, but the truth is it was something I just uncovered deep on a Mayberry fan site, that at the time didn't seem so unusual as to merit a bookmark.. It just made sense to the point my reaction was "oh, so that's what was going on" And didn't give it much further attention.

The story went like this: Griffith too was ready to move on after 5 years as well, but the sponsors wanted more. So, he was given a bigger percentage as a sweetener, to get him "on board" with continuing.

When they approached Knotts, he felt like he deserved a percentage too. And if that percentage came from Andy, it would come out of the nice share he had just gotten, which he really didn't want to do. And Sheldon Leonard didn't feel like giving up even more of his share, so the decision ultimately was "we'll give you a nice raise, but no percentage"...and Knotts balked.
Sorry I couldn't give you anything more concrete

**EDIT ADD** - - Thinking further about it, I don't think that it was a "Mayberry" fan site that I found that information on. I believe it was Sheldon Leonard who I was researching at the time. And that there was discussion between Leonard and Griffith that Leonard was concerned that if they accommodated Knotts, that might open up the flood gates for Francis Bavier, Rance Howard, and who knows who all else to make similar demands. So, it was decided to offer Knotts a generous raise, instead. And he declined.

As for Miss Donahue? As I said, it's not impossible for her to have had harassment (or even worse) have happened with Mr. Griffith, other cast members or even the show's directors or producers but she has so far not claimed this to have been the case thusfar. I don't think we should automatically assume it .

I pondered a similar aspect last night, after settling down in bed.

And it occurred to me that I really don't care either way. I neither think any more or less
of her,...regardless. And, I'm really not trying to change anyone's mind on the matter, although I can see that it may have looked otherwise. :)

But, to me, her story seems like the kind of "polite company" story common to that era. They were not like today where everyone's first move is a kick to the groin.

Consider how the media consistently overlooked JFK's indiscretions. (as well as others)

I admit that I am a cynic, perhaps even a bit jaded when it comes to human nature, and it takes absolutely no imagination at all on my part to consider that Griffith might have ...had ambition.

That was also a time period where powerful stars could crush an aspiring starlett and get away with it, so there may have been some value in discretion?

But that is just my own personal gut.:D

Wish I could accommodate that request, but the truth is it was something I just uncovered deep on a Mayberry fan site, that at the time didn't seem so unusual as to merit a bookmark.. It just made sense to the point my reaction was "oh, so that's what was going on" And didn't give it much further attention.

The story went like this: Griffith too was ready to move on after 5 years as well, but the sponsors wanted more. So, he was given a bigger percentage as a sweetener, to get him "on board" with continuing.

When they approached Knotts, he felt like he deserved a percentage too. And if that percentage came from Andy, it would come out of the nice share he had just gotten, which he really didn't want to do. And Sheldon Leonard didn't feel like giving up even more of his share, so the decision ultimately was "we'll give you a nice raise, but no percentage"...and Knotts balked.
Sorry I couldn't give you anything more concrete

**EDIT ADD** - - Thinking further about it, I don't think that it was a "Mayberry" fan site that I found that information on. I believe it was Sheldon Leonard who I was researching at the time. And that there was discussion between Leonard and Griffith that Leonard was concerned that if they accommodated Knotts, that might open up the flood gates for Francis Bavier, Rance Howard, and who knows who all else to make similar demands. So, it was decided to offer Knotts a generous raise, instead. And he declined.

This topic has been discussed on several occasions most recently last December, here some of what I wrote at the time:

To me it seems reasonable to assume the problem started with Jim Nabors being given his own series effectively leapfrogging over Don Knotts. That must have really bothered Don, Jim was a semi-regular on TAGS and now he has his own series. Don was an extremely important part of TAGS and the line was now drawn in the sand, if he was so important to the series he needed a practical demonstration of that importance. The star business is a big deal for people in the industry so this was no little thing. He almost had to demand some significant compensation as an inducement to continue. Again, Griffith already was getting his with or without Don so both decisions, the one by Andy not to give Don a percentage and Don walking made sense.

The ownership points were worth millions and they weren't contingent on Don being in the show, Andy would have been crazy to give them up. I think Don understood this, when Don had his variety series on NBC he set up his own production company. To paraphrase Michael Corleone; it's not greedy it's strictly business.

