Harry Harris Movies
- 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
- 1976
In the conclusion of a two-part story (originally telecast as a single two-hour episode), the Waltons struggle to put their lives back in order in the wake of the fire that has gutted their house. John-Boy (Richard Thomas) is guilt-ridden over the likelihood that he was responsible for the blaze, while Erin (Mary Elizabeth McDonugh) believes that she may have indirectly caused John-Boy's novel to be destroyed. Olivia (Michael Learned) worries that her family will be split up now that she has been forced to "redistribute" the children to various other households while John (Ralph Waite) and the neighbors rebuild the Walton home. And Ben (Eric Scott) comes to realize the value of rules and regulations after spending a few days with the footloose Yancy Tucker (Robert Donner). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1975
A 12-year-old Jodie Foster makes one of her periodic ABC Afterschool Special appearances as the title character in The Secret Life of T.K. Dearing. Considered something of an oddball by her family and peer group, peppery preteen T.K. Dearing finds a friend and kindred spirit in her young-at-heart grandfather (Eduard Franz). The story shifts into high gear when T.K. invites grandpa to join her secret club. (Hard to believe that Jodie Foster starred in this wholesome little escapade the same year that she played "working girl" Iris in Martin Scorsese's Taxi Driver!) ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jodie Foster, Eduard Franz, (more)
- 1975
As The Waltons begins its fourth season, Rev. Matthew Fordwick (John Ritter) and schoolteacher Rosemary Hunter (Mariclare Costello) are about to leave Walton's Mountain for their wedding and honeymoon. In their absence, John-Boy Walton (Richard Thomas) agrees to deliver the Sunday sermon, while his mother Olivia (Michael Learned) takes over Miss Hunter's classroom. The new responsibilities take quite a toll on both Waltons--especially John-Boy, who is convinced that he will never be able to come up with the right words to inspire the parishioners. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1975
Having trouble with his college physics class, John-Boy (Richard Thomas) begins studying with a brilliant tutor--a 16-year-old prodigy named Lyle (Dennis Kort). Invited to stay for a while with the Waltons, Lyle quickly demonstrates that though he may a genius, he is a complete social misfit, unable to communicate with "normal" people. After inadvertently insulting the Waltons intellectually , Lyle finally crosses the line when he dismisses Olivia's belief in God as immature and unrealistic. Needless to say, Lyle is due for a few hard lessons in getting along with his fellow humans--and a local fund-raising bazaar is as good a place as any for those lessons. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1975
In spite of all his hard work and ambition, John-Boy (Richard Thomas) is worried that he hasn't really got what it takes to be a professional writer. John-Boy's father John (Ralph Waite) is likewise weighed down with worry: his 25th high school reunion is approaching, and he's afraid to face his former classmates because he feels he hasn't lived up to their expectations. Without revealing any more of the story, suffice to say that both Waltons are in for some pleasant surprises. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1975
The Waltons are advised of the plight of their city-dwelling relative Wade (Richard Hatch), whose marriage is on the brink of collapse. Convinced that Wade has been stepping out with other women, Wade's wife Vera (Lindsay V. Jones) tales refuge in the Walton home. The good news is that Wade is not cheating on Vera, merely working overtime to make ends meet: the bad news is that Wade's new job involves running illegal moonshine! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1975
A troubled orphan runs away from his unhappy foster home and makes friends with a young leopard that has escaped from captivity in a nearby animal refuge. The two bond and become companions in this warmly sensitive family film. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1975
This was the pilot for the 1975 TV series based on the novel by Johann Wyss. Martin Milner is the paterfamilias of the Robinsons, cast adrift on a tropical island and forced to forge their own society. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1974
While tutoring fellow student Tom Povich (Richard Masur), who is attending Boatwright on a football scholarship, John-Boy (Richard Thomas) catches Tom cheating on a history exam. Though he'd sooner keep quiet, John-Boy is bound by the students' "honor code", which dictates that he himself will be given a failing grade unless he informs on Tom. This leads to an emotional denoument during a student council meeting, in which John-Boy tries to rationalize Tom's actions and prevent the boy from being expelled. And in a similar development, Jason (Jon Walmsley) wonders if he should "rat out" his brother Ben (Eric Scott), whom he has caught smoking a cigarette! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1974
John-Boy (Richard Thomas) is elated when a big-city publisher offers to assemble his short stories into a book. But elation turns to despair when John-Boy learns that he has been bamboozled by a "vanity" press and is expected to pay his own publication costs--and this after a public celebration has been arranged in his honor. Meanwhile, budding musician Jason (Jon Walmsley) prepares to make his professional debut with bandleader Bobby Bigelow (Mayf Nutter in his first series appearance). Featured in the guest cast is Kathy Cronkite, the daughter of CBS news anchor Walter Cronkite. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1974
John-Boy (Richard Thomas) enters the family mule Blue in the annual cross-country race, in which his chief competition is the thoroughbred horse owned by his friend Carl (Brendan Burns). As the last member of the Walton family who actually won this race (way back in 1915!), Grandpa (Will Geer) hopes that John-Boy will benefit from his expertise--but Grandpa would have been better off advising the boy not to lose his sense of perspective (which he does rather quickly!) As it turns out, the real "prize" in this competition is the beautiful Selena Linville (Kathleen Quinlan), who happens to be riding on behalf of John-Boy's rival. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1974
