It's hard to think of a more iconic series than Little House on the Prairie. First broadcast in 1974, the American drama conquered the world by recounting the adventures of a family of American pioneers, the Ingalls, and their three children in the small town of Walnut Grove.
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The parents didn't get on
Series creator Michael Landon, who played Charles Ingalls, the father of the family, married to Caroline, played by Karen Grassle. A memorable duo on screen, but one that didn't get on so well behind the scenes. The actress, now 82 years old, told People:
When I came on the pilot, he was extremely kind and sensitive and a good director and really gave me a chance to find my legs because [TV] was a new medium for me. So I have to say it started out really, really great. It didn't stay great.
She explained how their relationship deteriorated around the second season, and how the worst of it was his crude language during their one-on-one scenes filmed in the bedroom:
I loved playing those scenes where we would talk over whatever the town crisis was and kind of flirt with each other, they were really sweet scenes, but he began to tell filthy jokes while we were sitting there in that bed, and I had nowhere to go.
I was trapped in that little bed in that little room, with men standing all around and there was light just on us. It was so humiliating.
The actress does not only have bad memories, she has also remained on very good terms with certain actors from Little House on the Prairie such as Melissa Gilbert and Dean Butler, who played Laura Ingalls and Almanzo James Wilder respectively, who became husband and wife in the drama.
Melissa Gilbert and Dean Butler reunited at a festival
In the United States, it's almost a tradition: former stars of sitcoms and other TV series regularly take part in meetings with fans. It's a chance for them to sign autographs, recount old memories of filming, but also reunite with some of their former acting partners. This is what happened to Melissa Gilbert and Dean Butler, who met up again at the beginning of April 2024 at the same event. Happy to see each other again after so many years - 42 to be precise - the two actors appeared very close and couldn't resist immortalising the moment together.
Despite the passing years, Melissa Gilbert and Dean Butler, aged 59 and 67 respectively, have retained the traits that made them so popular with viewers. On his Instagram account, the actor wrote:
Still blown away by the turn out that happened at the Little House Festival. So many memories made that will last a lifetime.
Proof that Little House on the Prairie is as important to him as it is to viewers.
This article has been translated from Voici.
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Sources used:
People: 'Little House on the Prairie' 's Karen Grassle on Her Sobriety, Tension with Costar Michael Landon
