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

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:

Great Depression | 1930s | Virginia | Sentimental | Mother Daughter 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 (209 episodes, 1972-1981)
David W. Harper	...	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	...	The Grandfather (141 episodes, 1972-1978)
Ellen Corby	...	Esther Walton (140 episodes, 1972-1980)
Richard Thomas	...	John-Boy Walton (122 episodes, 1972-1978)
Ronnie Claire Edwards	...	Corabeth Walton (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 Productions

Trivia:

When the show premiered on CBS at the beginning of the 1972-73 season, most media pundits felt it didn't have a chance, airing as it did opposite two proven ratings powerhouses. "The Flip Wilson Show" (1970) on NBC, had been the number one show in America for the previous two seasons, and ABC's "The Mod Squad" (1968) was a long-standing favorite, as well. "The Waltons" out-performed both shows in the ratings by a wide margin. "Mod Squad" was cancelled by the end of the season, and Flip Wilson, rather than have the same thing happen to his show, announced that the 1973-74 season would be his last. All this happened just a year after CBS felt that rural shows were "out," and set out to prove it, in a highly controversial move, by canceling several long-running series, such as "The Beverly Hillbillies" (1962) and "Green Acres" (1965) which were still doing well in the ratings.

Quotes:

Grandma (Esther) Walton: Rise and shine, you two!
Jason Walton: I'll rise, but I sure won't shine.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Moonlighting: Next Stop Murder (#1.5)" (1985)

A breath of fresh air in 2004

Television has been going to the dogs over the past few years. I recently picked up the DVD set of the first season of The Waltons and have been engrossed with every episode. Each episode is like a miniature movie, with good acting and stories. And what people used to make fun of (the syrupy quality of the show) now is a welcome relief. I'd watch this over 99.9% of the junk on TV these days. One could have a field day writing about this show and comparing/contrasting it to The Sopranos. The Sopranos, a show that I enjoy equally for other reasons (I'm not counting HBO's shows as regular TV shows), is the polar opposite. That family is rich, profane, powerful, violent, confrontational, unhappy--while the Waltons are struggling (not exactly poor, despite the fact that it takes place during the Depression), wholesome, spiritual, loving, and HAPPY. The only thing I can quibble about The Waltons is the outdoor scenery. The tall mountains and pine trees are clearly in California, not Piedmont Virginia. The real Waltons mountain and home is not too far from where I live. There are signs off U.S. Route 29 directing tourists to the home, which I believe is now a museum. It may be worth a visit. All in all an excellent program. Definitely a collector's item.