Helen Kleeb Movies

The sixth TV-movie spinoff of the popular family series The Waltons, A Walton Easter manages to reunite all of the surviving cast members--and in so doing, unintentionally reveals why several of those performers hadn't been doing much acting recently. Throwing the orginal series' chronology to the four winds, executvie producer Earl Hamner Jr. would have us believe that the 40th wedding anniversary of John and Olivia Walton (Ralph Waite, Michael Learned) is taking place in the year 1969, which doesn't quite explain how the couple managed to have all those teenaged offspring back in the late 1930s. Once we're past this inconsistency, the story boils down to the Easter reunion of the family at Walton Mountain in West Virginia--and more specifically, the return to the fold of John-Boy Walton (Richard Thomas), now a successful TV news anchorman in New York. John-Boy has not only brought along his pregnant wife Janet (Kate McNeil), but also Aurora Jameson (Sydney Walsh), a Time magazine photojournalist who is covering the reunion. Gradually, the various intrigues of the other Waltons are shunted to the background as the film's Big Question raises its head: Will John-Boy return to New York with his city-bred wife Janet, or will he sentimentally choose to remain at Walton Mountain...with someone else by his side? A Walton Easter debuted March 30, 1997 on CBS. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In this filmization of the hit Broadway musical, a popular brothel is threatened with a shutdown by Texas authorities. Burt Reynolds plays the Sheriff, while Dolly Parton portrays the Chicken Ranch madam. While this film has its moments, it never reaches the entertainment heights of its stage predecessor. ~ Iotis Erlewine, Rovi

Freshly returned from the War, Jim-Bob (David W. Harper) and Josh Foster (Jason Moses) have no intention of settling down and looking for employment, but instead plan to take it easy and have as much fun as possible. This "fun" soon devolves into foolish recklessness--which nearly proves fatal for at least one of the two returnees. Elsewhere, the Baldwin sisters stumble upon the room where their grandfather first created their intoxicating "recipe". . .just as a Federal agent shows up at their house! With this episode, Charles R. Penland becomes the third actor to appear in the recurring role of Jody Foster, succeeding both Erin Blunt and T.K. Carter). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rose Burton's erstwhile beau Stanley Perkins (William Schallert) returns to Walton's mountain, still determined to marry Rose (Peggy Rea) and still filling her head with grandiose tales of his fabulous success in the business world. But things quickly go sour when Rose finds out that Stanley has recently been in a mental hospital, the result of a breakdown after being summarily fired from his job. Meanwhile, Jason (Jon Walmsley) hires country singer Johnny Calico (Curtis Credel) to perform at the Dew Drop Inn--and winds up vying with Johnny for the affections of Toni Hazelton (Lisa Harrison). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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, Rovi

The Waltons comes to the end of its 221-episode run with this episode, in which John-Boy heads to New York to learn the fate of his third novel. Upon discovering that the book has been rejected, John-Boy is too proud to return home in defeat, even though he is flat broke. And back on Waltons' Mountain, the redoubtable Baldwin sisters decide to hold a "life celebration" ball, inviting all of their old finishing school classmates--very few of whom are still above ground. Not surprisingly, the final words in this final episode are eloquently spoken by series creator Earl Hamner Jr.. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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, Rovi

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, Rovi

Former series regular Ellen Corby makes a return appearance in this episode, which revolves around a crisis in the home of the Baldwin sisters. Although Mamie Baldwin (Helen Kleeb) must have cataract surgery or risk total blindness, she refuses, citing the fact that her dear, departed daddy died on an operating table. John turns to Grandma and asks her to talk sense to Mamie -- if such a thing as possible. Elsewhere, Elizabeth (Kami Cotler) loses one boyfriend but gains another, thereby introducing Tony Becker in the semi-regular role of Drew Cutler. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

While leading his squadron into battle in Germany, Jason (Jon Walmsley) comes across a shell-shocked American soldier named Willis (Mark McClure). Despite his emotional problems, Willis is a very handy man to have around when the squadron is besieged by an elusive German sniper. And back on Walton's Mountain, storekeeper Ike Godsey (Joe Conley) is in trouble with the authorities for violating the rationing laws. Despite all indications to the contrary, the episode ends with good news for everyone concerned--even the hapless Ike. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

A motion-picture production company wants to make a documentary about J.D. Pickett's factory, but Erin (Mary McDonough) tries to prevent them from pestering the other workers. To get Erin out of their hair, the producers promise to take her to Hollywood and make her a star -- and she falls for this line completely! Elsewhere, Jason (Jon Walmsley) pulls rank on his fellow soldiers to force them to accept a dinner invitation from the eccentric Baldwin sisters. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In the first half of a two-part story (originally telecast as a single two-hour episode), an improperly stacked pile of logs causes Elizabeth (Kami Cotler) to break both her legs. When the doctor warns that Elizabeth may never walk again, two of her brothers, each convinced that he alone is at fault, are overcome with guilt. Meanwhile, the Baldwin sisters (Helen Kleeb, Mary Jackson) and Aimee Godsey (Rachel Longaker) approach the challenge of Elizabeth's recuperation in uniquely different ways. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Jason (Jon Walmsley) takes it upon himself to reform his cousin Boone Walton (Morgan Woodward), who is a bit too fond of moonshine liquor. This proves difficult when Bonne befriends the Baldwin sisters, who of course have been brewing up their own special family "recipe" for years. Meanwhile, Olivia (Michael Learned) clashes with the hyper-judgemental Corabeth (Ronnie Claire Edwards) when John-Boy's former fiancee Daisy (Deirdre Lenihan) returns with her out-of-wedlock daughter Melissa (Brandi Tucker) in tow. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi