Little House On The Prairie - General Discussion

[Egg McMuffin]

13 hours ago, jason88cubs said:

I watched Ebenezer Sprague yesterday

 

The episode makes NO sense, why would Walnut grove get a bank?, but it really is a good episode

Opening a bank in a town full of poor people would seem like a very foolish business decision. But then again, so is opening a restaurant in the same area, and that place was always packed somehow.

[debraran]

6 hours ago, Egg McMuffin said:

Opening a bank in a town full of poor people would seem like a very foolish business decision. But then again, so is opening a restaurant in the same area, and that place was always packed somehow.

I was actually going to say that all the money that could have been saved was used eating at the restaurant. lol

[Blergh]

4 hours ago, debraran said:

I was actually going to say that all the money that could have been saved was used eating at the restaurant. lol

Maybe they thought they were saving money by not tipping Nellie! 

[jird]

On 2/9/2022 at 7:38 AM, jason88cubs said:

 

The episode makes NO sense, why would Walnut grove get a bank?, but it really is a good episode

The part that drives me crazy is how Laura never asks his name or makes the connection between the only new person in town and the random dud she's fishing with. And for someone who loves introducing herself to everyone in a 40 acre radius, she doesn't tell him her name.

[ctlady]

On 2/10/2022 at 5:06 AM, debraran said:

Opening a bank in a town full of poor people would seem like a very foolish business decision.

Well, there were well off folks who weren't struggling farmers.  Widow Thurman, for example.  Doc Baker (if he wasn't being paid in chickens and eggs)  And of course - The Olesons.  

[Snow Apple]

Yeah, it seems like other families and residents have a few dollars to put away except Charles. The Olesons, the widows, Hanson with his mill. The post mistress and teachers have a paycheck. Even Albert and Laura had money from their beehive, and James had enough birthday money to put away. I wouldn't be surprised if Caroline had a few dollars of egg money hidden away from Charles.

[debraran]

1 hour ago, Snow Apple said:

Yeah, it seems like other families and residents have a few dollars to put away except Charles. The Olesons, the widows, Hanson with his mill. The post mistress and teachers have a paycheck. Even Albert and Laura had money from their beehive, and James had enough birthday money to put away. I wouldn't be surprised if Caroline had a few dollars of egg money hidden away from Charles.

I don't know why they struggled more than most except that it made for better episodes. Sometimes I thought "Not another tornado that only hit the Ingalls' home"

Most of their friends had less children too (which made casting easier) You rarely saw more than one sibling if that with most of their neighbors or friends. Sanderson's had a whopping 3 which made more of an impact for finding them homes.

I think there was one episode where they did have some money but then of course something happened. With the mill work, eggs being sold, other jobs Charles did (and some were paid well) why they never have fruit of that, was just plot driven.Charles was handy too, even if he didn't make them very much, he could do furniture, wheels, dresser etc. Some were just farmers but Charles rarely did just that.

Re Laura and Albert, I declare they had more money than Caroline at times, they had a LOT for 1800's when they bought ticket for Mary. (70?) from selling honey.

Edited February 12, 2022 by debraran

[BigBingerBro]

I've always wondered how many eggs the Oleson's sold each day and why were there not more farmers willing to sell their eggs to the store?   The way Mrs Oleson back-peddled when Caroline was ready to take her eggs over to the men at the mill, it makes me think that the Ingalls were her lone supplier... 

[debraran]

1 hour ago, BigBingerBro said:

I've always wondered how many eggs the Oleson's sold each day and why were there not more farmers willing to sell their eggs to the store?   The way Mrs Oleson back-peddled when Caroline was ready to take her eggs over to the men at the mill, it makes me think that the Ingalls were her lone supplier... 

Yes I doubt that but it made it more believable she would care if she kept some of her eggs. Even Doc Baker with all his chicken/eggs/fruit payments at times could have contributed. ; ) I think most families had a chicken.

[Blergh]

19 hours ago, debraran said:

Yes I doubt that but it made it more believable she would care if she kept some of her eggs. Even Doc Baker with all his chicken/eggs/fruit payments at times could have contributed. ; ) I think most families had a chicken.

Not to mention, most families had a wife, mother, sister or daughter who could sew yet Mrs. Whipple was able to earn enough to stay comfortable in her cottage by taking in sewing and even could subcontract some to Mary.  Did Mr. Hanson, Reverend Alden, Doc Baker and Mr. Sprague have THAT many clothes needing constant mending? It seemed all four bachelors wore the SAME attire all the time! 

