Harry Harris Movies
- 1981
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, All Movie Guide
- 1981
In this telemovie, Ron Leibman plays Stan Rivkin, who, sure enough, is bounty hunter, though he operates in Manhattan rather than the wild west. Rivkin has a physically handicapped 12 year old son (Glenn Scarpelli), who is frequently left in the care of a kindly retired priest (Harry Morgan). The film follows Rivkin around as he takes on several low-paying and death-defying assignments. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1980
Back home on furlough, John-Boy (Robert Wightman) has trouble remembering the details of the plane crash that had earlier left him in a comatose state. Even more perplexing are John-Boy's random references to some mysterious person named "Katie Ann." Quick, darting flashbacks to his wartime accident enable John-Boy to put the pieces back together, but it's a far from easy task. Elsewhere on the Mountain, middle-aged Ike Godsey (Joe Conley) is certain that the Army has made a clerical error when he receives his draft notice...until he ends up behind bars. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1980
Already having great difficulty meeting his business deadlines, John Walton (Ralph Waite) is further stymied by a total breakdown of equipment at the lumberyard. Accordingly, John himself "breaks down"and announces his retirement, celebrating his new-found freedom in the company of his friend Ike (Joe Conley) at a local bar. When both men come staggering home three sheets to the wind, chaos ensues (as chaos often does). Elsewhere, cousin Jeffrey (Keith Mitchell) is a cinch to win an upcoming soapbox derby--mainly because he's the only contestant. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1980
It is the spring of 1944 on Walton's Mountain. As war correspondent John-Boy (Robert Wightman) prepares for his return trip overseas, his brother Jim-Bob (David W. Harper) is trying to figure out a way to avoid being chosen as his high school's class valedictorian; sister Erin (Mary Elizabeth McDonough) receives some dispiriting news from her erstwhile fiance; and brother Ben (Eric Scott) bids a tearful farewell to his wife and baby as he heads off to the Pacific front. Former series regular Ellen Corby makes a return appearance as Grandma Walton, while featured among Jim-Bob's classmates is a young, pre-Mask Eric Stolz. Although this is technically the final episode of The Waltons' eighth season, the "official" finale, a two-hour retrospective titled A Decade of the Waltons, was telecast by CBS on May 22, 1980. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1979
Narrowly escaping death when a car falls on him, Jim-Bob (David W. Harper) decides to change his ways and become a man of God. Unfortunately, he is unable to enroll in divinity school because he has no undergraduate degree, so he hits the road to "spread the word" as a traveling preacher -- and gets into a heap of trouble as a result. Meanwhile, Elizabeth (Kami Cotler) puts her heart and soul into a fascinating school project. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1979
Under intense pressure to keep his store solvent while still obeying the new wartime price and rationing restrictions, Ike Godsey (Joe Conley) suffers a heart attack. As the Waltons lend a helping hand at the store, Ike is pressured by his wife Corabeth to sell the place and retire -- and to prove that he'd be better off staying at home, she nearly kills her husband with kindness! Also keenly aware of wartime priorities and shortages are Ben (Eric Scott) and Jim-Bob (David W. Harper), who hope to strike it rich by manufacturing their own sugar. ~ 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
In the conclusion of The Waltons' two-part season eight opener (originally telecast as a single two-hour episode), newlyweds Ben (Eric Scott) and Cindy (new series regular Leslie Winston) nearly buckle under the pressure to start a family of their own; Erin (Mary McDonough) bristles at the condescending attitude of her boss J.D. Pickett (Lewis Arquette); and Elizabeth (Kami Cotler) has mixed feelings about the budding romance between her brother Jim-Bob (David W. Harper) and her best friend Aimee (Rachel Longaker). On a more serious note, local draft-board officer John Walton (Ralph Waite) has been threatened with dire consequences by Calvin Satterfield (George DiCenzo), who holds John responsible for the combat death of his son Tommy. The episode ends with more bad news from the battlefields of Europe -- and this time the topic of conversation is John's own son John-Boy. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1979
The Second World War has made quite an impact on Walton's Mountain as the eighth season of The Waltons gets under way. Fired up with patriotic fervor, everyone in the Walton family is involved in the war effort. For example, John Walton (Ralph Waite) is serving on the local draft board, Jason (Jon Walmsley) is an Army corporal, Erin (Mary McDonough) has taken a job at the metals plant owned by J.D. Pickett (Lewis Arquette), and the younger Walton siblings are closely monitoring the activities of the absent John-Boy, now a war correspondent in Europe. The good news in this first episode of a two-part story (originally telecast in a single two-hour slot) is that John's wife Olivia (Michael Learned) has returned from Arizona, where she was being treated for tuberculosis. The bad news is that a certain Calvin Satterfield (George DiCenzo) has threatened to kill John for advising Calvin's AWOL son Tommy (Glenn Withrow) to return to the Army -- advice that turned out to have tragic consequences. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1978
December 7, 1941: The Waltons are among the first people on the Mountain to hear the news that the Japanese have attacked Pearl Harbor. Especially affected by this catastrophic event is Mary Ellen (Judy Norton-Taylor), whose husband Curt (Tom Bower) is serving with the Medical Corps in Hawaii. Likewise nervously awaiting further news is neighbor Verdie Foster (Lynn Hamilton), whose son Josh is also stationed at Pearl Harbor. In the midst of this unfolding crisis, Ben helps matters not at all by introducing his new girlfriend Cindy, who dresses a tad too provocatively for everyone's taste. Though Robin Eisenmann appears as Cindy, the role would soon be taken over on a regular weekly basis by Leslie Winston. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1978
