Writer: Mort Thaw,
Director: Alf Kjellin, Music: Arthur Morton
"As much
as every member of our family loved our day to day life, we all had moments
when we were prone to consider what life would be like if we had a million
dollars. Most of the time those moments of avarice were short lived, and
quickly replaced by the real values that made up our lives. But one day a
letter came which pushed every member of the family toward a new appraisal of
what was really important in life".
After school, the
children run to Ike’s store for ice cream. Martha Rose Coverdale shows off her
new “Jean Harlowe” style hairdo. Mary Ellen finds that Martha Rose’s mother
took her to a Richmond beauty parlor and sent photographs to a Hollywood talent
scout. Ike mentions that it’s obvious when a woman dyes her hair, buying
ammonia, soap flakes, and peroxide. Ike gives John-Boy a letter addressed to
Esther from Simon, Brentner & Colby of St. Louis, Missouri. John-Boy says
Grandma hasn’t received a letter in five years, but Mary Ellen thinks it might
be from Oglethorpe Hansen.
At home Rev.
Fordwick eats blueberry pie and coffee while discussing with Grandma, Grandpa,
and Olivia the church roof that needs repairs. Grandma wonders how the
congregation will raise so much money. Olivia thinks they could use the
twenty-seven dollars saved for John-Boy’s education, and have the congregation
pay them back before the start of college.
When John-Boy
presents the letter to Grandma she thinks it’s a mistake, not knowing anybody
in St. Louis. With John delivering railroad ties in Rockfish, she asks John-Boy
to find Zeb to open the letter. But Grandpa doesn’t have his glasses, so
John-Boy reads the contents. Esther learns that her best high school girlfriend
Fern (Mrs. Cleveland Potter) has died and bequeathed her two hundred fifty
dollars. Grandma remembers that Fern loved violets and her favorite riddle was,
“What do you sleep on, sit on, and brush your teeth with? (a bed, a chair, a
toothbrush)”.
Grandma doesn’t like the idea of having so much money. At breakfast Grandma decides to give fifty dollars for the church roof, three dollars to each of the children, some to repair Zeb’s watch, and the rest towards John-Boy's education. Wanting to give John-Boy more than “some old stories” she wants to be the one who sends her eldest grandchild to college. Grandma tells Zeb to take the twenty-seven dollars to Ike and order a new hot-water heater. The children go off to school, leaving John-Boy alone to say to his grandmother, “I love you!”
At recess Mary Ellen tells Martha Rose that they have never been friends, but could be friends. She asks Martha Rose how her hair was dyed, and then cuts the conversation short when her questions are answered. John-Boy enters the store to hear Ike singing “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad”. Ike tells him all about the new twenty-gallon hot-water heater that was paid with “cash on the barrel-head”. John-Boy looks over the clothes on Ike’s racks. The children arrive to ask Ike if they can look over things to buy with their money. Ike says he must have a deposit of a nickel or dime.
That night John-Boy and Grandma share a quiet moment. Grandma has thought about all the good that Fern Potter has provided the family. John-Boy says it’s she who is doing the good. Suddenly John-Boy realizes he can do something special for Grandma and tells her that he will take her somewhere on Monday (only a half day of school). In the boys’ room Jason tries to convince Ben to lend him money for guitar supplies. But Ben wants his money for a toy magic set and a sled. They fight over the money, with Jim-Boy joining in. John intercedes, telling the boys to stop it. Olivia and John are both concerned about how greedy the children have become.
At church Rev. Fordwick preaches in an outdoor service. He announces that Esther Walton donated the fifty-one dollars needed for the new roof. Grandma seems pleased with herself, as the congregation thanks her. Back home Grandpa sleeps as Olivia sews and John and the children look over the Sears and Roebuck catalog. Later Mary Ellen prepares her hair dying products in the bathroom when Olivia knocks on the door. She hides everything, and then tells her mother that she also smells ammonia when Olivia mentions the smell. When Mary Ellen asks how she would look as a blonde, Olivia says that Juanita Simons dyed her hair and it turned “green as grass”.
On Monday, Grandpa and John-Boy unload the new hot-water heater. Then John-Boy drives off with Grandma for her surprise. They stop at a watch repair store so Grandma can repair Zeb’s watch. As the Salvation Army play “Glory Glory Hallelujah” Grandma tells her grandson that the repair will cost “close to ten dollars”. Grandma learns that John-Boy wants to show her the Boatwright campus. She says, “This is going to open a whole new world for you, John-Boy.” They walk through the library and through the halls where Grandma sees a course posting, “The Bible as Literature”. She tells John-Boy that she could help him in the class.
Jason walks into the store where Ike gives him the letter they have been waiting for. He runs home to excited children. Olivia states that they will wait until Grandma comes home. Upon returning they rush Grandma inside. Grandma reads that Fern spent the last three years in the hospital and, as a result, there was no money left for her bequeaths. The children are crestfallen and Grandma leaves for her room, feeling terribly about what she’s done to the family and to John-Boy.
