The Waltons - Ask Judy #86 - behind the scenes with Judy Norton
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- Опубликовано: 29 сен 2024
- www.judynorton.com judynortonproductions
The Waltons - Ask Judy #86 Judy Norton (Mary Ellen Walton) answers fan questions - Will Geer (Grandpa Walton) didn't drive in real life, so how were those scenes filmed when you saw Grandpa driving?
Inconsistencies in story lines and how that happened. Why Ralph Waite (John Walton) left? Was he fired? Why didn't we have the same directors and producers for the whole run of the show.
#thewaltons #judynorton #willgeer #ralphwaite
• The Waltons - Ask Judy...
John Walton, as portrayed by Ralph Waite, was the best Dad, ever. So loving and communicative when one of the kids needed guidance, but firm with important issues. I kind of thought he was not given the honors/award(s), he deserved for his role, as father, son, pillar of the community, and husband to Livy. Did he win any, perhaps, that I’m not aware of?
So glad you feel that way about Ralph as John Walton. I don’t believe he won any awards for The Waltons - but may have for other work.
Thanks for sharing the interesting insights. Being honest, I never liked replacing a character with another actor. I was disappointed when they replaced Richard Thomas. I would rather they just highlight other characters more.
I understand - as viewers we get attached to the original actors and it can be hard to embrace a new actor no matter how talented.
I watched the Moonshiner episode tonight. That's the one where Jason bails Boone out of jail and takes custody of him. I liked Boone and was hoping he was going to become a regular, to fill the hole Will Geer left when he passed away. It wouldnt have been as desirable as having Grandpa. But, still wouldve been nice.
That would have been interesting
Hi Judy thankyou so much for showing us behind the scenes of the Walton’s. I have a question about an episode of the Waltons called the pearls and my question is how can there be 2 corebeths?
It was meant to be her and her cousin. Both played by Ronnie Claire Edwards. Tricky to film that.
Hello Judy I was wondering on the episode where you became addicted to narcotics was that something that really occurred in real life with the Waltons family ?
I don’t believe it was a real incident with Earl’s sister, but couldn’t swear to it.
Judy looking absolutely Gorgeous this morning as always!!!!!
Agreed.
Thank you so much
I am so glad that you are a keeper of 'all things Waltons". Even though John Boy was the oldest child, Mary Ellen stayed and assisted the family until the end, so I think that it is very fitting that you are now the historian! Earl Hamner would be so proud!
That’s so sweet. Thank you.
Maybe The Waltons was able to maintain its high level of quality BECAUSE there were different writers, directors and producers, and the same team didn’t have to crank out episode after episode due to time constraints. As you said, Judy, Earl Hammer was the glue that held everything together, allowing each episode‘s production team to focus only on crafting the best episode they could, and letting another team worry about doing the same for the episode that followed. Just my opinion, though. Thanks, Judy!
I think you make a very valid point. That makes a lot of sense.
Richard, Michael, and Ralph's departures were initially disappointing to the viewers. However, the rest of the cast did such a wonderful job of stepping up with great acting in wonderful stories. I wish CBS would have left The Waltons on for at least a few more seasons because there were still great stories to tell. Thank goodness for the follow up movies.
Thank you. I really appreciate that.
I just saw a show on RUclips last night Word on Westerns
they did a tribute to Tom Bower and showed a clip from awhile
back when he was a guest and he talked about his career as an
actor and he also mentioned that he was a private investigator
for several years in between acting and clips of other films and
TV shows he appeared on this was a great to hear him talk about
his career and other things R.I.P. Tom and thank you Judy.🇺🇲📺🇺🇲
I watched it also, wasn't it a great interview? It was nice to learn more about his acting career.
Oh wow - that sounds like a wonderful interview.
Hello...I loved the Waltons and watch it off and on and so happy that we still can...I wish they still made programs like this...TV today is just not good like it used to be.. you look beautiful and these are so fun to watch...thank you❤...and God Bless...🙏🏻⚘️
Thank you. It would be nice to have more of this type of programming available these days.
@@judynorton2598 Amen!
Appreciate your efforts and quality content Judy, It's been a blast over the year's learning about this beloved TV show that had us gathering around to watch. It will never happen again as times have changed. It truly was Lighting in a bottle! Ty for all you do. 😊 Luv&Peace, friend ✌🏼
I so appreciate your kind message.
Like always, thank you for your hard work.
My pleasure.
Hello Judy hope everything going great for you and your family keep up the great work on the shows I love all the clips of the past
Thanks so much
Hi Judy THE Waltons Love my favorite one fan BIG 💖
Thank you :)
Regarding Ralph Waite leaving in season 9, I read that they were trying to appeal to a younger audience, and wanting to cut down on costs, ie.,his salary. His story line was that he went to be with Olivia in Arizona.
Interesting - hadn’t heard that one.
I loved watching the Walton's when I was a child, and i still enjoy it now. And it portrayed in my mind how a family should be, full of love and support for eachother ❤
So glad you feel that way about it.
Well done Judy! Thanks for the information. God bless and be safe! 😉
Thank you.
The story of Cindy's father isn't that way. Season 9 episode 8 is when he is introduced. Episode 11 is when he is killed.
Thank you for that clarification. My editor also corrected that in a caption on this video.
The episode where Ben comes home from the war and Cindy's father helps Ben is three episodes before the Carousel in which Cindy's dad is killed and she finds that she had been adopted. There was no break in continuity in this instance.
Thank you. That confirms what my editor researched. Glad to have the confirmation. My editor included a caption on this video to correct that information.
@@judynorton2598 Glad to help.
How much was Will Geer like his character in behavior. Grandpa Walton seemed like the kind of grandpa everyone would want?😆
I’ve heard it said that Grandpa Walton was the character most like Will Geer in real life. He was indeed larger than life and full of wit and energy.
@@judynorton2598 It would have been fun, if they were real, to watch Grandpa and Grandma Walton court considering their characters were so different.😄
I watch the waltons every night seen the episodes many times when I watch it it calms me love it
Glad it does that for you. Thank you for watching.
The driving scenes with Grandpa Walton driving were very effective and realistic, well done.
Yes they were also with Grandpa and the Baldwin Sisters driving to Charlottesville va
Glad it felt believable.
Excellent Judy. Oh, how I enjoy the Q & A segments, special guests, behind the scenes info…..I guess you could say I enjoy EVERYTHING. 🤣👍🏻
Thank you so much.
Hi Judy, I love your channel! I enjoyed when you had cooking segments with a friend (Michael Learned and i think others?). Any thoughts of doing that again?
Glad you enjoyed my segment with Michael in the kitchen. Kitchen segments are more complicated so I don’t do them often. As for guests in the kitchen for now that was a one time day of filming and unlikely to be repeated.
Thank-you
Videos Judy ❤️
About
Walton
Beautiful show on
📺 in 70and80
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Thank you Judy for another interesting segment, much appreciated.
My pleasure. Thanks for watching.
So sad to hear over the weekend about the death of Tom Bower. Wow. 86. Quite the age difference between Tom and Judy. 😳😳😊😊
When I read about his passing and saw his age, I thought the same thing. But Curt and Mary Ellen didn't seem that far apart in age. Another testament to what a great series was The Waltons in all aspects. May Tom Bower rest in peace and hugs to you, Judy. His passi g must tug at your heart. ❤❤❤
@marikaybatina3022 I knew there was a difference in age but never knew it was that much of difference. They sure had great chemistry with the two or great acting.
😢🙏
I took, loved his appearances, including The Wing Walker pilot role-winning grin! ❤
Keep up with these great segments of questions and answers love watching hearing them
Thank you!
Your welcome
I never was one to read the credits mainly because they would go by so fast it was hard for me to keep up with what was on the screen. Even today I don’t read the credits on any show I watch. Being dyslexic, kind of put the kink in my reading that is one reason why I hate when I come across a show that has captions. I can hear what they’re saying faster than I can read it.
It’s disappointing that more and more the credits go by so fast we can’t properly appreciate the people who worked so hard to create the shows. One of my “pet peeves” is that on most streaming platforms they either put the credits into a tiny corner of the screen while advertising some other program - or don’t even complete showing them as they count down to the next episode and then switch you over to it before the credits are even done. Makes it impossible to even pause to read them if you want to. Not sure that is even allowed per union rules. 😢
The Calf. is my very favorite episode ever!!!!I've watched all episodes probably 25 times at least. I watch everyday through the years!!
Thank you so much for continuing to watch the show.
Hi Judy I enjoy the reruns.I had watched the rerun of the orphan boy that was dropped off by I believe family relatives or friends of the Waltons, for the them to take care of him.He was totally out of control until, The Walton's friends couldn't have children and when they were interduced to him then they adopted this young boy.He was never so happy.He finally felt loved and wanted.I can relate to these episodes about the Waltons taking in orphans.I myself was a orphan in a orphanage for 3 yrs due to abandoned rejection.Thank the Lord for loving me til this day as a senior citizen.❤😂
that episode was on yesterday ........excellant show
Thank you for sharing your own story. You are speaking about the episode The Fulfillment. A sweet episode. I hope you have also enjoyed a happy story in your own journey.
