Karen Grassle Movies
Karen Grassle entered the University of California-Berkeley as an English major, but active participation in school plays led her to change her field of interest and to graduate with a BA in drama. Supporting herself with menial jobs, Grassle went on to study in a San Francisco acting workshop, then went to London's Royal Academy of Dramatic Art on a Fulbright scholarship. After acting in regional repertory, Grassle received her first New York break in the 1968 play The Gingham Tree...which lasted all of five performances, but which led to steadier engagements with producer Joseph Papp and several Manhattan-based TV soap operas. Hoping to boost her career, Grassle briefly changed her professional name to Kay Dillinger, claiming to be the illegitimate offspring of the notorious 1930s bank robber (who died ten years before Karen was born!) When she came to LA in 1973 for a never-completed movie project, she was calling herself Gabriel Tree, and it was under this name that she beat out 47 other actresses for the role of Caroline Ingalls in the long-running TV drama Little House on the Prairie (co-star Michael Landon convinced her to revert to her given name). During the nine-year run of Little House, Karen Grassle frequently groused about the limitations of her role, but in recent years she has been seen on TV commercials, warmly endorsing a videotaped collection of the best Little House on the Prairie episodes. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide- 1978
Battered concentrates upon three female victims of spousal abuse. Chip Fields is the new wife of struggling young Levar Burton. Joan Blondell is the alcoholic middle-aged spouse of the equally bibilous Howard Duff. And Karen Grassle (who cowrote the screenplay) is married to Ivy leaguer Mike Farrell. While a bit too cut-and-dried, Battered handles the issues at hand with intelligence and an avoidance of sensationalism. Made for television, the film debuted September 26, 1978. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Karen Grassle, LeVar Burton, (more)
- 1985
Elizabeth Montgomery plays a woman who awakens from a 20-year coma. Her adjustment to the new world around her is made doubly difficult by the knowledge that her long-ago sweetheart has married her sister (Karen Grassle). Worse still, Montgomery learns that her reawakening may be temporary, and that she could lapse back into a coma at any time. Matching Elizabeth Montgomery in the noble-suffering sweepstakes is Dorothy McGuire, cast as Montgomery's mother. Lori Birdsong plays the younger version of Montgomery in the flashback sequences. The made-for-TV Between the Darkness and the Dawn was first networkcast December 23, 1985. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1983
This made-for-TV message drama presents the dangers of cocaine addiction as it follows one man's descent from successful real estate salesman and father, to red-eyed, runny nosed, coke head. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- 1979
Crisis in Mid-Air is essentially a "problem drama" concentrating on a single individual. George Peppard plays a veteran air traffic controller who holds himself responsible for a mid-air collision. With an FAA investigator breathing down his neck, Peppard gets a chance to prove his value when another flight, with 235 passengers on board, puts in a "Mayday" call. The TV Guide ads for this television movie were a little misleading, suggesting that Peppard was in the cockpit rather than the control tower. Crisis in Mid-Air debuted February 13, 1979. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1981
- PG
Harry's War is a "feel good" movie--and you'd better feel good or else. Edward Herrmann plays an postman whose aunt (Geraldine Page) is victimized by the Internal Revenue Service. Uncle Sam has made an error on her return, insisting that the poor old pensioner must pay 190 grand in back taxes. Try as he might, Harry can't get anyone at the IRS to correct the booboo (the bureau is populated exclusively by movie stereotypes--one is amazed that Charles Lane and Franklin Pangborn don't show up). So he plots a delicious revenge on the government, on behalf of his aunt and all the other average joes of America. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Edward Herrmann, Geraldine Page, (more)
- 1974
The Ingalls' first wheat crop is wiped out by a hailstorm, which also devastates the neighboring farms. This catastrophe forces Charles (Michael Landon) and his fellow farmers to leave town and seek out other work. While the menfolk of Walnut Grove are all laboring at a faraway quarry, it is up to the women left behind to harvest what is left of their crops -- an experience that serves to bring the Ingalls girls even closer together. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Landon, Karen Grassle, (more)
- 1982
With Dr. Baker (Kevin Hagen) in tow, Caroline (Karen Grassle) responds to a call for help from a prospector's camp. Here she finds her old friend Louisa (Ruth Silveira) now pregnant and suffering from the influenza that has spread throughout the camp. Though Louisa dies, her baby survives -- whereupon Caroline makes a fateful decision concerning the infant's future happiness. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Landon, Karen Grassle, (more)
