ksuski,
To save you reading through the whole thread again, the movie we came up with was Spencer's Mountain (1963). John Wayne is NOT in that movie, but Maureen O'Hara is, along with Henry Fonda. It is the "original" Walton's story, upon which the TV show was later based.
Some video stores may have it available for rental (that's how we first saw it). Otherwise, it is available at Deep Discount DVD for only $5.99 (and FREE shipping!). Here's a direct link to their site.
Hope this helps!
Chester