Michael Landon, Jr. Movies
Live-action filmmaking mixes with imaginative animation in director Michael Landon Jr.'s feature adaptation of author Margery Williams' beloved children's book. An energetic child with a vivid imagination, Toby Morgan (Matthew Harbour) lives with his father (Kevin Jubinville), a successful businessman who seemed to shut down emotionally following the death of Toby's mother. When Toby is sent to spend the Christmas holidays with his loving but stern grandmother (Una Kay), he wanders through the lonely house until he eventually discovers the "magic attic" that was once his father's childhood playroom. There, Toby is surprised to find that his mother left him a stuffed velveteen rabbit -- her final gift to her beloved son. Hugging the rabbit close as he starts to cry, the grieving boy watches in wonder as his tears magically bring the toy to life. Before long, Toby is frolicking in the enchanted attic with a whole new group of friends, including the impetuous Horse (voiced by Tom Skerritt) and the wise but skittish Swan (voice of Ellen Burstyn). Toby's one wish is to spend Christmas with his father, and Rabbit's one wish is to someday hop across the fields as a real rabbit. Later, when Toby falls seriously ill, the courageous Rabbit helps him to win over his grandmother and make a full recovery. When Toby's father returns in time for Christmas, the power of the young child's love grants the Velveteen Rabbit its one true wish. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Matthew Harbour, Tom Skerritt, (more)
The love saga winds to a close as Belinda (Sarah Jones) takes on a new responsibility while accepting guidance from the place she least expected it. Female doctors are a rarity in the old west, but Belinda has carved out an impressive niche for herself in a small, tight-knit Missouri community. Her best friend Annie (Haylie Diff) is about to give birth, and Belinda has agreed to monitor her as she carries the baby to term. But for a woman who has always put science first, Annie's folksy mother-in-law Mary (Patty Duke) isn't always the easiest person to deal with. Experienced nurse maid Mary would rather rely on homeopathic treatments that taking the advice of doctors, and before long the two women are hopelessly at odds over how to handle the pregnancy. Back at home, things aren't any easier; Belinda is having trouble getting pregnant, and it's beginning to have a negative affect on her relationship with her husband (Jordan Bridges). Perhaps if Belinda can finally open up and realize that the solution to her problems isn't always what she thought it would be, she can find a healthy balance between her career and her home life. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sarah Jones, Haylie Duff, (more)
Janette Oke's "Cherished Love" series continues with this tale of a small town physician who relies on her faith and her friends to get her through the hard times. Dr. Belinda Simpson (Sarah Jones) is still grieving the recent death of her husband when she accepts a new post as town physician in Sikeston. Upon arriving in Sikeston, Dr. Simpson finds that the children at the orphanage run by Miss Hattie Clarence (Cloris Leachman) have been stricken with a mysterious ailment. In Dr. Simpson's quest to ensure that no more children fall sick or die, she discovers that the townspeople blame the orphans for infecting the entire town, and would like to see the orphanage shut down completely. When the locals reject Dr. Simpson based primarily on the fact that she's a woman, she falls back on her faith, and her friendships with her best friend Annie (Haylie Duff) and town blacksmith Lee (Jordan Bridges) to win their trust. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
It's been two years since Missie's husband Willie died in a tragic accident, and now after returning to her father's Tettsford Junction ranch the girl who once lost all faith will find new cause to live after adopting a desperate teenage orphan. Compelled to defend her adopted daughter's orphaned brother as well after discovering that his malicious foster parents are woefully mistreating the boy, Missie does her best to ensure the safety of the children while simultaneously attempting to come to terms with her growing affection for the town sheriff. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Erin Cottrell, Dale Midkiff, (more)
Michael Landon Jr. directs this period drama set in 1850s Appalachia and concerning a young girl who carries a crushing burden. Ten-year-old Cadi Forbes' (Liana Liberato) sister has died as the result of a tragic accident, and now the surviving sibling can't help feeling somewhat responsible for her sister's untimely death. Desperate to shake the guilt she feels and absolve her dearly departed kin from her Earthly sins, Cadi seeks out the assistance of the one person rumored to have the power of achieving both goals -- the mysterious Sin Eater (Peter Wingfield). In the midst of her redemptive quest, however, young Cadi uncovers a malevolent secret that threatens to destroy her family and divide her tightknit community. Only after discovering the truth about Jesus Christ and the human condition does Cadi realize that there is only one man capable of providing absolution of sin, and the word of that man can only be found in the Holy Bible. Henry Thomas and Louise Fletcher star in a feature adaptation of the novel by best-selling Christian author Francine Rivers. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Louise Fletcher, Henry Thomas, (more)
