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

Writers:

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

Seasons:

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

Release Date:

11 September 1974 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Family | Western

Plot:

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

Plot Keywords:

Parenting Girls | Parenthood | Humor | Frontier Town | Farm Life

Awards:

Nominated for 3 Golden Globes. Another 15 wins & 32 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Wed. May 14	10:00 AM	HALMRK	Four Eyes	#2.2
Wed. May 14	11:00 AM	HALMRK	Haunted House	#2.5

Cast

Melissa Gilbert	...	Laura Ingalls / ... (195 episodes, 1974-1983)
Michael Landon	...	Charles Ingalls (182 episodes, 1974-1983)
Karen Grassle	...	Caroline Ingalls (167 episodes, 1974-1982)
Melissa Sue Anderson	...	Mary Ingalls / ... (162 episodes, 1974-1981)
Sidney Greenbush	...	Carrie Ingalls / ... (162 episodes, 1974-1982)
Lindsay Greenbush	...	Carrie Ingalls / ... (161 episodes, 1974-1982)
Scottie MacGregor	...	Harriet Oleson (148 episodes, 1974-1983)
Richard Bull	...	Nels Oleson (142 episodes, 1974-1983)
Jonathan Gilbert	...	Willie Oleson (140 episodes, 1974-1983)
Kevin Hagen	...	Dr. Hiram Baker (113 episodes, 1974-1983)
Alison Arngrim	...	Nellie Oleson / ... (105 episodes, 1974-1982)
Matthew Laborteaux	...	Albert Quinn Ingalls / ... (87 episodes, 1976-1983)

(more)

Series Directed by
Michael Landon		(87 episodes, 1974-1983)
William F. Claxton		(68 episodes, 1974-1981)
Maury Dexter		(21 episodes, 1979-1983)
Victor French		(18 episodes, 1974-1983)
Leo Penn		(3 episodes, 1974-1975)

Series Writing credits
Laura Ingalls Wilder		(201 episodes, 1974-1983)
Michael Landon		(47 episodes, 1974-1983)
Don Balluck		(25 episodes, 1977-1983)
John T. Dugan		(18 episodes, 1977-1980)
John Hawkins		(15 episodes, 1974-1981)
Arthur Heinemann		(15 episodes, 1974-1979)
B.W. Sandefur		(14 episodes, 1975-1982)
Carole Raschella		(14 episodes, 1977-1982)
Michael Raschella		(14 episodes, 1977-1982)
Vince Gutierrez		(7 episodes, 1979-1982)
Chris Abbott		(7 episodes, 1981-1983)
Ward Hawkins		(6 episodes, 1974-1975)
Paul W. Cooper		(6 episodes, 1976-1982)
Harold Swanton		(4 episodes, 1974-1977)
Gerry Day		(4 episodes, 1974-1975)
Dale Eunson		(2 episodes, 1974-1977)
Tony Kayden		(2 episodes, 1974-1977)
Joseph Bonaduce		(2 episodes, 1974-1975)
Juanita Bartlett		(2 episodes, 1974)
Hindi Brooks		(2 episodes, 1975-1978)
John Meston		(2 episodes, 1975)
Preston Wood		(2 episodes, 1975)
Lawrence Konner		(2 episodes, 1977)
Del Reisman		(2 episodes, 1979)
Paul Wolff		(2 episodes, 1979)
Jeri Taylor		(2 episodes, 1981)
Ande Lamb		(unknown episodes)

Series Produced by
Michael Landon	....	executive producer (202 episodes, 1974-1983)
Kent McCray	....	associate producer / producer (199 episodes, 1974-1983)
John Hawkins	....	producer / co-producer (70 episodes, 1974-1978)
Marvin Coil	....	associate producer (44 episodes, 1981-1983)
B.W. Sandefur	....	co-producer / producer (37 episodes, 1975-1977)
William F. Claxton	....	producer (37 episodes, 1977-1981)
Gary L. Wohlleben	....	associate producer (22 episodes, 1982-1983)
Winston Miller	....	producer (7 episodes, 1974)
Ed Friendly	....	associate producer (unknown episodes)

Series Original Music by
David Rose		(204 episodes, 1974-1983)

Series Cinematography by
Ted Voightlander		(30 episodes, 1974-1983)
Haskell B. Boggs		(20 episodes, 1974-1983)
Harry L. Wolf		(9 episodes, 1981-1983)
Brianne Murphy		(2 episodes, 1981-1982)
Stephen H. Burum		(unknown episodes)

