| WALTONS DIGEST 34:
Hi there everyone, Well how many of you have had a chat on the new Waltons Chat line? Hands up? I have been delighted to be able to speak with Dot (at some dreadful hour of the morning for her, but perfectly respectable for me <G>) and also hopped on one day when Rae was there too. It really is a lot of fun so give it a go. Dot told me that some people are logging in then logging out straight away. I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I first connected so I logged on and just went off for a while, leaving the line open. When I came back to have another look, there was Dot going "hello...hello... hello...anybody there?" Finally I was! Anyway give her time to notice that you are there, before you log off. It's strange too, because you have to give a nickname. I tried to initially log in as "Karen" but it wouldn't let me, so if you happen to be on one day and see "Kaz2" that's me. Well onto the Digest, Karen.
From Kim: About Waltons Fanfiction: I haven't been able to find a fanfiction archive for Waltons. I would enjoy a chance to read your scripts though. One of the things I've noticed about fanfiction is that the love and effort that goes into it often results in imaginative and superior writing. KAREN'S COMMENT: Yes, I agree Kim. If anyone has some fanfiction they would like to have posted, send it to me and if it seems suitable, I will try to add it to the Digest site as soon as I've moved them.
From Arthur: Hi yet again, Karen, and Digest friends! In Digest 32 you said to me --- "By the way Arthur, I am on the mend now thankyou. My family has had a very quiet week though because my voice didn't come back until Thursday! They thought it was wonderful." That reminded me of the time, in an early episode when Grandma came back home after being away looking after some children, and had lost her voice through having to shout at the kids so much! Of course you hadn't done that! In the last Digest there was mention of Robert Wightman, who took over from Richard Thomas as John-Boy when the character returned in the series, so I've looked up my database of videotapes under "artists" and find that Robert Wightman appeared in 15 of the regular episodes, plus the last of the three Specials made shortly after the series ended (i.e. in 1982). They are:
There was then a gap until 1993 before the next special was made, and Richard Thomas (I originally typed here Richard Walton....!!) returned to resume playing John-Boy. RW may have appeared in the first two Specials, but I haven't checked this yet as my cast list for those two is incomplete. If I'd had a computer decades ago....... ! Has anyone seen Robert Wightman in anything else? Further to my quirkiness for curiosities (!) anyone noticed that, even though during the Depression, the Waltons didn't have much money, yet at night they seemed to leave almost every light on in the house...... Found another thing in the public library not long ago which I'd like to share with you --- It's from Halliwell's Television Companion (3rd edition, Grafton Books, 1986) The Waltons. US 1972-81 approx. 220 x 50min color. CBS/Lorimar. "Problems of a family in the Appalachian mountains during the Depression years. The original novel by Earl Hamner Jnr also formed a basis of a film, Spencer's Mountain and a TV movie, The Homecoming. The series rapidly became the seventies equivalent of the Hardy family movies, and one could not fault the writing or production. The series included a number of episodes combined to make longforms under such titles as The Waltons' Crisis. The Walton's Crisis was in fact an example of the series at its worst, the grave disability which struck the materfamilias being sunningly overcome with no real hardship. But maverick screenwriters would often field heart-felt individual episodes, e.g. one by "Colly Cibber" (a pseudonym) about a gnarled old author who had talked his books away in bar-rooms rather than putting them down - many a screenwriter's own story." Arthur's comments: While I like the double-length episode The Waltons Crisis (also known as An Easter Story), I have to agree that it is something of a let-down when, at the end, bed-ridden Olivia suddenly gets up and walks ("just like that") when she hears Elizabeth cry out. Anyone else care to comment? By the way, in case anyone is unfamiliar with Leslie Halliwell, here's a brief bio - Leslie Halliwell joined Granada TV in the UK in 1958 as a film researcher, having previously ran a small cinema in Cambridge. He has been program buyer for the entire ITV network since 1968, and more recently for Channel Four, where his nostalgic seasons of films from the golden age have won wide approval. Among other books, he is the author of Halliwell's Film Guide. He died in 1986. That's all for now! KAREN'S COMMENT: I have read this entry too Arthur. The reviewer quite obviously was in pain when he reviewed the series. (ha ha) Seriously though, some of the episodes are real tearjerkers and "sickly sweet", but I love them all.