A well-meaning but self-centered newspaper columnist learns the importance of placing career before family when her sister dies and she brings her late sibling's five Amish-raised children to live with her in the big city. There was a time when Sarah Cain was one of the city's best-known writers, but these days she seems to have lost her touch. When Sarah's sister Ivy dies and the writer is suddenly saddled with five children who aren't accustomed to city life, her editor urges her to document the unique experience in her column. As a result, Sarah once again finds the success that has eluded her for so long - but her time in the spotlight yields some unexpected consequences. When the children find out that Sarah has exploiting the situation to bolster her readership, they feel so devastated and betrayed that they demand to be placed with a new foster family. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Lisa Pepper, Tom Tate, (more)
An eighteen year old aspiring doctor finds her life suddenly pulled in two opposing directions in this period romantic drama starring Erin Cottrell and Scout Taylor-Compton. Eighteen year old Belinda Tyler (Taylor-Compton) lives in the quiet western town of Anderson Corner. As the turn of the 20th Century draws near Belinda recognizes that she must begin to build her future. While campaigning to convince the local physician to grant her an apprenticeship, Belinda suddenly finds her attentions drifting towards a handsome New York lawyer. Before long Belinda is hopelessly in love with the dashing newcomer, but she knows that all he wants is a traditional family. Is it possible for a girl to have more than one dream in life, and even if so, is it realistic to believe you can truly have everything you ever wanted? ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Erin Cottrell, Dale Midkiff, (more)
Acclaimed author Janette Oke's bestselling series of books comes to life on the screen once again in this, the fourth feature following the continued Westward journey of settlers Missie and Willie Lahaye. Their roots now firmly planted as they set up homestead in the far West, Missie (Erin Cottrell begins to realize her passion for teaching as Willie (Logan Bartholomew) cares for the couple's young daughter Kathy while expanding the family ranch with a little help from sons Jeff (Dre Tyler Bell) and Matthew. When the frontier railroad comes to town, the pleasure of a long-promised visit from Missie's father Clark (Dale Midkiff) is suddenly offset by the tragic death of young Kathy. As the untimely demise of their beloved daughter begins to drive an emotional wedge between Missie and Willie, the devastated father unexpectedly accepts an offer made by the powerful Samuel Doros (John Laughlin) to assume the role of town sheriff. Their faith shaken and their once close-knit bond suddenly torn asunder, Missie and Willie desperately attempt to bring their crumbling family back together as son Jeff faces a series of dangers while hopelessly falling for Doros' beautiful daughter Colette (Mae Whitman). ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Erin Cottrell, Logan Bartholomew, (more)
The third chapter from popular novelist Janette Oke's Love Comes Softly series of books arrives on the screen in a wondrous tale of new frontiers starring Erin Cottrell and Logan Bartholomew. Missie (Cottrell) is pregnant, and it's time that her and husband Willie (Bartholomew) strike out on their own and begin life anew. With their wagon packed full and a plan to make a home for themselves in the west, Missie and Willie say goodbye to Missie's parents and set out on the adventure of a lifetime. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Erin Cottrell, Logan Bartholomew, (more)
Love's Enduring Promise is an adaptation of a series of novels written by Janette Oke. The film stars Katherine Heigl and Dale Midkiff as a pioneer couple who began their relationship out of necessity but see it develop into true love. They must struggle against the elements to keep their farm solvent. His daughter, Missie (January Jones), is a 19-year-old schoolteacher who has two different young men -- Grant Thomas (Mackenzie Astin), a hardworking young man who works for the railroad, and Nate (Logan Bartholomew), a mysterious man who helps out at the family farm -- vying for her affections. A secret from Missie's father's past comes back to haunt the family. The film was directed by Michael Landon Jr., the son of someone with a history of directing family-friendly television about pioneers. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Katherine Heigl, Dale Midkiff, (more)
