All language subtitles for rvkd-a.decade.of.the.waltons.1980.1080p.web.h264_track3_[eng]

[instrumental music]

(Earl)
This is Earl Hamner.

When I was growing up
in the hills of Virginia

during the Great Depression

I would never have believed
that I would someday end up

at a studio in Hollywood

telling the story of my life
on television.

As a matter of fact,
television as we know it today

didn't even exist.

We grew up here, in this house,
where my mother still lives.

From the earliest times
I can remember

I wanted to be a writer.

I was told
that to be a good writer

one should write about what
he cares for most passionately.

That was my family, and I wrote
about them in my novel

"Spencer's Mountain" and in a
later novel, "The Homecoming."

"Spencer's Mountain"
became a film

and "The Homecoming" became a
Lorimar CBS television special

in 1971.

From the special
grew the series "The Waltons"

which premiered
in the fall of 1972.

Since then,
we've covered ten years

"A Decade Of The Waltons."

[instrumental music]

On this special program,
we'll visit my hometown

where it all began,
meet my mother

my brothers and sisters

and the actors who have
portrayed them all these years.

Stay with us
during the next two hours

for a visit
to two fairly dissimilar towns.

'Hollywood, California
and Schuyler, Virginia.'

'And a fine look back
at a decade of the Waltons.'

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

[instrumental music]

Here, on this set on the back
lot of the Burbank Studio

a lot of talented people
have recreated the world

in which I grew up, my family

and a time that existed
some 40 years ago

in the foothills of the Blue
Ridge Mountains of Virginia.

With their help,
I'd like to take you back

to a very special day.
Grandma's birthday.

Is this what
you were looking for, mama?

What? Oh, it sure is.
Wherever did you find it?

Up in the attic,
in an old chest of drawers.

When it comes to finding junk,
Jim-Bob's got a sixth sense.

This isn't junk, these
are the pictures that have been

missing from grandma's album.

This is the best present
we could ever give her.

(Jason)
Where's that picture of Ben
jumping into the pond

in his birthday suit?

Well, I was looking for the one
with you with the mumps.

Yeah, you look like
a beach ball with freckles.

- Ha-ha-ha.
- Yeah.

Mama, what's this? It looks
like John-Boy's handwriting.

"Thy smile the beamin' sun
doth quite outshine

and warms the coursing blood
like heady wine."

That was the year John-Boy
was in love with Marsha Wollery.

- That's right!
- 'Oh, my..'

- That's right.
- 'Marsha Wollery.'

I remember that.

"Thy smile the beaming sun
doth quite outshine..

And warms the coursing blood
like heady wine."

Is that all?

Well, that's as far
as I've written.

You like it?

Sounds just like all that stuff
I don't understand

in our literature books.

Well, I plan to write
at least 12 stanzas of it.

I don't see how you do it.

Well, the inspiration
is the important thing.

I mean

when someone inspires
someone else with f-feelings..

With-with certain feelings..

Do you drink a lot of wine,
John-Boy?

Wine? Me?

You mentioned some kind of wine
in the poem.

(John-Boy)
'Oh, heady wine. Heady wine.'

Well, actually, I don't know
too much about wine.

- My daddy makes dandelion wine.
- Hm.

Marcia, when I finish my poem,
you think I...

Uh, not to be keeping you
from it.

Oh, no, that's alright.

Just something I wanna
ask Kitty Lou anyways.

- Bye.
- Bye.

Boy.

Funny how openin' up
something like this

brings back
a whole flood of memories.

I bet John-Boy would be
embarrassed

that we read his poem.

I doubt it.
He never did have any privacy.

I remember times
when he'd be tryin' to write

and he'd be interrupted
by just about the whole family.

[laughter]

[knocking on door]

- Yeah?
- 'Hurry on, let me in.'

[sighs]
I think
I'm having a heart attack.

- Heart attack?
- Well..

It keeps going wham, wham, wham.

Then it stops
for the longest time

and I think I'm suffocating.

- Well, how'd it start?
- Well, trying to go to sleep.

Trying to figure out things.

Yeah, what kind of things?

Like, why a boy likes a girl
one day

and the next day he's off
chasin' some other girl.

I know what kinda heart trouble
you've got.

G.W. Haines heart trouble,
right?

I don't know
what he sees in her.

She can't catch,
can't run, can't throw.

Screams if she sees
a wooly worm.

Why, not more than a week ago,
G.W. was makin' fun of her.

What happened?

Well, sister, there comes a time

when boys like girls
to be different.

And G.W. maybe
at exactly that point.

Where a fancy dress
is more interestin'

than a great catcher's mitt?

Well, he might still like
the catcher's mitt

but he'd rather see the girl
in a fancy dress.

- Did I leave my harp in here?
- 'No.'

I don't know, Jason.
Look around.

[sighs]
Alright.

[sighs]

You got a safety pin, John-Boy?

Look on around the dresser.

The strings of my pajamas broke.

Can I sleep in here, John-Boy?
There's a mouse under my bed.

Mm-hmm.

- Hey.
- Hm?

What are you writin'?

Stuff. Go on to bed.

[instrumental music]

John-Boy,
will you kiss me goodnight?

Sure, honey. Hm. Goodnight.
Go on to bed now.

[music continues]

(Jason)
Now, what's it doin' under here?

[sighs]

Play somethin' pretty, Jason.

[harmonica music]

What is this? A family reunion?

Go on writing, John-Boy.
You're not bothering us.

(Jason)
That was night here, it's
a little darker now, I think.

Mama, do you think we should
put this one in the book?

Well, grandma doesn't always
approve of the Baldwin sisters.

But why not?
They're part of the family, too.

Oh, that's a good picture
of them.

That's an oldie.

Has anybody tried usin' it
lately? See, uh..

[sighs]
They wouldn't accept my story
in longhand.

Well, might one venture to ask
what the story is about?

Well, it's about my family
mostly.

Like how I went lookin' for my
daddy one Christmas time and..

[chuckles]
s-stopped here on the way
and had a little recipe and...

You mentioned the recipe
in the story?

Yes, ma'am.
I hope you don't mind.

Why, of course we don't mind!

Why, everybody
in the whole world

should know about the recipe.

How dare those magazine people

turn down a story
about the recipe.

Oh! Yankees, probably.

Yes, ma'am. New York people.

Now am I to understand, John-Boy

that these treacherous Yankees

might be persuaded to accept
your story about the recipe

if it were typewritten?

I think it would stand
a better chance of it.

[instrumental music]

What would the judge say, Mamie?

Well, I believe
the judge would say

that nothin' is more important

than the nurturin'
of artistic endeavor.

I can just hear him sayin' it.

He had
such an authoritative voice.

Does this mean that..

[chuckling]

[typewriter keys clacking]

The typewriter helped,
but it was going to be some time

before my first story
was to be published.

In the meantime, other important
events were taking place

that were to affect our lives.

(Earl)
It was a time in the country
when everybody was learning

at first-hand
what it was like to be poor.

In the cities, men who had
owned their own business

the year before were selling
apples on the street.

The outlook was equally grim

for the farming people of
the heartland of the country.

Already trying to get along
on depression prices

for their produce,
they were struck

by a series
of natural disasters.

The area came to called
the Dust Bowl.

Whole towns in Kansas, Texas,
Oklahoma and Nebraska

were left inundated with dust
as the people migrated

in the hope
of finding some better life.

It was also a time
in our country

when a crippling disease called
polio was raging unchecked.

It was to strike thousands
of families, including our own.

John, is that wheelchair
still around?

Yes, it is, Liv. It's, uh..

It's out in the hallway.

Tomorrow I'm gonna
start learnin' how to use it.

[rain pattering]

What's happened, Liv?

This afternoon I had
a little lesson in humility.

Gotta get back to the business

of livin' with things
the way they are

instead of the way
I wish they could be.

You're sure?

Mm-hmm.

[instrumental music]

- Goodnight.
- Goodnight.

[music continues]

[exhales sharply]

[birds chirping]

[instrumental music]

[birds chirping]

(Elizabeth)
'Mama!'

'Mama!'

[indistinct chatter]

(Elizabeth)
'Mama! Mama, mama.
Help me, mama. Help me.'

[indistinct chatter]

'Mama! Mama!'

