Little House On The Prairie - General Discussion

[Blergh]

OK, I just read Ketty Lester's autobio!

One can't say she's had an easy or unchallenging life with no unexpected turns including having to deal with epilepsy from the time her son was born. Anyway, for the LHOTP fans, the nitty gritty about Miss Lester is that she says that she had played the baseball player Roy Campanella's mother in the TV movie It's Good to Be Alive (1974) which was directed by ML and, in spite of the fact that she leveled with him about her epilepsy, he offered her the chance to be on Little House.  Although she got along well with him from the start, she initially had little to do with the other performers.

However, her bestie on the set wound up being (of all folks) Katherine MacGregor despite Miss Lester's initial hesitation. By Miss Lester's admission, Miss MacGregor played the bigoted Harriet so convincingly, Miss Lester was sure Miss MacGregor also had those views. However, despite the fact that Miss MacGregor was a Hindu while Miss Lester has remained a strong Christian, they wound up getting along like a house on fire- and, after they broke the ice and Miss Lester leveled with her about her initial reluctance, Miss MacGregor told her her own mother and aunt were indeed prejudiced and that's what she drew on for the character! They stayed in close touch long after their time on the show was done until Miss MacGregor went to a rest home where she passed away in 2018. 

On a less inspirational note, Miss Lester said on the last day of her shooting the show, other crew members made bigoted remarks in her presence and one assistant director flat out told her she'd get more work if she fooled around- but she told him that she'was a religious, married woman and didn't play around so she'd be fine not getting more work ( though she would work in movies and TV until 1998). 

Miss Lester did participate in a meet-and-greet LHOTP reunion  a few years  back but seemed to have had her curiosity satisfied re how her younger costars turned out as grown folks. 

 

Anyway, that's about all she said about her experience on the show. 

Edited May 8, 2021 by Blergh

[debraran]

16 hours ago, Blergh said:

OK, I just read Ketty Lester's autobio!

One can't say she's had an easy or unchallenging life with no unexpected turns including having to deal with epilepsy from the time her son was born. Anyway, for the LHOTP fans, the nitty gritty about Miss Lester is that she says that she had played the baseball player Roy Campanella's mother in the TV movie It's Good to Be Alive (1974) which was directed by ML and, in spite of the fact that she leveled with him about her epilepsy, he offered her the chance to be on Little House.  Although she got along well with him from the start, she initially had little to do with the other performers.

However, her bestie on the set wound up being (of all folks) Katherine MacGregor despite Miss Lester's initial hesitation. By Miss Lester's admission, Miss MacGregor played the bigoted Harriet so convincingly, Miss Lester was sure Miss MacGregor also had those views. However, despite the fact that Miss MacGregor was a Hindu while Miss Lester has remained a strong Christian, they wound up getting along like a house on fire- and, after they broke the ice and Miss Lester leveled with her about her initial reluctance, Miss MacGregor told her her own mother and aunt were indeed prejudiced and that's what she drew on for the character! They stayed in close touch long after their time on the show was done until Miss MacGregor went to a rest home where she passed away in 2018. 

On a less inspirational note, Miss Lester said on the last day of her shooting the show, other crew members made bigoted remarks in her presence and one assistant director flat out told her she'd get more work if she fooled around- but she told him that she'was a religious, married woman and didn't play around so she'd be fine not getting more work ( though she would work in movies and TV until 1998). 

Miss Lester did participate in a meet-and-greet LHOTP reunion  a few years  back but seemed to have had her curiosity satisfied re how her younger costars turned out as grown folks. 

 

Anyway, that's about all she said about her experience on the show. 

Thanks for the synopsis. I wonder if she was friendly with Moses Gunn at all although he didn't stay on for long. When I met him, he wanted to talk about other things, not that show as much. He wasn't starring in it though. I'm sure racism was there being a large set and just the joke Michael did pretending to be KKK showed it was not really recognized. Some things you can't make a joke, although some will laugh, it was too ugly. I'm glad he gave her a chance and let her sing. She had a beautiful voice.

I think I would find Katherine a soulmate too. I always admired woman with chutzpah and a sense of humor. I don't recall anyone's book mentioning "Hester Sue" or any of the minority actors but they might have. I would think Todd's show would have been by someone, it was so good.

