Overlong and maudlin series based upon a series of novels written by Laura Ingalls Wilder , being semi-biographic and freely adapted . It is set in Midwest, Walnut Grove, Minnesota, nineteeth century. An enjoyable drama dealing with Ingalls family formed by parents, Charles : Michael Landon, Caroline : Karen Grassle, and daughters, Laura : Melissa Gilbert, Mary : Melissa Sue Anderson and the smallest daughter played by two little girls : Sidney and Rachel Greenbush, daughters of actor Billy Green Bush .As the family moves to Walnut Grove, as they arrive in Plum Creek where settle on the banks their little house.
It follows their adventures and dramas, surrounding their small house on the prairie, dealing with the children lives from childhood to adulthood. There is a multitude of stories about them, being often narrated by Laura Ingalls : Melissa Gilbert, alter ego of the novel's author, being a very loose rendition . Concerning all kinds of issues , such as poorness, religion, bullying, racism, wildlife with racoon included, alcoholism and other moral stories with usual happy end and tearjerjer. Special mention for the feeling episodes regarding Mary' s eventual blindness that have certain patetism, when she along with her husband Adam run a blind school far from Walnut Grove. There several and important secondary roles as Oleson family formed by the upright father Nels Olson, Grocery's owner : Richard Bull, his gossip and bad wife Harriet : Katherine MacGregor, and their egoistic children, the envious Nelli : Alison Armgrin and Willi : Jonathan Gilbert. Others roles appearing are as follows : the good, friedly reverend : Dabbs Greer, the honrable Doctor Baker : Kevin Hagen, the fine teacher : Charlotte Stewart and, of course, Victor French as Isaiah Edward and Merlin Olsen as Jonathan Garvey . And several guest stars intervening in episodes as Jason Bateman, Jeff Corey, Melora Hardin, Patricia Neal, John Ireland, Kenneth Tobey, James Griffth, Bonnie Barlett, Ray Bolger, Larry Pennell, and many others.
The series was well created by Blanche Hanalis with essention participation by Michael Landon and William F Claxton made a lot of episodes, likewise Landon himself who directed the first chapter, too, after his successful Bonanza. Though Michael Landon left the series in the 8th season then Melissa Gilbert as Laura, Melissa Gilbert, became the main starring along with his husband Almanzo played by Dean Butler.
It follows their adventures and dramas, surrounding their small house on the prairie, dealing with the children lives from childhood to adulthood. There is a multitude of stories about them, being often narrated by Laura Ingalls : Melissa Gilbert, alter ego of the novel's author, being a very loose rendition . Concerning all kinds of issues , such as poorness, religion, bullying, racism, wildlife with racoon included, alcoholism and other moral stories with usual happy end and tearjerjer. Special mention for the feeling episodes regarding Mary' s eventual blindness that have certain patetism, when she along with her husband Adam run a blind school far from Walnut Grove. There several and important secondary roles as Oleson family formed by the upright father Nels Olson, Grocery's owner : Richard Bull, his gossip and bad wife Harriet : Katherine MacGregor, and their egoistic children, the envious Nelli : Alison Armgrin and Willi : Jonathan Gilbert. Others roles appearing are as follows : the good, friedly reverend : Dabbs Greer, the honrable Doctor Baker : Kevin Hagen, the fine teacher : Charlotte Stewart and, of course, Victor French as Isaiah Edward and Merlin Olsen as Jonathan Garvey . And several guest stars intervening in episodes as Jason Bateman, Jeff Corey, Melora Hardin, Patricia Neal, John Ireland, Kenneth Tobey, James Griffth, Bonnie Barlett, Ray Bolger, Larry Pennell, and many others.
The series was well created by Blanche Hanalis with essention participation by Michael Landon and William F Claxton made a lot of episodes, likewise Landon himself who directed the first chapter, too, after his successful Bonanza. Though Michael Landon left the series in the 8th season then Melissa Gilbert as Laura, Melissa Gilbert, became the main starring along with his husband Almanzo played by Dean Butler.