The Craftsman (8 Jan. 1979)

Albert becomes an apprentice for a craftsman who is Jewish. His classmates accuse him of being a Jew-lover and Laura is embarrassed because they accuse her when she tells them to quit ... See full summary »

Director:

Michael Landon

Writers:

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

Stars:

Michael Landon, Karen Grassle, Melissa Gilbert

Cast

Episode credited cast:
Michael Landon	...	Charles Ingalls
Karen Grassle	...	Caroline Ingalls
Melissa Gilbert	...	Laura Ingalls
Melissa Sue Anderson	...	Mary Ingalls (credit only)
Lindsay Greenbush	...	Carrie Ingalls (as Lindsay Sidney Greenbush)
Sidney Greenbush	...	Carrie Ingalls (as Lindsay Sidney Greenbush)
Richard Bull	...	Nels Oleson
Kevin Hagen	...	Dr. Hiram Baker
Alison Arngrim	...	Nellie Oleson
Scottie MacGregor	...	Harriet Oleson (as Katherine MacGregor)
Jonathan Gilbert	...	Willie Oleson
Merlin Olsen	...	Jonathan Garvey
Matthew Labyorteaux	...	Albert Quinn Ingalls
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Don 'Red' Barry	...	Jud Larrabee
Tony Becker	...	Zeke

Storyline

Albert becomes an apprentice for a craftsman who is Jewish. His classmates accuse him of being a Jew-lover and Laura is embarrassed because they accuse her when she tells them to quit picking on Albert. Albert learns to take pride in his work and when Mr. Isaac Singerman dies at the end of the summer, Albert follows his way of planting an acorn to grow a tree to repay the earth for the one he used in his carpentry.

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Plot Keywords:

apprentice | jew | anti semitic slur | heart condition | coffin | 

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Genres:

Drama | Family | Romance | Western

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Details

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 January 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

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Matthew Labyorteaux who plays Albert Ingalls did the voice-over at the end of this show.

User Reviews

Gone, But Not Forgotten.

Kindly old Isaac Singerman stopped off at Oleson's Mercantile to acquire some wood, as he is the best wood worker in hero township, but naturally the local bigots, Harriet and Larrabee, have a problem with him because he is Jewish. He didn't care about them, because he had some big news for his son, Aaron. They'd found him his future wife. He wanted to go to her immediately, but Isaac refused to come along. His wife was buried here, and so here is where he wants to stay. So with Aaron gone, it got a little lonely around the shop, but not for long. Albert stopped by to deliver a payment from his pa for a chair he'd made, the two get to talking and Albert mentions his own experiences in wood work, or rather widdling. His wooden whistle impressed Isaac who asked him if he'd like to be his apprentice. With Charles' permission, Albert took the job. This of course brought on criticism from some of the kids at school, calling Albert a "Jew-lover" and the like. Oh, and guess what? Laura is apparently prejudiced against Jewish people. Mary was prejudiced towards Indians, and Laura is towards Jews. I blame the schools. Also, Nellie and Willie believe that Jewish people have horns on their head, which Albert tells them is true in a clever ruse to get back at those two idiots. So after school, he and the two Oleson brats sneak up to Isaac's shop, and thanks Laura and some deer antlers, they ran off screaming. So Albert and Isaac continued to bond, as he furnished a coffin for the mercantile...I didn't know they sold coffins, but with the death rate being what it is around these parts, you can't be too careful. One afternoon, Isaac began experiencing chest pains and requested to be left alone, so Albert went home.

En route, two little bastards named Lem and Zeke chased down Albert and beat him up because of his new friend. As for Isaac, it seems his health has been getting weaker recently, and according to Doc Baker, his ticker was in worse shape than he thought. After sitting on it for a few days, Isaac requested Albert's help in crafting another coffin. No other details than Doc Baker was losing one of his patients, and that he was a good man, and when he picked up lumber from Charles, he told him that he was taking a trip to see his relatives, and his son eventually. I think we all know who this coffin is for. As they set to work making it, Isaac suddenly collapsed and Albert ran for the doctor. It seems he was not long for this world. He leaves Albert with some words of wisdom, and requested that he finish their project, as a true craftsman never leaves a job unfinished. And so, Albert finished the coffin on his own, and just as promised, Isaac Singerman was buried in it, right beside his wife's grave. He may have gone home, but he'll never be forgotten. Albert planted a tree by the grave site, knowing that even after he was gone, the tree would still be there watching over his friend.

Well done episode, but very sad. The tones of racism were present, but thankfully they were a bit more downplayed than in, say the Indian episodes. It's ironic that Nellie is shown to be prejudiced against Jews, when next season she'll fall in love with and marry a Jewish man. But that also causes her transformation into The New Nellie, as opposed to Nellie Classic, who'd just about worn out her welcome. John Bleifer was really good as Isaac, he was such a positive character and I'm glad he didn't let bigots like Larrabee get to him. In fact, I'm glad they didn't include a scene of Larrabee confronting him. I guess those two bullies who picked on Albert were enough to drive the point home. I do recommend this episode, but it's very tragic, as I said. Isaac Singerman's are words to live by and everybody should take his advice to heart. So if you like stories of this caliber, check out The Craftsman, but as I said, prepare for a sad ending.