AllMovie

As indicated by its title, this episode of The Andy Griffith Show served as the pilot for the spinoff series Mayberry RFD. Ken Berry makes his first appearance as widowed Mayberry farmer Sam Jones (though the episode was shown out of production order, making it Berry's third appearance). When his old friend, Italian laborer Mario (Gabrielle Tinti), shows up in town, Sam generously hires Mario as a handyman-little realizing that the enterprising foreigner has brought his entire family along. Written by Bob Ross, "Mayberry RFD" was originally telecast on April 1, 1968, as the final first-run installment of The Andy Griffith Show.