Actually, I stopped intentionally when she moved to daytime soaps, figuring 20+/- years was an adequate span to confirm that tangible opportunity was not any factor in her decision to leave TAGS (my response to the earlier assertion that she felt "undercast" on TAGS)

Personally, I'd think that someone seeking a bigger gig would want the exposure available to her through TAGS, hoping that someone else might rediscover her, in the process.
As opposed to just quitting and starting over?

I understand where you're coming from but look at the life of Elinor Donahue up to that point, she's 23 years of age, she had IMD credits going back to 1943 when she was 6! She was already married and now in the process of getting divorced. My point, she had done a lot of living by the time she was 23. Who knows what advice she was getting but something was going on with the production of this series that she, her advisors or both were very dissatisfied with. In the immediate post-TAGS world she may have gotten a cold bucket water in the face with respect to her actual standing in the business and you know what, she went to school on that experience and grew because of it. When asked once what she thinks attributed to her lengthy career she stated she wasn't a star and that made it easier for her.

Interestingly enough a similar situation was developing on another Sheldon Leonard program, The Dick Van Dyke Show. Again a child star Rose Marie with an IMD credit at the age of 10 was angry because she had been told she would be the female lead in the series only to be usurped by Mary Tyler Moore.

Well, here's another source that suggests Griffith was known to grow especially fond of certain co-stars

https://thesouthernvoice.com/joanna-moore-story/

Elinor Donahue is in her 80s now and may not be in the best of health. It is extremely unlikely that she is going to claim Andy Griffith sexually harassed her, especially since no one is alive who could vouch for her.

I think something happened to Elinor during the first season. It could have been something as simple as Andy telling her that she wasn't a good fit for the show. I concur with others that she's not going to reveal her reason(s) beyond the lack of chemistry.

I understand where you're coming from but look at the life of Elinor Donahue up to that point, she's 23 years of age, she had IMD credits going back to 1943 when she was 6! She was already married and now in the process of getting divorced. My point, she had done a lot of living by the time she was 23. Who knows what advice she was getting but something was going on with the production of this series that she, her advisors or both were very dissatisfied with. In the immediate post-TAGS world she may have gotten a cold bucket water in the face with respect to her actual standing in the business and you know what, she went to school on that experience and grew because of it. When asked once what she thinks attributed to her lengthy career she stated she wasn't a star and that made it easier for her.

Interestingly enough a similar situation was developing on another Sheldon Leonard program, The Dick Van Dyke Show. Again a child star Rose Marie with an IMD credit at the age of 10 was angry because she had been told she would be the female lead in the series only to be usurped by Mary Tyler Moore.

Just to add a little more context, I think I heard this marriage was to a staff member of Father Knows Best--she was pregnant in 1957, toward the end of the third season. I'd bet there was some turmoil with Eugene Rodney and Robert Young on that--I'm sure they were none too happy that one of their "child" actors was pregnant. She missed a few episodes and they made some attempts to hide it in the episodes she did appear in.

Just to add a little more context, I think I heard this marriage was to a staff member of Father Knows Best--she was pregnant in 1957, toward the end of the third season. I'd bet there was some turmoil with Eugene Rodney and Robert Young on that--I'm sure they were none too happy that one of their "child" actors was pregnant. She missed a few episodes and they made some attempts to hide it in the episodes she did appear in.

Thanks stevea the additional information is very informative.

I think something happened to Elinor during the first season. It could have been something as simple as Andy telling her that she wasn't a good fit for the show. I concur with others that she's not going to reveal her reason(s) beyond the lack of chemistry.

Something did happen to her, she started seeing the scripts and realized this was a much smaller part than she thought. Actors are always concerned about being typecast, she sees herself as someone who can compete for leading part roles, the role in TAGS (at least in her opinion) suggested she was more of a supporting player. She's 23 years old, she had been a star in a TV series already, this is a big deal for her.

Even though she didn't work out as Andy's girlfriend, it would have been nice for her to remain on TAGS as a recurring character.

Yes, a woman as a pharmacist in a small town casts a different light on "women are oppressed" .

I read she married Harry Ackerman who ? produced many shows of the 1960's. Flying nun, Bewitched. Don't whether this was the husband of the late 50's or a newer one.

