Hi Waltons Fans,

It's been back to school this past week, with Tim and James returning to school on Tuesday, after their two week break, and myself going back on Wednesday. I love my job, but it is always nice to have a break because then there is time to catch up on all the things that either haven't been done, or that I really want to do but haven't had the time to do. Although it was really cold during the holidays, it was still very nice.

I received my Summer 1998 edition of the Blue Ridge Chronicles just recently. That one is the newsletter of the Waltons Mountain Museum. One very interesting article was that Earl Hamner had been awarded a Medallion of Honor from The Virginians of Maryland, Inc. The award was made to Earl on Friday, April 3rd, and is presented to an "individual whose deeds have brought honor to himself and to the state of Virginia". I'm sure that we would all agree with The Virginians of Maryland, that Earl Hamner was a most worthy recipient of this award and our congratulations go to Earl, "Screenwriter, author, creator of The Waltons".

Also included in the newsletter is an article commemorating the 35^th anniversary of "Spencer's Mountain" so I might tell you a little about that next week.

Until then, have a great week. Goodnight everyone,

Karen.

TALKING POINT: Give us your comments about how "The Waltons" dealt with World War 2".

Hi Karen,

This weeks topic is about WW II, huh? Well, I'm too young (contrary to what my 10 yr. Old thinks:) ) to have experienced it first hand, but I remember the stories my parents, who were children at the time, told us. The Waltons, maybe because they lived out in the "boonies", seemed to have been unaffected by the rationing.

They talked about it a lot, but it never seemed to put a damper on dessert (sugar rationing), or travel (gas rationing). It had to be miles to any place from there (judging from the way the area is today) and yet, if they wanted to go, off they went! I never saw any of them with the tattered shoes everyone wore all the time, saving the good shoes for Sunday and special occasions. (People were only allowed 2 pair a year.) They did show the air raid drills though, which seemed ridiculous. I don't think the Nazis or Japanese were interested in Schuyler:-)

It would be interesting to hear from anyone who lived in the area at the time. Did they have drills?

My mother told us about people destroying anything they had that was made by a "Jap", as they were called then. She also told us about going to the movies and how all the kids would cheer for our side during the news reels.

My parents were too poor to, but the Vanderbilts, here in Newport, turned in all of their copper pots ( a hefty load!) for the war effort. There seem to be so many things "missing" from "The Waltons" during the war years that seem so easy to add, and would have given the show that genuine feel that is missing in the last years. I wonder if anyone else feels the same.

Joan

Hi Karen,

I think the Waltons reacted to WWII like most Americans did. The sons were ready to enter the fight and the mothers all wanted them to stay home.

The episode where Ike got into trouble over the rationing stamps brought back memories to me. I can remember seeing the price of an item and right next to the price was the number of ration stamps needed. My mother always wanted a can of peaches but just couldn't use our ration stamps for them. Canned peaches took too many stamps. In some episodes there were servicemen just hanging around. That's how it was. You could go downtown and guys were all over the place. You know how Times Square in New York looks on New Year Eve? Well, downtown Dallas looked that way every day. There were guys from all branches of the service just hanging out.

We all listened to the radio every night just like the Waltons. We would gather around and sit on the floor. There were seven of us children. The oldest boy was in the Navy. We had a garden and chickens like the Waltons, I wish we could have had a Grandma and a Grandpa like they did.

Although WWII was a sad time and a bad time for most folks, there were also good times for some. I remember those years very well as some of the best years of our lives. My siblings and I were all children and were all together back then. Those were happy days.

Hope I didn't ramble on too much. Have a good day......Doraine

For my comments on World War II: They handled the episodes very well and as far as I have heard true to life especially the Outrage and also the episode where Jason wasn't sure whether he was doing enough for the War effort, then the episode where Jason couldn't grip with the notion he might have to kill someone to save his own life and that of his fellow soldiers. Then the graduation of Jim Bob when Elizabeth has to correct Drew's hope that the war will go on until he is old enough to go. Then you have the episode where Jason has to fight even though he knows the war is over because the German soldier doesn't know its over.

Donald and Erin

Hello to all,

I was thinking about this week's talking point, how The Waltons dealt with WW2, and had a couple thoughts I wanted to pass along. As someone who was born after WW2, I have no reference point for this particular war in my life's memory. Plus, in school, we'd spend so much time year after year covering up through the Civil War that on only two instances do I recall any of my teachers even covering events beyond 1900. Shameful, I know. Other than understanding basic bits and pieces about Hitler and Pearl Harbor, there's not much I could have told you about our second world war.