Karen's book isn't coming out until the Fall (Nov) but I will probably get hers. So far 8.99 for Kindle, and 16.95 for paperback. I know many fans will buy it but since she hasn't been in the limelight for a long time, they count on fans who hung in there with the show to buy it. I'll help. ; ) 

A summary: Karen Grassle, the beloved actress who played Ma on Little House on the Prairie, grew up at the edge of the Pacific Ocean in a family where love was plentiful but alcohol wreaked havoc. In this candid memoir, Grassle reveals her journey to succeed as an actress even as she struggles to overcome depression, combat her own dependence on alcohol, and find true love. With humor and hard-won wisdom, Grassle takes readers on an inspiring journey through the political turmoil on ’60s campuses, on to studies with some of the most celebrated artists at the famed London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts, and ultimately behind the curtains of Broadway stages and storied Hollywood sets. In these pages, readers meet actors and directors who have captivated us on screen and stage as they fall in love, betray and befriend, and don costumes only to reveal themselves. We know Karen Grassle best as the proud prairie woman Caroline Ingalls, with her quiet strength and devotion to family, but this memoir introduces readers to the complex, funny, rebellious, and soulful woman who, in addition to being the force behind those many strong women she played, fought passionately―as a writer, producer, and activist―on behalf of equal rights for women. Raw, emotional, and tender, Bright Lights celebrates and honors womanhood, in all its complexity.

 

Edited May 9, 2021 by debraran

[Blergh]

@debraran,

Oddly enough, Miss Lester just related the info that the late Mr. Gunn played Hester Sue's friend Mr. Kagan for a few episodes without giving any kind of hint about how she felt about his performance- or whether she liked or disliked him as a person (and she pulled few punches about so many others including Maya Angelou and Della Reese). Of course, she also didn't mention working  with (much less her reactions to)  Melissa Sue Anderson  Linwood Boomer or Karen Grassle- despite the majority of Hester Sue's scenes being with one or all of their characters for most of her time on the series. 

I don't recall Miss Lester being mentioned in any of the then-girls' books. Miss Anderson DID actually go into some detail about having been impressed by Todd Bridges's performance in his LHOTP episode in her book but, despite her having worked longer with Miss Lester, nothing about her.

[debraran]

10 hours ago, Blergh said:

@debraran,

Oddly enough, Miss Lester just related the info that the late Mr. Gunn played Hester Sue's friend Mr. Kagan for a few episodes without giving any kind of hint about how she felt about his performance- or whether she liked or disliked him as a person (and she pulled few punches about so many others including Maya Angelou and Della Reese). Of course, she also didn't mention working  with (much less her reactions to)  Melissa Sue Anderson  Linwood Boomer or Karen Grassle- despite the majority of Hester Sue's scenes being with one or all of their characters for most of her time on the series. 

I don't recall Miss Lester being mentioned in any of the then-girls' books. Miss Anderson DID actually go into some detail about having been impressed by Todd Bridges's performance in his LHOTP episode in her book but, despite her having worked longer with Miss Lester, nothing about her.

Yes, thank you, I was going to mention it was only MSA that mentioned Todd to my memory but without casting judgement, it is a little odd, they were erased to some degree. I don't see them too often in behind the scenes pics either. The book I would have LOVED to read was Katherine's, not that she was the type. She would have been honest and funny and I'm sure interesting. I know it was her and Richard Bull who gave kudos to Jonathan as a smart young man and gave more compliments than other books did. MSA did wonder about him and knew friends who kept in touch for a while. I wish I still had that book/magazine where they gave pretty long interviews. They might have mentioned Ketty too.

I have to remember the 70's were different than today and if you wanted to work, you didn't say too much but I hope at 86 Ketty is content and happy. She was in 40 episodes, that is no small feat and I wish was given more kudos from others.

 

Podcast from an interview  https://walnutgrovecast.com/podcast/Walnut_GroveCast_ep136.mp3    Around the 40 min mark she tells how her brothers volunteered for the war because they couldn't join (crazy to me)and then later were trained to be pilots and how Eleanor R helped. So mistreated later . Very interesting on how she educates the interviewer too. Around 50 min she mentions LHOP.