[dramatic music]

[instrumental music]

[clattering]

[footsteps approaching]

Livi.

I heard Elizabeth call.

[chuckles]

I-I just had to go to her.

She was havin' a bad dream.

[footsteps approaching]

I'm alright.

'I'm alright.'

I'm alright.

Olivia, how did you do it?

I don't know.

Maybe you were right, John-Boy.

Maybe I was trying too hard.

When I just got up
without thinkin'..

[instrumental music]

[chuckles]

[chuckles]
Well, look at me.

[chuckling]
I can walk as well as
any one-year-old in the county.

Well, I just may take you
dancin' when you grow up.

Oh, mama!

[indistinct chatter]

I've been meanin' to finish
this photo album for years.

It took a special occasion
to bring me to do it.

Somebody get ribbon and paper
and we'll wrap it.

I got a pink satin bow
somewhere.

Mama, do you think grandma's
gonna be wanna be reminded

of all these years?

I don't see why not.

They've been good years mostly.

Learnin' and growin' years.

Lookin'
at all our old baby pictures

might make her feel old.

Grandma's too young to feel old.

Right, and besides

grandmothers kinda like havin'
pictures of their grandchildren

to show off to people.
Just ask mama.

Ask me later, right now
I got other things on my mind

like a birthday dinner.
Up, everybody.

Reminiscence over.
Time to work.

- Come on, man.
- I'll put this back.

(Earl)
"The Waltons" will continue

as we look back to the time

when the family
considered moving away

from Walton's Mountain.

[instrumental music]

And I want that fire
good and hot.

Don't want this cake to fall.

Don't worry, mama,
I got plenty of wood.

When do I get to lick the spoon?

You have to wrestle me for it.

[laughing]

[harmonica music]

Well, how about it, Mary Ellen?

We can make a whole bunch
for the party.

This is not grandma's
tenth birthday, Jim-Bob.

We would like to have
some semblance of dignity.

[laughing]

Until this series appeared

television families
remained stationary in time.

Characters in family drama

frequently did not reflect
the events that took place

in the previous week's episode.

We were determined to design
each episode of "The Waltons"

as if it were a chapter
in a continuing novel.

If we've been successful,
it's because our audience

recognizes our characters
as human

endowed equally
with strengths and weaknesses

reaching out to those around
them for warmth and support

and affirmation.

And we found drama
in the simplest of situations.

In the homely setting
of a kitchen

in an exchange
between young and old members

of the same family.

Mostly on the series,
what we've always tried to do

is to entertain, to tell a story

and we hoped, a good story.

But as time passed,
it turned out

we were doing something
in addition.

We were celebrating some values
in American life

that go back to pioneer times.

But if you had a $100,000
just for yourself, let's say

you couldn't spend it on anybody
else or you'd lose it

what would you do with it?

Oh, I wouldn't know
where to begin.

Where to begin where?

We're just playing a little game

as to what we'd do
if we suddenly got rich.

I'd buy candy.

John-Boy, come one over
and have somethin' to eat.

I'll be there.

Pretend, mama, what would you do
with the money?

Oh, alright, let's see.

Um, well,
first I'd buy me a new dress

for the golden anniversary.

'And then I'd buy
some curtains.'

(Mary Ellen)
What else, mama?

Well, I guess there'd be enough
left over to go see

my sister Frances in Edgemont.

Mm, I know what I'd do,
I'd buy me a big car

the kind
that the rich people have.

Have somebody drive me around.

I'd go to my friends' houses
and give 'em rides.

What would you do, daddy?

I'd probably buy Elizabeth

a new tooth
for the front of her mouth.

(Mary Ellen)
'Seriously, daddy,
what would you do?'

Oh, I'd shingle the roof,
paint the house

fix up the saw mill,
pay some of those debts

'and put the rest in the bank.'

I'd like to get me a new rocker
with a good back rest.

What about you, grandma?
What would you like?

Oh, I don't know. I'd like to be
two inches taller.

[laughing]

I don't need nothin'.

Well, you got all that money,
grandma

you gotta spend it on somethin'.

Well, is there
some kind of a clock

that can turn back 20 years?

Ah, but then the children
wouldn't be here.

Well, then forget it.

(Jason)
'I think I'd go to New York City
and study music.'

(Mary Ellen)
'What would you like, Ben?'

(Ben)
'I'd buy me an airplane
and fly up'

'to New York
and watch the Yankees play.'

I know
what Mary Ellen would like.

Shut your yap.

She'd go to Hollywood

and see Gary Cooper in person.

Hey, that's not a bad idea.
I'd like that.

We haven't asked Jim-Bob
what he'd like.

What would you do if you had
a $100,000, Jim-Bob?

Gee, I never had a $100,000.
How many zeroes is it?

I don't believe
a person should have more

than they know what to do with.

I believe
a body should earn his livin'

by the sweat of his brow.

I don't know, pa.

There are times when I could use
a little less sweat on my brow.

[instrumental music]

Say, 280 plus 14 times 10?

No, seven.

- Um..
- You countin' the petals?

No, I'm trying to figure out how
many birthdays we've celebrated

in this family.
How many do you think?

Oh, I couldn't even begin
to guess.

- Which one was your favorite?
- Oh. That's an easy one.

[instrumental music]

Mama.

Well, thank goodness, someone's
come to keep me company.

I have something
for your birthday for ya.

Uh..

I've been trying to figure out
what to give ya.

It's been difficult this year.

I thought
I knew what I was gonna give you

but that didn't seem right.

But I was readin' this mornin'

and I found a poem in here..

By a man named
Gerard Manley Hopkins.

'And I'd like to read it to you
for your birthday.'

[sighs]
Here it is.
It's called "The Windhover."

That's a bird.

"I caught this morning
morning's minion

"kingdom of daylight's dauphin

"dapple-dawn-drawn Falcon,
in his riding

"of the rolling level underneath
him steady air, and striding.

'"High there, how he rung upon
the rein of a wimpling wing'

'"in his ecstasy'

'"then off, off forth on swing,
as a skate's heel'

'"sweeps smooth on a bow-bend'

'"the hurl and gliding
rebuffed the big wind.'

'"My heart in hiding
stirred for a bird'

"the achieve of,
the mastery of the thing.

"Brute beauty and valor and act

"oh, air, pride, plume,
here buckle!

'"And the fire
that breaks from thee then'

'"a billion times told lovelier,
more dangerous'

'"O my chevalier!'

'"No wonder of it, sheer plod
makes plough down sillion'

'"shine and blue-bleak embers'

"ah, my dear, fall

gall themselves,
and gash gold-vermilion."

[instrumental music]

[clears throat]

John-Boy, those words were
just like listenin' to music.

[music continues]

I don't really understand
what the poem meant

but I think those were just
about the most beautiful words

I ever heard.

Well, I think
the poem has a meaning. Uh..

To me, it means

that some things..

Which may seem too simple
or unimportant

or even just downright plain..

Those things are really
every bit as important

and everybody's beautiful
as the most magnificent things

in the whole world.

[music continues]

Thank you, John-Boy.

Happy birthday.

There was a..

There was a line in there,
somethin' about, "My heart?"

Oh, yeah.
"My heart in hiding stirred..."

Hey, mama! Your birthday's
ready, if you want it!

[laughing]

- Mama!
- Oh, that Jim-Bob.

[Olivia laughing]

Popular belief has it
that anybody who's lived

50 or more years
is over the hill in every way.

The older person
is pictured as cranky

exhausted emotionally,
economically

sexually and financially

deprived of vitality in general.

Ironically,
our population of older people

is growing
with leaps and bounds.

Whether we like it or not

old age is what
we're all headed for.

In this series, our older people
have been portrayed as vital

'meaningful and contributing
members of the family.'

'Once John and Olivia
considered'

'selling the house
and moving away.'

'One of their main concerns
was how grandma and grandpa'

'might take the news.'

[groans]

Hey.

Missy..

Your hands are a lot better
than any danged old hot spring.

Yeah..

Almost 50 years, Zebulon.

And I wouldn't miss
one minute of it, old girl.

Remember the day we first came
up here to this place, Esther?

Shouldn't remember such things.

Why not?
We was married, wasn't we?

And then there was a day
I come runnin' up here

when I found out
I was in the family way.

