Little House On The Prairie - General Discussion

[debraran]

42 minutes ago, Superclam said:

I just caught the end of that silly balloon episode. Now the one where Nellie gets married is on. Much more entertaining, if only for Nellie & Mrs. Oleson's acting. 

That is one of my favs. The one liners about what she wanted for her daughters future, the "make her a widow" and many more. It was nice to see more of them that episode and little of the rest, they all were good actors and refreshing to see them have more than Mrs O and Nellie being bullies.

Nelson "Nels" Oleson: [talking about Nellie's new boyfriend in bed] He's a bit rough around the edges but I kind of like the boy.

Mrs. Oleson: You never had any taste.

Nelson "Nels" Oleson: You're right.

Mrs. Oleson: What did you say?

Nelson "Nels" Oleson: I said good night!

Edited June 30, 2020 by debraran

[CountryGirl]

Bingo, @Susan Easey. RL Carrie and Grace likely wanted to kick ML's behind for doing them so dirty on the show.

[RedbirdNelly]

On any show, I always hate and want to skip any episode where a character thinks they are rich but turns out they are not and part of the episode is them dreaming about what they will do with the money. I believe Little House has one with Laura finding fools gold. I could be mixed up since if I see that in the episode description, it's a definite "nope; find something else to watch." Also, in general, I'm not a fan of any dream episodes. Waste of time.

 

[CountryGirl]

Carrie had a pretty interesting life in her own right as she worked for several newspapers, even managing one at one point (so Laura and Rose weren't the only writers in the family). Carrie helped her sister recall many memories from the past in the writing of the LH books. Her husband, David Swanzey, gave Mount Rushmore its name and her stepson, Harold, was one of the workers who helped carve the monument. 

Here's a link with some good details re Carrie's life:

http://www.keystonehistory.com/index.php/cultural-innovators/carrie-ingalls

[Snow Apple]

2 hours ago, RedbirdNelly said:

On any show, I always hate and want to skip any episode where a character thinks they are rich but turns out they are not and part of the episode is them dreaming about what they will do with the money. I believe Little House has one with Laura finding fools gold. I could be mixed up since if I see that in the episode description, it's a definite "nope; find something else to watch." Also, in general, I'm not a fan of any dream episodes. Waste of time.

 

I don't usually like the dream episodes either, but I find Laura's dream of the Olesons being poor funny. I remember Nellie looked prettier without her curly wig.

[Katy M]

17 minutes ago, Snow Apple said:

I don't usually like the dream episodes either, but I find Laura's dream of the Olesons being poor funny. I remember Nellie looked prettier without her curly wig.

That dream was hilarious.  And it only lasted a few minutes, so it isn't like it was the whole epi.  And the music. LOL.  And then Mary annoyed she was woken up by laughter.  I would have been, too.

That episode is one of my favorites. It's realistic that a couple of kids would be fooled by fool's gold.  And then trying to pan it over several days while going to school and doing their chores and keeping it a secret, until the last day when they decided to forget about school and just finish up already.  

I have a feeling that had it been real gold, life wouldn't have turned out like she thought anyway.

[RedbirdNelly]

11 minutes ago, Katy M said:

That dream was hilarious.  And it only lasted a few minutes, so it isn't like it was the whole epi.  And the music. LOL.  And then Mary annoyed she was woken up by laughter.  I would have been, too.

That episode is one of my favorites. It's realistic that a couple of kids would be fooled by fool's gold.  And then trying to pan it over several days while going to school and doing their chores and keeping it a secret, until the last day when they decided to forget about school and just finish up already.  

I have a feeling that had it been real gold, life wouldn't have turned out like she thought anyway.

I don't like these episodes because I feel badly for the kids. That feeling ruins the whole watching experience for me. But I get what you are saying.

[CountryGirl]

Now, now, some of the dream episodes were fun.

I mean, where else would you see normally mild-manner Nels looking like this.

Or Harriet's head where it belonged...on a platter.

[Mr. Sparkle]

Harriet's head on the platter scared the living sh!t out of me when I first saw it!!! 