Edited May 10, 2021 by debraran

[Blergh]

Well, it seems that Miss Lester acknowledges that the path wasn't always easy but often interesting. However, at this time of her life, it seems that she regrets having married (and stayed married ) to someone she didn't really love while sending away the Italian aristocrat (one Carlo Bilotti)  she DID love because they couldn't have legally married in the early 1960's. Oh, and I  also think she regrets having been the cash cow for her many siblings (she was one of 15 children), late husband, stepchildren,etc. and essentially now having been milked dry with few assets remaining (which is one reason WHY she wrote her autobio).  She seems happy with how things have gone with her son and grandchildren but I think she could have done without most of the others. Oh, her mother intended to name her 'Ojarva' over the rest of the family's objections but this teacher at the registry decided it was no good and changed it to 'Revoyda'. Thus,Revoyda Frierson was her original name but after a while she picked up 'Ketty' for college and eventually added 'Lester' for her stage name. Her late husband was Bill James Buckley and their son's name is William. However, I'm not sure if she's legally Ketty Lester or if that's strictly a stage name. However, I can't say I blame her for prefering Ketty to 'Revoyda'.

Anyway, to tie all this in, she made it clear that she did share Hester-Sue's staunch faith and determination. 

[debraran]

I liked once she became friendly with Katherine, she started making suggestions to Michael on ways a scene should be shot etc. I'm sure it went over more smoothly then with Katherine asked,  and then just did it. lol   She was probably telling her "Don't be afraid, just tell him, everyone does"

It was kind of nice and sad how she kept saying she'd just go and do what they told her on tv sets. Directors etc like that but I bet some of it was being a minority and not wanting to rock the boat. Michael must have liked her because she said she could sing when she wanted too. 🙂

Edited May 10, 2021 by debraran

[jason88cubs]

I always found it interesting the Oelson's had to go through the store, from the living room, to get to their bedrooms

[CountryGirl]

I think that was common for a lot of folks (to have to go upstairs to get to their living quarters). Although I suspect for many the downstairs was the store with all of their living quarters, kitchen, bedrooms, etc. upstairs.

[Blergh]

But the real mystery is that when Nellie faked being paralyzed, they set her up in a ground floor room where Laura could clearly see her dancing by herself. What had this room been used for beforehand and was it ever used for anything afterwards? All I can think of is that it was storage space for the (unseen?) kitchen.

BTW, can anyone recall whether the kitchen itself WAS seen or whether Harriet ( in her pre-Cayenne chicken cooking days) would just bring the prepared food into the dining room but that the viewers were supposed to assume there was a kitchen behind the door leading to the dining room.

Of course there also wasn't any indication of how (or if) the Olesons washed their own clothes or had some unknown laundress do that on their behalves. 

[jird]

37 minutes ago, Blergh said:

But the real mystery is that when Nellie faked being paralyzed, they set her up in a ground floor room where Laura could clearly see her dancing by herself. What had this room been used for beforehand and was it ever used for anything afterwards? All I can think of is that it was storage space for the (unseen?) kitchen.

BTW, can anyone recall whether the kitchen itself WAS seen or whether Harriet ( in her pre-Cayenne chicken cooking days) would just bring the prepared food into the dining room but that the viewers were supposed to assume there was a kitchen behind the door leading to the dining room.

Of course there also wasn't any indication of how (or if) the Olesons washed their own clothes or had some unknown laundress do that on their behalves. 

They showed the kitchen a couple of times, including the episode where Laura thought Mr. Oleson cut off his wife's head -- he was cooking dinner and spilled sauce on his apron, and I think again when Charles and Mr. Olseon opened up the magical restaurant in the Olesons' house.

[CountryGirl]

Nellie was dancing with one of her Parisian dolls in the living room/parlor. She was "minding" the store while Harriet was in pursuit of Laura/Bunny.

Laura approached the house and heard music playing.

She saw Nellie dancing through the window (which Nellie was typically smarter than this), then knocked on the door where Nellie promptly hopped back in her chair.

And it always reminds me of some of my favorite moments from the series:

Laura: "Nellie, your mother wants you."

Harriet: "My baby. It's a mir-a-cle!"