Series Film Editing by
John Loeffler		(24 episodes, 1974-1983)
Jerry Taylor		(24 episodes, 1978-1983)
Clay Bartels		(5 episodes, 1974-1979)
George Watters		(3 episodes, 1974)
Robert Gutknecht		(2 episodes, 1974)
Bob Fish		(2 episodes, 1981-1982)

Series Casting by
Susan McCray		(55 episodes, 1974-1983)
Edward R. Morse		(4 episodes, 1974-1976)

Series Art Direction by
Walter M. Jefferies		(55 episodes, 1974-1983)
Trevor Williams		(3 episodes, 1974)
George Renne		(2 episodes, 1981-1983)

Series Set Decoration by
Don Webb		(54 episodes, 1974-1983)
Dennis W. Peeples		(3 episodes, 1974)
Morris Hoffman		(3 episodes, 1977)
Sam Gross		(2 episodes, 1981-1983)

Series Makeup Department
Larry Germain	....	hair stylist (31 episodes, 1974-1981)
Allan Snyder	....	makeup artist (30 episodes, 1974-1983)
Lillian Barb	....	hair stylist (18 episodes, 1982-1983)
Alan Snyder	....	makeup artist (17 episodes, 1974-1983)
Lynn F. Reynolds	....	makeup artist (8 episodes, 1982)
Damion	....	hair stylist (6 episodes, 1981-1982)
Hank Edds	....	makeup artist (3 episodes, 1981-1983)
Darby Hoppin	....	hair stylist (3 episodes, 1981-1983)
Gladys Witten	....	hair stylist (unknown episodes)

Series Production Management
Miles Middough	....	production manager (27 episodes, 1981-1983)
Kent McCray	....	production manager (4 episodes, 1983)

Series Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Reid Rummage	....	second assistant director / assistant director (87 episodes, 1978-1983)
Miles Middough	....	assistant director (79 episodes, 1974-1983)
Maury Dexter	....	assistant director (73 episodes, 1974-1981)
Brad Yacobian	....	second assistant director (27 episodes, 1981-1983)
Buck Edwards	....	second assistant director (17 episodes, 1981-1983)
Ronald Martinez	....	assistant director / first assistant director (12 episodes, 1981-1982)
Robert Enrietto	....	assistant director (8 episodes, 1982-1983)
James B. Greer	....	second assistant director (5 episodes, 1980)
Ray DeCamp	....	assistant director (2 episodes, 1981-1983)

Series Art Department
Dean Wilson	....	property master (23 episodes, 1974-1983)
Glen R. Feldman	....	property master (23 episodes, 1981-1983)

Series Sound Department
Duncan McEwan	....	sound recordist (60 episodes, 1979-1982)
Vince Gutierrez	....	sound effects editor (52 episodes, 1974-1983)
M. Curtis Price	....	sound recordist (41 episodes, 1974-1983)
Frank Meadow	....	sound recordist (30 episodes, 1974-1983)
Anthony F. Brissinger	....	sound recordist (22 episodes, 1981-1983)
David Dockendorf	....	sound recordist (11 episodes, 1974-1979)
Charles T. Knight	....	sound recordist (5 episodes, 1974-1977)
Gordon L. Day	....	sound recordist (1 episode, 1977-1978)
Donna Anderson	....	utility sound (unknown episodes)
Marty Church	....	foley mixer (unknown episodes)
Barry Thomas	....	sound recordist (unknown episodes)

Series Special Effects by
Luke Tillman	....	special effects (27 episodes, 1981-1983)

Series Stunts
Hal Burton	....	stunt coordinator / stunt double: Michael Landon (unknown episodes)
Bob Herron	....	stunts (unknown episodes)
Chuck Hicks	....	stunts (unknown episodes)
Whitey Hughes	....	stunts (unknown episodes)
Loren Janes	....	stunts (unknown episodes)
Gene LeBell	....	stunts (unknown episodes)
Jack Lilley	....	stunt coordinator (unknown episodes)
George Orrison	....	stunts (unknown episodes)
Neil Summers	....	stunts (unknown episodes)

Series Camera and Electrical Department
Kenneth Hunter	....	camera operator (44 episodes, 1974-1983)
Ron Housiaux	....	key grip (35 episodes, 1979-1983)
Lon Massey III	....	gaffer / grip (25 episodes, 1974-1983)
Bob Farmer	....	gaffer / grip (22 episodes, 1981-1983)
Clyde Taylor	....	lighting director (15 episodes, 1974)
Ron Cardarelli	....	key grip (9 episodes, 1974-1980)
Clarence Tindell	....	key grip (3 episodes, 1981-1983)
Richard Tim Vanik	....	camera operator (2 episodes, 1982-1983)
Kenji Takama	....	camera intern (unknown episodes)