[Mr. Sparkle]

10 hours ago, RedbirdNelly said:

On any show, I always hate and want to skip any episode where a character thinks they are rich but turns out they are not and part of the episode is them dreaming about what they will do with the money. I believe Little House has one with Laura finding fools gold. I could be mixed up since if I see that in the episode description, it's a definite "nope; find something else to watch." Also, in general, I'm not a fan of any dream episodes. Waste of time.

 

"The Inheritance" is on Hallmark right now. Since I know where the Ingalls family ends up, I can tell what's going to happen even though I don't remember this one. 

ETA: Yes, I do remember this one, specifically the auction at the end, which I always liked. Mrs. Oleson was such a ______ in this. 

Edited July 2, 2020 by Superclam

[Mr. Sparkle]

Mary goes blind 2-parter is up at 7. I don't know if I have the energy for that today. 

[CountryGirl]

Ah, the "Mline? I'm gonna be..mmmline?" two-parter. 

[Mr. Sparkle]

I watched the first 45 minutes or so and then I was called away. Definitely some of the better acting on this show, from Mary and Charles. 

[libgirl2]

7 hours ago, Katy M said:

That dream was hilarious.  And it only lasted a few minutes, so it isn't like it was the whole epi.  And the music. LOL.  And then Mary annoyed she was woken up by laughter.  I would have been, too.

That episode is one of my favorites. It's realistic that a couple of kids would be fooled by fool's gold.  And then trying to pan it over several days while going to school and doing their chores and keeping it a secret, until the last day when they decided to forget about school and just finish up already.  

I have a feeling that had it been real gold, life wouldn't have turned out like she thought anyway.

That was always one of my favorite episodes. And I agree, the music was funny too! 

[jason88cubs]

Edwards or Garvey?

 

who did you like more

[Mr. Sparkle]

I liked Garvey, but definitely Edwards. 

[CountryGirl]

1 hour ago, jason88cubs said:

Edwards or Garvey?

 

who did you like more

Ole Dan Tucker vs Them’s Snails. 

Tough call.

Probably Edwards. For the Christmas in Kansas, his flirting with Grace, and his love of the Henderson orphans. 

[debraran]

I know Merle didn't seem to have the same acting experience as Victor but his character always rubbed me the wrong way. They made him kind of dense, no matter what they were talking about. I feel how he treated Alice at times probably was "1800 correct" but Charles and others were more progressive. Mr Edwards seemed more fun and although both drank at times, they had Mr Edwards during those scenes have more layers. I also feel since Mr Edwards was there from the first Xmas, there was more history.

 

8 hours ago, libgirl2 said:

That was always one of my favorite episodes. And I agree, the music was funny too! 

I liked the gold one a lot too and how Charles handled it and the banker. I could see me and my best guy friend back at her age, doing something similar, maybe not hiding it for so long, but thinking we found something special. But of course we all knew the Ingall's could never get real money or gold in a windfall. ; )

[CountryGirl]

Adding on to the Edwards vs Garvey discussion, Garvey got on my nerves with how sexist (or 1800s) he could be with Alice - didn't want her working when the barn burned down (although she taught school for a season!?!) and was ready to divorce her, threw a conniption when he found out she had been a teenage bride and the marriage lasted all of two weeks, and he was always spending money without talking to her first. Yes, she should have told him about Harold, but to be that angry? And to toss a perfectly good telephone and all its trappings. I could go on for days. Most of all, he just never seemed to be much fun. 

Edwards and Grace seemed to have fun together, even from the moment they meet and he had her convinced the jug that had had liquor in it still did. Her shenanigans to make him jealous over Doc L'Orange so he'd invite her to the sweetheart dance only she got found out and had to ask him instead. I just love this whole exchange:

Grace: "They say the way to a man's heart is through his stomach."

Edwards: "You must be collecting hearts the way Geronimo collected scalps. It's downright shameful!"

Grace: "Oh, I admit it! I have been shameful! Using poor, innocent Dr. Baker to make you jealous just so you'd break down and invite me to the spring dance." A moment as he takes this in. "Well, if you're not gonna ask me, I'm going to have to ask you. Well? Yes or no?"

Edwards pauses, then has a smile: "Never could resist your cherry pie." And with a quick peck, he's off and back to work and both of them with smiles on their faces.

Ma and Pa had their share of fun, too, and the chemistry between KG and ML was something. One of my favorite moments is from The Richest Man in Walnut Grove where Pa comes home from working one of his many jobs to pay off the mercantile bill (so much for cash on the barrel!) to find Caroline plowing.