[BigBingerBro]

1 hour ago, Blergh said:

and even could subcontract some to Mary

I always thought that she hired Mary before Christmas because she probably got many orders for gifts and the people ordering them didn't want to have their family see them making it.  Also, Mrs Whipple told Mary that the ladies who come over do nothing but talk, talk, talk, so she didn't have much time to sew.

[Blergh]

10 hours ago, BigBingerBro said:

I always thought that she hired Mary before Christmas because she probably got many orders for gifts and the people ordering them didn't want to have their family see them making it.  Also, Mrs Whipple told Mary that the ladies who come over do nothing but talk, talk, talk, so she didn't have much time to sew.

But how was it  that Mary seemed to work for Mrs. Whipple when there was no  frost or snow on the ground AND everyone was wearing light clothes- a sure sign in Minnesota of late Spring, Summer?

IOW, she seemed to be a more reliable employer for the whole year than a Christmas tree lot.

P.S. Most pioneer women back then could EASILY sew and talk at the very same time- just as most pioneer men could walk and chew gum! 

Edited February 14, 2022 by Blergh

[Snow Apple]

In the books, Laura got seasonal jobs sewing shirts because there were enough single men in town staking claims, but it wasn't during their time living in Walnut Grove.

Walnut Grove on tv seems more of an established family town though. Not like Sleepy Eye with their big bad saloon and bank robberies.

[jason88cubs]

I did like how in"Ebenezer Sprague" when Charles and Hansen didn't finish the bank on time like the contract stated and Sprague docked them a day's pay they acted like Sprague was a huge jerk

 

You didn't complete the contract. NO wonder why the mill was always closing

[Katy M]

23 minutes ago, jason88cubs said:

I did like how in"Ebenezer Sprague" when Charles and Hansen didn't finish the bank on time like the contract stated and Sprague docked them a day's pay they acted like Sprague was a huge jerk

I kind of felt like he was a big jerk only because I couldn't figure out what wasn't done.  Looked like they were just wiping down counters or whatever.  It was ready and he didn't have to wait for anything before he opening up.

[jason88cubs]

9 hours ago, Katy M said:

I kind of felt like he was a big jerk only because I couldn't figure out what wasn't done.  Looked like they were just wiping down counters or whatever.  It was ready and he didn't have to wait for anything before he opening up.

They were still hammering near the windows when Sprague came and he mentioned it was 40 after 12?  Then they still had to unload the wagon with all the stuff

[debraran]

I saw today that Melissa G is coming out with a book this May. Not like Karen's but more on her own rustic cabin adventure. I'm sure she'll segue into stories with LHOP though for interest.

https://www.amazon.com/Back-Prairie-Home-Remade-Rediscovered-ebook/dp/B09JPL6WLH

[Egg McMuffin]

Meh - I’m interested in Melissa’s experiences as a child actress, which she’s already written about. Not really interested in her life as an adult/former child actress.

[debraran]

3 hours ago, Egg McMuffin said:

Meh - I’m interested in Melissa’s experiences as a child actress, which she’s already written about. Not really interested in her life as an adult/former child actress.

I think that's why it wont be too expensive but we will see. She isn't like Betty White who was in so many things or recent bios like Valerie Bertnelli's who changed gears later and was married to Eddie Van Halen. I can see her thinking Karen did it and maybe if I talk about rustic cabins and her not wanting Hollywood (or maybe vice versa ) fans would buy it and it would help her financially. I know things weren't too good for them at one point. She did show an electric stove on twitter boiling water waiting for water heater to be installed. Probably waiting to show more pics later when done. This looks like a room there. I might get kindle version if not too expensive or wait a few months  but I'll see then.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CLpHv5XFxhs/ 

Edited February 16, 2022 by debraran

[Blergh]

If Miss Gilbert hadn't starred as an iconic pioneer girl/ teen/   WOOH-man would there be any market for her having slummed via living in a somewhat anachronistic abode during this afflection when many folks were compelled to move back to their parents' abodes and some even have wound up entirely homeless?

I could be wrong but I still get the 'first world problem' vibes from her but maybe this book will blow out my POV I've had since  she came out with her first autobio. 

[jason88cubs]

Do you think back then, with kids being all over the place, they had a lot of "snow days"

Some of those kids were far from the school

[Blergh]

55 minutes ago, jason88cubs said:

Do you think back then, with kids being all over the place, they had a lot of "snow days"

Some of those kids were far from the school

I think during blizzards everyone was expected to hunker down in their homes BUT as soon as it quit snowing, if they could possibly climb over it, they were expected to snowshoe their way to school.

[Katy M]

38 minutes ago, Blergh said:

I think during blizzards everyone was expected to hunker down in their homes BUT as soon as it quit snowing, if they could possibly climb over it, they were expected to snowshoe their way to school.

