Hi there again everyone,

The end of May already! Isn't the year just flying by? It's been another busy week here, but I'm pleased to report that I took time off on Thursday to view a Richard Thomas movie. Brenda alerted me to the fact that "Beyond the Prairie - The true story of Laura Ingalls Wilder" had been released on video. After some detective work I discovered that it was correct and found a copy on Thursday. I highly recommend it to any Little House fan, and of course, to those of us who are fans of Richard Thomas as well. I can't believe that we Aussies actually have the pleasure of seeing something before you see it over in the USA. Brenda tells me that it hasn't been released there yet.

This was the one which caused a bit of discussion because RT was to be playing Pa Ingalls. I thought he did an excellent job. Quite different to Michael Landon, and I barely recognised him at first, he looked so different. He played him in a fairly gruff way, but obviously enjoyed his life as a pioneer on the prairie...lots of hard work, but real joy as well. For those Australians on the list, it might be worth tracking down if you're interested, and maybe it's been released in some of the other countries with compatible video systems to ours here.

I'll look forward to chatting with you all again next week.

Goodnight everyone, Karen.

Hi everyone,

Here's the next installment of the small character profiles of the Walton children from the 19702 teen magazine Tiger Beat. Its my fav Walton, Jon Walmsley's turn this week.

Jon Walmsley

Jon Walmsley was born in Lancashire, England, Feb 2, 1956 and moved with his parents to Southern California two years later. At age 9 he began playing guitar and singing and soon was invited to appear on the amateur show "Fun For All" on KCOP TV in Los Angeles. A Metro-Goldwyn executive saw him and thought he would be right for one of the English boys in the remake of "Goodbye Mr Chips". He lost out when it was decided to shoot the picture in England but was encouraged to continue with his career.

At age 10 he had his first acting role in "Combat" followed by Disney's "The One and Only Genuine family Band".

He has since appeared on numerous TV shows.

A student at Francis Polytechnic High School in Sun Valley, Calif., he lives with his father, Les a sales manager and mother Marion in North Hollywood.

Jon plays piano, cello, guitar, drums, mandolin and flute.

He hopes to become an arranger, composer or performer, "according to how my career progresses."

Kaz in Oz

KAREN'S COMMENT: Speaking of Jon Walmsley, did I read on the forum, that he is currently in a musical? Has anyone seen it?

FYI: Mary Ellen resides in Vancouver, Canada. Just thought I'd add that little tidbit. I read an article in some magazine (I forget which one) but she stated that she catches the reruns now and then, after not seeing them for years, and enjoys them immensely.

Take care.

John

KAREN'S COMMENT: Each show would bring back lots of memories of behind the scene things that happen I would have thought.

I relate well to Wendy's letter. I too am a full time housewife after almost 6yrs as a nurse. I have a 2yr old boy & 4mo old daughter...........busy and Bear are my life :) (my husband recorded a whole tape full of "Bear" for me after we lost our cable [too many diapers to buy to afford cable too:(] so now I have an unlimited supply of it.

Thankfully I actually like the show and don't mind seeing the same episode 2billion times :) )

While we still had cable, and I got to watch The Waltons, my son would dance to the theme when it came on. Jerry Goldsmith also did a lot of the Star Trek music (my other TV favorite). My husband was amazed when he first realized one of his favorite Trek composers also wrote the theme to his wife's favorite show, (this before he himself became addicted to it :) )

Donna

KAREN'S COMMENT: Actually you just reminded me Donna, that I meant to do a little profile on Jerry Goldsmith. Stay tuned for next week.

Edwin, I believe that Earl Hamner Jr. went to the University of Cincinnati at one time.

Julie

KAREN'S COMMENT: Thanks Julie.

Dear Karen

As a new subscriber to the Waltons Digest, I thought I would respond to your request for introductions.

I have long been a fan of The Waltons, right back to when I was a child at home with my parents. I have fond memories of Sunday afternoon, curled up watching the Waltons as a family. And now....many years later....spending Sunday afternoon watching the programme with my own children.

I've become more aware, since becoming a mother, how inappropriate a lot of television is to family values, so I'm grateful that we have a programme like this to watch, that reinforces family life and traditional values.

Long may the programme continue to run.

Best wishes

Lorraine

KAREN'S COMMENT: I think you echo the sentiments of many of us Lorraine.

Greetings Karen,

Someone asked if 'the real John-Boy' graduated from college. I read somewhere that Earl Hamner graduated from college and went to the University of Richmond... I'm not sure if I read this at the Waltons Museum info. sheet or where... I just recall that information!

I sure enjoy these newsletters! Thanks for your hard work! I'm taping the episodes that I have missed since they started showing it from day one... I have a ways to go but I am determined!

Take care and have a good one!

Friends With You,

Eve

KAREN'S COMMENT: Well there you go...two different Universities. We might have to do a bit more digging. :-) They both might be right though.

Hi Karen and everyone else,

I was wondering if anyone could tell me in the later reunion episodes of the show what happened to John Curtis? In the thanksgiving episode I can't remember him being mentioned. I was just curious and thought I'd ask.

Have a great week everyone

Linda

KAREN'S COMMENT: His absence was never explained Linda. We think they just forgot about him in the ten years that the show had been off air! Poor John Curtis. :-((

This is for Wendy who had written:

<<Heidi seems to love the Walton's music. Do you have any information on the composer/writer of it? I specifically mean the opening Walton's theme. I have loved the Waltons for many years. They have the type of values that I would like to instill in my little girl.>>

Well Wendy, if you get the book "TV's Biggest Hits" by Jon Burlingame (ISBN 0-02-870324-3 (alk. paper) or Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 96-13289) you will find a good deal of information on pages 152-154. The books subtitle is: The Story of Television Themes From "Dragnet" to "Friends" and gives a lot of information on the people who wrote many of the famous TV theme songs.

Edwin in Alabama wrote:

<<Does anyone know if the real "John Boy" graduated from college, and which one? I wonder if the Hamner family has to keep much of the family history private so they can avoid celebrity. A published family history might be as interesting as the Walton story!!>>

Well Edwin, if you have a fairly large library nearby you can find the biographical information on Earl Hamner, Jr. in a book entitled:

Contemporary Authors Volumes 73-76

Frances Carol Locher, Editor

Gale Research Company. Book Tower Detroit, Michigan 48226

Copyright 1978 ISBN0-8103-0031-1

The information may be a little outdated since it was written sometime between 1973 and 1976 but it should answer most of your questions.

"HAMNER, Earl (Henry), Jr. 1923-

PERSONAL: Born July 10, 1923, in Schuyler, Va.; son of Earl Henry and Doris Marion (Gianinni) Hamner; married Jane Martin, October 16, 1954; children: Scott Martin, Caroline Spencer. Education: Attended University of Richmond, 1940-43, and Northwestern University, 1946; College of Music of Cincinnati, B.F.A., 1958. Residence: Studio City, Calif. Office: Lorimer Productions, Inc., 4000 Warner Blvd., Burbank, Calif. 91522."

I hope that information helps you out.

Brian

KAREN'S COMMENT: Brian has been kind enough to type out some of the information he found about Jerry Goldsmith so I'll keep that and add it to what I have found, and will publish an edited version next week. Thank you Brian. It looks as though we can safely say that Earl went to the University of Richmond anyway.

Hi Karen and Fellow Walton Fans,

I hope you are all having a nice Memorial Day weekend, a time to honor our veterans.

I have three Walton sightings to report. Leslie Winston, Cindy, was on an episode of Quincy, John Crawford, Ep Bridges, was on The Dukes of Hazzard in last night's episode, and Robert Donner, Yancy Tucker, was on an episode of Matlock this week.

Don't miss A Wedding on Waltons Mountain this Tuesday night!!

Good night everyone,

Silvia

KAREN'S COMMENT: I've never seen Leslie Winston on anything other than The Waltons. I did spot the actor who plays Jonesy on Party of Five though. In fact I've seen him on a few things.