The Homecoming: A Christmas Story (TV Movie 1971) 1/7

[dadsgirl0423]

DADDY, THIS WAS THE TIME YOU LOVED SO MUCH. I REMEMBER HOW YOU WOULD TELL STORIES OF THIS TIME AND HOW MUCH YOU MISSED IT. I KNOW YOUR IN HEAVEN WITH GRANDPA NOW. I MISS YOU SO MUCH I STILL CAN'T BELIEVE YOUR GONE. I LOVED YOU MORE THAN YOU WILL EVER KNOW. THANK YOU FOR NOT ONLY BEING MY DAD BUT MY BEST FRIEND. I WOULD GIVE ANYTHING I HAD JUST TO HEAR YOUR VOICE AGAIN. I LOVE YOU DADDY NOW AND ALWAYS.

[zavotim]

This movie is great and a wonderful family show not like those stupid reality shows on now adays. In those days the family did everything together. They had to make up there own fun and games there wasn't any tv , cellphones , or ipods. Families sat down and talked together and spent time together. Nice way of life.

[HaleyBubbette]

I don't particularly like the show but I LOVE the movie, my parents do too. It's a tradition to put this on as we start to decorate the tree. Then of course there's other viewings as well, we can't watch it just once! Patricia Neal gave a knock-out performance, very real feeling. Worried to the bone about her husband like a real wife would, while trying to look after that many children and take care of other duties, in the Great Depression no less. Hell, who wouldn't be "tired"? Honestly.

[torchwoodluver1869]

Absolutely love the Waltons but...

am i the only one who feels the show would not been what it was had Patricia stayed on instead of Michael and Will Geere not have played Grandpa

[JohnBoy918]

An interesting fact: Edgar Bergen, who played Grandpa Walton in this movie, and Will Geer, who took over the role of Grandpa in the TV series,  both died in 1978. I love this show. My nickname Johnboy comes from the Waltons. My uncle loved the show and when I was born he nicknamed me Johnboy. Since my name is John Walden, people have often mis-pronounced it "Walton."

[Kilia40]

I saw Ellen Corby and Edgar Bergen together in "I Remember Mama" as well.

Great movie, just like this one.

[kbunky69]

thank you for posting this tv movie i love the waltons

[phryedbanana]

I used to watch this every christmas with Mom.



[mgc1022]

i agree with just about everything that's been said. my mom & i watch the waltons every time it's on & it never gets old!! there were times i admit during the show that some parts got too goody-goody for my liking, yet this is probably bc--like you all said--today's society doesn't uphold such values anymore. only a classic tv series like the waltons would remind us all of the good old days. sorry this comment is kinda long, but i just love this show so much!! :D

[JohnBoy918]

@mgc1022 I have all the seasons on dvd, and all the reunion movies.

[mgc1022]

@JohnBoy918 well i guess i better get on it then!! hahahah i only have this on dvd

[huhnoname]

Diane likes to feel that way 14:06

[nycdweller]

A damned shame they don't show this on TV anymore.

[tmwalkerm]

@nycdweller they show it Monday to Friday on Vision tv.

[dadsgirl0423]

THIS IS HOW MY PARENTS RAISED US. I DEDICATE THIS SHOW TO MY TWO BROTHERS AND SISTER WHO I LOVE MORE THAN LIFE. MY SISTER, IS ESTRANGED FROM US RIGHT NOW. I PRAY TO GOD EVERYDAY THAT SHE COMES BACK TO US. I WANT HER TO KNOW THAT SHE IS LOVED AND MISSED VERY MUCH. I HAVE SENT HER THIS CLIP TO REMIND HER. PLEASE BRENDA, COME BACK TO US I MISS YOU SO MUCH.

[pugdogy]

I love this movie :)

[TinkTron]

I watched this show the first time it was on 40 years ago. I was 8 years old and I remember the night because there was a build up for some reason in my house. Of course I was a fan of the series and watch old episodes. What really hit home with me tonite was that when this came out in 1971, it was about a period that was 40 years before that! Of course as an 8 year old 1933 seemed like a pre-historic time. My how these last 40 years have gone by quickly though.

[Jklug1976]

"I do vow!"

[PenskeHilton]

Wish the clock could be turned back somehow..This was something that defined that era of greatness, creativity and happiness for a lot of people...Look around today and there is none of that...

[chronikkondition]

Thank you for posting this great movie. They never play it on TV anymore. Growing up in the 70s I used to watch this almost every year and I've missed. Wonderful addition and again.....thank you.

[DeirdreBegley]

I grew up watching the waltons have all the dvds

[notmeforsure100]

I guess my parents who were born and raised in the south, then moved to chicago before i was born 55 years ago, raised us to love our country and all that it offered. So as a black family, I was the youngest of seven kids, and I loved this Christmas Story so much, and the Waltons show, and at 52 years old, I still watch the waltons. My childhood was poor, and rich and the same time, cause we had family friends, and real relationships with people of all different colors. heres to yesterday!