Scared as a cottontail.

And then you found me,
and everything was alright.

I was scared, too, Esther.

You know, you were
such a tiny little thing

all I wanted to do
was to protect you.

Give you the moon
and all the trimmings.

And all I have ever been able
to give you

is just a piece
of this good earth, hm

and one another.

I guess that's about all
anyone's meant to have.

The best there is anyway.

Young people don't know
what's important.

Memories are important. They
can't take them away from you.

We've had us some good times,
haven't we, Esther?

[laughing]

[mellow music]

[thunder rumbling]

John-Boy, I want you
to come back downstairs.

I've got to hear
what you have to say.

It's only fair.

Yeah, that's what
I've been thinkin' about

what would be fair.

You know, the other day
when we had a talk

you said
that by sellin' the place

you wanted to benefit
the children, but..

That's right.

I don't think you were really
considering these two.

Well, how do you mean?

[sighs]
Well..

Well, the rest of us,
uh, the older ones

I, I think maybe
it wouldn't be so hard for us.

But we've had this place
all our lives

'and we have a history here
that's made us what we are.'

And we have memories
of this place

that are so firmly planted
in our minds

we'll never forget them.

I mean,
every breath we've ever taken

is still somewhere
in this house.

Mama, as long as I live,
I will never forget

'the smell of coffee and bacon
driftin' upstairs'

'on a winter morning.'

'I'll never forget the sound of
your footsteps in the hallway.'

You know, daddy, I have
a picture in my mind of you

that is so clear..

'...I can just see you
walking across the meadow..'

'...through a new crusted snow.'

I'll never forget those things.

I stood under the kitchen window
and I've listened to the sounds

that this family makes
at dinner time

'and everyone's talking at once'

'and nobody's listening
to anybody else'

'but the sound of that talk
is so beautiful.'

'You just ought to put it
to music.'

'The way it drifts out
on the evening air..'

It's the sounds of this house,
and I'll never forget.

Especially that one moment..

When we're all in bed..

We're all safe,
we're all together

just before we go to sleep.

How we say goodnight
to each other here.

[instrumental music]

And, daddy, I don't know
what kind of Waltons

'these two children would be'

if they have to grow up
without all that.

And I think really
the decision is theirs to make.

[thunder rumbling]

[music continues]

Let's go to bed.

(Earl)
The decision of whether
to sell the farm or not

didn't come until the night
before grandma and grandpa's

golden wedding anniversary.

[instrumental music]

[indistinct chatter]

[applauding]

[indistinct chatter]

[music continues]

Keeping track?

- No.
- Heh-heh.

Hey, mama, what do you want me
to do with the present?

Oh, hide it. We'll give it
to her after supper.

- Okay.
- It sure looks good, mama.

Don't you dare put a finger
to it, young man.

Who, me?

[chuckles]
You. Oops.

Oh, no,
there's hardly any water.

Well,
Jason must be taking a bath.

We gotta
all be getting ready soon.

Daddy will be here with grandma.

Well, everything
looks real nice, mama.

I wouldn't mind having
Mrs. John Jacob

asked to come for supper.

Yeah,
but I'd rather have grandma.

- Let's go get ready.
- Hm.

(Earl)
In a moment we will return
to "A Decade Of The Waltons."

We will meet Corabeth Godsey
for the first time

and relive the fearsome night

when the fire ravaged
the family home.

[instrumental music]

Hm.

- Wow!
- Wow, what?

- You look pretty, mom.
- Well, thank you.

But that cake's
gonna look pretty shabby

if you don't stop
jabbing your finger in it.

What are we gonna have
to drink with it?

[exhales sharply]
What would you like?

How about some of
the Baldwin ladies' recipe?

- Hm.
- 'Okay.'

- 'How about some lemonade?'
- Alright.

But you'll have to go
to the store and get the lemons.

- Oh. I don't mind.
- Hurry, then.

Don't stay gossiping
with Ike and Corabeth.

Hey, mom,
was Corabeth really a Walton?

She's your father's
second cousin.

Jim-Bob, this is no time
to haul out the family tree.

- Go get those lemons.
- Okay.

[instrumental music]

- Hello, Uncle Ike.
- It's Ike Godsey.

- 'Hey, Ike.'
- 'Hey, Ike, how are you?'

- Hi, everybody.
- Hey, Ike.

This-this lady came by the store
and she asked for you folks

and, uh, I felt
I just had to bring her by.

Well, I, I guess
I should have written

but I-I wanted
to surprise you all.

Well, doesn't anybody know me?
John?

- Zeb?
- Well..

Well, is it really you, Cory?

It's me, alright. Corabeth.

Corabeth Walton. Yeah. Hello.
Good to see you.

I hope I haven't walked in
on you at a bad time.

No, not at all, the Waltons
are always welcome here.

- Come on and meet the family.
- Hello, Zeb.

- C-Cory.
- How are you?

Nice to see you.

It's been a lot of years,
Corabeth.

The years have been kind to you.

Corabeth, meet the rest
of the family. Our children.

This is our youngest, Elizabeth,
and this is Mary Ellen.

This is your cousin, Corabeth.

And there's Jason and Jim-Bob.

- Glad to meet you.
- Don't forget Erin over here.

Oh, Erin. This is..
Meet your Cousin Corabeth.

Hi.

But, John-Boy,
I guess you don't remember me.

Well, I remember,
I used to go by your house.

When your daddy was sick,
he used to keep

a little sack of candies
by the bed, I remember that.

You were just a little boy then.

And the rest of you
hadn't even been thought of.

Well, Cory, you must be
wore out from traveling.

- Come on, here, sit down, Cory.
- Thank you.

I'll go outside
and-and get your things.

I'll help you. Come on, Jason.

Come on.

Corabeth, what brings you over
to Jefferson County?

- Mama passed away last month.
- Oh, I'm sorry to hear that.

Oh, she must have been
nigh on to 80.

- 'Seventy-nine.'
- Seventy-nine.

I'm on my way to Richmond
to look for a position.

And I thought it
only my proper family duty

to stop in and see my kin.

- Well, glad you did.
- Pleasure to see you, Corabeth.

Uh, when are you expected
in Richmond?

Expected?

Oh..

No, my time's my own now.

'I'm in no hurry.'

I don't intend
to move back to Doe Hill.

Everything I own is right here.

'I'm much obliged to you,
Mr. Godsey, for your kindness.'

- I was very happy to do it.
- Oh.

It's not everyone would extend
themselves for a stranger.

Well, if there's anything else
I can do for you

to make your visit here
more enjoyable

you just say the word.

Thank you so much.

I spotted you for a gentleman
the minute I walked in

your general mercantile store.

[laughing]

[clears throat]
Well, much obliged, Ike.

Oh, John, i-it was a pleasure.

- We'll see you later.
- Thank you.

- Bye, Ike.
- Thank you, Ike, thank you.

Well..

I hope my just walking in like
this isn't any inconvenience.

Oh, not at all, Corabeth.

Well, last thing I want to be
is a burden to anyone.

But I..

Well, if it would fit in
with your plans, I..

I certainly would appreciate
a chance to rest.

Well, you just stop
your fretting, Corabeth.

Uh, John-Boy.

'Uh, why don't you take
Corabeth's things'

'up to your room?
Jason, give him a hand.'

- Sure.
- Oh, dear.

I'm dispossessing you.

Oh, no,
it's really just a guest room.

I only stay there
when we're not having visitors.

- Yeah.
- Ha-ha!

[instrumental music]

I haven't danced so much
in years.

Ah, it's wonderful.

Looks to me like chaperones had

even more fun
than the sweethearts.

Well, I tried,
but he kept saying things

that just didn't make
any sense at all.

Oh, you don't have to make sense
to be courting.

And Corabeth didn't give him
any encouragement

no matter what he said.

I feel sorry for her.

Well, so do I,
but that doesn't mean

I want her living
under the same roof with me.

[sobbing]

- Corabeth, what's wrong?
- What happened?

[sobbing]

Ike asked me to marry him.

And I said yes!

[instrumental music]

[indistinct chatter]

[instrumental music]

Corabeth's
was all out of lemons.

Oh, isn't that just wonderful?

I guess we'll just have
to have some recipe then.

