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The Waltons
S3.E3
All episodesAll
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
IMDbPro

The Thoroughbred

  • Episode aired Sep 26, 1974
  • TV-G
  • 1h
IMDb RATING
7.8/10
167
YOUR RATING
Richard Thomas and Blue in The Waltons (1972)
DramaFamilyRomance

John Boy and his mule aim to get the Walton family name on a local race's trophy for the first time since Grandpa won the race years ago. It seems to be a sure victory until a well-to-do col... Read allJohn Boy and his mule aim to get the Walton family name on a local race's trophy for the first time since Grandpa won the race years ago. It seems to be a sure victory until a well-to-do college mate and his thoroughbred racehorse enter.John Boy and his mule aim to get the Walton family name on a local race's trophy for the first time since Grandpa won the race years ago. It seems to be a sure victory until a well-to-do college mate and his thoroughbred racehorse enter.

  • Director
    • Harry Harris
  • Writers
    • Earl Hamner Jr.
    • Michael Russnow
    • Tony Kayden
  • Stars
    • Richard Thomas
    • Ralph Waite
    • Michael Learned
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.8/10
    167
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Harry Harris
    • Writers
      • Earl Hamner Jr.
      • Michael Russnow
      • Tony Kayden
    • Stars
      • Richard Thomas
      • Ralph Waite
      • Michael Learned
    • 1User review
    • 1Critic review
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos1

    View Poster

    Top cast18

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    Richard Thomas
    Richard Thomas
    • John-Boy Walton
    Ralph Waite
    Ralph Waite
    • John Walton, Sr.
    Michael Learned
    Michael Learned
    • Olivia Walton
    • (as Miss Michael Learned)
    Ellen Corby
    Ellen Corby
    • Esther Walton
    Will Geer
    Will Geer
    • The Grandfather
    Judy Norton
    Judy Norton
    • Mary Ellen Walton
    Jon Walmsley
    Jon Walmsley
    • Jason Walton
    Mary Beth McDonough
    Mary Beth McDonough
    • Erin Walton
    • (as Mary Elizabeth McDonough)
    Eric Scott
    Eric Scott
    • Ben Walton
    David W. Harper
    David W. Harper
    • Jim-Bob Walton
    Kami Cotler
    Kami Cotler
    • Elizabeth Walton
    Joe Conley
    Joe Conley
    • Ike Godsey
    Earl Hamner Jr.
    Earl Hamner Jr.
    • The Narrator
    • (voice)
    • (as Earl Hamner)
    Brendan Burns
    Brendan Burns
    • Carl Jensen
    James Gammon
    James Gammon
    • Zack Rosswell
    • (as Jim Gammon)
    Glen Gordon
    • Prof. Foster
    Frank Janson
    • Col. Seth Linville
    Kathleen Quinlan
    Kathleen Quinlan
    • Selina Linville
    • Director
      • Harry Harris
    • Writers
      • Earl Hamner Jr.
      • Michael Russnow
      • Tony Kayden
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews1

    7.8167
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    Featured reviews

    7nlathy-839-300677

    Not Just Mule is Stubborn in This Racing Story

    Richard Thomas is star of series despite limitations as an actor. His Liberalism helps bring out pettiness in performances. Still he makes show worth watching. Would have liked to see more likeable John Boy throughout horse tale. Race brings out bad qualities in certain children. Still always in mood for a horse racing episode. Hollywood loves horse sport for good reason.

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    Related interests

    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama
    Drew Barrymore and Pat Welsh in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
    Family
    Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca (1942)
    Romance

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      In the first minutes of the episode, John Boy (Richard Thomas) attempts to put a saddle on Blue the mule, only to have the mule turn and run away. According to Judy Norton (Mary Ellen), for some reason, the mule was afraid of camels. The crew brought a camel onto the set and kept it hidden until the scene was filmed, and then when it came time for the mule to run, brought the camel out of hiding. The mule took one look at the camel and ran away.
    • Quotes

      Narrator: [narration as John 'John Boy' Walton, Jr. reading from his journal] Waltons Mountain meant many things to my family. It was a source of food, for we took game from its forests and fish from its streams. It was a refuge in time of trouble and a link with the history of our family's past. And once, it became the setting for a race that none of us would ever forget.

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 26, 1974 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Hallmark Channel
      • INSP Television Network
    • Language
      • English
    • Filming locations
      • Stage 20, Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USA
    • Production company
      • Lorimar Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h(60 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1
      • 4:3

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