[italoman9]

A great beginning to a great classic TV-watching tradition, in the 1970s and early '80s. The quality of each Waltons episode was always nothing less than rich. Remember, too, when the TV ads came at set, regular intervals during the show -- maybe 3 breaks per 1 hour -- and most of the ads were appropriate to the program and time slot they were running in? Imagine this today: Patricia Neal would have her lines interrupted by a break-in from "Jersey Shore..." :(

[Tralman1965]

This has been my favorite Christmas special for many years. I wish it got the same attention and air-play that all of the others do.

[lillyshak]

15? That means Jason is 13, Mary-Ellen 11, Ben and Erin about 10ish, Jim-Bob 9 and Elizabeth 4...I think the ages changed slightly between this and the actual series :)

[Godzilla23i]

I love this show and movie espicall dureing xmas

[flibideegibbit]

thx so much for posting.

[brendaleake]

i grew up with the waltons, my mom was raised in wisconsin during the great depression so she could relate!

[flibideegibbit]

@brendaleake -- my family too, my mom born 12-14-1934.  loved this movie and the show.

[GLOROBDEE]

I crack up everytime I hear John Boy fussing at the cow.

[roosevelthighschool]

Oh my god I love this movie.

[roosevelthighschool]

I love this movie. I read the book when I was in middle school. Couldn't get into it very much. Thought the movie is better than the book.

[hutchsgirl2007]

I grew up watching this show and little house and many others like it....I dont see why people dont like these shows anymore. This show reminds me of my grandpa whom I miss very much(died in 2007).....He was alot like the grandpa on the waltons....ALWAYS telling us about "the good old days"!!

[Bcoffey61]

I love this show i have watched it every year since it has came out brings back many memories

[cluvsonj]

The original grandfather in this movie was played by Edgar Bergen who was the father of actress Candace Bergen.

[Rivka0675]

I am glad they changed the mother from Patricia Neal to Michael Learned, and the grandfather to Will Gear. They also changed the father from William Windom to Ralph Waite, which was a good choice. Loved this movie and LOVED the series. Grew up on it.

[cluvsonj]

@Rivka0675 Actually it was Andrew Duggan who played John Walton in The Homecoming. William Windom played Charlie Snead. I was a fan of Andrew's show "Lancer" which he just finished the yr prior to this movie. I think we are just used to seeing the parents that played them in the series. I liked both and saw the original movie when i was a kid and it had a very different feel to it even more ol timey than the series did.

[lostindiancamp]

I have the most beautiful Christmas Cactus that has blooms growing on it right now. I am hoping they will be open and beautiful by Christmas.

[onemooners]

wow,remember all these kids older

[MnSfishing]

Im glad they didnt stick with Patricia Neal as the Olivia, and they changed the grandfather

[candlelight482]

@MnSfishing Me 2, so weird seeing other people in these rolls

[cluvsonj]

@candlelight482 I had just commented to another post where I said it was because we are used to seeing the ones in the TV show because they played them many yrs however if we never ever saw Michael or Ralph we would not have known the difference. I actually enjoyed Patricia and Andrew in the movie although Andrew only has a brief scene when he shows up at the end. It just had a dif feel about it. This came 1st though & naturally those who didnt see it's original airing will see it as weird.

[dahsuerk]

Much better then the holiday stuff on ABC Family and Hallmark now days.

[4402hunter]

thanks for posting have not see this for years

[PenskeHilton]

The glory days of television. Back when there was some thoughtfulness, creativity, and attention to storytelling ..Studios and writers of today couldn't produce something of this kind of quality if their lives depended on it...

[Texasfilly101]

@PenskeHilton Absolutely! I remember when this aired. We fell in love with John Boy; thus, The Waltons became a regular watching in our family.

[bjbuschman2]

this just ain't going to cut it.ill stick to the series itself

[cluvsonj]

@bjbuschman2 I actually saw this when it aired in 1971 and Im the ages of the younger kids so I very much enjoyed it. I wish you could give it a chance but like i have stated to another reply when one is used to the TV series they cant see it without the TV mom and pop. It really is and was a good movie. IF only the series was not so strong in your mind but this movie is what launched the show so it really is very good

[princesso8788]

Is this the movie that spunn off the series

[NYer79]

Grandma gave 15 year old John Boy a bit of correction about disrespect and John Boy gave her no lip and back-talk in return...what days.

[dadsgirl0423]

@NYer79 THAT'S WHAT THESE BRATS NEED TODAY A LITTLE DISCIPLINE AND RESPECT. THAT WAS THE WAY, MY BROTHERS AND SISTER WERE RAISED AND NOT ONE OF US WERE EVER IN TROUBLE. EVERYONE OF US, GRADUATED HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE WITH HONORS. WHY YOU ASK? BECAUSE WE LOVED OUR MOM AND DAD AND RESPECTED THAN MORE THAN LIFE.

