Fans of “Little House on the Prairie” are ecstatic over plans for a new feature-length movie based on the classic TV series. Those who grew up watching the show are no doubt nostalgic to revisit the Ingalls family as they face the trials and tribulations of raising a family in 1880s Minnesota. The film will likely also create new fans among those who are too young to remember the original series.
A rare video clip recently surfaced of the initial screen test between Michael Landon, who played Charles “Pa” Ingalls, and a very young, red-headed girl named Melissa Gilbert. The video highlights the instant connection between the two actors, from the moment the cameras first started to roll, there was no doubt that Gilbert was the perfect choice to play the precocious Laura Ingalls.
The television series aired on NBC from 1974 until 1983 and was based on the books by Laura Ingalls Wilder, which detailed her life growing up on the Midwest frontier. Of course, Gilbert went on to start in various TV, film, and stage productions and even served as president of the Screen Actors Guild.
Despite all of her success, many fans remember her best as the pig-tailed little girl she portrayed in “Little House on the Prairie”. Michael Landon passed away from pancreatic cancer in 1991 at the age of 54. There is no word yet on when the movie will start production or who is being considered to play the iconic roles.