Waltons 1.15: The Actress

Airdate: 1/4/73

A movie star, Alvira Drummond, passing by is abandoned by her driver, and, of course, hospitably taken in by the Walton clan. While some of the family is immediately starstruck, others, notably Olivia and grandma, quickly become resentful of her ostentations (and feminine wiles). Gradually, the family learns of her true situation: her driver had abandoned her for nonpayment of salary, and her agent ceased to represent her or send her money to get back to New York. When she overhears how she is wearing out her welcome, she collects herself and agrees to put on a local show, featuring readings from Shakespeare and John-Boy’s manuscript, to fund her journey back home.

Again, a stranger breaks down right on Walton’s Mountain – this time, a sad has-been, clearly modeled after Norma Desmond from Sunset Boulevard. The formula here is reminiscent of an earlier episode, “The Carnival,” also involving big-city strandees who put on a show at the end. You get a little of everything here: John Boy getting writing inspiration, insecure Mary Ellen dreaming of being older and beautiful, etc.

Is Ike Godsey a Renaissance man or what? Here we learn he can also diagnose intricate car repair problems. This man keeps Walton’s Mountain running!