[NYer79]

@dadsgirl0423 absolutely! respect in every form was the order of the day, even if you felt a bit wounded or didn't agree. Even when John-Boy looked at his grandma as grandpa resumed speaking, his look wasn't defiant or a dirty look, but of apology with some embarrassment. And Grandpa didn't say anything like "why you talking to him like that?", etc...respect was the order of the day. it's all gone now, because today they say "respect is earned" and decide who gets it or not.

[dadsgirl0423]

@NYer79 HOW I MISS THOSE DAYS. I JUST LOST MY DAD THREE YEARS AGO AND HOW I WISH HE WAS HERE WITH MY AGAIN. HE WAS NOT ONLY MY DAD, BUT MY BEST FRIEND. I SEE THESE KIDS TODAY THE WAY THEY SPEAK TO THEIR PARENTS. WHEN THEY LOSE THEM THEY WILL UNDERSTAND WHO WAS THEIR BEST FRIEND. I SAY THAT FROM EXPERIENCE.

[NYer79]

@dadsgirl0423

oh, so sad and so sorry, my condolences. I'm glad your dad meant alot to you because i have a daughter who hasn't made me feel that way (she's 17). Though she says she loves us, when she doesn't get her way, she's argumentative or worse, curses and slams doors. I wish she had grown up watching shows like the Waltons instead of ones like Hell's Kitchen or Tyra Banks...

[dadsgirl0423]

@NYer79 I AM SO SORRY FOR THE WAY YOUR DAUGHTER TREATS YOU. I CAN ONLY SAY SHE WILL REALIZE WHO HER BEST FRIEND IS WHEN SHE'S SITTING ALONE SOMEWHERE LOST AND ALONE. I HAVE BEEN THERE MANY TIMES. I WISH YOU WELL YOU WILL BE IN MY PRAYERS. HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOU.

[NYer79]

one of my all-time favorite and best Christmas Specials on American television...Nuff said!

[scooter36able]

You're right Mary Ellen,no one cares how you feel!! Except maybe a shrink!!

[scooter36able]

I love the music in this movie!! And don't laugh at Elizabeth; I think it's cute that she wants to have puppies!!

[scooter36able]

I'd like to crack Mary Ellen's head open!! I wish she had just burst!! Jim-Bob and Ben need haircuts!! "I do vow"?? LMAO!! Isn't Elizabeth the cutest little girl? John-Boy:"Now move"!! "Wouldn't that be a wonder"? "How'd you like to bump into Santa Claus"? I love his FDR impression!! "Now what is that for"? "Now you just wanna make something of it"?" Now you want another swat"? "I didn't have time!! I was too busy looking after you childr'n"!! John-Boy had the best lines!!

[lostindiancamp]

Grandma has always been such a crotchety person.

[angelman08300]

Im so glad i have a copy of this..sadly we never see it and its wonderful values on tv anymore...

[stoicjello]

I haven't seen this since the very early 70's. Interesting to see all the Walton kids this young. Mary Ellen was just as wooden in her delivery as she was later during the series. John Boy sounded for more 'hayseed' back then. But personally, I found that to aspect to me more endearing.

[lostindiancamp]

That chicken stew looks good, just like the stew they were eating on the episode "the actress."

It would be so nice to live where it snows in the Winter, especially at Christmas time. Nothing better than a warm house with the fireplace going strong on a cold day.

[NYer79]

@lostindiancamp

you got that right!

[algerluke]

Best Christmas movie! I wish i was a Walton child.

[jparker59able]

Nice to see this movie again...it's been a long time. A sweet feel good movie to watch during the holidays.

[Jennafu832]

Thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you THANK YOU!!!!!! Can't tell you how excited I am about this! You're getting me as a subscriber. I've been waiting forever for this to posted to YouTube. Thank you thank you THANK YOU!!!!! :D

[roosevelthighschool]

I hadn't seen this movie in a long time. Richard Thomas sure looks young in this movie.

[wilma419]

Thanks for this movie, haven't seen it since its original TV airing.

[Ladylasil]

Thanks for posting this movie. I've been wanting to watch it again. Last time I watched it was a long long time ago. It brought some tears to my eyes...I'm such a softy...

[lostindiancamp]

Thanks for this. I love the Waltons and am very glad they replaced the actors who played. Olivia and John Walton. Patricia Neal just sounds so tired in this show. She just didn't have enough energy and am glad that Michael Lerner took her place.

As for the father in this movie, he looked scary.

[americangirlballet]

@lostindiancamp I'm not too crazy over Patricia Neal. I like the Michael Lerner better.  I am so used to her. She seems to do the role better.

[Jennafu832]

@americangirlballet While I definitely agree with you, I can't imagine anyone else playing her role in this movie. Patricia Neal is who I got used to as Olivia before I had ever seen the show- We had this movie on vhs long before we had anything other than basic television channels. I grew up with very little tv, but I loved my video tapes. :)

[Jennafu832]

@lostindiancamp The dad's not scary. He's a nice person and I think he looks very normal. :)

[Picturemyface]

Thanks for the upload

[watuwaitn4]

Grandma and the kids look familiar  :)

[melissamaytinkabell]

Thank you for uploading

[shmiddledeedoo]

how does jason get his piano