The Waltons (1971–1981): Season 7, Episode 3 - The Moonshiner - full transcript

I'll gonna handle this
my own way, Jason.

I don't want nothing
from you or your family.

So you just might
as well go on home.

What's a family for if
not to help one of its own?

It's my life, boy.

Grandpa wouldn't have let you
spend out your days on a road gang

and neither will I.

Ain't nothing you can do about
it. Case comes up this morning.

I well remember my grandfather
speaking of the two ideals

he felt so much a
part of the human spirit.

They were, he said,
love and loyalty.



During that autumn of 1941,

his ideals were to be
well tested by those people

fate and the changing times
would return to Walton's Mountain.

It was a time when
our brother Jason

most keenly felt the
loss of our grandfather.

In the case of Boone Walton vs. The
people of the United States of America,

this court finds you
guilty as charged

in the illegal
manufacture and sale

of what is commonly referred to
as bootleg or moonshine whiskey.

Anything you wish to say
before the court passes sentence?

I believe the law is
on your side, not mine.

Might as well get
on with it, Judge.

Your Honor, with your permission,
there's something I'd like to say.

And who might you be?



My name is Jason Walton, sir.

This man is cousin to my family.

I'd like to speak on his behalf.

You speak on your own behalf.

Well, he never even
asked me, Judge.

Sit down.

You are of Zeb and
John Walton's family?

I am, Your Honor.

And what is it you
wish to tell the Court?

Your Honor,

I'm not here to argue that Boone
Walton didn't do what he is charged with.

But I believe his life has been,

and stands for, a good deal more
than making and running moonshine.

Well, my life ain't over yet and I
don't need no funeral sermons.

To my family he represents the
last of an older generation of Waltons.

The only life he's ever known
is in the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Yet his family's land was taken from
him, given away to a national park.

He had no place to go.

He chose to stay, keeping to
himself, alone in the mountains.

Your Honor, locking him
away at his age would kill him,

the same as it would if you
imprisoned any of the wild creatures

that have been his only
company in those mountains.

I'm prepared to pay his fine.

In return, I ask that you
release Boone Walton

into the custody of the
only family he has left.

That's all I have to say.

Boone Walton, stand up.

I know this is your first
offense, Mr. Walton.

I'm also smart enough to know
it's the first time you've been caught.

Young man, I also
happen to believe

what you say could be in the
interests of reforming Mr. Walton.

Sentence suspended.

Fine is $100.

Mr. Boone Walton is released to the
custody of Mr. Jason Walton, his kin.

I ain't never owed
nobody nothing.

You don't owe me anything
except good behavior.

The way I figure it, if one fellow
pays the other fellow's way,

one of them is
beholden to the other.

You'll have plenty of
chance to work it off.

Daddy's heading
up a lumber co-op.

Filling orders for
new Army barracks,

ship building at Newport News.

Hey, pull over, here.

"Home of progress"?

You for progress?

I reckon it's coming
whether we're for it or not.

Sure right there.

It is progress what brought
two lanes of blacktop highway

right through your Aunt
Martha Corinne's kitchen.

- I remember that.
- Do you?

People's moving into town,

toting lunch pails with light
bread sandwiches to indoor jobs.

That's progress.

We haven't moved anywhere.

Daddy travels some, but we're
still right where we always were.

Don't have to move,
fences will do that to you.

So would a jail cell.

I had me some plans.

I could have
escaped if I wanted to.

Could right now, if I wanted to.

You're not going
anywhere except with me.

I said, "If I wanted to."

Sister, you're sure
you searched up here?

I looked everywhere
up there for it.

There's not a
sign of it, Sister.

Oh, if only Papa were
here to advise us what to do.

Well, courage, Sister, courage.

We know it's never
been out of the family.

It's never been out of the room.

Well, then it simply
must be here.

Of course it must,
Sister, but where?

Continue searching.

Without it I don't know
how either of us can go on.

Oh, Sister!

Cousin Boone's going
to be staying with us.

I thought it would
be a real surprise.

As we all know, he was
caught doing what he does best.

Yes, we all know.

I thought you just
went up there for a visit.

