Season 1
1.01 A Harvest Of Friends (2)
1.02 Country Girls (3)
1.03 100 Mile Walk (4)
1.04 Mr. Edwards' Homecoming (5)
1.05 The Love Of Johnny Johnson (6)
1.06 If I Should Wake Before I Die (7)
1.07 Town Party – Country Party (8)
1.08 Ma's Holiday (9)
1.09 School Mom (10)
1.10 The Racoon (11)
1.11 The Voice Of Tinker Jones (12)
1.12 The Award (13)
1.13 The Lord Is My Shepherd (14 - 2 hours)
1.14 Christmas At Plum Creek (15)
1.15 Family Quarrel (16)
1.16 Doctor's Lady (17)
1.17 Plague (18)
1.18 Circus Man (19)
1.19 Child Of Pain (20)
1.20 Money Crop (21)
1.21 Survival (22)
1.22 To See The World (23)
1.23 Founder's Day (24)
Starring: Michael Landon (1-11,121,13-23), Karen Grassle, Melissa Gilbert, Melissa Sue Anderson, Lindsay Sidney Greenbush2 (1-21,233). Executive Producer: Michael Landon. Produced by John Hawkins (1,3,5,7,9,11,12,14-23), Winston Miller (2,4,6,8,10,13). Developed for Television by Blanche Hanalis. Based Upon the "Little House" Series of Books by Laura Ingalls Wilder.
The Town: Richard Bull (Mr. Oleson 1,2,6-20,23), Kevin Hagen (Dr. Baker 1,4,6,9,10,13,15-20,23), Katherine MacGregor4 (Mrs. Oleson 1,2,6,7,9,11,13-20,23), Karl Swenson (Mr. Hanson 1,3,4,6,9,11,13,15-20,22,23), Dabbs Greer (Reverend Alden 1,4,65,11-13,15,17,19,23), Charlotte Stewart (Miss Beadle 2,5,6,9-13,17,19).
David Rose (Music)6, Kent McCray (Associate Producer), Ward Hawkins (Story Editor 12,14-23), Ted Voigtländer A.S.C. (Director of Photography 1,4,6,9,10,13-15,17,20,22), Haskell Boggs A.S.C. (Director of Photography 2,3,5,7,8,11,12,16,18,19,21,23), Trevor Williams (Art Director 1-7,13), Walter M. Jefferies (Art Director 8-12,14-23), George Watters A.C.E. (Editor 1,4,6), John Loeffler (Editor 2,3,5,7,11-13,16,18,19,21,23), Robert Gutknecht (Editor 8,9), Jerry Taylor (Editor 10,14,15,17,20,22), Dennis Peeples (Set Decoration 1-7,13), Don Webb (Set Decoration 8-12,14-23), Miles S. Middough (Assistant Director 1,4,6,9,10,13-15,17,20,22), Maury Dexter (Assistant Director 2,3,5,7,8,11,12,16,18,19,21,23), Edward R. Morse (Casting), Marvin Coil A.C.E. (Supervising Editor), Allan Snyder S.M.A. (Makeup), Larry Germain C.H.S. (Hair Stylist), Andy Matyasi (Men's Costumer), Richalene Kelsay (Women's Costumer), Edna Bullock (Music Editor), Edward P. Ancona Jr. (Color Consultant), Charles Knight (Sound Recording), Dave Dockendorf (Sound Recording 1,3-23), Photographed with Panavision Equipment®, Processed by Consolidated Film Industries, An NBC Production In Association with Ed Friendly.
Interiors shot at Paramount Studios, Hollywood.
Copyright © MCMLXXIV [1974] by National Broadcasting Company, Inc. (1-16)
Copyright © MCMLXXV [1975] by National Broadcasting Company, Inc. (17-23)
1 Only appears in long-shot in episode 12, possibly a double.
2 Carrie is played jointly by twin actresses Lindsay and Sidney Greenbush.
3 Credited across all episodes, but only appears in those indicated.
4 aka Scottie MacGregor.
5 Voice-over only on episode 6.
6 Rose wrote the theme for the show together with all the incidental music.
Overall Nielsen rating for season: 23.5 (13th).
Episode# 1.01 (2)1
Teleplay by John Hawkins and William Putman, story by John Hawkins
Directed by Michael Landon
Broadcast September 11, 1974, NBC / Production #1002
Guest Star: Ramon Bieri (Liam O'Neil). Jim Jeter (Hans Dorfler), Hal Burton (Driver). Ruth Foster (Mrs. Foster)2, Jack Lilley (Townsman)3, Cindy Moore (Tall Schoolgirl)3, Larry Moran (Boy)3.
1 This is the first episode shown for Richard Bull (Nels Oleson), Kevin Hagen (Dr. Baker), Katherine MacGregor (Harriet Oleson), Karl Swenson (Mr. Hanson) and Dabbs Greer (Reverend Alden).
2 Uncredited on episode's titles.
3 Uncredited on episode's titles; these entries have been taken from the Internet Movie Database and have not been verified.
The Ingalls settle on the banks of Plum Creek in Walnut Grove, Minnesota, where the family live in a temporary sod house while Charles builds a permanent cabin. In order to set up the farm, Charles must take on several jobs at once. He even commits to surrendering his oxen if he fails to complete one of his projects by an agreed date. When Charles is injured during a family picnic, he can no longer carry out his responsibilities. The children attempt to do the work alone until the men of Walnut Grove pitch in to complete the job.
