The Waltons' Homecoming Remake this Christmas with original John Boy - Richard Thomas!

Richard Thomas as John Boy

If you enjoy the family drama, The Waltons, then you are going to be interested in this news! The CW Network is bringing the story back this Christmas - with a whole new cast! 

This special coincides with a meaningful anniversary for the series. See all the details in the press release below...

Tom Griscom/The CW

Excerpt of CW Press Release:

The CW Heads Back to Waltons Mountain 

with the Original Television Movie

“The Waltons’ Homecoming,” 

Starring Bellamy Young and Logan Shroyer

and Narrated by Richard Thomas

May 25, 2021 (Burbank, CA) ─ The CW Network announced today three original specials making their debut in fourth quarter 2021, including an original made-for-television movie THE WALTONS’ HOMECOMING, a brand new mystery in the all-new THE SCOOBY-DOO REUNION SPECIAL and a holiday adventure as BEEBO SAVES CHRISTMAS. All dates and times will be announced later.

THE WALTONS’ HOMECOMING is set in the 1933 Depression Era and told through the eyes of John Boy, the 17-year-old eldest child of John and Olivia Walton. His mother expects John Boy to help her raise his sisters and brothers, and his father expects him to follow in his footsteps to help support the family, but secretly, John Boy wants to be a writer. Times are hard enough in 1933, but to make matters worse, it looked to be the Waltons’ first Christmas without John Sr. When Olivia receives a letter that John Sr. is planning to make it home for Christmas after all, the family is thrilled and races to prepare for his homecoming. But when a storm threatens his arrival on Christmas Eve, and John Sr. is nowhere to be found, Olivia sends John Boy out into the night to find his daddy - a journey that will change John Boy’s life forever.

THE WALTONS’ HOMECOMING commemorates the 50th anniversary of “The Homecoming: A Christmas Story” television movie, which aired December 19, 1971, and launched the long-running series “The Waltons.” THE WALTONS’ HOMECOMING stars Bellamy Young (“Scandal”) as Olivia, Logan Shroyer (“This Is Us”) as John Boy and Richard Thomas, who originally starred as John Boy Walton in the beloved television series “The Waltons,” as “The Narrator.” The television movie is produced by Magnolia Hill Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television, with executive producer Sam Haskell and writer/co-executive producer Jim Strain. Lev L. Spiro is the director. “The Waltons” original series was created by Earl Hamner, Jr.

Bellamy Young as Olivia and Logan Shroyer as John Boy 

--------- END of Press Release regarding The Waltons ---------

My Take:

I love love love The Waltons! Even though the series originally aired on TV before my time, I grew up watching them in reruns - and just fell in love with the show! In fact, before *It's a Wonderful Movie* was ever created or dreamed of, I had a web-site dedicated solely to The Waltons! Yes, I love show that much!

While part of me is thrilled to see this news, another part believes there is no way any actor today could compare to the fantastic actors who originally portrayed these characters. There was just something about them - pure, innocent, and natural - they all truly felt like family. It is encouraging, however, that Richard Thomas is a part of this production, which will hopefully add to the authenticity of this holiday remake.

Please share your thoughts in comments below...

Blessings, Net

ONE WEEK until CHRISTMAS MOVIES begin on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries - it’s Christmas Homecoming! @hallmarkmovie

- Hallmark Crown Media -

See the Hallmark Movie The Christmas Homecoming during Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Gold Crown Christmas Movie Event from June 29th through July 15th!

The Christmas Homecoming storyline via Hallmark: A military widow (Julie Benz), whose faith in Christmas has lapsed, rents an apartment to a handsome Army Captain (Michael Shanks), recovering from an injury in battle, and whose faith in Christmas is inspirational. As they team up to save the town’s military museum with a Christmas fundraising event, these two “wounded birds” find themselves falling in love -- and being healed by the magic of Christmas.

See times for this movie & more in the
Christmas TV Schedule!

Christmas Movies begin in ONE WEEK!!!

Bells are ringing and everyone is singing,
It’s Christmas!
It’s Christmas in June/July... Almost Again!

