"Little House on the Prairie" (1974) TV series 1974-1983

User Rating:

7.3/10   

Writers:

Arthur Heinemann (writer) (14 episodes)
John Hawkins (writer) (11 episodes)

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9

Release Date:

11 September 1974 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Family | Romance | Western

Plot:

The life and adventures of the Ingalls family in the 19th century American West.

Plot Keywords:

House | Teacher | Prairie | Small Town | Blindness

Awards:

Nominated for 3 Golden Globes. Another 15 wins & 34 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Mon. Nov. 9	4:00 AM	TVLAND	He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not	#6.23
Mon. Nov. 9	5:00 AM	TVLAND	He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not	#6.24

Cast

Melissa Gilbert	...	Laura Ingalls / ... (192 episodes, 1974-1983)
Michael Landon	...	Charles Ingalls / ... (183 episodes, 1974-1983)
Lindsay Greenbush	...	Carrie Ingalls / ... (182 episodes, 1974-1982)
Sidney Greenbush	...	Carrie Ingalls / ... (182 episodes, 1974-1982)
Karen Grassle	...	Caroline Ingalls (170 episodes, 1974-1982)
Scottie MacGregor	...	Harriet Oleson (152 episodes, 1974-1983)
Richard Bull	...	Nels Oleson (147 episodes, 1974-1983)
Melissa Sue Anderson	...	Mary Ingalls / ... (142 episodes, 1974-1981)
Jonathan Gilbert	...	Willie Oleson (139 episodes, 1974-1983)
Kevin Hagen	...	Dr. Hiram Baker (113 episodes, 1974-1983)
Alison Arngrim	...	Nellie Oleson / ... (104 episodes, 1974-1982)
Matthew Laborteaux	...	Albert Quinn Ingalls / ... (87 episodes, 1976-1983)

Also Known As:

Little House: A New Beginning (USA) (last season title)

Runtime:

60 min | Germany:45 min (210 episodes) | USA:60 min (203 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:G | Singapore:PG | Finland:K-18 (DVD) (2007) (self applied) | Australia:PG (some episodes) | Argentina:Atp

Filming Locations:

Big Sky Ranch - 4927 Bennett Road, Simi Valley, California, USA

Company:

Ed Friendly Productions

Trivia:

Dean Butler remarked that the first kiss between him and 'Melissa Gilbert' (Laura) was so nerve-racking for everyone, that there were chaperones on the set to make sure nothing unseemly was going on. From the sidelines, Melissa's mother Barbara was wailing "My baby!" so much that she had to be consoled.

Goofs:

Errors in geography: In the episode "The Lord is My Shepherd", Laura runs away from home and stays on top of a mountain, even though there are no mountains whatsoever in Walnut Grove, Minnesota.

Quotes:

Almanzo James Wilder: [trying to give Laura a nickname] What's your given name?
Laura: Laura Elizabeth Ingalls.
Almanzo James Wilder: Laura Elizabeth...
[pause]
Almanzo James Wilder: How about Beth?

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Saturday Night Live: Ron Howard/The Clash (#8.3)" (1982)

Love Little House

Sure, this series isn't as good as the books, but it's very enjoyable in its own right. Since I was too young to watch the show during its original run, I like to catch up on the reruns whenever I can. The acting was right on: Melissa Gilbert as Laura was perfect. She grew in the role and showed she was quite capable of carrying the show when Michael Landon left. But I can't help but be jealous of her because the gorgeous Dean Butler played her husband, Almanzo! They both did a great job.

Of course, it would be silly for me not to mention the other wonderful actors who made Little House so enjoyable to watch: Michael Landon and Karen Grassle as Pa and Ma Ingalls. Was there ever a cooler, prettier mother on TV than Karen Grassle??? Melissa Sue Anderson as gentle Mary Ingalls was incomparable, especially after she became blind. She was very convincing playing blind! Also noteworthy are Kevin Hagen as Doc Baker, Dabbs Greer as Rev. Alden, Victor French as Mr. Edwards, and Richard Bull and Katherine MacGregor as the nosy, rude, crass, but hysterically funny Nels and Harriet Oleson. And last but certainly not least is one of TV's best villainesses, Alison Arngrim as the snobby, bratty and whiny Nellie Oleson. What would LH have been without the great rivalry between Laura Ingalls and Nellie Oleson? Did they give the writers of Dynasty ideas for the mudfights between Krystle and Alexis???

It's hard to describe what it is about Little House I love so much. I think I love the extreme closeness of the Ingalls family, and the romance. Whether it be the love and romance between long married Charles and Caroline, the sweet love and romance of Laura and her "Manly", among others, or also the fact I grew up watching the reruns on my grandmother's lap and we bonded to this show in a certain sense, I truly have a big spot in my heart for this show and also Laura Ingalls Wilder's wonderful books.

My favorite episode is "Divorce, Walnut Grove Style", Laura and Almanzo's separation over the girl's song, and how they reconcile. What a wonderful show!