Original subtitles

(male narrator) When I was growing up on Walton's Mountain

I used to dream of all the faraway places

I would one day visit.

New York City captured my imagination most completely

because it was a Mecca for young aspiring artists

and writers.

I wasn't to stray that far from home for several years

but I was due for a special preview.

One day, without any warning

a New York hurricane hit our peaceful community.

You Judas.

That's it, up ahead.

- What kind of car is that? - 'Cadillac, specially built.'

Who's that lady?

That lady is my employer.

What a beautiful woman.

Yeah.

If you like dragons.

Where the deuce have you been?

You realize you've abandoned me in this wilderness for hours?

I could have been abducted by bandits or torn apart by wolves.

'Do you care to explain yourself?'

- 'Sorry, ma'am.' - Sorry?

'Who's that?'

'He's going to tow us back to the garage, such as it is.'

Young man, would you be good enough

to tell us where in these United States we are?

Excuse me, but aren't you her?

What?

Alvira Drummond. Aren't you Alvira Drummond?

Why, you darling boy!

'A fan. Way out here in wherever we are.'

I've seen you in the movies

pictures on the paper and heard your voice on the radio.

- 'You're my favorite actress.' - Isn't that sweet.

- Did you hear that, Rex? - I heard.

Well, go on.

My sister, Mary Ellen, wrote you a letter once.

You sent her a personally autographed photo for free.

Did I?

I can't get over it.

Fans, way out here in the Rocky Mountains.

- Blue Ridge Mountains. - That's what I said.

You know..

I always had a place in my heart

for the Blue Ridge Mountains of Kentucky, and now I know why.

Virginia.

- What? - 'They're in Virginia.'

If I want a geography lesson, I'll ask for it.

Miss Drummond, what brings you so far from the Great White Way?

That's a good question, darling.

My rotten car broke down on the main highway

and my brilliant chauffeur decided

we should detour and look for a garage.

Of all people! Alvira Drummond, here on Walton's Mountain!

Whoever would have thought of it!

Walton's mountain! Who, indeed!

Okay, we can go now.

Would you like to ride up front with me?

My darling, I wouldn't have it any other way.

Okay.

Get in the back.

That bad?

Could be. I can't tell for sure until I get inside, though.

How much longer will that take?

Three or four hours, at least, I reckon.

But it'll be dark by then.

Can't you work any faster?

I'll do the best I can. It's gonna take a while.

Then just point me in the direction

of the nearest restaurant.

All I want now is a double martini and a hot meal.

I'm sorry, but I don't think you'll find

a real restaurant on Walton's Mountain.

No restaurant?

Where do the people eat?

I'd give you a cheese sandwich.

And you can wash it down with a bottle of pop.

How's the hitchhiking?

Maybe I could make it back to civilization by dark.

Miss Drummond, you'd be welcome to come home with me for supper.

Darling, I wasn't angling for an invitation, honestly.

No, we'd be honored.

It won't be fancy, but my mother's a fine cook.

I just can't barge in unannounced.

Would you just let me worry about that, all right?

- Well.. - Okay.

- Come along with me, hear? - Alright.

Okay, let's go. See you later, Ike.

An actress, in this house?

John-Boy, now--

Grandma, she isn't any actress. Alvira Drummond is a star.

That's even worse!

'Grandma, we don't know anything about her.'

'She could be a very nice woman.'

'That's right. Remember she answered my letter'

'and sent me her picture?'

Come away. She'll think you were brought up with no manners.

What about her manners?

She stuck her tongue out at us like this.

I don't wonder, staring at her like a bunch of wild savages.

Go on upstairs now, and get washed up for supper.

'How often does something like this happen?'

Mama won't even let us see her.

What's going on? I thought that celebrity was coming in.

John-Boy, you want to ask the lady to come in?

Yes, sir.

Hot diggity dog!

I thought I told you to wash up, young lady.

Look at him. He's worse than the children.

'Don't strain your eyes, old man.'

It's no strain at all to look at a knockout like her.

Now what are you up to?

I thought I'd just change into a clean shirt.

Everyone, this is Miss Alvira Drummond.

Hello.

Thanks for letting me intrude like this.

You're not intruding, and you are welcome.

'Why don't you come on in, make yourself at home.'

Thank you.

John-Boy, why don't you take Miss Drummond's fur?

Yes, of course.

Thanks, darling.

That's much better.

