The Waltons
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| The Waltons | |
|---|---|
 Cover art for the DVD release of The Waltons first season. Bottom row from left to right; Ben, Mary Ellen, Jim Bob, John-Boy, Olivia, John Sr. Top row from left to right; Grandma (Esther) Walton, Jason, Erin, Elizabeth, Grandpa (Zeb) |
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| Genre | Family Drama |
| Created by | Earl Hamner, Jr. |
| Starring | See cast list below |
| Narrated by | Earl Hamner Jr. |
| Country of origin |  United States |
| Language(s) | English |
| No. of seasons | 9 |
| No. of episodes | 221 + 6 TV movies (List of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Producer(s) | Robert L. Jacks Andy White |
| Running time | 60 minutes |
| Broadcast | |
| Original channel | CBS |
| Original run | September 14, 1972 – June 4, 1981 |
| External links | |
| IMDb profile | |
| TV.com summary | |
The Waltons is an American television series created by Earl Hamner, Jr., based on his book Spencer's Mountain, and a 1963 film of the same name, starring Henry Fonda and Maureen O'Hara. The series pilot was a TV movie entitled The Homecoming: A Christmas Story, broadcast in 1971. The show originally aired in the United States on CBS from 1972 to 1981. After the series left the air, three TV movie sequels were broadcast in 1982, with three more following in the 1990s.
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[edit] Inspiration
Earl Hamner's rural childhood, growing up in the unincorporated community of Schuyler, Virginia, provided the basis for many of the story lines of The Waltons. The setting of the series was referred to as Walton's Mountain. The closest town, Rockfish, is frequently mentioned on the show, as are the larger towns of Charlottesville and Scottsville.
[edit] Plot summary
A family, consisting of John and Olivia Walton and their seven children, as well as John's aging parents, Zebulon "Zeb" and Esther, struggles to make a decent life during the Great Depression and World War II. The family's story is seen through the eyes of John-Boy, the eldest son and an aspiring novelist. John Walton and his father operate a lumber mill, with the Walton sons helping out in the business as they grow older. Occasional strangers needing temporary shelter for various reasons periodically stay with the hospitable Walton family. The mountain has several colorful townsfolk which include the Baldwin sisters, (two spinsters who brew moonshine which they endearingly term, "Papa's recipe"), general store owners Ike and Cora Beth Godsey (Cora Beth, a distant Walton cousin, fancies herself a refined socialite), and Yancy (a Gooberesque figure with big plans but little motivation).
In the signature scene that closes almost every episode, the family house is draped in darkness, save for one light in an upstairs window. Through voice-overs, two or more characters have a very brief conversation, often humorous and related to the episode, then bid each other good-night.
After completing high school, John-Boy attends (the fictional) Boatwright College. He later goes to New York to work as a journalist. Richard Thomas, the original John-Boy, left the series in 1976 in an effort to expand his repertoire (his farewell episode aired March 17, 1977). He would make two guest appearances before the role was recast.
For the latter half of the 1976-77 season, Grandma Esther Walton was not seen because actress Ellen Corby had suffered a stroke, which was written into the storyline. In mid 1978, Corby and Will Geer shared one final episode together as Grandma returns from rehab. The following September, it was revealed that Grandpa had died (actor Will Geer had died during the summer hiatus). Subsequent episodes featured Grandma dealing with her diminished ability to move and speak. (In an early episode dealing with Grandpa's illness, the narrator mentions that in coming years, Grandma would be the first to die. This inconsistency was not edited from reruns.)
During the later years of the series, several of the Walton children marry and begin having families of their own.
World War II deeply affects the family. All four of the Walton boys enlist in the military. Mary-Ellen's physician husband Curtis "Curt" Willard is sent to Pearl Harbor and is reported to have perished in the Japanese attack on December 7, 1941. Years later, Mary Ellen hears of sightings of her "late" husband, investigates, and finds him alive (played by another actor), but brooding over his war wounds. This was the last time Curt is seen on the show.
The second John-Boy (Robert Wightman) made his debut in "The Waiting" in a storyline involving John-Boy's military plane being shot down. Olivia and John hold a bedside Thanksgiving vigil at the veterans hospital. While reprising the John-Boy character, this was also the last episode Michael Learned had as a contracted regular player. Olivia becomes a volunteer at the hospital and is seen less and less. Eventually, she develops tuberculosis, and must enter an Arizona sanitarium. Olivia's cousin Rose (Peggy Rea) moves in to watch the brood. Two years later, John Sr. moves to Arizona to be near Olivia.