Charles: "Look at you."

Caroline, fussing with her hair: "I must be a sight."

Charles: "You are. Your face is dirty, your hair's all askew, and you're still the prettiest woman a man ever set his eyes on. The only thing I regret about being married to you is that I'll never have the joy of asking you to be my wife again." 💓💓💓

And then there was all that popcorn...

[Katy M]

2 minutes ago, CountryGirl said:

- didn't want her working when the barn burned down (although she taught school for a season!?!)

Honestly, I can't imagine an 1800's farm wife having time to work outside the house, outside possibly taking in some laundry or mending.  There was a lot of work to do.

[CountryGirl]

Just now, Katy M said:

Honestly, I can't imagine an 1800's farm wife having time to work outside the house, outside possibly taking in some laundry or mending.  There was a lot of work to do.

That's absolutely true and I can't imagine it either.

I think it grates that he wasn't looking at like that - he said he wouldn't take "charity" from his wife, which that's called marriage, you dolt. 

[debraran]

3 hours ago, Katy M said:

Honestly, I can't imagine an 1800's farm wife having time to work outside the house, outside possibly taking in some laundry or mending.  There was a lot of work to do.

They never made that realistic though.  Caroline worked and Laura and of course the widows. Harriet always worked.  It was never accurate but that would have been too gritty and Michael probably was right about that .  You never saw Ma do more than pluck a turkey. Food appeared without seeing vegetable garden or storage or prep. They were always clean no matter how hot, cold or humid. If Charles was dirty a few rubs down at the creek did it.  His clothes were never shown but pioneers hung fithy clothes in house or barn for the week. That must have smelled   And no one brushed teeth!

Probably better this way 😉

[bunnyblue]

I used to watch this show as kid when it would air on TBS and with the quarantine I've been binge watching Little House on Prime Video. I watched seasons 1 & 2, but everything seems to be wash, rinse, repeat so I've skipped to season 5. Judging by the comments here, it seems the move to Winoka was unpopular, but I really liked it as a kid and still enjoy those episodes. I thought all of season 5 was based in Winoka but my memory was faulty because I see now that they moved back to Walnut Grove around the 8th episode.

Anyway, I like the introduction of Albert, but it's so strange that the adults welcomed him into their little group and even convinced him to go to school but they seemed a-okay with sending this homeless kid out into the streets every night. I LMAO when Caroline told all the kids it was time for bed and poor Albert just walked out of the hotel to go sleep under the porch, lol.

I just finished watching the "Winoka Warriors" and, man, Laura & Albert were kinda assholes to Big Luke Hoskins. Yes, he wasn't very smart but I thought they considered him a school friend, but once he transferred to the rival school & football team they were nasty little shits calling him "dumb Luke" and basically stopped being his friends. They knew the transfer wasn't his decision but they (especially Albert) just turned their backs on the poor kid. And it was strange that they called him dumb Luke in front of Caroline and she didn't stop them. Maybe it's because Albert wasn't her son yet and she didn't feel it was her place to correct his behavior.

Poor Caroline was always cooking & washing dishes in the hotel kitchen; she was probably happiest of all to return to Walnut Grove. What did Charles do all day besides wash the windows of the hotel? Caroline got the raw end of the deal in the hotel job. But at least everyone got a little bit of privacy and actual bedrooms during their stay in Winoka. After getting a taste of that "opulence" I would have loathed going back to that rinky-dink Ingalls farmhouse.

After all these years, I just learned that Albert and the kid who played Andy Garvey were brothers in real life. I always knew about Melissa Gilbert and Willie, but I had no idea about the Laborteaux brothers. 

[debraran]

Yes, a few siblings on the set and occasionally someones relative got a part. (Like John Jr's mom)

I found a few behind the scene filming scenes and I thought I saw them all by now. Here is the link, just have to click off the ads a bit.  Love the winter scenes. That and the horse one I hadn't seen.

https://mashable.com/2016/03/10/little-house-on-the-prairie/

 

Edited July 2, 2020 by debraran

[BigBingerBro]

1 hour ago, bunnyblue said:

it's so strange that the adults welcomed him into their little group and even convinced him to go to school but they seemed a-okay with sending this homeless kid out into the streets every night.

