| WALTONS DIGEST 6-98:
Hi everyone, Isn't the year just flying by. Here we are nearly into March already. Very weird weather here again this week. We have just yesterday, had our hottest late February day since the Ash Wednesday bush fires about 15 years ago. It reached 43 degrees Celsius. Not sure what that converts to, but it is well over 100F. The poor children at school. They just wanted to lie on the floor under the ceiling fans. It certainly wasn't the weather to be working in that's for sure. Well there's a lot of mail this week so I'll hand it all over to you now. I have been working on some new additions for my page today and hope that I can upload them sometime during the next fortnight. If you don't find them sooner, I will let you know via the digest. The main thing I've been working on is the where are they now part. Anyway have a great week and I'll talk to you all again soon,
Karen. Hi Karen: Some interesting tidbits. I remember so fondly when Ellen Corby came back to the show in the final episode of season 6, and thinking it was nice to have she and Will Geer back together. Of course, that was very short lived as he passed away shortly afterwards. If he had not died, I wonder if he would have continued on the show until the very end. After all, all the principal players had left, and Ellen Corby made no appearances in the final season. Only on one occasion do I remember anyone mentioning where she was that year and it was Mary Ellen who mentioned she was taking care of her sick sister. If Will Geer were still present they would have had to explain Ellen Corby's absence again. Imagine how much richer those last three seasons would have been with Will Geer present. Although I liked Rose, I was not comfortable with her staying in Grandma's room. Another mystery: after Rose married Stanley in the last season, did she leave Walton's Mountain? On another note, in the last digest a reader commented that unlike most of his friends in high school, he watched The Waltons as opposed to Welcome Back, Kotter. That really struck a cord! I, too, was in high school then and remember hearing my classmates talking about Kotter that next day. Little did I realize what the impact of what this show would be 20 years later and was so glad to be a part of it. Any news on the new TV movie? Marc Berman
KAREN'S COMMENT: It's quite sad when original characters/actors move on from a favourite show and it really doesn't seem the same without them, but I guess that's just the way acting works. It was nice though, that after the major players moved on, the other Walton siblings had a chance to explore their characters more. I do know there is a movie scheduled for 1998, but haven't heard any more than that.
Hi Karen. I saw this comment in the last digest and thought I might be able to help: "Incidentally, a Digest or two ago, it was remarked that occasionally some TV stations showed episodes out of order, and that reminded me that Judy had told me that although The Foundling was the very first episode shown, it wasn't the first one they shot..... I was just about to ask her which was the first one they made, when the camera crew shouted they were ready and we started the interview, so I never found out." I don't know if this is the answer to the question, but I recently purchased one of the Videos at Wal-Mart. They were mentioned in one of the previous digests. I bought the one titled "The Hunt" and the box said it was the "debut episode." Maybe they shot "The Hunt" first, but for some reason showed "The Foundling." I also have "The Foundling" on tape and comparing the two, it DOES seem like "The Hunt" should come first. Take for instance Earl Hamner's introductory narration from the two: The Foundling- "When I was growing up during the Depression I lived with my red-headed brothers and sisters, my parents and grandparents at the foot of a mountain which had been in our family for generations. My father used to say that in our house there was always room for one more. And I remember one morning when his hospitality was put to a challenging test". The Hunt- "A mountain has no need for people, but people do need mountains. We go to them for their beauty, for the exhilaration of standing closer to mysterious skies, for the feeling of triumph that comes from having labored to reach a summit, and I remember a day in the 1930s when I went to Waltons Mountain in search of manhood". For some reason, despite the "growing up with my red-headed brothers and sisters" line, the introduction and the entire episode of "The Hunt" seems more appropriate for the first show. You really get introduced to the character of John-Boy much more so in that episode than in "The Foundling." Of course, all of this is mere speculation and I might be totally wrong. Finally, I've also lain awake nights trying to figure out the time discrepancies in the newer Reunions. I know that John-boy graduated high school in the class of 1934 -- he was valedictorian and gave a speech, remember the episode? That would have made him anywhere from 16 to 19 years old in 1934, but I'll say about 17 would be the best guess. Thus, in 1963, when Kennedy was shot, he would have been 46 and 52 in 1969 for the moonwalk. Also, if Zeb was born in 1861 and Grandma was anywhere near his age, she must be well over a hundred. I guess the problem is that it has only been about 15 years since the show went off the air and they've moved forward in time 30 and 35 years for the reunion. Thus, the characters should have aged considerably, while the actors portraying them would have been much younger. And with all that, I display my true colors: A Certified Waltons Geek!