[BigBingerBro]

Since we really don't know the history of the Mercatile building, it could be that the living room, kitchen and dining room area were added on later and originally the living quarters were all upstairs, thus the stairs being in the store area.  Still, you'd think they would be hehin doors, but whatever.

In the wheelchair episode, there is a gaff because they show Laura wheeling her out the side door off the living room, and then it cuts to them already outside.   If you watch earlier or later episodes, there is a little stoop outside that door, so unless they installed a ramp, Laura could not have easily wheeled her right outside.

Based on various shots in different episodes, the kitchen would be located on the back side of the mercantile "showroom", but then there is also the storage room which is accessed from the other side, so really this is another example of how layouts and floorplans don't always work out to be possible in hollywood.  

Mrs Oleson was shown in one episode hanging laundry, so we can assume they did do their own.  

[Mr. Sparkle]

I watched "Founder's Day" yesterday, and the Oleson's were eating lunch in their very nice front yard. I remember a few scenes with their front yard, the one with the billy goat comes to mind. I know they had an outhouse, it must have been interesting in the middle of town. 

 

[jird]

I watched the pilot recently (so well done!), and one of my favorite things in the whole series is tiny Laura telling Ma, "Mr. Edwards is teaching me how to spit!" in her little squeaky voice.

Also, Charles mansplaining to Ma, "Make sure you don't get that lye in your eyes." Gee, thanks honey, I've only been making soap my entire life without blinding myself. Glad you're around, otherwise I would have stuck my face in the pot.

[BigBingerBro]

4 minutes ago, jird said:

I watched the pilot recently (so well done!)

My favorite scene is when Mr Edwards is passing out the Christmas presents and Caroline being so grateful for the sweet potatoes.  I tear up every time I see it.

[CountryGirl]

Ma was definitely thrilled to get those potatoes. 

[Tamiele]

Hello!  I just finished watching the 2-part He Was Only Twelve season 8 finale.  I wondered if the Ingalls family cast new this was their last season?  Has anyone ever read or heard comments from Karen Grassle or the kids to say they were aware they would not be back for Season 9?

[Pirpana]

One time we see Oleson's kitchen is in the episode Second Spring (S6E21) where Nels feds up with being a door mat to all of his family, starts up his mobile emporium and meets that Irish girl running a boarding house. That was a good episode, by the way, especially dialog at the beginning between the Olesons was funny.

Nels: "God, deliver me from my family. And other fools."

Harriet; "Who are you calling a fool?"

Nels: "I thought I made it clear."

The part involving the Ingallses was quite irrelevant and annoying, though. I don't know, overall it sometimes annoys me how they portray Caroline. In this case she's gotten upset to Charles for forgetting their anniversary. Charles is complementing the supper and Caroline goes like "I'm glad you appreciate something!" She comes across as very shallow, like "Oh, you don't love me anymore 'cause you didn't say it yesterday." Nevermind he says it every single day otherwise.

I don't know, maybe that wasn't the best example of my case and Charles indeed should have remembered it that time. But that wasn't the only time when Caroline gets upset to Charles for not complementing her cooking or not telling he loves her. Maybe it's because I'm not American. I'm from Finland where we don't have to tell our spouses we love them every single day. We even have a joke around that:

Wife: "Do you love me still?"

Husband: "I'll tell you when the situation changes."

Whoa, that was quite a rant! If you managed to the end I complement you.

[Zella]

I generally liked Ma, but she could be super petty. I am still taken aback by what a bitch she was to Mary over the exam she wouldn't let her take. I get that the fire was a big deal, but I am horrified anytime a parent uses academic things for punishment. (Though of course by LHOTP standards, the fire was total child's play.) But, like, you could have punished your daughter in another way for her carelessness. As one of those kids who used to read dictionaries for fun, I was totally Team Mary for that episode. 

[Pirpana]

A couple of things more about that episode I forgot while ranting... lol.

While I was watching it with my parents, my mom was sure Molly the innkeeper would turn out to be a hooker. Well, it would have been an interesting plot twist for sure but writing wasn't that boldy yet. Thylvia was still just incoming. And when the other man was revealed to be Molly's father, the dialog between them earlier and their dancing together seemed a bit strange.