[edit] Emmy awards
The Waltons won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series in 1973. Also in 1973 Richard Thomas won the Emmy for Lead Actor in a Drama Series. Michael Learned won the Emmy for Lead Actress in a Drama Series three times (1973, 1974, and 1976). Ellen Corby was also a three-time winner in the Supporting Actress category, winning in 1973, 1975, and 1976. Will Geer was awarded the Supporting Actor Emmy in 1975. Beulah Bondi also won an Emmy in 1977 for Lead Actress in a Single Performance for a guest appearance on the series.
[edit] Cast
[edit] Major Characters
- John Walton
- Actors: Ralph Waite (seasons 1–9), Andrew Duggan (pilot)
- Bio: The family patriarch, John is a hard-working, industrious man who runs a small family sawmill on his acreage at the base of Walton's Mountain. He is normally very good-natured and wise, but is also fearless, ready to stand up to a challenge and tell it like it is. This personality sometimes causes him to get very brash, even towards his children and wife on occasion, and he can also get into the mindset of a workaholic when heavily stressed. Despite his Baptist up-bringing, John is somewhat non-religious (the main point of focus in a few episodes) in contrast to his wife, Olivia.
- Olivia Walton
- Actors: Michael Learned (seasons 1–9), Patricia Neal (pilot)
- Bio: While John is the tough-skinned, opinionated husband, Olivia is his soft-spoken, patient and loving wife. She is gentle by nature (but unafraid to discipline when needed), and, like Grandma, a devout Baptist who is often involved with activities surrounding the church. This element of her character is probably one of the reasons why Olivia is usually the first person to take in a friend or stranger in need of help. It should be mentioned that Olivia's background and heritage were never really examined closely in the show, whereas John's was often observed in great detail, and one of the most common elements of episode plots.
- Zebulon "Grandpa" Walton
- Actors: Will Geer (seasons 1–6), Edgar Bergen (pilot)
- Bio: The oldest of the Walton patriarchs, Grandpa Walton (affectionately addressed as "Zeb" by his wife, Esther) likes to spend his time working with John in the sawmill, and teaching and hanging out with the kids. While he is still a hard-worker like his son, Grandpa is much more easy-going in general, and has a mischievous, yet wise and vibrant personality. He especially cherishes his wife (and vice versa), albeit he can often be found alone relaxing with the Baldwin Ladies and happily sipping their "recipe" (which is really moonshine!). In the 6th Season, due to actor Will Geer's death, the show's writers had Grandpa's character pass away as a result of a heart attack. Along with G.W. and Martha Corrinne, this makes him the only character to die as part of the show.
- Esther "Grandma" Walton
- Actors: Ellen Corby (seasons 1–7)
- Bio: Grandma is an old but feisty and quick-tempered woman who makes a strong effort to stick to the straight and narrow and get done what needs to get done. Despite this element of her personality, Grandma, like her husband, has lots of wisdom to dole out among her family and friends. Throughout the show's long run, she was known for often uttering two exclamations: "Good Lord!" (mainly said when surprised, indignant, or both) and "You old fool!" (said as a cheekily loving remark towards Grandpa). In 1977, actor Ellen Corby suffered a stroke, which the writers incorporated into Grandma's character. This meant her missing the latter half of the 5th Season.
- John-boy Walton
- Actors: Richard Thomas (seasons 1–5), Robert Wightman (seasons 7–9)
- Bio: John Walton jr, better known throughout the show as "John-Boy", is the oldest of John and Olivia's seven children. A full-blooded country boy through and through, John-Boy is a prolific writer and thinker, often writing down thoughts about his family, friends, and circumstances. While normally a docile, quiet sort, John-Boy does have a titch of his father's fiery temper, and he can get very defensive and uptight if frustrated. As for the show, John-Boy is arguably its main character, as the beginning and closing of each episode are narrated by him in a flashback style. In later years, he ends up moving to New York, enlisting in the military and having his plane shot down. Eventually (in a 1995 movie), he marries a fellow writer named Janet.
