Little House Little Known Facts

Entertainment 6 Minutes

I like the “little known facts” article that are posted about older television series. I found this one on amomama website.

“Little House on the Prairie” aired for a total of nine seasons until it came to a halt in 1982. Viewers and fans spent their days watching the characters, Laura, Mary, Carrie, and Grace growing up, but avid watchers only noticed some behind the scenes facts.

THE THEME SONG WAS QUITE SIMILAR TO THAT OF ANOTHER SHOW

David Rose, the composer and songwriter of the hit series, was responsible for getting the theme song stuck in the heads of loyal fans. However, the tune is quite similar to that of the show “Bonanza,” which ended a year before “Little House on the Prairie” began. It turns out; Rose is also the man behind the “Bonanza’s” theme song; hence, the close themes. An additional connection between the two shows is Michael Landon, who both starred in “Bonanza” as “Little Joe” and in “Little House on the Prairie” as Chris Ingalls.

A CLOSE DISMISSAL

Hitting their ninth season called for a celebration after the show’s almost cancellation by the time season two aired. NBC decided to move its Wednesday night time slot to Monday nights to gain more ratings. However, come the fourth season, the network was once again debating of having it canceled. Thanks to the show’s good ratings, the management decided not to push through with their initial plan.

THE OLESONS SIBLINGS ARE REAL-LIFE SIBLINGS

If fans ever noticed the last name of the actors who play Willie and Laura Oleson are the same, that’s because they are real-life siblings. Willie, played by Jonathan Gilbert, is the adopted younger brother of Laura, played by Melissa Gilbert. (((I dispute this one—Melissa Gilbert played Laura Ingalls not Laura Oleson.)))

LAURA AND NELLIE WERE REAL-LIFE BEST FRIENDS

While Nellie and Laura started their relationship as enemies, their distinct personalities later brought them together, until forming a good friendship. In fact, Nellie’s bouquet was tossed to Laura during her wedding. In reality, Nellie, played by Alison Arngrim, became close friends with Gilbert and even played games together off-screen, to pass the time on set. The manipulative character Nellie portrayed on screen was nothing close to how she was in real life.

INTENSE ADDICTIONS

As filming can be a pretty tough job that just drains the employees the entire day, many cast and crew members turned to drugs and alcohol for solace and strength; hence, seeing both on set was nothing new. On average, the crew would finish two cases of Coors beer per day, and on hectic days, which they named “three-case days,” they would finish so much more and drown out the stress can after can.

CURSE OF THE CANCER

To say it was a curse may have been just an exaggeration, but unfortunately, several cast members of the show were diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives, with others even passing away.  Among those with the said ailment were Michael Landon, who got pancreatic cancer, Victor French, Kevin Hagen, and Charlotte Stewart, who managed to survive. It is believed that the reason behind the disease was radioactively contaminated materials on set.

MICHAEL LANDON WAS A WORK OF ART – OR SO HE BELIEVED.

Michael had very high praise for his personal physique, making sure that he never passed on an opportunity for his character to appear shirtless for the audience. Sporting tight-fitting prairie trousers, the Pa Ingalls star believed the best way to go was always a natural look; free of cosmetics treatment.

NELLIE OLESON’S CURLS WAS THE RESULT OF A WIG.

The character played by Alison Arngrim sported a unique hairdo of fashionable curls. During the initial weeks of filming the show, Arngrim’s hair was masterfully styled using sausage curls coupled with heating irons. For cost and time efficiencies, it was decided that this hairdo had to be sourced from a wig. The wig had to be held in place by quite a number of hairpins, which, at times, caused Arngrim’s scalp to bleed.

MICHAEL LANDON HUMORED EVERYONE

Michael Landon was dubbed the show’s clown for his antics and constant pranks on the crew and cast members. His humor radiated a light atmosphere during taping, which made the set a little less exhausting.

LAURA AND MANLY’S WEDDING WAS NOT WHAT YOU THOUGHT IT WAS

Although portraying a 17-year-old character in Laura, Melissa Gilbert was described to be an inexperienced 15-year-old, with all the innocence of the world. Her on-screen kiss with the character Almanzo Wilder, played by Dean Butler, was considered only the third time she has ever had a lips-to-lips with a boy, even startling her a bit with his beard stubble.  Romantic scenes were certainly not limited to kissing, as they also had to shoot one in bed. In an attempt to calm Gilbert down, Butler quietly sang the lyrics to “Strangers in the Night,” which resulted in a further unwanted effect. After such, Gilbert requested to limit the characters’ romantic scenes to mere hugs, and cheek pecks.

MICHAEL LANDON WAS NOT A CHRISTIAN

Despite Landon’s Christian-like character on the show, with a Christian message he was trying to get across, the actor was Jewish in real life. The different beliefs were never a setback for Landon as his mother was a Catholic.

MICHAEL LANDON WAS NOT A BRUNETTE

Landon’s perfect brown curls are not so perfect after all; In fact, they aren’t even real. His hair was dyed for the role, which covered up his bottle brunette hair. As he took the job seriously, Landon sought the help of a professional colorist to get the perfect look.

