Hi everyone,

Thank you for all of your letters this week. It's been nice to have a full mailbox again. I do understand though that it's probably a busy time of year for many of you, and you might be kept away from "internetting" for a while.

I visited Ralph's "new" forum this week and found it much easier to use. It seems to be working very well and there were lots of messages to catch up with. I noticed quite a lot of messages from digest members, but a lot from others too, which makes it a really fun place to visit. Give it a go if you haven't seen it. You can get to the discussion forum by visiting Ralph's Waltons site at: <http://www.the-waltons.com>

As I don't have much news for you, I think I'll head straight into the talking point for this week.

Enjoy the digest. Goodnight everyone,

Karen.

TALKING POINT: Which episode from season one is your favorite and why?

Hello Karen and everyone. I notice the digests are picking up in length again. How wonderful for us but it must be a lot of work for you, Karen. My son Cliff (12 years old) and I both read the digests. The show has hooked another little fan.

I especially like "The Sinner". It has a great Grandpa bit, the scene where he and the young Reverend return from the Baldwin Sisters' home, very very happy on recipe and singing non-religious songs. I also like the part where Reverend Fordwick is taking a cold shower with the hose in the yard and accidentally splashes John Boy behind him. The look that crosses John Boy's face is priceless.

I'm kind of partial to "The Easter Story" too, though it made me sniffly the first time I saw it. Being a two-parter, it allows a developing story line for each of the Walton children.

Thank you.

Kim W

Hello to everyone!

Regarding the latest talking point: It's so difficult to pick just one episode from a whole season, but I guess I'll pick "The Bicycle" as my favorite episode from Season One. It was wonderful to see Olivia enjoying herself on the bicycle, and finally doing something for herself, for her own amusement, as a reward for all the hard work she does for her family. In addition, I loved the story line with Curtis Norton and his new bride. (The character name escapes me at the moment.) She (the bride) is just adorable and sweet, and it is just so cute to see Curtis, this burly, grown man, be completely shy about expressing his feelings for her. I think it is a wonderful love story and a very touching episode.

Take care!

Claire Natola

Walton blessings to all:

I think the Easter Story is the best episode in Season 1 of the Waltons. Does this one count? It was the last one of that season. Olivia had such faith that she would get well, but it was very hard for her to keep that faith. The love and devotion that everyone around her showed her was very inspiring. I can't imagine having 7 children and suddenly not be able to walk. She must have been terrified. How appropriate that it was Elizabeth she heard in a dream that cured her!

If that episode doesn't count, then I would have to choose The Love Story. John-Boy and Jenny falling in love, then her leaving was one of the most touching scenes ever on the Walton's. It seems like I knew she was going to leave right from the beginning of their meeting, but I still wanted her to stay. First love is often over very quickly. I felt so sad for John-Boy! This is a talking point, thank you for having this digest! I love it!

Carolyn G.

Hi Karen,

It is hard to choose a favorite episode from Season One because there were several that I really liked. I will choose The Sinner as a favorite. I like it because it introduced one of my favorite stars, John Ritter, as the young Reverend Fordwick. He came to the mountain with Miss Prissom. That girl was such a sour person. She looked like she had been eating persimmons all day. I think if she smiled, her face would have cracked.

John embarrassed her to start with by letting her see the Waltons in their swimming suits. She left the young Reverend with the Waltons whereby he started practicing his preaching on the children. He hollered hell, fire and damnation until John made him stop.

Once the Reverend met his distant cousins, the Baldwin sisters, and drank the recipe, he was a new person. He was falling down drunk and Miss Prissom was shocked beyond belief. She said he could not preach.

John took him to church the next morning and asked the folks to hear him out. They listened to the young Reverend and accepted him. Miss Prissom got madder and left. I kept hoping she would taste the recipe and improve her outlook on life, but it didn't happen. We were to enjoy several more episodes with John Ritter, all very good.

Thanks.....Doraine

Hi Karen,

I Hope that everything going good for all. I think my favorite Waltons from the first season is the very first Waltons, when they take the little deaf girl in. I don't know about anyone else but I think if it was more like that today, the world would be a better place.

Bye, Nancy.

