| WALTONS DIGEST 11-98: Hi everyone, I'm a bit late this week, but that has allowed for more letters to come in, so we really do have a Bumper Issue this week. Keep up the good work everyone. One thing I have managed to do during this week was to get all of the digests published to the end of 1997, up onto the site, so if you have been waiting for them now's the time to have a look. I am hoping to put some of this year's up over the next few weeks too. Those votes for your favourite Waltons character keep coming in too. I will hold off with the results just a little longer just in case people have been unable to get onto their computer for some reason. If you would still like to have your vote, please send it to me ASAP with "Walton Poll" in the subject area, and I'll add it to the list. Have any of you spotted the information about the International Waltons Poetry Contest on either my page or Ralph's yet? Check it out...the information is on both sites. Great prizes too, donated by Earl Hamner himself! While you're surfing the net too, check out the new Waltons Museum site as well. The URL for it is: http://www.waltonmuseum.org. I'll add this link to my page very soon. Well I think I'll hand over to you now as there are heaps of letters. Goodnight everyone, Karen.
Further to last week when I included a letter about The Walton Legacy, one of our members wrote to the producer and I am including the reply for your interest. Thanks to the sender...I think it was Jim. :-) "Thanks for the inquiry. I'm trying my best to get word to all of the Walton fans out there about our documentary, but it's slow going! Being a Public Television station, we don't have a lot of money in our budgets for mass-scale advertising. So, I'm depending on you Walton fans and your connections to each other :-) Let me tell you a little more about it, and perhaps you can forward this info to the Walton fans in your address book. THE WALTON LEGACY began as a conversation between me and the folks at The Walton's Mountain Museum in Schuyler, Virginia. I found out that they had a museum up and running and dedicated to the Hamners and the way of life represented on the series, "The Waltons." I went to their dedication ceremony, met and interviewed Earl Hamner, and did a five minute story on the museum for my magazine show, Blue Ridge Journal. I decided that we could expand a story into a half-hour show on Earl's family and his drive to create the series. The more I spoke with him, the more I wanted to know about his upbringing, his town, and "The Waltons." So, we produced a one-hour documentary, during which we travel all over Virginia, out to Hollywood, and up to Vancouver, British Columbia, to talk with Earl, the Hamners, the cast of "The Waltons," and Schuyler residents. We ended up with a wonderful tapestry of history and culture, and an inspiring story of how one man started a chain of events that would forever link people together in the commonality of family and community values. Earl and the cast were very candid and open about their feelings for each other and the struggles and impact of "The Waltons." It is a beautiful story of love and success that continues to affect me as a Producer. That is the documentary that you will see on-air, if your PBS station chooses to broadcast the program. The Programmer at the station will only make that choice if the audience--that's you!--voices a demand for it. It will be available in April of this year. Call or write your local PBS station and tell the Programmer to watch for it! The VHS tape version of the documentary, which we offer for retail at $29.95 (that includes shipping and handling), has an additional 20 minutes at the end, which is just a visit with Earl and the cast members. Michael Learned, Judy Norton, Jon Walmsley, Eric Scott, Mary McDonough, Kami Cotler, Joe Conley and other cast members talk about their funniest, most poignant and most memorable moments behind the scenes. Earl himself, his brothers and sisters, and several cast members have called and written to me, expressing their appreciation and admiration for THE WALTON LEGACY. We are now trying to market it overseas and to The Family Channel. Anyone who is interested in purchasing a copy of THE WALTON LEGACY can send a check or money order for $29.95 to: THE WALTON LEGACY WVPT Public Television 298 Port Republic Road Harrisonburg, VA 22801 We also accept MasterCard, Visa, Discover and AmericanExpress. Anyone wishing to order with credit card may do so by calling 1-540-434-5391. Thanks again for your interest! Sincerely, Tracey Jewell, Producer THE WALTON LEGACY"
Dear Karen, I have a question that puzzles me somewhat. I may be misinformed so feel free to correct me. I understood that Ashley Longworth Jr....Erin's "beau" was the son of Ashley Longworth.. the former beau of Miss Emily.. Would that not make Ashley Longworth Jr to be more the age of Erin's father, John Walton, instead of Erin's age???? Miss Emily's beau, Ashley Sr. would have been Miss Emily's age, then how could he possibly have a son who is Erin's age? It appears that there is a generation missing between that father and son of the Longworth's. Do you get my point? I could have better understood it if Miss Emily would have referred to that handsome young man as the GRANDSON of Ashley Sr. not his son. Oh well...regardless... The Walton's are definitely habit forming and I just love them and am "transported" back to that era every time I watch them, which is twice a day! Thanks again, Karen for all that you do! and may God continuously bless you! Karen in NJ KAREN'S COMMENT: Hi Karen. As you can see I've edited out your vote and comments and will put them onto the page when all the results are announced. Hope that's OK. With regard to Ashley...it's ages since I've seen the later episodes, but I think it was explained that while his father was older, he married late in life to a younger woman. Can someone confirm this please?