- 1974
Introduced as a made-for-TV movie on March 30, 1974, the popular family series Little House on the Prairie, inspired by the autobiographical works of Laura Ingalls Wilder, began its regular weekly run on September 11 of that same year. In the opening episode, the Ingalls family has moved to the Minnesota farming community of Walnut Grove. With no money to purchase a plow and seed, Charles Ingalls (Michael Landon) is forced to take several jobs simultaneously. An injury not only sidelines Charles but threatens the Ingalls with the loss of their precious oxen. Charles' daughters Mary (Melissa Sue Anderson) and Laura (Melissa Gilbert) valiantly try to finish the work that their father started. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Landon, Karen Grassle, (more)
- 1976
With the rest of the family elsewhere, Caroline (Karen Grassle) is left alone on the farm for a day. Scratching her leg on a rusty nail, Caroline at first thinks nothing of this minor injury. But as infection sets in, Caroline grows weaker and weaker -- and it looks as though neither Charles (Michael Landon) nor Dr. Baker (Kevin Hagen) will show up before it is too late. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Landon, Karen Grassle, (more)
- 1978
Charles (Michael Landon) and Caroline (Karen Grassle) are thrilled to learn that she is expecting another child. But will Charles be disappointed if the baby turns out to be another girl? To find out what is in store, Caroline goes against her better judgment and consults a gypsy fortune teller, Mme. Maria (Lily Valenty). Things take a somber turn when Caroline goes into early labor, forcing Charles to handle the birth without the aid of a doctor. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Landon, Karen Grassle, (more)
- 1980
Widowed farmer Jonathan Garvey (Merlin Oleson) and his son Andy (Patrick Laborteaux) move to the town of Sleepy Eye so that Jonathan can start a freight business. Unfortunately, he is repeatedly robbed of his meager belongings by a gang of local toughs. Deciding to end this crime wave on his own, Jonathan becomes the local deputy sheriff -- and his first arrest results in a brutal beating for Andy. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Landon, Karen Grassle, (more)
- 1982
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, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Landon, Karen Grassle, (more)
- 1981
While attending a literature seminar in Arizona, Laura (Melissa Gilbert) is reunited with her sister-in-law Eliza Jane (Lucy Lee Flippin). This happy reunion is compromised when, failing to land a local tutoring job, Laura is forced to take menial work at a local restaurant. Before long, Laura and Eliza Jane find themselves in a quasi-romantic triangle involving the erudite Professor Woestehoff (Joseph Lambie). Though a married woman and certainly disinclined to stray, Laura allows the professor to flatter her in hopes that he will give a positive assessment of her writing efforts -- while the unattached Eliza Jane seethes with jealousy. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Landon, Karen Grassle, (more)
- 1979
Although the people of Walnut Grove are delighted when a carnival comes to town, Nels Oleson (Richard Bull) is in despair. It seems that the carnival's fat lady, Annabelle (Harriet Gibson), is Mr. Oleson's long-estranged sister. Elsewhere, Laura (Melissa Gilbert) has a new rival for the affections of Almanzo (Dean Butler) in the form of snooty Christie (Wendy Schaal). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Landon, Karen Grassle, (more)
- 1978
Season five of Little House on the Prairie opens as the financially strapped Ingalls family moves from Walnut Grove, MN, to Winoka in Dakota Territory. In addition to the possibility of better times ahead, the Ingalls will now be closer to their blind daughter, Mary (Melissa Sue Anderson), who is teaching at a school for the blind in Iowa. While temporarily taking residence in a hotel, Laura (Melissa Gilbert) befriend a starving orphan named Albert (Matthew Laborteaux). Twin babies Wendi and Brenda Turnbaugh make their first joint appearance as the Ingalls' infant daughter Grace in this, the first episode of a two-part story. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Landon, Karen Grassle, (more)
- 1975
Laura (Melissa Gilbert) and her friend Jonah (Shane Sinutko) find some shiny metal particles during a fishing expedition. Convinced that they've struck gold, the youngsters begin to imagine what it would be like to be rich beyond their wildest dreams. Before long, several others in town have succumbed to "gold fever" -- and like Laura and Jonah, they're in for a humongous letdown. This episode was originally scheduled to air on October 22, 1975. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Landon, Karen Grassle, (more)
- 1979