Hi Karen,

As I've been away on holiday, I missed the previous talking points. I just want to say something about the episodes in the war. I can't remember them very clearly (because on Dutch television they stopped before these episodes). I found it interesting to see how the American people lived the war. I know all about this end, my mother was 16 when the war broke out, so she was old enough to know what it was all about. Thank God I haven't had those experiences. Her family just tried to survive, but with an uncle of mine in England during it, tendencies were towards resistance. She read the little newspaper made by the resistance (I still have one at home), but that's the only act of resistance she did. (But it could cost your life.)

My favorite episode in season 1 is difficult to decide. Actually The Foundling and The Deed are the ones I watch most. I think I'll go for The Foundling, because Elisabeth is so cute there when she asks her daddy : "Just where did you find me, Daddy ?" and John answers : "Hiding behind one of your mother's smiles." That always makes me grab my hanky.

Good night all

Frieda

Karen,

The choice of my favorite episode from the first season is indeed a difficult decision. The first season is truly full of "favorite" episodes. Since I must make a decision about one "extra-special" episode I choose "The Typewriter". I have selected this particular story because it is the first episode where we see John-Boy actively pursuing his dream of becoming a writer by (1) attempting to have one of this writings published and (2) allowing someone (Miss Hunter) for the first time to view his writings.

The movie "The Homecoming", that inspired the TV series, is referred to in the episode when the paper John-Boy has written is rejected by a publisher. The paper is about John-Boy's trip to find his Daddy one Christmas Eve. The Baldwin sisters allow John-Boy to borrow their historically-significant typewriter because they believe their Recipe is a major topic of the paper and so those "treacherous Yankees" will find out about their Recipe.

We see John-Boy dealing with rejection by a publisher, being supported by his caring family, and continuing to pursue his dream of someday becoming a writer. As always, we learn important life principles while still being entertained by the Waltons.

William

KAREN'S COMMENT: Having just had a look through the episodes which aired in season 1, I can see what a difficult task I set for you. We certainly have a diverse range of episodes nominated here. As I looked through them, the following ones popped out for me: The Typewriter, The Love Story, The Scholar and The Townie. Out of these I think I would have to say that The Love Story was my favorite. Jenny and John Boy really portrayed to youngsters in love for the first time, and their joy at being with one another was just lovely to see, and came through very strongly. The Townie is another long time favorite, I guess because it shows Sissy Spacek in such an early role.

Thanks to all of you who wrote sharing your views. It looks like the favorites for season one would be: The Easter Story and The Sinner. The next talking point then will be to nominate your favorites from the second season. Letters will be published in two weeks time.

Hi everyone,

I'm writing to ask if anyone remembers a 1973 or '74 special broadcast of Dinah!, in which Dinah Shore devoted the entire 90 minutes of her talk show to Earl Hamner and the cast of The Waltons. For many years I saved an audiocassette of the soundtrack, but I'm afraid it's now gone.

In addition to general discussions among Dinah, Earl and the cast, I recall a few other highlights. Jason and Grandma re-enacted "The Ironing Board Blues," complete with ironing board, iron and guitar; Grandma and Grandpa recited a version of "I Remember It Well;" Grandpa recited some poetry; Dinah sang some wonderful lyrics to The Waltons theme, newly written, I think, by composer Jerry Goldsmith; Dinah and the cast sang an opening song called "Back in the Country;" and some outtakes and bloopers were shown from the early episodes.

Now and then I wonder if the original videotape still exists in the vaults somewhere. If so, it would be a wonderful addition to The Waltons Museum if permission could be obtained from the producers.

Alan B.

KAREN'S COMMENT: This sounds like a wonderful piece of tape. I wonder if the television station still has it in their archives.

Hello to everyone at the Digest!

I have two Waltons NON-sightings to report! Well, let me explain: The first one is a Waltons mention. Just over the last few weeks, the public television station in Boston has been showing a very entertaining British mystery program named "Jonathan Creek." In a recently shown episode, Jonathan and his sidekick Maddy are investigating whether or not an aging British rock idol named Roy Pilgrim was involved in some sort of murder. At one point, the conversation among Jonathan, Maddy, and Roy went like this...

(The setting is Roy's home. Maddy is asking Roy some questions while Jonathan pokes around Roy's place for clues.)

MADDY: Jacob Flowers seems to be on your side; he left a little note on my windscreen.