Jim-Bob, if this keeps up

I'm gonna have to go
on another sit-down strike.

Uh-oh, I remember
the first one you went on.

[instrumental music]

[laughing]

Have you ever heard
of Luther Burbank?

It seems I ran across his name

helping one of you children
with your homework.

There's some Burbanks live over
on the road to Rockfish.

No, grandma,
this guy was a scientist

and he experimented
with crossing plants.

You cross one plant
with another plant

and make all kinds of new plants
and vegetables.

- Improving on the Lord's work?
- Mary Ellen...

I'm crossing cucumber
with watermelon.

Whatever for?

Can you imagine
the giant pickles?

- Oh, good Lord.
- Mary Ellen.

You were supposed
to mop this floor.

Well, I'll do it right now,
mama.

I did it.

Well, I'm sorry. I just forgot.

That's the third time this week.

Well..

[door creaking]

[cow mooing]

Chance, get out of here.

Ben, Jason, take that cow
back to the stall.

Hey, mama,
I don't know how she got out.

I'm sitting there
just playing marbles.

Look what she did to my flowers.

And they were just getting
a good start.

I'm sorry, mama.

Well, it's not your fault,
Elizabeth.

(Elizabeth)
'I guess I left
Chance's stall door open.'

Elizabeth, I have told you
and told you..

- Not to play in that stall.
- I'm sorry, mama.

Jason, the wood box
is empty again.

- I told Ben to fill it.
- Well, I told Jim-Bob.

And who did Jim-Bob tell?
Reckless?

- Reckless!
- Grandpa, that dog is..

[indistinct chatter]

- Stop, Reckless! Stop!
- Hey!

[indistinct chatter]

Crazy dog.

[clamoring]

Get him out of the kitchen.
He's got mud everywhere.

Uh, Reckless, come back,
here's a spot you missed.

Oh, I'm sorry,
it's all our fault, Livi.

Everybody is sorry
and nobody's sorrier than I am.

What?

What are you doing?

What's the matter?
You-you resting?

Mama?

Aren't you gonna
ever speak to us again?

[door shuts]

What's going on in here?

Well, all of a sudden, uh

Livi begin to act
sort of peculiar.

Peculiar?

Nobody does the chores
they're supposed to do

so I end up doing them

and then Reckless comes in
and ruins everything.

Well, I understand
you're aggravated, Liv.

Why don't we all simmer down
and, uh, and talk this over?

There has been enough talk
and blame-passin'

and sorry-sayin'.

If you don't wanna talk,
what do you wanna do?

I'm doin' it.

What's that?

I'm staging my own personal
sit-down strike.

Oh, she's having
a sit-down strike.

Grandpa,
what's a sit-down strike?

Uh, these fellows in Detroit
started it.

They sort of plunk themselves
down in the middle of things

and they don't budge
till they get it arbitrated on

and get what they want.

What do you want, mama?

I want better working conditions

no more excuses
and a little cooperation.

Well, now..

Alright.

Alright, Liv,
we're ready to arbitrate.

[instrumental music]

(Earl)
A house is more than
walls and floors

a ceiling and a roof.

It's all the words
that were spoken there

all the cries and whispers,
all the good times and the bad.

[fire crackling]

- John.
- Hm?

- Smoke.
- Hm?

John..

[dramatic music]

Girls, come on!

- Wake up! Fire.
- John-Boy!

[clamoring]

Hurry up! Get up!

(John)
'There's a fire, kids.'

[clamoring]

Boys, fire.

Jason, Jim-Bob, wake up.

[clamoring]

- 'Fire!'
- 'Stop. Now, come on.'

[coughing]

- The house is on fire.
- What?

[indistinct chatter]

Let's go.

Mama, you alright?

[screaming]

Get out of here, Esther.
Give me that robe.

[indistinct chatter]

[fire crackling]

[clamoring]

[coughing]

Mary Ellen, Elizabeth, hurry!

[dog barking in distance]

Well, there, Elizabeth,
come on. Hurry up!

(Olivia)
'Erin, somebody,
come down quickly.'

[coughing]

- 'Erin..'
- 'Alright let's go, everybody.'

- Get ready! Come on!
- Where is everybody?

Come on!

Come on, everybody!

Come on! Here we go!

[indistinct yelling]

- 'Come on!'
- 'Come on!'

- No, stay out! Out!
- Out! Out!

Get outside and stay out.
Get outside and stay out.

- 'Out!'
- 'Outside and stay outside.'

[clamoring]

- 'Come on, get out.'
- 'Get out!'

(John)
'Out! Everybody, out!'

[coughing]

(John)
'Outside!'

Erin! Erin, get up!

Mama!

[indistinct yelling]

Jason, get that axe
and get some help!

You boys give the blanket to..

[clamoring]

Liv, c-come back here.

[clamoring]

John-Boy! Erin!

[indistinct yelling]

[screaming]

(Elizabeth)
'Erin!'

'Erin!'

[indistinct yelling]

[indistinct yelling]

Will you let go?

I'm coming!

(Earl)
The fire was the most
frightening thing

we'd ever been through
on the mountain.

This room
had suffered the least damage.

So while all the children
were given a place to stay

with friends and neighbors,
the grown-ups stayed here.

We spend our whole lives
trying to raise our kids

and give them a proper home.

Now they're scattered
to the winds

and the house
is nothing but a shell.

Oh, honey, there's nothing gone
we can't replace.

We had hard times
even from the beginning

and we got through 'em somehow.

But here we are, still stumblin'

and picking' ourselves up
over and over.

And I don't think
I can pick myself up anymore.

Liv, you're over-tired, honey.

Let's see if we can get
a good night's rest.

Maybe tomorrow
things won't look so grim.

We'll get through.

We're always looking for a way
to get through.

Makes a person wonder
why we struggle so.

Liv, you're not listening to me.

[sighs]

I got two good strong hands

and a strong back.

I'll put this place
back together for you again.

You know you, um

you probably made a big mistake
a long time ago.

What?

Well, now

right now you could be married
to Oscar Cockrell

be the wife
of a big state senator

living in the lap of luxury
down Richmond Way.

[chuckles]
Well, I didn't love
Oscar Cockrell.

And besides,
he married Doddie Roberts.

I hear Doddie left him.

[sighs]

We'll just go down
to the courthouse tomorrow.

Get me a divorce and go
chasing after Oscar Cockrell.

You see?

I told you things
would look better tomorrow.

Tsk. Oh, get out.

[laughing]

(Earl)
Elizabeth had been more
deeply affected by the fire

than anyone knew.

Even after the house
had been rebuilt

she was afraid to come home.

Elizabeth.

'Elizabeth.'

Why did you have
to find me here?

(John-Boy)
'You can't sleep up here.'

Why not?

All by yourself?

That's what I want.

You're thinking about the fire,
aren't you?

It's not gonna happen again,
honey.

There's no reason to be afraid.

I'm not afraid.

Then why are you acting
this way?

Don't you know how much
you're worrying your mama?

I don't want mama to worry.

Well, she is worried.

'And she's worried
because she cares about you.'

And I don't understand it,
but lately you've been acting

as though you don't care
about her or anybody.

- I don't. I don't care.
- 'Elizabeth.'

I never want to care about
anyone or anything ever again.

- You don't mean that.
- Yes, I do, John-Boy, I do.

Whenever I care,
terrible things happen.

What terrible things?

Lucy Arnold was my best friend.
Lucy died.

Calico, the mama cat,
my raccoon, my butterfly..

It always happens,
John-Boy, always.

Whenever I love something,
it dies.

Oh, please, I don't want you

or mama or daddy
or anybody to die.

Mama's fine. We're all fine.

Now I'm scared, John-Boy.

[cricket chirping]

[Elizabeth sobbing]

[instrumental music]

Honey..

Sometimes you do lose people
that you love.

That's a hard thing.

But it doesn't happen
because you love 'em.

It just happens
because it's part of nature.

'You can't keep somebody safe
by pretending not to love them.'

'It just doesn't work,
believe me.'

'Everybody's afraid.'

Everybody?

Yeah.

'The best way I know
to get over it is just, uh..'

'...put myself smack-dab
in the middle of people'

'that I do love,
people who love me.'

'That seems to make it all
worthwhile.'