Well, it turned out his
trial was this morning.

I took this on myself, not feeling
he should be on the road gang.

Why not?

Esther.

Family's all growed up, Olivia.

Uh-huh.

It's been a long time since
we saw you last, Boone.

Yes.

Mmm.

Like Jason says,
this is a real surprise.

Now, Aimee, put your
money in the cash register.

We must pay for candy
the same as everyone else.

All right, Mother.

Well, can I check your oil
and get them windows for you?

Not today, thank you.

Okay, that will
be $1 even, then.

- Thank you very much.
- Thank you.

- Y'all come back now.
- See you.

That was her, I'm
almost sure of it.

Daisy Garner.

You've got a good eye and
a good memory, Corabeth.

Who is that child with her?

You know, I always wondered why
she and John-Boy never got married.

Why is she here?

You're asking me?

Well, I suppose we'll
find out soon enough.

Aren't you going to pay
for the candy, Mama?

Boone, Jason tells me you've
come to stay with us a while.

I don't reckon you
folks got much choice.

The Judge made Jason my keeper.

- You remember Ben?
- Hey, Boone.

- How are you, Ben?
- Good, thank you.

John, they tell me you doing
big things for the US Government.

That's the way it is around
here these days, Boone.

Jason tells me you
signed on to work with us.

Well, as long as the US Government's
doing something besides chasing me,

I don't mind putting
in a day's work.

Let's get to it, then.

Take these on outside.

Just because
Boone's not like us,

doesn't mean he's never
amounted to anything.

Never will.

John-Boy was shot and
nearly killed four years ago

because of trouble
Boone stirred up.

Well, Aunt Martha Corinne was
just as much to blame as Boone was.

His whole side of
the family is warlike.

They'd just as soon
shoot you as look at you.

Well, they were just
trying to defend their land.

- John-Boy never blamed them for that.
- And now he's shown up here with a gun.

Think I'll set Boone's place
right between Ben and Jason.

Well, I think Jason feels that Boone's
place at our table is permanent.

Moonshiner!

Grandma, there are lots of
moonshiners up in the mountains.

But only one Walton.

Alcohol and the
people who drink it

are to blame for a lot
of the world's troubles.

Mama, what's that you and
Daddy drank on your anniversary?

Well, there's a big difference
between a sip of champagne

and moonshine.

Mama,

I think you better set
a couple more places.

Now who is it?

It's Daisy Garner.

She's brought her little girl.

I thought it best I
return John's ring.

I'm sorry if you two have
decided not to work it out.

So am I.

When he first got to London,
we wrote each other quite often.

Then, not so often.

It's been over a month since
I've heard anything at all.

We don't hear much
from him, either.

His job keeps him awful busy.

I think that for him what
there was between us is over.

So...

He's gonna be coming home someday. Wouldn't
you rather give it to him yourself?

I'll be a long way
from here by then.

Mama, tea.

Come on.

Melissa and I are
going to New York.

For good?

I think so.

My mother passed
away last month.

I'm sorry to hear that.

Since then, I've had a lot of
decisions to make and things to settle.

This was one of them.

- Daisy?
- Hmm?

Do you mind if I took Melissa to
my room and showed her around?

All right, but just
for a minute or two.

We have a long trip ahead of us.

We'll see if we can find her a
toy to play with along the way.

John told you about Melissa?

Yes.

I've really come here
to ask you to forgive me.

You weren't honest with John-Boy
and I didn't like to see him hurt,

but it's not for
me to judge you.

It's about time to get John
Curtis up from his nap.

Would you like to see
how much he's grown?

Very much.

And then, we
really must be going.

It's getting kind of late.

How would you and
Melissa like to stay the night?

I would like that very
much. Thank you.

Come on, Daisy. I want
to hear about all your plans.

We remember all the stories
Aunt Martha Corinne used to tell us.

You must know them all by heart.

We'd like to hear
some of your own.

There must not be many like you
left up in that part of the Blue Ridge.

Well, you see,

ain't no man gonna make a small
acquaintance with them mountains

if he wants to make
whiskey and get away with it.

