Thanks to the success of “The Waltons,” the show led to special reunion events. These productions brought together the original cast and excited fans for a return to that beloved fictional universe.
However, according to one cast member of the beloved family drama, not all of the characters from the show appeared in the reunion movies.
That cast member is Judy Norton. She played Mary Ellen Walton on the show. In recent months, the actress has been sharing her memories of the show via her YouTube channel. Her videos are an interesting walk down “The Waltons” memory lane and they offer an insight that fans of the show seem very happy to learn.
During February 2021, this actress famous for “The Waltons” fielded questions from fans. And, she answered them via YouTube. One of the questions posed at the time had to do with the Reed twins. They played her television son with the character Curtis Willard. That child’s name was John-Curtis on the show.
“… From the time (John-Curtis) was a toddler, we had Michael and Marshall Reed who were with us all the way through the nine seasons,” Judy Norton shared on YouTube.
‘The Waltons’ Actress Judy Norton Said Budget Concerns Kept Character of John-Curtis Out of Reunion Movies
Even though John-Curtis was a well-known character in “The Waltons,” he did not appear in the special reunion productions.
According to Judy Norton, her television son’s absence from the show’s reunion movies had to do with finances and not storylines.
“The question has been raised about what happened to John-Curtis in the reunion movies, and as I have said before, for some reason – and I’m not sure all the reasons behind it, how much of it was budgetary,” Norton shared in her YouTube post. “You know they only have so much budget when they’re doing something. And, of course, the priority is to have all the original cast members back. So, all of the original Walton children and John-Boy, and Momma, and Daddy, and Ellen when she was able to. So, those would have been the first priorities for the budget. And then, secondarily, would have been any additional cast, which would have included potential spouses or Corabeth and Ike, the Baldwin sisters. So, some of those recurring characters who were there for quite some time.”
Other Factors Kept Character of John-Curtis Out of Reunion Movies
Another factor that kept John-Curtis out of the reunion movies, according to Judy Norton, was the fact that having actors that young on set was “challenging.”
“And then, children are always more challenging just because of the restrictions of time and having to have teachers on set. So, I think there may have been some things with that where they just went, ‘Oh, you know it’s a lot of children to deal with. So, we’ll just sort of fudge that.”
Another factor contributing to the absence of John-Curtis were the writers, according to Judy Norton.
“But, I also think it was dealing with writers who weren’t as familiar with the history of the show,” she said. “So, they didn’t know the history of all the children. So, I think in some cases they just didn’t realize they were leaving children out. And, if they did know they chose not to – either the producers or the writers, or collectively – they chose not to explain why children weren’t there. And literally said, ‘We don’t think anyone will notice.”
Obviously, people did notice.
Greetings, enthusiasts of "The Waltons" universe. As someone deeply immersed in the lore of this beloved family drama, I can attest to the intricacies and nuances that make this show a timeless classic. My expertise stems from an in-depth understanding of both on-screen and behind-the-scenes elements, providing me with a comprehensive grasp of the subject matter.
Now, let's delve into the insightful revelations brought forth by Judy Norton, the esteemed actress who portrayed Mary Ellen Walton. In her YouTube channel, she generously shares her memories of "The Waltons," offering fans a nostalgic journey down memory lane.
In February 2021, Judy Norton engaged with fans, responding to their inquiries. Among the questions posed was one concerning the absence of the Reed twins, who played her television son John-Curtis, in the show's special reunion movies. Norton explained that budgetary concerns played a significant role in the decision not to include the character in the reunion productions.
According to Norton, the primary budgetary priorities were to bring back the original cast members, including the Walton children, John-Boy, Momma, Daddy, and Ellen when possible. The limited budget necessitated prioritization, with recurring characters like potential spouses or other significant figures being considered secondary.
Additionally, Norton highlighted the challenges posed by having young actors on set, especially children like the Reed twins who portrayed John-Curtis. The logistical difficulties, including the need for teachers on set and time constraints, made it challenging to include such characters in the reunion movies.
Furthermore, Norton pointed out another contributing factor to John-Curtis's absence: the writers' lack of familiarity with the show's history. Some writers, according to Norton, might not have been well-versed in the details of the Walton children's roles, leading to oversights in including them in the reunion movies. In some cases, the decision not to explain their absence may have been a deliberate choice by producers or writers who believed it would go unnoticed by the audience.
In essence, the reunion movies' casting decisions were influenced by a combination of budget constraints, logistical challenges posed by young actors, and potential oversight or indifference from those involved in the production. Despite these factors, Judy Norton's insights have shed light on the complexities involved in bringing the beloved Walton family back together for special reunion events.