In the family-entertainment tradition of his multi-talented father Michael Landon, writer/director Michael Landon Jr. offered this made-for-cable frontier drama, adapted from a novel by Janet Oke. En route to her new home in the West, Marty Claridge (Katherine Heigl) suddenly finds herself a widow, with no roof over her head or means to support herself. At the gentle prodding of her settler friends Ben and Sarah Graham (Corbin Bernsen, Theresa Russell), Marty accepts the marriage proposal of taciturn widower Clark Davis (Dale Midkiff). It is strictly a business arrangement, with no romance or cohabitation involved; Marty will act as housekeeper to Davis and as teacher and surrogate mother for Clark's sullen nine-year-old daughter Missy (Skye McCole Bartusiak), and in return she will receive food and lodging. Pragmatists both, Marty and Clark assume that they will dissolve their marriage of convenience when the spring thaw comes...but that isn't how things turn out. Love Comes Softly first aired April 13, 2003, on the Hallmark Channel. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1999
Although actor-director-producer Michael Landon died of pancreatic cancer in 1991, his life and career remained indelibly etched on the collective consciousness of America for many years afterward, as witness this warts-and-all TV biopic written and directed by Michael Landon Jr. Although it is clear throughout that the younger Landon loved and adored his father, the film is unstinting in its depiction of the emotional damage wrought upon the boy when, at age 15, his parents were divorced. In fact, it is the elder Landon's infidelities (and his almost casual selfishness) that galvanize the storyline, creating a schism between father and son that would not be repaired until the two Landons came to terms during Michael Sr.'s long and painful terminal illness. To be fair, the film allows Michael Sr. to score points vis-à-vis his tireless dedication to his work and his sincere efforts to be a loving and protective father to his enormous family. John Schneider is cast as the elder Landon, with Joel Berti as the adult Michael Jr., Cheryl Ladd as his mother (and his dad's second wife) Lynn, and Julie Condra as Michael Sr's third wife Cindy, a makeup artist whom the actor had met on the set of Little House on the Prairie (is it any surprise that Lynn comes off far more sympathetically than Cindy in the context of the film?) Michael Landon, the Father I Knew premiered May 23, 1999 on CBS. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
The television movie Bonanza: Under Attack involves characters made popular in the long-running television western Bonanza. The story involves the dastardly Frank James hiding on the Cartwright family's Ponderosa in order to escape bloodthirsty rogue Pinkerton detectives who want to do more than simply apprehend James. James befriends the Cartwright siblings, and together they stand up to the Pinkertons. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ben Johnson, Michael Landon, Jr., (more)
- 1994
None of the original cast members of the long-running (1959-73) TV western series Bonanza are on hand for the 1993 TV movie Bonanza: The Return. However, Michael Landon Jr., son of the series' "Little Joe," shows up as Joe's son Benj Cartwright; and Dirk Blocker, son of Dan "Hoss" Blocker, has a supporting role as a journalist. One of the Cartwrights in this film is a woman. Her name is Sara Cartwright, and she's portrayed by Emily Warfield. Set in 1905, the descendants of the original Ponderosa bunch take on an evil strip-mining tycoon, played by Dean Stockwell. A well-directed climax aboard a speeding train caps this enjoyable "retro" film. When it was first telecast on November 28, 1993, Bonanza: The Return was preceded by a nostalgic one-hour special devoted to the old series, Back to Bonanza. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ben Johnson, Michael Landon, Jr., (more)
Bonanza: The Movie originally went out as Bonanza: The Next Generation. That title accurately reflected the film's content: death and previous commitments prevented the cast of the original Bonanza TV series of 1959-1973, thus the talent roster of The Next Generation was brand-new. John Ireland took over from Lorne Greene (who signed for this movie, but died before production commenced) as the brother of Greene's character Ben Cartwright. Home from the sea, Aaron Cartwright (Ireland) stupidly turns the drilling rights to the Ponderosa over to those perennial 1980s movie villains, the "evil land developers". It's up to the sons of Adam, Little Joe and Hoss Cartwright to save the ranch (One wonders how the Cartwright boys could have had sons, given the mortality rate of their sweethearts on the old series). Michael Landon Jr., son of the original series' Little Joe, is here cast as Benj. This 1988 Bonanza TV movie sequel was supposed to have been spun off into a weekly syndicated series, but for various reasons this project never came to fruition, despite station clearance and sponsorship in virtually every major market. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