Time was there was me,

Farley Coombs, Jack Whittaker,

and the granddaddy of all
Blue Ridge moonshiners,

Little Davy Osgood.

Y'all's granddaddy
knew them all.

He ever tell you
about Little Davy?

Little Davy rode horseback.

He disguised hisself
as a Bible salesman.

Sold leather-bound,

gold-stamped
Bibles to the women,

moonshine to the menfolks.

Let's see...

First time ever I
seen Little Davy,

I believe he was
riding a chestnut mare.

Well, I'd love to stay and hear
more, but you must excuse me,

I have a class to attend.

Erin, I'll drive you, okay?

Anybody wanna listen to the
war news on the shortwave?

I'll take these in, I have
some studying to do.

- Come on, Melissa, I'll read you a story.
- Sure.

Martha Corinne used to say my
stories was about as interesting

as watching the grass grow.

Whatever happened
to Little Davy?

Snake bit him, he died.

Well, I guess I'll
be turning in now.

Mr. Walton, I liked your story.

They tell me you're a dancer.

Yes, I am.

I expect you do real good.

Boone?

Come in, boy.

A good day's work. You did well.

I mostly got in the way 'cause
I didn't know what I was doing.

That's more the truth of it.

What you got there, boy?

Grandpa always kept this
hidden, for special people.

He figured you're
special, and so do I.

Make yourself at home.

Well...

I sure appreciate that.

Mmm.

That sure makes me feel at home.

Zeb run this off?

No. No, it was a gift
from some old friends.

Old friends?

He never told me
about them old friends.

Well, he never had a chance
to introduce them to you.

But you do?

It could be arranged.

Oh.

Well, here's to old friends.

Mommy.

Do we have to drive anymore?

Can't we stay here?

I'm sorry, Melissa.

But we're going to have our
breakfast and be on our way.

Please. It's so nice here.

Mary Ellen's promised to
show us all around everything.

You put her up to this?

Well, you've only
been here one night,

you've hardly seen
anything of the Mountain.

Oh, Mary Ellen, we are on
our way to New York City,

and we have imposed
on you long enough.

Nonsense.

If you think you're imposing, I
know of a house that's empty

and furnished,
and free of charge.

And you two have
planned all this out?

All right. For a day or two.

Probably do us
both a lot of good.

This makes sense, Esther.

Stop the night creatures.

- Corn looks good.
- Yup.

Esther,

I guess one of the things
about living for a long time

is that finally there ain't nobody
left you done anything with.

I know there ain't nobody
around misses Zeb like you do.

But I tell you,

it's my heart's craving to
spend another hour with him.

Ain't nobody his
cut around no more.

I never did have the words to

say my feelings.

Zeb would have.

Oh, hi. I brought your
groceries, Miss Mamie.

Oh. Oh, yes.

We missed you. Missed
you coming into the store.

I'm afraid we simply
cannot face the community.

A great tragedy has
happened to us, Mr. Godsey.

We would prefer that the
news not be broadcast.

Shocking.

What is it?

We cannot say.

Anybody seen Boone this morning?

No, he's probably about
halfway across the county by now.

I don't think Jason
thinks that's too funny.

After all, he's got an
investment to protect.

You're right, I
don't think it's funny.

Well, he did say he'd
rather go fishing than work.

Well, he's here to work.

Judging by the way he works,
we'd be better off if he went fishing.

As I walked out one morning

My true love passed me by

I could tell her
mind was changing

By the movement of her eye

You're up early.

Well, that way, I can
see my own shadow,

and I don't have to worry about
yours following me everywhere I go.

You're building a still
on Walton's Mountain.

Can't think of no better
place to build one.

Who's gonna look for a
still on Walton's Mountain?

It doesn't matter to you

that you'd risk getting our whole
family in trouble with the law?

Whole family don't need
to know. Just you and me.

I don't think so, Boone.

You still ain't caught
on, have you, boy?

I'm doing this as
much for you as for me.

Who's gonna be around
to learn you when I'm gone?

There's more I wanna know
about you than making whiskey.

Now, you said
you'd think it over.

How about telling me
while we go rabbit hunting?

Well, first off, you can't talk
and hunt rabbits at the same time.