John and Grandpa return after evaluating the church’s roof. Grandpa praises his son for finding a resolution. The congregation will donate the necessary supplies and manpower to fix the roof. John-Boy tries to make his grandmother feel better. John-Boy tells her that it’s just one of those jokes that befalls people, saying the family has always been rich, without any money. He remembers their special day together and now knows how important his growing up is to her. John-Boy says, “Let me hear you smile.” Grandma begins to smile.
Mary Ellen convinces Jim Bob to repay her for the bullfrog she sold him for a quarter by allowing her to experiment on him. She applies the goop on his hair. As the family gather for supper Mary Ellen and Jim Bob hesitantly walk down the stairs. Mary Ellen confesses what she did, showing Jim-Bob’s hair that looks “orange like a pumpkin”. Later, the church’s roof is repaired, and even later Rev. Fordwick preaches inside the church. He says how Esther Walton was God’s instrument for solving their problem. Grandpa later gathers the adults to announce that he sold his watch and will use the eleven dollars to start a new college fund for John-Boy. Grandma insists the money will be “from all the Waltons, young and old”. John-Boy says, “You two are quite a pair!”
"To their
surprise and to our grief, time crept up on those two vigorous old people. I
remember that my grandmother at 94 was still beautiful and wore violets in her
hair. And as long as he lived, my grandfather insisted that he'd been kissed by
every pretty girl who happened to come by our house. How innocent were those
days, how rich we are to have known them".
Ben: Grandpa?
Grandpa: Yes, Ben.
Ben: Why did you marry Grandma?
Grandpa: Well I think it was her idea, Ben.
Mary Ellen: Was it really, Grandma?
Grandma: Well I helped it a long a bit as I recall, he was shy in those
days.
Grandpa: I was not.
Erin: Was Daddy shy, Mama?
Olivia: Never.
Grandpa: Old woman where do you get off, telling such tales I've not got
a shy bone in my body.
Grandma: You did in those days.
Grandpa: I did not.
Grandma: You did too.
Elizabeth: Is he shy now, Grandma?
Grandma: Oh, sometimes I wish he was. Goodnight, now.
Everybody says Goodnight to everybody else.
Notes:
Fred “Oglethorpe” Hansen appeared in The Separation (season two, episode three).
Esther and Fern have not corresponded for over twenty-eight years. Fern’s favorite color is green, loved flowers (especially violets), loved to tell jokes and riddles.
John-Boy and Grandma pass a Boatwright University sign stating: “Ryland Hall, Cannon Chapel, Millhiser Field, Reflectory, Jeter Hall”.
Lyrics of the song “Glory Glory Hallelujah” that is performed in this episode by the Salvation Army band can be found at: http://www.pdmusic.org/civilwar/cws03.txt
The lyrics for the song that Ike sang “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad” can be found at: http://www.zelo.com/family/nursery/railroad.htm
The Boatwright receptionist (played by Anne Carol Pearson) also appeared in the same role in The Crisis (season one, episode twenty-four). However, at that time John-Boy went to the University of Virginia at Charlottesville.
Also appearing:
Ike Godsey (Joe Conley), Rev. Matthew Fordwick (John Ritter), Martha Rose Coverdale (Cindy Eilbacher), Receptionist (Anne Carol Pearson), Librarian (Eunice Christopher).
Episode 12 - The Bequest(29 Nov 1973) |
|
"As much as every member of our family loved our
day to day life, we all had moments when we were prone to consider what life
would be like if we had a million dollars. Most of the time those moments of
avarice were short lived, and quickly replaced by the real values that made
up our lives. But one day a letter came which pushed every member of the
family toward a new appraisal of what was really important in life". |
|
After school the children run to Ike’s store for ice
cream. Martha Rose Coverdale shows off her new 'Jean Harlowe' style hairdo.
Mary Ellen finds that Martha Rose’s mother took her to a Richmond beauty
parlor and sent photographs to a Hollywood talent scout. Ike mentions that
it’s obvious when a woman dyes her hair, buying ammonia, soap flakes, and
peroxide. Ike gives John-Boy a letter addressed to Esther from Simon,
Brentner & Colby of St. Louis, Missouri. John-Boy says Grandma hasn’t
received a letter in five years, but Mary Ellen thinks it might be from
Oglethorpe Hansen. At home Rev. Fordwick eats blueberry pie and coffee while
discussing with Grandma, Grandpa, and Olivia the church roof that needs
repairs. Grandma wonders how the congregation will raise so much money.
Olivia thinks they could use the twenty-seven dollars saved for John-Boy’s
education, and have the congregation pay them back before the start of
college. |
|
When John-Boy presents the letter to Grandma she thinks
it’s a mistake, not knowing anybody in St. Louis. With John delivering
railroad ties in Rockfish, she asks John-Boy to find Zeb to open the letter.