And I don't want to say that nobody cared if kids went to school, but there weren't truancy laws, so families that lived far away would use their own common sense about whether the kids needed to go to school on a certain day.

[BigBingerBro]

Rose Wilder rode a donkey to school for a while

[CountryGirl]

I’m guessing it was pretty lax. Similar to older boys not going to school til after harvest time. 

[Prairie Rose]

I just finished Karen Grassle's memoir. Wow! Very intense read. I love how virtually all of the main females on the show have written books - even Wendi Lee (nee Turnbaugh), one of the Grace twins, had A Prairie Devotional published in 2019.

[debraran]

8 hours ago, Prairie Rose said:

I just finished Karen Grassle's memoir. Wow! Very intense read. I love how virtually all of the main females on the show have written books - even Wendi Lee (nee Turnbaugh), one of the Grace twins, had A Prairie Devotional published in 2019.

I'm debating giving mine to library or Goodwill...not sure library would want it but a lot of older women would remember her. ; )

I think the men weren't as popular or the ones who were died earlier. They don't tend to do memoirs as often. I did like Patrick Loubatiere magazine book where he interviewed Dabbs Greer, Richard Bull  and 2 others and they were very honest and open. Large book and 14-21 pages for each person.  I don't think the rest felt it either wouldn't sell or they didn't want to gossip. When you think about it, even the other books rarely mention the "guys" the younger men working on the set, did they segregate or play together. etc.

I liked how Richard mentioned Jonathon often and maybe Katherine too (memory sketchy with hers)I gave it to a LHOP fan years ago bit wish at times I could reread it.

https://prairiememories.bigcartel.com/product/prairie-memories

Edited February 19, 2022 by debraran

[Prairie Rose]

Had he lived, I wonder if Michael Landon would have written his memoirs. I wasn't surprised what Karen Grassle said about him in her book. Good for her for not backing down during her contract negotiations, in spite of the flack she got from the old boys club.

Here's the cover of Wendi's (Grace) book, in case none of you have seen it.

[Egg McMuffin]

What can she possibly remember, other than not being able to get Grace’s food off her spoon and into her mouth?

[Prairie Rose]

Well, both twins do remember "Pa" putting pepper in the oatmeal ("Oleson vs. Oleson") and they never would eat anything Michael Landon offered them again. 😂

[Blergh]

4 hours ago, Prairie Rose said:

Had he lived, I wonder if Michael Landon would have written his memoirs. I wasn't surprised what Karen Grassle said about him in her book. Good for her for not backing down during her contract negotiations, in spite of the flack she got from the old boys club.

 

While I agree that it was good that Miss Grassle prevailed, I thought the book spent WAY too much time dragging out said negotiations and the resulting. .. hissing contest between herself and ML. Moreover, while I thought it was somewhat understandable that the book somewhat started wrapping itself up with the end of the series, I didn't like how it failed to address either the end of her 2nd marriage (which seemed to be on the upswing when last mentioned) , her 3rd marriage or  even what led up to . ..or ANYthing about her adopted child/ren but, after a scene of Miss Grassle supposedly forgiving ML on his deathbed, she actually ended the book with rehashing the contest again during a reunion AND vindicating herself via quoting a former crew member's praises for her professionalism during the contest. Nothing whatsoever in the book about her life since LHOTP ( even Halley Mills wound up being more detailed rushing through the last half century of her life in two pages than Miss Grassle was about what she'd been up to in the last 38 years). And, if she'd ever had a sense of humor about herself or any event in her life, Miss Grassle somehow neglected to mention that in this autobio. IOW, she seems to be someone admirable and very professional but not a person who one could count on to be a fun part of one's circle. 

P.S. The book wasn't all negative - especially when recounting how the TV Movie and show's production, the acting choices and when recounting her more favored co-stars. How I wish Miss MacGregor had actually completed her proposed autobio since it likely would have been a  livelier read! 

[Prairie Rose]

Yeah, the book ended rather abruptly. I would have liked to hear more about her post-Ma career, like the TV movie she made with Elizabeth Montgomery called Between the Darkness and the Dawn (Samantha Stephens and Caroline Ingalls playing sisters? Classic TV viewer's dream!), as well as some perspective of her as a real-life mother. So yeah, it's disappointing especially since the book had so much backstory going in.

[debraran]

29 minutes ago, Prairie Rose said:

Yeah, the book ended rather abruptly. I would have liked to hear more about her post-Ma career, like the TV movie she made with Elizabeth Montgomery called Between the Darkness and the Dawn (Samantha Stephens and Caroline Ingalls playing sisters? Classic TV viewer's dream!), as well as some perspective of her as a real-life mother. So yeah, it's disappointing especially since the book had so much backstory going in.

