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- 1979
Albert (Matthew Laborteaux), the Ingalls' foster son, is frustrated by his efforts to trace his family tree as part of a school project. Equally frustrated is Charles Ingalls (Michael Landon), who, in attempting to legally adopt Albert, is stymied by the sudden arrival of the boy's natural father (Michael Pataki). In the climactic scene, Albert pulls off a cruel but necessary deception to rid himself of the father who had long before deserted him. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Landon, Karen Grassle, (more)
- 1979
Love comes into the life of Walnut Grove's Rev. Alden (Dabbs Greer) in the form of the widowed Anna Craig (Iris Korn). This turn of events outrages the insufferable Mrs. Oleson (Katherine MacGregor), who is of the staunch opinion that a minister should be "married to his work." In her efforts to break up the romance, Mrs. Oleson spreads some malicious gossip that may very well destroy Rev. Alden's status as the town's spiritual leader. ~ 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)
- 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
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 final episode of Little House on the Prairie's fifth season, Laura (Melissa Gilbert) and Albert (Matthew Laborteaux) promise to honor the last wish of their friend Dylan (Steve Shaw), who is suffering from terminal leukemia. This promise, however, turns out to be a tall order, since Dylan wants to see the Pacific Ocean before he dies. Even so, Laura and Albert set out from their Minnesota home with Dylan in tow -- while their father, Charles, (Michael Landon) conducts a frenzied search for his missing youngsters. ~ 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)
- 1979
When she begins to differentiate light from dark, Mary (Melissa Sue Anderson) is thrilled -- perhaps, at long last, she is regaining her sight. Meanwhile, Laura (Melissa Gilbert) and Albert (Matthew Laborteaux) try to fix up Mary and Adam's "dream" cottage -- with only two mismatched paint colors at their disposal. Though disappointment is in store for Mary, it is nothing compared to the humiliation suffered by Laura and Albert when they see the hideous results of their handiwork. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Landon, Karen Grassle, (more)
- 1979
In desperate need of quick cash, two men knowingly sell mutton infested with anthrax to the citizens of Walnut Grove. When most of the community falls ill, Charles (Michael Landon) and Jonathan (Merlin Olsen) head to Springfield for medical supplies. En route, they are held up by a man whose behavior suggests insanity -- but will they turn the man in or honor the pitiful pleas of his wife to let him go? Meanwhile, back in Walnut Grove, an ailing Laura (Melissa Gilbert) is struck blind -- perhaps permanently. ~ 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)
- 1979
Ray Bolger guest stars in this special 90-minute episode as Toby Noe, a hard-drinking drifter whom the Ingalls befriended while living in Winoka. Shambling into Walnut Grove just before a much-anticipated community dance, Toby immediately sets his cap for prudish spinster Amanda Jane Cooper (Eileen Heckart). Though it would seem that no romance could possibly bloom from this situation, Laura (Melissa Gilbert) and Albert (Matthew Laborteaux) nonetheless decide to try their hand at matchmaking. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Landon, Karen Grassle, (more)
- 1979
News that Mary (Melissa Sue Anderson) is pregnant reaches New York, the home of Giles Kendall (Philip Abbott), the estranged father of Mary's husband, Adam (Linwood Boomer). Apparently hoping to mend the rift between himself and his son, Giles invites the couple to move in with him, and even offers to send Adam to law school. But when Mary loses her baby, Giles reveals the true motive for his "generosity." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Landon, Karen Grassle, (more)
- 1979
When lovable eccentric Aunt Kezia (Hermione Baddeley) fails to pay her taxes, the old woman's property is bought up by the insufferable Mrs. Oleson (Katherine MacGregor). In a gesture of uncharacteristic generosity, Mrs. Oleson offers to let Kezia remain on the premises -- albeit as the Olesons' menial servant. To save Kezia from this grisly fate, Laura (Melissa Gilbert) and Albert (Matthew Laborteaux) try to scare off Mrs. Oleson with rumors of a hideous monster, dwelling in a nearby lake -- a ruse that requires a lot of ingenuity, not to mention an elaborate costume. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Landon, Karen Grassle, (more)
- 1978
In the conclusion of a two-part story, the Ingalls, Olesons, and Garveys, disillusioned with life in the "big city" of Winoka, have packed up and returned to Walnut Grove. Alas, the community has fallen into an appalling state of disrepair in their absence. With nowhere else to go, the returning families set about the task of rebuilding their beloved home town. This episode marks the final series appearance of Karl Swenson (Lars Hanson), who passed away in October of 1978. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Landon, Karen Grassle, (more)