So, Tina Louise signs on to a show called "Gilligan's Island, and then feigns betrayal in learning the show did not revolve around her

And Elinore Donahue signs on to the Andy Griffith Show and wonders (at age 23) where the star is on her dressing room door?

Megalomania much?

I'm not a huge supporter of Andy Griffith the person. But, as someone who always tries to place myself into the other mans shoes, I can't say that I am completely unsympathetic.

Here he is, the chance of a lifetime, and everybody around him is trying to "help themselves" at the Champaign cart. Maybe that keys into his apparent personality change over the course of the show?

Don Knotts saying that a raise wasn't good enough, he had to have a percentage? Griffith MUST have wondered who's next? etc,

Wasn't this show a big hit at the end of the first season?

Watch this and decide for yourself.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F768wetjbmc

She also mentioned problems in her personal life.
https://www.wideopencountry.com/elinor-donahue/

I read she married Harry Ackerman who ? produced many shows of the 1960's. Flying nun, Bewitched. Don't whether this was the husband of the late 50's or a newer one.

Second husband.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elinor_Donahue

So, Tina Louise signs on to a show called "Gilligan's Island, and then feigns betrayal in learning the show did not revolve around her

And Elinore Donahue signs on to the Andy Griffith Show and wonders (at age 23) where the star is on her dressing room door?

Megalomania much?

It was nothing like that.

I've always avoided TAGS season 1 (was not a big fan). Recently finished watching it after many years (I rated it 6.1 out of 10). I really came away impressed with Elinor Donahue. She was really placed in a tough spot being 11 years younger than Andy Griffith. Not a huge age difference but it was awkward for the 2 actors to make their relationship believable. I think the 2 rarely if ever kissed on their on-screen courtship. AG's heavy forced Southern accent being the clownish country bumpkin dominated a lot of season 1. Quite honestly ruined some episodes for me. If ED joined TAGS later on when Andy Taylor the clown was changed to the tamer straight man I think she'd of fit in better.

AG's personal shortcomings I'm kind of neutral on. I'm sure there's squabbles and pay conflicts on all shows. Some actors I'm impressed with when you heard them interviewed. Others not. They could be caught in a rough time in their lives. I always found this AG & Jerry Van Dyke interview a bit bizarre.

0ehMtiVdE6k

The author of this article claims that the departure of ED from TAGS was a lost opportunity for those looking for a feminist role model.
https://thiswastv.com/2012/08/09/women-in-the-box-ellie-walker-the-andy-griffith-show/

Just to add a little more context, I think I heard this marriage was to a staff member of Father Knows Best--she was pregnant in 1957, toward the end of the third season. I'd bet there was some turmoil with Eugene Rodney and Robert Young on that--I'm sure they were none too happy that one of their "child" actors was pregnant. She missed a few episodes and they made some attempts to hide it in the episodes she did appear in.

Here she is explaining this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8J_-qH4yyt8

It was nothing like that.

I think that is one of the strengths of good writing. Different viewers notice different things. https://i.imgur.com/TWlyUAM.gif

I think that is one of the strengths of good writing. Different viewers notice different things. https://i.imgur.com/TWlyUAM.gif

The speculation about “THE REAL REASON” Elinor Donahue left TAGS has nothing to do with the quality of the series’ writing. It’s about people looking for behind-the-scenes scandals. Why, for example, does no one speculate about “THE REAL REASON” Jack Burns left TAGS?

She makes it clear in the linked interview that she went directly from Father Knows Best into TAGS--she says she was burned out. She ASKED to get out of the three year contract and they let her. Ironically she then was disappointed they let her go.

I thought the anecdote she related about the Christmas episode was interesting. She was nervous when they were filming of Away in a Manger. They asked her to relax and hum along and just sing when she was ready. When it was over she was at ease and ready for a take--the director wrapped it--they had been filming the whole thing, unbeknownst to her.

She makes it clear in the linked interview that she went directly from Father Knows Best into TAGS--she says she was burned out. She ASKED to get out of the three year contract and they let her. Ironically she then was disappointed they let her go.

She also said the divorce she was going through added to her turmoil. Andy Griffith said in an interview something to the extent of “we didn’t know how to write for women”.

She also said the divorce she was going through added to her turmoil. Andy Griffith said in an interview something to the extent of “we didn’t know how to write for women”.

They obviously learned later - Thelma Lou, Helen Crump, Fun Girls....

