Hi everyone,

Hope you're all well and maybe the summery weather is on its way to you by now. It's definitely getting into winter here now.

Not much news from my end, but there's a lot of letters from members, so there's still a lot of reading for you. Summer seems to be the time that things start to go a bit slow for the digest. I suppose lots of you are doing other things, like enjoying the sun!

Did any of you get to see the CBS special which was mentioned earlier in the week? Please let me know what it was like and if any of our Waltons people were there.

By the way I've just added some more digests to the digest archives site, so if you've been waiting on the latest installments, the site now goes up to digest 14.

There's been some interesting discussion about the Waltons house and sets on The Waltons Discussion Forum too, on Ralph's site. You might remember that we discussed it some time ago. This adds a lot of information and is well worth checking out.

Talk to you again next week. Goodnight everyone,

Karen.

Dear Waltons Friends,

I just received my Waltons Digest which I enjoyed as much as ever. Thank you, Cathy, for the interesting info about Richard Thomas and the 1960s Children's program "1, 2, 3 - Go". I was a child back then, but I don't remember ever seeing that particular show. Wouldn't it be interesting to see it now?

I remember that Rachel Longaker (Aimee Godsey) was on an episode of Little House on the Prairie. It was the "Little Women" episode of Season 3.

Rachel was a little girl who played the part of Jo March in a play, and she sold her long hair to buy her mother a dress. I can remember seeing Rachel on other things back in the '70s. It seems like she was on some after-school specials or something like that.

Let me join everyone else in wishing Arthur a speedy recovery. And thank you, Karen, for the work you do in compiling and sending out these digests.

Brenda

KAREN'S COMMENT: I'll have to dig out my video of the Little House episode you mention. I didn't realise that was Rachel in that one.

I did not know that Richard Thomas was the boy in 1-2-3GO back in 1961-1962. The problem with that show was that it was shown in some places on Saturday morning but in most places it appeared on Sunday evening. That was the same time when people became fascinated by a talking horse called Mr Ed. which was on at exactly the same time as 1-2-3 Go. So despite many objections or pleas that it be moved to some other time spot 1-2-3 GO died of low "ratingitis" opposite a talking horse.

What about Rose's 2 children Serena and Jeffrey? What are they doing now? Hope things are going well for you.

Donald F Nelson and Erin the cat

KAREN'S COMMENT: Thanks for the extra information Donald. Fancy being put up against Mr Ed. He was definitely a hit here in Australia, which is probably why we didn't get 1-2-3 Go.

Hello Karen and fellow Walton fans,

I haven't commented in a while. I went Saturday to antique shops looking for Walton Memorabilia, I found the little golden book THE WALTONS AND THE BIRTHDAY PRESENT, I was so excited I could have jumped up and down , I think I embarrassed my sister. I have read it to my son several times as he has decided it is now his favorite book. I have found such difficulty finding anything much in our part of Texas. It keeps me looking though! We are so pleased to have The Waltons on TNN now, my husband comes home at noon and the whole family watches it together. Karen the best to you and your family.

Mary in Texas

KAREN'S COMMENT: What a terrific find Mary. This was one I spotted on ebay auctions recently too.

Hello everyone, it's been a while since I have responded to anyone, with 6 kids and a new farm house we have been very, very, busy. Not enough hours in the day! I hope everyone is doing fine. Richard Thomas was on the program "The Promised Land" a few days ago. It was a very sad episode. He looked great and as always a great actor. I wish he would do more.! Well gotta run now ( as always) Everybody take care, and Enjoy The Day.

God Bless, The Finkles

KAREN'S COMMENT: I'm really looking forward to the time when The Promised Land finally airs out here.

Dear Karen,

Here's an answer to Olivia's mysterious whereabouts in 1982. True enough, she started the season caring for John-Boy when he was recuperating from his war injuries. In reality, Michael Learned had signed on for only a few episodes. After John-Boy recovered, the story line was that Olivia was working for the American Red Cross, which kept her away from the family for a short time. Later on, she had a recurrence with the tuberculosis and had to move to Arizona to get better. Her second bout with TB provided an exit for Ralph Waite to leave the series as John moved with his wife to Arizona for a short time.