- 1978
Cliff Emmich guest stars as John Bevins, a warm-hearted but grotesquely heavy man who is treated as an object of ridicule by most of his neighbors. John accepts a job at the one place in town where no one can see him: the school for the blind where Mary Ingalls (Melissa Sue Anderson) works. Totally accepted by the sightless students, who can "see" John's unconditional love for them, John is happy and content at last -- until a humiliating incident causes his daughter, Amelia (Julie Anne Haddock), to forsake him out of shame. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Landon, Karen Grassle, (more)
- 1978
Charles (Michael Landon) spends so much time with his foster son, Albert (Matthew Laborteaux), that his biological daughter Laura (Melissa Gilbert) feels neglected. Sensing Laura's resentment, Albert sadly concludes that it would be best for all concerned if he ran away. Only after Laura has won first prize at a country fair with Albert's pet calf Fagin does she realize how selfish she has been -- whereupon she attempts to convince Albert that he is truly wanted after all. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Landon, Karen Grassle, (more)
- 1978
Actually, there are two sets of rivals in this episode. While farmers Charles Ingalls (Michael Landon) and Jonathan Garvey (Merlin Olsen) must square off against some tough professional competitors in a freight-hauling contest, Charles' daughter Laura (Melissa Gilbert) finds herself battling with attractive Samantha (Seeley Ann Thumann) over the affections of young Jimmy Hill. Beginning with this episode, the character of schoolteacher Miss Beadle, played by Charlotte Stewart, is rechristened Mrs. Simms, befitting her recent marriage to hog farmer Adam Simms. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Landon, Karen Grassle, (more)
- 1978
Mary (Melissa Sue Anderson) lands a teaching job in an isolated rural community ruled by religious zealot Miss Peel (Anita Dangler). Declaring that education is the tool of Satan, Miss Peel rallies the townsfolk in opposing the school, going so far as to spread malicious lies about Mary. As it turns out, however, Miss Peel's violent opposition to book learning stems from a shameful secret -- shameful to her, that is. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Landon, Karen Grassle, (more)
- 1978
On the day of Charles and Caroline Ingalls' wedding anniversary, Charles (Michael Landon) is unable to come home on schedule due to a broken wagon wheel. While everyone waits for the festivities to commence, Caroline (Karen Grassle) regales her children with a story about her youthful romance with Charles -- or, to be more specific, Charles' utter refusal to reveal his romantic inclinations. Nicolas Coster is seen as Charles' father, Lansford, a role originated by Arthur Hill in the third-season episode "Journey in the Spring," while Matthew Laborteaux, who would soon appear regularly on the series as the Ingalls' adopted son, Albert, is here cast as the young Charles. Katy Kurtzman, who played Anna Gillberg in the previous season's "The Music Box," appears as the young Caroline. ~ 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 Charles (Michael Landon) comes into an unexpected inheritance, everyone tries to tell him how best to spend the money -- including the troublesome Mrs. Oleson (Katherine MacGregor). Only after getting deeply into debt with the Olesons does Charles discover that his windfall consists of worthless Confederate money. Intending to milk the situation for all it is worth, the spiteful Mrs. Oleson gleefully humiliates the Ingalls by auctioning off their belongings -- and that is when Charles discovers who his real friends are. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Landon, Karen Grassle, (more)
- 1978
The Oleson family is saddled with Mr. Oleson's obnoxious nephew Peter (Michael Sharrett), who has been sent to Walnut Grove in hopes that he will learn the proper values in life. Somehow or other, Peter ends up on the Ingalls farm, where he rapidly proceeds to rub everyone the wrong way. Even so, can there be any doubt that the troublesome youth will change his ways before the final fade-out? Guest star Nehemiah Persoff appears as Peter's father -- Scandanavian accent and all. ~ 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)
- 1978
In the concluding episode of Little House on the Prairie's two-part season four finale, Mary Ingalls (Melissa Sue Anderson) cannot quite come to terms with her blindness. Reluctantly, she agrees to go to Iowa, there to attend a school for the blind. Ultimately she does so well in her studies, and adapts so satisfactorily to her affliction, that the school's teacher Adam Kendall (Linwood Boomer) -- who is also blind -- asks her to stay on as his assistant. ~ 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)