I generally think these really early episodes are harmless, but [what] the f&*$ was up with Pa and freaking out on Nels for not giving him credit? He's a farmer with nothing, Nels just met him and he's supposed to just give him enough money for plow, harrow and seed without blinking an eye? Then Pa finished it off by storming out of the store like a big baby. Cash on the barrel my ass. (becky14624)
Speaking of Carrie, she had one line in A Harvest Of Friends. What the hell did she say to Ma after Pa left at breakfast? I really thought I spoke "Carrie" by now, but I couldn't make out a word of that. (charlieboo)
I also noticed some foreshadowing in this first episode regarding the good Rev. Alden and his awful advice. In the scene at church, he is basically telling the whole congregation (including the small, impressionable children) that if their Pas miss church because, I don't know, maybe they are so freakin' exhausted from working 20-hour days and trying to build a roof over their heads, and feed and provide for their families, they are pretty much buying themselves a one-way ticket to the fires of Hell! Never mind that they are actually using the Lord's Day to do what God intended to rest their weary minds and (shirtless, hot, muscled) bodies. And yet later on in life, everyone flocks to Reverend for advice – even though he tells them to climb mountains (with Ernest Borgnine), or drown themselves in rivers. (Shakespearette)
When Doc Baker leaves Charles in bed, one can see out the front window of the house ... and there are branches from a green shrub right outside. However, front views of the house do not reveal any shrubs or trees anywhere near the house.
Is it sick and wrong of me to side with Mr. O'Neil when he shows Ma the chattel mortgage and takes the oxen? Yeah, I thought so. I also have a sneaking suspicion that, if he were alive today, Pa would be taking frequent advantage of unemployment compensation. (JessieQ)
OK, another question. In A Harvest Of Friends, the men all stood around watching the injured Pa trying to stack the grain (or whatever the heck was in those bags), yet they waited until the little girls were trying to do it before they went to help. Why not help the hurt man? And when he fell down, Doc didn't even go over to see if he was alive. Useless. (camom)
The men were all standing around watching because they were hypnotized by Pa's Shiny Chest of Humbly Overdoing It For His Family. Then when Pa fell and the girls ran over, the spell was broken. (prairiegal)
OTHER COMMENTS
Episode# 1.02 (3)1,2,3
Written by Juanita Bartlett
Directed by William F. Claxton
Broadcast September 18, 1974, NBC / Production #1001
Alison Arngrim (Nellie Oleson)2, Tracie Savage (Christy Kennedy), Jonathan Gilbert4 (Willie Oleson)2, Robert Hoffman (Sandy Kennedy), Georgia Schmidt (Mrs. Grandy). Ruth Foster (Mrs. Foster)5.
1 Though shown second, this was the first episode filmed. Each season was shot over ten months of the year with each episode usually taking ten working days to film.
2 This is the first episode shown for Charlotte Stewart (Miss Beadle/Mrs. Simms), Alison Arngrim (Nellie Oleson/Dalton) and Jonathan Gilbert (Willie Oleson).
3 The c.2014 HD remaster of this episode, as used for the most recent set of US DVDs (and probably the Blu-rays and downloads), is missing a sequence running 28s at 44:05 where Sandy Kennedy starts to read his essay, and the first part of the subsequent shot of people leaving the school.
4 Jonathan Gilbert is the brother of Melissa Gilbert (who plays Laura).
5 Uncredited on episode's titles.
Mary and Laura begin school at Walnut Grove and meet their schoolmistress, Miss Beadle. While Caroline learns how to deal with Harriet Oleson, the supercilious owner of the local store, Laura learns how to deal with the Olesons' spoiled daughter, Nellie. When all the children have to write a speech for a school open day, Laura suffers from writer's block, but on the day she rises to the occasion by reciting her composition straight from memory.
Nellie's "count-ree girls" always bugged me a bit because she acted like they were a minority and an anomaly. But weren't ALL the girls in Walnut Grove – aside from Nellie – country girls? (Anosmia)
Pa asks for credit in A Harvest Of Friends and is told no, and stomps out. In the VERY NEXT episode, Country Girls, Laura is buying the slate but doesn't have enough for the pencil and when Nels offers to give the pencil to her, Laura says, "Oh, no. Cash on the barrelhead. Pa makes that a strict rule." Yeah, since last week. And then of course [in] The Richest Man In Walnut Grove – the first show of season two … he's back to whining for credit. (prairiegirl)
It would have been funny if Nels had given an eye-roll at this. Nels must have been privy to most of Walnut Grove's vices. You have Pa being a hypocrite about credit (and you make a good point on that), and Mr Edwards buying alcoholic cough syrup (and they had various cocaine- and opium-based OTC concoctions back then, too). Not to mention Nels had the only lingerie catalog in town, when Willie wasn't using it... (awomanawoman)
Re: the inappropriate laughing/etc. that was caught onscreen... the main one I was thinking about was in Country Girls (I never would have noticed it except that MG talked about it in one of her interviews), when Ma is showing them the fabric for their dresses and Laura reaches out to touch it, Mary slaps her hand away. MG said it was a REAL slap and it HURT, and you can see that her initial reaction is... she's so surprised that she almost starts to laugh, then catches herself. (coffeemom)
Episode# 1.03 (4)
Written by Ward Hawkins
Directed by William F. Claxton
Broadcast September 25, 1974, NBC / Production #1003
Guest Stars: Don Knight (Jack Peters), Richard O. Hurst (Jacob Jacobsen). Co-Starring: Celia Kaye1 (Willa Sweeney) and Eve Brent (Elma Jacobsen), Bill Zuckert (Tom Cassidy), Lance Kerwin (Danny Peters), Dee Anne (Peggy Peters), Terry Lumley (Connie Faraday), Joe Haworth (Williams), Max Power (Konig). Ruth Foster (Mrs. Foster)2, Clay Greenbush3 (School Kid)4, Martha Manor (Townswoman)4.
1 aka Celia Milius.
2 Uncredited on episode's titles.
3 Clay Greenbush is the brother of Lindsay and Sidney Greenbush (who play Carrie).
4 Uncredited on episode's titles; these entries have been taken from the Internet Movie Database and have not been verified.
A hailstorm ruins most of the Ingalls' wheat crop. Charles is forced to leave home and take some quarry work called "double jacking", an alarming drilling procedure with sledgehammers that leaves no room for error. Later, one of Charles' workmates, Jack Peters, is killed in a blasting accident. Meanwhile, back In Walnut Grove, Caroline takes charge and gets the women and kids to join forces and harvest the remaining crop. On returning home, it is left to Charles to break the news of Jack Peters' death to his wife and son.