Hope this helps. - JimB

KAREN'S COMMENT: Thank you for this response Jim, and for the others who sent messages on this. I have sent them off to the person who asked, but thought I might as well add it to the digest as well.

Hi,

We just had a very hot long weekend here. We took a trip to my Mum's and got all the planting done. The little guy got a bit of a sun burn, but he enjoyed himself a great deal.

Starting yesterday, I noticed that TNN had changed the time when the Waltons are on TNN. The shows are on 1 pm and the new time is 7 pm. I notice there has been talk about the length of time the shows are on, when I record the shows, I get 43.32 minutes in time. I also spotted at times noise too.

There was one show that was cut off some, but when they showed it at the 6 pm showing it was in tacked.

Shirley from very hot Ottawa.

KAREN'S COMMENT: I hope none of you missed any shows because of the time change. It's annoying when they do that. Interesting that one show was edited, then the same show was shown fully later. Perhaps they fitted in far more advertising earlier.

Hi everyone,

I discovered a fact that may shed some light on why "The Hunt" is listed on the Warner Home Video package as the premier episode of The Waltons, and perhaps why it was also the first episode broadcast by TNN.

A few years ago I bought The Waltons episode index from the Waltons Mountain Museum. It lists each story not only by program number (the chronological order of the original broadcast), but also by episode number. For instance, "The Hunt" is program #4, but it is also identified as episode #1. There's no indication in the index itself about what the episode numbers mean and why they differ so much from the program numbers. Maybe someone out there who worked on the show would know the answer.

My guess is that "The Hunt" was the first story to be filmed. So perhaps the program numbers refer to the order of broadcast, whereas the episode numbers refer to the order of production.

As a further illustration, here's the order of the first fifteen stories according to their program number: The Foundling; The Carnival; The Calf; The Hunt; The Typewriter; The Star; The Sinner; The Boy from the CCC; The Ceremony; The Legend; The Literary Man; The Dust Bowl Cousins; The Reunion; The Minstrel; The Actress.

On the other hand, here's the order of the first fifteen stories according to their episode number: The Hunt; The Reunion; The Foundling; A Love Story; The Carnival; The Typewriter; The Calf; The Dust Bowl Cousins; The Star; The Fire; The Deed; The Ceremony; The Sinner; The Boy from the CCC; The Literary Man.

There are a few details in "The Hunt" that lead me to think it was the first show that was filmed: John calls John-Boy "Sprocket" and calls Grandpa "Papa"; Grandma and Grandpa look younger, and Grandpa's hair is shorter than usual; Jason and Erin look especially young. The memorable bedtime scene with all the children in John-Boy's room could also serve in this first story as a way to establish their relationships to John-Boy and with each other.

A scene in "The Reunion" may also hold a clue to the mystery. When John-Boy has to call Sheriff Bridges from Ike's store, he admits that he has never used a telephone before. This would make more sense if "The Reunion" is an earlier story (episode #2) rather than a later one (program #13). The extra detail in the dialog about the Baldwin Sisters' innocent creation of The Recipe is likewise more appropriate in an early story as a way to establish their characters.

In closing, here's something I read in today's paper:

JOHN-BOY PROUD PAPA

Richard Thomas, television's John-Boy Walton, was spotted at last Saturday's Skidmore College graduation ceremony at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center in Saratoga Springs. His son, Richard F. Thomas V, graduated in the class of 1998.

Alan

KAREN'S COMMENT: As usual Alan, you are full of information. Your explanations about the episodes makes a lot of sense to me, when you analyze it like that. Congratulations definitely must go to Richard Thomas Junior on his graduation too.

I plan to either watch or tape the 50th anniversary awards tomorrow. John Walton was selected best dad. The Waltons placed second behind Murder She Wrote as best drama series, and Olivia Walton placed second behind Edith, Mrs Archie, Bunker. So this probably means Ralph Waite will appear in the awards. Probably some other Waltons will be in attendance

Donald F Nelson and Erin the cat

KAREN'S COMMENT: Well I for one, definitely don't think that Murder She Wrote was better than The Waltons!