- Mary Ellen Walton
- Actors: Judy Norton Taylor (seasons 1–9)
- Bio: Mary Ellen is the second oldest of the kids and the oldest daughter. Throughout the first seasons, she is somewhat of a rebellious tomboy, but also able to become vain and typically girlish. In the later years of the show (probably due to her marriage of Curt and her nursing job), Mary Ellen lost some of this childishness and started to mature into a woman. It should also be mentioned that a rather important part of her character, particularly in Seasons 1 and 2, involved her rivalry with the rich girl of the town, Martha Rose, and her part-time love interest G.W. In Season 5, Mary Ellen is married to the aforementioned Curt Williard, the new town doctor. By the last season she is seeing a veterinarian called "Jonesy".
- Jason Walton
- Actors: Jon Walmsley (seasons 1–9)
- Bio: Jason is the introverted musical prodigy of the family, who is generally good-natured and likes to spend his time making up songs on his guitar and the family piano, some of which were sung throughout the show. Starting in Season 3, Jason starts going regularly to the Virginia Music Conservatory, and in Season 4 he gets a job as the Honkey-Tonk player at a local tavern called the Dew Drop Inn, much to Grandma and Olivia's chagrin. In Season 5, Jason joins the National Guard.
- Erin Walton
- Actors:Mary Elizabeth McDonough (seasons 1-9)
- Bio:Erin's is very close to her sister Mary Ellen and although they have many fights, they continue to be very close. Erin is considered to be the pretty one in the family, not the scholar. She falls in love many times.She works for Mrs Fanny Tatum as a telephonist early in season 5 and later finsh high school in season 5 .She later becomes a secretary.And eventually meets Paul Northridge, who she marries and finds happiness with him.
- Ben Walton
- Actor:Eric Scott (season 1-9)
- Bio:Ben seems to be the one in the family who is always trying to make money by some type of scheme, and usually gets himself into trouble and has to be bailed out by his father or John-Boy. Even as an adult, running the mill in partnership with his father, he continues to make deals which sometimes don't work out well. He elopes to marry Cindy and together they have two children, Virginia and Charlie, to whom he is devoted. He continues to work at and run the timber mill with an assortment of people: his father, Paul Northridge, Erin's husband and Drew.
[edit] Episodes
[edit] Ratings
- 1972–1973: #20[1]
- 1973–1974: #2[2]
- 1974–1975: #8[3]
- 1975–1976: #14[4]
- 1976–1977: #15[5]
- 1977–1978: #21[6]
[edit] Movie sequels
- A Wedding on Waltons' Mountain, February 22, 1982
- Mother's Day on Waltons' Mountain, May 9, 1982
- A Day of Thanks on Walton's Mountain, November 22, 1982
- A Walton Thanksgiving Reunion, November 21, 1993
- A Walton Wedding, February 12, 1995
- A Walton Easter, March 30, 1997
[edit] DVD releases
Warner Home Video is releasing The Waltons on DVD in Region 1 for the very first time. As of January 2008, the first six seasons have been released. The pilot movie, The Homecoming - A Christmas Story, was released by Paramount Home Entertainment on September 23, 2003 (while Lorimar produced the series, CBS produced the pilot film, which is why Paramount, under CBS Home Entertainment, handles home video rights for The Homecoming). The 7th season of The Waltons on DVD will be released on April 29, 2008.[7][8]
| DVD Name | Ep # | Release Date |
|---|---|---|
| The Complete 1st Season | 25 | May 11, 2004 |
| The Complete 2nd Season | 25 | April 26, 2005 |
| The Complete 3rd Season | 25 | April 25, 2006 |
| The Complete 4th Season | 25 | January 23, 2007 |
| The Complete 5th Season | 25 | May 8, 2007 |
| The Complete 6th Season | 25 | January 8, 2008 |
| The Complete 7th Season | 23 | April 29, 2008 |
| The Complete 8th Season | 23 | |
| The Complete 9th Season | 21 |
[edit] Current status
The Waltons currently airs on Hallmark Channel weekdays at 8:00am and 9:00am both EST and PST.
[edit] Trivia
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Trivia sections are discouraged under Wikipedia guidelines. The article could be improved by integrating relevant items and removing inappropriate ones. |
- Todd Bridges became the first black child actor to have a recurring role on the successful TV series The Waltons.
