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Post by runhard on Jun 24, 2022 2:28:39 GMT -5
John Ritter was a incredible actor with great range who most people remember as a great comic, but when you see him in The Waltons he was also like most great comedians a serious dramatic actor as well. I always thought we not only lost him as Reverend Fordwich but we also lost Rosemary Hunter. The Sinner was his first episode and he definitely nailed the part.
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Post by flossieskid on Jun 24, 2022 4:04:18 GMT -5
I TOTALLY agree with “runhard’s” assessment of John Ritter as an incredibly talented dramatic actor, as well as, an amazing comedic actor. I think I posted a while back that my Mom worked with John 3 times. Obviously, they acted in many episodes of the Waltons, especially “The Firestorm”, but John and my Mom also starred in an episode of “Kojak” where John was a jewel thief. But, as I have mentioned my Mom and John co-starred in a run of the classic play “Our Town” in Santa Barbara.
My husband, to this day, still marvels at the ease that John broke into very believable racking sobs on an imaginary grave in the play.
All of us who loved John still lament that he was taken from us far too soon. But, how wonderful, fans like “runhard” remind us of his talent - and that will live on forever in all the shows in which he appeared.
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Post by Easton on Jun 24, 2022 7:14:33 GMT -5
John could play both serious and comedic, and he was one of the more believable 'drunks'. I remember Dudley Moore explaining the secret in portraying 'Arthur' so well. He admitted that he took his inspiration from the 'Loveable Drunk' Foster Brooks. Dudley's secret? Sober people try to act drunk. Drunk people try to act sober. That's what John did in The Sinner. It also made his confession to the congregation much more potent and believable to the viewers.
John Ritter may have been playing a serious character, and he did it extremely well, but fellow cast members have claimed that John and Richard Thomas kept them and the crew in stitches with their shenanigans. I can just imagine how much of their nonsense ended up on the cutting room floor.
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Post by goodnight on Jun 24, 2022 13:19:09 GMT -5
I TOTALLY agree with “runhard’s” assessment of John Ritter as an incredibly talented dramatic actor, as well as, an amazing comedic actor. I think I posted a while back that my Mom worked with John 3 times. Obviously, they acted in many episodes of the Waltons, especially “The Firestorm”, but John and my Mom also starred in an episode of “Kojak” where John was a jewel thief. But, as I have mentioned my Mom and John co-starred in a run of the classic play “Our Town” in Santa Barbara. My husband, to this day, still marvels at the ease that John broke into very believable racking sobs on an imaginary grave in the play. All of us who loved John still lament that he was taken from us far too soon. But, how wonderful, fans like “runhard” remind us of his talent - and that will live on forever in all the shows in which he appeared. I'm guessing John Ritter played the part of George in the production of Our Town mentioned above. Based on your description of the scene. What part did your mother play? |
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Post by flossieskid on Jun 25, 2022 5:22:47 GMT -5
You would think I would remember which part my Mom played in “Our Town” with John, but that was in the mid-70’s and I can’t remember what I ate for dinner last week! I kept a journal/diary for many years growing up, but once I got married and our daughter was born, I didn’t continue it as religiously.
Out of curiosity, I looked up the characters in the play and who they were and it seems like she either played Mrs. Gibbs or Mrs. Webb. I definitely remember my Mom “miming” her part - of preparing breakfast and snapping beans. It was such a hard play to do since actors usually have actual props to work with - and since my Mom didn’t really like to spend much time in the kitchen, it was quite a Herculean effort for her to look authentic!!
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Post by Heather on Jun 27, 2022 10:07:15 GMT -5
I grew up watching Three's Company reruns so John Ritter has a special place in my heart. He was the best physical comedian I've ever seen. In one episode, Jack and the girls were camping and he was going to sleep on the hammock and did a whole bit with it trying to get on it. Hilarious. And of course when I found The Waltons later in life, his portrayal of Matthew endeared him to me even more. The Sinner is one of my favorite episodes. Love how Daddy stepped up to support Matthew.
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Post by runhard on Jun 27, 2022 18:11:06 GMT -5
I TOTALLY agree with “runhard’s” assessment of John Ritter as an incredibly talented dramatic actor, as well as, an amazing comedic actor. I think I posted a while back that my Mom worked with John 3 times. Obviously, they acted in many episodes of the Waltons, especially “The Firestorm”, but John and my Mom also starred in an episode of “Kojak” where John was a jewel thief. But, as I have mentioned my Mom and John co-starred in a run of the classic play “Our Town” in Santa Barbara. My husband, to this day, still marvels at the ease that John broke into very believable racking sobs on an imaginary grave in the play. All of us who loved John still lament that he was taken from us far too soon. But, how wonderful, fans like “runhard” remind us of his talent - and that will live on forever in all the shows in which he appeared. His range was one to be admired just look at his small part in Sling Blade he stole every scene he was in. You are so right he was taken from us way too soon. |
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Post by runhard on Jun 27, 2022 18:13:53 GMT -5
John could play both serious and comedic, and he was one of the more believable 'drunks'. I remember Dudley Moore explaining the secret in portraying 'Arthur' so well. He admitted that he took his inspiration from the 'Loveable Drunk' Foster Brooks. Dudley's secret? Sober people try to act drunk. Drunk people try to act sober. That's what John did in The Sinner. It also made his confession to the congregation much more potent and believable to the viewers.
John Ritter may have been playing a serious character, and he did it extremely well, but fellow cast members have claimed that John and Richard Thomas kept them and the crew in stitches with their shenanigans. I can just imagine how much of their nonsense ended up on the cutting room floor.
I've heard Richard Thomas talk about working with John Ritter saying that it was hard to keep a straight face because the two of them did everything they could to get the other one to laugh. |
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Post by goodnight on Jun 27, 2022 23:30:55 GMT -5
One thing I saw him in that I would like to find again. In a TV movie he played the character of L. Frank Baum who wrote the Wizard of Oz books.
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Post by runhard on Jun 28, 2022 0:59:45 GMT -5
One thing I saw him in that I would like to find again. In a TV movie he played the character of L. Frank Baum who wrote the Wizard of Oz books. I remember that TV movie it's got to be at least 25 years or more old I'd check the streaming services it's out there somewhere. |
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Post by goodnight on Jun 28, 2022 8:22:56 GMT -5
One thing I saw him in that I would like to find again. In a TV movie he played the character of L. Frank Baum who wrote the Wizard of Oz books. I remember that TV movie it's got to be at least 25 years or more old I'd check the streaming services it's out there somewhere. I actually found it on Youtube last night after I posted here. |
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Post by e knight on Jun 28, 2022 9:34:19 GMT -5
One thing I saw him in that I would like to find again. In a TV movie he played the character of L. Frank Baum who wrote the Wizard of Oz books. (1990) used to be included as an extra on multi-DVD box sets of The Wizard of Oz. Maybe still is. |
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Post by carol on Jun 28, 2022 14:12:46 GMT -5
John Ritter was also good in Heartbeat which was based on Danielle Steel's book of the same name. It was a made for TV movie and aired in 1993.  |
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