| WALTONS DIGEST 7-98: Hi everyone, Hope you've all had a great week. We are having a long weekend here this weekend, with no work or school on Monday. Monday is Labor Day here, when we celebrate the bringing in of the 8 hour work day. It also coincides with our Moomba weekend here in Melbourne, and also the Grand Prix, so there really is a lot to do if you want to. Moomba is an Aboriginal word meaning "let's get together and have fun" and there are a lot of activities in the city for families: art shows, water skiing, entertainment, amusements and a parade on Monday. As I said the Grand Prix is also on at the moment. Some of you might see it on TV. As I'm not a racing car fanatic, I certainly won't be watching it, but the track is down at Albert Park, very close to Melbourne and really is very pretty. Well it's a perfect weekend weather wise...not too hot and not too cold. Lots to do as I've said, but guess what I'm doing. Cleaning out cupboards! Not a very enticing job but something that I've been meaning to do for ages but not had the time. Oh well. Half the kitchen has been done today, and that looks good. At least I've made some room for other things. At least when I talk to you all next time, you can think of me in my sparkling clean kitchen. :-) Till next time then. Goodnight everyone, Karen.
I was watching "The Breakdown" yesterday, which is a favorite episode, but I did notice some things that bug me every time I see it. In the scene where Jason is in his bed and Olivia watches him sleep, the nightstand is on one side of the bed for one take, then is on the other side for another. The image has been reversed. But the thing that is so noticeable is earlier when Betsy (aka Bette) is buying tickets for the dance. She is wearing a blue plaid dress. But in the next scene, when she is listening to the musicians, she is wearing a dark sweater and a red dress. I notice costume mistakes more frequently in the later episodes. In "The Song" when Jason and Ben have their confrontation outside of the school, Jason is at first wearing overalls. But somehow during the scene he changes to blue jeans. Then, when he goes to talk to Sally Ann at her house, he is wearing overalls again. I think I watch the episodes with Jason more carefully because he is a favorite, but another costume mistake occurs in the episode where Jason falls in love with Curt's sister. When he is at the pond singing her a song, his jacket comes on and off somehow between verses. Don't know why I felt compelled to mention this, but oh, well. What I've really been meaning to say in the Digest now for a while is that if you haven't seen Will Geer in "Jeremiah Johnson," then you are missing something really special. The movie itself is a powerful and beautiful film well worth seeing, but Geer is terrific in it. He plays a seasoned mountain man who mentors the Robert Redford character of Jeremiah Johnson. The film was made in the '70's, so Geer looks very much the way he does in "The Waltons." --Laura
KAREN'S COMMENT: I love picking up mistakes like these Laura, but I never seem to find them. I'll have a look at the episodes you mention. James found a good one in Snowy River the other day.
Hi Karen: I have a question for the you and the Walton digest members: This is the first time I have written a formal question. I am a stay-at-home mom living in Redondo Beach, California. My name is Wendy, and I have a 10 month old daughter named Heidi. I have enjoyed the Waltons for many years, and being in my late 30's, I have grown up watching this nice family show. I would like to know how old Ellen Corby is and how she is doing. I know she suffered a stroke many years ago, and I have a great deal of admiration for her and her acting ability. I think it was especially nice that she was able to continue to act after her stroke. There seemed to be a warmth about the people on the show. Grandma and grandpa seemed to really take on those roles to the younger members of the Walton family. Also, do you know anything about her personal life. Was she married, and did she have children of her own? What about Joe Conley? I believed he portrayed Ike Godsey-does anyone know anything about him? What about Corabeth? These actors were wonderful, along with the Baldwin ladies? Does anyone know about them? My girlfriend's father worked as a set designer on the Waltons. His name is Enos Barnes. His daughter(Laura) told me that Earl Hammer had a nice retirement party for her father who is now in his late 70's. It would be interesting to know if he remembers Mr. Barnes. Thank you very much for the opportunity to learn so much about this wonderful family. It is a lot of fun to communicate with other people all over the world who have enjoyed this show. Wendy KAREN'S COMMENT: Wendy, I really don't know anything much about the personal lives of those actors you mention, only their professional lives. If you do know of anything, let me know so that I can include it please.
Could someone tell me how I would go about getting Waltons items, specifically the books? Are they really expensive because they're no longer made? Any info would be appreciated, Marcia KAREN'S COMMENT: Marcia, I found my books out here in Australia, in a second hand bookstore in the country. I love second hand book shops. The other place would probably be opportunity shops or fairs. If you can suggest anywhere, please let me know. Mine cost me 50 cents each!
Hi Karen: I hope this info makes it in time for your next newsletter. I just watched the Walton's last night, and saw the actor who portrayed Curtis Willard in another part. I had not noticed him in this part before. The show was about an airplane walker, and he was the pilot. Have you seen this one before? What has happened to this actor? Does anyone know? Thanks again for all your work. I am really enjoying the newsletter and all its info. Also, does anyone know anything about the girl who played John-boy's first love? I believe her name was Sian Barbara Allen. I really enjoyed her as an actress. Wendy
KAREN'S COMMENT: You're right about seeing Tom Bower as the pilot. Well done. Has anyone seen him in anything else? With regard Sian Barbara Allen, she seems to have had a few roles during the 70's but nothing since. Maybe she is on stage, or acts under a different name.
Hi Karen I love your digest. I too am a Walton freak also. Just thought I would add this. Did anyone notice on "The Wingwalker" that the pilot of the plane was Tom Bower who later came to the show as Dr. Curtis Williard Does anyone know why he left the show so quickly. I loved his character. Also I heard that Richard Thomas is to portray Charles Ingalls on an up coming Little House Movie. That would be great. I too grew up with the original Waltons series and Little House was my Monday night show. I made sure all my homework was complete before 8.00pm on Monday and Thursday nights I worshipped those shows but always loved the Waltons most. Scott Vestal KAREN'S COMMENT: As you can see Scott, Wendy also noticed.
Hi Everyone,
There were two things in this week's digest which caught my attention:
About Richard Thomas playing Charles Ingalls: I don't know if it's just me - but this could screw up my whole sense of order in the Universe! Larissa KAREN'S COMMENT: Oh Larissa, I can't think of anything nicer than to have Richard Thomas starring in my two all time favourite shows. Perhaps he'll become Jonathon Smith in "Highway to Heaven" next!
Dear Karen and Friends, Here is the Hamner and Walton Birthdays for March:
Speaking about John Crawford, I spotted him in this old show called "Voyage to the bottom of the Sea" last week. He played Alpha in the episode named "Time Lock" 1967. He also was in a few episodes of The Dukes of Hazzard too. There is also this 1997 movie called "One of those Nights" in which Mary Beth McDonough plays Andrea Harris in. I also spotted Ronnie Claire Edwards in a 1985 movie called "Perfect". Good night, Shirley of Canada
KAREN'S COMMENT: Interesting that you mention Ep's character Shirley. The other day I was looking at The Homecoming again, and Ep Bridges was played by David Huddleston. He also played another character in The Waltons from time to time. Was he the literary man?
Hi everyone! I just got done watching the television show "Promised Land" in which Michael Learned guest starred. She played a woman who's ranch is failing and her son is up to no good. She still looks so young.
KAREN'S COMMENT: Terrific. I'll have to look out for her in that.
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