Yeah, I can sort of understand Charle's reluctance to invite him into the hotel, but then ask him to come back to Walnut Grove with them, knowing nothing about his background, etc. AND allowing him to sleep in the loft with Laura rather than in the barn or the soddy, seemed VERY odd.  Was there some sort of transitional period that I missed?  I am glad they did the episode about Albert's real father trying to claim him as it put some closure to that mystery.

[jason88cubs]

I always prefered Edwards. I felt Garvey really never fit in

[debraran]

Just re-watched The Richest Man in Walnut Grove while a thunderstorm brewed outside (Later is Hamilton from a friends Disney acct) ; )

I love this show because it's all about pulling together and honoring any job that helps pay your bills. Pride did flourish in this show but Charles was right not to take more credit but not because of Mrs Oleson. They had this same speech when he first moved there.

At the end, I missed a little blooper Amazon mentions when they drive away from the store, Carrie is with them and the last shot, it's just Charles and Caroline and Laura and Mary in back. I guess Carrie had to go somewhere.

Edited July 3, 2020 by debraran

[Mr. Sparkle]

"Men Will Be Boys" is on now. Featuring legendary character actor Patrick Crenshaw as, of course, a geezer. Looking at imdb, he was also in the one where Adam gets his sight back. 

Oof, some bad lightning special effects. 

"Regular little men." 

"Shovels is by the door." 

Edited July 3, 2020 by Superclam

[Cheezwiz]

Just now, Superclam said:

"Men Will Be Boys" is on now. Featuring legendary character actor Patrick Crenshaw as, of course, a geezer. 

I just recently stumbled on some YouTube videos of Patrick & Matthew Labyorteaux being interviewed about their time on Little House. Not sure exactly when the interviews were filmed, but it looked fairly recent (like within the past five years or so). They both said this was their favourite episode on the show.

I had a bit of a crush on the Albert character when I was young, so it was interesting to see them grown up, as I'm close in age to them. Matthew is still pretty cute in my opinion.

[BigBingerBro]

"To See The Light" is on UPTV this morning.  Wow, Hester Sue certainly has nine lives!  Considering the force of the blasting oil explosion, she came away barely rattled.  They should have given her some minor injuries at least.  The doctor says that Adam has lost a lot of blood after the operation.  What did they operate on?  We seem him with a bandage around his head, but there are no other bandages when he gets up and can see.  I guess they did a head/brain operation?

[OpalNightstream]

Just now, BigBingerBro said:

"To See The Light" is on UPTV this morning.  Wow, Hester Sue certainly has nine lives!  Considering the force of the blasting oil explosion, she came away barely rattled.  They should have given her some minor injuries at least.  The doctor says that Adam has lost a lot of blood after the operation.  What did they operate on?  We seem him with a bandage around his head, but there are no other bandages when he gets up and can see.  I guess they did a head/brain operation?

I’m watching that one right now too.  They really have a Hang-up on Nellie/mrs Olson and weight! Getting on nellies case for gaining weight while pregnant is so messed up.

[Katy M]

29 minutes ago, OpalNightstream said:

I’m watching that one right now too.  They really have a Hang-up on Nellie/mrs Olson and weight! Getting on nellies case for gaining weight while pregnant is so messed up.

He wasn't on her for gaining weight.  He was on her for gaining too much weight.  You don't need to gain 100 pounds when you're pregnant.

[OpalNightstream]

19 minutes ago, Katy M said:

He wasn't on her for gaining weight.  He was on her for gaining too much weight.  You don't need to gain 100 pounds when you're pregnant.

He said there no need to gain 50 pounds because you’re pregnant and that a baby only weighs 7. Either way, I have known people who have gained 50ish pounds when pregnant, I prob gained about 35. I just thought it was super insensitive while she is on her feet all day in a hot kitchen. 

[CountryGirl]

Loved how when Adam’s bandages came off, he had nary one strand of hair missing. 

And then there is the unintentional comedy gold that is his “world...you are WONDERFUL” prance of sight  

 

[BigBingerBro]

I thought the whole "Harriet is fat" storyline was nonsense too.  She was far from being overweight.