But watching The Waltons personalized the war for me. It discussed some of the important milestones of that time, and it showed how the war affected the lives of everyday folk like those on Walton's Mountain. I'm not sure how accurate the portrayal was--I'll leave that for others to discuss-but it gave me some perspective on how I might have felt had I lived during that time. I remember having a lump in my throat as I watched the episodes about Curt being killed at Pearl Harbor, about Olivia and John reading that John-Boy was missing in action overseas, and about Ben being held captive by the Japanese. It gave me an interest in and better understanding for a period of time that I hadn't been exposed to much before. In that respect, I felt that The Waltons did a good job of dealing with WW2.

Goodnight everyone,

Tammy

I wasn't born until after World War 2, so I have no first-hand knowledge about what life was like during that time. All I know is what I have heard, or read, or seen on The Waltons. I have always said that I learned more about World War 2 from watching The Waltons than I ever learned in a classroom or from reading a book. I think what I appreciate about it the most is that it gives me an idea of what life was like for my own parents when they were young. My parents met one another and were married during World War 2. My dad went overseas when my brother was just a few months old. My mother's brother was killed in the war. Watching the episodes about the casualties (G. W. Haynes, Curt at Pearl Harbor) and the episodes about Ben and Cindy during the war helps me understand what it was like for my own parents because their situation was similar.

Brenda

Hi Karen and All!

It is pretty hot right now in Ohio, so I am thankful for the air conditioning! This weeks topic is a favorite of mine because it intertwines two of my favorite topics, the Waltons and the second World War. (I enjoy researching it.) I believe that for the most part, the war was dealt with accurately. The boys all joining up at different times, Ben becoming a POW and being thrown in the hot box for making the American flag out of the Japanese commanders kimono and his own shirt. As well as the shortages, separation, Erin taking the job at Picketts Defence Plant, all the story lines with Camp Rockfish, and canteens on the home front on Walton's Mountain. And the one that most heart wrenching that comes to mind is Erin's romance with Ashley Longworth Jr. when he returns home and is an atheist therefore breaking there engagement. This was a sad story line for me though because I always liked the pairing of the two. I would have to say that the most radical is when Mary-Ellen ventures to find Curt after the war who had supposedly risen from the dead. This was probably my least favorite story line. Those are my opinions.

Thanks for reading.

Skottie

KAREN'S COMMENT: Thank you to all of the above, who contributed to this talking point. It's interesting to read all of the comments. I, too, was born after the war years and my parents were only young during them so I don't have a lot of family history dealing with the war either. In fact I can only reiterate what Brenda said...much of my knowledge of World War 2 has come from television, film and novels which I have read. It's certainly a much more fun way to learn.:-)

It interested me to read Doraine's letter, commenting about rationing and air raids. My parents also remember having air raids, and the war really didn't get all that close to us down here in Melbourne either. I think it was probably thought that it would be best to be prepared, and I imagine that it would have been the same on Waltons Mountain. It was best to be cautious. I must say that the rationing has always fascinated me. It must have been very difficult.

Perhaps one of the most poignant moments for me, dealing with the war, was at the end of Jim Bob's graduation, when all four Walton boys leave for war, and all of the women have to stay at home and wait. How lucky the Walton women were to have their family and friends around them. Imagine a wife who was by herself waiting for her husband to return. Other interesting moments for me were when refugees of the war came to the Mountain, such as the young woman who came to stay with the Baldwin ladies, whose son was killed by German soldiers, and she was trying to forget all about the war beginning in Germany. Another interesting time for me was when Jason had to decide whether he could really kill a man when and if the time came. I think it would have been a horrible decision for him to have to make, and clearly showed the dilemmas some of the young men would have had to make.

I think the show, showing both the lead up to World War 2 and then the war itself, was able to incorporate a lot of issues and social history about the war in a very entertaining way.

NEXT TALKING POINT:

Having been reading recently about all of the other roles many of the Waltons actors have completed following The Waltons, I thought the next talking point could be:

"What is your favorite non-Walton role, played by a Waltons actor?"

I just got done watching "The Book" on TNN. I thought I'd point out to those who may not have picked up on it that the man who was interviewing John-Boy in the classroom for the radio playback was a very young Gerald McRaney (of Simon & Simon and Promised Land fame). I only recognized him by his voice. I do want to add that I think Promised Land is a very fine family program, and I enjoy Richard Thomas' occasional part in the story line.

On a side note, I never did list who my favorite guest star was when we were discussing that point a few weeks ago. Well, me being the country music fan that I am, it would without a doubt have to be a tie between the characters of Bobby Bigelow (played by singer Mayf Nutter) and Red Turner (played the second time around by the legendary Merle Haggard). Red was portrayed by a different actor when he first appeared as Seth Turner's father in "The Gift." I was actually surprised to see a young Merle Haggard playing Red in that later episode ("The Comeback"). I hadn't been aware that Merle had done any acting, though I thought he did a fine job.

Enough ramblings from me. : )

Tammy.

KAREN'S COMMENT: Mayf Nutter pops up in several episodes, but I know nothing about him. Is he a well known singer over there?