Hi Karen, I notice people are always asking about information on certain characters. The Internet Movie Database http://www.us.imdb.com/ is a great place to find information on movies, TV shows and actors. There are filmographies on most of the Walton characters. A reader was asking about Merie Earle. Hers reads as follows: Going Ape! (1981) .... Binocular Lady Fatso (1980) .... Mrs. Maluch Crazy Mama (1975) Dr. Max (1974) (TV) .... Mrs. Kredenza "Waltons, The" (1972) TV Series .... Maude Gormley (1972-1979) "Jerry Reed When You're Hot You're Hot Hour, The" (1972) TV Series Gaily, Gaily (1969) .... Grandma Harvey ... aka Chicago, Chicago (1969) It's a great site to visit if you're a movie or TV addict. I found out that Lewis Arquette who played JD Pickett is the Father of Rosanna Arquette, Patricia Arquette, Alexis Arquette, Richmond Arquette, and David Arquette. KAREN'S COMMENT: Thanks to Linda for this information, and also to William who also adds:
Hello everyone! I wish I could send you a picture of each Walton's item I have! It is so fun looking for these. I go to Toy Shows, read Toy Shop, check out Ebay, and go to a local Hollywood memorabilia shop. My favorite items are some press release photos for the movie The Homecoming. I have pictures of Edgar Bergen, Patricia Neal, Cleavon Little, Richard Thomas, Andrew Duggan, Kami Cotler with Chance, Ellen Corby, and the whole family together. Other press release photos that I have include: Richard Thomas, Michael Learned, David Harper, and Eileen McDonough, and Will Geer in his famous Christmas pose! I don't want to keep you but I will share my collection with you each week. By the way, the October reunion is sponsored by The Waltons International Fan Club. That is all I know for now. God Bless! Cindy KAREN'S COMMENT: Glad to have installment 1 of your collection Cindy. Please keep them coming. The pictures from The Homecoming must be really good to have. How long have you been collecting?
Hi everyone, what a long and fascinating digest Karen gave us this week! I can't wait for the results of the poll! Regarding Olivia's family, the episode where Grandma plans the quilting bee for a reluctant Mary Ellen was on last week, and in it, Olivia shows Mary Ellen her hope chest, and shows her a quilt that she said came from her grandmother to her mother to her, "from oldest daughter to oldest daughter" as she put it. So we know she was the oldest daughter, but still don't know if there were any brothers. Had a thought about Angelica Huston dedicating that film to Will Geer. I wouldn't be surprised if Will Geer had been a friend of her father, John Huston, perhaps a close family friend? And it was mentioned the film was 1978, which was right around when Geer died, isn't it? Just a guess. Merie Earle is a familiar face to me from American tv, but believe it or not, I really couldn't tell you from precisely where!! One of those cute little old lady character actresses that popped up from time to time in small supporting roles or in commercials. Does anyone else remember her that way? Well, that's all for this time! Julie, Bronx, NY KAREN'S COMMENT: I have always wondered what was given to the younger daughters in families. It seems as if oldest daughters always got everything!
Hello everyone, I just voted and it looks like Mama Walton is winner at this point in the polls with Daddy Walton holding his own. I'm glad I took the time to vote, I wish the Waltons theme had been listed as theme song as it is my favorite. Does anyone have any info on the Walton house I would love to purchase it also I spoke with a doll collector who told me the Walton dolls weren't very attractive for those of you out there who have them could I get your opinions. KAREN'S COMMENT: I haven't looked at the CBS voting since about Tuesday. The Waltons House was listed on the eBay auction site, with some information and a picture. Looked interesting. Let's know if you successfully bid for it. I've seen pictures of the Walton dolls on the same site, and I didn't think they were very attractive either, and I collect dolls! From the point of view of Waltons Memorabilia though, they would be nice to have.