From Julie: Hi, Karen, haven't written in a while, so I thought I would drop a line. It's been really busy lately, and I haven't gotten to watch much, but I did get to watch two episodes on the Family Channel this week. One was part two of the episode where John Boy is back from NYC for a while, and they all join forces to re-open the coal mine and create more jobs. I had seen part one once or twice before, where Elizabeth falls in an old shaft, but I've never seen part two, where the mine caves in on everyone, and Grandpa, and the reverend, and John Boy and everyone digs them out. It was very effective, how they did the cave-in in slow motion. And isn't it funny how even when you know everyone of course will come out alive, you can still have your heart in your mouth watching the tense drama when they are being rescued? Good writing and acting, is I guess what accomplishes that! And today's episode featured Miss Mamie discovering she has cataracts, and being afraid to have the surgery to correct it. It is always good to see Ellen Corby, who I find to be as effective an actor after her stroke as before it! And, of course, the other story line where Elizabeth and Drew discover a mutual attraction for one another is charming! So, just wanted to check in and say "hello" to everyone, I am enjoying the digests as always, even if I have precious little time to watch the shows these days. Keep up the good work Karen, and have a good rest-of-the-summer...er...winter!!! KAREN'S COMMENT: I love these episodes too Julie. I agree with you, the writing and acting is superb. It's actually seeming like spring now down here, with the fruit trees starting to blossom, and some sun. Summers not far away.
From Marc: Since I follow The Waltons very closely on the Family Channel, I was so disappointed last night when I came home and saw that they skipped the last episode of the 6th season when Grandma comes home from the hospital. The episode the night before was when John-Boy returned home with his then fiancée, Daisy. They skipped right to the opening episode of the 7th season when Grandpa has died. Interesting footnote: Daisy, played by Deirdre Lenihan, returned briefly for 2 episodes in the 8th season. One of my favorite semi-regulars in the early seasons was GW Haines, played by David Doremus (of Nanny And The Professor). The 2-hour episode when Olivia has polio and Mary-Ellen is trying to teach GW how to dance is one of my favorites. I love the scene when they are practicing in the woods on that cold winter day. I never thought it was necessary when they killed the GW character off in later years (by having an accident at boot camp). I will also never forget the scene when John is contemplating selling the mountain and Grandma and Grandpa spend time alone on top of the mountain recalling the good times. They were such vital characters. Other than Ike and Corabeth, I would have to say my favorite semi-regular was Verdie Foster. Who can forget the episode when John-Boy was teaching Verdie how to read? Does anyone know if there are any plans for another reunion movie? I certainly hope so. Good night John-Boy, good night Mary Ellen, good night Waltons fans! KAREN'S COMMENT: Interesting that you mention that snowy scene where ME and GW learn to dance. Is this the only episode where snow appears? I'm sure there must be other episodes but I can't think of any, although there are some where it is obviously very cold.
From Marca: Hi everyone, last week when I saw the news of a chat line by Dorothy on Ralph's Forum I wondered what it would be. For I am not that familiar with computers I asked my husband what a chat line is and if he could install the necessary software because I wanted to see it. He told me that it is a type of communicating where you can almost instantly see the reaction of other chatters who are online. He had the software already installed and he even joined some Star Trek chat lines in the past. (His hobby!) And after he connected to the Waltons in Canada I was in the 'room' :-) Unfortunately there was nobody else :-( but the line was rather new of course..) Tuesday late we tried again (because of different time zones it is here about 7 hours later than in Canada and about 8 hours earlier than in Down Under) and we caught Dorothy and another person from Canada who called herself 'PeachGirl'. They 'talked' to each other and when Dorothy saw me they talked to me. After a while she left and PeachGirl and I talked about several things but mostly about The Waltons. But after a while I suddenly got disconnected from it and when I came back PeachGirl was gone. When we were chatting it was about 5pm in Canada and in my country it was about 11pm. So I was very sleepy in the end but still we talked about 30-40 minutes and it was very funny.. I would like to be more on the chat line but it's hard because the great differences in time. It's not that much but the bills are still higher each month. Anyway, thank you Dorothy and Lance for this fine initiative.. Now I would like to thank everyone who answered my questions about The Homecoming, where Mary Ellen, Erin and Elizabeth stayed after they got married and especially about the one-room schools. I really enjoyed reading all of it, thank you! Like Karen I also had a question about The Quilting. Can anyone tell us more about this custom? When (in time) did it begin and stop? Or is it maybe still a custom in some parts of the US (although I can hardly believe that)? And at what age did the girls get their quilting (I believe ME was about 16)? Perhaps somebody has also made a study about this, like the one-room schools :-) In the episodes The Quilting and The Shivaree the Waltons and their friends sang two songs. One about the quilting and one about the shivaree. Can anyone tell me if the singing really was a custom in that period in the US.. I really liked the songs and the feeling of solidarity that goes with it.. And does anyone have the words of these songs? I couldn't understand the words but I would like to know what they sang.. A lot of questions this time but perhaps someone has got some answers.. Thank you anyway.. All the best and goodnight every body. KAREN'S COMMENT: I'd forgotten about the song in The Quilting, but remember it now you mention it. I had thought the only song in The Shivaree was "Let Me Call You Sweetheart" which is a fairly old song. Is there another about shivaree-ing? Glad you enjoyed the chat Marca. When others are used to using the program as well, perhaps we can set a time when a few of us can get together to chat.
