Any Walton Athletes??

[flossieskid]

Even with the pared down Olympics, I have been tuning in to see some of the more popular events shown on TV during Prime Time. I certainly admire ANY participant who has dedicated many years of early morning practices at the crack of dawn and putting in even more hours after dinner and before bedtime, in their designated sport.

I always find it unusual when unique but obscure sports are chosen for such admirable dedication. I don’t think there was ever an “Archery Gold Medalist” featured on a Wheaties box or the “Fencing”(“Foil”) 1st place winner wearing and promoting only the most expensive “ Elegant Wrist Watch “ that every Olympian or self respecting athlete would not be caught dead without! These pitchmen and pitchwomen make much more money from endorsements than they ever could from prize money in their sport.

While I know John and Olivia did not have the money to sign up any of their brood for “lessons at the Y”, I don’t remember any of the kids or anyone on Waltons mountain, for that matter, showing any interest in anything even related to a “sport”. Except in the few scenes I remember the children kicking a ball around the front yard, does anyone remember if the kids played any other specific game or showed any interest in a sport. I just can’t remember.

Most families, of that era, were, of course dealing with unemployment and the depression affecting families everywhere. But, a few episodes like “The Fire Storm” and a couple of others alluded to the troubles in the world. I know the show’s focus was justifiably geared to “The Waltons” and their reactions to events both at home and abroad. But, I do think the writers, especially Earl, attempted to broaden the sense of communal responsibility for the viewers and the need to address those
important issues.

Of course, in hindsight it would have been great to incorporate more families of color in the stories, especially when there were probably a great number of freed slaves and their descendants who began new lives in Virginia. It was nice to see stories about black families (i.e. a young Todd Bridges and also cast member Madge Sincljoair in “Little House on the Prairie.”

Perhaps there were more stories and I just didn’t see them. I must admit it was harder to watch “The Waltons” after my Mom died. But when I did, I guess I wanted it to be “super perfect” - although it was pretty darn close!

My questions about any Waltons’ interest in sports to a total right angle and discussion about emancipation and representation seems a strange tangent - even for me! But, I am truly interested in the thoughts, about both, from Forum participants. Thanks!

[Easton]

I think all of the sports or games shown on the series were for the show. I don't think any of the cast were inclined to play them. However, Judy Norton was an accomplished horse person and, with suitable training, might have competed in Olympic equestrian events if she were so inclined.

A bit of Olympic trivia:

Since its inception as an Olympic event until the 1936 games in Berlin, the marathon was a 26 mile event. However, Adolph Hitler, who was in attendance for the race, demanded that the finish line must be directly in front of his seat in the stands. To that end, the race was extended by 385 yards and the marathon has been 26 miles, 385 yards (42.195 km) ever since.

[JessicaGirlSpy]

If the Waltons kids went to a larger school that also had athletic teams, I could see an episode where Ben try out for a team to try to impress a cheerleader ( or another girl for that matter)

I could also see an episode where John-Boy gets an opportunity to cover the 1936 summer Olympics and gets to know Jesse Owens and strikes up a friendship with him.

[Easton]

Jessie would have been a wonderful interview and his performances at the Olympics were the stuff of legends. It's too bad the '40 and '44 Olympics were cancelled because of the war. Who knows what he might have done.

[JessicaGirlSpy]

Did the Waltons ever mentioned Mildred "Babe" Didrikson Zaharias? She was one of the greatest athletes of the 1930s and of all time. She easily could have been one of Mary Ellen's role models.

[carol]

The closest I can think of to athletics on The Waltons is the episode The Wager when Mary Ellen and Erin competed in the run and ride race.

[goodnight]

Was the 1936 Olympics and Jesse Owens ever mentioned in the show?

We know they liked baseball as they were helping that boy Hobie. And wasn't John missing a baseball article in the newspaper when Ben had cut out an ad/order form for elevated shoes on the opposite page?

They helped the African American minister who boxed to raise money for his church.

Since the show was set in the 30's, I think they should have had a mention of Seabiscuits races.

[patriciaanne]

Mary Ellen enjoyed playing baseball and told Daisy that before getting married, she wanted to be a first baseman for...the Dodgers, was it?

Interesting question about representation. In real life, the Hamner children would probably not have known any people of color growing up. I believe Schuyler was a segregated town back then. I have always enjoyed the Verdie storylines and am glad they were included.

[flossieskid]

Another Walton connection to Babe Dedrickson. My Mom “Flossie” had a small part in the TV movie “Babe” about the life of the famous athlete starring Susan Clark and her real life husband Alex Karras. I don’t think my Mom was even credited, but another Walton alum, Jeanette Nolan played Babe’s Mom, I think. I didn’t know much about her until I saw the movie. Sadly, colon cancer took her life when she was only in her 40’s.

[Easton]

^ Jeanette did, indeed, appear in the movie as Hannah Marie Didrikson.

Other people you may have heard of: Slim Pickens as Col. M.J. McCombs and Ellen Geer as Lilly Didrikson.

Your mother isn't listed on the IMDb page, even in the uncredited list: www.imdb.com/title/tt0072677/

[Johnny]

Jul 27, 2021 7:34:15 GMT -5 flossieskid said:

While I know John and Olivia did not have the money to sign up any of their brood for “lessons at the Y”, I don’t remember any of the kids or anyone on Waltons mountain, for that matter, showing any interest in anything even related to a “sport”. Except in the few scenes I remember the children kicking a ball around the front yard, does anyone remember if the kids played any other specific game or showed any interest in a sport. I just can’t remember.

Jul 27, 2021 13:33:54 GMT -5 goodnight said:

We know they liked baseball as they were helping that boy Hobie

  Yes, the episode was The Braggart (S2E09) when the children of Walton's Mountain hosted a baseball game verses the children at the orphanage where Hobie grew up. On the Walton's team was Jason pitching, John-boy catching, Mary-Ellen at 1st base, Ben at 2nd. I see Jim-Bob fielding but cannot tell which position. Ike umpired behind the plate. There are several other children playing the field but there were no close-ups, so either they were kids we've seen at the Walton school or extras.

Besides Mary-Ellen & Erin's race in The Wager (S8E11) that Carol mentioned, there was an earlier equestrian episode when John-Boy rode Old Blue in a cross country race sponsored by the grandfather of Selena Linville, a girl JB meets at Boatwright, in The Thoroughbred (S3E03).

So baseball, horseback riding and running were athletics the Walton children participated.

[Easton]

^ I grew up in the 1950s and impromptu neighbourhood baseball games were always popping up. I can't remember how the word spread, but there were a lot of pop-up baseball games after school and at weekends. Touch Football was less popular.

I can understand the Walton kids playing so much baseball. That and Monkey in the Middle.

[carol]

Jul 27, 2021 13:33:54 GMT -5 goodnight said:

Was the 1936 Olympics and Jesse Owens ever mentioned in the show?

We know they liked baseball as they were helping that boy Hobie. And wasn't John missing a baseball article in the newspaper when Ben had cut out an ad/order form for elevated shoes on the opposite page?

They helped the African American minister who boxed to raise money for his church.

Since the show was set in the 30's, I think they should have had a mention of Seabiscuits races.

Olivia and Grandma would have had hissy fits if John and Grandpa listened to horse racing on the radio. And heaven forbid if they placed bets.

[goodnight]

Wasn't there a scene in one of the episodes where they are throwing a football around?

[Kyle]

I remember seeing Judy on Battle of the Network Stars in the late 70s/early 80s, and she did very well.