'I didn't realize how warm it was.'

Well, you see..

they were opening this new theater in Atlanta

and they asked me to come and recreate

the role Gertrude Lawrence played

on Broadway in Private Lives.

- A play by Mr. Noyl Coward. - Yes, that's right.

My darling No l.

Such a divinely witty man.

Matter of fact, he asked me to play the part originally

but I was in Hollywood at the time.

Hollywood?

Why'd you ever leave there?

Darling, the money is marvelous, but it's just not theater.

I wish I could have seen you in Private Lives.

I bet you were wonderful.

I was sensational, sweetie.

'But the play went right over those heads.'

'You know those provincial audiences.'

Anyway, there we were motoring back to New York

when suddenly the car stopped, and voila!

Here I am, eating this scrumptious chicken stew.

John-Boy says you have a special built Cadillac?

- Which one are you? - I'm Ben.

You are a divine child. What were you saying?

That's about the most expensive car built.

Yes, it's right. $10,000. That's new, of course.

Now it's probably worth peanuts.

- Are you a millionaire? - Jim-Bob!

You got to be a millionaire to own a car like that.

Don't you believe it, sweetie.

I make it a policy never to buy anything for myself.

You mean it was a gift from an admirer?

And the furs, and the jewels.

'That's a heap of admiration. He must be right fond of you.'

He was.

Unfortunately he died.

I'm sorry.

So was I.

Till I found out he left everything to his wife.

But thanks all the same, sweetie.

Excuse me.

This is marvelous stew.

What is it?

Run over to the store, find out what's taking Godsey so long.

- I haven't finished my supper. - Run along now.

I'll keep your supper warm for you.

'It would be a lark to buy 40 acres somewhere, settle down.'

'I remember a night in Chicago, we were about to go on stage.'

I don't think I could've gone on stage

if it hadn't been for my friends, the Lunts.

Lynn's a real trooper, you know.

Would you care for some bread, Miss Drummond?

Thanks, but no thanks.

And call me Alvira, darling.

'It's homemade bread, Alvira.'

Now, don't you tempt me, you old devil, you.

I've gotta keep an eye on my figure.

It appears real trim to me, Alvira, darling.

'Well, thanks.'

'An actress' chief asset is her body.'

It pays her to look after it.

I don't think you have a thing in the world to worry about.

Why, John Walton, I do declare, you are making me blush red.

- More stew? - No, I really shouldn't.

Fiddlesticks!

You haven't a thing to worry about, didn't you hear?

Let's not overdo it. I'll burst my seams if I eat all that.

Where are my manners?

- Here. - What's this?

Now, you don't want to spot that pretty new dress, do you?

[chuckling]

See this?

That car ain't going no place without a new one of these.

Did you check with the garage at Charlottesville?

I already phoned. They've to send to Chicago for new parts.

That's right. It's gonna take a week at least.

She's not gonna like that.

- Where's her driver? - She ain't gonna like that too.

- What happened? - He skipped town.

That wretched man! How could he do this to me?

Did Ike know where he was headed?

Seems he hitched a ride with Yancy Tucker towards Richmond.

What'll I do now? I don't even know how to drive.

I'm stranded.

There's no need to worry. I can drive you to Charlottesville.

Stay in a hotel, take a train to New York in the morning.

You don't seem to understand. I trusted him with everything.

- What do you mean? - My money, jewels, everything.

You mean he took it all?

I don't even have the train fare to New York.

I've been abandoned without a soul, and no one to turn to.

We're not about to turn you out in the dead of night.

Yes.

I throw myself on your mercy.

John-Boy, get some bedclothes

'and I'll make up a place on the couch.'

Yes, ma'am.

I'll get it right away.

Whoever heard of a body staying in bed until noon?

'It's downright sinful.'

It isn't 1:00 yet, Grandma. She always sleeps until 1:00.

Not today, she don't.

'She needs her beauty sleep, Grandma.'

I need my lunch.

I guess you'll just have to wake her up.

Oh, my God!

Slipped right through my fingers.

Good morning.

- Good morning. - Good morning.

You'll have some lunch?

Darling, not before coffee and a cigarette. Thank you.

Grandma doesn't like ladies smoking cigarettes.

If the good Lord had intended people to smoke

he'd have put a chimney on the top of their head.

I'll have it later behind the woodshed.

- That's where Jason goes. - I do not!

- You do. - Take that back, Erin!