Joyful Blessings! Net

Let's COUNTDOWN to CHRISTMAS and Mark the *25th* of MAY!!!

This Friday is May 25th! Let's share today which Christmas Movies we are watching! Details below!

Let's "MARK" THE 25th!

On May 25th... it's only 7 months until Christmas Day... 213 days and so many hours and minutes, according to my Countdown Clock!!!

To commemorate this special time here at It's a Wonderful Movie... I'll share which Christmas movie I have chosen to watch on the 25th, and for those of you who would like to participate, please share which Christmas movie/program you are watching on the 25th - in comments below!

On this May 25, 2018, I am watching-

The Christmas Card

starring John Newton, Alice Evans, and Edward Asner

- Hallmark Crown Media -

The Christmas Card is such an incredible story about military service, sacrifice, and discovering a place that feels like home again.

When Master Sergeant Cody Cullen receives a random Christmas card from Nevada City, from a complete stranger, Faith Spellman, he is instantly drawn to her and her picturesque town. Soon after his arrival there, Cody not only meets Faith (when she mistakenly eats some of his curly fries), but he is immediately welcomed by the folks at church, and discovers a connection with Faith's father, Luke, who also served his country years before.

Since The Christmas Card first premiered on the Hallmark Channel in 2006, I'm sure many, many people have seen it over the years, and yet, this movie is one viewers are often drawn back to. In fact, it was Hallmark's first "Merry (Meow) Madness" bracket winner in 2017.

Following Faith's letter to Nevada City restores Cody's faith in his fellow man and the hope of love one day!

image: Hallmark Crown Media Family Networks

Why does this story still resonant so deeply? My conclusion is, we are touched by the heart of the story... the mysterious letter from a stranger, the new, exciting romance, the honorable way they give tribute to all of our military, and this beautiful family that accepts Cody so warmly into their hearts and home.

This movie is filled with so many meaningful moments and visually stunning wintery scenes... the snowfall sleigh ride, the sweet country church and it's members singing Christmas carols, the lumberyard filled with snow, the town's Christmas dance, the waterfall dedication to our Vietnam veterans, and the lovely, warm, and inviting Spellman log-cabin home decorated for Christmas!

There's also lots of wonderful and fun dialogue in The Christmas Card, too... such as, Cody says at the dance (regarding Faith's boyfriend, Paul), "He's just marking his territory."

And, mischievous Uncle Richard says... "The best things happen while your dancing."

The Christmas Card is a true Hallmark Holiday Classic! As the engraving says on the bench Cody gives Luke and Rosie (Faith's parents) for Christmas... it's "where the magic begins!"

The Christmas Card - is available on DVD

This is an ideal movie to watch on Memorial Day weekend, due to the way this film honors our veterans from Korea, Vietnam, and Afghanistan. In addition to it, there are other wonderful choices of Christmas movies that honor our military, including: "Operation Christmas," "Christmas Homecoming," and "The Christmas Note."



Operation Christmas - is available on DVD or Streaming
Christmas Homecoming - is not currently available
The Christmas Note - is available on DVD or Streaming

Now, it's your turn to share... which Christmas movie/program will you watch on the 25th? .... as we continue to Countdown to Christmas together!

Blessings, Net

A Special INVITE for Christmas Movie Fans on NEW YEARS DAY! (Don't be Late!)

Feast your eyes on what INSP has in store for us viewers today! It's a special trip down memory lane!

This is a special invitation for all viewers to join INSP for their first premiere presentation of...

The Waltons: The Homecoming

Monday, January 1st, 2018 at 3pm ET!

Story details via INSP:
The pilot movie that became the beloved series, The Waltons! Though much of the adult cast changed when the series took to the airwaves, all of the children, who star in the series, including Richard Thomas, are in this movie. Patricia Neal plays Olivia Walton; Edgar Bergan is Grandpa Walton; Andrew Duggan plays John Walton. Ellen Corby debuts her role as feisty Grandma Walton, and we meet, for the first time, many INSP fan-favorite characters we later grow to love in the series, including the Baldwin sisters!