KAREN'S COMMENT: Certainly an interesting idea that The Hunt may have originally been planned as the first episode. Could be. Yes the discrepancies are certainly there, but I'm like you. I still love them and don't really care. It's like visiting family. :-) 1998 is also a year marking 2 other 20th anniversary items for "The Waltons". It was at the end of the 1977-1978 that Richard Thomas was last seen playing John-Boy Waltons during the original series. He appeared in 2 episodes towards the end of that season: "The Return" & "The Revelation". Another 20th is the return of Ellen Corby to the series after her stroke in 1976. She returned to the series in the final episode of the 1977-1978 season. The episodes was called "Grandma Comes Home". Michael KAREN'S COMMENT: Yes you're quite right Michael. Two very important events in Waltons history.
I am so glad that TNN will be showing the Waltons and what makes it even better, we get that channel up here in Canada. I am counting the days when the shows start. On February 16th, I spotted Ronnie C. Edwards (Corabeth) on this show called "The Torkelsons". I have gotten into collecting Walton items lately and have learned there are things out there, that I never knew about before. The following is some of the items:
( I can only guess there are dolls for other Waltons too) I have learned just the other day, that there is also a Walton house and barn set too. I think there is an Ike Godsey store too. Now if anyone could add to this list, I would be interested in knowing about it. Good night, Shirley B. of Canada P.S. I just learned a few more things to add to the Walton items list. There are three Walton paperbacks and there is a Walton mug too. KAREN'S COMMENT: I've got a few more things listed on my Bits and Pieces page Shirley. I found out about some of the things by talking on the chat line... which I might add I haven't had time to do for ages. By the way, #6 The Accident is Whitman 1510. I think the dolls you mentioned might be all. Someone told me they came as a set of two, but that might be wrong. I've never seen them, but would love to. If anyone has them and would like to take a photo that I could scan, I'd love to be able to put them on my page. I've never heard of the Little Golden Book one. What is it like? With regard to the Bantam novelisations, there are 3. "The Waltons" novelises The Reunion and The Love Story; "The Waltons: Trouble on the Mountain" novelises The Typewriter and The Separation; and "The Waltons: The Easter Story" taking in the Easter Story episode. These were all done by Robert Weverka. There is also a Bantam "Waltons Family Cookbook". Has anyone seen that? By the way, I thought I would add this piece I also received during the week from a visitor to my site: "I was amazed by the merchandise that was sold during the run of the season. I may have missed alot of the toys that went along with the series because I was about 15 yrs old back then and out of the toy scene. But I would really love some of those toys now. I collect toys. Mostly anything that is curious that I can afford. I have some toys from my childhood, Barbie, Matchbox etc., so when I saw the Walton toys I was fascinated. The toy trader mag. that I receive sometimes has the Walton board game, and the John-Boy and Ellen doll(as they call it). The dolls have been running at about $95.00 for the pair, and the board game for about $20.00 to $40.00 depending on condition."
As you might be aware 'Waltons Easter' was only shown recently in the UK. As I don't have Sky I asked my Sister to video it for me and I watched it on Saturday. I've got to agree with everyone that they got all the date/ages seriously wrong! I also thought the story line wasn't that great, within five minutes it was obvious that Elizabeth would get Drew back and that John 'Boys' children would be born at home! But who cares about the incorrect dates/ages and poor storyline as it's such a great show. One think that I couldn't figure out was the reasoning behind the reporter coming back with John Boy. Why? It didn't add anything to the storyline..... It was great to see all (most) of the cast. It was great to see Grandma and The Baldwin Sisters, John Boy hasn't aged much unlike Jason, and didn't Ben and Jim Bob put on weight. I thought the Girls hadn't changed much at all, but was disappointed not to see Ike and Corbeth, does anyone know why they weren't in it? KAREN'S COMMENT: I'm told it was a budget thing. Hopefully the next one will catch up with them.
Hi Karen and everyone, Just a short one to say the last Digest came OK. The latest Special (A Waltons Easter) has been shown twice now for the UK on satellite (Sky TV) and is to have a third showing next Wednesday (4 March) at 7pm GMT. It's on "Sky Movies Screen One" which is on Astra transponder 16. As I don't have a subscription to Sky (it's so expensive and one has to "buy" lots of other channels which one doesn't want.....), I can't see the picture unscrambled, but I listened to the soundtrack, all 86 minutes of it, with very good stereo sound (on the music). I enjoyed it very much and hope to SEE it as well some day!
