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Post by tonyas on Apr 10, 2014 14:23:09 GMT -5
I say bull on this. There isn't one person in my family, of that age group, that acts like what you describe. Not one. I think tonyas might be partly right, but I think Grandma Walton was still too young for that to be a reason for her grouchy disposition. I'm thinking of my own grandmother, who lived to be 94. She was the sweetest, kindest old lady in the world until she turned about 90, then she became a grouchy old woman. That was about the time she had to give up living alone and went to live with my aunt, so that was probably a big part of it. My own mother has always been a sweet, soft-spoken woman as well, but she turned 90 last summer, and she seems to have had a bit of a personality change. She's not grouchy like Grandma Walton, but she does seem to complain a lot these days, and she never used to do that. But like I said, Grandma Walton wasn't nearly that old, and I think she had been that way for years, not just when she got old. Brenda, that's been my experience as well. Except I'm seeing it in the mid 70's and 80's in my family. It's often difficult dealing with such negativity, when there really is no reason to be negative. And it's hard to see someone you love in this state. |
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Post by tonyas on Apr 10, 2014 14:53:43 GMT -5
I'm sitting here watching "Grandma Comes Home" on INSP tonight. I've always felt that Ellen Corby's return to The Waltons was one of the most courageous moments in television history. After the stroke, Ellen could have just given up, but she worked hard and was able to return to the series - a stroke victim portraying a stroke victim. It made the storyline so believable because it was real. I am so glad she chose to come back after her stroke. That just shows how strong of a person Ellen Corby truly was. She was so young at the time too, I believe 66 or 67. I love the part when Grandpa is all upset because his Esther wasn't behaving like she normally did. Towards the end of the show, she whacked him with the broom she was using to sweep the porch. He's so happy and yells out Whooopieee! |
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Post by Marilyn on Apr 11, 2014 21:15:04 GMT -5
Let's not forget that Grandma's moods are scripted by mostly male writers. I doubt any or very few older women are cranky as much as she was.
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Post by carol on Apr 11, 2014 22:39:36 GMT -5
And Ellen herself added some of the salt and vinegar to Grandma's character. What if Grandma had been a sweet kind old lady? Would it have made a difference in the family dynamic?
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Post by daniela on Apr 11, 2014 22:58:27 GMT -5
Good question Carol..I have to think about this one!
My first reaction is yes, it would change things.
I like her character. She was a no nonsense grandma. I love that Will Geer played grandpa the way he did too. They complimented each other perfectly
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Post by Kathy Lee on Apr 12, 2014 4:18:18 GMT -5
Now, when I am watching the show, she does seem cranky a lot. Note to self...don't get cranky when you get old.
Ellen Corby was only in her sixties when she died! Wow, she did die fairly young. She always seemed so much older.
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Post by married2oldfool on Apr 12, 2014 5:31:38 GMT -5
Now, when I am watching the show, she does seem cranky a lot. Note to self...don't get cranky when you get old. Ellen Corby was only in her sixties when she died! Wow, she did die fairly young. She always seemed so much older. Ellen Corby was born on June 3, 1911 and died April 14, 1991 so she was 79 yrs old when she died. |
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Post by ForeverWaltons on Apr 12, 2014 10:28:51 GMT -5
Now, when I am watching the show, she does seem cranky a lot. Note to self...don't get cranky when you get old. Ellen Corby was only in her sixties when she died! Wow, she did die fairly young. She always seemed so much older. Ellen Corby was born on June 3, 1911 and died April 14, 1991 so she was 79 yrs old when she died.
Ellen Corby was born on June 3rd, 1911 and died April 14th, 1999. She was 87 years old.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellen_Corby
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Post by tonyas on Apr 12, 2014 12:33:41 GMT -5
And Ellen herself added some of the salt and vinegar to Grandma's character. What if Grandma had been a sweet kind old lady? Would it have made a difference in the family dynamic? I remember Ellen Corby stating just that. Mr. Hamner wanted her character to be sweeter, saying that's how his grandmother really was, but Ellen said they needed some salt and vinegar to counter the sweetness of the other characters. So, evidently it was her idea to portray Grandma in this way. |
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Post by tonyas on Apr 12, 2014 12:35:39 GMT -5
Now, when I am watching the show, she does seem cranky a lot. Note to self...don't get cranky when you get old. Ellen Corby was only in her sixties when she died! Wow, she did die fairly young. She always seemed so much older. Sorry, I meant she was in her 60's when she had her stroke. 66 or 67 I believe. So, she was fairly young when that happened. |
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Post by married2oldfool on Apr 12, 2014 14:31:30 GMT -5
Ellen Corby was born on June 3, 1911 and died April 14, 1991 so she was 79 yrs old when she died.
Ellen Corby was born on June 3rd, 1911 and died April 14th, 1999. She was 87 years old.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ellen_Corby
Thanks! I was looking right at the dates and typed in the wrong year (DUH!) |
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Post by mtdawg on Apr 12, 2014 18:41:27 GMT -5
Let's not forget that Grandma's moods are scripted by mostly male writers. I doubt any or very few older women are cranky as much as she was. Marilyn, you could be correct and normally you and I are on the same page. After though reading Ronnie's book she commented Ellen liked her character to be the "antagonist" for the show and saw the role of Cora Beth to challenge her position. Not sure if true, yet wanted to share. Also, I did not see grandma as unhappy. She would have done anything for her family and clearly,zeb and her had a wonderful (and romantic I might add) partnership. |
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Post by Marilyn on Apr 12, 2014 18:46:35 GMT -5
I haven't read her book.. I think I should! Yes, Zeb and Esther had a special relationship and even though Esther was at times abrupt and cranky, Zeb dealt with it wonderfully! Any other man would have had a problem with it.
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Post by awesomemixtape10 on Apr 15, 2014 22:29:51 GMT -5
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Post by daniela on Apr 15, 2014 23:18:10 GMT -5
Ha..that was great! Funny that Ellen Corby looks old to me, even though she was young in this clip. I'm not sure if it's because I'm used to seeing her in her "grandma "role? You know who else always looked old to me? Don Knotts...always looked old to me. Not sure why. Great clip...nice to see her laughing, dancing and having fun  |
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