"The Waltons" (1972) TV series 1972-1981

User Rating:

7.4/10   

Creator:

Earl Hamner Jr.

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | unknown

Release Date:

14 September 1972 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Family | Romance

Plot:

The life and trials of a 1930's mountain family.

Plot Keywords:

1930s | Great Depression | Virginia | Mother Daughter Relationship | Male Female Relationship

Awards:

Won 2 Golden Globes. Another 16 wins & 42 nominations

Cast

Jon Walmsley	...	Jason Walton (210 episodes, 1972-1981)
Mary Beth McDonough	...	Erin Walton (210 episodes, 1972-1981)
Eric Scott	...	Ben Walton (210 episodes, 1972-1981)
Earl Hamner Jr.	...	Narrator (210 episodes, 1972-1981)
Judy Norton-Taylor	...	Mary Ellen Walton Willard / ... (209 episodes, 1972-1981)
David W. Harper	...	James Robert 'Jim Bob' Walton (209 episodes, 1972-1981)
Kami Cotler	...	Elizabeth Walton (209 episodes, 1972-1981)
Ralph Waite	...	John Walton, Sr. / ... (194 episodes, 1972-1981)
Joe Conley	...	Ike Godsey (171 episodes, 1972-1981)
Michael Learned	...	Olivia Walton (166 episodes, 1972-1979)
Will Geer	...	'Grandpa' Zebulon Walton (141 episodes, 1972-1978)
Ellen Corby	...	'Grandma' Esther Walton / ... (140 episodes, 1972-1980)
Richard Thomas	...	John 'John Boy' Walton Jr. / ... (122 episodes, 1972-1978)
Ronnie Claire Edwards	...	Corabeth Walton Godsey / ... (107 episodes, 1974-1981)

Also Known As:

"Spencer's Mountain" (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

60 min (221 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Singapore:PG | New Zealand:PG (season 1) | Australia:G

Filming Locations:

Burbank, California, USA

Company:

Lorimar Television

Trivia:

The college John-Boy goes to is known as BoatWright Unversity. It was a real college but is now known today as the University of Richmond.

Quotes:

Grandpa (Zeb) Walton: Jim Bob, just where do you think you're going?
Jim Bob Walton: I'm leaving, Grandpa.
Grandpa (Zeb) Walton: May your favorite Grandpa ask why?
Jim Bob: Elizabeth's never going to walk again... it's my fault.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Good Fences (2003) (TV)

Great show

TV Land is showing the series in sequence (for the most part), and I'm enjoying seeing it again, for only the second time. The acting is excellent, as are the production values. The terrible reunion shows of the 90s did not do justice to the series. They "messed" with the chronology, jumping ahead in time, for the sake of historical landmarks, when they should have respected the reality of the series. Granted, the last two seasons were strained, but I am currently viewing Season Six, the first without John-Boy, and it works quite well. Some complain that the series is a 70s version of the 30s/40s, but in 2004, I would not agree. I grew up in Virginia during the 60s, and I definitely feel that the series creators have adequately presented the dignity and attitude of the Southeast. Again, the reunion shows were idiotic. (Did these people never buy new appliances, or pave their driveway? The last reunion, set in 1969, was ridiculous. The characters were ten years younger than they should have been. The youngest child would have been around 41 years old, not 30.)

12/2006 NOTE: The current Walton's home set is NOT the original - just check with the studio.