"The Waltons" Cast Reunite for 40th Anniversary - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

JamesG · 12-02-2011, 01:12 PM

"The Waltons" Cast Reunite for 40th Anniversary (VIDEO)
by Catherine Lawson
posted Dec 2nd 2011

Time for "The Waltons" fans to dust off those overalls: The kids are back!

Tonight, all seven "Waltons" children are expected to turn out for the 40th anniversary of the TV movie that started it all.

Jon Walmsley -- a.k.a. Jason Walton -- told NJ.com that tonight's screening of The Homecoming in Jersey City, New Jersey marks their first complete reunion in 30 years.

Ahead of tonight's screening the cast members appeared on "Today" and shared their memories of being on the show.

Although Michael Learned and Ralph Waite made the roles of parents Olivia and John Walton their own, the parts were played in The Homecoming by Oscar-winner Patricia Neal and Andrew Duggan ("Falcon Crest").

Judy Norton, who played eldest daughter Mary Ellen, told NJ.com that Learned's "warm yet tough" portrayal of Olivia was rooted in Neal's performance. "There was a little bit of a grittier feel to 'The Homecoming,'" she said.

"Patricia's portrayal was a little more of woman who had been through tough times. You could feel her heart and soul, but you definitely got the sense of a woman who has struggled."

The Homecoming and "The Waltons" were both based on Spencer's Mountain, Earl Hamner Jr.'s memoir of growing up in a rural community during the Great Depression and World War II.

The novel had previously been filmed before, in 1963, with Henry Fonda and Maureen O'Hara playing the parents, Clay and Olivia, and James McArthur playing the role of eldest son, Clayboy.

The TV movie is set on Christmas Eve 1933 and focuses on the family's wish for their father, who has been unable to find work locally, to get home in time for Christmas despite snowstorms and bus crashes.

It introduced viewers to the whole Walton clan including all seven children and their grandparents Zeb and Esther.

The TV series ran for nine seasons on CBS from 1971 to 1982, and was the Number 2 primetime show in the 1973/4 season.

Although it played down many of the bleaker themes in Hamner's novel, such as alcoholism and infidelity, life on Walton's Mountain was still hard as the clan eked out a living from the family lumber mill.

Norton thinks that the series' overriding theme, of family coming together through tough times, still resonates today. "It really evoked a community feel. When a neighbor was in trouble or there was a problem in the community, everyone came together."

Walmsley agrees: "I knew a musician who was in gangs when he was a kid. His mother made him stay home and watch 'The Waltons,' and it was one of the things that helped straighten him out. He got a perspective on what a family could be like."

He adds, "The show wasn't just a show to some people -- it had a deeper meaning. And that's always nice to hear."

For more information on the 40th anniversary of The Homecoming, including tonight's screening and tribute to Patricia Neal, check out the official website.

http://www.waltonshomecoming40th.com/

http://www.aoltv.com/2011/12/02/the-...h-anniversary/

born2late · 12-02-2011, 02:08 PM

Except for a couple of the guys, they still look very much the same. Pa must've drank too much recipe and laid out.

TV_on_the_Porch · 12-02-2011, 06:35 PM

1971-1982 is nine seasons...? Perhaps it was a typo; make that 1972-1981, the series debuted the September following 'The Homecoming'.

McGillicuddy · 12-03-2011, 05:59 PM

It was nice to see them on The Today Show, which aired Dec. 2. Michael Learned, Richard Thomas, and all the other kids. (Where was Ralph?) I wish this Homecoming Reunion could be televised.

12-02-2011, 01:12 PM	#1
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,117	"The Waltons" Cast Reunite for 40th Anniversary *"The Waltons" Cast Reunite for 40th Anniversary (VIDEO)* by Catherine Lawson posted Dec 2nd 2011 Time for "The Waltons" fans to dust off those overalls: The kids are back! Tonight, all seven "Waltons" children are expected to turn out for the 40th anniversary of the TV movie that started it all. Jon Walmsley -- a.k.a. Jason Walton -- told NJ.com that tonight's screening of The Homecoming in Jersey City, New Jersey marks their first complete reunion in 30 years. Ahead of tonight's screening the cast members appeared on "Today" and shared their memories of being on the show. Although Michael Learned and Ralph Waite made the roles of parents Olivia and John Walton their own, the parts were played in The Homecoming by Oscar-winner Patricia Neal and Andrew Duggan ("Falcon Crest"). Judy Norton, who played eldest daughter Mary Ellen, told NJ.com that Learned's "warm yet tough" portrayal of Olivia was rooted in Neal's performance. "There was a little bit of a grittier feel to 'The Homecoming,'" she said. "Patricia's portrayal was a little more of woman who had been through tough times. You could feel her heart and soul, but you definitely got the sense of a woman who has struggled." The Homecoming and "The Waltons" were both based on Spencer's Mountain, Earl Hamner Jr.'s memoir of growing up in a rural community during the Great Depression and World War II. The novel had previously been filmed before, in 1963, with Henry Fonda and Maureen O'Hara playing the parents, Clay and Olivia, and James McArthur playing the role of eldest son, Clayboy. The TV movie is set on Christmas Eve 1933 and focuses on the family's wish for their father, who has been unable to find work locally, to get home in time for Christmas despite snowstorms and bus crashes. It introduced viewers to the whole Walton clan including all seven children and their grandparents Zeb and Esther. The TV series ran for nine seasons on CBS from 1971 to 1982, and was the Number 2 primetime show in the 1973/4 season. Although it played down many of the bleaker themes in Hamner's novel, such as alcoholism and infidelity, life on Walton's Mountain was still hard as the clan eked out a living from the family lumber mill. Norton thinks that the series' overriding theme, of family coming together through tough times, still resonates today. "It really evoked a community feel. When a neighbor was in trouble or there was a problem in the community, everyone came together." Walmsley agrees: "I knew a musician who was in gangs when he was a kid. His mother made him stay home and watch 'The Waltons,' and it was one of the things that helped straighten him out. He got a perspective on what a family could be like." He adds, "The show wasn't just a show to some people -- it had a deeper meaning. And that's always nice to hear." For more information on the 40th anniversary of The Homecoming, including tonight's screening and tribute to Patricia Neal, check out the official website. http://www.waltonshomecoming40th.com/ http://www.aoltv.com/2011/12/02/the-...h-anniversary/ Attached Images

12-02-2011, 02:08 PM	#2
born2late Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Oct 01, 2011 Location: Tn Posts: 360	Except for a couple of the guys, they still look very much the same. Pa must've drank too much recipe and laid out.

12-02-2011, 06:35 PM	#3
TV_on_the_Porch anything good on? Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 18, 2005 Posts: 879	1971-1982 is nine seasons...? Perhaps it was a typo; make that 1972-1981, the series debuted the September following 'The Homecoming'.

12-03-2011, 05:59 PM	#4
McGillicuddy Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 28, 2002 Posts: 5,179	It was nice to see them on The Today Show, which aired Dec. 2. Michael Learned, Richard Thomas, and all the other kids. (Where was Ralph?) I wish this Homecoming Reunion could be televised.