Why don't you try that? This
other thing didn't work, did it?

It was awful.

[music continues]

(John)
'Drove all the way down to
Ike's, there's no sign of her.'

(Olivia)
'Didn't see her on the road
anywhere.'

(Esther)
'Well, what can we do?'

'But you said you've been
everywhere, right?'

[clamoring]

Everybody.

Elizabeth's home.

[instrumental music]

Mama.

[chuckles]
Elizabeth,
we were so worried about you.

Are you sure
it was daddy who pulled up?

Don't peek, Elizabeth.
You'll ruin the surprise.

- Shh.
- Everybody, be quiet. Be quiet.

(Zeb)
'We weren't expecting him.'

'I hope everybody's home.'

(all)
Surprise!

- Happy birthday, grandma.
- Happy birthday.

You look great.

[indistinct chatter]

[instrumental music]

During grandma's birthday party

we'll journey back in time
to Walton's Mountain

visit with members of our cast
and then travel to Virginia

where all these stories began
many years ago.

[music continues]

[instrumental music]

(Earl)
It's time for the evening meal

a very special one,
for it's grandma's birthday.

In other parts of the country,
it's called dinner.

We called it supper.

A time to visit,
to exchange information

to catch up on all that had
happened during the day

and to give thanks
for all our blessings.

Heavenly Father, we ask
Your blessing on this food

and on those who partake of it.

We especially ask your blessing

'on one of your most devoted
daughters, Esther Walton.'

'We are grateful
for the love and strength'

'she's brought to this family
down through the years.'

- Amen.
- Amen.

- Alright, let's get it started.
- Meat loaf.

- Okay.
- Take some of those peas.

I happen to be looking
through some old snapshots today

and I ran across
some pictures of my wedding

I didn't even know I had.

Too bad
you didn't find any about

what happened
before the wedding.

It's a wonder any of us survived
everything that led up to it.

Well, if isn't Dr. Willard.
Nice of you to return.

Would've been even nicer
if you'd let us know..

- You were leaving.
- Mary Ellen..

Dear sweet, gentle, Mary Ellen.

It sure is great to be back.

And I did let you know.

(Erin)
'Mary Ellen, I..'

He left a letter..

Last Sunday morning.

Oh, I didn't want him to come
between you and David so..

[sighs]
so I burned it.

Oh, Erin.

It's okay,
it's-it's all over now.

You stay out of this, Curt!
How could you do that, Erin?

I didn't want
the wedding spoiled.

I saw you kissing
last Saturday night.

Oh, it didn't mean a thing!

Well, I hope it did,
Mary Ellen..

Because I'm gonna marry you.

I suppose you call that
a proposal.

It's the best one
you're gonna get from me.

Well, I wouldn't marry you,
Curtis Willard

if you were
the last man on Earth!

(male #1)
'Do you, Curtis take this woman'

'to be your true
and lawful wife?'

I do.

(male #1)
'And do you, Marry Ellen'

'take this man to be your true
and lawful husband?'

I do.

(male #1)
'And now by the authority
vested in me'

'as the minister of the gospel
by the old dominion..'

'...and in the name
of the Father and of the son'

'and of the Holy Spirit..'

'...I pronounce you
man and wife.'

'Therefore whom God hath
joined together..'

'...let not man put asunder.'

[instrumental music]

(Earl)
It's always a great
satisfaction for grandma

to be with her grown
grandchildren.

And to recall
the role she played

in their younger years.

Like the time she prepared
her eldest grandson

to preach a sermon
in Reverend Fordwick's absence.

Now..

You-you just sit there.

And make out like
you're in church.

Alright.

[clears throat]

"For dust thou art

'and unto dust
shalt thou return!"'

You see, that way you get
their attention right off

and that-that's very important.

Yeah. It sure works.

Yeah. "For dust thou art and
unto dust shalt thou return."

Oh! You-you remember
when God got so mad at Adam

and all that commotion
about Adam and Eve

'and eating
the forbidden fruit.'

- I remember.
- Yeah.

Well, I-I thought
you might like to talk against

original sin.

Hmm.

And, well, it goes on
from there, you know.

And that
all that begetting went on

for the longest time and until
they peopled the Earth.

And-and you-you know
what people are.

Yeah. "And-and God saw
the wickedness.."

Excuse me.

"And God saw that
the wickedness of man

'"was great on the Earth.'

'"And-and all the imaginations'

'"of his thought, of his heart'

'was nothing but evil!
Continually."'

And, well,
I skipped the verse there.

And God said,
"I will destroy man

who I have created
from the face of the Earth!"

Ex-except Noah.
Now, he-he worked for the God.

Uh, you're still in Genesis,
aren't you?

Yeah, well,
then-then came the flood

the ark, the animals

and then all that begetting
started again.

So, so, I-I skipped.

Hmm.

"If thou would do evil.."

Here it goes again.

Don't you do that on the pulpit,
you hear?

"If thou do which is evil

be afraid."

Now, evil is one of those words

you can drive home.

And vengeance is another one.

'"Vengeance is mine,
saith the Lo.."'

Uh, "vengeance is mine

I shall repay, saith the Lord."

Well, it-it-it's all in here
for you, John-Boy.

'Study it and..'

Well, you know, I-I've
listened to the Gospel

most all my life
and-and when I was a girl

we used to go to what they call
protracted meetings

where the preaching went on
for a whole week

'and sometimes we have
a dozen preachers'

'in it or more.'

Well, Reverend Fordwick
is alright but, oh

I like those old time preachers.

And what I did was I just
took the best of everything

that they-they said and

'and well, I-I-I've put it
down for you.'

Well, they're for you, John-Boy.

Thank you.

Did you hurt your hand?

Well, it-it'll work out.
It's, uh..

You know, maybe you oughta
practice that.

'That pounding because'

'there must be a knack
in doing it right.'

I will.

Grandpa.

[instrumental music]

For in her tongue
is the law of kindness

Proverbs thirty one,
verse twenty..

- Six.
- Six. Yes.

All about a virtuous woman

for her price is far above
that of ruby.

You know,
with everybody thinking back

and remembering lately

I found myself doing
the same thing the other day.

I was working over the forge

and staring
at those red hot coals

and I remembered
the time that John-Boy

was trying
to warn everybody about

what Hitler was doing
over in Europe.

But the way things turned out
it's a wonder

nobody would listen to him.

Now, everybody knows
Buck Vernon there

can find you anything
you're looking for.

It's most appropriate
that he found for me

a real piece of junk..

"Mein Kampf."

[indistinct chatter]

I propose..

'that tonight
we have a symbolic'

'book burning of our own!'

Hitler may replace the Bible

with his own book in Germany

but it shall never happen here!

[all cheering]

Yeah. Yeah!

While I was at it, I found

a whole bundle of German books!

Uh, I just had 'em

to keep the fire warm!

John-Boy, stay out of..

- Would you stop that right now?
- Now, hold on, you young...

[clamoring]

I didn't mean to go this far.
John-Boy, calm down.

Put your hand off me.

This is my fault.

I started this whole thing
with my newspaper, I know that.

But you misunderstood me!

'I was trying to show you
what people are capable of'

'out of ignorance
and out of fear'

and out of hatred!

Do you realize that this kind
of thing is happening

all over Germany?

All over Germany!

'And right now, Germany and
Walton's Mountain are not very'

'far apart in my mind!'

I read that a foreign tyrant

was publishing his plans
to take over the world

and was carrying out
those plans.

I thought you ought to have the
opportunity to know about it!

Just like I'd take
the opportunity to tell you

if there was a-a blight
that was threatening your crops

or some kind of scandal that
was threating your government.

I mean, that's freedom,
as far as I can see it.

And if you choose not to know
about it, that's freedom too

but if you take a book
and if you burn this book

then you can't know about it!

And you'd have your freedom
taken away from you!

Do you understand me?

And if there's anybody here

who feels that this book

is more dangerous in one piece

than it is burning in ashes
in that fire

then I want you to come up here

I want you to take it
out of my hands

I want you to throw it
in the fire right now!

Throw them all in the fire!

[instrumental music]

My Lord.

My Lord, I wish
there was someone here

who could read German.

[music continues]

Mrs. Brimmer?

Mrs. Brimmer, will you
read this to us, please?