Reading some interviews of other "stars" they seem to have little say about some of the content. Editors take out or they are told to add things to "spice it up" I've read some stars who refused to do it and just didn't get the book deal. Others are so large they can. Maybe her publisher felt her beginnings were more interesting for some reason. I don't think Ms Grassle at this point in career had too much say.  It was terribly edited. Even her little short excerpt on Gil Gerard. Was that it? He was summed up as kind, good looking and not very careful with STD's. So many other than Michael were one dimensional.  I guess they thought her fans wouldn't care. Even the pictures weren't what I thought they'd be considering others had so many more from the set. (Greenbush twins especially)

I didn't like how Melissa G and Allison felt they had to try to demonize in some ways Melissa Sue when they both had enough real drama in their books. I do think Melissa Sue showed great class in never returning it and paid Alison compliments. They are old enough now (and when writing books) to understand why she was quiet and she did play with others and all the adults loved her.It was just tacky but added some drama.  Even when she couldn't make some reunions, no mention she was in Canada and raising a family. Was that their idea or someone else's?

Bios, like James Garner's I read years ago, could be great but many fall flat for many reasons, some a mystery.

 

Edited February 19, 2022 by debraran

[Prairie Rose]

I'm rewatching S2 and am still stunned that Victor French was only 41 at the time. I always thought he was at least 50 then!! 

[Blergh]

15 hours ago, Prairie Rose said:

I'm rewatching S2 and am still stunned that Victor French was only 41 at the time. I always thought he was at least 50 then!! 

Catch his one-shot  on  The Waltons which aired in February, 1974- literally a month before the LHOTP  pilot movie. Not only was that other character beardless but he looked at least a decade younger and spoke in a noticeably higher register than Isaiah! 

[Prairie Rose]

Just now, Blergh said:

Catch his one-shot  on  The Waltons which aired in February, 1974- literally a month before the LHOTP  pilot movie. Not only was that other character beardless but he looked at least a decade younger and spoke in a noticeably higher register than Isaiah! 

I guess the beard aged him. It's scary, but he was younger at that point of LHOP than I am now!

[Blergh]

1 minute ago, Prairie Rose said:

I guess the beard aged him. It's scary, but he was younger at that point of LHOP than I am now!

And just imagine how ontime child performers Miss Anderson, Miss Arngrim and Miss Gilbert likely have more than once considered in recent years that ,via them being in their late 50's to 60 [in Miss Arngrim's case], they're now older than all the other regular characters on the show were when it started- save for Karl Swenson (Mr. Hansen) age 66 and Queenie Smith (Mrs. Whipple) age 76  at that time! 

[Prairie Rose]

1 minute ago, Blergh said:

And just imagine how ontime child performers Miss Anderson, Miss Arngrim and Miss Gilbert likely have more than once considered in recent years that ,via them being in their late 50's to 60 [in Miss Arngrim's case], they're now older than all the other regular characters on the show were when it started- save for Karl Swenson (Mr. Hansen) age 66 and Queenie Smith (Mrs. Whipple) age 76  at that time! 

Exactly. Dean Butler mentioned something to that effect in one of the recent LHOP Zoom chats, that he and Stan Ivar are now the only adult male cast members still standing. I think Linwood Boomer would count, but then Dean Butler didn't work with him as much as he worked with Stan Ivar.

[Zella]

52 minutes ago, Blergh said:

Catch his one-shot  on  The Waltons which aired in February, 1974- literally a month before the LHOTP  pilot movie. Not only was that other character beardless but he looked at least a decade younger and spoke in a noticeably higher register than Isaiah! 

I saw that episode a few weeks ago and refused to believe it was Mr. Edwards because he looked so different! LOLOL I had no clue it was a month before the LHOTP pilot. 

[Prairie Rose]

On 2/21/2022 at 1:02 PM, Zella said:

I saw that episode a few weeks ago and refused to believe it was Mr. Edwards because he looked so different! LOLOL I had no clue it was a month before the LHOTP pilot. 

Yeah, it's easier to reconcile him with something like Highway to Heaven, since he looked exactly the same. Well, in contemporary clothes. 

UP TV recently aired the three post-show movies. Why even bother to make Bless All the Dear Children a Christmas movie if they couldn't be bothered to haul in snow (fake or otherwise)? The Wilders and Mr. Edwards could have been in Mankato or Sleepy Eye or wherever they were for reasons other than Christmas shopping. Melissa Gilbert even panned her own performance in her Prairie Cookbook. She said something along the lines of maybe she couldn't connect with the plot because she wasn't a parent at that time, but admitted that she'd phoned it in all the same. I just think the whole movie was a turkey altogether.

