 This was Don Knotts (qv) first film. He had first met Andy  Griffith when he had a small part (debut) in the original Broadway  production of "No Time For Sergeants". Griffith remembered Knotts  from the play and from this film when he was looking for someone to  cast as Deputy Barney Fife on  _"Andy Griffith Show, The" (1960)_ (qv), and the two formed a  lifelong friendship, with Knotts later making guest appearances on  Griffiths show _"Matlock" (1986)_ (qv), and Griffith even being the  one to break the news of Knotts death to the media.