Kathleen Hite Movies
- 1982
Featuring a reunion of most of the cast of the long-running family series, The Waltons, this touching drama centers on the attempt of the now grown and scattered brood of Olivia and John Walton to regroup for an old fashioned family holiday. Unfortunately, John-Boy is not among them. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1981
Practically everyone on Walton's Mountain is rousted from bed in the middle of the night to help newly arrived minister Tom Marshall (Kip Niven) refurbish and reopen the old Baptist Church. No one is happier over this spiritual reawakening than the Baldwin sisters, who are currently providing food and shelter for Jason's girlfriend Toni (Lisa Harrison). But how will the Baldwins react when Toni reveals that she is Jewish--a fact that has already stirred up a great deal of controversy amongst the members of the Walton family? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1981
After numerous delays and second thoughts, Aunt Rose (Peggy Rea) has accepted the marriage proposal of her longtime beau Stanley (William Schallert), and a wedding date is set. But the nuptuals may be permanently postponed when Rose's attack of "heartburn" proves to be something much more serious. Elsewhere, Cindy (Leslie Winston) grows weary of being just another housewife, and demands that Ben (Eric Scott) allow her to get a job--with surprising results. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1981
Freed from a Japanese POW camp and safely returned to Walton's Mountain, Ben intends to enter the postwar working world as a professional engineer. His dad John (Ralph Waite), however, wants Ben to give up his plans and become a full partner at the family lumber mill. The situation changes dramatically for both father and son when word comes that Olivia Walton's health has taken a turn for the worse. This episode marks the final series appearance of Ralph Waite. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1980
William Schallert makes his first appearance as Stanley Perkins, the peripatetic former boyfriend of Aunt Rose Burton (Peggy Rea). Now sooner has he arrive on the Mountain than Stanley has made clear his intention of proposing to Rose. But Rose hesitates, worried that she is holding Stanley back from a lucrative job offer in California (assuming, of course, that Stanley is telling the truth about that offer!). Meanwhile, Jim-Bob (David W. Harper) gets so fed up sharing a room with cousin Jeffrey (Keith Mitchell) that he moves into the hayloft in the barn--only to be left literally high and dry when the ladder falls down! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1980
Frustrated over her inability to diagnose a patient's illness, Mary Ellen (Judy Norton-Taylor) decides to forsake nursing and study to become a doctor. Unfortunately, she is stopped dead in her tracks by a chauvinistic college advisor, who flatly informs her that there will be absolutely no place for female doctors in the postwar medical world. Meanwhile, the Baldwin Sisters plan to celebrate the birthday of Jason Walton (Jon Walmsley) by stirring up a fresh batch of their intoxicating "recipe" ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1979
Ostensibly because John (Ralph Waite) has been working too hard, Olivia (Michael Learned) suggests that he go on a vacation with her to Virginia Beach. In truth, Olivia must go to the beach clinic to undergo some medical tests. Diagnosed with tuberculosis, she is advised to leave home and enter a sanitarium in Arizona -- but how can she break this news to her family? Meanwhile, Ben (Eric Scott) tries to expand his "saleable" skills; and Elizabeth (Kami Cotler) can't understand why her cakes don't taste as good as Grandma's. Neva Pattersonis seen as Olivia's Aunty Kate, a role previously played by Louise Latham. This episode marks the last regular series appearance by Michael Learned (Olivia), though she would return for a few scattered episodes in Season Eight. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1979
Walton's Mountain may be in for a name change when both the Baldwins and the Godseys come across evidence that their families, and not the Waltons, were the first to settle on the mountain. The Baldwin sisters are so certain that they will be able to prove their "ownership" that they begin formulating plans for a gala Founder's Day celebration -- only to have their bubble burst by dear old Grandma Walton (Ellen Corby). Elsewhere, Jason (Jon Walmsley) is under great pressure to compose a classically-based piece for his final examination at Klineberg Conservatory. This final episode of The Waltons' seventh season is capped by the touching "closure" narration of the adult John-Boy Walton, which was written by series creator Earl Hamner under the assumption that the series had been cancelled by CBS (It wasn't). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1979