When it seems as if nobody understands his grief over the death of the schoolroom guinea pig that had been left in his care, Jim-Bob (David W. Harper) runs away from home. Although he may be forced to miss a long-awaited public appearance by a prominent author, John-Boy (Richard Thomas) agrees to conduct a search for his missing brother. Ultimately, John-Boy catches up with Jim-Bob--and, much to his surprise, with the author! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1974
John (Ralph Waite) is torn between financial considerations and concern for his children's birthright when he is offered $25,000 for Walton's Mountain by a developer (Noah Beery Jr.) who wants to build a tourist resort. Of course, John needs the money--but does he need THAT much money? (A fine question to be asking oneself in the middle of a Depression!) Meanwhile, Grandpa (Will Geer) and Grandma (Ellen Corby) prepare for their Golden wedding anniversary. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1973
In this theatrically released episode from the TV series based on the popular feature film, Shaft, the tough New York detective must use all of his experience to solve the case and bring the crooks to justice. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1973
John Walton (Ralph Waite) is accused of stealing some valuable silver goblets from wealthy neighbor Mrs. Claybourne (Diana Webster). Her evidence? Well, for starters, John is the only visitor that Mrs. Claybourne has had in weeks--and even more damning, he has suddenly and inexplicably come into a large sum of money. Too angry and proud to defend himself, John is on the verge of a lengthy jail term until the truth is revealed in a surprising fashion. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1973
The second season of The Waltons begins as the family's eldest son John-Boy (Richard Thomas) is torn between his own youthful desires and the more pressing needs of an elderly person. Octogenarian Maggie MacKenzie (Linda Watkins) is resolved to the fact that she isn't long for this world, but she refuses to give up the ghost until she is able to see the Atlantic Ocean one last time--the same Atlantic Ocean that had carried herself and her late husband from Scotland to America so many years ago. Pressed into service to transport Maggie to the seacoast is John-Boy, but he isn't happy about the assignment: Maggie's odyssey may well prevent him from attending a big dance with his erstwhile girlfriend Marsha (Tammi Bula). Series creator Earl Hamner Jr. briefly appears as Maggie's husband in a flashback sequence. This episode earned the Directors' Guild of America award for Harry Harris. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1973
Caught in a heavy rainstorm on Walton's Mountain, a family of Gypsies takes refuge it what seems to be a deserted house. Actually, it's the home of the Baldwin sisters, temporarily out of town. The Gypsies' unwitting "break-in" fuels the bigotry of Matt Beckwith (William Bramley), who tries to turn the other residents of the Mountain against the nomadic family. When the Waltons offer to lend a helping hand, the Gypsies are too proud to accept...even though their baby is gravely ill. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1973
Having lost his job in Cincinnati, Olivia's 64-year-old uncle Cody Nelson (Eduard Franz) relocates to Walton's Mountain. Hoping to alleviate Cody's loneliness, John-Boy (Richard Thomas) tries to play matchmaker between his uncle and local resident Cordelia Hunnicutt (Danna Hansen). But Olivia and Grandma staunchly disapprove of this romance, labelling Cordelia as "unsuitable" for poor, innocent Cody--after all, the brazen woman has been married and divorced four times! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1973
Walton's Mountain turns into a battleground over the teaching of Evolution. Lutie Bascomb (Richard Bradford), a hard-luck farmer whose violent temper has gotten worse since the breakup of his marriage, storms into the classroom of Miss Hunter (Mariclare Costello) and accuses her of "blasphemy" for explaining Darwin's theory to Lutie's daughter Lois Mae (Laurie Prange). The war of words reaches an ominous climax when Lutie threatens to kill Miss Hunter--and not long afterward, the schoolhouse is engulfed in flames! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1972
Mark Miller plays a paranoid ex-convict named Tom and Leslie Parrish appears as a waitress named Sharon in a sad story of a star-crossed romance. Sharon fond of Tom, but he is more preoccupied with the fear that he is being stalked and pursued . When Sharon attempts suicide, Officers Jim Reed (Kent McCord) and Pete Malloy (Martin Milner) try to find out the reason by tracing a letter she had sent to Tom--with unexpected results. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1972
This episode recalls the time when impoverished teenagers found employment (not always voluntarily) by working in the government-sponsored Civilian Conservation Corps. One such youngster is Gino (Michael Rupert), a hard-bitten New York slum kid. Running away from a C.C.C. camp near Walton's Mountain, Gino seeks temporary shelter by the Walton family. Unable to accept the family's kindness and generosity, Gino ends up stealing from his hosts. John Walton (Ralph Waite) is all for having Gino arrested until a crisis involving his daughter Elizabeth (Kami Cotler) opens John's eyes to the boy's essential decency. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1972
Much to the dismay of the younger Walton children, their pet calf is sold for nine dollars to farmer George Anderson (Leonard Stone), who intends to slaughter the animal for its meat. John Walton (Ralph Waite) doesn't really want to break his kids' hearts, but facts are facts: a male calf is of no use on their farm, and the family needs that nine dollars to repair their truck. Ultimately, John weakens and tries to buy the calf back, only to have the canny Anderson increase the asking price -- thereby all but goading the Walton youngsters into becoming cattle thieves! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