Good morning, Judy! About what year was the wedding of Mary Ellen and Curt? While there are notable Christmas episodes from the pilot The Homecoming to The Best Christmas to The Children's Carol ~ did I identify all? Do you know why there was not a Christmas episode every season? Season 2 had the 2-part Thanksgiving Story which I just love still the narrated beginning! But, also there was not a Thanksgiving story every season! We will have to take this up with Mr Hamner someday!! in the great beyond! I caught an interview with Earl wherein he mentioned his contributions to the movie: The Gift of Love: A Christmas Story. The interviewer complimented Earl whereupon Earl laughed and said something like "I give good Christmas!"❤💚 So very true! Except, I just wish every season had Thanksgiving and Christmas and Easter! The processed car sequences are amazing BTS! I would have had no idea Crew Members were rocking the car and waving tree branches! Re: Actors leaving the series to pursue other acting jobs! I thought I'd die from dismay when I saw Richard Thomas in several movies where he portrayed psychotic criminals! Not John Boy! No! Once my shock subsided, I grew to appreciate the mega talent and skill he has! Fabulous in every movie! Too many to identify here. If I say this one or that one is so great, I would have a list into next week! RT really had me fooled in the film Death in Small Doses! Just fabulous and compassionate as Hank Williams, Jr. I can't remember all the titles. The Christmas Box was just lovely and Yes, Virginia ~ There is a Santa Claus ~ a terrific brogue! I keep hoping someone will find a beautiful locked wooden chest wherein Earl penned some more beautiful Christmas stories for all of us! ❤💚🙏🕊️
Mary Ellen and Curt were married in season 5 (The Wedding). The Homecoming (1971) is a Christmas movie that started itall; The Christmas episodes are The Best Christmas (season 5, 1976), The Childrens' Carol (a feature-length episode from season 6, 1977), and The Spirit (season 8, 1979). Some sources say Day of Infamy from season 7 (1978) is a Christmas episode, but I don't see it that way. I have seen both John-Boys in a movie from 1979. They play thieves.
@@docadams7099 I forgot Day of Infamy ~ they decorated the Christmas tree toward the end of that heartbreaking episode. So that would have been Dec 7 1941. So two seasons after The Wedding ~ so possibly 1938 or 39? How great you saw both Richard Thomas and Robert Wightman in a movie! Is the film online do you know? I like The Best Christmas very much! It's very homey and festive at the same time despite the tree falling on the church and the car accident! I like when Esther and Zeb visit Maude! They sing Carols! I like the snow scenes.
Thank you for writing the list of Christmas episodes! 💚❤️🌌🎄
Hi Holly, “docadams” did such a wonderful job listing the episodes, I won’t repeat them :). Mary Ellen and Curt would have been married about 1938/39. Many of these holiday events were targeted for certain time frames when shows pushed for highest ratings. The periods were called “sweeps” - but otherwise timing up shows for holidays might have been tricky. Not sure.
@@judynorton2598 I hadn't thought about competitive storylines to encourage more viewers to win more advertising dollars! For sure!! Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions and everyone's! You have homework every Monday and Thursday! 😄🩷
I worked for Ralph Waite for years after The Waltons starting with the pilot and first 6 episodes of The Mississippi, and then when the show was picked up and we shot on location in Iowa, Missouri, Tennessee and Mississippi. I'm sure you know he's like a father and I loved him dearly. I moved to LA and rented an apartment one street over from his condo, and we kept in touch for many years.
I’m so pleased you had that chance to work with and know Ralph. Wish we’d all had more years with him.
@@judynorton2598 I've always felt blessed to be adopted into Ralph's family of friends and crew because he was very loyal to the special people he kept around him, like Freddie, Pat, Virginia and Peggy. I was just a kid and I'd only worked in my state until the wonderful day the phone rang and he said, meet me in Dubuque Iowa. He kept his promises!
The driving scenes were well done. They always seemed realistic to me. Actually I think the entire show was well done. It always felt as if you were in a home and not a soundstage.
I didn’t know Ralph lived in a condo. I watched The Mississippi from the first episode and wished it continued for many more seasons.
@@yoshiyekimura8561
Raintree Condos in Culver City.. were very nice. I was over on Washington. He moved to Mulholland in the Hollywood Hills when he married Linda and also Palm Desert. Our numbers were great in our opening spot, but Harvey Shepard was in a position to schedule us at the same time as The A Team and Little House on the Prairie and it killed us.
Judy, SO interesting about the car scenes!! And, also, I hope you can interview more of the guest stars--those are amazing.
Glad your are enjoying these.
❤
Hi, thanks for answering my previous question, now I have another! Just watched "The Burden" (must be from the last season as Olivia has just left home due to her illness). In a living room scene, Daddy bring in wood for the fireplace, which seems to have a real fire burning! How did they do this safely on a sound stage? I'm guessing it was a vented gas set up?
Love hearing all about your "show biz" experiences!😊
You are correct - the fireplace had a tube that vented it out of the roof of the sound stage.
Thanks for your reply, I really enjoy hearing about the behind-the-scenes way that things were done! Thanks for sharing all that you recall😊
I could listen all day to you giving us the details on how it's done creating the magic of Hollywood. We don't have all day perhaps it might take you all day to put a segment together, you do make it look so easy and seamless. Your years of experience is serving you well. I know from my days working at San Jose Hospital my coworkers were like family we all share so many experiences together. I'm sure there was even more connection working on the set of the Walton's, playing family members certainly must have brought you all even closer together a dual experience of working and the artistry of creating the product we saw once a week. It was good then and even better now with all the backstory, memories and perspectives along with guest star participation. It really has enhanced the Walton's experience. When I tell a young person about the show who have never heard of the Waltons I say to them, if you like the Hallmark Channel you will love the Waltons. Ask your parents or grandparents who the Waltons were they'll tell you ! That's a wrap ! ❤️
Thank you so much. I’m so glad you enjoy all this content.
@@judynorton2598 your content is the icing on the applesauce cake. Very much appreciated and enjoyed. 👍👏
Howdy Maim.
Thanks for the vid.
My pleasure. Thanks for watching.
Thank-you
Book
The
Walton and
📺
Show the Walton
70and80 On
📺 ❤😂😊😊💙💙🥰😃🌞😎💓🎉😋
I missed Ralphs fatherly advice and Michael and Zeb and Ellen, but I really liked the story lines in season 8-9 where others (Kami, David and Corabeth etc) got more focus and exiting roles to play out. And they were growing up, fun to watch their maturation process. You being an RN mom, and Erin's business and escapades. Process shots keep getting better...mostly realistic on Waltons, nur some shows was kooky (westerns) . Great work Judy!
That makes me very happy to hear that you enjoyed the later season and appreciated them in their own way.
I always learn so much. Makes me feel like an insider. Warm greetings from New York
Very happy to hear that. Thank you.
Judy, as I have mentioned to you before, Kirby Timmons who wrote 'The House' episode told me that Ralph almost left for some reason the 4th season. He did miss 2 episodes. Maybe Michael would know why? Judy, there are only a few inconsistencies between episodes. Recently you mentioned Grandma's wedding dress. You know, 'The Abdication', had the most conspicuous one with A.J. Covington coming back when Earl said in 'The Literary Man' they never saw him again.
I'm just speculating. I remember in an interview with Ralph saying he decided to completely give up alcohol to set a good example to the Walton children. He said he had gotten great support from everyone on the cast. I'm wondering if that's when he took that time off. I miss Ralph!
Hi Barbara - Ralph made that decision and started his recovery during Season 1.
Victor - If the circumstances you’re referring to with Ralph are what I’m thinking - it’s a story he did share with us, but it’s not our story to share with others.
@@judynorton2598 Thank you, Judy.
@judynorton2598 Sorry for bringing it up about Ralph. I thought it was positive, and he shared it on an interview. I do understand.
Did Tom Bower ever run into the Reed twins after The Waltons ended??
Perhaps at the Waltons 40th gathering in LA.
Ilove Walton
Family and friends 🧡
Grandmother and
Grandfather
❤
📺 🧡📺📺😍🎉📺🆒️👋🏻
Hi Judy, It's really interesting on how they did the filming of grandpa driving, I never would have guessed they did it that way. Thanks Judy for sharing the answers to the questions.
Glad this was helpful.
QUESTION: Is the house behind you abandoned? I don't recall ever seeing anyone out wandering in the yard
I really enjoyed the Waltons grew up watching thanks for sharing about the show good night Mary Ellen
So glad you are enjoying. Thank you.
The driving by Grandpa and John Boy sure looked real. Cinematography is so amazing. It was wonderful during the time of the Waltons and is even more wonderful today. Everything about the Waltons is wonderful to me and many other viewers as you know. Thanks for sharing these interesting behind the scenes question and answer snippets. I love watching.❤😊
So glad you enjoyed it.
Judy, each time you speak of how things are filmed I wonder if all you know takes away the "magic" of film for you. One of the fun things for me is NOT knowing how certain effects were accomplished. Just wondering.
No - I can still get totally caught up in a show - including ours when I watch it back. A good story, well acted and well filmed will pull you right in and hold your attention.
As a 'car guy' I always pay some attention to scenes involving vehicles. Not the Waltons, but many, many shows fall down here - in times past, almost comically. You will see character X driving a 54 Ford in one scene, there's a cutaway and then the arrive at the destination in a 57 - the cars look nothing alike. Or, particularly in crash scenes, the producers will sub out an older model for the current one which is being driven. A lot of old Lincolns went over the cliff that way (looking at you Rockford Files). But the most humorous of all are those process shots, especially in old movies. They've become parodies (see, the original Airplane!) with 'drivers' sawing away at the steering wheel traveling straight ahead or background scenery that has nothing to do with where the vehicle is supposed to be. Anyway, just a random thought.
I understand. No doubt if you really know your vehicles those errors jump out like a red flag :). Like most SFX the technology has improved over the years and for the most part things look more believable.
Regarding the driving scenes, were there ever times when the car was pulled by another vehicle or sat on a flat bed of a truck in motion rather than using process shots? I would think that would provide a more realistic effect.
We occasionally used a form of camera car, but not often. I’m sure it was all budget driven.
Travis here.. the last season in particular.. did you feel any stress carrying the show as the leader of the family along with Jon? Not discrediting anyone and the credits did finally include Ike and corabeths characters yet the last season just seemed like all over the place.. and secondly I actually liked the later seasons with the family maturing and more involvement with Ike and corabeth.. who can ever forget Jim bob changing corabeths tire? Can’t remember season .. third question never hear much about rose and how wonderful she was in the series .. did she as an actress help the rest of the cast?
I don’t think we felt any stress carrying storylines in Season 9 as we had all those seasons of experience to lean on. Yes, the scene with Jim Bob and Corabeth is so touching. Peggy Rea (Rose) was a gem to have on set. Funny, good natured, warm, kind - we loved working with her.
I❤Walton Great 👍
📺 for
Family
Watch on
📺 sweetheart 💕 💖 ♥️
Cool ❤
Earl hamners book spencers mountain was a solid foundation for that series.i thought the father in that book had a lot more depth of charachter than the one in the tv show. He was controversial for that day and time. He resentsd baptists and dogmatic religion and lkied to swear. It seemed ironic to me that h w bush declated that the waltons was the good example over the simpsons when the father in spencers mountain brought out everythind i disliked indirectly about the bushes.
Interesting. I’ve never read Spencer’s Mountain, and I’m not sure what Earl’s real father was like as he passed away before we started filming.
I had that same question about Cindy's father when I recently saw the episode where he passed away in the car accident. Amazing how much continuity there was concerning this wonderful series originated prior to all this modern technology. Thanks Judy!!!
It does appear that the sequencing is correct in the episodes. Could be that they now get aired out of sequence at times and that causes confusion.
@@judynorton2598 - Yes, it is. Not just because of the Editors note at the top of the screen, but I think, IIRC, Cindy does not find out that she was adopted until after her father's death in the car accident, at which point he was coming to visit both Cindy and Ben together (after the war's end,) about Ben's possible foray into education for the engineering business (odd that the GI Bill was never mentioned here, since it played a major role in furnishing the higher educations of hundreds of thousands of GIs after the end of the war, and helping to really establish the middle class!), but Cindy and Ben both find Cindy's adoption paperwork in her father's effects, which wouldnt happen unless he was already dead.
They visit the doctor who delivered her at the doctor's office, and Ben spirits away the doctor's record book from his bookshelf, with the information about her delivery, temporarily until they can figure out who Cindy's "real" birth mother is. Then they put it back in the doctor's mailbox outside his office as their way of returning it.
At least Ralph Waite stayed on and appeared on Waltons reunions. I do know Robert Reed wanted more dramatic rules when he did The Brady Bunch. I read some episodes Robert Reed refused to do on that show including their last episode where Greg Brady (Barry Williams) had his hair turned orange. I don't recall Ralph Waite being the same way as Robert Reed though.
Actors try to balance an entire career which can make it challenging. Some choices end up being good ones, some not so much.
I just wish the reunions weren’t so hard to access. They should be on Prime, like the whole 9 seasons were.
This past weekend, my family enjoyed watching episodes of Family Affair
Another interesting segment Judy! I recalled when Ralph wasn't really on the show the rest of the last season but I figured that he was trying to do some other projects. I still say that he was the best father character on any TV show ever!!❤
Thank you. I’ll always vote John Walton #1
Did Ellen have more than one stroke?
I’m not sure. If she did, it was likely right at the beginning.
New video Judy
Onyour
Page
Youtalkabout
Nicething
Judy 🌞 ❤😊
Walton 📺 📺 📺 📺 Family ❤🎉😊
Enjoy :)
Dear Judy, My mother loved the show with all her heart. That is the way she grew up. I just can't watch it anymore with my mom gone. It makes me so awful sad. It was a beautiful show filled with love. Thank you all for making that wonderful family show.
So sorry for the loss of your mother. I’m glad you two were able to share the show together.
My sympathies. I had to say goodbye to my mother over 4 years ago. She was a sweet woman; I'm sure your mother was sweet, too.
I thought all the directors did a great job across all the seasons, obviously some were better than others but none were bad. As the audience, I was also attached to all the regular characters on the show and really felt it when they left for whatever reason. Luckily I can get my regular fix through my dvd collection. Thank you Judy and best wishes to you from your waltonian superfan in a sunny but unsettled England😉
Thank you. I think the consistencies of the cast and crew kept the episode quality high regardless of the ebb and flow of directors. But when a director brought wonderful creative ideas to the filming it could make those episodes stand out. Hope summer kicks in for you soon.
Happy Tuesday Judy (a.k.a. Mary Ellen) from the middle of America on a Mr. Blue Sky day.
Awesome! Thanks!
Judy how many of the actors from the series have passed on?
I would imagine because all of you were so closely knitted that each cast member meant so much to each other.
Sadly we have lost sooo many actors from the series.
Judy any way you could do a post honoring them or would that be impossible given the number of I just thought it would be nice a posthumous tribute dividing them up into several posts.
Just a thought.
I’m hung up on Tom because the episodes with you and him were so meaningful.
Just now watching the Waltons episode ‘The Pinup’. After viewing Judy in that nurse uniform (😊) I am changing it from being about her sister to Judy where it belongs. 😇
😳
How many people on set during filming? Titles of each at a minimum to complete an episode? Do some episodes require more or at times less people on set? Were "Q" cards ever used? Love the show! Still on cable and app's :)
We had the same number of crew members for the whole season. I’ll have to check a crew sheet to see numbers. We never used cue cards. Thanks!
*Judy, great video... explaining so much.... it helps to understand how it all works... but yep I see the inconsistency happening in many shows or movies... I can spot them really easily. Maybe cos I do photography plus years ago, I did a video making course... that I can pick that sort of stuff up.. 🙂nz*
No doubt you have a great eye for detail :)
I always liked the fact the relationships of all
Of the characters were good they developed that made them believable as a family and that that’s who they were . I wonder if there was something maybe they wanted to do with a certain character, a story that they for some reason didn’t get to do ? What was it and why was t it done ?
The plans or ideas for characters weren’t usually shared with us - as least not with “the kids” - I imagine ideas were tossed around that weren’t pursued.
@@judynorton2598 I’m sure they were . I always wanted more for some of the characters. The show ended before we could see more trials and troubles of the growing up of Jim Bob and Elizabeth. I wish we had more shows like this today . The world would be a better place. Thank you for your work and this channel . Sharing with us all of your Walton experiences and memories.
Hi, Judy, I hope you’re doing well.
Here’s a question for Scott Hamner, if you have more opportunities to interview him: What were his father’s beliefs about Spiritual connections - including beyond what’s generally traceable?
Given that several episodes explored the subject sometimes called “supernatural” (The Ghost Story, The Changeling,…), I wonder if Mr. Hamner (Earl, Jr.) had such experiences or knew of compelling accounts and what he thought of them. I’d also appreciate knowing more about Mr. Hamner’s spiritual philosophy, for example in coping with destructive people, war, etc. Thanks so much!
Thanks for sharing your questions. I do hope to connect with Scott again.
Enjoyed Show!Thanks For Doing. A Tribute To Your TV Husband! Loved The Episodes He Was In!
Thank you. So glad you enjoyed Curt & Mary Ellen.