[Snow Apple]

They had several episodes about how you shouldn't make fun of overweight people because it's cruel (at least three) so I don't know why Harriet was fair game. I don't think she was overweight either.

[Mr. Sparkle]

28 minutes ago, Snow Apple said:

They had several episodes about how you shouldn't make fun of overweight people because it's cruel (at least three) so I don't know why Harriet was fair game. I don't think she was overweight either.

Yes, the circus one (I think it was called Annabelle) with Nels' sister was on today, all about treating people who are different fairly. 

[debraran]

10 hours ago, Superclam said:

Yes, the circus one (I think it was called Annabelle) with Nels' sister was on today, all about treating people who are different fairly. 

It's really corny but I liked the one with Mr Bevins. (Cliff Emmich) It is a bias that is hard to get rid of. People say one thing one day and then another day are making fun of a heavier person. I also notice that "heavy" is relative. Some call someone who looks 20lbs over her BMI obese and others it has to be 100.  Harriet was never heavy to me. 

One woman many years ago complained Michael Landon joked about her weight on a plane. Maybe he did, maybe he didn't, but I can kind of see with his humor, saying something about weight and the plane flying. I also know that Michael was kind and also knew what he was supposed to say. He did hire people with disabilities to write scripts for Highway to Heaven and understood what it was like to be made fun of. Fame also makes you forget things at times though.

Did Katherine Macgregor say her weight became an issue? I know they clashed at times but she had a strong personality. I have to look at her old interviews again one day.

Edited July 5, 2020 by debraran

[alegtostandon]

On 7/2/2020 at 7:46 AM, CountryGirl said:

That's absolutely true and I can't imagine it either.

I think it grates that he wasn't looking at like that - he said he wouldn't take "charity" from his wife, which that's called marriage, you dolt. 

It was the same conversation  between Almonzo and Laura before they were married when she wanted to work after the farmer stopped the water to Manley's crops.  What I never understood,  wasn't she already working,  helping Eliza Jane? 

[jird]

On 7/4/2020 at 7:04 PM, Snow Apple said:

They had several episodes about how you shouldn't make fun of overweight people because it's cruel (at least three) so I don't know why Harriet was fair game. I don't think she was overweight either.

Yes! I explained to my husband the other day when the Mr. Bevis episode was on that it teaches us that you should never make fun of anyone's weight, unless it's Mrs. Olseson, then have at it, preferably in public.

Unrelated, my friend's birthday is coming up, and I got a Cameo video from Alison Arngrim to wish her happy birthday, and it is awesome. Alison is such a great person overall.

[Mr. Sparkle]

After watching Season 8 episodes this week on Hallmark, I have come to the conclusion that some of you have written here: Season 8 was awful. I turned off a few because I just couldn't. 

ETA: Oooh! I see that after Season 9 is on all next week, Season 1 returns on the 15th!! 

Edited July 8, 2020 by Superclam

[Cheezwiz]

12 minutes ago, jird said:

Unrelated, my friend's birthday is coming up, and I got a Cameo video from Alison Arngrim to wish her happy birthday, and it is awesome. Alison is such a great person overall.

That's super-cool! Alison does seem to be a terrific human being, someone I'd love to be friends with. I think I've mentioned it upthread umpteen times, but I highly recommend her book "Confessions of a Prairie Bitch" - a highly entertaining account of working on "Little House" and of the TV industry in the 70's. She's incredibly smart, funny, and strong.

[Snow Apple]

When Alison's book was published, she made an appearance at my local library to promote it. I always regretted that I wasn't able to attend.

[BigBingerBro]

I recently and finally read Alison's book.  Awesome!  She seems like an everyday person and not someone stuck in the Hollywood cycle.  Melissa Gilbert's book, while interesting, seemed more like a huge brag about her past boyfriends and career.

[bunnyblue]

I'm jumping around season 3 watching some episodes. Just watched the one where Mary gets kicked by the horse and ends up needing 2 surgeries. In true Charles Ingalls fashion he does not have the money to pay for the mounting hospital bills so he goes looking for (dangerous) work. I've lost count how many times something bad befalls the Ingalls and they are too damn poor to cover the unexpected calamity. I swear they never have 2 pennies to rub together. Y'know, maybe Charles should have reconsidered being a farmer because he never had any money to show for it. He was a pretty good carpenter, why didn't he do that for a living? I guess it was because he wanted "to be his own man".

