Hi Waltons fans,

I can hardly believe that we are into August already. Hasn't the year just flown? Judging from all the letters that continue to come in, it would seem that The Waltons are still being enjoyed by so many fans, all around the world. It amazes me that one show, which has celebrated its 25^th anniversary, and coming to its 26^th, could remain so popular all these years. I often wonder whether Earl Hamner realised, when the first season was being shot, just how immensely popular his show would be, and how special it would remain in the hearts of Waltons fans, and their families. Absolutely amazing!

This week I have started to add the guest stars page, as I had planned to do so many months ago. So far I have links to Beulah Bondi, Linda Watkins, Erin Moran and Sissy Spacek, all of whom seemed to have made appearances in very popular episodes. I am also ready to add Ron Howard and Sian Barbara Allen this week.

Here's one small piece of trivia I found this week that you might all be interested in. Richard Thomas and Sian Barbara Allen actually worked together on a film called You'll Like My Mother. It was made in 1972, possibly before The Waltons went to air. Have any of you seen the movie? It also starred Patty Duke. I found a small photo of Sian and Patty for the page, but it's really not very clear. Better than nothing though I suppose.

That's about it from me this week. Thanks to those who replied to the Talking Point for this issue. I hope you enjoy the responses.

Have a great week. Goodnight everyone, Karen.

TALKING POINT: What is your favorite non-Walton role played by a Waltons actor?

By far the best Non-Walton roll played by Richard Thomas is "The Christmas Box". I do not know why but the movie intrigued me and I like to watch it every Christmas ...just like The Homecoming.

Cindy

Your next weeks digest question is an easy one for me-Ellen Corbys role on ITS A WONDERFUL LIFE.

Donald and Erin

Hi Karen,

My favourite non-Walton role is a movie called CRASH LANDING (aka A THOUSAND HEROES) starring Richard Thomas. It was based on a true story, and Richard Thomas did a fantastic job of playing a dedicated emergency rescue officer who trains his men for various emergencies -- one of which actually occurs. It was a great story, with Richard Thomas bringing his own intensity, energy and charisma to his role.

Bye, Trisha

Hi Karen. My favorite non-Walton role is when Will Geer played George Washington on an episode of Bewitched. He looked like such a big man in his uniform and really was a wonderful actor. I love when I catch that episode on cable!!

A note to Donald : the movie with Ralph Waite was made in 1981 and was titled "The Gentleman Bandit". He played a catholic priest who was accused of armed robbery. I do believe that it was based on a true story.

We rented the video Scream 2 over the weekend. The man who played J.D. Pickett (can't remember his name) plays the sheriff. Doesn't look like he's changed hardly at all. Well that's all for now!

Sharon in PA

Hi there. The question of the favorite non-Walton role is a good one. Mine would have to be Richard Thomas in "All Quiet On the Western Front" and the play "Barefoot in the Park" I remember watching the latter at my folks place when they had HBO. It was just great. Does anyone else remember this? His role in All Quiet was superb. I remember seeing the original in b/w and Richard's version. He is quite the actor isn't he.

A question I would like to put out to the readers of this group is "Where are they now, how old are they and what are they doing now? I hope I am not asking for much. Take care and until next week, good night.

Mike

KAREN'S COMMENT: It was interesting to read all the favorite roles, and I realise that I have an awful lot of movie watching to do to catch up. :-) I think my favorite role would have to be Richard Thomas in Hobson's Choice. He plays the very mild Will Mossop so well. It always makes me laugh when I think of Sharon Gless bull dozing him into marrying her. It is a wonderful movie, based on an equally wonderful play and I love it every time I watch it. To see his growth as Will is terrific. Richard Thomas certainly knows his craft well.

Cindy mentioning his role in The Christmas Box though, reminded me that this one has also become a more recent favorite. I highly recommend this movie for everyone. It is just gorgeous, and there are such moving moments in it.

NEXT TALKING POINT: What about if we go through each series and nominate our favorite episodes? We could start at season 1 (next talking point) and go through them all, then decide which one is most popular of all. So, which episode from season one is your favorite and why? I'll be watching the email for all of your responses. :-)

KAREN'S COMMENT: I picked up this during the week, I think it may have come from some comments on The Waltons Forum, but here is the information for you all in case you missed it:

"As a treat for The Waltons family of viewers, TNN recently acquired seven of the original reunion movies including "A Walton Thanksgiving Reunion," "A Decade Of The Waltons" and "A Walton Wedding." The first of the movies will be telecast on TNN, Thanksgiving Day 1998, during a 14-hour Waltons' Marathon with rarely seen episodes--"Empty Nest" which includes a tribute to Grandpa Zeb, "The Wedding" and "The Grandchild."