Karen, Someone commented on John Walton's brothers. His brother Ben is mentioned often. I remember at least one episode when the comment was made about there being 4 boys in the family. I think it was the episode about the dustbowl cousins. I don't remember any of the names but the mother was the daughter of John's brother Matt. I think it was in the same episode where Ike mentioned how Zeb had divided his land between his 4 sons. Matt sold his land back and Zeb gave it to John Boy--John Boy's meadow. I don't ever remember if the name of the 4th son was ever mentioned. Olivia's relation is mentioned infrequently. She does mention a brother in the episode where they are celebrating an anniversary and she says her brother could give her away. John really didn't want a big deal made so they had just a simple celebration. There is also an episode that deals with an elderly cousin who comes to visit after FDR closes the banks. The cousin eventually marries a lady who was a divorce and a widow. Kathleen KAREN'S COMMENT: Interesting about 4 sons Kathleen. Does anyone have any further information about this?
Hello all! I had a question about some episodes I haven't seen. The Family Channel, for their morning Waltons shows, have been in the eighth season lately. Well, they showed "The Lost Sheep" recently, where Ashley and Erin had planned on marrying until they had an issue over his shaken faith. Then they showed "The Silver Wings" next, where Jim-Bob falls for the married woman Betsy, whose husband is in the war. I was going a bit loopy wondering what the heck they had done with Olivia's character, since she was "here today, gone tomorrow" between these two episodes. Now, looking at the episode guide from www.the-waltons.com, I see that there was supposed to be "The Violated" and "The Waiting" in between. (Apparently, Olivia joined the Red Cross in the interim.) I have never seen these episodes, and this is about my third time through the episodes of the eighth season with the Family Channel. Is there anything objectionable about these episodes, as far as the Family Channel is concerned, or do they just not own these particular episodes? Thanks in advance to anyone for sharing their thoughts. Keep up the FANTASTIC work, Karen! Sincerely, Claire Natola KAREN'S COMMENT: Have the Family Channel aired these two episodes before? Good question...is there something in these that the FAM channel might find objectionable? This is sort of a 2 part episode and the first part deals with rape so maybe it's a bit violent. Any ideas?
Hi, it's me again! Here is a quote from The Nashville Network's web site (www.country.com) about the imminent premiere of The Waltons on their network: "The Waltons, the popular dramatic series about the love and struggles of three generations of a large, close-knit family in Appalachia during the Depression, finds a home on TNN beginning Monday, April 27. TNN, which has acquired all 221 episodes of The Waltons, will telecast the series Monday-Friday (1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m., ET; repeats 6:00-7:00 p.m., ET)" This snippet of information was found at http://www.country.com/tnn/features/waltons.html I, for one, am looking forward to it!! Claire Natola KAREN'S COMMENT: There you go Claire, you might catch those "missing" episodes when TNN air them. Let me know.
Hello everybody! I just had a brief Walton's sighting. My husband and son were watching "DRAGON: The Bruce Lee Story", and I caught an appearance of Michael Learned. She was portraying the mother of Linda Lee, Bruce Lee's wife. This movie was made in 1993. Not much else going on here. I just wanted to get this sent out maybe in time for the next digest. It's Friday evening now, so we'll have to see! Good night everybody! Robin KAREN'S COMMENT: Gosh I'm learning a lot this week! :-)
Dear Karen I am a new subscriber to your digest. My name is Caroline, I am 31 and live in the UK in a seaside townon the south coast called Bournemouth. I am one of the British that loves getting up on a Sunday morning to watch the Waltons. I have been a fan of the Waltons since a very young age, around 7 or 8, I used to sit on the stairs and watch it without my parents knowing. I have one vivid memory of the show from this time and that was when the house went up in flames, I remember this episode well because I had nightmares for 2 weeks after the show aired and my parents didn't know why! I have read some of your past digests and I am gradually going to get through them all, as they are extremely entertaining, the site is excellent. I only came onto the internet a week ago and I found your site the first night I surfed, since then I have gradually worked my way through the site and it is great. My favourite Walton was Grandpa because of his sense of humour and his wonderful kindness to everyone, especially the Baldwin sisters! I like all the cast but for different reasons. In all the children you see your childhood and those wonderful days of no worries, and in the adults you see how you would like to be or to be seen as. I'm so sorry I've waffled a bit, but thanks for a great newsletter and site. Caroline KAREN'S COMMENT: Glad you've enjoyed the sit and the digests. It's always good to get letters introducing new members to the rest of the group.