So, let's walk.

Get the gun, boy.

I'm kind of curious to know about
that song you're always singing, Boone.

Well, I sing them words

on account of Rose Jamison.

Met her at a Sunday
preaching once.

I knowed right then that,

that Rose was a wildflower

I was gonna pick for my own.

I used to walk 12 miles
over to her church in Alberene

just to look at her.

Do you know about love, Jason?

The kind you're talking about
hasn't happened to me yet.

It will.

Well, me and Rose married
in that little old church.

Settled into a cabin I built for
us up on the Blue Rock Hollow.

Next year, why,
our boy was born.

Henry Jamison Walton.

In Spring 1888, there
come a terrible flood.

Blue Rock rose up one night,

come roaring down,
filling in the Hollow banks

with a fury that took
everything before it.

Took my home, took my son...

Took my Rose.

If you're ever over in Alberene,

there are two stones over there
marked with Rose and the boy's names.

I go over there once a year,
clean around the graves,

plant new flowers.

Been doing it for 53 years.

Well, that's about all that
ever counted in my life, Jason.

That what you wanted to know?

Let's get to hunting
them rabbits now.

You're welcome to use the
house as long as you like.

It's so clean and neat, inside and out.
It's as if you two were still living here.

Well, it's my way of reminding
myself that Curt will be coming home.

That things will be the same as
they were before he left for the Army.

You sound sure we're
gonna be in this war.

John-Boy's over
there, he's certain of it.

I've begun to accept the
fact that it could be months,

or years, before Curt's
home to stay again.

You're determined to go
to New York, aren't you?

I guess I'm looking
for the old days,

trying to find some of
what it was like before.

Could be my way of waiting.

Why don't you wait here? Begin a
new life for yourself and Melissa?

You seem sure people around
here are going to accept me.

There's no reason
they shouldn't.

I wish I could believe
that as easily as you.

Don't you want to do anything?

I'd like to do a lot of things,

but Mama says I have
to do an hour of sewing,

and then another hour of
reading before I get out of here.

- Did you do something bad?
- No.

I'm just supposed to grow
up like a lady, and it isn't easy.

- I'll watch.
- Watch what?

- Watch you grow.
- You can't watch a person grow.

Jim-Bob and I used to
think so, when we were little.

Well, I'm gonna get a soda.
Does anyone want one?

Anyhow, we all
want them to stay.

Well, it's one way to get
John-Boy back from England.

I suppose you've
thought of that.

Well, Mary Ellen's gonna
offer them her house.

Hey, that'd be a good
place for them to stay.

- Elizabeth?
- And that Melissa,

she's just the cutest
little girl, isn't she?

And just who is Melissa?

Oh, she's Daisy
Garner's little girl.

Well, tell me, where
is that child's father?

Oh, Melissa doesn't
have a daddy.

Oh, how sad.

I didn't know that
Daisy was a widow.

Oh, she isn't.

As far as I know, she's
never gotten married.

Well, Elizabeth.

I would rather not have
a love child in my home.

Corabeth, hold on. That child
hasn't done anything to us.

Aimee is at a very young
and impressionable age,

and I will not have her exposed
to the more tawdry side of life

until absolutely necessary.

How you doing?

Well, I'd rather be
fishing, I can tell you that.

We going visiting like you say?

We'll have to get
fixed up, they're ladies.

Ladies?

I'll find you something
of Grandpa's to wear.

You got more turns
than a swamp eel, boy.

Ladies, you say, huh?

Finest you'll ever meet.

I'd be pleased to.

I'm sorry, Jason, Sister and
I are not accepting callers.

Perhaps another day.

Miss Mamie, wait.

Miss Mamie?

Oh, Jason, a most dreadful
tragedy has befallen us.

We've lost the
recipe for the Recipe.

You've gotta ease back on
that temperature just a mite.

Right there.

Excuse me.

Mr. Boone seems to
have a taste for his work.

Yes, ma'am. You might
say it's an acquired taste.

Just a tad more meal,

and, I think, through the
cooker one more time.

Now, you could
keep a tighter spigot.

Give yourself a slower run.

Papa was very
proud of those pipes.