Series Casting Department
Frank Kennedy	....	extras casting: locations (22 episodes, 1975-1983)
Dottie O'Brien	....	extras casting (unknown episodes)
John O'Brien	....	extras casting (unknown episodes)

Series Costume and Wardrobe Department
Richalene Kelsay	....	costumer: women (31 episodes, 1974-1980)
Linda Taylor	....	costumer: women (26 episodes, 1980-1983)
Mike Termini	....	costumer: men (24 episodes, 1974-1981)
Dallas D. Dornan	....	costumer: men (17 episodes, 1982-1983)
Michael R. Faeth	....	costumer: men (9 episodes, 1981-1982)
Andy Matyasi	....	costumer: men (7 episodes, 1974-1977)

Series Editorial Department
Edward P. Ancona Jr.	....	color consultant (60 episodes, 1974-1983)
Kay Suffern	....	negative cutter (47 episodes, 1974-1983)
Marvin Coil	....	supervising editor (32 episodes, 1974-1981)

Series Music Department
Fred Prior	....	music editor (43 episodes, 1974-1983)
Edna Bullock	....	music editor (7 episodes, 1974-1978)
Tom Gleason	....	music editor (6 episodes, 1982-1983)
Robert Gutknecht	....	music editor (4 episodes, 1978-1979)
John Massari	....	orchestrator (unknown episodes, 1980-1983)

Series Other crew
Blanche Hanalis	....	developed for television by (96 episodes, 1974-1983)
Gary L. Wohlleben	....	production controller / production coordinator (51 episodes, 1978-1982)
John T. Dugan	....	executive story consultant / story consultant (48 episodes, 1978-1980)
Kevin King	....	payroll accountant (44 episodes, 1981-1983)
Don Balluck	....	executive story consultant (28 episodes, 1980-1983)
Erica Wernher	....	script supervisor (25 episodes, 1974-1983)
Duane Toler	....	script supervisor (23 episodes, 1981-1983)
John Hawkins	....	executive story consultant (20 episodes, 1977-1978)
Tim Engel	....	production controller (20 episodes, 1982-1983)
Chris Abbott	....	story editor (7 episodes, 1981-1982)
Ward Hawkins	....	story editor (unknown episodes, 1974-1975)
Michael Thomas Slifkin	....	kid's talent coach (unknown episodes, 1979-1981)
Bill McCamey	....	on-set nurse (unknown episodes)
Shirley Ulmer	....	script supervisor (unknown episodes)

Production Companies

• Ed Friendly Productions
• National Broadcasting Company (NBC)

Distributors

• National Broadcasting Company (NBC) (1974-1983) (USA) (TV) (original airing)
• Worldvision (1974-) (worldwide) (TV)
• GoodTimes Home Video (2001) (USA) (VHS)
• GoodTimes Home Video (2001) (USA) (DVD)
• Goldhil Home Media (2003) (USA) (VHS)
• Goldhil Home Media (2003) (USA) (DVD)
• Hallmark Channel, The (2006) (USA) (TV)
• The Total Living Network (2006) (USA) (TV)
• Channel 4 Television Corporation
• NHK Sôgô (1975) (Japan) (TV)
• SBS6 (200?) (Netherlands) (TV) (syndication)
• Shochiku Company (1990) (Japan) (VHS)
• Shochiku Home Video (1993) (Japan) (VHS)
• TV Land (2005-) (USA) (TV)
• Universal Pictures Finland Oy (2007) (Finland) (DVD)
• Universal Pictures (2006-) (Germany) (DVD)
• Universal Pictures (2007) (Japan) (DVD)
• Video Film Express (2004) (Netherlands) (DVD) (seasons 1 and 2)
• Video Film Express (2005) (Netherlands) (DVD) (seasons 3 and 4)
• Video Film Express (2006) (Netherlands) (DVD) (season 5)
• Video Film Express (2007) (Netherlands) (DVD) (seasons 6-8)
• Video Film Express (2008) (Netherlands) (DVD) (season 9)
• Yleisradio (YLE) (2008) (Finland) (TV) (TV2)

Other Companies

• Glen Glenn Sound  sound recording

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:

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

Filming Locations:

Big Sky Ranch, Simi Valley, California, USA

Company:

Ed Friendly Productions

Trivia:

Mary's husband, Adam Kendall, was studying law when he went blind. Just before he regained his eyesight, he passed the bar. After he regained his eyesight, he began a law practice in Walnut Grove.

