Little House on the Prairie (30 Mar. 1974)

Pilot to the longrunning tv-series. Story of Ingalls family who left house in Wisconsin and moved to the west, wanting to find a new place for home.

Director:

Michael Landon

Writers:

Blanche Hanalis, Jack Hanrahan,

Stars:

Michael Landon, Karen Grassle, Melissa Gilbert

Cast

Episode cast overview:
Michael Landon	...	Charles Ingalls
Karen Grassle	...	Caroline Ingalls
Melissa Gilbert	...	Laura Ingalls
Melissa Sue Anderson	...	Mary Ingalls
Lindsay Greenbush	...	Carrie Ingalls (as Lindsay Sidney Green Bush)
Sidney Greenbush	...	Carrie Ingalls (as Lindsay Sidney Green Bush)
Victor French	...	Isaiah Edwards
Cal Bellini	...	Brave
Sam Vlahos	...	1st Indian
Richard Alarian	...	2nd Indian
Marian Beeler	...	Charlotte Holbrook
John Steadman	...	Frederick Holbrook
Victor Mohica	...	Soldat Du Chene

Storyline

Shortly after the Civil War, a young pioneer family tries to re-build their lives by moving to the prairies of Minnesota, with disastrous consequences. Pilot film to the long-running TV series.

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Plot Keywords:

wisconsin | kansas | prairie | girl | farmer | 

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Genres:

Drama | Family | Romance | Western

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

30 March 1974 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Agoura, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

National Broadcasting Company (NBC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Goofs

After "Pa" brings home the cow, "Ma" exclaims, "...now we can have milk." However, the cow is clearly a bull.

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Quotes

Caroline Ingalls: Laura! Just what do you think you're doing?
Laura Ingalls: Laura! Just what do you think you're doing?
Caroline Ingalls: Spit? Do you consider that a worthy accomplishment, Mr. Edwards?
Isaiah Edwards: Well, I don't know how worth it is, ma'am, but it sure comes in handy in a stiff breeze.

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Connections

Followed by Beyond the Prairie: The True Story of Laura Ingalls Wilder (1999)

User Reviews

Perfect Family Series

I was lucky to grow up watching Little House and now with repeats I've found it still holds up against the best shows on offer.

Criticisms that the show is too sweet is a little unfair. The characters may be endearing and the children polite but this can not be seen as reason for dismissing the show. In fact not every episode had a happy ending.

The show also dealt with rascism, drugs and alcohol abuse from time to time. Mostly the show gained the impressive ratings with thought provoking story lines, good humour, a sense of love the characters displayed towards another and characters that people could identify with. The hardworking honest farmer (Charles Ingalls) and caring wife (Caroline) tomboy (Laura) studious sister (Mary) as well as the brow beaten store owner (Nells Oleson) his nagging wife (Harriet) and his terrible two-some children (Nellie and Willie) along with others.

The hardships the Ingalls faced were over come with the love they had for each other, friendships with those in the town and a solid belief in God and Christian values.

The show hit all the right places that a solid family drama series should and today it is very hard to find another show that can compare.