WALTON THANKSGIVING REUNION, A (TV)

Summary

This made-for-television drama film picks up the story of the Waltons, a large, close-knit family living in rural Virginia, as they reunite for Thanksgiving 1963.

The story begins as John and Olivia discuss their plans to move to a new house, realizing that the holiday, for which everyone apart from a traveling Elizabeth is scheduled to arrive, will be their last on Walton Mountain. In New York City, John-Boy reports on President Kennedy's upcoming trip to Texas and chats with his girlfriend Janet, whom he intends to bring to meet his family. Mary Ellen drops her children off with Cindy, and Cindy sadly explains that Ben will not even consider adoption after the death of their daughter Ginny. Elsewhere, Corabeth refuses to read a letter from her estranged daughter Aimee, and Ben argues with John about their need for a new truck for work. Jason reunites with Toni and the kids after yet another long absence. When John-Boy arrives with Janet, Olivia and John are thrilled to find that Elizabeth has come home from Europe after all.

John-Boy talks to his mother about Janet, admitting that she has put off his marriage proposals. When Elizabeth asks her mother for advice about "settling down," Olivia urges her to do what makes her happy. Elizabeth is then surprised by a visit from Drew, who is also newly single, and sparks immediately fly between the two. John is annoyed to find that Ben has hired Drew without consulting him, and Janet is overwhelmed when she meets all of John-Boy's siblings and learns of his family nickname. Toni reveals to Jason that she is again pregnant, though vows that it is for the final time. Elsewhere Erin talks with Jeff, the assistant principal, who urges her to accept a full-time position at the school. John-Boy shows Janet around his hometown and she notes that he is "different here," wondering if they can truly be together while simultaneously maintaining their busy careers. John and Olivia learn that the Baldwin sisters have been arrested for their harmless moonshine habit on the orders of the no-nonsense A.D.A. Al Sampson. They quickly take the elderly women out of the cell despite the sheriff's protests.

At the general store, Ike, Olivia, and Verdie are stunned to hear on the radio that President Kennedy has been shot in Dallas. Later, they learn that he has died, and John-Boy quickly packs for New York, sadly reflecting on his brief personal encounter with the politician. Elizabeth and Verdie mourn the loss together, and Jeff visits Erin at home, admitting that he does not want to be alone with the upsetting news. Erin points out that he is married, but he explains that his wife has left him and she hesitantly allows him inside. Olivia comforts her granddaughter, who is confused and frightened by the news. John-Boy introduces a touching segment about Kennedy's personal life and identity. Ben and John argue anew about the truck, with Ben feeling that he is not truly his father's business partner. John complains to his wife about their stubborn son as they wonder about the motivations of the alleged suspect, Lee Harvey Oswald. Mary Ellen scolds Jim-Bob for taking young Clay up in his airplane, but Jim-Bob points out that the young boy is feeling undue pressure from his father's uncertain fate in Vietnam, among other things. Ike mourns the president and urges Corabeth to reconsider her feelings about Aimee, arguing that she simply "followed her heart" when she ran off with a "ruffian."

John-Boy calls Janet and explains that he is still stuck working in the city. Olivia brings Janet along to church with the rest of the family. Drew and Elizabeth begin discussing a future together, and Cindy later admits that Ben is still too angry with John to attend Thanksgiving dinner. Everyone is shocked anew to hear that Oswald has been shot; the Baldwin sisters thank John for his assistance with a cake. Still upset about their ill treatment, John confronts A.D.A. Sampson, suspecting that he is merely trying to secure votes to become county commissioner. Al counters that Erin has been seen spending private time with a married man. Jason heads off on another work-related trip, and a distressed Toni tells him not to come back, finally fed up with his many absences. Elizabeth announces that instead of getting engaged to Drew, as the family suspects, she has decided to join the Peace Corps. In the meantime, Janet grows increasingly frustrated with John-Boy's long absence. Drew attempts to question John about Ben, but John ends up giving him an impassioned monologue on "getting involved" and standing up for what is right. At the same time, Ben prepares to accept a foreman job elsewhere. Cindy finally convinces him to consider adoption.

John questions Erin about her friendship with Jeff, and she assures him that nothing untoward has occurred. The sisters – plus Janet – gather to discuss their unhappiness with their parents' decision to move. When the company truck dies yet again, John storms off in anger and seeks advice from his late father Zebulon. Mary Ellen prepares to accept Grandma into her home, though Grandma balks at the idea, feeling that her late husband will always "live" in the family home. Ben discovers that his father has purchased a new truck. After timidly asking for his old job back, Ben reveals that he and Cindy have begun the process of adopting a baby. John announces that he is running for county commissioner against Al, and he and Olivia begin to reconsider their plans for the new house. Olivia sternly tells her daughters not to "protect" her by shielding her from difficult news. Corabeth is stunned when Aimee arrives at the house, having been invited by Ike, and reveals that she has had a baby. Jason returns in triumph and reveals that Elvis Presley has purchased one of his songs for his next album. Olivia congratulates Toni, having figured out her other good news. The family sits down for Thanksgiving dinner, and Olivia and John reveal that they are not moving after all, much to everyone's relief. Later, everyone gathers around the television to watch John-Boy's heartfelt holiday message. They are thrilled when he sneaks in and surprises them all in person. That night, as the family bids one another good night, John-Boy happily announces that he has accepted Janet's proposal of marriage. Commercials deleted.

Details

• NETWORK: CBS
• DATE: 9:00 PM
• RUNNING TIME: 1:31:51
• COLOR/B&W: Color
• CATALOG ID: 119380
• GENRE: Drama
• SUBJECT HEADING: Drama; Families; Thanksgiving
• SERIES RUN: CBS - TV, 1993
• COMMERCIALS: N/A

CREDITS

• Earl Hamner … Executive Producer, Based on characters created by
• Lee Rich … Executive Producer
• Bruce Sallan … Executive Producer
• Sam Manners … Producer
• Harry Harris … Director
• Claire Whitaker … Writer
• Rod Peterson … Writer
• Alexander Courage … Music by
• Richard Thomas … Cast, John-Boy Walton
• Ralph Waite … Cast, John Walton
• Michael Learned … Cast, Olivia Walton
• Ellen Corby … Cast, Grandma Walton
• Jon Walmsley … Cast, Jason Walton
• Judy Norton … Cast, Mary Ellen Walton
• Mary McDonough … Cast, Erin Walton Northridg
• Eric Scott … Cast, Ben Walton
• David Harper … Cast, Jim-Bob Walton
• Kami Cotler … Cast, Elizabeth Walton
• Joe Conley … Cast, Ike
• Ronnie Claire Edwards … Cast, Corabeth Walton
• Tony Becker … Cast, Drew
• Steven Culp … Cast, Jeff Dulaney
• Lisa Harrison … Cast, Toni Walton
• Janet McNeil … Cast, Janet Gilchrist
• Peggy Rea … Cast, Rose
• Leslie Winston … Cast, Cindy
• Mary Jackson … Cast, Miss Emily Baldwin
• Helen Kleeb … Cast, Miss Mamie Baldwin
• James Karen … Cast, Assistant District Attorney Al Sampson
• Stanley Grover … Cast, Sheriff Gilmore
• Christian Cousins … Cast, Clay
• Lynn Hamilton … Cast, Verdie Grant
• Emily Ann Lloyd … Cast, Katie
• Robert Donner … Cast, Yancy Tucker
• Peter Fox … Cast, Reverend Moseley
• Rachel Longaker … Cast, Aimee Godsey
• Joseph Chapman … Cast, Newsman
• John F. Kennedy
• Lee Harvey Oswald
• Elvis Presley