Last week they had a rerun of the episode with Tom Povich the football player who was in danger of losing his scholarship because of his low grades and then his eyes wander when he is taking an exam and he subsequently is accused of cheating and John boy has to defend him. Do you remember when Tom was having dinner at the Waltons and he mentions he was from a small town near Pittsburgh called Aliquippa, Pennsylvania{which incidentally is the home town of Tony Dorsett who went to the University of Pittsburgh and later played for the Dallas Cowboys and the Denver Broncos) Anyway when the hearing is held to determine whether Tom Povich will be able to stay in school, John boy mentions that Tom is from BRIDGETOWN, Pennsylvania not Aliquippa. Did any one notice that?

Donald F Nelson and Erin the cat

KAREN'S COMMENT: Does anyone have an explanation for this?

In this episode [The Boondoggle] the writer Porter Simms uncovers evidence that Judge Baldwin took care of wounded Union Soldiers after the Battle of Rockfish Creek. He did so in a humanitarian way and although he was accused of treason by the Confederates, his actions helped heal the wounds that the war had inflicted.

Donald F Nelson and Erin the cat

I want to learn more about the October Reunion on Walton's Mountain. This sounds like a delight---will there be more info in the Digest?

Thanks,

Debbie Foster from TN

KAREN'S COMMENT: Although I am a member of the International Fan Club who seem to organise the reunion, I don't get my newsletter until quite late, so information from me might be a bit late coming. Perhaps you could write to Carolyn Grinnell who is the editor of the Blue Ridge Chronicle, and is the contact person for this fan club. [Carolyn Grinnell, Post Office Box 1055, Kennersville, NC, 27285] The information I currently have is that the Waltons International Fan Club Fall Reunion is on October 24th, 1998. If anyone else has any more details, could they send me an email and I'll publish it for everyone on the list please.

Hello Everyone,

I purchased the Waltons Game for 12.50. it had all the pieces. I seem to have better luck finding Walton memorabilia when i am out of state.

Mary in Texas

KAREN'S COMMENT: What a fabulous buy Mary! Congratulations.

TNN is now airing the 3rd season. The episode called "The Marathon" aired today, July 13th. The two episodes "An Easter Story" & "The Thanksgiving Story" did not air because the Warner Brothers & Lorimar syndicators do not currently offer those two episodes in 2-part format. As far as I know the only other episodes not offered in 2-part format are "The Wedding", "The Grandchild", "The Children's Carol" & "A Decade of The Waltons".

Michael

KAREN'S COMMENT: Once again from my newsletter, there is a piece from TNN and they say that they have acquired all 221 episodes, so maybe they will show the 4 two parters you mention. They add that fans with questions or comments should contact TNN's Viewer Services Dept. at 615/457-7222.

Hi everyone,

Just having read the new digest I was inspired to write. I remember seeing Ellen Corby in an episode of I Love Lucy where she plays Lucy's old drama teacher. She hardly looked any different! I think she may also crop up in Vertigo as the landlady of the house where Kim Novack's character rents a room.

Thank you Claire for reminding me of the name of the episode The Courtship.

As for the topic of WWII as seen by the Walton's-I'll be interested to see the reactions. I remember the stunned reaction to Pearl harbor 7 the scenes involving the boys at army camp. I also seem to remember Olivia running a creche for children from the local base & Mary Ellen & Erin working very hard for the war effort. There was also an episode with Ike setting up an air raid warning siren which somehow went off wrongly. There was also an episode dealing with racism & women in the army. It was interesting for me to see the American home front as I'm so used to seeing that of the UK. This is all a bit streams of consciousness, but I have to say how much I love the Digest & the chance to talk with other Waltons' fans. I've loved the series since I was very young.

Take care everyone.

Kester

KAREN'S COMMENT: I enjoy talking with all Waltons fans too Kester. They seem so few over here, that it's nice to have such good internet friends with a common interest in the show.

Hello Karen. I ran across a little item in People magazine, June 22/98 issue, page 43, that I thought I might send in.

"Even the Wee Walton Kids have Grown Up: Mary McDonough, who played middle daughter Erin, stars in the upcoming romantic comedy 'One of Those Nights', in which she doffs her clothes and performs a love scene with costar Jared Seide that was so intense they broke a chair. Even so, according to McDonough, Mama Walton approved: "Michael Learned said, 'You're just brilliant in this.' It was like I was an adult now".

I'm not sure if this paragraph is suitable for all family members to read so I don't know if you'll put it in the digests or not. It struck me because I'm used to thinking of Michael Learned as Olivia Walton but, in real life, she sounds somewhat less conservative.

Thank you.

Kim W

KAREN'S COMMENT: Interesting that you should find this Kim, because I would think that the same week in our Woman's Day magazine, there was a tiny article about the same thing, with a very small photo of The Waltons. The difference was though that this time a similar quote came from Richard Thomas! Isn't it fun comparing the press all over the world?