- 'I saw you.' - 'You're crazy!'

That'll do, children.

- But, Mama, I've never-- - We'll talk about this later.

Gotta get over to the store for that new saw blade.

- Give up on that old blade? - I'm afraid so, Grandpa.

I'll stop by at Sheriff Bridges office

and find out about the driver, if you like.

Don't bother. He's probably in Iceland by now.

Maybe Ep's heard something. It's worth a try.

See you all later.

Bye, Daddy.

I tell you, Miss Drummond, I'd like to get my hands

on that driver of yours.

Don't mess with him, sweetie. He's an ex-prize fighter.

Thanks for the thought, anyway.

You've decided what you're gonna do, Miss Drummond?

Call my agent. Get him to send me the train fare to New York.

May I use your phone?

We haven't got one.

How could you possibly manage without a telephone?

We can't afford one.

There's a phone at the store. I could walk you down there.

- Can I go with them, Mama? - Me, too!

If we all go it will be fun.

Mama, they're just gonna holler and fuss

and Miss Drummond won't hear a thing on the phone.

You'll be there to keep the peace.

[mocking]

They think I'm some kind of old mother hen. But I'm really 17.

Really?

I thought you were so much older.

What's the matter, you fall in?

- Tough being the eldest, huh? - I guess sometimes it is.

I had three brothers, a sister to look after until I was 15.

- You did? - I wasn't hatched, you know.

I did have a family. Wish they were nice as yours.

- There's the Baldwin's car. - You'll get to meet them.

Who are the Baldwins?

- They're nice li'l old ladies. - They are sisters.

You'll like them.

Yeah, once they gave me chocolate pudding.

- They make whiskey. - Whiskey?

They don't know it's whiskey.

How could they possibly not know?

They use an old recipe of their daddy's

and a still that he left in the house.

They think it's some kind of elixir.

But I've tasted it and I know it's whiskey.

Let's see. That's about it, ladies.

- Thank you, Mr. Godsey. - Good day.

Look who's here!

Miss Mamie, Miss Emily Baldwin, this is Miss Alvira Drummond.

It's a pleasure. I'm sure.

We've been fans of yours ever since

we saw you in The Crimson Lady.

That was ages ago.

I simply wept.

Really? It was a comedy.

My sister means we laughed so hard we cried.

Our father, the late Judge Baldwin

drove us all the way to Richmond once

just to see your performance in Romeo and Juliet.

He was a very cultivated gentleman

and he particularly admired

the plays of Mr. William Shakespeare.

But Papa thought that Mr. George Bernard Shaw

was too radical. He positively forbade us to read him.

'So we didn't.'

Why don't you pay us a little visit while you're here

and share some of Papa's Recipe with us?

How nice of you. I'd love it.

But, I expect to be leaving for New York City very soon.

Forgive me, I've to make a long distance phone call.

It's so nice to see you.

- Thank you. - Lovely to see you.

Is it all right if she uses your phone?

John-Boy, bye-bye.

Hello, Miss Drummond. I have your call for New York.

Thank you, darling.

Hello, Harry, it's Alvira.

Believe it or not, I'm stranded.

I need you to send me the train fare to New York.

Darling, it's a long story.

Wouldn't want to bore you with it now.

Just telegraph me the money to Charlottesville.

That's in Virginia.

No, darling, I'm not joking. I really am in a jam.

What did you say, Harry? I didn't hear you.

Harry, you are an angel.

I knew I could count on you. Thank you, darling.

I'll always be in your debt.

If there's any time I can do anything for you, let me know.

Au revoir, darling.

What did I tell you, it's in the bag.

Well, I declare.

'Come on in, sweetie. You're not bothering me.'

- What've you got there? - My memory book.

Really? I used to have one myself once.

- Would you like to see it? - I'd love to.

Made that yourself, didn't you?

Look at you there.

But, darling, this stuff's about me.

That's the picture you sent me. See, you even signed it.

What a relic. Will you look at that pose?

I love the boots. Mama used to have some of those.

Look at that!

I was wondering, now that we're friends

maybe you'd write something personal.

Why, sure. I'd be glad to.

Let's do it on this one.

You like that?

You can see right through it.

You know, I'm never without that.

Superstitious, I guess.

Used that the first time I was on stage in a play

and I've never been without it since.

- Do you mind if I try it on? - Sure, go ahead.