[Zella]

Just now, Prairie Rose said:

Melissa Gilbert even panned her own performance in her Prairie Cookbook. She said something along the lines of maybe she couldn't connect with the plot because she wasn't a parent at that time, but admitted that she'd phoned it in all the same.

I feel like she phones in the last few years of the show in general. 

[Mr. Sparkle]

12 minutes ago, Prairie Rose said:

I just think the whole movie was a turkey altogether.

I'll just agree with you. Could've been a single episode set at any time of the year. The star thing at the end was beyond hokey. I would say they started to get into that mystical crap towards the end of the series, but the one with Ernest Borgnine was first season, so.... 

[Prairie Rose]

29 minutes ago, Zella said:

I feel like she phones in the last few years of the show in general. 

No argument there!

[libgirl2]

On 2/19/2022 at 5:48 AM, debraran said:

I'm debating giving mine to library or Goodwill...not sure library would want it but a lot of older women would remember her. ; )

I think the men weren't as popular or the ones who were died earlier. They don't tend to do memoirs as often. I did like Patrick Loubatiere magazine book where he interviewed Dabbs Greer, Richard Bull  and 2 others and they were very honest and open. Large book and 14-21 pages for each person.  I don't think the rest felt it either wouldn't sell or they didn't want to gossip. When you think about it, even the other books rarely mention the "guys" the younger men working on the set, did they segregate or play together. etc.

I liked how Richard mentioned Jonathon often and maybe Katherine too (memory sketchy with hers)I gave it to a LHOP fan years ago bit wish at times I could reread it.

https://prairiememories.bigcartel.com/product/prairie-memories

the library I work at bought a copy of her book. It is circulated quite a bit. 

On 2/21/2022 at 11:11 AM, Prairie Rose said:

I guess the beard aged him. It's scary, but he was younger at that point of LHOP than I am now!

Good God! Me too! 

[Prairie Rose]

I hate to sound mean, but every episode that involved the blind kids was a downer. I just saw Mary and Adam's wedding, which took place after the dust storm. Why did Michael Landon insist on having missing kids on this show screech "I'm here! I'm here! I'm here!" over and over again? (Nancy did the same thing in "The Return of Nellie".) Then he had the blind kids at the circus (?!) in "Annabelle". Then we had the annoying recitation of " Go Tell it on the Mountain" that broke up Hester Sue's wedding (?!). Glad to get all that off my chest!!!

[BigBingerBro]

I will say the the "Go tell it on the mountain" chain of blind singing children busting up Hester Sue's wedding was kind of touching.   It certainly knocked some sense into her head.

[Prairie Rose]

After reading Karen Grassle's book, I'll never be able to look at "The Handyman" the same way again. A year before the episode aired, Gil Gerard was coming off a 2 1/2 year stint as Dr. Alan Stewart on the NBC soap opera The Doctors, which filmed at 30 Rock in NYC. His main love interest was played by Anna Stuart. Anna Stuart has been married since 2014 to another actor well known for a LHOP guest spot - James Cromwell aka Harv!!!

[debraran]

21 hours ago, Prairie Rose said:

After reading Karen Grassle's book, I'll never be able to look at "The Handyman" the same way again. A year before the episode aired, Gil Gerard was coming off a 2 1/2 year stint as Dr. Alan Stewart on the NBC soap opera The Doctors, which filmed at 30 Rock in NYC. His main love interest was played by Anna Stuart. Anna Stuart has been married since 2014 to another actor well known for a LHOP guest spot - James Cromwell aka Harv!!!

What I did like re Gil, was that the chemistry I felt with the kids, Carrie, Mom, etc. was real. They all loved him and he was kind to them, made doing the scenes easier I'm sure. I would have liked a little more info than his health issues.....even how he and Michael interacted "if they did". Competition didn't happen often. 

[Prairie Rose]

6 minutes ago, debraran said:

What I did like re Gil, was that the chemistry I felt with the kids, Carrie, Mom, etc. was real. They all loved him and he was kind to them, made doing the scenes easier I'm sure. I would have liked a little more info than his health issues.....even how he and Michael interacted "if they did". Competition didn't happen often. 

Yeah, that would have been nice...and GG wasn't that much younger than ML - only about 6 years or so. However, I really didn't need to know about the gonorrhea.

[Zella]

45 minutes ago, Prairie Rose said:

However, I really didn't need to know about the gonorrhea.

I know I will regret asking but I have to know. LOL