What bugs me is the other guy that Pa befriends, the one that becomes his partner ... in the Quarry of Explosive Death. He obviously lived en route to the Ingalls' home, and they were close enough to town that his pregnant wife picked up the mail in WG. Yet, Pa had never seen the guy before!
However, I do get misty-eyed when Pa is at the camp and he is talking about home and what his little girls would be doing at that time (which is apparently finishing up dinner and getting ready for bed in the middle of the day). (Shakespearette)
Episode# 1.04 (5)1
Written by Joel Murcott
Directed by Michael Landon
Broadcast October 2, 1974, NBC / Production #1004
Guest Star: Victor French (Mr. Edwards). Co-Starring: Bonnie Bartlett (Grace Snider)2 and Robert Swan (Bartender), Lloyd "Sunshine" Parker (Driver). Ruth Foster (Mrs. Foster)3.
1 The apostrophe is in the wrong place on this episode's title, but that is how it is done on the credits.
2 This is the first episode for Bonnie Bartlett as Grace Snider/Edwards.
3 Uncredited on episode's titles.
In Mankato, Charles encounters an old friend, Isaiah Edwards, in the middle of a drunken bar brawl. He takes him back to Walnut Grove and gets him work at the town mill. While helping Laura overcome tonsillitis, Edwards falls for the postmistress, a widow named Grace Snider – a relationship which is encouraged by Charles and Caroline. However, the courting pair first has to resolve a disagreement over their religious views after Edwards reveals he doesn't believe in God. But a quiet word from Caroline makes Edwards change his outlook.
Episode# 1.05 (6)
Written by Gerry Day
Directed by William F. Claxton
Broadcast October 9, 1974, NBC / Production #1005
Guest Star: Mitch Vogel (Johnny Johnson). Alison Arngrim (Nellie Oleson), Jimmy McNichol (Harry Baker), Tracie Savage (Christy Kennedy). Jonathan Gilbert1 (Willie Oleson)2, Clay Greenbush3 (School Kid)4, Cindy Moore (Tall Schoolgirl)4.
1 Jonathan Gilbert is the brother of Melissa Gilbert (who plays Laura).
2 Uncredited on episode's titles.
3 Clay Greenbush is the brother of Lindsay and Sidney Greenbush (who play Carrie).
4 Uncredited on episode's titles; these entries have been taken from the Internet Movie Database and have not been verified.
Laura has a crush on a new boy in school named Johnny Johnson but he only wants to be her platonic friend. Conversely, he is attracted to Mary but she has no interest in him. Laura's jealousy leads to an argument between the two sisters, and they fall out. Eventually Charles explains to Laura that someday she, like Mary, will have many beaus vying for her.
Note, trivia fiends, that the second violin piece that Charles plays near the start of the episode is actually the series' closing theme, much slowed down.
Episode# 1.06 (7)
Written by Harold Swanton
Directed by Victor French
Broadcast October 23, 1974, NBC / Production #1006
Guest Stars: Josephine Hutchinson (Amy Hearn), Ruth McDevitt (Maddie). Co-Starring: Henry Olek (Father Gorman), Betty Lynn (Bridget), Brett Parker (Sean), Herman Poppe (Andy) and Janice Carroll (Mother), Robin Muir (Maureen). Ruth Foster (Mrs. Foster)1, Sean Marshall (Boy Feigning Sickness)2.
1 Uncredited on episode's titles.
2 Uncredited on episode's titles; this entry has been taken from the Internet Movie Database and has not been verified.
Amy Hearn, an elderly woman, feels lonely after the death of her closest friend and is convinced that her relatives will only bother to next show up when she dies. She enlists the help of Charles and Doctor Baker in faking her own death and subsequently making a surprise appearance at her own wake – where she chides her assembled family for not visiting her more often.
During the scene where Amy Hearn is talking to Charles and Doctor Baker in her bedroom, the doctor takes his glasses off, but when the shot changes, they are suddenly back on again, then off again.
Episode# 1.07 (8)
Written by Juanita Bartlett
Directed by Alf Kjellin
Broadcast October 30, 1974, NBC / Production #1007
Co-Starring: Kim Richards (Olga Nordstrom), Jan Merlin (Jon Nordstrom), Maya Van Horn (Helga Nordstrom), Alison Arngrim (Nellie Oleson), Tracie Savage (Christy Kennedy), Michelle Christie (Cassie), Jonathan Gilbert1 (Willie Oleson). Cindy Moore (Tall Schoolgirl)2.
1 Jonathan Gilbert is the brother of Melissa Gilbert (who plays Laura).
2 Uncredited on episode's titles; this entry has been taken from the Internet Movie Database and has not been verified.
Olga, a girl crippled from birth with one leg shorter than the other, is teased by Nellie and left out of the other kids' games. Olga's surly father would rather withdraw the girl completely from society, but Charles helps out by making her a special orthopedic shoe to compensate for her short leg. When Olga's father sees her playing happily with the other children, he is forced to revise his attitude.
When Mary goes to get Laura at the creek near the beginning of the episode, Mary's hair is hanging down and parted down the middle. When they walk into the house, Mary's hair is pulled back in a barrette. (HYPER)
And why couldn't Olga have gone wading? That never made any sense to me. Maybe she couldn't have kicked as much water at Nellie as the others, but crippled people can get wet too. (shmeep)
Episode# 1.08 (9)
Written by Dale Eunson
Directed by Leo Penn
Broadcast November 6, 1974, NBC / Production #1010
Guest Star: Victor French (Mr. Edwards). Co-Starring: Bonnie Bartlett (Grace Snider), Olive Dunbar (Saleslady) and Norma Connolly (Mrs. Kirkwood), Walter O. Miles (Man at Theatre). June Foray (Girls' Voices in Play)1.
