Waltons intro/opening theme (NBC episodes)

[ewd76]

I miss TNN

[jsrosa1282]

Kbirdusa, I want to add that the deal with NBC airing the first three Waltons TV movies in 1982 was reminiscent of the one that CBS did with the Brady Bunch in 1990.

You're right about CBS being the #1 network in 1982, but by the 1989-90 season they were stuck in third place. Being desperate, the network told Sherwood Schwartz to remake three planned reunion movies into a series. Thus, the dramedy disaster known as "The Bradys" was born. At least NBC didn't do that with those Walton movies.

[mukatuna]

I can't remember this intro to the Waltons, was this version ever shown in the UK?

[zzz007zzz]

I could never understand what they were thinking when they made these openings for the 1982 reunion movies. They were too much of an odd departure from the traditional Waltons opening theme that we'ew used to. The only reunion movie that "got it right" in my opinion and is worth watching would be the 1993 "Walton Thanksgiving Reunion" movie on CBS. Alexander Courage returned one last time to do the background music for that one.

[alwrig]

Yeah, this was actually one of the Waltons TV movies done a couple of years after the show was cancelled.

I didn't know NBC aired the TV movies. I know the show was on CBS for years.

Funny thing about the Waltons show, though; a year before it premiered, CBS had done a purge of all their rural shows (Beverly Hillbillies, Petticoat Junction, etc.), yet a year later (1972) here come the Waltons. Go figure.

[kbirdusa]

Yeah, the whole rural purge thing turned out to be ironic.

Earl Hamner offered CBS these movies, but they were the number one network at the time, so they passed. NBC was stuck in third place, so they grabbed them. The 90s reunions were back on CBS.

[vidayverdad2]

Speaking of the CBS's rural purge, they were removing all those shows off their schedule in 1970 and 1971. Then in 1972, they put on The Waltons. Was that an about-face or what?

[wannawatchu66]

@vidayverdad2 Yeah, they didn't want to be known as the "Barnyard Network," or were trying to shed the image.

[binkle1]

I never saw these! It must have been when I was very busy working at MIT in the early 80s. Yes, I agree, reminds me of the old ABC "Movie of the Week" theme, which we all thought was very cool and ahead of its time (and still do!)

[visor109]

Sounds like an "ABC Special" theme!

[TServo2049]

It's a lot better if you play the Jerry Goldsmith theme in sync with the visuals, IMO...

[crazylegskc]

I've never seen this version of the intro before. I didn't like it. Nothing beats the original.

[tubeeorrnottubee]

Wow! Almost makes you think you're going to SEE it! {was disappointed when it didn't go on into the special with Ellen Corby narrorating!} :( lol :)

Thank you!