The Homecoming: A Christmas Story (1971 TV Movie)

Patricia Neal: Olivia Walton

Photos 

Quotes 

• Elizabeth : Mary Ellen called us pissants!

  Olivia : Well, you know better than that, don't you, Elizabeth?

  Elizabeth : I don't feel like a pissant.

  Olivia : There, you see?

• Mary Ellen : Mama, do you think I'm pretty?

  Olivia Walton : No. I think you're beautiful.

  Mary Ellen : [Kisses Olivia on the neck]  Thank you, Mama.

  Olivia Walton : You're welcome, Mary Ellen.

• John-Boy : CALM DOWN NOW! JUST HOLD IT!

  Olivia : You watch your temper! You're the oldest, you make them mind!

  John-Boy : Well, I am tired of being the oldest! I feel like an old mother duck!

  Olivia : Can't do a thing about that now. You're stuck with it.

  John-Boy : [Quietly, to the kids]  All right next--the next one of you that moves is gonna get a spanking!

• Olivia Walton : We do not accept charity in this house.

  John-Boy Walton : You took that turkey from Charlie Snead.

  Olivia Walton : That's enough out of you, John-Boy.

• Elizabeth : Good night, John Boy.

  John-Boy : Good night, Elizabeth. Good night, Daddy.

  John : Good night, Son. Good night, Mary Ellen.

  Mary Ellen : Good night, Daddy. Good night, Mama.

  Olivia : Good night, Mary Ellen. Good night, Jim Bob.

  Jim Bob : Good night, Mama. Good night, Erin.

  Erin : Good night, Jim Bob. Good night, Ben.

  Ben : Good night, Erin. Good night, everybody.

• Olivia : What are we going to live on this coming week?

  John : Love, Woman.

• Olivia Walton : Papa, it's awful slippery outside. Nobody's gonna expect you to ring the church bells tonight.

  Ebenezer Walton : Well, the Methodists will be ringin' in Christmas, and so will the Episcopals. Well, the Baptist bell is gonna be ringin' right along with 'em.

• Olivia : What were you doing up there?

  John-Boy : Nothing, Mama.

  Olivia : Then what's the door locked for?

  John-Boy : I reckon it just got locked.

  Olivia : A door don't get locked all by itself. Now what were you doing up there behind locked doors?

  John-Boy : Sometimes I like a little privacy, Mama.

• John-Boy : Is Daddy home yet?

  Olivia : Not yet. Who was that that let you off down by the gate?

  John-Boy : That was Miss Mamie and Miss Emily Baldwin. They gave me a ride home in their pappy's sleigh.

  Olivia : What am I gonna do with you, boy? I send you looking for your daddy and you end up joyriding with two old lady BOOTLEGGERS!

  John-Boy : I wasn't joyriding, Mama. They took me to look for Daddy. We got right far but there a tree down in the road stopped us dead.

• Olivia : What's that you got in your hand?

  John-Boy : It's a present, Mama, from Miss Mamie and Miss Emily.

  Olivia : Bootleg whiskey. Don't those crazy old women know I don't allow whiskey in this house? I've got young children in this house! What sort of example do they think we set here? You take it out yonder and pour it on the ground!

  John-Boy : It's not whiskey, Mama, it's eggnog.

  Olivia : [after pause]  I ought to be ashamed of myself.

• Ike Godsey : I can let you have a little credit.

  Olivia Walton : Don't put temptation in my way, Ike. You know John and I never bought anything on credit in our lives.

  Ike Godsey : Just thought I would make the offer.

  Olivia Walton : And I appreciate it.

• Olivia Walton : Is it somethin' you're ashamed of?

  John-Boy Walton : Oh no, Mama.

  Olivia Walton : Then why are you hidin' it?

• Olivia Walton : But, John, what are we gonna live on this comin' week?

  John Walton : Love, woman.

• Olivia : If John doesn't get home soon with money, all we'll have for Christmas dinner is my applesauce cake. We won't even have that if I don't get a move on.

• Mary Ellen : Let Erin help you, she's such a prissy-butt.

  Erin : I am not a prissy-butt!

  Olivia : Would you girls stop arguing and get busy? GO!

• John : You won't be having another day like this one. I'm not going back.

  Olivia : You quit your job?

  John : I think hard times are almost over. I think the country is going to get better. Until it does get better, I'll make a living here on Walton's Mountain.