1 Uncredited on episode's titles; this entry has been taken from the Internet Movie Database and has not been verified.
While on a holiday with Charles in Mankato, Caroline can't help worrying about what's happening back home in Walnut Grove where Mr. Edwards is finding that looking after three energetic little girls is not as easy as it seems. But, in the end, Mr. Edwards' impromptu mix of wild play and tall tales proves highly popular with the girls (although they are less keen on his rattlesnake stew).
At around 12 minutes in, Edwards drops some dessert down Carrie's front. By the next shot it has gone. (Steve)
Episode# 1.09 (10)
Teleplay by Ward Hawkins, story by Jean Rouverol
Directed by William F. Claxton
Broadcast November 13, 1974, NBC / Production #1011
Guest Stars: Dirk Blocker (Abel Makay), Kelly Thordsen (Baker Makay). Alison Arngrim (Nellie Oleson), Tracie Savage (Christy Kennedy), Jimmy McNichol (Harry), Jonathan Gilbert1 (Willie Oleson), Robert Hoffman (Sandy Kennedy). Cindy Moore (Tall Schoolgirl)2.
1 Jonathan Gilbert is the brother of Melissa Gilbert (who plays Laura).
2 Uncredited on episode's titles; this entry has been taken from the Internet Movie Database and has not been verified.
When Miss Beadle is injured and ordered to rest, Caroline Ingalls takes over as substitute teacher and takes a special interest in helping an older student, Abel Makay, learn to read. When Mrs. Oleson's derision causes Abel to walk out of school, Caroline and the students both "resign" and refuse to return until the boy comes back and gives things a second chance.
This story seems to drag a bit. And would the kids really give a toss whether Makay attended school or not?
There's a rather odd editing mistake at the end of the episode, where the shot of Dirk Blocker putting down his sheet of paper and starting to clap is repeated. (Steve)
Right at the end of the episode, Caroline leaves the school and closes the door behind her. As she strides away when the shot changes, it is open again.
Episode# 1.10 (11)1
Written by Joseph Bonaduce
Directed by William F. Claxton
Broadcast November 20, 1974, NBC / Production #1013
Featuring: Alison Arngrim (Nellie Oleson), Tracie Savage (Christy Kennedy), Robert Hoffman (Sandy Kennedy), Jonathan Gilbert2 (Willie Oleson). Cindy Moore (Tall Schoolgirl)3.
1 Contrary to popular belief, "Racoon" is a legitimate alternative spelling of "Raccoon".
2 Jonathan Gilbert is the brother of Melissa Gilbert (who plays Laura).
3 Uncredited on episode's titles; this entry has been taken from the Internet Movie Database and has not been verified.
After her doll gets broken, Laura adopts a baby raccoon, that she names Jasper, as a substitute. Pa doesn't really want a wild animal around the house but, under pressure, agrees to Laura keeping it in the barn. However, the raccoon bites Laura and then runs away. Doctor Baker confirms the family's fear that Laura might be incubating rabies... until Jasper eventually returns and is adjudged rabies-free.
Pa goes out in the middle of the night to check on Jack, sporting his suspenders with no shirt ensemble. Assuming he was wearing a nightshirt in bed, why would he change into trousers and suspenders just to go out in the yard? It's almost as if Landon wanted to show off his body on purpose! (Tim McD)
Episode# 1.11 (12)
Written by Tony Kayden and Michael Russnow
Directed by Leo Penn
Broadcast December 4, 1974, NBC / Production #1012
Guest Stars: Chuck McCann (Tinker Jones), Wayne Heffley (Mr. Kennedy). Co-Starring: Eileen Ryan (Mrs. Kennedy). Featuring: Jim Jeter (Hans Dorfler), Alison Arngrim (Nellie Oleson), Tracie Savage (Christy Kennedy), Jimmy McNichol (Harry). Jonathan Gilbert1 (Willie Oleson)2, Ruth Foster (Mrs. Foster)2, Robert Hoffman (Sandy Kennedy)3, Cindy Moore (Tall Schoolgirl)3, Sean Penn (Kid)3.
1 Jonathan Gilbert is the brother of Melissa Gilbert (who plays Laura).
2 Uncredited on episode's titles.
3 Uncredited on episode's titles; these entries have been taken from the Internet Movie Database and have not been verified.
Town opinion becomes sharply divided when Mrs. Oleson offers to buy a bell for the church on the condition that she is permitted to put up a plaque crediting herself. Hurt by the disagreement, which he feels he caused, Reverend Alden resigns. The situation is saved when a local tinker steps in and forges a bell helped by the local children who even donate some of their toys to ensure there is enough metal.
Ah, Tinker Jones, who Rev. Alden says "never misses a Sunday" at church. Except for every single Sunday before and after this episode. (jird)
Nice idea, but bells need to be made of particular alloys in order to give a good ringing sound. Just chucking any metal into a pot – including a lot of lead, which featured in kids' toys a lot back then – would give the bell more of a thud than a ring. Also, I love the way the bell comes straight out of the mold with a shiny finish. (Steve)
Episode# 1.12 (13)1
Written by Michael Landon
Directed by William F. Claxton
Broadcast December 11, 1974, NBC / Production #1014
Featuring: Alison Arngrim (Nellie Oleson), Ruth Foster (Mrs. Foster). Jonathan Gilbert2 (Willie Oleson)3, Cindy Moore (Tall Schoolgirl)4, Victor French (Mr. Edwards)5.
1 Michael Landon was supposed to have a larger role in this episode but had been hospitalized with spinal meningitis at the time of shooting.
2 Jonathan Gilbert is the brother of Melissa Gilbert (who plays Laura).
3 Uncredited on episode's titles.
4 Uncredited on episode's titles; this entry has been taken from the Internet Movie Database and has not been verified.
5 Uncredited on episode's titles. Only appears in long-shot, possibly a double.
While studying for a test – for which the prize is a deluxe dictionary – Mary accidentally knocks over an oil lamp in the barn and starts a fire. Caroline, livid with her, punishes Mary by forbidding her from taking the test. Caroline eventually realizes she has over-reacted and mother and daughter are reconciled.
