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Little House On The Prairie was an American one-hour dramatic television series that aired on the NBC network from September 1974 until the spring of 1982. During the 1982-83 television season, the series was broadcast with the new title Little House: A New Beginning. (see below).
The show was an adaptation of Laura Ingalls Wilder's best-selling series of Little House on the Prairie books. Michael Landon starred as Charles Ingalls, Karen Grassle played Caroline Ingalls, Melissa Gilbert played Laura Ingalls, Melissa Sue Anderson played Mary Ingalls, and the twins Lindsay and Sidney Greenbush (credited as Lindsay Sidney Greenbush) played Carrie.
Although it deviated from the original books in some respects, the television series, which was set in Walnut Grove, Minnesota during the late 19th century, was (and still is in syndication) one of the few long-running successful dramatic family shows. Although predominately a drama, the program did have some comedic moments, thanks to supporting cast members such as Richard Bull (Nels Oleson), Katherine McGregor (Harriet Oleson), Jonathan Gilbert (Willie Oleson), and Alison Arngrim (Nellie Oleson).
Also appearing in the series were Victor French (Isaiah Edwards), Dabbs Greer (Rev. Alden), Kevin Hagen (Dr. Baker), and Dean Butler (Almanzo Wilder). Michael Landon directed a majority of the episodes, although other people such as Leo Penn and Victor French occasionally took their turn at the director's chair.
A spin-off series of sorts, Little House: A New Beginning, built around star Melissa Gilbert, lasted only one season and aired from September 1982 until March 1983. Three made-for-television movie sequels followed.
Little House on the Prairie was largely filmed on Big Sky Ranch at Simi Valley, California, not in Minnesota. Though camera vistas sometimes pick up the rugged terrain, which is too mountainous for Minnesota, the oak savanna is considered to be representative of the real Walnut Grove. Other television programs such as Gunsmoke and Dukes of Hazzard were produced at the same Big Sky Ranch lot.
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