Although Little House on the Prairie ended in 1983 in the US, the series lives on thanks to numerous television reruns. And for many viewers it remains cult as ever. Nonetheless, in recent years actresses have portrayed the fiction, but also the behavior and personality, of Michael Landon, the interpreter of Charles Ingalls who died in 1991. Karen Grasslewho played Caroline Ingalls, confided having a bitter memory of working with the actor, and Alison Arngrim, aka Nellie Oleson, confirmed the allegations in this regard, but brought up some nuances. On his side, Melissa Sue Anderson, who played Marie Ingalls, returned to the “icy atmosphere” between Michael Landon and Karen Grassle and also defended the actor, who has been accused of behaving “dangerously” on set. But what about Melissa Gilbertthe unforgettable interpreter of Laura Ingalls?
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The little house on the prairie : The Secrets of Melissa Gilbert About Michael Landon’s Behavior
During the 2023 Monte Carlo Television Festival, Télé-Loisirs spoke to the actress on the subject to find out how she feels. “I think there were a lot of misunderstandings because I read all the books. I’ve read Karen Grassle’s books, I’ve written my books. I read Alison Arngrim’s book. And I think the press did.” “I did the people who wrote these books, and especially Michael, a real disservice by just telling that side of the story about him. Because actually the stories are very important about everyone,” he began to explain Melissa Gilbertbefore we come back to the character of in more detail Michael Landon, also producer, director and screenwriter of The little house on the prairie. “Michael was a perfectionist. He could be difficult with certain people at times. But back then, in the 1970s, we weren’t as politically correct as we are today. The jokes were much more daring and the environment could be very chauvinistic.” “Grown women. I was just a kid but I saw what was happening… I think the press, especially the European press, just focused on the bad bits instead of paying attention to the weight of what these people might have written.” added the actress, who had an unlikely affair with Tom Cruise.
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Melissa Gilbert talks about the work environment The little house on the prairie It never was”hostile or brutal“
Always very attached to Michael Landon, Melissa Gilbert is grateful that I had the opportunity to meet the actor and work with him on it The little house on the prairie. “I often wonder what Michael Landon would have to say about us and what he would have to say about these times that we are living in. I’m sure he would have evolved and changed if he had the opportunity,” the actress confided. And finally: “As for the work environment, it was never hostile or brutal. Michael just wanted us to do our best. And when we did, he rewarded us with lots of love. We wanted to be great.” He knew how to pull that off. Also, he expected all of us to be professionals so we could get back to our families sooner.”
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