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.
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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.Comment
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Unfortunatly there are some, one of the fella's had them on his phone and they went round the office... the shame!Originally posted by zeitghostBazza gets caught
Socrates - "The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing."
CUK University Challenge Champions 2010Comment
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After completing high school, John-Boy attends (the fictional) Boatwright College. He later goes to New York to work as a journalist. Richard Thomas left the series in 1976 in an effort to expand his repertoire (his farewell episode aired 3-17-77). He would make two guest appearances before the role was recast.Comment
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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.Comment
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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, but brooding over his war wounds. This was the last time Curt is seen on the show.Comment
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It's like a Sprite fan or a Tarzan fanOriginally posted by TheFaQQer View PostSi posse, recte, si non, quocumque modo remComment
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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.Comment
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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.Comment
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