ROY: Well, they have a commune about 20 minutes away. Hog's Belly Farm. I've been a kind of a patron for them. I guess he's as rattled about all this as I am. Hello, is that one o'clock? I've got to record The Waltons!

JONATHAN: The Waltons?!?

ROY: I'll be two seconds.

(Roy walks through the door to another room. Jonathan is staring in disbelief at the door.)

MADDY: So? What have you found, something clever? The gateway to a parallel dimension?

JONATHAN: The Waltons?!?

-----

(In the next scene, Jonathan and Maddy are driving to Hog's Belly Farm to see what they can dig up.)

JONATHAN: Well, I don't know. I mean, it's just too incredible for words. Roy Pilgrim watches The Waltons.

MADDY: But does that make him a murderer?

-----

I really loved hearing this Waltons reference on another show!

My second Waltons NON-sighting was actually a recent experience I had. I have just started taking ballroom dance lessons, and my first lesson was an introduction to the Foxtrot. As the instructor started showing us what to do, he recited, "Slow, slow, quick-quick, slow..." and all I could think of was Rose teaching Ike how to dance. That's just what she said, too, as she was showing him the steps, and it put a little smile on my face to hear it and think of Rose.

Hope everyone is having a nice summer!

Claire

KAREN'S COMMENTS: What an interesting letter Claire. I have occasionally heard of The Waltons being referred to on other shows, but I can't remember which ones now. Does anyone have other examples?

Dear Karen,

Here in the UK we've just had a repeat of The Hero, from Season 5. As you'll remember, it's about the Honor Day commemoration of those who fell in the Great War (of 1914-18). After the graveyard in the woods is tidied up, in some shots we can see some of the white wooden crosses. Watching the transmission (ie not a VHS domestic tape), I was able to make out two of the names - one was Earl Hamner, and the other was Harry Harris (who has Directed many of the series, though not this particular episode)!

I'd never noticed this before, and I'm wondering, they must have been sending themselves up! Has anyone noticed other names on these crosses?

Arthur.

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

KAREN'S COMMENT: I have a feeling that I had heard this before, but it is interesting to pick up these little points. I must have another look at my tape.

Even though there are just two letters they leave plenty of room for many comments. Perhaps that was another reason for bringing Curt back into the episodes the Tempest and the Whirlwind-in order to make more story lines possible. Perhaps John Curtis did decide to go to Florida to live with his dad and as a result Mary Ellen decided to disown him. That was another point in the saga that will probably go on as long as people remember the Waltons. I can answer your initial question easily the best episode from the first season was, by no doubt, the Waltons Easter Story.

Now to the Easter story that took place in the 1970s. Richard Thomas would only be about 19 or 21 years old then as he was born in 1951. So there is not that much of a time gap if you put in the real life, but there is if you're going to make Richard Thomas John Boy. If this happens you will have him in his 50s as they said.

Best of wishes

Donald and Erin the cat

KAREN'S COMMENT: Richard Thomas was really a very sensitive actor for one so young.

Hi Karen and Everybody,

A smorgasbord of thoughts from me today:

Someone on Ralph's web board asked what other episodes (other than "The Song" and "The Breakdown") her friend Doney Oatman played in. She was the character Betsy Morgan, at least in "The Song".

So in trying to find an answer, I was scrolling through your episode guide and noticed the name Kym Karath. It sounded familiar so I checked - she played Gretl in The Sound of Music.

Perhaps you know this already? But it wasn't noted in the credits like it was for the guy who played in "The Townie". This was in "The Thanksgiving Story", which I have still never seen...

The IMDB also says she was in "Spencer's Mountain" - yet another I've never seen.

I never did find out what other episodes she was in, perhaps someone else knows?

I really would like to see The Thanksgiving Story, The Easter Story, Spencer's Mountain, and The Homecoming because I don't think (remember?) seeing any of these before! I'm feeling so left out! :)

I wanted to thank everyone who wrote in with opinions of the World War II episodes during that talking point. I was one of the ones who suggested it, and I learned a lot from everyone's answers. Especially the ones where people told about what happened in their own area. Thank you!