It’s the Christmas season of 1933 and the hard times of The Great Depression have hit Walton Mountain. The family sawmill is shut down for lack of business, and in order to survive, John Walton, Sr. must leave home and travel more than 50 miles to find work. As the family prepares for the holidays, they can’t wait to be reunited with him.

The Waltons: The Homecoming - image via: jmhaven.com

In the meantime, leading up to the big day, life goes on. Mary Ellen tells her younger siblings the legend of Christmas Eve, when, at midnight, it’s said that all the animals are able to speak. They make plans to stake out the barn and hear the chatter for themselves.

A missionary gives out broken toys to the impoverished children on the mountain. Elizabeth gets a cracked baby doll, and learns a memorable lesson about charity.

The Waltons: The Homecoming - image via: fanpop

And at 15, John-Boy harbors a secret that he can’t tell his family. He wants to go to college someday to be a writer, but he knows they’d never be able to afford tuition, and may not even approve of such plans. In fact, he’s already started writing down his thoughts, hopes, dreams, and the abiding moments that bring his loving family to life, but he keeps his writing close to the vest, and is sure no one knows about it.

Now, it’s Christmas Eve, and still there is no sign of John Sr. coming home. On a radio broadcast, Olivia hears of a blizzard and a train wreck in the vicinity of where John is coming from. She fears this would delay his return, or worse, that he was a passenger on the train, that he’s injured or dead. Thinking John would be stranded on the side of the road, Olivia sends John-Boy out, on the day before Christmas, to search for his father.

I hope you will join me, in coming home once again to the Walton's family with their first movie, "The Homecoming: A Christmas Story," that began the journey of what would become the popular, highly rated television series- "The Waltons"!

You can almost taste that applesauce cake cooking in the oven and the smell of the evergreen tree as they decorate it with pretty things and homemade Christmas decorations!

It's a simple time when things were hard, and yet, they had everything in the world the could possibly need, as long as they had one another!

Enjoy the show!!! God's Abundant Blessings to you all in this New Year - 2018!!! Net


*Available on DVD from The Waltons...





The Homecoming: A Christmas Story

The Waltons - Complete Series Boxed Collection

The Waltons Movie Collection: (A Wedding on Walton's Mountain / Mother's Day / A Day for Thanks / A Walton Thanksgiving Reunion / Wedding / Easter)



**********

Come Home to 5 NEW CHRISTMAS MOVIES ~ this Weekend before Thanksgiving!!!

Coming Home for Christmas - image via: Hallmark Crown Media Family Networks

Saturday - November 18, 2017

Before tonight's new Christmas movies begin...

gather your family and friends around in the den,

grab the remote and a tall sandwich, if you wish...

and watch the Elf on the Shelf and... THE Grinch!

See Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas at 5:30pm EST. and once again at 6:30pm EST.

See The Elf on the Shelf: An Elf's Story at 6pm EST. (sandwiched between The Grinch!)

Typically "The Elf on the Shelf is watching you," but now you can watch him and all his friends! Much like The Grinch, The Elf on the Shelf is such a sweet cartoon, an instant classic - that is sure to delight viewers, of all ages, from beginning to end!!!



The Elf on the Shelf Christmas Tradition with North Pole Blue Eyed Boy Elf with DVD

Dr. Seuss': How the Grinch Stole Christmas Deluxe Edition DVD

And now, the Saturday Night Christmas Movie Premieres:

Danica McKellar finds herself in a love triangle with Neal Bledsoe and Andrew Francis in...

Coming Home for Christmas

Storyline via Hallmark: Lizzie Richfield is at a crossroads when she lands a job as a house manager for the exquisite Ashford Estate in the Virginia countryside. While preparing the place for sale, Lizzie plans one final Christmas Eve gala for the Marley family, though they seem to be... Click Here to Read More...