Goofs:

Continuity: In the second part of the two part show "Home Again", Albert and Charles are in Mr. Edwards cabin as Albert is going through withdrawal. In one scene, he gets the shakes and then throws up all over himself. In the next scene, the shakes start again and his pants are completely clean.

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 North (1994)

One of the best of the family-oriented shows of the 1970's

The great Michael Landon spent his entire life as a part of the television generation. He has a career that span five consecutive decades from the late 1950's all the way until the early part of the 1990's. From 1959 when "Bonanza" came on the air,all the way through the mid-1980's with "Highway To Heaven",and the short-lived series "Us",there wasn't a single year that he did not have a series on the air. That is a record that will stand the test of time. Landon specialized in creating high quality family programming that made him one of the hardest working individuals in television. What made him so unique and successful in all the shows he produced and starred in,that the general public didn't realize that Michael Landon was very technical in what he did since he wrote,produced,and directed many of the episodes for "Bonanza","Little House On The Prairie",and "Highway To Heaven",not to mention his short lived series "Us". Its was here during his most successful show,"Little House On The Prairie",that he was not only the executive producer,but in charge of his own production company and the necessary means in which he had his own studio as well, Michael Landon Productions through the powers that be with TV executives over at NBC. "Little House On The Prairie",show audiences that Landon was way beyond his image as "Little" Joe Cartwright,for which he played for the 14 seasons that "Bonanza" ran on the air,and gave them new light into the character of Charles Ingalls,a strict but loving father who made a way out of no way to provide for his family during the times and struggles that went on the town of Walnut Grove. In about every episode it shows us how a strong loving family who stayed together and basically solved their problems with the love and understanding of one another through the hardships and trials that came their way,but made it through with hope and faith.

"Little House On The Prairie",had enough staying power for the nine and a half years that it ran on NBC-TV(1974-1983)and from there became one of the best family oriented shows of the 1970's,and it stayed that way throughout the remainder of the early-1980's. The series produced 203 episodes,and also developed a spin-off as well,"Father Murphy",which ran for three seasons. Not to mention three successful made for TV movies based on this series as well,from the premiere episode in 1974,to the fiery climax of the series in mid-1983. However,about the episodes,as one comment mentioned them as sweet and sappy as it was remembered,but in other terms it was a series that tackled some very disturbing issues that were relevant in its day while at the same time staying within the frame of the moralistic/family oriented genre. Some of it tackled even darker subjects,and this was a first in the family oriented dramas of the 1970's. But at the same time,it has some very touching moments. Also it had some classic episodes to boot too....Who remembers the episode were Laura Ingalls and Nelly Oleson duked it out against each other? But for most part,and as far as the characters were concerned,we got to see Melissa Gilbert's character of Laura transform during the series run from the development of a little girl to a beautiful woman,and it was during this series that she got married too. The chemistry between Michael Landon as Pa and Melissa Gilbert as Half Pint was perfect in every aspect and it shows in the Golden Globes this show rack up,not to mention the Emmy nominations it received as well. As for the mom,Karen Grassle,there was no cooler mom that she was. The mom every daughter wanted to have. Compassionate,caring and down to earth. Oh yeah,let's not forget Laura's oldest sister,Mary(Melissa Sue Anderson),and the baby girl Carrie(played by twins Lindsay and Sidney Greenbush)who also grows up before our eyes during the show's entire run. And the family's faithful and reliable dog,"Bandit",who comes to the rescue just in case the children get into any danger. And as far as the townsfolk are concerned,out of all the characters in Walnut Grove, there was NOBODY so devious and deliciously evil as Nelly Oleson and actress Allison Arngrim,played it to the tee as well as her mom Harriet Oleson,played by Katherine McGregor...In other words..Nelly was the girl everyone loves to hate!!!

This was a show that was way better and way focus than the other family shows that came out during the 1970's,and "Little House On The Prairie" was that show! Not even its competition,"The Waltons"(which was on a rival network)does not even come close!!! Out of all the shows this one tackled subjects that were too intense for a family show and it shows in some of the episodes. Landon basically went by the books that were the basis for the series that were written by Laura Ingalls Wilder and from there it worked. If you want a wholesome show that the family can love then leave it to Michael Landon and Company to bring you the best. There are some lessons and messages in some of the episodes. This is why it became NBC's most successful show,until it was cancelled in 1983.