But Grandpa doesn’t have his glasses, so John-Boy reads the contents. Esther
learns that her best high school girlfriend Fern (Mrs. Cleveland Potter) has
died and bequeathed her two hundred fifty dollars. Grandma remembers that
Fern loved violets and her favorite riddle was, 'What do you sleep on, sit
on, and brush your teeth with? (a bed, a chair, a toothbrush)'. Grandma
doesn’t like the idea of having so much money. |
|
At breakfast Grandma decides to give fifty dollars for
the church roof, three dollars to each of the children, some to repair Zeb’s
watch, and the rest towards John-Boy's education. Wanting to give John-Boy
more than 'some old stories' she wants to be the one who sends her eldest
grandchild to college. Grandma tells Zeb to take the twenty-seven dollars to
Ike and order a new hot-water heater. The children go off to school, leaving
John-Boy alone to say to his grandmother, 'I love you!' |
|
At recess Mary Ellen tells Martha Rose that they have
never been friends, but could be friends. She asks Martha Rose how her hair
was dyed, and then cuts the conversation short when her questions are
answered. John-Boy enters the store to hear Ike singing 'I’ve Been Working on
the Railroad'. Ike tells him all about the new twenty-gallon hot-water heater
that was paid with 'cash on the barrel-head'. John-Boy looks over the clothes
on Ike’s racks. The children arrive to ask Ike if they can look over things
to buy with their money. Ike says he must have a deposit of a nickel or dime.
|
|
That night John-Boy and Grandma share a quiet moment.
Grandma has thought about all the good that Fern Potter has provided the
family. John-Boy says it’s she who is doing the good. Suddenly John-Boy
realizes he can do something special for Grandma and tells her that he will
take her somewhere on Monday (only a half day of school). In the boys’ room
Jason tries to convince Ben to lend him money for guitar supplies. But Ben
wants his money for a toy magic set and a sled. They fight over the money,
with Jim-Boy joining in. John intercedes, telling the boys to stop it. Olivia
and John are both concerned about how greedy the children have become. |
|
At church Rev. Fordwick preaches in an outdoor service.
He announces that Esther Walton donated the fifty-one dollars needed for the
new roof. Grandma seems pleased with herself, as the congregation thanks her.
Back home Grandpa sleeps as Olivia sews and John and the children look over
the Sears and Roebuck catalog. Later Mary Ellen prepares her hair dying
products in the bathroom when Olivia knocks on the door. She hides
everything, and then tells her mother that she also smells ammonia when
Olivia mentions the smell. When Mary Ellen asks how she would look as a
blonde, Olivia says that Juanita Simons dyed her hair and it turned 'green as
grass'. |
|
On Monday Grandpa and John-Boy unload the new hot-water
heater. Then John-Boy drives off with Grandma for her surprise. They stop at
a watch repair store so Grandma can repair Zeb’s watch. As the Salvation Army
play 'Glory Glory Hallelujah' Grandma tells her grandson that the repair will
cost 'close to ten dollars'. Grandma learns that John-Boy wants to show her
the Boatwright campus. She says, 'This is going to open a whole new world for
you, John-Boy'. They walk through the library and through the halls where
Grandma sees a course posting, 'The Bible as Literature'. She tells John-Boy
that she could help him in the class. |
|
Jason walks into the store where Ike gives him the
letter they have been waiting for. He runs home to excited children. Olivia
states that they will wait until Grandma comes home. Upon returning they rush
Grandma inside. Grandma reads that Fern spent the last three years in the
hospital and, as a result, there was no money left for her bequeaths. The
children are crestfallen and Grandma leaves for her room, feeling terribly
about what she’s done to the family and to John-Boy. John and Grandpa return
after evaluating the church’s roof. Grandpa praises his son for finding a
resolution. The congregation will donate the necessary supplies and manpower
to fix the roof. John-Boy tries to make his grandmother feel better. John-Boy
tells her that it’s just one of those jokes that befalls people, saying the
family has always been rich, without any money. He remembers their special
day together and now knows how important his growing up is to her. John-Boy
says, 'Let me hear you smile'. Grandma begins to smile. |
|
Mary Ellen convinces Jim Bob to repay her for the
bullfrog she sold him for a quarter by allowing her to experiment on him. She
applies the goop on his hair. As the family gather for supper Mary Ellen and
Jim Bob hesitantly walk down the stairs. Mary Ellen confesses what she did,
showing Jim-Bob’s hair that looks 'orange like a pumpkin'. Later, the
church’s roof is repaired, and even later Rev. Fordwick preaches inside the
church. He says how Esther Walton was God’s instrument for solving their
problem. Grandpa later gathers the adults to announce that he sold his watch
and will use the eleven dollars to start a new college fund for John-Boy.
Grandma insists the money will be 'from all the Waltons, young and old'.
John-Boy says, 'You two are quite a pair!' |
|
"To their surprise and to our grief, time crept up
on those two vigorous old people. I remember that my grandmother at 94 was
still beautiful and wore violets in her hair. And as long as he lived, my
grandfather insisted that he'd been kissed by every pretty girl who happened
to come by our house. How innocent were those days, how rich we are to have
known them". |
|
Ben: Grandpa? |
|
Also appearing - |
|
Notes:
|
|
(synopsis by William Atkins) Next episode: The Air-Mail Man |