[speaking in foreign language]

Alright, now, you read that
for us in English, alright.

Just that part.

"In the beginning

"God created Heaven and Earth..

'"...and the Earth
was without form..'

'"...and void and darkness'

'"was upon the face
of the deep..'

'"...and the spirit of God'

'"moved upon
the face of the waters.'

"And God spoke..

Let there be light."

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

These books should be
in good hands, John-Boy.

Both of them.

You know, the power of words
is something to behold.

I realized why John-Boy
wanted to become a writer.

That's when I started
to prepare myself

for the moment
when he'd strike out on his own.

After that trip to New York

I knew he wouldn't be
around here much longer.

[instrumental music]

[sighs]
It's getting chilly.

Winter is coming on.

Wild geese will be flying
South any day now.

John-Boy, you're awful quiet
tonight.

I got a lot on my mind.

Nothing's ever stirred me up
in my whole life

like seeing that city
for the first time.

[instrumental music]

'I reckon'

'if you're born there,
you might take it for granted.'

[John inhales deeply]
'Being a country boy..'

it's a love affair
right from the start.

Just being on that island..

Gave me such a feeling..

Promise and adventure..

'...like the wildest things
I ever dreamed in my whole life'

'could... happen.'

There's a hotel called
the Algonquin..

And that's where a lot of real..

Great writers get together.

'I stood across the street
from them... for a long time.'

'And I'm not sure but I think
I saw Dorothy Parker'

'and Robert Benchley come out
and get into a taxi cab.'

[instrumental music]

[sighs]

It's the same sky looking down
on Times Square

but it seems like a whole
different world to me.

Well, now..

How do you young folks
feel about, uh

your first born flying the coop?

I don't think we can get him
to stay, pa, even if we tried.

[instrumental music]

I've been meaning to, uh..

There's no need to, son.

Guess I'd better get busy
darning your socks.

I don't think there's a one of
'em that doesn't have a hole.

Well, don't forget
your way home, son.

I never will.

[instrumental music]

[sighs]

[music continues]

[sobs]

[music continues]

(Earl)
I did leave Walton's Mountain

to live and work
in New York City.

I wrote more novels
and raised a family of my own.

Today, we live in California

but no matter where I am

the call of the nightbird

the rumble of a train
crossing a trestle

the scent of crab apple

bellowing of a sleepy cow

can call me home again.

In memory I stand before
that small white house

and I can still hear
those sweet voices.

- 'Goodnight, momma.'
- 'Goodnight, Ben.'

(Olivia)
'Goodnight, Jim-Bob.'

(Jim-Bob)
'Goodnight, momma.'

- 'Goodnight, Erin.'
- 'Goodnight, Jim-Bob.'

- 'Goodnight, grandpa.'
- 'Goodnight, Erin.'

(Zeb)
'Goodnight, Jason.'

(Jason)
'Goodnight, grandpa.'

- 'Goodnight, daddy.'
- 'Goodnight, Jason.'

- 'Goodnight, Elizabeth.'
- 'Goodnight, daddy.'

(Elizabeth)
'Goodnight, John-Boy.'

Goodnight, everybody.

I love you.

[instrumental music]

(Earl)
Our "Decade Of The Waltons"
will continue in just a moment.

[instrumental music]

- Happy birthday, grandma.
- Happy birthday!

- Open it.
- You'll like it.

We've been working on this
all week.

We had a lot of fun with it.

I love it myself.

The thing's the best!

- There you go.
- Is that the print?

Guess what the first picture is,
grandma?

- That's the front.
- Here we go.

[instrumental music]

We all have special memories
of grandpa.

My favorite is one I don't think
you even know about grandma.

It was when you were in
the hospital after your stroke.

Hold it. Hold it, Mary Ellen.

You can come out
from behind that foliage, Zeb.

I'd know you anywhere.
Come on, both of you, out.

He promised to behave himself,
Curt.

I don't care what he promised,
he's not allowed in here.

Esther and I have been together
for over 50 years

through good times
and bad times.

And you're trying
to keep us apart

just when we need
one another most!

I don't have any choice.

Grandma's got to have quiet

if she's gonna get well.

Oh, yeah, whatever happened
to families

that took care of one another.

Time was, born at home,
got sick at home

'was taken care of at home'

'by-by people
that love one another.'

They died at home too!

'Because they didn't have
doctors on duty'

'24 hours a day'

and nurses and modern
medical equipment.

Zeb, you gotta give up Esther
long enough

to let us make her well.

Alright.

If you and this hospital
are gonna take over from me..

You better do a first class job.

First class!

[instrumental music]

Oh, he didn't have much patience
for rules and regulations.

- It didn't make sense to him.
- Yes.

I think some
of his grandchildren

can be just as stubborn.

Why are you looking at me, mama?

Oh, for about 10,000 reasons,
I'd say.

Like the time
you were determined

to have your baby at home
when Curt thought

'you should go to the hospital.'

- Oh.
- Ah.

[all laughing]

[exhales deeply]

[groans]

I'll be right back.

[instrumental music]

This labor's going on
far too long.

It's not the length of the labor

that worries me,
it's the dilation.

And I think that I'd have to do
a caesarean.

[Mary Ellen screaming]

[breathing heavily]

Ahh..

Damn, I hate waitin'!

I always have.

Miserable, isn't it?

I always take comfort
in the old saying

"They also serve
who only stand and wait."

Only I never could
figure out how!

We've had a lot of experience,
haven't we, pa, between us.

[chuckles]
Sure have.

Only this time, you're the grand
and I'm the great.

[Mary Ellen groans]

Easy.

Easy there, son.

All of us..

Hope to ease the pain
of a loved one.

That's almost impossible.

You know, you give life
you and Olivia to..

Mary Ellen there.

Pain is very much
a part of life.

[door opens]

[instrumental music]

Gentlemen..

Meet your new grandson.

Oh!

Wow! Wow, whoopie!

[laughs]

(Earl)
In real life, Ellen Corby

who plays grandma had suffered
a severe stroke.

Her speech had been affected

and she was paralyzed
on her right side.

But Ellen like grandma
fought back.

She learned to speak again
and to walk.

And after an absence
of nearly two years

grandma came home.

In trying to make things
easy for grandma

the family mostly made her feel
like an invalid.

And that was the last thing
she wanted to be.

Am I interrupting something?

Oh, it's, yes.

Thought you might wanna
help me snap some beans.

It's kinda nice having company
for sitting down chores.

Oh, is it?

It's more than one way
to skin a cat.

[laughs]

There's no need to rush,
grandma.

Take all morning if you want to.

[indistinct]

All afternoon, for that matter.

[indistinct]

Don't get upset.

You don't have to rush,
you hear me?

[indistinct]

It took me a long time
when I had polio

before I could put one foot
in front of the other

without thinkin' about it.

Listen to me..

Don't..

Don't need..

I'm sorry, grandma.

Need me!

- Need you?
- Yes.

Oh, grandma, we do need you!

[indistinct]

You don't think
anybody needs you?

[mumbling]
Me! Me! Me!

[dramatic music]

[indistinct]

It's alright, grandma.
It's alright, grandma.

[sobbing]

[indistinct]

You know, she's been
writing this journal

for a long time now.

I never once looked into it.

But there comes a time when
a secret isn't a secret anymore.

I was hoping I might find out
from here that

what was wrong with your mom.

What'd you find out?

Right here.

Just a few days before she comes
home from the hospital..

She-she wrote down..

"I have come to realize

"that my loss of speech
is punishment

"for having been sharp-tongued
in the past.

'"I have made a solemn promise
to the Lord'

'"that if he allows me
to go home'

'"I will always
be uncomplaining'

'"with my family and friends.'

'"And not force my opinions'

'on others."'

And that is exactly
what she's been doing.

Always smiling and agreeable.

Never complaining.

No wonder she can't talk!

She got it all locked up
here inside..

[instrumental music]

Is that all, Esther?

What kind of a promise
you've made

if you don't get mad
when I've been

prying into your most
private thoughts?

Why, I've seen the time

if I did a thing like this,
you'd have hauled off

and walloped me
with the first thing

you could get your hands on.

[instrumental music]

You always were stubborn
as a mule!

Ma never did make a promise
she didn't keep.