CHEMISTRY BECAME A PROBLEM ON THE SHOW

A growing cause for concern amongst the producers was the lack of sparks exhibited by couples on the show. A memo was circulating highlighting the lack of chemistry between the characters of Laura and Almanzo, a gap which could not be filled even by the actors themselves.  On the other hand, a memo also circulated pointing out the deranged love scenes by the characters of Nellie and Percival. While Steve Tracy (plays Percival) was, indeed, gay in real life, he and Alison Arngrim (plays Nellie) would make passionate on-screen kisses to annoy Melissa Gilbert.

WALNUT GROVE EXISTS

Walnut Grove is, in fact, a beautiful and real place. Laura Ingalls lived there for a while, and Laura Ingalls Wilder, the author of the book, lived in a place called Walnut Grove, Minnesota, when she was a child.

KAREN GRASSLE, WHO PLAYED ‘MA,’ DID NOT ALWAYS USE THE SAME NAME.

Grassle is also known for her stage name, Gabriel Tree. Upon her casting on the show, Michael Landon requested that she use her original name.

THERE WAS MORE THAN ONE CARRIE INGALLS.

In casting the youngest Ingalls daughter, producers had to bear in mind California child labor laws. Rachel and Sidney Bush were only three years of age. In the opening credits, it is Sidney shown running down the hill. Before shooting the scene, it was Rachel in front of the camera.

After the director requested for a “fresh twin,” an unfortunate mistake of lacing up Sidney with opposite pairs on each foot caused her to fall down the running scene. Michael Landon decided that it was too precious to remove from the final sequence.

THE SHOW SERVED AS AN ACTING DEBUT FOR SOME.

13-year-old Sean Penn played an uncredited schoolboy on the said show. With this father, Leo Penn, directing season one’s The Voice of Tinker Jones, Sean had the privilege of being cast, together with his mother.

CHARLES INGALLS HAD A SECRET WEAPON – HIS BOOTS.

With an official height measurement of 5-feet and 9-inches, Michael Landon faced a problem in not wanting any other characters to tower above his own. As a solution, he used 4-inch inserts for his boots, allowing him to gain some height advantage.  And if these insoles didn’t do the trick, Landon made sure his character was standing on something, may it be a ladder, a staircase, or just a bunch of dirt.

THE FOOD WAS ALWAYS DINTY BEEF STEW

A lot of scenes showed the family having dinner. Regardless of what Ma announced as the evening’s main course, whether chicken, rabbit, or squirrel, the correct answer was always Dinty Moore beef stew. You don’t just have to make the audience believe in the story, but with what the characters eat, as well.

CLOTHING WAS A TROUBLE ON SET

Some of the scenes were filmed in Simi Valley, California. A cool day in this place meant the temperature was in the low 90s. This reality became troublesome for some actors given that they were dressed from head to toe in heavy garments; from stockings, coats, and bonnets. Alison Arngrim, who plays Nellie passed out in the heat together with the assistant director.

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Published by pat frederick

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56 thoughts on “Little House Little Known Facts”

  9. TheseTruths
    TheseTruths(@thesetruths)Offline
    Wolf
    November 22, 2023 01:53

    A tweet from “Biden-Harris HQ”:

    Stephen Miller says Trump will invoke a law from the 1700s to mass deport migrants, including minors, without any due process: “This is an extremely powerful tool”

    Stephen Miller says Trump will invoke a law from the 1700s to mass deport migrants, including minors, without any due process: “This is an extremely powerful tool” pic.twitter.com/wzD0NzesST

    — Biden-Harris HQ (@BidenHQ) November 21, 2023

    It’s audio of Stephen Miller reporting that Trump says he would invoke a statute from the John Adams administration that allows deportation of any alien age 14 or older if there is a declared state of predatory incursion or invasion from their country. It waives due process in those cases.

    Liked by 1 person

  14. https://www.9news.com/article/news/local/colorado-ballot-trump-appeal/73-823f4ff2-e726-490a-a468-ed0c96879dc8
    From Burning Bright: Our Take: “President Trump has appealed the ruling by Colorado Judge Sarah Wallace, and I’ve never loved the President more.

    As we discussed Monday, the ruling rubber stamped the J6 Committee Report and affirmed everything the petitioners said as true. It was a horrible ruling for Truth, and President Trump appears to agree. And all the beautiful people said this case didn’t matter. The truth matters.

    According to the Colorado election timeline, the decision on President Trump’s ability to access the ballot in the state will move quickly through the courts, as the primary ballot must be finalized by December 29. It will be interesting to hear the arguments presented during this appeal.

    For the top line issue, accessing the ballot, this ruling was a win. The fact that President Trump is appealing the ruling is proof that there is more going on. It’s going to be a very interesting holiday season. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.” — Ashe in America

    Liked by 2 people

    1. From the optimist: Another Take: “On Truth Social, a prominent Anon advanced the following theory, which is rather encouraging, and logical.