From Marie: The episode in which John Boy sells his meadow is The Cloudburst. The meadow is up on the mountain. At the end of the show, Earl Hamner says that the land never belonged to the Waltons again but that the owner (Mr. Shelby) never returned. I just read Spencer's Mountain by Earl Hamner. I heartily recommend it to everyone! There are a lot of similarities: cow named Chance, pig named Jabez which kept running home, two sisters who make the recipe, grandfather's name is Zebulon, mother's name is Olivia, and they say goodnight to each other. McDonoughs who appeared in the Waltons were Mary Beth, Eileen who played Patsy, and Michael Joseph who played Deputy Ernie Allen in The Victims. Recently, I saw an episode of Magnum P. I. called "The Kona Winds" in which a Kit McDonough played a part. I just checked the Internet Movie Database at: http://us.imdb.com and found all these McDonoughs! Brenna, Britt, Edwin, John, Lee, Marty, Neal, Pat, Robert, Sean, Stephen, Tim, Tom and Ann, Betty, Dolores, Jennifer, Kit, Mary Beth, Megan, Shannon. Wow! I thought McDonough was an uncommon name. And Eileen and Michael are not included. Your Walton friend, Marie KAREN'S COMMENT: I wonder if Michael Joseph is Mary's dad?
From Tammy: Hey there everyone. First, to answer the questions Marie and Kim had, no I have never written professionally. This mailing list is really the only thing I've ever had "published." :-) But I do appreciate the kind words about my writing and that you enjoyed my letter. I was hoping I wouldn't bore anyone with my memories, as those can sometimes be so personal that no one else finds them interesting. So I'm glad my ramblings were of some pleasure to someone besides me. As for my writing ambitions, I have never really written any short stories to speak of, though I have recently started keeping a journal (which I find to be good therapy...I recommend it to anyone) and I've been slowly muddling my way through the first (and *very*) rough draft of my first attempt at novel writing. Maybe someday I'll find out if I'll ever write anything a publisher would be interested in buying, but for now it's going very slowly. Writing is joyous and very rewarding, but it's hard work. I have developed a new appreciation for Earl Hamner and John-Boy Walton since I first endeavored to begin writing. Words are magic, as John-Boy said in the episode where he taught Verdie to read and write, but they don't always just flow out of you. Sometimes you have to pull and tug and coax them into coming out. But it's worth it once you've gotten them down on paper. Now on to the other things I wanted to talk about...I wrote to the Family Channel here in the States about a week ago about the return of the early episodes in the upcoming months and this is what they had to say: "Both the morning and the evening airings should return to the first series in mid-September." So I'm very excited at the possibility of seeing the earlier episodes soon. For a lot of them, it'll be my first viewing. About Richard Thomas versus Robert Wightman as John-Boy...this is how I would sum up the differences for myself. Richard's portrayal inspired me, both in his writing ambitions and sensitive portrayal of the character. I was also touched by how close he was to the younger children and how patient he was with them when they could be so annoying at times (especially when he was trying to write). To me, Richard's John-Boy was very passionate and full of wonder. Robert's John-Boy was also very down-to-earth and easily likable, but he didn't have the passion of Richard Thomas. He was somehow more laid-back and seemed less outspoken than when Richard portrayed him. Perhaps that was the difference in the two actors, or perhaps it was written that way to emphasize the war's impact on John-Boy. Or perhaps the writers didn't want John-Boy's personality to continue to overshadow those of the other children's now that they were older as he had when they were younger. Whatever the reason, I thought it was an interesting contrast, yet I think both men did a fine job with a very complex character. Something else I noted the other day that I hadn't fully realized until now was how close Mary Ellen and Erin grew to be. As kids they fought a lot because of the difference in their personalities, what with Mary Ellen being the tomboy and Erin being so "prissy," as Mary Ellen used to call her. But I've noted in recent latter season episodes that whenever Erin decided to go off on her own, Mary Ellen was always quick to support her by offering to go along with her. For example, when Erin moved to Charlottesville to take a secretarial job, Mary Ellen went too and was her roommate. And when Erin was planning to go to Hollywood to pursue an acting career, Mary Ellen again planned to move with her. I think it was more than just an excuse for Mary Ellen to get off the Mountain...I think as she got older, Erin became not only her sister but also her best friend. In last night's episode (the one where Grandpa had just died and John was considering taking a VP position with Matt Sarver's company in Richmond and leaving the Mountain) there was a scene where Mary Ellen and Erin realized they'd be separated because of the move and they took it very hard. At the very end of the episode, while the family was up at Grandpa's grave, John announced that he was staying on Walton's Mountain after all. While most all of the children went to John and Olivia and hugged them at the good news, if you watch closely, you'll see that Erin goes over and hugs Mary Ellen, who's still seated beside the grave with John Curtis on her lap. I hadn't noticed that before. Maybe it's just an incidental thing, but for me it summed up just how close Erin and Mary Ellen grew to be. It's nice to see siblings share that kind of closeness as they grow. Just some food for thought... Well, that's all for now from me. Goodnight everyone, Tammy KAREN'S COMMENT: Keep writing Tammy, 'cos I'm happy to keep "publishing" your work. :-)
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