As for this week's talking point: I like different parts of a couple of episodes. I loved the explanation of death Gino gives Elizabeth in "The Boy from the CCC", and I liked the tension of "The Scholar". But I guess my favorite would be "The Star". Grandpa's behavior was amusing, especially when he learns that the Baldwin ladies' cousin has stolen the recipe and he suddenly decides he's feeling better!

Karen and other Aussie members, be on the lookout for an annular solar eclipse on the 21st/22nd. (Sorry don't know a time for ya.) You're so lucky to get one. I'd love to see one - they're almost as cool as a total eclipse.

Bye!

Larissa

KAREN'S COMMENT: You're right Larissa. Kym Karath did pop up in at least one Waltons episode. I'm not sure if she appeared in more...I'd need to check properly. She appeared in a very minor role though. I think she had about two lines only, if that. She was definitely in the episode where Mary Ellen was trying out for the role of Pocahontas. She was one of the girls crowded around to see the auditions. You wouldn't recognise her as the same little girl who played Gretl though. I only picked her out because I had seen her in an episode of The Brady Bunch around the same time. She had a much larger role in that.

Thanks for the info on the annular solar eclipse. I've never heard of it before. I can remember the total eclipse when I was growing up. It happened at about 3 p.m. out here and everything went totally dark for a short time. It was quite funny because the birds started singing the way they do when it's dusk, and they seemed to get very confused when it started getting light again so quickly. :-)

Hi Karen and fellow Waltons watchers:

Just wanted to make a comment about the timeline. I can well understand Heather's frustration. Being a Waltons "purist," it upset me, too, to have John and Olivia celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary in 1969, which would have moved up the events from the series at least 10 years. As Heather suggested, I think it would have been better if the Waltons specials had been set in the 50s instead of the 60s. However, the producers obviously wanted to the tie the reunion films to important events in history - the assassination of John F. Kennedy, the first moonwalk, etc -- and if the original actors were to be used (and it is very good to see the original cast members returning to their original roles) the timeline had to be sacrificed. It just would not have worked to have 30-ish Kami Cotler made up to look 40-something. I do not mean to defend the way the timeline has been tampered with (I think it tends to diminish the effectiveness of the reunion films); I merely offer an possible explanation.

Jeff

KAREN'S COMMENT: They certainly were lucky to get all of the original actors back. It wouldn't be the same with other actors playing the roles.

This is Diane from London, England

I've been lurking on the list for a few months and not really able to contribute anything useful until now. I watch the Waltons every Sunday on Channel 4. I watch all the repeats every time they come round.

I saw Ronnie Clare Edwards in the film "Perfect" shown here on Channel 5 Sat night. It starred John Travolta. I was expecting her to be different than Corabeth but the voice and mannerisms were all the same.

KAREN'S COMMENT: Nice to hear from you Diane. I haven't seen this movie but I'll watch out for it.

Hi everybody -

Work is so busy for me these days that I don't get much time to watch my beloved Waltons the way I used to. I did catch last night's episode on TNN, though, and I have a question about it.

It was the one about the young woman who was a wing walker. (Last night was the first time I saw this episode.) Now, I saw most of it - I did see the part where she admits to John-Boy about being raped at fifteen after she rebuffs his advance. I got up to the part where she goes up to his bedroom to talk to him - then my phone rang and I missed everything until John-Boy discovers that she and Myrtle the Goat are both missing. At that part, JB tells Olivia that his "feelings changed, but not in a bad way" and they head off to the county fair to find her. What I wanted to know is what changed his mind? Was there an explanation given when they talked in his room? Call me obsessive, but this has been bugging me today. I would be horrified to think that his feelings changed because he found out she was raped - like she was at fault for what happened.

So there you go everyone - put my poor mind to rest! (Laughing.)

While I'm here, I'll pose another question. Can anyone think of other episodes where any of the children spoke to Grandma and Grandpa the way Elizabeth did when she accused Grandma of driving Myrtle away? I was surprised to see her do that. I do remember Mary Ellen being angry with Grandma over her "quilting'", but I don't remember her speaking that way. I'm trying to remember any other episodes where the children shouted at the grandparents.

BTW Karen - I enjoy the digests so very much, even though I don't get to participate very often.

Sincerely,

Maggy

KAREN'S COMMENT: Any comments for Maggy? Interesting points you make.