Hi,

I noticed, that someone was saying something about the name Cora. I don't know if this has any meaning, but one of Earl Hamner grandmothers name was Ora. So if you just add the "C" you have Cora. Maybe the "C" came from the fact that Earl's wife name is Caroline, again if you take the first four letters in Caroline and mix them around, you have Cora there too.

Shirley

KAREN'S COMMENT: I've never heard of anyone named Ora before. Most unusual.

Hi Karen.

Just a brief note, but firstly to "Thank- you" for the excellent Walton mailing list that you produce. There have been many features that have been covered which have brought back memories of the show the first time it was screened on U.K. television some 25 years ago. How the time fly's !! As Arthur mentioned, at present we are at the start of season 5 (part 2 of The Wedding to be screened on Sunday) so hopefully 3 more seasons to go. I wrote to Mrs Grinnell who runs the International Fan club some 2 months ago, but as yet have heard nothing back. Do you or any other members know if it is still going? Also I would love to know if the cookbook which was mentioned is still available.

Keep up the good work.

Mark from sunny Liverpool (U.K.)

KAREN'S COMMENT: Glad you're enjoying being a list member Mark. I meant to email you earlier but I've been flat out. I am a member of the International Fan Club and when I joined, I just sent my cheque (in US dollars) off to her, and she then sent me the newsletter. I do get my newsletter quite late though so maybe yours is coming by very slow mail. Also the cost for overseas membership is $20 I think. Let me know how you go and which address you sent it too, and maybe I can help out a bit more.

As promised last week, here is part 2 of Cathy's information about Richard Thomas. There's still more to come so stay tuned next week. :-) Thanks again Cathy.

As the World Turns - Daytime Drama

Role: Tommy Hughes

From These Roots - Daytime Drama (6-30-58 to 12-29-61)

DEBUT 6-30-58 - A new half-hour dramatic serial which tells the story of Ben Fraser, editor of a small town newspaper and his large family, especially his youngest daughter Liz, who wants a writing career and a marriage as well.

Hallmark Hall of Fame (11-15-59)

Episode: "A Doll's House"

Role: Ivor

With: Julie Harris, Hume Cronyn, Eileen Heckert, and Christopher Plummer

To Torvald Helmer his wife Nora is a child, a doll-wife. He does not know that his "little sparrow" saved his life some years earlier by borrowing money when he was critically ill. Now, on Christmas Eve, the man who lent the money re-enters Nora's life. He intends to exploit his knowledge of his past.

Hallmark Hall of Fame (3-26-61)

Episode: "Give Us Barabbas"

Role: David

With: James Daly, Kim Hunter, Dennis King

The mob made its choice: Jesus was crucified, the thief Barabbas was set free. The circumstances of this choice - and their effects on Barabbas - are explored in this live 90-minute show.

Way Out - Anthology Series (5-12-61)

Episode: "The Croaker"

A half-hour science fiction anthology series hosted by writer Roald Dahl. Ran from 3-31-61--7-14-61.

Great Ghost Tales - Anthology (8-24-61)

Episode: "Shredni Vashtar"

Role: Conradin

"Shredni Vashtar" is the unusual name of an unusual pet - a ferret - that belongs to Conradin, an orphan who lives with his strict aunt, Mrs. de Ropp. Since the boy is allowed no friends he worships his pet - and the ferret responds to his every wish, however strange it may be. Based on a story by Saki. (Co-starring Judith Evelyn). Frank Gallop hosted this half-hour color anthology series, which appears to have been the last live-dramatic series on commercial television.

The Defenders (6-8-63)

Episode: "The Boy Between"

Role: Johnny

Belle and Mike Remington, who are separated, share custody of their son Johnny. Now Belle asks the Preston's to help her win full custody - and insists that Johnny must never see his father again.

Flame in the Wind - Daytime Drama (12-28-64 to 12-16-66)

Role: Chris

This half-hour daytime series was renamed "A Time For Us". Set in the town of Haviland, its stories centered on young people.

Marcus Welby (10-28-69)

Episode: "Echo of a Baby's Laugh"

Role: Dennis Graham

A young and pregnant wife is no problem for Dr. Welby until he discovers her RH negative blood factor. Normally no threat in first pregnancies, the factor becomes crucial to the baby's survival with Welby's growing suspicion that the girl once had an abortion, which she cannot reveal to her husband.