[alexa]

I saw the Injun kid yesterday, and I dont know if I had seen it before.  I was very impressed how firm the mom was about not letting her father punish her son.  Usually the women let the men decide but she really stood up for his heritage and ideas, which was great.  It was heartbreaking to see the boy surrounded by the boys that wanted to beat him up, though.  

[Mr. Sparkle]

40 minutes ago, Zella said:

(Though of course by LHOTP standards, the fire was total child's play.)

Right? No babies died or went blind! 

[Zella]

11 minutes ago, Superclam said:

Right? No babies died or went blind! 

Yeah "only" nearly burning down the barn is the LHOTP equivalent of "It's just a flesh wound!" LOLOL 

[debraran]

1 hour ago, alexa said:

I saw the Injun kid yesterday, and I dont know if I had seen it before.  I was very impressed how firm the mom was about not letting her father punish her son.  Usually the women let the men decide but she really stood up for his heritage and ideas, which was great.  It was heartbreaking to see the boy surrounded by the boys that wanted to beat him up, though.  

Although there were inaccuracies in show, I was just discussing with a friend who studied Native Americans how they would take the children off the reservation, teach them Christian ideas, change how they dress and traumatize them. One short passage "Children were typically immersed in European-American culture through forced changes that removed indigenous cultural signifiers. These methods included being forced to have European-American style haircuts, being forbidden to speak their Indigenous languages, and having their real names replaced by European names to both "civilize" and "Christianize" them.[3] The experience of the schools was usually harsh and sometimes deadly, especially for the younger children who were forcibly separated from their families. The children were forced to abandon their Native American identities and cultures.[3] Investigations of the later twentieth century have revealed many documented[4] cases of sexual, manual, physical and mental abuse occurring mostly in church-run[5] schools.

His grandfather was doing the same thing and I liked how Caroline (different from books) was her friend. I liked how he came around and I hated the abuse but LHOP didn't have too many shows with just picnics and parties. (I use those to veg out with on bad days)

I never liked Mary's punishment, she should have gotten more chores etc. She's smart so lets take the prize away. Laura can run away and visit old men after she is told not too and steal music boxes, deliberately botch a dress or meal, but that's okay. It was the babies fault, Nellie's fault, Pa's fault, anyone's fault but Laura's.

[jird]

14 hours ago, debraran said:

I never liked Mary's punishment, she should have gotten more chores etc. She's smart so lets take the prize away.

I kinda get the rationale here, because it wasn't for a grade, it was a competition, and her trying to win the competition is why she almost burned down the barn. Not sure it was the best punishment, but it was focused on something that was important to Mary.

I 100% get why that's what Ma said in the heat of the moment, but she could have reconsidered when she calmed down and had a talk with Mary about specifically why that was her punishment, or possibly changing it (not cancelling it).

[Blergh]

53 minutes ago, jird said:

I kinda get the rationale here, because it wasn't for a grade, it was a competition, and her trying to win the competition is why she almost burned down the barn. Not sure it was the best punishment, but it was focused on something that was important to Mary.

I 100% get why that's what Ma said in the heat of the moment, but she could have reconsidered when she calmed down and had a talk with Mary about specifically why that was her punishment, or possibly changing it (not cancelling it).

I agree.

On the other hand, I was a bit surprised that Laura didn't attempt to gloat (either to Mary or just herself) that Mary was FINALLY getting punished for something instead of being treated as though she was perfect by Ma while Laura was usually the one scolded if not punished. 

[Zella]

I feel like Laura got away with way more shit than Mary ever dreamed of. 

It was one reason I started to hate her. Lol

Edited May 13, 2021 by Zella

[jird]

15 minutes ago, Zella said:

I feel like Laura got away with way more shit than Mary ever dreamed of. 

It was one reason I started to hate her. Lol

I think that's true when she was older, but when they were little, Laura was always getting reprimanded for things that Mary got away with, like Mary being mean about Johnny Johnson, while Laura got scolded for saying bad things about Nellie. I also remember Mary smacking Laura's hand when Laura tried to touch Ma's dress material, and Ma and Pa just laughed like it was cute.