I just watched The Award. I really disliked the ending. Prisspot [Mary] lied so much about so many things in that episode, and Ma apologizes to HER at the end? If Laura had burnt down the barn, and then lied, her butt would have been black and blue. (Brad80)
Ma is the one who is made to feel guilty. And Mary manages to look like she is being wrongfully punished. And even manages to make Ma feel bad for punishing her.
Unfortunately, this is the first of MANY episodes where Mary screws up and everybody else is made to feel bad for daring to be mad at her. (kathyjo27)
Episode# 1.13 (14)1 – 2 hours
Written by Michael Landon
Directed by Michael Landon
Broadcast December 18, 1974, NBC / Production #1008
Guest Stars: Ernest Borgnine (Jonathan), Victor French (Mr. Edwards). Co-Starring: Bonnie Bartlett (Grace Snider), Bill Cort (Dr. Mayo) and Jim Jeter (Hans Dorfler), Laurie Lusher (Nurse). Ruth Foster (Mrs. Foster)2, Larry Moran (Boy)3.
1 The c.2014 HD remaster of this episode, as used for the most recent set of US DVDs (and probably the Blu-rays and downloads), is missing a sequence running 50s at 32:09 where Caroline and the baby join Charles on the wagon, and all depart as Laura looks on.
2 Uncredited on episode's titles.
3 Uncredited on episode's titles; this entry has been taken from the Internet Movie Database and has not been verified.
Laura is jealous of the attention Charles shows his newborn son. When the baby becomes gravely ill and dies, Laura feels guilty about her attitude and runs away high into the mountains to pray for a miracle to bring the boy back. There she meets an angel-like figure, Jonathan, who looks after her. After a frantic search, Charles finds the girl safe and sound, but Jonathan has now mysteriously vanished into thin air...
The church/school doesn't have Tinker Jones' bell installed. Was this episode filmed before The Voice Of Tinker Jones?
I always thought the bottle-feeding was weird, too. Even if baby Ingalls had a breast milk allergy (highly doubtful), Ma wouldn't know that for weeks. She was bottle-feeding him from day one. I think it was just representative of the modern day mores (when the show was filmed); it wasn't proper to show or even imply breast-feeding then. (Mugsy)
How come everybody dresses up for church except Charles, who appears to attend in his union suit/combinations? (Steve)
I live in Iowa, and have driven through more of Southern Minnesota than I ever care too. … It looks NOTHING like what is portrayed on "Little House". It's actually kind of a bleak area – few towns, some rolling hills, not many trees. Remember the episode when Laura goes up to the "mountains" to be near God when her brother dies? I laughed my ass off! I wonder if Minnesotans were ever kind of offended that there were so few attempts to maintain continuity. Yeah, you can only do so much when working with a natural landscape, but they could have been less blatant about it. (eejm)
But love the ending with Pa carrying Laura back down the mountain – hey, Pa – she climbed up the friggin' mountain, she can sure as hell walk down. (prairiegirl)
Episode# 1.14 (15)
Written by Arthur Heinemann
Directed by William F. Claxton
Broadcast December 25, 1974, NBC / Production #1015
Featuring: Alison Arngrim (Nellie Oleson), Queenie Smith (Mrs. Whipple), Ruth Foster (Mrs. Foster).
It's Christmas and Laura wants to buy something expensive for her mother but has to come up with a way to get enough money. The girl settles on a new stove on sale in the mercantile but, to pay for it, she has to sell her pony, Bunny, to the Olesons. However, Charles has his eye on the exact same present! Meanwhile, Mary makes her father a new shirt in secret. Even little Carrie uses her only penny to buy a special decoration to crown the Christmas tree.
Bunny the horse varies between a "him" and "her" over this episode. Compare the opening scene versus when Nels takes the horse near the end.
Melissa Sue Anderson's "And I sewed her how I could show" fluff was apparently unintentional, but all the players continued with the scene, so it stayed in.
I love how all the other character who can speak English have to act as interpreter to Carrie's lines in this Christmas episode. First Carrie says, "Wwhhhahhh greos-mas," which, oddly enough, meant, "What's Christmas?" according to Pa. By the way I liked Pa's version of this Christmas story much better than his bizarre self-righteous recitation from the New Testament next Christmas.
Anyway then her next line I can't even attempt to try to tell you what she said but Pa said, "Yes Carrie, it IS cold," so I assume she must have made some comment on the weather.
Then Mr. Olsen mercifully guides Carrie through the purchase of the star which would have been a complete disaster otherwise:
Carrie: Caaahhh! Peh.
Nels: Oh, Carrie you have a penny!
Carrie: Baa!
Nels: And you want that star! Ok let me get it for you.
Then there was something about Saanna Cwasu come dooo chenmmm-ee. Thankfully Pa was there to explain to us that Carrie was worried Santa would get burned up in the fire if he came down the chimney. A valid concern which actually shows more foresight than we've ever seen from this child before or will since.
Finally we get the classic "Happy biwthday baby Jesus" which I'm sure took about 200 takes to get it intelligible enough so that someone in the family didn't have to repeat it and lessen the impact. (becky14624)
When Pa goes to the mercantile on Christmas Eve to sell the wheels and buy the stove, why oh why didn't Mr. Oleson tell him that he and Laura had made a deal, and she was getting Ma the stove? Laura had asked him to keep this a secret, which he did, but at this point I do not believe he would have been betraying her trust by telling Pa the plan. Then Pa wouldn't have been so disappointed about it not being available, and he could have avoided the obvious shock on Christmas morning, and maybe he would have considered purchasing another gift for Ma or the family with his wheel $$. (Shakespearette)
Mary is given this terrifying fox stole, that looks like she just has the whole fox around her shoulders. Even as an adult, that thing gives me the chills. Of course, we never see Mary wearing that stole again, not that I don't blame her. (alegtostandon)
I love that Ma had to hide her shirt for Pa behind the tree so I'mSoPerfectMary can give the shirt she made instead. What was wrong with him getting two shirts exactly the same? It's not like they had tons of money to waste on new shirts. (prairiegirl)
I love Christmas At Plum Creek. Even though it was obviously filmed during summer, at least the characters are dressed for the biting Minnesota cold and there's no voice over from Laura at the beginning saying, "If I had a remembrance book, I would write about my first Christmas at Plum Creek and how unseasonably warm it was. Oh, and I traded my pony for a stove for Ma. Mary got an ugly coat we all pretended to like. Carrie thinks God's son is someone called Baby Cheezit."