No, grandpa, I think
we're all kinda guilty

'of over-protecting her.'

What are you talking about, Liv?

We have treated her
like a queen!

More like an invalid.

We're shovering that ol' rocker.

Every time she tries
to do something

somebody rushes in
to give her a hand.

'She might as well not even
get out of bed in the morning.'

We're just trying to do
what's best for her, Liv.

When you're older,
you need to feel

like you're good for something.

Like you need it.

'We've taken that
away from her, grandpa.'

[instrumental music]

[door creaks]

[birds chirping]

[door creaks]

Esther?

I allowed the things around here

that are not right.

And I'll admit to being wrong

about half of it.

'However, I would like
to point out to you'

'it was the good Lord himself'

that made you the sharp tongue
woman that you were.

He did it to add flavor
to this family

the way you put
salt and pepper in a stew.

Keep it from being so flat.

And if he did take away
your speech

maybe he did it
as a lesson to us

not you.

And by golly!

We need a little season
around here

otherwise life would be
just too dull!

Tasteless, without it.

Now, Esther..

Maybe you did make
a promise to the good Lord

that everything will be
sweetness in life

if he just let you come home
from the hospital.

However, I also made
a promise to the Lord

that I will let you sit in
the sun and not lift a finger

if he just let you
get well enough

to come back with me.

However, I am going
to break that promise..

And ask the Lord's forgiveness.

And I hope you do likewise.

[instrumental music]

Old woman, if you want
any breakfast

you better start
sweeping this porch

and earn your keep!

And that's the way it's going
to be from now on out.

[gasps]

Whoopie!

You've come home, Esther!
You've come home!

[laughing]

You old fool!

[instrumental music]

Ah..

(Earl)
We will return to grandma's
birthday party in a moment.

[instrumental music]

♪ It's still the same
old story ♪

♪ A fight for love and glory ♪

♪ A case of do or die ♪

♪ The world will always
welcome lovers ♪

♪ As time ♪

♪ Goes by ♪♪

Very nice.

I bet I know what mom and daddy
are thinking about.

Yeah, that's the song we sang at
your 25th wedding anniversary.

When I discovered
that I'd married

just about the most romantic man
in the world.

What do you mean "Just about?"

[all laughing]

[birds chirping]

[instrumental music]

May I have this dance?

[laughs]

[music continues]

Now, I know how you feel about
drinking, Liv

but one glass of champagne
every 25 years

won't turn you into a sinner.

Anymore than two or three
visits to church

will make you into a saint.

Olivia... this has been
the best 25 years of my life.

Mm, doesn't taste like
I thought it would.

- Want me to finish it for you?
- No.

Mm.

Well, I never thought
I'd be dancing

and drinking champagne today.

You turned out to be
a regular Sir Galahad.

[laughs]
I'd appreciate it if you
wouldn't let that get around.

[instrumental music]

- It's good.
- Mm-hmm.

Well, the sun's strainin'
to get down.

Maybe we ought to
think about heading back.

Let's just wait a little longer.

I wanna make a wish
on the first star.

♪ Oh Beulah Land
sweet Beulah Land ♪

♪ As on thy highest
mount I stand ♪

♪ I look away across the sea ♪

♪ Where mansions are prepared
for me ♪

♪ And view the shining
glory shore ♪

♪ My heav'n
my home forevermore! ♪

(Earl)
Oh, April 22nd 1978

America lost a national treasure

and each of us
lost a beloved friend

with the death of Will Geer.

We were all on vacation
when Will died

and his death came
as a great shock.

We never had a chance
to say farewell

so to help us to deal
with his passing

we decided to say
goodbye on "The Waltons."

Grandpa, you know Jay Bezz.

He was the pig
from my fourth grade project

the one Clarence gave me?

'Well... I'm keeping him
at home now.'

'And he's getting nice and fat'

'for the fair
we're going to have.'

I hope we don't move to Richmond
before the fair.

[mellow music]

Got a real nice spot up here,
grandpa.

Had a little bit
of rain this season

so everything's going real nice.

Guess you already know that.

I've been thinking about you
a lot lately, grandpa.

G.W. too.

If you see him
tell him I love him.

I miss you both very much.

[music continues]

Grandpa, there's a lot of you
in John Curtis.

He likes to hold his hands out
to all kinds of people

just like you did.

And he loves playing
in the dirt.

I think he's gonna be
close to nature.

The way you were.

Dad is lettin' me
use your tools now, grandpa.

He was gone for a few days,
and while he was gone I..

I didn't get in
too much trouble.

We sure take good care of them.

I heard this song
the other day, grandpa.

It reminded me of you.

It's one of your favorites.

[harmonica music]

[instrumental music]

Old man..

You live..

In all of us.

Goodnight, ma.

- You think she had a good time?
- I'm sure she did.

She's got the photograph album
in bed with her.

There's still
a few empty pages at the end.

Yeah.

With this family,
I'm sure we'll fill 'em up.

In a few moments
it'll be my pleasure

to introduce you to our cast

and the members of my family

they have portrayed
on "The Waltons"

and then we'll visit
Schuyler, Virginia

where these stories began.

Please stay with us.

For the past eight years

some extraordinarily
gifted actors

have acted out
the life of a family.

Through their talents
they have illuminated

those large and small moments

that taken together
are the fabric of life.

Through their art
they have moved us

to laughter and to tears.

And through their caring
they have created characters

that will live in our hearts.

When we film the "Homecoming"
Kami Cotler was six years old.

'In the eight years
we've worked together'

'a good many
happy things have happened'

'and one of the most pleasant
is watching Kami grow up.'

Kami, were there times
when you thought

of The Walton brothers
and sisters

as if they were
real brothers and sisters?

Most of the time.

We've always teased each other

like real brothers and sisters.

And played together
like real brothers and sisters.

I think we'll always be close.

There's one viewer who's watched
the series with special interest

her name is Nancy Hamner Jameson

and she is my youngest sister.

The model for the character
of Elizabeth.

Kami, I'd like you
to meet Nancy.

Kami, I'm glad
to finally meet you.

- You're very pretty.
- Thank you.

I've had people tell me
that you and I look a lot alike.

How does it feel to have your
life's story on television.

It's almost like
living your life over again.

I only know about you up to
the time you're 14

what's your life like today?

I live in Richmond, Virginia

I'm married to Garnet Jameson

and I work at the
Virginia Commission of Game

in Inland Fisheries.

Do you watch the show?

I never miss it.

Thank you, Nancy.
It was nice to meet you.

Goodbye, Kami.

(Earl)
When we first met David Harper
as Jim-Bob

he was eight years old.

He needed a haircut
and he was a terrific actor.

'Today he's a fine young man'

and still one of the best actors
in the business.

David, do strangers ever come up
to you and call you Jim-Bob?

Sometimes.

(Earl)
'Do they ever
comment on the show?'

Well, most of the time they
tell me that their favorite part

is when we all say "Goodnight."

We really did that at home.

Last thing we did
before we're going to sleep

we'd all call goodnight
to each other.

You still do that?

There's someone
standing by in Virginia

he's the grown up Jim-Bob.
Brother James.

Let's ask him.

How 'bout it, Jim, you still say
goodnight all over the house?

Well, only my mother and I
live here now.

But sometimes when the brothers
and sisters are home

and some of my nieces
and nephews are here

we still say goodnight that way.

You've had me do
some crazy things on this show.

One time I brought home
a peacock.

Did you ever do that?

As a matter of fact I did.

I found a peacock wandering
around in the road one night

it was kind of dazed,
so I picked it up

and put it in the car,
brought it home.

We kept it for a long time.

On the show for about
three years now

I've been trying to
get into the air corp

and in the last show
I finally made it.

Did that really happen to you?

No, I ended up
in the medical corps

and spent most
in the World War II

at Letterman General Hospital
in San Francisco.

Did you stay
in that kind of work?

In a way. Today I work at the
University of Virginia Hospital.

What's it feel like
when you watch the show?

I gotta tell you, most of
the time we sit around and cry.

- Is it that bad?
- No, David, it's that good.

(Earl)
We've seen the character
of Jason

grow from a small boy
interested in music

to a young man who has become
a working composer.

Because of the warmth of
Jon Walmsley's

portrayal of Jason

'he's been a favorite of
everyone on Walton's Mountain.'

