The Waltons (1971–1981)

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

Creator:

Earl Hamner Jr.

Stars:

Jon Walmsley, Mary Beth McDonough, Eric Scott

Won 3 Golden Globes. Another 17 wins & 57 nominations.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Jon Walmsley	...	Jason Walton (213 episodes, 1971-1981)
Mary Beth McDonough	...	Erin Walton (213 episodes, 1971-1981)
Eric Scott	...	Ben Walton (213 episodes, 1971-1981)
Judy Norton	...	Mary Ellen Walton (212 episodes, 1971-1981)
David W. Harper	...	Jim-Bob Walton (212 episodes, 1971-1981)
Kami Cotler	...	Elizabeth Walton (212 episodes, 1971-1981)
Earl Hamner Jr.	...	Narrator (211 episodes, 1972-1981)
Ralph Waite	...	John Walton, Sr. (196 episodes, 1972-1981)
Joe Conley	...	Ike Godsey (172 episodes, 1972-1981)
Michael Learned	...	Olivia Walton (168 episodes, 1972-1979)
Will Geer	...	The Grandfather (143 episodes, 1972-1978)
Ellen Corby	...	Esther Walton (142 episodes, 1971-1980)
Richard Thomas	...	John-Boy Walton (124 episodes, 1971-1978)
Ronnie Claire Edwards	...	Corabeth Walton (107 episodes, 1975-1981)

Storyline

In the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, during the Great Depression, the Walton family makes its small income from its saw mill on Walton's Mountain. The story is told through the eyes of John Boy, who wants to be a novelist, goes to college, and eventually fulfills his dream. The saga follows the family through depression and war, and through growing up, school, courtship, marriage, employment, birth, aging, illness and death.

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Plot Keywords:

depression | 1930s | virginia | great depression | multiple actors for one character | 

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Genres:

Drama | Family | Romance

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Details

Official Sites:

Hallmark Channel Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 September 1972 (USA)

Also Known As:

Spencer's Mountain

Filming Locations:

Port Hueneme, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Lorimar Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min 60 min (221 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

4:3

Did You Know?

Trivia

When Will Geer died after filming had ended for the 1977-1978 season his character, Grandpa Walton, was written off the show by having him die as well.

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Goofs

The family got a phone during the later episodes but subsequent to that, they still seemed to be getting their phone messages through Ike Godsey.

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Quotes

[after a very loud and stern speech]
Rev. Matthew Fordwick: What do you think of my sermon?
Jim Bob Walton: Scary.

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Connections

Followed by Mother's Day on Waltons Mountain (1982)

User Reviews

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.