Just before Christmas, the Walton family becomes aware of a "spirit" who has been running loose on the Mountain and committing acts of petty thievery. Cousin Jeffrey (Keith Mitchell) locates the elusive thief, a young man named Paul (Ned Bellamy), and becomes his friend -- and nevermind that Paul happens to be a runaway German prisoner of war. And elsewhere on the Mountain, Cindy (Leslie Winston) and Corabeth (Ronnie Claire Edwards) cause a considerable amount of embarrassment for the menfolk with their Christmas-gift requests. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1979
In the conclusion of a two-part story, the family gathers together to welcome back John-Boy from the battlefield in Europe -- but John-Boy is still in a coma as a result of injuries sustained from a plane crash. As Olivia sits patiently at John-Boy's bedside, hoping to make some sort of contact with him, she becomes close to her son's hospital roommate Sam, a young double amputee who has no family to come home to (Morgan Stevens, later to join the cast as Erin Walton's fiancé Paul Northridge, is here seen as Sam). Meanwhile, the formidable Aunt Rose (Peggy Rea) takes it upon herself to prepare the family's Thanksgiving dinner. Robert Wightman takes over from Richard Thomas in the role of John-Boy Walton in this episode -- which, ironically, also marks the final series appearance of Michael Learned as Olivia. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1979
Unless John (Ralph Waite) can prove that he has graduated from high school, his lumber company will lose an important Army contract. Unfortunately, John's diploma is nowhere to be found, and thus he is forced to take a difficult equivalency test -- and he's none too happy about virtually returning to his scholar days at the tender age of 43. Elsewhere, new district nurse Mary Ellen (Judy Norton-Taylor) tangles with a superstitious mountain family which refuses to accept any form of "new fangled" medical treatment. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1978
While Walton's Mountain is abuzz with news about the Nazi invasion of Norway and Denmark, a family of German immigrants arrive to visit their American relative, Mrs. Brimmer (Nora Marlowe). Jumping to the "obvious" conclusion, Elizabeth (Kami Cotler) is convinced that the Mountain is being invaded, and soon rumors are flying about the hapless German visitors. A combination of unfortunate coincidences and blind bigotry results in a near-tragedy for all concerned. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1978
In the conclusion of a two-part story (originally telecast as a single two-hour episode), John (Ralph Waite) reacts with anger when he discovers that Erin has taken a second job, caring for the children of a single man. Meanwhile, John-Boy (Richard Thomas) has returned home in hopes of reopening the Guthrie mine and revitalizing the local economy. But fate takes a hand in matters when John-Boy is trapped in a cave-in along with Jim-Bob (David W. Harper) and Ben (Eric Scott). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1978
Richard Thomas briefly returns to the role of John-Boy Walton in this first episode of a two-part story (originally telecast as a single two-hour installment). Upon hearing of the dire financial conditions in Jefferson County, John-Boy comes home with plans of reopening the old Guthrie coal mine. Elsewhere, John Walton (Ralph Waite) weighs the possibility of giving up the family business and going to work at a defense plant; and Erin ($Mary Elizabeth McDonough) hesitates to inform her family that she has taken a second job under "questionable" circumstances. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1978
The Baldwin sisters are visited by their young cousin Mary Frances Conover (Stacey Nelkin), who has been living in a convent. When Jim-Bob (David W. Harper) falls in love with Mary Frances, she is faced with a tough decision: whether to return the boy's affections, or to remain faithful to her lifelong dream of becoming become a nun. Meanwhile, Ben hires a likeable new lumberyard worker named Beau (Bruce French), who is harboring a disturbing secret. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1977
As Erin (Mary Elizabeth McDonough) prepares to graduate from high school, she despairs over being the only Walton who has no idea of what she wants to do with her life. She is also convinced that she has absolutely no marketable skills, which is even more depressing. Ultimately, the path to Erin's future is revealed purely by accident--and with the unwitting help of older brother John-Boy (Richard Thomas). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1977