After the death of Caroline's mother, her heartbroken father, Frederick Holbrook (Barry Sullivan), moves into the Ingalls' sod house. Little Albert (Matthew Laborteaux) quickly gravitates to Frederick, who has a gift for weaving fascinating stories out of his lifetime experiences. As a means of pulling Frederick out of his loneliness, Charles (Michael Landon) persuades the old man to gather together his reminiscences in book form -- and even offers to raise enough money to get the book published. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Landon, Karen Grassle, (more)
- 1979
Season six of Little House on the Prairie begins with introduction of Dean Butler as Almanzo Wilder, future husband of series narrator Laura Ingalls (Melissa Gilbert). The brother of Walnut Grove's new schoolmarm, Eliza Jane Wilder (Lucy Lee Flippin), Almanzo immediately upon arrival becomes the romantic bone of contention between lovestruck teenagers Laura and Nellie Oleson (Alison Angrim) -- and for a while it looks as though nasty Nellie will emerge triumphant. But Laura has a delicious revenge on her longtime rival when Nellie invites Almanzo for a home-cooked chicken dinner. This is the first episode of a two-part story. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Landon, Karen Grassle, (more)
- 1979
In the concluding episode of Little House on the Prairie's two-part season six opener, the rivalry between Laura (Melissa Gilbert) and Nellie (Alison Arngrim) over the affections of their teacher's handsome brother, Almanzo (Dean Butler), reaches a fever pitch when the two girls come to blows. Breaking up the fight, Almanzo decides that it might be best to take Laura to his home to get over her anger. Naturally, Laura's dad, Charles (Michael Landon), suspects that Almanzo is harboring ulterior motives -- and thus another fight is inevitable. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Landon, Karen Grassle, (more)
- 1979
With wheat prices plummeting, the farmers of Walnut Grove hold a meeting to decide whether or not to fix prices. The only farmer who doesn't go along with the plan is town bigot Larrabee (Don "Red" Barry), who refuses to charge the same price as a black neighbor. Outraged by this behavior, Jonathan Garvey (Merlin Olsen) embarrasses Larrabee in front of the man's family. Seeking revenge, Larrabee in turn heads to Garvey's home -- and ultimately finds himself facing a charge of barn-burning. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Landon, Karen Grassle, (more)
- 1978
In search of the person who stuffed a note reading "Be My Friend" in a bottle, Charles (Michael Landon) and Laura (Melissa Gilbert) come upon an abandoned baby. It soon develops that the child's unwed, teenaged parents were forced to part by the girl's resentful father. While Charles tries to patch things up with the couple's families, Laura grows increasingly attached to the baby. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Landon, Karen Grassle, (more)
- 1978
When the blind school at Winoka is sold by the bank, the people of Walnut Grove decide to establish a new school at the former home of Rev. Alden. Meanwhile, pompous Mrs. Oleson (Katherine MacGregor) is doing her best to keep Joe Kagan (Moses Gunn), a black man, from joining the town's church. As so often happens, Mrs. Oleson is due for an immensely satisfying comeuppance -- and it all hinges on her eagerness to meet the blind school's celebrated new teacher, Hester-Sue Terhune. This is the first episode of a two-part story. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Landon, Karen Grassle, (more)
- 1978
In the conclusion of a two-part story, the imperious Mrs. Oleson (Katherine MacGregor) is shocked to discover that Hester-Sue Terhune (Ketty Lester), the prestigious new teacher at Walnut Grove's school for the blind, is a black woman. Ultimately, Mrs. Oleson learns a valuable -- and, it is hoped, a life-altering -- lesson in humility and tolerance. Meanwhile, blind teacher Adam Kendall (Linwood Boomer) is forced to confront his own worst fears. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Landon, Karen Grassle, (more)
- 1981
Adam (Linwood Boomer) and Mary (Melissa Sue Anderson) return to Walnut Grove, where Adam wants to set up his law practice. His first client turns out to be the most hated man in town: Edgar Mills (Jeff Corey), who is accused of swindling the townsfolk in a wide-ranging scam. At first believing in Mills' innocence, Adam soon learns the painful truth -- but also discovers that Mills' motives were not as sinister as they seem. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Landon, Karen Grassle, (more)
- 1979
When his sight is temporarily impaired in an accident, young Jordan (Ronnie Scribner) pretends to have been permanently blinded in order to keep his quarrelling parents from splitting up. At first disapproving of Jordan's charade, Laura Ingalls (Melissa Gilbert) decides to let him keep his secret, since he means no harm. Circumstances alter cases when Jordan endures a second concussion. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Landon, Karen Grassle, (more)