Good day Judy,
The process shot sounds like it could get a little technical and complicated and time consuming just for a couple of minutes of footage. Thanks for explaining how it is done. My question this week is... I apologize if this was asked and answered. Because of the popularity of the Waltons did any of the cast members have (official) fan clubs and did the cast member(s) more or less become involved or participated with the clubs? Thanks for another educational segment.
Yes - process shots are very technical. There was never an official fan club set up by the cast.
My husband read something about Will Geer was gay. Something about a affair with Harry Hay. You were a kid so maybe you don’t know. Ralph Waite said on one of your get together shows that Geer was basically a Hippy. Just curious and I mean no disrespect to Will or his family.
There are lots of “rumors” but I have no personal knowledge so I never comment as I don’t know the facts. Will was indeed basically a hippie :)
I'm curious, what was the longest time period you and the rest of the cast actually had to stay on the set. Or did you have set hours? I'm asking strange question, due to the fact that many times the cast were actually filming in darkness at night, or it would appear to be dark. Example, when outside of the home, it would at times appear to be dark in reality. I know when your indoors it would be easy to fake a dark at night scene. However many times as in the Episode of "THE STAR" one of the early shows, you were all outside and it really appeared dark. Was it a trick of filming?? I'm aware the house was just basically for show purposes, but when outside how on earth was it dark, if not filmed at night.
Good question. I’ll take this up in an Ask Judy as soon as I can.
The Walton's is my all time favorite show. My much older siblings grew up in those times and your show kind of showed me a little of how difference it was for me growing up in 50s
😊
It took place in the mid '30s thru the early '40s.
Very cool!
How did the cast with new John boy did y'all get along with him
I liked Richard Thomas but I liked Robert Wightman too. Although Richard was an excellent actor, I think he overplayed his role as John-Boy. Richard's character was larger than life at times and almost unbelievable. He almost seemed to care too much and I found that unbelievable. Robert, on the other hand, was more down to earth and was more believable as a brother, for instance.
Not sure how they cast the role. We all got along well with Robert.
Question: you were all of dating age during the filming years and had on-screen romances. Were there off-screen romances within the cast? Crushes?
Crushes, but don’t think any of us ever dated each other.
Hello Judy, I enjoyed your video very much. There was a lot of good information that you gave that I had been wondering about. It sounds complicated about doing all those different things to make it. Look like that. Will gear was doing the driving so amazing how people come up with those kind of ideals and can do all that amazing. You had also mentioned about different directors and everything from someone that asked you a question and you mentioned something something like you don’t know how they do it if a Director stayed on throughout the host series or something like that. It got me to thinking about I love the Waltons series very very much and also Little House on the Prairie. I don’t believe that Michael Landon copied the Waltons. I had read about how he came up with the ideal and it was also based on the troop life of Laura Ingalls Wilder just like the Waltons was based on Earl Hamner and I love those kind of shows very much. As you may know, Michael Landon was the Director executive producer, writer, and on and on and on Pretty much lived over there on the side and went past him at all so how one person can do all those things for the whole series and plus the extra movies they did is just incredible. I guess that’s all I could say is just incredible. I’m sure it must’ve been extremely hard on the family just like with other actors that’s on the long TV series. They pretty much live there on the set and, get to spend a little time at home with the family. I do know that there was some episodes he used that was taken from Bonanza, but most of the episodes he wrote himself he was even in charge of to play a certain character and everything else nothing went past him he didn’t do your job you’re fired and I guess it was probably like that on the Waltons said as well since Earl Hamner was there all the time and and Made sure everything was done in a certain way. Them are very similar in a lot of ways like that and so rare to have loving TV series like the Waltons in Little House. I’m so thankful that we have them to look at whenever we want to watching reruns and also on DVDs and I watch, both shows on my iPad on Amazon prime. Sometimes I would like to ask you a certain question about a certain episode but since I’m flying, I can’t tell you about what the title of the episode is but I can try to explain what the episode was about, but you did answer some questions that I have been wanting to ask for a while and I appreciate, you taking the time and doing these videos for all of us I know it’s a lot of work and I am very very thankful and enjoy them very much whenever you put a new one out I always look forward to them. And I know this is long I’m sorry, but I also wanted to say that it must’ve been so hard on all of y’all over the years seeing a cast member leaving the show for one reason or another and when wheel gear Died I must admit it was never the same on the show. The show was still wonderful in a lot of ways, but there was that empty space may not be making any sense but but I’m sure everyone missed his presence dearly just like with grandma with Ellen Kobe when she had her stroke and it was always so wonderful whenever she was able to make it on the episode. Michael and Ralph leave just the six of you and the other actor. I don’t know his name that played boy but it was never the same without Richard Thomas. They could always just be one true John boy that’s Richard Thomas. Anyway you take care, God bless and have a blessed day and I’ll look forward to your next video. Take care. Susan from Houston.