John-Boy (Richard Thomas) wants to devote the upcoming edition of "The Blue Ridge Chronicle" to a commemoration of local WW1 veterans. Much to his surprise, none of the former "doughboys" wants to share his experiences--not even Sheriff Ep Bridges (John Crawford), who received several medals for valor during the war. Only after the unexpected appearance of Ep's former lady love Sarah (Lynn Carlin) is the Sheriff willing to unlock the painful memories of his past. (Note: this is the episode in which we learn how Ben Walton [Eric Scott] got his name). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1977
The Waltons offer food and shelter to Josh (played by a pre-Diff'rent Strokes Todd Bridges) , a young black orphan who has walked all the way from North Carolina. Though he quickly becomes attached to his "temporary" family, Josh runs away after John Walton (Ralph Waite) reprimands him for stealing a fishing rod. Unfortunately, the boy subsequently finds himself surrounded by people who have no great affection for blacks--and things looks grim for Josh until Verdie Foster (Lynn Hamilton) takes a hand in matters. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1977
The family is confused and a little frightened by Olivia's uncharacteristically harsh and mercurial behavior. It soon becomes obvious that Olivia (Michael Learned) is going through menopause--and rather than subject her husband and children to the "collateral damage" of this ordeal, she temporarily moves in with her Aunt Kate (Louise Latham). Meanwhile, Jim-Bob (David W. Harper) compromises his integrity when he forges Olivia's signature on a job application, resulting in a most unusual man-to-man talk with Reverend Buchanan (Peter Fox). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1977
When Erin (Mary Elizabeth McDonough) turns down his wedding proposal, G.W. Haines (David Doremus) promptly joins the army. Shortly thereafter, Erin is invited to visit G.W. at Camp Lee--all by herself. Should John (Ralph Waite) and Olivia (Michael Learned) put faith in their daughter's common sense and let her travel alone, or should they be worried that G.W. will surrender to his "baser instincts?" ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1976
Hoping to get out of her rut, Olivia (Michael Learned) allows Corabeth (Ronnie Claire Edwards) to give her a brand-new hairstyle--which ends up as a source of ridicule from the rest of the family. Meanwhile, Grandma Walton is ticked off over the news that Rev. Fordwick (John Ritter) will allow Zelda Maynard (Audrey Christie) to share Grandma's organ-playing duties at church. Whereas Olivia's "rebellion" from conformity has disastrous results, Grandma's rebellion from church policy may be even more devastating! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1976
Partly to help out with the family's finances, and partly because she feels lonely and isolated, Olivia (Michael Learned) takes a job as a streamstress. In this capacity, she forms a strong friendship with Stella Lewis (Abby Dalton), who suggests that Olivia go into business for herself. Will she follow up on Stella's advice, or will she return to her "dull" home life? Meanwhile, elderly Maudie Gormley (Merie Earle) accedes to her family's wishes and enters a nursing home--which she hates on sight! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1976
Nurse-in-training Mary Ellen Walton (Judy-Norton Taylor) makes the wrong diagnosis, and it is her own Grandma (Ellen Corby) who suffers. Elsewhere on the medical front, the Mountain's doctor (Victor Izay), fed up with working on a barter rather than cash basis, is on the verge of quitting. Meanwhile, Erin Walton (Mary Beth McDonough) takes her first job, as assistant to fussy switchboard operator Fanny Tatum (Sheila Allen). Be assured that all three of these plot strands will be interwoven by fadeout time. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1975
Although the family is convinced that Mary Ellen (Judy Norton-Taylor) is a shoe-in at the University of Virginia Nursing School, she may not be able to qualify because she has never taken algebra or chemistry. Normally, Mary Ellen would turn to brother John-Boy (Richard Thomas) to help her pass the entrance exams, but it turns out that algebra and chemistry were his two worst subjects in school. Thus, Mary Ellen solicits the aid of local Public Health nurse Nora Taylor (Barbara Eda-Young)--who happens to have a few problems of her own at the moment. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1975
Darleen Carr is cast as flighty rich girl Sis Bradford, who regards college as just another lark. Having skipped most of her classes, Sis ends up stealing John-Boy's study notes just before an important exam. Meanwhile, Jim-Bob's new friend Danny (Willie Aames), the product of an unhappy home, begins spending all his time at the Walton house. The episode's two subplots collide head-on when Danny is blamed for Sis Bradford's act of thievery--and Danny's cruel father forces him to apologize for his "crime". ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