The one time he showed signs
of becoming spoiled

was when he went to live
with the Baldwin ladies

'had a room of his own
and breakfast in bed.'

(Clifton)
'And probably his first taste
of the recipe.'

Is that you, Cliff?

My brother Cliff,
the model for Jason.

Jon, when are you
coming back to Virginia?

I'm still trying to recover
from that last trip

when you showed me the town.

I thought you were having
a good time.

(Jason)
'I was having a little
too good a time.'

That was the problem.

Cliff, I think our audience
would like to know

what kind of person you are.

Well, I have three children.

I work for
machine manufacturing company.

[indistinct]
And whenever I can

I go to the country
where we grew up.

Your brother has always written

Jason as a musical character

How close is that
to your own life?

Well, I can dance
from the time the sun goes down

'til it comes up again.

I love music, but the truth is
I cannot carry a tune.

Hope one of these days
you'll come out to Hollywood

and I'll show you the town the
way you showed me at Richmond.

I look forward to that, Jon.

Good to see you again, Cliff.

Good to see you, Jon.

A few years ago
my sister Marion Hawkes

visited the set of "The Waltons"

and ended up in the show
we were filming at the time.

'At that time she met
the actress'

'who had been portraying her
Judy Norton Taylor.'

Hello again, Judy.

Hi, Marion.

Early in the series you were
always written as a tomboy.

How close to the truth is that?

I was a terrible tomboy.

Growing up in the house
with all those older brothers

I learned to fight practically
as soon as I learned to walk.

I know you became a nurse

just as Mary Ellen does
on the series.

I practiced nursing for a while
even after I married.

Did you marry a doctor?

Glenn has his doctorate
in psychology

so I suppose you could say
I did marry a doctor.

He's a professor at Virginia
Commonwealth University

and we have two sons
Rob and Bill.

Rob teaches art
and Bill is a student at VCU.

Do you have a busy life?

(Marion)
'There aren't hours enough
in the day.'

I play golf,
I collect antiques, I paint

and I work as a hostess
and tour-guide

for Wan Bus Line.

Of course we include a visit
to our hometown of Schuyler.

Would you like to
re-live those days

that we show on television
when you were growing up?

In a way, we do that.

Every Thursday night
when we watch "The Waltons."

(Earl)
In the original novel
of the "Homecoming"

there were
eight brothers and sisters

just as there are
in my own family.

When CBS decided
that the book should become

a television special

they asked us to combine
two of the characters into one.

Thus my brothers Bill and Paul
became a composite

the character played
by Eric Scott.

Now, if I've been playing two
people all these years

shouldn't I've been paid
twice the salary?

Eric, meet one half
of your real life counterpart

my brother Paul.

I agree with Eric,
he does deserve a raise.

[chuckles]
Thanks, Paul.

You know, Ben has been
something of a business man

on the series.

How does that match up
to your life?

I've worked for
Baker's Shoes Stores

in New York and New Jersey
for the past 23 years.

How do you remember these years
we've been dramatizing

on television?

They were good years, Eric.

What is your life like today?

My two children are grown
and go to college.

I live in New Jersey,
but I love Virginia

and I come home whenever I can.

Eric, the other half
of your character

is standing by in Virginia.

Meet my brother Bill.

How'd you like the way I've been
playing your half of Ben, Bill?

You're doing a good job, Eric.

Well, I can see
why I got the part.

At least our hair
is the same color.

'Well, Bill,
do you have a family?'

Yes, I'm married
and I have three children

and I work in Richmond.

Are there any stories about Ben
we haven't told yet

that you'd like to see?

Yes, but you can't tell them
on television.

(Earl)
Eight years ago
the role of Erin was created

by a gloriously beautiful
little girl.

In the intervening years
she grew up to be

this gloriously beautiful
young woman Mary Beth McDonough.

Earl, on the show something has
always gone wrong

when Erin falls in love.

How 'bout your sister Audrey?

Did she ever have
a happy love affair?

Well, let's ask her.

Mary Beth McDonough,
my sister Audrey Hamner Hankins.

Mary Beth, I think I had
about as many boyfriends

as you've had on the show.

But eventually Hank came along
and we were married.

Well, maybe that'll happen
to Erin Walton someday.

I hope so. She's only has had
her heart broken enough times.

Erin thinks
she'd like to have a career

but it might be good for her
to settle down.

(Audrey)
'It was for me.'

We live on a farm

west side of Roanoke
in Bedford County.

We have five children.

Four sons and our daughter Windy
is still in high school.

I now work
as a donor resources consultant

for the American Red-Cross.

What's it been like for you
to be compared to Erin Walton?

Well, I've taken
a lot of teasing.

So have I. It was nice talking
with you, Audrey.

Goodbye, Mary Beth.
Come to Virginia when you can.

Thank you, Audrey.

Walton's Mountain
is actually located here

in the foothills
of the Blue Ridge Mountains

of Virginia.

My people withdrawn to these
mountains and peaceful valleys

when the country was young.

They settled here,
cleared the land

and planted their crops
along the banks

of the winding Rockfish River.

[instrumental music]

(Earl)
I grew up in a small town
of Schuyler

about 28 miles south
of Charlottesville.

Little has changed
down through the years

and whenever I return
to Virginia

I go back in time
to another life

the life I led as a boy

and I'm filled
with a strong exaltation.

I'm home again.

This the house where we lived
those years

as we brought to life
on "The Waltons."

My mother still lives here

and is always ready
to welcome us home.

[instrumental music]

- Mom, it's good to be home.
- It's good to have you home.

You know, when I think of this
house when I'm away from here

the one thing I remember is
what good food we always had.

- You're a good cook.
- I still am.

And I hope you're going to
stay long enough

to enjoy some good home cooking.

Well, I certainly am.

Another thing I remember is that

when all of us
were away at night

when we'd come home there'd
always be a light in the window.

Well, neither your daddy
nor I could sleep

till we knew
you were safe in your beds.

And now we're scattered
all over the world

and you don't know
if we're safe in our beds.

I still pray for each one of you
before I go to sleep.

World's changed a lot
since those years

that we were growing up.

It's hard to be a parent today

but I think
that children still need

the same thing they always did.

They need to be guided
and they need to be loved.

Since "The Waltons"
went on television

I know you've received visitors
from all over the world.

What do most of them
want to know?

The most common question
they ask is

"If your children were as well
behaved as the Walton children?"

Were we?

Well, I'd tell them you were.

[both laughing]

(Earl)
My father died in 1969.

So he never got to see
"The Waltons."

He was a fine man,
and we still miss him.

Whenever we come home
we always come here

to pay our respects,
and to remember him.

[instrumental music]

(Earl)
I have walked the land
in the footsteps

of all of my fathers

back in time
to where the first one trod.

And stopped, saw sky, felt wind

bent to touch Mother Earth

and called this home.

This mountain,
this pine and hemlock

oak and poplar,
laurel wild and rhododendron

home and mountain

father, mother

grow to the sons and daughters

to walk the old paths

to look back in pride
in honored heritage.

To hear its laughter
and its song.

To grow to stand
and be themselves

one day remembered.

I have walked the land
in the footsteps

of all my fathers.

I saw yesterday
and now look to tomorrow.

Someone once asked
my sister Marion

where Waltons Mountain is.

And she said, "It's somewhere
my brother was very happy."

We've been happy here.

And I hope that
in the past eight years

we've entertained you

that we have enriched your lives
in some small way.

And that whenever possible we've
made some affirmative statement

about us as a people

and about people
as a part of all mankind.

Will Geer has started the custom
of joining hands

during the saying of grace
at meals.

And in his memory..

[instrumental music]

Goodnight, Ellen.

Goodnight.

Goodnight, Ellen.

Goodnight, Michael.

Goodnight, Ralph.

Goodnight, Eric.

Goodnight, Michael.

Goodnight, David.

Goodnight, Eric.

Goodnight, Kami.

Goodnight, David.

Goodnight, Mary Beth.

Goodnight, Kami.

Goodnight, Jon.

Goodnight, Mary.

Goodnight, Judy.

Goodnight, Jon.

[music continues]

(all)
Goodnight, everybody!

[instrumental music]

[music continues]

[music continues]