When Ben (Eric Scott) announces plans to start up a fancy motel, Corabeth (Ronnie Claire Edwards) offers him financial assistance -- with the understanding, of course, that she'll be given a generous share of the profits. Conversely, John (Ralph Waite) opposes Ben's plans, causing a serious rift between father and son. Meanwhile, Yancy Tucker (Robert Donner) "graduates" from a correspondence-school barber college; unfortunately, there aren't too many people around who are willing to have their hair trimmed by a musclebound moonshiner! ~ 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
- 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
As John-Boy heads to New York to find out if his novel has been accepted for publication, he recalls the events leading to this critical and anxious moment. Presented as "flashback" are choice excerpts from the previous episodes "The Typewriter", "The Literary Man" and "The Burnout". This final episode of The Waltons' fifth season also marks the final regular appearance of Richard Thomas as John-Boy Walton. ~ 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 (Ralph Waite) and Olivia (Michael Learned) want their 16-year-old daughter Erin (Mary Elizabeth McDonough) to finish school. She, however, is determined to marry Chad Mitchell (Michael O'Keefe)--with or without the permission of his parents. Elsewhere, while left in charge of the Godseys' store, Jason (Jon Walmsley) gets into trouble by extending credit to old Maude Gormley (Merie Earle). This episode marks the last regular appearance of Ellen Corby (who had suffered a serious stroke) in the role of Grandma Walton. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1977
Laboring under the misapprehension that he will be able to bring Grandma home from the hospital, Grandpa Walton (Will Geer) is rudely rebuffed by the medical staff. Not surprisingly, the old man raises a ruckus--and as result is barred from any further hospital visits. Elsewhere, high-and-mighty Corabeth Godsey (Ronnie Claire Edwards) is upset that her adopted daughter Aimee (Rachel Longaker) is playing with Elizabeth Walton (Kami Cotler), whom Corabeth considers a bad influence! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1977
After winning a national writing contest, John-Boy (Richard Thomas) is sent to cover the arrival of the dirigible Hindenburg in Lakehurst, New Jersey. But after the giant airship bursts into flames ("Oh, the humanity!"), John-Boy cannot summon up the words to describe the horrendous tragedy. Meanwhile, Mary Ellen's husband Curt (Tom Bowers) begins to worry that the family will never allow him to spend a few moments alone with his new wife. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1977
With America's entry into WW2 still several months away, Mary Ellen's husband Curt (Tom Bower) is drafted in to the US Army Medical Corps, while Erin's erstwhile soldier boyfriend G.W. (David Doremus) returns on furlough. At the same time, Jason's rambunctious pal Yancy (Robert Donner) decides to enlist, pausing only long enough to wed his girlfriend Sissy (Cissy Wellman). The episode ends on a tragic note as one of the Mountain's three soldiers returns home in a coffin. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1976
While driving through a particularly treacherous stretch of woods, Olivia (Michael Learned) and her two youngest children Elizabeth (Kami Cotler) and Jim-Bob (David W. Harper) are stranded by a flat tire. In their efforts to find their way home, the three Waltons end up getting lost. After briefly taking refuge in a cabin owned by a bootlegging family, they are driven even deeper into the bear-infested woods--and now, storm clouds are ominously gathering on the horizon. Without tipping off the climax of this episode, it can be noted that the "hero" turns out be the least expected candidate. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1976
Disaster strikes the Walton family when their house is gutted by a raging fire. While the neighbors help John (Ralph Waite) rebuild, Olivia (Michael Learned) arranges for several neighbors to shelter her children in the interim, causing a great deal of friction between the younger Waltons and their temporary "families." Meanwhile, John-Boy (Richard Thomas) despairs over the possibility that his nearly-completed novel has gone up in smoke--and is wracked with guilt over the likelihood that he himself caused the fire. This is the first half of a two-part story, originally telecast as a single two-hour episode. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1976
When the editor shuts down the newspaper where he works, John-Boy is given the opportunity to start up a periodical of his own. But before he can issue the first edition of the "Blue Ridge Chronicle", he must purchase the old paper's printing press--and thus he takes a full-time job to raise the money. His new responsibility cut into his study time at college, and it seems as though John-Boy's journalism teacher Professor Parks (Paul Jenkins) has no intention of cutting the boy any slack. . .but Parks may not be quite as cold-hearted as he seems. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1976
Newly married to Dr. Curt Willard (Tom Bower), Mary Ellen (Judy Norton-Taylor) begins to doubt that she is worthy of her husband--especially when she faints dead away while helping him during surgery. Elsewhere, John-Boy (Richard Thomas) comes to regret selling land entrusted to him by Grandpa when it turns out the property is going to be used for hydraulic mining. And Rev. Fordwick's pregnant wife Rosemary (Mariclare Costello) suddenly goes into labor just as a rainstorm comes hammering down on Walton's Mountain. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