See the Premiere of Coming Home for Christmas

Saturday - November 18, 2017

at 8pm/7c. on the Hallmark Channel

Also, Saturday night-

This military themed Christmas movie, starring Julie Benz and Michael Shanks, is sure to warm the heart with patriotic pride...

Christmas Homecoming

Storyline via Hallmark: A military widow (Julie Benz), whose faith in Christmas has lapsed, rents an apartment to a handsome Army Captain (Michael Shanks), recovering from an injury in battle, and whose faith in Christmas is inspirational. As they team up to save the... Click Here to Read More...

See the Premiere of Christmas Homecoming

Saturday - November 18, 2017

at 9pm/8c. on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries

Sunday - November 19, 2017

A Romantic Gesture for Laura Bell Bundy and Delicious Mystery will keep nearly the whole town guessing in...

The Christmas Calendar

 

Storyline via UP: When Emily, a struggling baker in a small town, receives a handmade Christmas calendar from a secret admirer... Click Here to Read More...

See the Premiere of The Christmas Calendar

Sunday - November 19, 2017

at 7pm/6c. on UP

Also, on Sunday night-

Two strangers, portrayed by Ali Liebert & Peter Porte, may find something special in...

A Gift to Remember

 

Storyline via Hallmark: An accident between a sweet bookshop worker and a handsome stranger leaves him without his memory. Determined to help him figure out who he is, she finds herself... Click Here to Read More...

See the Premiere of A Gift to Remember

Sunday - November 19, 2017

at 8pm/7c. on the Hallmark Channel

One more New Christmas Movie on Sunday night-

All may not be as it seems, when Autumn Reeser and David Haydn-Jones star in this Christmas story/mystery...

A Bramble House Christmas

Storyline via Hallmark: While settling his father’s estate, Finn Conrad becomes suspicious as to why the man left a nurse $50,000. His dad knew her for less than two months before he died. Just before Christmas, Finn wants what to reclaim what he considers his family’s money, going undercover to investigate... Click Here to Read More...

See the Premiere of A Bramble House Christmas

Sunday - November 19, 2017

at 9pm/8c. on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries

I certainly hope you all enjoy ALL the Christmas Movies this Weekend before Thanksgiving... the old and the new! This is just a taste as we look forward to filling up with 12 All New Christmas Movies premiering the week of Thanksgiving, too! (Stay tuned for that!)

A Bramble House Christmas - - image via: Hallmark Crown Media Family Networks

In the meantime, which one, of these 5 new movies, do you most want to see, this Saturday & Sunday night? I always find it so hard to choose! Thank goodness I can record whatever I can't see, immediately... as it seems each year, I always end up loving something unexpected, completely!

Be sure to check the Christmas TV Schedule for encore airings of these movies & more! 

Thank you so much for stopping by today!

I hope you enjoyed your visit
~ here at It's a Wonderful Movie!

Blessings to you all!
Happy Thanksgiving! Net

Christmas Homecoming - a Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Original Christmas Movie starring Julie Benz & Michael Shanks

MOVIE REVIEW

Movie: Christmas Homecoming

Network: Hallmark Movies & Mysteries

Original Air Date: November 18, 2017

CAST:

Julie Benz ... Amanda
Michael Shanks ... Captain Jim Mullins
Toby Levins
Jay Brazeau
Steve Makaj
Chilton Crane
Jordana Largy
Daniel Bacon ... Dr. Baxter
Farryn VanHumbeck ... Heather
Graeme Duffy ... Bistro Manager
Daryl Shuttleworth ... General Frank Cesaro
Javier Lacroix ... Pepe

PLOT:

Storyline via Hallmark: A military widow (Julie Benz), whose faith in Christmas has lapsed, rents an apartment to a handsome Army Captain (Michael Shanks), recovering from an injury in battle, and whose faith in Christmas is inspirational. As they team up to save the town’s military museum with a Christmas fundraising event, these two “wounded birds” find themselves falling in love -- and being healed by the magic of Christmas.

Movie Review:

Coming...


See or Skip:

Coming...


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*images via: Hallmark Crown Media Family Networks
Credit: Copyright 2017 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Bettina Strauss