Release calendarTop 250 moviesMost popular moviesBrowse movies by genreTop box officeShowtimes & ticketsMovie newsIndia movie spotlight
    What's on TV & streamingTop 250 TV showsMost popular TV showsBrowse TV shows by genreTV news
    What to watchLatest trailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb SpotlightFamily entertainment guideIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsEmmysToronto Int'l Film FestivalHispanic Heritage MonthIMDb Stars to WatchSTARmeter AwardsAwards CentralFestival CentralAll events
    Born todayMost popular celebsCelebrity news
    Help centerContributor zonePolls
For industry professionals
  • Language
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Watchlist
Sign in
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Use app
The Waltons
S5.E2
All episodesAll
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
IMDbPro

The Vigil

  • Episode aired Sep 30, 1976
  • TV-G
  • 1h
IMDb RATING
8.1/10
154
YOUR RATING
Robert S. Woods in The Waltons (1972)
DramaFamilyRomance

Nursing student Mary Ellen is sure she knows what is causing Grandma's stomach pains, but it turns out the problem is different-and life-threatening. Erin begins a new job as a phone operato... Read allNursing student Mary Ellen is sure she knows what is causing Grandma's stomach pains, but it turns out the problem is different-and life-threatening. Erin begins a new job as a phone operator for Fanny Tatum.Nursing student Mary Ellen is sure she knows what is causing Grandma's stomach pains, but it turns out the problem is different-and life-threatening. Erin begins a new job as a phone operator for Fanny Tatum.

  • Director
    • Harry Harris
  • Writers
    • Earl Hamner Jr.
    • Kathleen Hite
  • Stars
    • Richard Thomas
    • Ralph Waite
    • Michael Learned
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    8.1/10
    154
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Harry Harris
    • Writers
      • Earl Hamner Jr.
      • Kathleen Hite
    • Stars
      • Richard Thomas
      • Ralph Waite
      • Michael Learned
    • 2User reviews
    • 3Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos

    Top cast18

    Edit
    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
    • (as Judy Norton-Taylor)
    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)
    Sheila Allen
    Sheila Allen
    • Fanny Tatum
    Dee Carroll
    Dee Carroll
    • Mady Vance
    John Crawford
    John Crawford
    • Sheriff Ep Bridges
    Victor Izay
    Victor Izay
    • Dr. Matthew Vance
    Robert S. Woods
    Robert S. Woods
    • David Spenser
    • (as Robert Merritt Woods)
    • Director
      • Harry Harris
    • Writers
      • Earl Hamner Jr.
      • Kathleen Hite
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews2

    8.1154
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8
    9
    10

    Featured reviews

    5jilljohnson-80359

    NEVER ASSUME!!!!!!

    You get yourself in trouble. My first head nurse interrupted my sentence when she told me that. That phrase can pertain to many situations. If you are a parent or in the medical field be cautious.

    I agree Mary Ellen was a pompous know it all. She was a student. In reality I'm fairly certain she would have been kicked out of nursing. Her grandmother or no.

    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
      Gossipy telephone operator Fanny Tatum was originally played by long-time character actress Dorothy Neumann in season one's fifteenth episode, "The Actress". Ms. Neumann is replaced here by Sheila Allen who fills the role periodically through the remainder of the series.
    • Goofs
      One of the headlines on the front page of The Blue Ridge Chronicle is cut off. Instead of "GERMAN AIR STRENGTH GROWS," it reads "GERMAN AIR NGTH GROWS."
    • Quotes

      Erin Walton: [as the family are settling into bed for the night] John Boy, will you take me to Miss Fanny's tomorrow?

      John-Boy Walton: Why don't you ride on Blue? He doesn't take gasoline.

      Erin Walton: What's that got to do with it?

      John-Boy Walton: Gasoline costs 15 cents a gallon, Erin.

      Ben Walton: Make her pay you John Boy. She's earning money now.

      John-Boy Walton: That's a good idea, Ben. You can pay me too, all your riding around... Ben? Ben?

      Ben Walton: I'm asleep.

    Top picks

    Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations
    Sign in

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 30, 1976 (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

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    Sign in for more accessSign in for more access
    Follow IMDb on social
    Get the IMDb App
    For Android and iOS
    Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • License IMDb Data
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Your Ads Privacy Choices
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2025 by IMDb.com, Inc.