They came all the way
from New York City.

He was a real old-timer
in the business, was he?

Business, Mr. Boone?

Our father was a judge.

I think what Cousin
Boone means is

the business of knowing how
to make a really fine Recipe.

Oh.

Jason,

you may fetch the cups.

Most medicinal,
Papa always said.

You know what my
papa used to say?

My papa used to say, "The
best medicine is 100 proof."

And this, dear
ladies, is just that.

Papa said, "The
taste is in the proof."

A dying art, but not forgotten.

But maybe if your
late daddy was here,

what he would say would be,

"Just what the doctor ordered."

Miracle of miracles, Sister.

- The Recipe is restored.
- Indeed it is, Sister.

If you good ladies ever have
another problem like this here,

well, Jason will always
know where to find me.

Papa's Recipe has always
been a secret, Mr. Boone.

Sister and I would like to
know how you learned it.

Well, ladies...

Well, a lot of people might
think it's just plain luck.

There are times when...

When the old great
problem has just

brung out the very best in me.

How can we ever thank you?

Well, why don't we start by
having another round of the Recipe?

Neither of them said
where they were going?

Well, I know it can't be a
case of Boone taking off,

'cause I saw him and Jason
leave together in the coupe.

Melissa, come and
help Erin with dessert.

Sure.

Maybe Boone's teaching Jason
how to get a return on his investment.

That'll be the day.

Mama, what's a "love child"?

What?

Ah, every child is a love child, Elizabeth.
Where did you hear that expression?

I bet I know where.

Go on, Elizabeth.

From Corabeth Godsey.
That's what she called Melissa.

Mommy, I can't cut this cake.
- Here, let me try it for you.

I wish that Corabeth would
mind her own business.

She certainly has a big mouth.

She asked me to
bring Melissa home.

She said it was improper for
Aimee to play with a love child.

- I'm sorry.
- It's Corabeth who ought to be sorry.

She has no business judging
other people, especially a small child.

Mommy, can you learn how to
make an angel food cake like Erin?

As I walked out one morning

My true love passed me by

I knew her mind was changing

By the movement of her eye

And my Rosie, she was handsome

My Rosie, she is tall

They say she was good-natured

You two appear to be
enjoying yourselves.

And that's the best of all

- Little Saturday night hoorah, huh?
- Evening, John.

We did pay a little visit
on the Baldwin Sisters.

- And a good time was had by all.
- Sure did.

They lost their Recipe.
And... And Boone found it.

Sure did.

He did it all by taste.

Sure did.

Jason, get yourself to bed.

I wanna have a little
talk with Boone, here.

See you in the morning, Jason.

I guess you know that boy's
gone out on a limb for you, Boone.

I'm sure much
obliged to him, too.

I don't appreciate
you getting him drunk.

Well, if Zeb was around, and a
boy's drinking time come, he'd see to it.

I'm the boy's father,
I'll decide that.

I don't want you
getting him in trouble.

I especially don't want you wearing
out your welcome around here, Boone.

Don't need you telling
me where my place is.

I knowed that when I come here.

Boone?

Boone?

Boone's gone. He took
his shotgun with him.

You figure he's run off on you?

If he wants to lose himself in
these hills, you'll never find him.

Or maybe he started
down the road.

Better get looking for him.

Corabeth Godsey
is mostly bluster.

I get angry with her a lot.

There are times when I
almost feel sorry for her.

Well, I don't want my
child to grow up with that.

That gossip.

The cruel way people
talk behind your back.

So you think that you and Melissa
can lose yourselves in New York?

Oh, it isn't that I wanna hide.

I want desperately to
be who and what I am.

Seems to me that wherever you go,
there's gonna be a Corabeth Godsey.

Might as well
face up to her here.

I'm on my way to the store.

Come with me.

All right.

What do you think you're doing?

Let's just say I got my eye on progress,
if I don't get run over by it first.

Why don't you head on
back where you come from?

- Where you headed, Boone?
- This trip don't include you.

It's my $100. We're
in this together.

Not no more, we ain't.

Would you put that shotgun away?

You're too young to
understand, ain't you?

Now, why don't you go on home?

