In 1976 I directed THE PONY CART, an episode of THE WALTONS. For several reasons it was a very special experience for me:
It was the second and final time I directed Beulah Bondi, but the friendship
that began two years earlier when we worked together the first time continued till the end of her life.
It was the last film in her film career, a career that began in 1931 when she was brought to Hollywood to recreate her role in Samuel Goldwyn’s screen adaptation of the Broadway production of Elmer Rice’s STREEET SCENE.
About Beulah Bondi, twice nominated for an Academy Award (THE GORGEOUS HUSSY and OF HUMAN HEARTS), John Springer wrote in his THEY HAD FACES THEN, “Academy Oscars ceased to have their full value the year she did not get a nomination for MAKE WAY FOR TOMORROW.” (The italics are mine!)
She was awarded an Emmy for her performance in THE PONY CART. She was 87 years old. (I think she may be the oldest actress to receive an Emmy award. I know she was older than any actress who received an Oscar.)
THE PONY CART experience has survived as fond memories. But now 41 years later, unexpectedly, the experience is about to be enhanced.
THE WALTONS 45th Anniversary Reunion will take place at the Walton’s Mountain Museum in Schuyler, VA from March 24 – 26, 2017. For tickets and information, fans can visit the website at: www.earlhamnerstoryteller.com
Here’s a preview:
Pingback: TV CONFIDENTIAL Show No. 362 with guests Ralph Senensky and Mark Dawidziak
Hi Ralph, I justed watched the episode of Then came Bronson, called sybil.. I really enjoyed it. That show was very advent guard for the time. Very scenic. I have tried several times to get into videos but really never had the connections to do so.. Not sure I could come close to your life achievements, wow, you really did so many shows. So, really, I am nobody from nowhere who likes what you have done.. Kudos..
Thank you, Autumn! It’s nice to be appreciated!
Dear Ralph
Thank you so much for writing these accounts of the episodes you directed.
I found this website through my fondness for The Walton’s (which is still shown on UK television today), but as a lifelong fan of Star Trek (I grew up with The Next Generation) I recognised your name immediately.
Reading through your website I was fascinated to discover that many of my favourite Walton’s episodes were directed by you, I guess this goes to show that the approach that different Directors take really makes a difference to the finished product – “The Conflict”, “The Pony Cart”, “Grandma Comes Home”, some of the finest hours of television I have ever watched!
Thanks once more.
Slainte (good health) from Scotland.
Allan
And thank you Allen. Kind words all these years later are surprising and appreciated.
Slainte from Carmel, CA
Ralph
Thank you for everything. I never get tired of watching your work. Shanah Tova! May you be inscribed in the Book of Life for another 100 years!
Happy 101! And as always, what a treasure you are. Thank you for your work, thank you for your blog, but most of all — thank you for being you.