Hi everyone, I'm a new member of the mailing list - glad to be a part of the family. I've really enjoyed reading through the archives. Thanks to you, Karen, for all the work you're doing. Thank you for keeping the light on. The only item that I've saved over the years is a full-page newspaper ad for "The Waltons" that appeared during the first season on the back of the television page of the New York Times on Thursday, November 30, 1972 (that evening's first-run program: episode #11 - "The Literary Man"). The ad includes a picture of the entire family standing on the front porch steps, a publicity shot taken during the filming of a scene at the end of episode #1, "The Foundling." A few years ago I sent a laminated photocopy of the ad to the Walton's Museum in Schuyler. I haven't been able to visit yet, but the director wrote that he planned to include it in their display. Here's the complete text. The ad also includes quotes from 13 reviews of the series from newspapers across the country. I've included them at the end. The New York Times, Thursday, November 30, 1972: "This Program Is So Beautiful It Has To Die." That was, as you will see, the strange verdict pronounced by many television critics about a new series, "The Waltons." The audience reaction has been unusual, too. Little children get all smiley and weepy about it, the way they do for things like My Friend Flicka, Little Women, and the Cookie Monster stubbing his toe. But from there on up in age and sophistication, overt emotions disappear. To be replaced by little smiles of recognition. An occasional gulp. Red eyes. And in grown men, funny little sounds and fumblings in the dark, designed to hide the fact that a man is doing something as "unmanly" as being moved by a tender, sentimental story. We at CBS would like to tell you what "The Waltons" is all about, but it won't be easy. Because everything we tell you can turn you off, if you relate it to similar programs with similar themes. "The Waltons" is different. Not because it isn't "with it" and it isn't cutesy. Which it isn't. Not because it isn't exciting. Which it is. But because it's an honest attempt to portray a particular kind of American family during a particular time in history. The Waltons are a large family. Seven children, the eldest eighteen, the youngest six. A mother and father. A grandmother and grandfather. Even a dog. Not a heroic Lassie dog. Not a funny, mangy dog. A dog dog. And it's about the 1930's. Depression days. In the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. The family is poor. One of the kids plays the harmonica. And it's all about how they all face life. And that's what makes the Waltons special. The kind of life they face. It has the feel of truth. The look, the texture. You can believe that there were people like this who led lives like this during times like these. You can believe that maybe this was really how it was to grow up in tough country during tough times. How it really was to be part of a big, loving family. It's about people who love each other, and love others. About people who care for their aged as well as their young. And it's funny, too, because it's about a sprawling family of bright, vital individualists. But it isn't puppy-cute. It isn't pat. And each program doesn't tightly package a moral, like a fortune cookie. Though there is a moral, overall. Life can be tough. It can also be beautiful. Not rosy. Beautiful. "The Waltons" is on Thursdays. Opposite that funny man, Flip Wilson. And the exciting action show, "The Mod Squad." It will remain alive until the end of this season, because some people here at CBS believe that there are enough of us around -- even in this super- sophisticated day and age -- who can still respond to some old-fashioned notions like respect, and dignity, and love. Who aren't embarrassed by an honest lump in the throat. If there are enough of us, "The Waltons" may even fool the critics and live next year. Watch "The Waltons" tonight, for a change. It may bring out the best in you. It did in us.
"Save 'The Waltons.' See them tonight at 8:00 on Channel 2." Please, folks, don't let this one die."
- The Pittsburgh Press "What will happen is that The Waltons will receive rave reviews, be embraced by a small, but enthusiastic audience, collect a number of awards -- and vanish from the air with hardly a ripple."
- Dallas Times Herald "...the only entirely honest and rewarding hour I have spent on television this season."
- San Francisco Chronicle "When these kids run down the dirt road in their bare feet, you can feel the dirt between your own toes."
- The Pittsburgh Press "Totally unique, exciting TV experience."
- The Atlanta Constitution "The show is so natural, so totally out of the TV mode, you have to worry about its survival."
- Chicago Today "Best family series on air."
- The Indianapolis Star "...a family in which people, real people, talk to one another. There's respect here, and affection openly displayed, and both young and old have their own dignity."
- The New York Times "It's easy to get wrapped up with The Waltons. They happen to be real."
- New York Post "Breaks all the rules. Except one: It's entertaining."
- Chicago Tribune "Quite wonderful in every respect...beautiful in its conjuring up of a more innocent day, poignant in its relationships, a perfect gem of a tale."
- The Boston Evening Globe "Probably will compare with the few great ones of television history."