I like Elinor Donahue as a person and an actress. I think she made a better girl friend for Andy than Aneta Courset (spelling?).

The Helen character became more annoying as time went on, particularly in the color years.

The speculation about “THE REAL REASON” Elinor Donahue left TAGS has nothing to do with the quality of the series’ writing. It’s about people looking for behind-the-scenes scandals.

Oh, I don't know. I've read some pretty rash assertions here on these boards, fans imagineering the role of Ellie Walker as some fem manifesto, that she ultimately was cruely denied by the sexist writers refusing to assign her a more dominant role.

So, I'd say the writing must allow the viewer to see whatever they are looking for? :lol:

I guess in a more progressive world, things might have turned out differently?

https://i.imgur.com/7u1whVG.gif

^Ellie, played by the star Elinor Donahue, runs the Mayberry Drug Store, and the Sheriff or his Deputy stops in once in awhile to check up on things.

Later on she turns over the evening operation to Juanita or Daphne (part-time, till 7:30), and gets home to her young son, Opie.

"Hey, Ellie! Fillin' all the prescriptions OK?"

I think you're off base here. Donahue was coming off a very successful run as Betty Anderson in the very successful Father Knows Best. She was sitcom star, she moves into her first adult role with that on her resume and she's looking to be the female lead and one of the featured players of The Andy Griffith Show. .

Donahue was just a supporting actress in “Father Knows Best”, not a “star”.

^Ellie, played by the star Elinor Donahue, runs the Mayberry Drug Store, and the Sheriff or his Deputy stops in once in awhile to check up on things.

Later on she turns over the evening operation to Juanita or Daphne (part-time, till 7:30), and gets home to her young son, Opie.

"Hey, Ellie! Fillin' all the prescriptions OK?"

But she can't spend too much time with Opie. She has to get to choir practice, then to band practice, then bowling with medical professionals in Mt. Pilot.

Ellie: Do your homework, Opie.
Opie: OK, Maw.

[QUOTE=Cbalducc;6114692]Donahue was just a supporting actress in “Father Knows Best”, not a “star”.

Donahue was one of the stars of Father Knows Best, she had a major part, Betty Anderson was not a supporting character, that's a ridiculous assertion.

I know this question has probably been asked about here before but I searched and couldn't find it. Does anyone know why Ms. Donahue left the show so soon? I thought she and Andy had great chemistry together on screen. And she was a pretty woman so that should have posed no problem for her being on the show. I wish she had stayed a lot longer.

I loved Ms. Donahue on her earlier series "Father Knows Best" in which she basically plays the same characters as Ellie Walker, so I watch those episodes as a sort of prequel to he r later role as Mayberrry's prettiest pharmacist.

:)

I guess in a more progressive world, things might have turned out differently?

https://i.imgur.com/7u1whVG.gif

Good one.

:)

Just looking it up online, her name is Aneta Corsaut. It is probably a unique last name and it is (more than likely) of a French origin.

Donahue has stated she left the show because she didnt think there was any "chemistry" between her and Andy Griffith. I can see that. She was too young for him perhaps. Griffith has been known from various reports to be very demanding of the other actors and maybe he didnt get along with her.

I think it has been opined for many decades of the negativity of the Helen character and I concur with that. Corsaut was a beautiful woman and while her character could be nice, was often demanding and unpleasant. Corsaut was also Griffith's mistress who he was in love with and wanted to marry and she turned him down more than once.

How much the last three color seasons of the show has been panned, the color shows had higher ratings than the Black and White ones did. It would have been interesting if there was "social media" and the technology we have now 60 years ago to guage people's thoughts on her and the color episodes.

I love how both Elinor and Aneta looked with longer hairstyles.

Elinor! Wow, so fine:
287011

Aneta is also fine in her 1973 episode of Marcus Welby, MD:
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I'm crazy-nuts over how that shoulder-length hair accentuated their pretty faces, this definitely calls for further study...! :eyes:

I love how both Elinor and Aneta looked with longer hairstyles.

Elinor! Wow, so fine:
287011

Aneta is also fine in her 1973 episode of Marcus Welby, MD:
287012

I'm crazy-nuts over how that shoulder-length hair accentuated their pretty faces, this definitely calls for further study...! :eyes:

Yes, Elinor had such a severe haircut in FKB, I think she was emulating her mother on the show's look.

