Ebenezer Sprague (24 Sep. 1975)

Laura Ingalls is stunned to learn that her amiable fishing friend is none other than Walnut Grove's new banker, miserly Ebenezer Sprague, and heartbroken when he accuses her of becoming his friend to secure a loan for her family.

Director:

Victor French

Writers:

Blanche Hanalis (developed for television by), Laura Ingalls Wilder (based upon the series of books "Little House" by),

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
Lindsay Greenbush	...	Carrie Ingalls (as Lindsay Sidney Greenbush)
Sidney Greenbush	...	Carrie Ingalls (as Lindsay Sidney Greenbush)
Richard Bull	...	Nels Oleson
Scottie MacGregor	...	Harriet Oleson (as Katherine MacGregor)
Charlotte Stewart	...	Eva Beadle
Karl Swenson	...	Lars Hanson
Ted Gehring	...	Ebenezer Sprague
Janice Carroll	...	Mrs. Kennedy
Alison Arngrim	...	Nellie Oleson
Ed Crick	...	Mr. Taylor
Ruth Foster	...	Melinda Foster

Storyline

Laura Ingalls is stunned to learn that her amiable fishing friend is none other than Walnut Grove's new banker, miserly Ebenezer Sprague, and heartbroken when he accuses her of becoming his friend to secure a loan for her family.

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Genres:

Drama | Family | Romance | Western

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Details

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 September 1975 (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

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Harriet Oleson: I wanted to meet you before you got the notion that there was absolutely nobody like you in the town.
Ebenezer Sprague: Like me?
Harriet Oleson: Mm hm.
Harriet Oleson: Uh... educated people of quality and uh...
[giggles]
Harriet Oleson: ... substance. I uh... I come from a city also, Mr. Sprague, as I'm sure that you do.
Ebenezer Sprague: Mrs. Olsen, I quit school when I was in third grade. My father was a farmer. I never saw a city until I was seventeen, and then I didn't like it. Now, if you have some business to transact, I'll be with you in just a moment just as soon as I ...

User Reviews

My friend

We meet the town banker in this episode. Note: This episode on the DVDs is way out of order.

In this episode, Mr. Sprague comes to town. He is a hard-nosed banker who doesn't want any friends - and doesn't need anything...or so he thinks. But when Laura and he run into each other at the creek, they soon take up a friendship. It turns out that fishing is now more exciting for Laura. They fish together, then he gives her a ride back to...well, I guess into town or something.

But soon, Nellie tells Laura that her new friend is none other than the town banker. Nobody likes him. He ticked Harriet Olsen off, he pretty much told Charles and Caroline no on to separate banking issues. And nobody seemed good enough to get a smile - except Laura.

But the story turned out okay. In the end I suppose everybody got what they wanted, and one person got what he didn't think he needed.