Seriously, when Ma says, "Oh, but she loves that pony!" and Pa tells her, "She loves you more," my heart grows three sizes. I just wonder what happened to the second stove Pa ordered. Did Nels give him back the cash so that he could put it on a barrel so that he and his family wouldn't have to be wearing barrels? (mmecorday)
I always notice the silver star that Carrie wants to buy, because it is so obvious that it is covered with modern-day aluminum foil (think Reynolds Wrap). I don't think that type of foil was in use until the early 1900s (it was first used mainly for wrapping candies and such. Google to the rescue!) The foil that they would be using during Laura's time would still be very thin sheets of tin. Which reminds me: has anyone ever made a complete list of anachronisms in the show (other than the obvious 70s-style 'dos, that is)? (BooksRule)
Episode# 1.15 (16)
Written by Ward Hawkins
Directed by William F. Claxton
Broadcast January 15, 19751, NBC / Production #1017
Guest Stars: Richard Bull (Mr. Oleson), Katherine MacGregor2 (Mrs. Oleson). Featuring: Ruth Foster (Mrs. Foster), Alison Arngrim (Nellie Oleson), Jonathan Gilbert3 (Willie Oleson).
1 Doctor's Lady was billed erroneously for this date in a few areas in original listings.
2 aka Scottie MacGregor.
3 Jonathan Gilbert is the brother of Melissa Gilbert (who plays Laura).
The Olesons quarrel – Nels walks out on Harriet and goes to live in a hotel. Reverend Alden tries to act as peacemaker to bring the two back together, but fails, as does a plan by Dr. Baker and Mr. Hanson. However, Charles and Caroline Ingalls are separately able to make both Olesons see what they are losing, and the pair are reconciled. Once reunited, it isn't long before the couple settle back into their bickering ways.
Oddly enough, I really liked the episode last night where the Olesons are fighting and talking about divorce. I don't enjoy the fighting, but the scene where they make up is awesome. Kate MacGregor and Richard Bull were so stereotyped in those roles, and usually you didn't get to see other sides to them. I loved seeing a little bit of the real relationship they had and that they really actually had a good marriage in spite of the way it seemed at times. I always liked when we would get to see the softer side of Harriet. (doxieMama)
I just watched this today. Some of the earlier episodes were just much better all around after watching the later years. Of course, we really have Ma and Pa to thank for making them realize they belonged together. Pa is also a marriage counselor. Is there ANYTHING Charles Ingalls CAN'T do (besides grow a successful crop)? (Tinker Jones)
Episode# 1.16 (17)
Teleplay by Arthur Heinemann, story by Arthur Heinemann and Ann Beckett
Directed by Lewis Allen
Broadcast January 22, 19751, NBC / Production #1016
Guest Stars: Anne Archer (Kate Thorvald), Kevin Hagen (Dr. Baker). Featuring: Douglas Dirkson (Mr. Olafsen), Bea Morris (Mrs. Olafsen), Steven Kunze (Olafsen Boy). Hal Burton (Townsman on Horse)2, Ruth Foster (Mrs. Foster)3.
1 This episode was billed erroneously for January 15, 1975, in a few areas in original listings.
2 Uncredited on episode's titles; this entry has been taken from the Internet Movie Database and has not been verified.
3 Uncredited on episode's titles.
The Olesons' niece, Kate Thorvald, comes to visit from Chicago and she and Doctor Baker fall in love and then get engaged. However, they both become increasingly aware of the age difference between them, and they reluctantly decide to end their May-to-December relationship, and Kate returns to Chicago.
What I couldn't understand was what the big deal was about the age difference. I thought it was quite common for much older men to marry young women back then; and by prairie standards, Katie really wasn't that young. Anne Archer was 27 when she played Katie; and I think in prairie years, life expectancies weren't that high. (Quag)
What were those straining, grimacing contorted faces he was making as that poor woman delivered her baby? Either he was brutally trying to rip the baby from her, or he was really enjoying the view, and I'm not sure which I'd find more disturbing. (Mussel Bound)
Episode# 1.17 (18)
Teleplay by Michael Landon, story by William Keys and Michael Landon
Directed by William F. Claxton
Broadcast January 29, 19751, NBC / Production #1019
Guest Stars: Victor French (Mr. Edwards), Matt Clark (Eric Boulton). Co-Starring: Robert Foulk (Peterson), Bill Quinn (Carl Harper), Ivy Bethune (Alice Harper). Featuring: Helen Clark (Sylvie Boulton), Bradley Greene (Paul Boulton), Leslie Landon2 (Leslie). Alison Arngrim (Nellie Oleson)3, Jonathan Gilbert4 (Willie Oleson)3.
1 Sources (e.g. Epguides) which list Circus Man for this date would seem to be incorrect.
2 Leslie Landon is the daughter of Michael Landon.
3 Uncredited on episode's titles.
4 Jonathan Gilbert is the brother of Melissa Gilbert (who plays Laura).
Walnut Grove is swept by a devastating outbreak of typhus and all families are quarantined to their houses. Charles helps Doctor Baker and Reverend Alden form a makeshift hospital in the church. Mr. Edwards is brought in sick, but something he says helps Charles and Doc Baker track down the source of the disease – rat-infested cornmeal.
