This madefortv production inspired the creation of the waltons. Apr 04, 2020 between 1972 and 1981, the waltons was one of the most popular shows on tv. On christmas eve, the waltons are preparing to celebrate christmas, but patriarch john walton still has not returned home. On the contrary, the waltons christmas movie is about family, love, discipline, friendship, responsibility, and the birth of our savior, jesus christ, the reason for the. As we know, most of the actors who were in the homecoming minus the children were replaced when they made the tv series the waltons. The homecoming is the christmas movie special that inspired the tv. Similiar to the waltons which was narrated by a middleaged johnboy earl hamner jr. A christmas story tv episode 1971 movies, tv, celebs, and more. Rent the waltons 1972 on dvd and bluray dvd netflix. A christmas story 1971 on christmas eve 1933, the waltons prepare for the holiday. Also, the movie is set in 1233, but i believe the series beginning was in 1933. In fact, all of the children in this movie went on to play their same rolls in the tv series. In honor of the 40th anniversary of this movie, an event has been created in jersey city, nj on friday dec.
Contentsshow cast andrew duggan as john walton patricia neal as olivia walton richard thomas. Do you think the television series would have been as loved and as successful if they had not recast. The story is told through the eyes of eldest son johnboy, who wants to be a novelist, goes to college, and eventually fulfills his dream. But patriarch john walton andrew duggan, who has gone off to the big city in search of work, still hasnt returned home, and a heavy snowstorm only adds more cause for worry. This forum is for fans of the classic 1970s television show, the waltons. On christmas eve in 1933, a large family eagerly anticipates the arrival home of the patriarch as a dangerous blizzard rages outside. Made for tv movie that served as the tv pilot episode for the waltons. Meanwhile ben is home doing all the family chores, and frustrated not to have time alone with his girlfriend. A christmas story was the first to use the name of walton and was the main basis for the beloved and longrunning television show. A christmas story pilot tv movie for the waltons paramount cbs region 1 ntsc dvd. The homecoming john boy, the waltons tv show, a christmas story. A christmas story tv episode 1971 cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more.
The waltons find an english girl vickery turner squatting in the cottage who seems to be hiding a secret. It served as the pilot for the longrunning cbs television drama the waltons, it is 1933, during the great depression, and being christmas eve, the walton family is in the midst of their christmas preparations and hoping to celebrate it together. For anyone who loved the waltons, this is a must for your collection. Base on a true story 2016 the waltons christmas movie, the homecoming hallmark movies 2016 by phillip mardis. The homecoming patricia neal played the walton mom. Base on a true story 2016 the waltons christmas movie. A christmas story on christmas eve 1933, the waltons prepare for the holiday. One of the best television movies ever made, this christmas delight is the film that really started it all. The homecoming a christmas story trailer for movie. Fond memories of this exceptional tv movie pilot for outstanding series the waltons. The waltons movie collection a wedding on waltons mountain mothers day a day for thanks a walton thanksgiving reunion wedding easter 4. The waltons involve the sheriff as they help rescue the battered wife carol jones of a violent veteran ben andrews who has flashbacks of combat, while jimbob is cheated as he tries his hand in the war surplus market.
The entire family can watch it and parents, you dont need to worry about anythingit is such a great movie. So when he landed the role of jim bob in the original tv movie of the waltons called the homecoming. On christmas eve, early in the afternoon we had already started looking forward to his homecoming. In the legendary loews theatre, they will be screening the homecoming to be followed by a cast reunion of the movie along with several cast members of the waltons. Christmas movies, the waltons tv show, tv show family, richard thomas, john boy, homecoming. It served as the pilot for the longrunning cbs television drama the waltons, it is 1933, during the great depression, and being christmas eve, the walton family is in the midst of their.
The tv movie also featured richard thomas and several others who became series regulars. Between 1972 and 1981, the waltons was one of the most popular shows on tv. In this opening installment, the waltons, led by matriarch olivia walton patricia neal, spend an anxious 1933 christmas eve together as they await the arrival of their father during a snowstorm. On christmas eve 1933, the waltons prepare for the holiday. Surprising the waltons facts from behind the scenes.
However, john walton, who was forced to take work in another part of the state, has not returned home yet, and his family are becoming increasingly worried. A spinoff from the hallmark hall of fame television special the homecoming, the waltons debuted on cbs in 1972. The depression is no longer an era that inspires filmmakers, which is a shame as it was a unique historical period. Some of the characters are not the ones that starred in the show grandpa, mom and dad walton, ike godsey, etc but the story is a good one, nonetheless,based on a real families struggles during one christmas during the depression. The pilot for the tv series the waltons, this movie is the wonderful, heartwarming story of a depression era christmas eve, and a family crisis that highlights the courage, tenacity and endurance of love and loyalty. The waltons movie collection a wedding on walton s mountain mothers day a day for thanks a walton thanksgiving reunion wedding easter 4. A christmas story starring patricia neal in this drama on directv. Also cut from the movie was an extended sequence where clayboy has his first experience of shooting game here a deer, but the idea would later be reworked to involve a wild turkey in the early the waltons episode, the hunt. The homecoming was a 1971 family drama movie, which serves as the pilot for the waltons.