[Zella]

28 minutes ago, jird said:

I think that's true when she was older, but when they were little, Laura was always getting reprimanded for things that Mary got away with, like Mary being mean about Johnny Johnson, while Laura got scolded for saying bad things about Nellie. I also remember Mary smacking Laura's hand when Laura tried to touch Ma's dress material, and Ma and Pa just laughed like it was cute.

That makes sense! It didn't stand out to me as much because it seemed like normal kid stuff that isn't great whereas the things that Laura did that she didn't get in trouble for usually bordered on assault or trespass, and that did just baffled me. 

I will admit, I forever loved Mary after Laura got mad at her about Johnny Johnson (whose appeal completely escaped me) and Mary's response was "WTF--why?!" because it mirrored my own reaction. 

 

[Blergh]

56 minutes ago, jird said:

I think that's true when she was older, but when they were little, Laura was always getting reprimanded for things that Mary got away with, like Mary being mean about Johnny Johnson, while Laura got scolded for saying bad things about Nellie. I also remember Mary smacking Laura's hand when Laura tried to touch Ma's dress material, and Ma and Pa just laughed like it was cute.

BTW, Miss Gilbert in her autobio recalled Miss Anderson going above beyond giving her a light tap on the hand but slapping her (Miss Gilbert) hard enough to be on the verge of tears from the sting- and this would seem to be one of the main reasons all these decades  Miss Gilbert has been  no more than, at best, civil when necessary to Miss Anderson. 

[Zella]

1 minute ago, Blergh said:

BTW, Miss Gilbert in her autobio recalled Miss Anderson going above beyond giving her a light tap on the hand but slapping her (Miss Gilbert) hard enough to be on the verge of tears from the sting- and this would seem to be one of the main reasons all these decades  Miss Gilbert has been  no more than, at best, civil when necessary to Miss Anderson. 

I think I also watched Gilbert saying that Anderson nearly shoved her out of the wagon?! 

[Blergh]

Just now, Zella said:

I think I also watched Gilbert saying that Anderson nearly shoved her out of the wagon?! 

Possibly so, but (correct me if I'm wrong) I don't recall that in her autobio. 

Alas, Miss Gilbert's dislike of Miss Anderson somewhat made those rare scenes in which Laura declared her love and closeness for her elder sister seem a bit hollow. 

[Zella]

3 minutes ago, Blergh said:

Possibly so, but (correct me if I'm wrong) I don't recall that in her autobio. 

I've not read her book, so it very well may not be in there! I watched a clip about it. Let me see if I can find it. 

[Zella]

I'm not finding it, but it was from within the past few years, and she was talking to a male host. If I ever stumble across it, I will definitely post it! Or if someone else finds it, I will be eternally grateful. :) 

[jird]

17 hours ago, debraran said:

Although there were inaccuracies in show, I was just discussing with a friend who studied Native Americans how they would take the children off the reservation, teach them Christian ideas, change how they dress and traumatize them. One short passage "Children were typically immersed in European-American culture through forced changes that removed indigenous cultural signifiers. These methods included being forced to have European-American style haircuts, being forbidden to speak their Indigenous languages, and having their real names replaced by European names to both "civilize" and "Christianize" them.[3] The experience of the schools was usually harsh and sometimes deadly, especially for the younger children who were forcibly separated from their families. The children were forced to abandon their Native American identities and cultures.[3] Investigations of the later twentieth century have revealed many documented[4] cases of sexual, manual, physical and mental abuse occurring mostly in church-run[5] schools.

 

These continued for a long time. My mom went to a government Indian boarding school in the 30s-40s. The conditions were much better, but they did not teach or encourage the use of the tribal language, for example.

[Zella]

2 minutes ago, jird said:

These continued for a long time. My mom went to a government Indian boarding school in the 30s-40s. The conditions were much better, but they did not teach or encourage the use of the tribal language, for example.

I'm sorry your mom experienced that. Just the other day I was reading some stories of Native American women who served as military nurses during WWII. Every single one of them was asked if they had a hard time getting used to military discipline, and every single one was like "Nah, I actually thought it was pretty easy discipline-wise compared to the boarding schools we went to." :( 

[jird]

That's funny, my mom was a military nurse!