Loved it when Pa and Doc Baker open the shed and discover rats! in the cornmeal! because they wouldn't ever run across the road to Hanson's mill to hit on the flour! or scurry outside the barn at all for any reason. Funny how the rats were all over that cornmeal when they opened the shed, but had the foresight to hide whenever someone came to buy a sack. (Neko)
Damnit, I'm missing the rat scene. I love the fat rat somersaulting down the bag of grain. Poor Templeton. I especially like Doc Baker's scenery-chewing delivery of, "Burn this place to the ground," whilst the David Rose Violins of Terror begin screeching. (MsLawDawg)
"Burn this place to the ground!" As if that will kill the rats. Hm, no, they'll flee as rats do to all other parts of Walnut Grove to wreak typhus havoc there. (PrincessLuceval)
Episode# 1.18 (19)
Teleplay by Ward Hawkins, story by Preston Wood and Ward Hawkins
Directed by Victor French
Broadcast February 5, 19751, NBC / Production #1018
Guest Star: Red Buttons (O'Hara).
1 Sources (e.g. Epguides) which list Plague for this date would seem to be incorrect.
A traveling circus man, O'Hara, comes to stay with the Ingalls and attempts to convince everybody that he has magic healing remedies. Mrs. Oleson's life is placed in peril when she lets O'Hara treat her appendicitis. Laura, too, has to learn a lesson when she believes O'Hara has cured an injured Jack the dog.
What bothered me about the ep was that for all Doc Baker's huffing and puffing, he himself never went to Mr. O'Hara to tell him to quit trying to peddle his "magic powders". Doc went off on Pa, Nels, Mr. Hanson, and anyone who would listen. The circus man was right there. Why didn't Doc just man up and tell him himself? (Quag)
And I love how all the tertiary townsfolk stood vigil while Harriet had her appendix removed. By Doc Baker. The same Doc Baker, I presume, who couldn't do the same operation on that kid several seasons later, so he died? (charlieboo)
Near the end where Mr. O'Hara is telling Laura that he didn't "make Jack well", when it shows Laura from the front both her braids are in front of her shoulders and when it shows her from the back, she has one braid in front and one in back. It keeps flipping back and forth between those two cuts. Then later during that same conversation between Laura and O'Hara, when you see her from the front, she only has one braid in front but it's the opposite braid from what you see when it shows her from the back. (HYPER)
Episode# 1.19 (20)1
Written by John Meston
Directed by Victor French
Broadcast February 12, 1975, NBC / Production #1020
Guest Star: Harris Yulin (John Stewart). Co-Starring: Johnny Lee (Graham Stewart), Wayne Heffley (Mr. Kennedy). Featuring: Alison Arngrim (Nellie Oleson), Jonathan Gilbert2 (Willie Oleson). Ruth Foster (Mrs. Foster)3.
1 The c.2014 HD remaster of this episode, as used for the most recent set of US DVDs (and probably the Blu-rays and downloads), is missing part of a sequence, running 57s at 20:34, where Graham Stewart is at the Ingalls' cabin.
2 Jonathan Gilbert is the brother of Melissa Gilbert (who plays Laura).
3 Uncredited on episode's titles.
Teacher Miss Beadle brings in a boy, Graham Stewart, to see Dr. Baker. They discover the boy is being beaten by John, his alcoholic father, but the town council is powerless to act. After a particularly brutal incident, John breaks down and accepts he needs help. Graham goes to live with Caroline and the girls while Charles stays alone with John and manages the difficult task of drying him out.
At the very end of this episode when Pa, Ma, Graham, and the girls run outside to meet Graham's father, Mary is wearing a different outfit than she had on while she was inside. (Jennifer M)
Episode# 1.20 (21)
Teleplay by Ward Hawkins, story by John Meston
Directed by Leo Penn
Broadcast February 19, 1975, NBC / Production #1021
Guest Stars: Alan Fudge (Joseph Coulter), Art Lund (Tom Jorgenson). Co-Starring: Julie Cobb (Trudy Coulter), Wayne Heffley (Mr. Kennedy), John Alderson (Henry Holbrook), Lew Brown (Leadbettor), Ted Gehring (Ed Stacy). Featuring: John Pickard (Constable), Jocelyn Brando (Woman). Ruth Foster (Mrs. Foster)1, Sean Penn (Kid)2.
1 Uncredited on episode's titles.
2 Uncredited on episode's titles; this entry has been taken from the Internet Movie Database and has not been verified.
Joe Coulter, a newcomer to Walnut Grove, convinces his neighbors to invest in growing a new type of corn. While he is on the way back with the seed that has been ordered, he has an accident and is trapped underneath his wagon. The waiting farmers start to believe Joe has vanished with their money, but Charles is convinced something is wrong, sets out, and eventually manages to rescue him.
Money Crop was on last night, and I learned some things:
1. It is perfectly reasonable to trust a newcomer to town with all of the money you have ever saved, as long as Charles Ingalls approves it.
2. Rocking horses frighten me.
3. If you are pinned underneath a wrecked wagon with little hope of survival, be sure to focus on the important things like yelling at the crows to stay away from your grain.
4. If Mr. Sprague finds your lost horses running down the road, he will have every intention to return them without actually doing that.
5. If you sit on the front steps of the mercantile and complain about your stolen crop, you will be swept off the steps by Mrs. Oleson.
6. Running marathons while heavily pregnant is dangerous.
7. If you cause said pregnant woman to run the marathon, Mr. Hanson will open up a can of whoop ass on you.
8. If you are a young boy riding a horse to tell the menfolk of town that your grain is safely back but the driver was injured, be sure to announce that the driver will be alright before proceeding to actually get the doctor to diagnose and treat him.
9. Beware of towns like WG where your once hostile neighbors voluntarily plow your fields... you most likely will never be seen again. (Shakespearette)
As Coulter's wagon overturns, he is seen briefly without his hat but the hat returns for the next close-up.
