The Waltons (TV Series) The Bequest (1973) User Reviews

A bit unlikely but the winning cast sells it

[bgaiv · 9/10 · 12 August 2023]

So basically, Grandma gets a letter saying she will be receiving what amounts to a small fortune and goes about spending it before it's received.

The script does a decent job of making this plot sound plausible, but even if I believed Grandma let that go to her head, i just can't see none of the other adults demanding restraint.

Of course, to this Depression stricken family, the money doesn't come and Grandma is left dealing with the wake of spending money that never came.

Where this is going is painfully obvious, but the cast still more than sells it. It still is striking just how solidly this show was cast.

Corby, always the stalwart, definitely shines. Grandma and JB's visit to the college is surprisingly charming.

Grandma/Corby's reaction to reading the letter the money isn't coming is particularly striking. She simply turns and walks out of the room. The way it's shot, it's not overplayed, she practically just walks off the set. It very well conveys her realization of what's happened.

Money Interrupts Tranquility on Waltons Mountain

[nlathy-839-300677 · 8/10 · 19 July 2023]

This episode has a little bit of everything. It's got John Ford storytelling, Andy Hardy moralizing and slapstick family comedy. Don't think of it as an overstuffed creation. It's more of an adventure, which doesn't exhaust. It moves you and brings laughter. Kind of a mini epic. It's not a mimic of family. As usual it's a celebration of family ties even if they are bound to bring disappointment. It's a good chance to reflect on what's important. It even causes reflection on how much a dollar can and should be stretched. The back story is utilized effectively. The closing is always great, also.

Not Bad

[garyldibert · 6/10 · 23 February 2014]

TITLE: THE BEQUEST ORIGINAL AIRDATE: November 29, 1973 WRITER: Mort Thaw DIRECTOR: Alf Kjellin

PROLOGUE: "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."

SYNOPSIS: The children stop by the Ike's store on the way home from school. Martha Rose Cloverdale arrives at the store with blond hair. She claims that she had it done in Charlottesville and then brags that she had some photos done and sent them to an agent in Hollywood. Ike implies though that Martha's mother may have come in and bought the supplies to bleach her hair herself instead of at a fancy salon. Reverend Fordwich stops by the to the Walton's and announces that the roof of the church needs to be repaired at a cost of $50. Grandma gets a letter from lawyers in St. Louis. She doesn't want to open it but when she gets John-Boy to read it states that her best friend Fern Potter has passed away and bequeathed her $250. When asked what she will do with the money she says that as much they could use the money she's not used to having money and doesn't much like the idea of it. The next morning she announces how she will use the money. She will pay for a new church roof, $10 to repair Zeb's pocket watch, $3 for each of the children and the remainder for John-Boy's education. Because the family needs a new hot water heater, they borrow the money from John-Boy's college fund. The children are all excited about all the things they can spend their money on. Grandma warns the children though "if you build your life on dollar bills you'll have nothing to stand on." The expected windfall causes some problems. John and Olivia realize that they taught their children how to live without money but not what to do if they got rich.

QUESTIONS: What Surprise did John Boy have for his Grandma? What arrive for Grandma? What did John do to help the Church?

EPILOGUE: "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. However, as long as he lived, my grandfather insisted that every pretty girl who happened to come by our house had kissed him. How innocent were those days, how rich we are to have known them."

MY THOUGHTS: MY THOUGHTS: This was another good one that taught that love was much more important than money. You can use that same concept in today's world everybody wants money but when you have it. You lose what important and that the love of a family. Base on that concept and not having a family I give this episode 10 weasel stars.