You know, you're kind of a pretty kid.

I don't feel pretty. I feel like a mess.

Do you? I remember that feeling.

Is there a full length mirror in this house?

In my room. Why?

Come on. I'm going to show you some tricks of the trade.

How do I look?

Well, I'll be..

She looks like some kind of movie star!

They're right. Look at that child.

Painted up like a carnival doll.

Someday you are gonna be a beautiful woman.

Right now, I kind of miss my little girl.

Darling, wait.

I'm terribly sorry. It's all my fault.

She is a little young for such notions, Miss Drummond.

But I truly didn't mean any harm.

It's alright.

Why don't you come to supper?

After supper John will drive you over to Charlottesville.

Yes, of course.

Darling, I may never walk again.

Where is it?

"At night across the mountain, when darkness falls

"and winds sweep down out of the hollows, the wild things

"with their shiny eyes come to the edge of the clearing.

- "At such--" - 'Where's my tablet?'

I've told you kids a million times to stay away from it.

Is this what you mean?

Yes, ma'am.

You haven't been reading it, have you?

Actually, I asked Jim-Bob to find me some writing paper

'and when he brought this..'

I never realized. Do forgive me.

It's all right, but it's not very good.

'If I'd known you want to read, I'd have made you a neat copy.'

Here. It was wrong of me not to ask your permission

but it is good. Very good.

It's just that hardly anybody ever reads

the things in here but me.

More's the pity.

How else is the world to know how beautifully you write?

If you really like it, I've got stacks of it up in my room.

Do you?

More frilly things to wash and iron

compliments of Her Highness.

It's a crime the way she's got this family hopping.

House turned upside down, can't use your own living room

radio blaring till all hours.

Don't know how you've put up with it these past few days.

We can put up with her for another week.

She ought to be on her feet by then.

- Praise the Lord! - Made the grocery list?

It's on the table.

See if I can pry John-Boy and Mary Ellen

away from Her Ladyship for a few minutes.

Any news about what happened to Miss Drummond's driver?

Just telling Ike that. I checked out the roadhouse

where Yancy dropped him off the other night.

- A place called the Flamingo. - They know anything?

No, I asked if he's still around.

They hemmed and hawed and said they reckon he left.

You got any idea where he might have gone from there?

Miss Drummond has to forget about her driver, money, jewels.

- Thank you. - See you later.

- Hi, kids. - Hi, Ike.

- What do you need? - Mama needs a few things.

How's your house guest?

Real fine. I guess she'll be leaving pretty soon.

Not too sure of that.

She's going to be here a little bit longer than you suspect.

How's that?

As a friend of your family I think your folks ought to know

that the lady's in a little hot water.

What kind of hot water?

Miss Fanny Tatum listened in on that telephone conversation.

'Her agent never did promise to send her the train fare.'

'Hung up on her and told her to go fly a kite.'

I don't believe that.

Miss Fanny's been known to stretch the truth

and it's just possible that she's gossiping again.

Don't you think that it's peculiar

Miss Drummond should just happen to sprain her ankle

'and then she couldn't go anywhere?'

It strikes me thatmaybe that's the driver's fault.

He did run off with everything she owns, didn't he?

I wouldn't be too sure of that, either.

Maybe he left because she didn't pay him.

I wouldn't be surprised if he's hanging around

the Flamingo right now.

- Don't tell the family yet. - I won't.

- Hi, Daddy. - Hi, sweetheart.

Daddy, could I borrow the truck?

- Is it important? - Yes, sir.

Got some work out back, I guess so. Here you go.

- Great. - Don't be late.

I won't. Thank you.

Come in.

Where is everybody?

The men are outside

and the ladies are upstairs, I guess.

We won't disturb them.

I just came to drop off a little remembrance to you.

'It's some of our papa's Recipe.'

Lady, you are the answer to my prayers.

Everybody feels that way about the Recipe.

Well, I must be off.

'And thanks for the Recipe.'

If you like it, there's more where that came from.

- Toodle-o. - Toodle-o.

'It's dry as a bone out there.'

There's only been a couple of inches all year.

[indistinct singing]

What's going on?

Has that woman taken leave of her senses?

Grandma, it appears to me she's gotten hold of some Recipe.

It appears more like it's got hold of her.

Well, I warned you.

I want that woman out of this house.

[chuckling]

[singing continues]

- How is she? - Still sleeping it off.