- In the German dubbing version, the name of Zebulon "Zeb" Walton was changed to Samuel "Sam" Walton. The television network ZDF which first aired The Waltons in Germany was worried that the name "Zeb" could be mistaken with "Sepp" which is a Bavarian short form of the name Joseph and could be seen as being cliché. Also, a few minutes were cut from each episode in the German version so that the show would fit into its designated time slot. There were further cuts when the show was re-run on Pro 7.
- In 1974, The Carol Burnett Show did a "Waltons" send-up called "The Walnuts" featuring the family sitting around a hot dog singing, "Things can't get much leaner than Thanksgiving wiener."
- Whenever Cracked Magazine parodied the Waltons, they invariably had a celebrity or character as an adopted son, adding the suffix "-boy" to his name.
- In the very first episode of the series (apart from the pilot) the family assembles around their new radio and listens to the Edgar Bergen and Charly McCarthy Show. This was an homage to Bergen who had played Zeb Walton in the pilot (The Homecoming: A Christmas Story). Edgar Bergen was a famous ventriloquist who had vicious dialogues with W. C. Fields in that radio show.
- Long after the show was done filming, the set was burned down by serial arsonist John Orr.
- Earl and Mary Frances Hamner actually had five sons, but CBS could not afford eight children, thus Ben is a combination of two of Earl Hamner Jr.'s younger brothers.
- The Baldwin Sisters were actually modeled from a mother and daughter.
- The most recent reunion movie, 1997's A Waltons' Mountain Easter, featured a serious continuity error: Set in 1969 (around the time of the moon landing), the movie found John and Olivia getting ready to celebrate their fortieth wedding anniversary. This would place their marriage in 1929. However, when the Waltons premiered, the series was set somewhere around 1934, and John and Olivia would presumably have already been married for at least sixteen years since their oldest son, John-Boy, was 15. Thus their wedding would have occurred somewhere around 1918. The Homecoming also stated that John died in 1969, when Earl Hamner Sr. died, but John is still alive in this movie.
- The reunion movies seem to have sped time up by more than 16 years, even though the actors have only aged 10 years. By 1963, at the setting of the Thanksgiving Reunion movie, John-Boy should have been 45, and Elizabeth in her late 30's. It seems as though Jason and Toni were both in their 40's when their two daughters were born in the last two movies. This should have also placed Esther Walton and The Baldwin Sisters in their late 90's to early 100's in the three reunion movies, even though the actresses were in their 80's. John and Olivia were supposedly in their 30's-40's during the show, but were only in their 50's-60's in the reunion movies, when they should have been much older.
- During a speech, then-president George H. W. Bush mentioned that he wanted to "make American families more like The Waltons and less like The Simpsons".
- Waltons' Mountain was built in the rear area of the Warner Brothers Studios. The house is still used as scenery. For example, it served as “Dragonfly Inn” for the TV series Gilmore Girls.
- In Mother's Day on Walton's Mountain, Mary-Ellen was in an accident and was told that if she had anymore children it could be fatal to both her and the baby.
- In A Walton Thanksgiving Reunion there are some more mistakes shown: Mary-Ellen has two more kids, and her son John-Curtis (who would be a young man) no longer exists. Ben and Cindy make no mention of their son, Charlie, who was born in Mother's Day on Walton's Mountain, only their daughter, Ginny, who died. Strangely, the impression is given that Ginny is alive and still a baby. However, if she had lived, she and her younger brother would both be in their early twenties by this time.
[edit] References
- ^ http://www.classictvhits.com/tvratings/1972.htm
- ^ http://www.classictvhits.com/tvratings/1973.htm
- ^ http://www.classictvhits.com/tvratings/1974.htm
- ^ http://www.classictvhits.com/tvratings/1975.htm
- ^ http://www.classictvhits.com/tvratings/1976.htm
- ^ http://www.classictvhits.com/tvratings/1977.htm
- ^ War Comes to Walton's Mountain with the 7th Season Set!. TVShowsOnDVD. Retrieved on 2007=12-25.
- ^ Package Art Arrives For 7th Season DVDs. TVShowsOnDVD. Retrieved on 2008-01-16.
[edit] External links
- A new Friendy Waltons On-line community for discussion about the show
- The Walton's Web Site
- The Waltons Webring Homepage
- The Waltons at the Internet Movie Database
- Encyclopedia of Television
- Walton's Mountain Museum official website
- The Waltons Forum
- A Walk with Grandpa Walton and the Walton family
- The Walton's Mountain Community Center
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