Annabelle (15 Oct. 1979)

Nels becomes apprehensive when he learns that a traveling circus - in which his estranged sister, an obese woman named Annabelle, is one of the stars - is coming to Walnut Grove. Nels ... See full summary »

Director:

William F. Claxton

Writers:

Laura Ingalls Wilder (based upon the series of books "Little House" by), Del Reisman

Stars:

Michael Landon, Karen Grassle, Melissa Gilbert

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Michael Landon	...	Charles Ingalls
Karen Grassle	...	Caroline Ingalls
Melissa Gilbert	...	Laura Ingalls
Melissa Sue Anderson	...	Mary Ingalls Kendall
Lindsay Greenbush	...	Carrie Ingalls (as Lindsay Sidney Greenbush)
Sidney Greenbush	...	Carrie Ingalls (as Lindsay Sidney Greenbush)
Richard Bull	...	Nels Oleson
Alison Arngrim	...	Nellie Oleson
Scottie MacGregor	...	Harriet Oleson (as Katherine MacGregor)
Jonathan Gilbert	...	Willie Oleson
Merlin Olsen	...	Jonathan Garvey
Hersha Parady	...	Alice Garvey
Patrick Labyorteaux	...	Andrew 'Andy' Garvey (as Patrick Laborteaux)
Matthew Labyorteaux	...	Albert Quinn Ingalls
Linwood Boomer	...	Adam Kendall

Storyline

Nels becomes apprehensive when he learns that a traveling circus - in which his estranged sister, an obese woman named Annabelle, is one of the stars - is coming to Walnut Grove. Nels eventually realizes he needs to deal with his insecurities and make amends with Annabelle when he is asked to be the ringmaster.

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Plot Keywords:

traveling circus | circus | brother sister hug | brother sister reunion | fat lady | 

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Genres:

Drama | Family | Romance | Western

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Details

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 October 1979 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Big Sky Ranch - 4927 Bennett Road, Simi Valley, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Ed Friendly Productions, National Broadcasting Company (NBC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Referenced in Less Than Perfect: All About Claude (2003)

User Reviews

Nels Gets a Real Blast From the Past!

The circus has come to town, and right away a few of Walnut Grove's children were put to work by Mr. London, proprietor, president and CEO of London's Circus. It had everything: clowns, elephants, and an incredibly fat woman who looked very familiar to Nels. I mean, she should. She's his sister! Bet you didn't know Nels Oleson even had a sister. Well, he does. Annabelle's her name. The circus' token fat lady...at least she doesn't have a beard. They must have a sour past, because Nels couldn't even bring himself to say hello, and for that matter Annabelle was too shy to approach him. Maybe this will help: Charles went to see London about possibly sending a circus performer to the blind school to talk with the kids, and London selected Annabelle. At the same time, Nels was heading out to the school for a delivery. Their paths are bound to cross. Sure enough, the siblings were briefly reunited before Nels scampered away with his tail between his legs. Something is definitely wrong in Olesonville, and for once it isn't Harriet; While that was going on, Albert asked Laura if she wanted his circus ticket and it seemed like a fair trade, until he had to mention Almanzo. The two get into a small spat, but make up for it afterwards. It seems Laura was uncomfortable with Albert mentioning Almanzo in front of Charles, knowing how much he hates him. But unlike Nels and his estranged sister, they patched up their differences right then and there. Unfortunately it was all for nothing because Almanzo already had a date to the circus: some stuck-up bitch named Christy Norton.

Laura confesses her unhappiness to a mute clown with a sad face, who actually turns out to be London. He suggests Laura become a clown to help lift her spirits. An eavesdropping Albert is even allowed to join, so it looks like the Ingalls kids will be clowns...actually they already were, only now they can wear make-up as a formality; when Harriet and the kids make one fat joke too many about Annabelle, Nels finally owns up and admits that she is his sister and storms out. Taking a walk through the circus grounds, he meets up with Annabelle and the two finally manage to talk out their differences. It seems Nels wasn't a very good brother and had shown publicly his humiliation over the size of his sister. He reflected on what an unfeeling cur he used to be, while Annabelle would just as soon put all that behind her. She has a new family with the circus and a happy life. Well, glad that worked out. Let's check in with Laura. She had somehow been roped into hemming Christy's dress and delivered it to her five minutes late, which Miss Norton made a huge deal out of and only paid Laura 1/2 of what she was owed. Now you know what they say, don't get mad, get even. Laura refused the 1/2 payment and wished Christy a wonderful evening. Ooh, I wonder what she's got cooking. Now let's check back with Nels, he's still depressed. Regardless, he was chosen to be the ringmaster for the night. There were many splendid acts, and clowns Albert and Laura really put on a show. That latter getting sweet revenge on Christy, making her a real wet blanket. At the end of the night, Nels proudly proclaimed to the entire gathering that Annabelle was his sister and at long last they made amends.

I don't know about this one, I felt it was very mediocre. Not a lot of story and it wasn't that interesting of an episode. Okay, Nels has an overweight sister with the circus, they had a bad history, he's struggling with his feelings, as is Laura when it seems this Christy Norton dame is threatening her relationship with Almanzo. I think "mean" is a good term for this episode. Christy was flat out mean and unlikeable, Harriet was absolutely cruel towards Annabelle. I realize that's the point of the episode: realizing ignorance and cruelty, but after having to deal with it for 60 minutes, it gets pretty redundant; Richard Bull and Melissa Gilbert were very good in conveying all the emotion, even though Bull had very little to do besides harboring the feelings Nels has towards his sister and their relationship. Also good were Harriet Gibson as Annabelle, a character with little to no personality whatsoever. Billy Barty has a delightful cameo as Owen the midget, and we'll be seeing him again in Season 9's "Little Lou", another episode dealing about bigotry to someone with abnormal physical qualities. Ken Barry, the guy from Mama's Family, brought out a good man in London. So all in all, this one is worth seeing probably once, as it's none too memorable and it's just an unpleasant, depressing episode. I realize most Little House episodes have a depressing tone, but this one hardly lets up. If you like Little House, you like Nels Oleson and Laura Ingalls, this one might be a good one for you, if for only one viewing. Sorry, Del Reisman and Bill Claxton, this one didn't deliver. Better luck next time.