Why don't you go to bed? I'll wait up for the boy.

You know I can't sleep till he gets home.

Couldn't get to sleep.

I told you. You shouldn't have had all them onions for supper.

- Not the onions, it's her. - And John-Boy.

Any signs of him yet?

No, not yet.

Maybe we ought to..

[engine revving]

Somebody's come.

Hey, everybody.

What you all doing up so late?

My Lord, boy! What happened?

I've been in a fight.

- Why, that's plain to see. - At the Flamingo.

The very idea. Brawling in a roadhouse.

Wasn't my fault.

Miss Drummond's driver started it. I just asked him a question.

Must have been some question.

I just asked him if he enjoyed

being a dirty, low-down, cowardly skunk.

Sounds harmless to me.

'Why didn't you just call the sheriff and have him arrested?'

Because he's done nothing to be arrested for.

Suppose running with Ms. Drummond's money is nothing.

Mama, Miss Drummond didn't have any money to run off with.

'What about all those jewels?'

'It seems she pawned the last of them in Atlanta.'

She owed him two month's back pay. That's why he ran off.

He just got fed up.

They must have paid her something in Atlanta.

Daddy, she never opened in Atlanta

because they fired her and got another actress to take over.

'She's got a bad reputation for being temperamental.'

'I hope she straightens herself out'

when she gets back to New York.

She is not going back because she's got no way to get there.

John-Boy, you're talking nonsense.

There's train fare waiting for her

at Western Union in Charlottesville.

Grandma, that's a lie because Miss Fanny Tatum told Ike Godsey

that her agent just turned her down and hung up on her.

'He was fed up with her temper tantrums, once and for all.'

She doesn't even have enough money to get her car fixed?

'Daddy, I reckon she's just plum run out of luck.'

That explains a lot of things.

Poor creature.

No place to go, and nothing but strangers to turn to.

Maybe that's why she's been acting the way she has.

What are we going to do?

I'm sorry for her. I truly am.

But I've got young children to consider

'and I can't have her in this house.'

'And where's she gonna go?'

I don't know, John-Boy.

I know what I'd do.

I'd just take her to New York City in my own automobile.

We'll do what we can for her, but she just can't stay here.

If it was a mangy old dog who was starving to death

you wouldn't send it away. How can you do it to her?

That's just the point, Mary. She's no dumb animal.

She's got a head and the brains God gave her inside of it.

Of course she's got troubles. We all have.

But hers are her own doing.

They say some people are their own worst enemies.

Miss Drummond is a prime example of that.

But you don't understand her. She's not like other people.

'You can't turn her away.'

We can, and we're going to.

How can you do anything so hateful?

'Mary Ellen.'

I don't care.

I'm never going to speak to you again, as long as I live!

She didn't mean it, Liv.

I think she did.

It's time for her to learn the facts of life now

before she turns into another Alvira Drummond.

Bravo.

The last thing the world needs is another Alvira Drummond.

That wasn't meant for you to hear.

No, don't apologize for speaking the truth.

God knows, it's the first time in years anyone has dared to.

I needed a good kick in the pants to bring me to my senses.

I won't bother you anymore.

I'll pack and leave the first thing in the morning.

Leave for where?

Zeb's right. You gotta have someplace to go from here.

Back to New York, I guess.

Pick up the pieces.

Where're you going to get the train fare?

Good question.

Maybe you could borrow some money on that car of yours.

That car is up to it's hub caps in hock already.

Maybe you could get some kind of job.

How? The only thing I know is acting.

If all you know is acting, then why not act?

Because to act, you need a stage and an audience.

And I'm fresh out of both.

We're off the beaten track here, and then

there isn't much money around

I'm sure people will find some to get a glimpse of you.

Really?

I bet we could even get Ike to let us use the pool hall

for a stage and a theater.

Maybe the children could print up some tickets.

Like we did for the Christmas play.

They'd spread the word all over the county.

Why, we'll have them hanging for the rafters!

What do you say, Miss Drummond?

Sweeties, what have I got to lose?

- Here you are, ladies. - Thank you.

Just on time.

- Good evening, Miss Mamie. - Good evening, Erin.

[indistinct talking]

This ticket's compliments of the house for the free use

of your pool hall.

Mr. Walton, I donated this hall,

and I want to pay just like anybody else.

Alright, have it your own way.

Show's about to begin almost any minute.

Worried about Mary Ellen?