- The Detroit News "Might be the best show commercial television has produced in years." - Dayton Daily News Best wishes to all, Alan Bartenhagen KAREN'S COMMENT: Thankyou so much for sending this for the members to enjoy Alan. How fabulous to have a FULL PAGE AD for it. It was really very poorly promoted out here.
Hi Everybody: Well it is almost a month since we are back from New Jersey. I was sure glad I was well enough to go. We arrived early on Friday and took a little tour of the town Boonton were Raymond lives. A lovely old town of 3,000 people. Raymond Castro & Jake Gilmour had arranged this reunion. Then we went to our hotel. We were not booked in the same one where everyone else was staying as I could not tell them for sure if I was going until the very last minute and there were no rooms left at that Hotel. We did get in the next day though. We got settled and then we went over to the other hotel to say hello to all the fans. It was great seeing the fans we had met before and some new ones. The next morning we went to breakfast at the International House of Pan Cakes with Mary McDonough in attendance. We ate a hardy breakfast and then we were off on a bus tour of New York City. We have been there many times before, but we sure enjoyed visiting again. We saw the people skating on the ice rink at Rockerfellow Square. We were off to have a tour of The World Trade Center. We then went to the Empire State building and down to the Docks. There was a big shopping plaza called South Street Seaport and that was fun just watching all of the people going by. That night we saw the play that Ralph Waite was acting in, called "The Death of A Salesman" I had seen it on tv many years ago, and remembered it was emotional and sad, but I can honesty say it was very depressing. His acting was great, but I like to see happy plays or musicals. We went next door for the surprise dinner, that was planned for Ralph, but the surprise was on us. I did not blame him. He had done two shows that day and had two to do the next day and one was early in the morning. Mary McDonough brought him up to the room where we all were. He went around the room and introduced himself to everyone and asked where we were from. I did get a kiss and a hug. He is still a good looking man for his age and those baby blues Wow! They made a presentation to him and he apologized for having to leave. He thought it was great we had all come so far to see him. Then he left. We were all kind of disappointed but we sat down to a very lovely meal. We enjoyed seeing some of the same fans again and some new ones. The next morning we had brunch at Raymond's house. We got to see his marvelous collection of Walton Memorabilia. It fills a whole family room and was also on the walls up the stairs and in his living room. Quite impressive. We had bought tickets for draw on Walton items and I was lucky enough to win The Waltons' Christmas Album. It has never been played. I was so excited about that. We said our good byes and where off to Lake Ariel to stop to meet up with April, Jean and Laura for Sunday supper. They were at a Truck Stop Restaurant with their husbands and some of their children. These are some of the ladies I have been chatting with since I started the chat line. They made me feel so special. They had a lovely bouquet of flowers for me. I felt like one of the stars from the Waltons. LOL. We stayed at a Comfort Inn right next door to the Restaurant and they all came over to our room and watched The tape of The 25th Anniversary Celebrations in Hollywood and Schuyler. I got to show them some pictures and we had real good time talking. It was so nice to put faces to people I have been chatting with for so long. We took off the next morning for home. We were so very lucky with the weather. It was just like early spring in New Jersey. Raymond told us that it is the first time since they have kept records, that they had no snow in the month of February, unbelievable. We had no snow going or coming back but have had snowed everyday since we have returned, except for last week. We had two major snowfalls. Now this week it has been in the 70o range, very strange. Well I must close now and get this off to Karen. I would just like to say that there is two new videos, that are available. One is The 25th Anniversary Celebration tape of Hollywood and Schuyler. It is available through Raymond JBWalton7@aol.com The other is Walton Legacy The PBS Special, available through the Waltons web site, under Click HERE to find out what is new since March 23/98. It is near the top of the first page with a symbol that says. NEW! going around. These tapes are a must I have watched Walton Legacy seven times. Also in there is a real good reunion planned for Richard Thomas on his birthday June 13 in Hartford CT. Hope to see some of you there. Thanks again Karen, for doing this digest. I think everyone looks forward to it so much, I know I do. Well that is all for now. Sincerely Dot P CANADA KAREN'S COMMENT: How wonderful that you won the Christmas album Dot. It sounds as if you had a wonderful trip. I guess it's a shame that Ralph couldn't have been with you for a longer time, but it does show how professional he is doesn't it? Nice to hear you recommend the Waltons Legacy video so highly too. You'll find more information about it in the first part of this weeks Digest. Are you heading away for Richard Thomas's reunion too?
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