Walnut Grove was a poor little town, yet somehow the Ingalls family seemed like the poorest of the bunch. Their little house annoyed me because for a family that was forever expanding they had no privacy. Why didn't Charles ever add doors to his & Caroline's "bedroom". Or enclose the kids' loft. That house was so tiny compared to the other poor farmers around them. At least other farmhouses had actual bedrooms and the kitchen, dining room, and living room where all separate from each other. Not like the Ingalls abode where that entry room was 3 rooms in 1; well, until Charles finally built the little kitchen. When Laura married Almanzo and moved into his farmhouse, she must have felt like she moved into a mansion.

I'm enjoying revisiting the show but Charles' terrible choices that affected his entire family just drive me crazy.

[OpalNightstream]

I saw Alison doing a talk at a small club in Manhattan about 20 years ago. She was very gracious and hysterical.

[jason88cubs]

49 minutes ago, bunnyblue said:

I'm jumping around season 3 watching some episodes. Just watched the one where Mary gets kicked by the horse and ends up needing 2 surgeries. In true Charles Ingalls fashion he does not have the money to pay for the mounting hospital bills so he goes looking for (dangerous) work. I've lost count how many times something bad befalls the Ingalls and they are too damn poor to cover the unexpected calamity. I swear they never have 2 pennies to rub together. Y'know, maybe Charles should have reconsidered being a farmer because he never had any money to show for it. He was a pretty good carpenter, why didn't he do that for a living? I guess it was because he wanted "to be his own man".

Walnut Grove was a poor little town, yet somehow the Ingalls family seemed like the poorest of the bunch. Their little house annoyed me because for a family that was forever expanding they had no privacy. Why didn't Charles ever add doors to his & Caroline's "bedroom". Or enclose the kids' loft. That house was so tiny compared to the other poor farmers around them. At least other farmhouses had actual bedrooms and the kitchen, dining room, and living room where all separate from each other. Not like the Ingalls abode where that entry room was 3 rooms in 1; well, until Charles finally built the little kitchen. When Laura married Almanzo and moved into his farmhouse, she must have felt like she moved into a mansion.

I'm enjoying revisiting the show but Charles' terrible choices that affected his entire family just drive me crazy.

everything about thisis perfect

[BigBingerBro]

1 hour ago, bunnyblue said:

He was a pretty good carpenter, why didn't he do that for a living?

The real Charles Ingalls did just that.  He gave up on farming and spent many of his years building up the town of De Smet,  No idea why MJ didn't go this route with the fictional CI.

[bunnyblue]

1 hour ago, BigBingerBro said:

The real Charles Ingalls did just that.  He gave up on farming and spent many of his years building up the town of De Smet,  No idea why MJ didn't go this route with the fictional CI.

I seem to remember reading somewhere that the real Charles Ingalls gave up on farming after 2 failed crop seasons. TV Charles had several failed crops, but he kept at it and never seemed to make a profit. Like you, I wonder why Michael Landon decided to go a different route with his Charles.

[debraran]

I  had forgotten the "real" Mr Ingall's was a carpenter later. During Handyman episode, he said what good work he did and it would have been safer to have a farm for their food or local and building instead. No one but poor Chris was a carpenter so many needed him, even the Oleson's. ; )

I used to roll my eyes that some things happened just to him. Mr Edwards "That tornado, heard they were around" Charles, Yes it hit my farm, Mr Edwards, "how bad?" Charles "everything".  Was there ANY doubt, it wiped out his crop and only his crop. It's not funny but it is.  Locusts, storms, rain that never ended. Oh and the hail storm.

It always seemed homes appeared when needed. Anyone needed a home, there was an abandoned one somewhere. No carpenters needed. In the first episode, the barn was there already and that would have been way too much to do on his own.

I understand the farming life is tough, but others always seemed to do better, maybe had less kids or no kids. Miss Whipple did okay with her sewing and Miss Foster and others. People had money to pay for things in the store, sewing, mill work, and the infamous restaurant. Caroline could only work there. ; (

One show Charles was counting money and saying what he can buy with extra and Caroline kept saying, "And save a little" Inside joke it seemed that rarely happened.

 

Edited July 9, 2020 by debraran