[QUOTE=Cbalducc;6114692]Donahue was just a supporting actress in “Father Knows Best”, not a “star”.

Donahue was one of the stars of Father Knows Best, she had a major part, Betty Anderson was not a supporting character, that's a ridiculous assertion.

Absolutely, without the ensemble cast FKB wouldn't even have a reason to exist.

Actually SHE said they didn't have chemistry & chose to leave the show. That's too bad because she was the hottest lady in the entire run of that show!

Did Thelma Lou & Helen Crump have any comedic talent?? I never noticed anything in particular. They did a good job of reading their lines just like Elinor did.

Since Don Knotts & Andy handled most of the comedy on the show the women on the show didn't have to worry about comedians or anything.

I'm a fan of Elinor Donahue from Father Knows Best, and truly wish she'd had longer to adapt to Mayberry, which was quite different from her hometown of Springfield, obviously.

Elinor (why is her name spelled wrong?) Donahue was also too young for Andy Griffith.

Abets Corsaut was a nice looking woman. Nothing wrong with her physically. The personality of her character was off putting and I think many people over the years have commented on that fact. But she stayed on the series for several years. Now, was Corsaut a nice person in real life? Don’t know really. Many reports have stated that Andy Griffith in real life wasn’t a nice man and was quite domineering. But someone who respected people he thought was worthy of his respect (like Don Knotts and Ron Howard). Maybe he didn’t like Donahue. As a said before, I think she was too young for him and not a good match.

Andy Taylor was a failure with women anyway. Kept running the good ones off. Much like Griffith’s first wife.

Betty Lynn who played Thelma Lou was also attractive. I think the best word for her is “cute”. She had a cuteness and a sweetness about her which

Elinor (why is her name spelled wrong?) Donahue was also too young for Andy Griffith.

Abets Corsaut was a nice looking woman. Nothing wrong with her physically. The personality of her character was off putting and I think many people over the years have commented on that fact. But she stayed on the series for several years. Now, was Corsaut a nice person in real life? Don’t know really. Many reports have stated that Andy Griffith in real life wasn’t a nice man and was quite domineering. But someone who respected people he thought was worthy of his respect (like Don Knotts and Ron Howard). Maybe he didn’t like Donahue. As a said before, I think she was too young for him and not a good match.

Andy Taylor was a failure with women anyway. Kept running the good ones off. Much like Griffith’s first wife.

Betty Lynn who played Thelma Lou was also attractive. I think the best word for her is “cute”. She had a cuteness and a sweetness about her which

The age difference between Andy and Elinor was the same as Dick Van Dyke and Mary Tyler Moore (11 years), I don't think that was the problem. Elinor thought she was going to be the female lead with a substantial part, but the only female part with any real meat through the run of the series was Aunt Bee. Andy apparently wanted the role of "the girl friend" to be more of a supporting part than a main part. This held true when Aneta Corsaut became a series regular in seasons 5-8, she never appeared in more than 16 of the 30 episodes in any one season. In many of her appearances she has a smallish role providing Andy with a girl friend as needed, or to give Aunt Bee someone to talk to.

I agree Betty Lynn was attractive, always thought Barney as they say outkicked the coverage. Betty should have had a better career, I don't know what went wrong, bad management, bad attitude, I don't get it, she was a much better actress than Corsaut.

The age difference between Andy and Elinor was the same as Dick Van Dyke and Mary Tyler Moore (11 years), I don't think that was the problem. Elinor thought she was going to be the female lead with a substantial part, but the only female part with any real meat through the run of the series was Aunt Bee. Andy apparently wanted the role of "the girl friend" to be more of a supporting part than a main part. This held true when Aneta Corsaut became a series regular in seasons 5-8, she never appeared in more than 16 of the 30 episodes in any one season. In many of her appearances she has a smallish role providing Andy with a girl friend as needed, or to give Aunt Bee someone to talk to.

I agree Betty Lynn was attractive, always thought Barney as they say outkicked the coverage. Betty should have had a better career, I don't know what went wrong, bad management, bad attitude, I don't get it, she was a much better actress than Corsaut.

Too bad she gave up so soon, perhaps in time she's have gotten some good storylines, as Helen Crump did, eventually.