Matthew Laborteaux Movies

In the first episode of a two-part story, Dan (John Larroquette) is lured away from the prosecutor's office with a prestigious job at an A-list law firm. But when he realizes that he's been hired only to get his senior partner's son off on a shoplifting charge, Dan accuses his new boss of bribery--whereupon he himself is charged with blackmail and threatened with disbarment! Meanwhile, Roz (Marsha Warfield) and Christine (Markie Post) agree to simultaneously go on a diet. Parts One and Two of "Branded" were later networkcast as a single hour-long episode on March 21, 1990. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

A father's descent into alcoholism is chronicled in this powerful made-for-TV drama. Much of the story centers on the devastating effects that his drinking has on his family. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

Although the NBC television series Little House on the Prairie ran its course in March of 1983, producer/star Michael Landon managed to extend the property's life for an additional year with the aid of three expensively mounted TV-movie sequels. The first of these was Little House: Look Back to Yesterday, in which 19th century farmer Charles Ingalls (Landon) paid a return visit to Walnut Grove. During his stay, Charles learns to his horror that his son Albert (Matthew Laborteaux), a doctor in training, has contacted a blood disease that nearly always results in a slow and painful death. The other citizens are sympathetic, but have problems of their own -- namely, an economic recession that threatens to destroy the community. Of the original cast members, only Karen Grassle (Caroline Ingalls) was conspicuous by her absence, while Victor French pulled double duty as the film's director and in his familiar role of Isaiah Edwards (NBC publicity at the time suggested that Landon himself directed, though all print ads gave credit where credit was due). Look Back to Yesterday first aired on December 12, 1983. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In the first episode of a two-part story, James (Jason Bateman) heads to the Sleepy Eye bank to make a deposit. The bank is robbed and James is shot, leaving him comatose. Seething with grief and rage, James' adoptive father, Charles (Michael Landon), persuades his friend Mr. Edwards (Victor French) to help him track down the outlaws. As they set out on their mission, Charles and Edwards order Albert ( Matthew Laborteaux) to stay behind -- an order he disobeys. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

It has been several months since Charles (Michael Landon) adopted the orphaned James (Jason Bateman) and Cassandra (Missy Francis), and the children are now fully and happily settled in the Ingalls household. This may soon change, however: The youngsters' grand-uncle Jed (E.J. Andre) suddenly materializes and demands custody of the two kids. Backed up by his new-found wealth, Jed may very well have the law on his side -- and, as expected, the ensuing court battle is not a pretty sight. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

In this special 90-minute episode, the first in a two-part story, the Wilders are beset by one calamity after another: A hailstorm destroys their crops, and Almanzo (Dean Butler) suffers a stroke that leaves him semi-paralyzed. Amidst all this strife, Laura (Melissa Gilbert) gives birth to her first child. Assessing the situation, Almanzo's sister, Eliza Jane (Lucy Lee Flippin), invites the young couple to move in with her -- but this hardly brings an end to their troubles. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Still grieving over the death of his son John, Mr. Edwards (Victor French) has begun drinking again. Ordered out of his own home by his long-suffering wife, Grace (played by Corinne Camacho, replacing former series regular Bonnie Bartlett), Edwards returns to Walnut Grove and his friends the Ingalls, hoping to start life anew. Alas, he is unable to give up the bottle, and while drunkenly making a delivery to Sleepy Eye, he causes an accident that seriously injures Albert Ingalls (Matthew Laborteaux). His best friends having all but given up on him, Edwards must regain his inner strength on his own -- though he still has some "special help" from a higher source. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

A pregnant Laura (Melissa Gilbert) insists that she can take care of the Wilders' farm in the absence of her husband, Almanzo (Dean Butler). Unfortunately, the land is hit with a drought, and Laura is felled by a heat stroke. It's up to the local schoolchildren to save the crops -- not to mention Laura's own, carefully tended orchard. The title of this episode refers to the famous fable of the same name, used in the story as a means of instilling maturity in perennial classroom troublemaker Willie Oleson (Jonathan Gilbert). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Snowed in by a Christmas blizzard, the Ingalls family, including married daughters Laura (Melissa Gilbert) and Mary (Melissa Sue Anderson) and their respective husbands, Almanzo (Dean Butler) and Adam (Linwood Boomer), pass the time by telling stories about their lives. Also on hand is family friend Hester-Sue (Ketty Lester), who imparts a fascinating yarn of her own. This episode features excerpts from the 1974 Little House on the Prairie TV-movie pilot. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Nels Oleson (Richard Bull) is kidnapped by two dimwitted amateur crooks, who demand a 100-dollar ransom. When Nels' wife, Harriet (Katherine MacGregor), refuses to pay, the outraged Nels decides to become the leader of the crooks' "gang." Under Nels' less than expert leadership, the two bumblers abduct several other townsfolk, with hilarious results -- almost as hilarious as the scene in which Mr. Oleson pretends to "haunt" his recalcitrant wife. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

J. Brennan Smith is cast as Elmer, a chubby new student at the Walnut Grove school. Mercilessly ridiculed because of his weight, Elmer gravitates to the only person willing to be nice to him -- bratty Nancy Oleson (Allison Balson). In truth, however, Nancy doesn't care a fig about Elmer; she just hopes to use him to her advantage, and to that end she persuades the boy to "get even" with the other kids by becoming the class bully. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi