Looking at the photograph above takes me right back to when I was a young girl sitting in my bean bag in the family room at my family home, probably snacking on something, all ready to watch my favourite TV family. Oh I loved them all so much!! Charles, the Dad (so handsome and strong and that smile!). Caroline, the Mum (so kind and understanding), and of course their daughters – Mary, Laura (her Dad affectionately called her ‘Half Pint’) and Carrie. This show made me feel warm and fuzzy, snug and happy.
“Little House on the Prairie” is one of the most successful dramatic series in television history. It began with the pilot in March of 1974, which introduced the Ingalls family to millions of viewers around the world. It was subsequently picked up as a series in September of that year and ran for nine seasons until 1983. Altogether, there are 210 shows with 216 ½ hours of programming, including the three two-hour specials produced in the tenth year. It’s about a family living on a farm in Walnut Grove, Minnesota, USA in the 1870s and 1880s. The show is an adaptation of Laura Ingalls Wilder‘s best-selling series of Little House books.
The Ingalls family were cast as follows:
Charles Ingalls (the Dad) – Michael Landon
Caroline Ingalls (the Mum) – Karen Grassle
Mary Ingalls (Eldest daughter) – Melissa Sue Anderson
Laura Ingalls (Middle daughter) – Melissa Gilbert
Carrie Ingalls (Youngest daughter) – Lindsay and Sidney Greenbush (twin sisters)
There was a fourth daughter – Grace Ingalls (played by twin sisters Wendi and Brenda Turnbaugh), a couple of adopted sons and one adopted daughter that came along later too. I don’t seem to recall these characters but that might just be my middle-aged brain needing some refreshing!
I was crazy for the books too! I recall taking these along to primary school with me and could often be found reading them in the playground during lunch breaks. These books were all written by THE Laura Ingalls Wilder.
THE REAL Carrie, Mary & Laura Ingalls as children
The books were based on her life growing up. You can read more about her here and I highly recommend watching this short clip (2 minutes, 57 secs) about her.
Did you know that The Complete Series Gift Set became available On October 6, 2015. The set includes 48 discs featuring all nine fully restored and remastered seasons and eight hours of bonus material. It’s presented in an iconic Little House package, featuring a recreation of the Ingalls family home. You can go here if you want to learn more or buy it. This is not a sponsored post by any means, it’s just that I truly believe this series is something special and no-one should miss out on seeing it. This gift set is something I am seriously considering myself. I would love to watch every single show all over again and be transported back to Walnut Grove and the day to day life of the Ingalls family, and I’d love for my kids, nieces, nephews and any future grandkids to have access to viewing this wonderful series.
Here’s a treat, a sneak peak – the “Little House on the Prairie” Remastered Edition Trailer (only 1 minute 35 seconds):
Did you love watching Little House on the Prairie? Who was your favourite character? Does this show bring back lovely childhood memories for you too? If you haven’t yet watched this series, you simply must – trust me!
Ciao for now
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32 Comments
Oh I remember this well! We used to say that my sister looked just like Laura – skinny with the 2 plaits. I also read the books. Thanks for taking me back…
This show gives me the warm and fuzzies – loved it so much. It’s nice to think back on these things sometimes! 🙂
I loved this show too. Weirdly I used to do my hair like Nellie Olsen on ‘special’ occasions. With the rags to make the ringlets too! Oh, the ’70’s were a wacky time….
Oh Nellie was a nasty piece of work. I read somewhere that the actress who played her was actually very shy! My Mum has told me that when she was little her mother used to do her hair in ‘rags’ to accentuate the curls. The 70’s were happy years for me! 🙂
I did love watching it Min. It was on Sunday nights (same night as Walt Disney’s Wonderful World) and Young Talent Time from memory. But I loved the show. Even now the episode I most remember was one where Nelly Olsen pretended she’d been crippled but got found out!
I didn’t ever know about the books etc at the time though – not until I was older.
Yes my sister recalled it was on Sunday nights too. I couldn’t remember what nights it was on. I remember that episode you mention! Loved that one too! 🙂
Oh yes, I used to love this TV series. Michael Landon was always such a hunk. I used to watch him in Bonanza as well. I never knew Little House on the Prairie was based on novels. Probably to watch it these days it would be a bit wishy washy compared to TV series of today. Thanks for reminding me of this wonderful TV program. #TeamLovinLife
Oh yes – Michael Landon was such a spunk wasn’t he? His smile! I remember him on Bonanza and also on Highway to Heaven. I would still enjoy watching Little House on the Prairie now at age 53. I like wishy washy feel good stuff! 🙂
I’ve actually never seen or read this show/books. Not even in repeats!
OMG!! You poor thing – you don’t know what you’ve missed. You need to rectify this situation pronto!
So many warm and fuzzy memories reading this post. Thanks for the step back in time.
SSG xxx
Warm and fuzzy memories are good things. Glad this post gave you some! 🙂 xo
Well that was a blast from the past! I remember watching it too – but not when she was grown up and getting married. My memories are only of the first few series. As an adult I am amazed at how much they dealt with (those freezing winters!) and a husband/father who really wasn’t the most reliable soul – it took him (and the family) quite a while to actually settle down.
I remember Laura grown up and getting married but my memories are more from when they were little and growing up. I don’t remember them taking a while to settle down? I think I need to read and watch it all again through adult eyes. I’ll probably have a much better grasp on the whole story then! 🙂
Wow—this brings back so many memories, Min!! We watched it all the time, and of course, I read the books!!
In fact, Michael Landon died from pancreatic cancer just a couple of years before my dad, so I always think of that too….
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
I was devastated when Michael Landon passed away – think it was 1991. So sorry you lost your Dad all those years ago Jodie. Little House on the Prairie sure was a special show in my opinion. 🙂 xo
Min I remember this but I wasn’t much of a fan because it was so American and I compared it (probably most unfairly) to the Australian television adaption of Ethel Turners “Seven Little Australians”.
I could relate to that series much more as much of it was filmed around Geelong and of course the countryside was so recognisable. Geelong railway station was used in it. Leonard Teale was simply brilliant in his portrayal of Captain Woolcot, stoic and strong. Our little family at the time way back in 1974 when it was first aired on the ABC would have Sunday dinner a bit earlier so that at 7.40pm we would all be sitting ready to watch on our little black and white TV. My mother bought me the novel that had the TV tie in cover and I still have that book. Several years ago the whole series was made available on DVD and I could not resist buying it.
Thanks for sparking my memories.
Ciao,
Patrick
I used to love Seven Little Australians too Patrick. I don’t recall it being on TV regularly though but my memory is not the best! I had no idea it was filmed around the Geelong area in Victoria! I still loved Little House on the Prairie very much as a child and still today have the fondest memories of watching it and reading the books. I’d love to get Seven Little Australians series on DVD and refresh my memory! It’s great to have such lovely childhood memories! 🙂
I loved Seven Little Australians too. I still remember it. Must read the book again one day.
I can’t remember the story or characters. I need to revisit it!
I loved it too Min. But my fave shows were the Brady Bunch (no wonder I had high expectations when I ended up with step siblings as a 12 year old), Bewitched, and Eight is Enough.
Oh I loved The Brady Bunch, Bewitched and Eight is Enough too!! Also loved – I Dream of Jeanie, The Partridge Family, The Waltons … and many more! Great TV in those days! 🙂
This was one of my favourite shows growing up. Laura Ingalls was my hero. Nelly Olson was such a nasty b*&tch – it was great to see her get what she had coming to her! ‘m not sure that I could watch all nine DVDs, but it was a lovely show.
It was one of my favourites too Lyndall. I could so easily watch all nine DVDs. 🙂
I just loved this show growing up Min, however, I’ve never read the books. Do you remember when Mary went blind? What a tear jerker that was. The mother was always beautiful to me and who could help but love Michael Landon.
Yes I remember when Mary went blind Sue – I was devastated! I always thought the mother was beautiful too and I adored Michael Landon. 🙂
I never read the books, but I LOVED the show. I’ve never seen it since though which is interesting, Normally I go back and revisit shows (like 90210 for example) but I’ve never tried to find Little House on the Prairie since. I guess I don’t want to ruin the fond memories. #teamlovinlife
I’ve never seen the show as an adult but I would very much like to have the DVD set and watch it again! I know it would be different watching it as an adult but nothing will change my wonderful childhood memories. 🙂
I can remember reading all the books but don’t remember the television show so much.
Wow – I can’t imagine not having watched the series. It was such a huge and wonderful part of my childhood. Mind you, the books were great too!
OK. Confession. LHOTP was my favourite TV show as a boy! Such strong memories. 4:20pm (in England) after school I’d sit down religiously to watch the latest news on the Ingalls and the Olsens. I think for me it pitted good against evil (the kind and caring Ingalls, and the mean and mercenary shopowners the Olsens, though I seem to remember Mr Olsen was actually a decent man). As a boy from a Christian family trying to be perfect, it so resonated for me, which is quite telling (and an indictment of a Christian upbringing by the way)! My son today would scream with boredom. Thanks Min for the memory…
Thanks so much for your comment Dave! I think LHOTP was on here in Brisbane, Australia on a Sunday evening. I used to enjoy watching it so much. I loved watching the Ingalls and the Olsens but my favourite character of all was Charles – Mr Ingalls! What a lovely man he was. My memory is that Mr Olsen was a decent man too. Same couldn’t be said about his wife or daughter. I think the son was ok like the Dad from memory. 🙂