Was hoping she may decide to come after all.

I thought Miss Drummond was going to talk to her.

She did, but it didn't take.

It's just a phase she's going through.

No, Grandma, I'm afraid she's really upset with me this time.

She's cutting off her nose to spite her face

if she doesn't show up tonight.

That's about all.

Here, Grandpa.

You about ready back there?

I'll see.

- John-Boy, it's 7:30. - Okay, we're ready.

- All set? - Yes, how's the house?

Not going to make you rich but it'll get you that ticket.

That's all I care about.

This is for you. It's a poem and I don't want you

to read it till you get to New York, alright?

John, you are an angel.

- How do I look? - Just beautiful.

- We better get started. - Okay, good luck.

Ladies and gentlemen..

tonight we are honored by the presence of a star.

I have the honor to present to you

one of the great ladies of the American stage..

Miss Alvira Drummond.

Jason, may we have the light?

[audience clapping]

Thank you.

It is said that actors are very special people.

They are born between the acts..

cradled in dresser drawers, and nurtured on grease paint.

They come alive at 8:30 every night

but only in the presence of an audience.

And when they die, they go not to heaven, but to the theater.

We are gathered tonight in a little country store

in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia

'during something called the Depression.'

'But the time and the place are not important.'

What is important is that you have come to see a show

and I am truly privileged to perform for you.

"O Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo?

"Deny thy father and refuse thy name

"Or, if thou wilt not be but sworn my love"

[audience clapping]

"Out, out, damned spot! Out, I say!

[bell rings]

"One..

"Two..

"why, then, 'tis time to do it."

"Hell is murky!

"Fie, my lord, fie!"

"The quality of mercy is not strain'd

"It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven

"Upon the place beneath..

"It is twice bless'd

"It blesseth him that gives and him that takes."

[clapping continues]

"What's this? a cup, closed in my true love's hand?

"Poison, I see, hath been his timeless end.

"O churl!

"drunk all, and left no friendly drop to help me after!

"I will kiss thy lips

"Happy, some poison yet doth hang on them

"To make me die with a restorative.

"Thy lips are warm!

"Yea, noise?

"then I'll be brief.

"O happy dagger! This is thy sheath

"there rest, and let me die."

Thank you.

Now, with the special permission of a very young author

I would like to read to you a passage

from his first and yet to be published novel.

From Walton's Mountain by John-Boy Walton.

"At night across the mountain when darkness falls

"and the winds sweep down out of the hollows

"the wild things with their shiny eyes

"come to the edge of the clearing.

"At such an hour, the house seems safe and warm

"an island of light and love in a sea of darkness.

"At such an hour, the word "home"

must have come into being

"dreamed up by some creature that never knew a home.

"In his yearning there must have come to mind the vision

"of a mother's face

"a father's deep voice, the aroma of fresh baked bread

"sunshine in a window, muted sounds of rain on a roof

"the sigh of death, the cry of a newborn babe

"and voices calling goodnight.

"Home..

"an island..

"a refuge..

"a haven of love."

[audience clapping]

Thank you so much for everything. I'm truly grateful.

Bye, sweetie.

- You put on a good show. - Thank you so much.

- Goodbye, you darling man. - Goodbye.

Mary Ellen, I think I've outgrown this

Why don't you keep it for me?

The next time you decide to be in somebody else's shoes

remember it's usually a lousy fit.

Better hurry, you've got to catch the train.

I'm as ready as I'll ever be.

Take care of my car for me.

I'll send for it when I'm in the chips again.

Don't you worry.

- Ms. Drummond. - John.

- Bye. - Bye.

I don't know what it is about this place.

Maybe it's the air.

but it certainly makes you feel like a new person.

- Bye. - Bye.

Good luck.

Thank you again.

Alvira Drummond was to entertain audiences

again on the New York stage

but I doubt if she ever found an audience

as appreciative as that group

in Ike Godsey's store on Walton's Mountain.

'Mama, Mary Ellen's being crazy again.'

'Acting like she's sticking a knife in her stomach'

'then flopping over the floor and pretending she's dead.'

'You don't know acting when you see it. I'm being Juliet.'

'Settle down there, girls.'

'Mama, think I could be an actress when I grow up?'

'You can be anything you want to be, darling.'

- 'Good night, Mama.' - 'Good night, Mary Ellen.'

In a moment, some scenes from the next episode

of The Waltons.