[debraran]

I've read and heard a lot about LHOP and cast. Obviously Melissa G and Alison didn't like MSA as children and thought she was "aloof" and stayed by herself a lot. I don't think being as professional as she was, she would have slapped her hard on purpose (unless they had words earlier but her mom was there a lot) I don't recall MG saying anyone cared. It seemed to hype their books, they said some lame and somewhat catty things about MSA but the adult cast loved her. Michael said nice things about her, the Oleson's, "Alice", Miss Beadle, etc. I'm not saying MSA was a saint, but she doesn't deserve the snark. She moved to Canada and raised a family and couldn't attend some things others did but why would she after the pot shots?

Her character was a pain at times but in the books she was "like a mom" and Caroline expected her to watch Laura. Laura was able to get away with a lot on the show and I never felt she got the short end of the stick.

I also admire that no matter what the 2 girls said in books etc, Melissa Sue never would do it back. She would just say they weren't close or compliment Alison. I think that is classy, something others took longer to get.

Edited May 13, 2021 by debraran

[BigBingerBro]

I think in Allison's book, she said that the only time Melissa Sue acted nice and like "one of the girls" is when one of them had a birthday party at an amusement park.  She said she was super nice and normal.  But on the set, she was always cold and aloof.  She seemed to think her mother had a lot to do with that.

Melissa G also said that since Melissa Sue was a bit older, she also "matured" faster than her and she felt that she was out of her league and that distanced them being friends as well.

[Mr. Sparkle]

So I'm watching "Ma Cuts Her Leg and Almost Dies." I came in about 5 minutes late. I know she was told to lock the door, and gave the peroxide to Charles and the girls, but do we see how she cut her leg in the first place? 

[Zella]

34 minutes ago, Superclam said:

So I'm watching "Ma Cuts Her Leg and Almost Dies." I came in about 5 minutes late. I know she was told to lock the door, and gave the peroxide to Charles and the girls, but do we see how she cut her leg in the first place? 

I think she scratches it on some wire. But don't quote me on that. :) 

[BigBingerBro]

Yup there was a piece of wire sticking out on the wagon and she scrathed her leg.

She was told to lock the door because they were reading about burgalries in neighboring towns in the area and she was worried.

[Mr. Sparkle]

Thanks, I guess that happened in the first few minutes. 

[jason88cubs]

did they  ever say what type of pies she was making?

8 hours ago, Superclam said:

Thanks, I guess that happened in the first few minutes. 

 

[Blergh]

1 hour ago, jason88cubs said:

did they  ever say what type of pies she was making?

 

Dunno but maybe the Ingallses should have gotten a pie safe then they wouldn't have had to worry about their only valuable commodity getting stolen  instead of having to lock the door!

[Zella]

I assumed she was making a few different types. I know they were for a church social event. 

[VCRTracking]

No offence to Lucy Lee Flippin but they did Eliza Jane Wilder dirty by the casting.

Also realized recently she looks like Mr Bean's girlfriend:

 

[Zella]

Oh God she does look like Mr. Bean's girlfriend! (Incidentally, I was shaken a few months ago when I actually saw Mr. Bean's girlfriend in something else, wondered why she looked familiar, and then realized why.) 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

I felt so bad for Eliza Jane in the show, but she was a pretty major bitch in the books. That personality rewrite was interesting. I always wondered how Manly felt about the depiction of his sister in the books. 

Edited May 15, 2021 by Zella

[Mr. Sparkle]

4 hours ago, Zella said:

I felt so bad for Eliza Jane in the show, but she was a pretty major bitch in the books. That personality rewrite was interesting. I always wondered how Manly felt about the depiction of his sister in the books. 

I was surprised when I read the part with Eliza Jane in the book. I guess the real Almanzo knew EJ was really like that? 

[debraran]

Swollen leg aside, Ma did have pretty hair. I liked seeing it down and during "Handyman"

So grateful for the things we have for healthcare today. So many died without penicillin or other topical antibiotics.

The only time a burglar is mentioned so she'd lock the door. I would think that wouldn't matter but a plot device. I also never understood why Caroline wanted a lock for her door because she was afraid of wolves etc. They open doors?This was when they moved into the house from the sod house. That had a door too. In books, they had a quilt once I think and that I could see being afraid of .

 

 

 

Edited May 15, 2021 by debraran