It was interesting in the last Digest finding out that in "Titanic" about the actress playing "old Rose" having appeared in a Waltons episode. I enjoyed Titanic a lot when I saw it a couple of weeks ago, especially as the surround sound was so realistic. But I've just remembered - this is the WALTONS Digest, not Titanic Digest, so won't say any more about it! Arthur D www.surflink.co.uk/users/arthurdungate/index.htm KAREN'S COMMENT: It's interesting listening to a show but not seeing it isn't it? You do get the story line well anyway, and it's far better to have heard it than not to have had it at all I think. Glad you enjoyed it.
I just had a sighting! "Yancy Tucker" (I don't recall the actor's name just now) was in a commercial for McDonald's. He was speaking to someone off camera about going to Nagano for the Olympics, wishing them well, knowing they would do a good job, etc., and that he knew the person wouldn't be coming back. Then it turns out he is a potato farmer, and is talking to a potato, which is soon to become French fries! I haven't seen Yancy in anything lately so this was a surprise. Do you get the same commercials there for major chain stores and restaurants that we get here? Surely you have McDonald's there, and maybe you've seen this ad? Also, I spent some time this afternoon copying all the past digests from the web site for same onto a disc. This way I can read them at my leisure and not be tying up the phone line by staying on the internet. We only have one phone line, making it necessary for the kids and I to limit our time on. Anyway, I was really glad to find the past digests as I have only been receiving them direct from you since digest number 48. Thanks again for all you do! See ya, Robin
KAREN'S COMMENT: Yes we do have McDonald's, and some of our ads are starting to come from the USA, but generally we do our own ads so I haven't seen this one. Good to know he's still around. Good Evening Karen, I just finished watching tonight's episode, "The Prophesy", about John's 25th high school reunion. Has anyone noticed that the actress playing "Eula May" is the same actress who later appeared as "Sarah", who ends up marrying Ep Bridges? I may be repeating something that has been on the digest before, but I hadn't seen it there myself. As I said in my last note, I'm just now getting to read all the past digests as my leisure, now that I have them copied to a disc and don't have to tie up the phone line!
That's all for now,
KAREN'S COMMENT: It looks as if you're right Robin. Lynn Carlin appears in both the episodes you mention so it's probably her. I don't think this ones been mentioned before.
Hey Karen, I just remembered another actor who has appeared as more than one character. In "The Homecoming", Cleavon Little played the minister of the colored church who went with John Boy to the Baldwin Sisters to get gas for the truck when John Boy was out looking for Daddy. He also appeared as a fighter in an episode and as it turned out he was a minister then, too. Has anyone else mentioned these appearances? Back to reading old digests, Robin
KAREN'S COMMENT: Once again you've discovered another double up. I'll need to check that one out again but I think you're right. I saw Cleavon Little in a Walt Disney film made in the 90's called "Perfect Harmony". It was about a boy's school in the south which had a well known choir. One of the boys became interested in black music and befriended a young negro who had a lovely voice. The movie was set in the 50's so there was a lot of racial problems between the blacks and the whites in the area. It was a good movie, but I couldn't work out which character he played. He may have been the grandfather, or he might have been (and I feel sure that he was) the minister of the local church. Is he typecast do you think?
Since we were talking about the various ages of the characters, I watched the episode titled "The Prophesy" last night. It involves John's 25th Class Reunion. His graduation date was 1911. So, you can do the math and come up with his approximate age, also. Marty KAREN'S COMMENT: I like this episode. Did you notice Jeff Cotler, Kami's brother, running around the chook pen? I wonder if he still acts.
Hello Everyone, This is Brenda in West Virginia. It has been awhile since I have posted anything here, but I always enjoy receiving the digests and reading everyone's comments. I read on another mailing list that Richard Thomas will be playing the part of Charles Ingalls in the upcoming Little House on the Prairie movie. I was wondering if anyone on this list has heard anything about it. Thank you Karen for all your hard work in getting this digest out to us. Brenda KAREN'S COMMENT: Hi Brenda. Hope you and your family are all well. This is the first I've heard of this idea. I wonder if he is? Could this be what's holding up the Waltons movie perhaps?
Does anybody have any information on Robert Wightman? I spotted one of the Reed twins in an episode of Mama's Family that probably aired around 1983 or 1984. He played young Vinton Harper in a flashback episode. He looked just a little bit older than he did in A Day of Thanks on Walton's Mountain. Also, Robert Donner, Yancy Tucker, played the comical bungling assassin in the movie Under the Rainbow in 1981. It starred Chevy Chase and Carrie Fisher. Thank you TNN for airing the Waltons! My little girl, Natalie, and I wouldn't know what to do without our favorite show.
Have a good week everyone :)
KAREN'S COMMENT: Silvia, you don't want to come out to Australia then. We have had NO Waltons for ages now. :-(( |