This information was found on the TNN site which you can visit at:

http://www.country.com/tnn/features/waltonmovies.html

On the TNN site there are also some new pictures and a piece on the Waltons children which is also interesting reading.

Karen:

STARGATE SG-1 is a science-fiction hour airing on Showtime that will be syndicated by MGM this coming fall. It will be airing on different stations, in different markets, predominantly in the weekend access and late fringe day parts. Judy Norton was a guest star in one episode.

Marc

KAREN'S COMMENT: Thanks for this Marc.

Dear Karen

The WWII years were not my favorite shows, especially the one where Mary Ellen finds out that Curt is alive. I don't believe this could have happened. For one thing I believe that as soon as the military found out that he was in the hospital they would have notified her. They would have known who he was when he woke up. Then, if you think about it, she should have been getting some type of benefits from the government for both her and John Curtis. These would have ceased and she would have questioned this. To me the whole thing was just unbelievable. Why would a stranger travel to Va. to find Mary Ellen? That would have been a long and expensive trip back then. These are just my feelings, and maybe I stand corrected but I just didn't care for the war years.

Thanks, Vicki

KAREN'S COMMENT: Your comments are certainly valid Vicki and I think that many fans would also list this episode among their least favorite. However there were many other episodes dealing with issues relating to WW2, and most of these, I believe, were excellent, and very true to life. I think I can forgive one which wasn't so good. :-)

Hi, Karen,

I caught the episode of STARGATE with Judy Norton in it. She had a minor role, playing an alien woman whose planet had suffered an attack from the villain race, the G'aoud (I think). I recognised Judy Norton's voice before I recognised her face -- maybe because she had terrible "wounds" on it. I wish her part had been longer, but it was only a few lines.

I think this is STARGATE's 2nd series, but I can't be sure.

Bye, Trisha

KAREN'S COMMENT: Trisha is a fellow Aussie Waltons fan and is referring to an episode which aired here recently. I have to say that I'm not a science fiction fan, and even the name puts me off. Thanks for the info though Trisha. I'm sorry that I missed Judy's appearance.

Dear Karen,

Just had a thought the other day - are there any Waltons fans who actually have the name of Walton? I wonder....?

Best wishes,

Arthur D

www.surflink.co.uk/users/arthurdungate/index.htm

KAREN'S COMMENT: Interesting thought Arthur. Let us know.

From Nancy:

Hi Karen,

I saw Ellen Corby in a old Andy Griffin Show. She play the part of a crook. She SOLD Barney a car that wasn't any good POOR BARNEY!!! It was a good show.

Hi Karen,

I AM BACK!!! Does any one out there remember the show in the late 70's that Michael Learned play the part of a nurse? I think that it was when she left the Waltons for awhile. BOY SHE SURE TOOK A DIFFERENT PART THEN MAMA WALTON....

Hi all,

I wanted to tell to you how much I enjoy all the things on world war11# . I was born a long time after war , but I grew up hearing allot about it. My mother was pregnant with my brother Bob. At the time her 2 youngest brothers was fighting in it. She named him after them. He was born just before Pearl Harbor got bombed. My mother never miss the Waltons. I can remember her having tears in her eyes when the show was on about Curt getting killed. I think they did a good job telling about World War 2.

Bye for now, Nancy

KAREN'S COMMENT: Thanks for your thoughts Nancy. I remember Michael Learned in Nurse...not very well though. She won an Emmy for her role in it too.

I hope someone might remember the May 1982 movie with Ralph Waite. I also noticed, while accessing the Forum with the help of a friends computer that the question about Aliquippa Pennsylvania was answered by someone who said that Bridgetown was a town near Aliquippa so the names were used inter changeably. Thanks.

This is about the episode about which I have expressed my own opinion not one but several times. You remember Mothers Day on Waltons Mountain when Mary Ellen marries Jonsey and then has a car wreck which makes having any more children very dangerous. If she was a widow she could have adopted some children but because she was divorced from Curt even though it is Curt's fault she cannot adopt.

However the further reunions show several other children that Mary Ellen has with no mention of where they came from. This causes the questions to fly around like bees around a flower garden. What happened to Virginia?

Where is John Curtis? So there is a communication gap among those who wrote the Walton reunions. However there needs to be some agreement and not excessive speculation. -Additionally will there be another Walton Reunion soon when Elizabeth and Drew finally get married? That question was asked but not answered. More later.

Good bye for now from a hot Dallas

Donald F Nelson and Erin the cat

KAREN'S COMMENT: Thanks for your letter Donald (and hi to Erin of course). I hope you're still keep cool over there and not suffering too much. For those of you who are newer members of the mailing list, you will find that many past issues discuss the episode which Donald has mentioned. You can access them by going to the following link, and catch up on our thoughts:

THE WALTONS MAILING LIST and PAST DIGESTS

http://www.oocities.org/TelevisionCity/Set/4536/index.html