      After all, when the enemy relinquishes a hill on either an Actual or Narrative level, it’s because they’ve been forced out of position. It’s entirely possible the COVID-23 push Anons successfully preempted was Plan A to stealing the 2024 election, which really wasn’t a great plan to begin with.

      Trump appears to be daring the enemy to attempt the steal again, while key mechanisms of their first heist are blocked. He’s passing them through a fissure, and shining a spotlight on the gap.

      In the meantime, the Awakening continues en route to the likely ATTEMPTED steal of 2024, and I have a feeling that, as popular as Trump currently is within the Collective Mind of the anti-collectivist, sovereign population, it’s going to pale in comparison to how firmly he holds the populist zeitgeist on the eve of the next election.

      Retreat is Defeat in the Mind War. The same holds true in the clandestine Shadow War. Change isn’t the friend of the Finite Player on the game board.” — Burning Bright

      Liked by 2 people

  18. Pat…if you’re looking for someone worthy of donations or know someone who is….this guy might be one. Oh, how I wish….come on, PCH!!!

    Liked by 1 person

  21. “Not Sure Which Christian Denomination To Join? Here Are The Pros And Cons Of Each”
    CHURCH · Nov 21, 2023 · BabylonBee.com

    It can be so confusing, trying to figure out which of the 437 Christian denominations you want to join. In fact, scientists believe there are almost as many denominations as there are genders. That’s a lot of different ways to do church! Luckily, we’re here to help you sort through them all. Here are the pros and cons of each of the major Christian denominations:

    Baptist:
    Pro: Potlucks
    Con: Diabetes

    Presbyterian:
    Pro: Majestic old hymns that cause your soul to rejoice in God’s glory
    Con: You are not allowed to move a single muscle while rejoicing in God’s glory

    Lutheran:
    Pro: LCMS
    Con: ELCA

    Catholic:
    Pro: Pope John Paul II
    Con: Pope Francis

    Non-Denominational:
    See: Baptist

    Reformed:
    Pro: Learn the doctrines of grace
    Con: Learning the doctrines of grace somehow makes you an arrogant jerk

    Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church:
    Pro: Positive, uplifting messages
    Con: Hell

    Evangelical Megachurch:
    Pro: Casual “come as you are” mentality
    Con: You are a totally depraved wretch

    Eastern Orthodox:
    Pro: Full, robust beards
    Con: The women have them too

    Charismatic:
    Pro: Hit your step goal 20 minutes into service
    Con: Non-zero chance of getting knocked over by the pastor and/or bitten by a snake

    Anglican:
    Pro: Can have a beer & cigar with your priest
    Con: Decent chance your priest is a drag queen

    Episcopalian:
    See Anglican, but read it in an American accent

    Churches of Christ:
    Pro: No musical instruments
    Con: This means no cowbell 😦

    United Methodist Church:
    Pro: Cool logo on church building
    Con: Rainbow flag on church building

    Unitarian:
    Pro: You can do whatever you want and there’s no God or hell
    Con: Oh no! They’re wrong and now you’re in hell

    That’s it. That’s all the Christian denominations there are. If your favorite denomination isn’t listed, then it does not exist. Hope this helps you pick a church!”

    Liked by 1 person

    1. “Was this a terrorist attack? Yep, did a car bomb just go off on Rainbow bridge (US-Canada border)?

      At least some are starting to calling it a terror attack…

      Now, all four Canada-U.S. bridges over the Niagara River have been closed out of an abundance of caution while the investigation continues…And fatalities have been confirmed in Niagara Falls Rainbow Bridge vehicle explosion…”

      Like

  29. Mass Psychosis
    November 22, 2023 1:51 pm

    Many such cases.

    “A federal jury in Sioux City, Iowa, convicted an Iowa woman today for a voter fraud scheme during the Iowa 2020 primary and general elections.

    According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Kim Phuong Taylor, 49, of Sioux City, perpetrated a scheme to fraudulently generate votes for her husband in the primary election for Iowa’s 4th U.S. Congressional District in June 2020. After Taylor’s husband lost in the primary, he ran for Woodbury County Supervisor in the 2020 general election and Taylor again engaged in ballot fraud, causing absentee ballots to be fraudulently requested and cast. Taylor submitted or caused others to submit dozens of voter registrations, absentee ballot request forms, and absentee ballots containing false information. Taylor completed and signed voter forms without voters’ permission and told others that they could sign on behalf of relatives who were not present.

    The jury convicted Taylor of 26 counts of providing false information in registering and voting, three counts of fraudulent registration, and 23 counts of fraudulent voting. She faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for each count.”

    Woman Convicted for Voter Fraud Scheme
    https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/woman-convicted-voter-fraud-scheme

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Been seeing that on the local news – normally, I FF thru to the weather but this caught my eye so I’ve been watching it. The biggest muckety-muck in IA, evangelical leader Bob Vander Plaats, just endorsed ConRon after the governor did the same. He has a LOT of influence in Iowa!

      Like

  30. “The real conspiracy in the photo is why can’t AI figure out fingers. AI images are creepy as hell…”

    “So this must be what “Elon as an asian man telling the truth about jfk” looks like when put into AI imaging?”

    Like

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