Save the homecoming dvd waltons to get email alerts and updates on your ebay feed. With patricia neal, richard thomas, edgar bergen, ellen corby. The story takes place in depression era virgina, with the walton family. Find out when and where you can watch the waltons episodes with tvguides full tv listings youll never miss another moment from your favorite show.
This movie is never shown on tv anymore which prompted my buying decision. A christmas story was broadcast on december 19, 1971. A christmas story original title part 1 by erick raham. Although it was not expected to be a pilot for a series, it was popular enough for a series to be commissioned. This tv movie from 1971 is the introduction to what became the waltons tv series that was a staple on television for many years, and spawned several reunion films. The waltons legacy, how the series was different from real life by vpm. There will be a panel dicussion with the cast members as well as. The walton family is preparing for christmas in the early 1930s. A christmas story a 1971 madefortv movie which served as the pilot for the longrunning cbs television drama the waltons. The children appear to be about 2 years younger than the. When the movie was eventually turned into the show, harper was able to keep his role as jim bob, the talented and creative youngest son in the family. The problem is that there are many events which seem to prevent john from arriving.
I recently saw the homecoming had not seen it in years. However, john walton, who was forced to take work in another part of the state, has not returned. The story centres around the walton family one cold christmas eve as they eagerly await the homecoming of their husband and. Its genesis was a superb 1971 teleplay, the homecoming. On christmas eve 1933, a rural virginia clan, the waltons, are preparing to celebrate the holiday. Weve collected some interesting trivia and facts all around the show about johnboy and his amazing family. At that time, hamner lived together with his family including his seven brothers and. The homecoming is the christmas movie special that inspired the tv series the waltons. The waltons christmas movie, the homecoming internet archive.
This movie could be called the pilot for the tv series, the walton s. This movie brings back precious memories of my beautiful family. If youve never seen the popular film, the story involves a longago christmas eve where a large depression era family awaits the return of the patriarch, whos been away working in the big city. Teenage son johnboy richard thomas tries to distract his siblings by explaining the real meaning of christmas to them. A christmas story 1971 movie summary set on a depression christmas eve in 1933, this hearttugging story centers around the waltons, a rural american family.
Its christmas eve and they are waiting for father walton to come home from his job in the city some 50 miles away. In fact, the tv show the waltons was actually the last entry in a number of screen and literary works which were based, to a greater or lesser extent, on hamner own experiences growing up in the 1930s. See more ideas about a christmas story, the waltons tv show and homecoming. All exterior shots are filmed in the grand tetons national park, wyoming from my experience, the virginia blue ridge mountains only get a blizzard every 5 years on average. The saga follows the family through economic depression and world war ii. The waltons insp tv familyfriendly entertainment tv. The waltons the homecoming a christmas story script by. It starred patricia neal as olivia and charlie ruggles as grandpa. The waltons tv listings, tv schedule and episode guide tv guide.
Folksy and homespun, its the true story of a large, closeknit family living on walton s mountain during the great depression. This was a made for tv movie that is a must see for me every year. The homecoming season 1 1971 the walton family lives in the blue ridge mountains of virginia and deal with the hardships of the war and the great depression, and christmas as told through their eldest boy, john boy. Another deletion involves clayboy visiting two elderly hoochbrewing sisters.
The homecoming patricia neal played the walton mom john boy. Patricia neal olivia walton, richard thomas johnboy. The film won the golden globe award for best tvmovie that year, and neal won the best actress award for her performance. The walton family, consisting of john and olivia, their seven children, and johns parents zebulon zeb tyler and esther walton, struggle to make a decent life during the great depression and world war ii. The waltons tv listings, tv schedule and episode guide. The waltons christmas movie, the homecoming youtube. While his seven brothers and sisters and his mother keep vigil the older son. They look forward to the homecoming of the father of the family, john walton.
The insp tv schedule provides a trusted viewing experience with a lineup of exclusive and original series, timeless westerns, actionfilled dramas, and films focused on adventure and heroic characters. I have seen the waltons tv series for years, but never knew of this incredible first walton movie. Growing up in the 70s one of the favorite tv shows in our family was the waltons. The homecoming tells the story of a poor american family as they prepare for christmas. The waltons is an american drama television series about a family in rural virginia during the great depression and world war ii. Does anyone know why the same interior sets were not used as in the series. I have watched the waltons since the beginning and this is in the same wonderful writting as the series. When clay spencer fails to arrive home at the expected hour on christmas eve of 1933, his family grows concerned. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. The waltons merchandising, paper dolls nine movie, richard thomas, john boy. The walton s christmas movie, the homecoming by morris pattison.