You want to get yourself
locked up? Well, go ahead.

It doesn't matter what I tried to
do. All you care about is yourself.

I trusted you.

This is the way we put up stock

Put up stock, put up stock

This is the way we put up stock

So early in the...

- Good morning, Corabeth.
- Hi, Melissa.

- Hi.
- I believe you know Daisy and Melissa.

We've met, yes.

And, of course, I know of them.

Would you mind if Aimee took
Melissa outside to play for a little while?

Oh, I'm sorry, Aimee has
other responsibilities now.

But I've already done my chores.

- Come on, Melissa.
- Okay.

Aimee!

Mrs. Godsey, Melissa has
enjoyed playing with Aimee,

I'm sorry to hear she's
no longer welcome.

Oh, well.

I'm afraid that she is just a little
too young for a companion for Aimee.

I think you've got more on
your mind than that, Corabeth.

Olivia, please.

What you heard about Melissa
not having a father is true,

but it is a terrible thing to shut her
out for something that's not her fault.

I mean the child no harm.

But, Olivia, you must
understand, as a mother,

that I have the utmost concern
for the welfare of my daughter.

Aimee is a very
lucky little girl.

You took her out of that orphanage,
gave her a home, and a lot of love.

We think of her as our own.

And I don't think it would
have mattered to you

where she came from or
what her background was,

would it?

Would it?

Daisy made a terrible mistake.
She's paid for it a thousand times.

Now she and Melissa want
to stay on this mountain,

and they're gonna need
all the friends they can get.

You get in and I'll
whirl you around.

Sure.

Don't fall out.

Miss Garner.

On behalf of Mr. Godsey and
myself, and Aimee, too, of course,

I want to welcome
you to our community.

Thank you.

Now I think we can get
on with our shopping list.

I'm beginning to understand why
nobody ever wants to leave your mountain.

Glad you like it
here. It's real quiet.

It's just what Melissa
and I need right now,

and Mary Ellen's house
is going to be home.

If you ever wanna borrow
any brothers and sisters

for Melissa to play
with, you just let us know.

You heading for
the Dew Drop Inn?

I don't feel much
like it, though.

- I can't get Boone off my mind.
- You did your best, Son.

Kind of figured it was late
for Boone to change now.

- I believed in him, Daddy.
- Of course, you did.

That's why it's more than losing
the money that's hurting you.

Jason Walton?

I talk with you, Jason?

You said you believed in him.

I was gonna call the Sheriff if
I didn't see you by tomorrow.

This here is yours.

$100.

Where'd you get that?

Pawn shop, my old shotgun.

Why?

The Judge appointed you my keeper,
but he didn't say you had to pay for it.

I've come back here to
ask you for my freedom.

Oh, Boone.

You know the Judge
would never allow that.

Then you be the judge.

Jason,

I need to spend
what time I got left

back up the yonder in the
mountains where I belong.

I know where I can go
so deep in the Blue Ridge

there ain't no lawman or
his dogs can ever find me.

Man can live the way he's
supposed to live up there.

He can make his own
whiskey if he wants to.

What do you want me to do?

I want you to give
me a day's head start.

Then call the
law, if you want to.

Tell them I run off.
It'd be the truth. I did.

Twenty-four hours.

You have my word.

I'm much obliged to you and your
family for what you tried to do for me.

Goodbye, Boone.

Blood kin don't say goodbye,
might mean a death in the family.

We just turn our backs
and go our own way.

Special friend,

special kin.

Now, go on.

Go on.

Mr. Walton?

It's you who are special.

A very special man.

If you're ever in the mountains

and come upon a wild rose,

pick it for me.

The law never did catch Boone.

From time to time, he
would slip back to visit us.

He was always loved and
respected as the last Walton

whose ways were
swiftly vanishing

and whose secrets were
revealed only to Jason.

Boone Walton was killed by a truck
while crossing the highway one dark night.

He was 87 years old,

and was carrying two
gallons of moonshine.

While sailing on the ocean

While sailing on the deep

I'll think of handsome Rosie

Just as I go to sleep

- Good night, Jason.
- Good night, Daddy.

English -SDH