Episode# 1.21 (22)
Teleplay by John Hawkins, story by John Hawkins and Preston Wood
Directed by William F. Claxton
Broadcast February 26, 1975, NBC / Production #1022
Guest Stars: Jack Ging (Marshal Anders), Robert Tessier (Jack Lame Horse). Featuring: Carl Pitti (Deputy Hill).
While returning after a trip, the Ingalls are trapped at a remote cabin by an unexpected blizzard. Charles nearly dies while out hunting for food, but he is saved by an Indian, Jack Lame Horse. Meanwhile, a hate-filled marshal, who is hunting the Indian, has taken shelter with Caroline and the girls. When the Indian helps everybody stay alive in the freezing conditions, the marshal sees the error of his ways and lets the Indian go.
Episode# 1.22 (23)1
Written by Gerry Day
Directed by Michael Landon
Broadcast March 5, 1975, NBC / Production #1023
Guest Stars: Victor French (Mr. Edwards), Mitch Vogel (Johnny Johnson), Jane Alice Brandon (Mimi Monroe). Co-Starring: James Griffith (Dandy Davis), Bob Hoy (Ben Slick). Featuring: Hal Bokar (Hector Johnson), Michael Ross (Squint), Jim Boles (Eldred Miller), Olan Soulé (Ticket Agent), Alvin Hammer (Mr. Quint), Leonard Barr (Proprietor), John Hawkins (Fat John).
1 The c.2014 HD remaster of this episode, as used for the most recent set of US DVDs (and probably the Blu-rays and downloads), is missing two sequences. The first, running 45s at 11:58, shows Laura and Mary in bed, talking about seeing the world. The second, running 18s at 22:01, has Johnny Johnson bringing in a steak for Mr. Edwards' black eye.
Johnny Johnson has an argument with his father and leaves home to broaden his horizons accompanied by Mr. Edwards. In Mankato, Johnny's eyes are opened by gambling and loose women, and Mr. Edwards schemes to prevent Johnny losing all his money at the poker table. In the end, Mr. Edwards secretly pays a gold-digger, into whose clutches Johnny has fallen, to persuade him to return home.
Charles: "That's the one thing I like about having girls – you don't have to worry about them running off." Apart from up mountains to meet an angel (see The Lord Is My Shepherd).
Episode# 1.23 (24)1
Teleplay by Ward Hawkins and John Hawkins, story by Byron Twiggs and Ward Hawkins
Directed by William F. Claxton
Broadcast May 7, 1975, NBC / Production #1024
Guest Star: Forrest Tucker (Jim Tyler). Co-Starring: Ann Doran (Helen Tyler), Wayne Heffley (Mr. Kennedy). Featuring: Georgia Schmidt (Mrs. Grandy), Alison Arngrim (Nellie Oleson), Jonathan Gilbert2 (Willie Oleson). Ruth Foster (Mrs. Foster)3, Clay Greenbush4 (School Kid)5, Cindy Moore (Tall Jump Roping Girl [sic])5, Larry Moran (Boy)5, Maggie Munro (Girl)5, Tracie Savage (Christy Kennedy)5.
1 The c.2014 HD remaster of this episode, as used for the most recent set of US DVDs (and probably the Blu-rays and downloads), is missing a sequence running 36s at 35:24 at the start of the chopping contest, with the men taking their places and Hanson explaining the rules.
2 Jonathan Gilbert is the brother of Melissa Gilbert (who plays Laura).
3 Uncredited on episode's titles.
4 Clay Greenbush is the brother of Lindsay and Sidney Greenbush (who play Carrie).
5 Uncredited on episode's titles; these entries have been taken from the Internet Movie Database and have not been verified.
At the Walnut Grove Founder's Day, the whole Ingalls family joins in the fun: Mary enters the skipping contest; Laura, the hoop-rolling; Caroline, the pie-baking; and both Laura and Caroline enter the three-legged race. Charles is partnered against an aging and declining – but rather big-headed — lumberjack called Jim Tyler in the log-chopping contest. Encouraged by Tyler's wife, Charles uses a blunt axe in the final so Tyler can be the victor and keep his self-respect.
The tune being played by the Walnut Grove Brass Band is a Sousa march ("The Washington Post") not composed until many years later (1889).
Last night in my workout class, our instructor had us try jumping rope. About three seconds into it, my only thought was, "How in the hell did Willie and Mary manage to jump rope for 12+ minutes during the Founder's Day competition?" (Shakespearette)
How did Nels just happen to have a change of Charles' clothes in his house? Those certainly weren't Nels' clothes. That was weird. (FineWine)
I just don't understand the whole contest. Two heats, so everyone gets a chance? Where's the sense in that? Tyler clearly won fair and square by being first against the other four, including Charles. It wasn't an endurance contest to see who could chop the most logs. It was a speed contest to see who was quickest. What was the point of making Tyler compete a 2nd time? If they wanted a run-off between the fastest two, just let a second person chop the log in the first round. (charlieboo)
The opening title sequence for Seasons 1 through 7, here as used on Back To School in Season 6.
(NB: Video file 1800kbps – you may not want to play this on a mobile/cell tariff!)
The closing sequence used throughout the series' run.
(NB: Video file 1800kbps – you may not want to play this on a mobile/cell tariff!)
A rare alternative to the usual closing sequence. During Laura's soaring motion near the end, the picture does not freeze as normal. The circumstances of use of this variant are not clear: this was taken from an old print of Family Quarrel but modern copies have reverted to the usual version.
(NB: Video file 1800kbps – you may not want to play this on a mobile/cell tariff!)
1.01 A Harvest Of Friends (2)
1.02 Country Girls (3)
1.03 100 Mile Walk (4)
1.04 Mr. Edwards' Homecoming (5)
1.05 The Love Of Johnny Johnson (6)
1.06 If I Should Wake Before I Die (7)
1.07 Town Party – Country Party (8)
1.08 Ma's Holiday (9)
1.09 School Mom (10)
1.10 The Racoon (11)
1.11 The Voice Of Tinker Jones (12)