Thank you for sharing all of that. You raised great points about how much Michael Landon did on Little House. As you said - it’s a ton of work and can become your whole life.
John Ritter made a guest appearance on Mannix. If you look closely, you will notice he and Mannix are in the Brady Bunch house. The furnitures are different. I am not sure if this was during Brady Bunch run or when the series was canceled. I was wondering if other tv series used the interior Waltons set when you weren’t filming.
I don’t think other shows used our interior sets from the house during the years we were filming - but I’m not sure if any other show used the house exterior. Certainly other exterior sets we occasionally used were used by many other shoots.
When the Waltons eventually got a telephone did anyone ever mention their phone number or were all the calls handled through an operator at a switchboard?
The Waltons got two phones in season 6 (The Anniversary). They were Olivia's gift to John. There was the main line in the house on the counter. The extension was in the mill. I don't remember any time where their number was mentioned. The calls came through a switchboard (Fanny Tatum operated it throughout the series; Erin operated it in seasons 5 & 6).
I don’t recall the number ever being mentioned and all calls did seem to go through the switchboard operator.
Is there a website that lists all of the Waltons events? I always seem to find out about them after they've happened. I live in WEST Virginia and feel like I've missed several opportunities within driving distance.
There is not a single website that lists all events. Best is to check on our Facebook pages as cast that will be attending start letting fans know by posting on their fan pages. Eric, Kami, Mary, me, Leslie Winston (Cindy Walton) all generally post. Jon Walmsley also posts if he will be joining.
I hope I'm not repeating myself or the following question, but why didn't Will drive? Did he or anyone close to him ever say why? It's interesting to me to know that he didn't drive during a time when if you wanted to get things or have things done, you had to go to the places. It's not like he could stay home & order things online. (I am aware of mail delivery for some things, but not all). Were trollies a thing still then? I'm sure family & friends drove him where he needed to go, but still an interesting thing to know about the late great Will Geer
My understanding is he never drove. Never heard why that was - or if he had in earlier years.
Do you know why Will didn't drive? Did he never learn, did he never get a license, did he lose his license, etc? Seems odd since he lived in California where a car is a nessesity due to poor public transportation. Were there any other actors on the show who didn't drive? Just curious. As always, thanks for sharing!
No idea why he didn’t drive. Not sure I ever heard him or anyone else ever say, so I don’t know if he ever had in the past. When Richard was first cast he didn’t drive as he’d been living in NYC so never got a license. The transportation guys on the Waltons helped teach him to drive to get his license.
With regard to Cindy's father - you are both confused. The show introduced her father after Ben got home from the war and he did help Ben get into an engineering school. Ben decided to stay on the Mountain. Cindy's father died in a later episode.
Thank you for clearing that up - I need to get busy and finish rewatching the later seasons so I’m up to date on these questions!
If I remember correctly Cindy's dad died after Ben came back from the war. The episode was later
Seems to be what happened. Thank you.
Hi Judy this was very interesting thank you for sharing
Thanks for watching!
Judy, have you seen the graves in real life of Ellen Corby, Will or Ralph?
I have not - although I believe Will’s ashes were scattered at this theatre.
Thank you very much for all the shows that you've been in thank you so much that was the life back then I wish it was now love you take care bye I said hi
Very sweet of you to say. Thank you.
Hi Judy was the poltergeist episode the most weirdest story you worked on? Lol
It was definitely in the “odd” category :)
Thewalton
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Why were actor stand ins necessary? Did every main character have a stand in?
Not every actor had a stand in. Our show had 4 - they were used for lighting purposes so the actors could go change and do makeup touch ups etc. The stand ins would walk the actors positions so the crew could light the scene and the camera could rehearse the moves.
i have noticed producers change on many shows.
Good catch.
Loved The Waltons. I had the privilege of meeting Ralph Waite when he came by our radio station in Palm Desert, CA to record a spot when he was running for congress. Very nice man. I wish he'd won. He was going up against Mary Bono.
Really like these Ask Judy vlogs.
Thank you for watching! So glad you got to meet Ralph.
People move in and out of families all the time. Made it much more real.
Good point.
Cindy's father pulled a Curt and survived 😄
Yikes :). Evidently the sequencing was actually correct. My editor researched it for me and included a caption with the info.
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