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- 1977
Doc Baker (Kevin Hagen) wonders if he is truly cut out for his job after losing one of his patients, the husband of a pregnant woman (Collin Wilcox). Dolefully, Baker decides to relinquish his practice to the younger and seemingly more efficient Dr. Logan (Burr deBenning). But Doc's defection proves temporary when he is appalled by Logan's callous indifference toward the pregnant widow -- who has not only lost her husband, but two previous babies as well. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Landon, Karen Grassle, (more)
- 1977
Mary (Melissa Sue Anderson) takes charge of the Ingalls household while her parents are away. Unfortunately, Mary's well-meaning sister Laura (Melissa Gilbert) has joined forces with the equally idealistic Andy Garvey (Patrick Laborteaux) in providing shelter for an injured wolf and her pups -- even though the neighboring farms have lost a lot of livestock to marauding wolves. When the barn in which the kids' "pets" are dwelling is surrounded by wild dogs, no one can get close enough to rescue Laura and Andy -- but Andy's dad, Jonathan (Merlin Olsen), is willing to make the effort. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Landon, Karen Grassle, (more)
- 1977
With Charles (Michael Landon) in Mankato on business for two weeks, Caroline (Karen Grassle) must find someone to complete the new kitchen in the Ingalls house. She hires a handsome handyman named Chris Nelson (Gil Gerard) to do the job. Outraged at the apparent too-friendly relationship between Chris and Caroline, Caroline's daughter Mary (Melissa Sue Anderson) suspects the worst -- and perennial gossip Mrs. Oleson (Katherine MacGregor) is all too willing to spread malicious rumors throughout Walnut Grove. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Landon, Karen Grassle, (more)
- 1977
Just before the Christmas vacation, Walnut Grove is threatened by a driving snowstorm. Schoolteacher Miss Beadle (Charlotte Stewart) decides to let her students go home earlier than usual so that they can avoid the impending blizzard; only the Oleson children remain behind to help their teacher clean the schoolroom. Alas, the storm is more violent than anyone could have expected -- and when the homebound children are lost and the Oleson youngsters come down with frostbite, the outraged citizens hold poor Miss Beadle responsible. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Landon, Karen Grassle, (more)
- 1977
John Jr. (Radames Pera), the adopted son of Mr. Edwards (Victor French), astonishes 13-year-old Mary Ingalls (Melissa Sue Anderson) by proposing marriage. Naturally, John expects Mary to wait for him until she comes of age -- but then he is offered a colleague scholarship that will keep him away from Walnut Grove for four long years. Will the lovestruck Laura force John to forsake his education and remain in town until she is old enough to wed? This episode was originally scheduled to air on October 4, 1976. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Landon, Karen Grassle, (more)
- 1977
When Jonathan Garvey's crops burn, leaving his family destitute, his wife, Alice (Hersha Parady), decides to take a job at the local post office. But the stubbornly proud Jonathan (Merlin Olsen) is outraged that his wife must support his family, and threatens to divorce her if she doesn't quit her job and come home. Before long, the conflict separating the Garveys has spread to the rest of the men and women of Walnut Grove. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Landon, Karen Grassle, (more)
- 1977
In this special 90-minute episode, Charles Ingalls (Michael Landon) replaces the injured Jonathan Garvey (Merlin Olsen) in a high-stakes boxing match. Charles wins with astonishing ease -- only to discover that his opponent, a black man named Joe Kagan (Moses Gunn), is in no condition to be in the ring. Doc Baker (Kevin Hagen) tells Kagan that he must give up boxing or face an early death -- but what else can Joe do, and where can he go without facing racial prejudice? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Landon, Karen Grassle, (more)
- 1977
The Ingalls and the Olesons attend the fair at Mankato, MN (though the episode was actually filmed near Tucson, AZ). Losing her money in a crooked shell game, Laura Ingalls (Melissa Gilbert) accepts a temporary sideshow job that requires her to be periodically dunked in a tub of water -- much to the delight of her perennial nemesis, Nellie Oleson (Alison Angrim). But this comic crisis pales into insignificance when little Carrie Ingalls (played by twins Lindsay and Sidney Greenbush) climbs into a hot-air balloon -- which is immediately set aloft. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Landon, Karen Grassle, (more)
- 1977
A newcomer to Walnut Grove, hog farmer Adam Simms (Joshua Bryant) falls head over heels in love with local schoolmarm Miss Beadle (Charlotte Stewart). At the same time, Adam's hulking son, Luke (Bob Marsic), is smitten by (of all people!) spoiled brat Nellie Oleson (Alison Arngrim). Sneaking off to church to get married in the dark of night, Luke and Nellie are stopped in their tracks by Nellie's outraged parents -- but things fare rather better for Adam and Miss Beadle. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Landon, Karen Grassle, (more)
- 1977
The townsfolk of Walnut Grove are in an uproar when a local Indian chief, Spotted Wolf (Guillermo San Juan), jumps his reservation to lead his people out of town. When Spotted Wolf suffers a stroke, his son Little Crow (Nick Ramus) seeks out help from the white townspeople -- but to no avail. It falls to Charles Ingalls (Michael Landon) to come to the aid of Spotted Wolf, and to make his neighbors realize the error of their blind bigotry. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Landon, Karen Grassle, (more)
- 1977
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Season four of Little House on the Prairie finds the Ingalls' household increased from five to six after Caroline Ingalls (Karen Grassle), wife of series protagonist Charles Ingalls (Michael Landon), gives birth to another daughter, named Grace. At the same time, the Ingalls' farmer friend Isaiah Edwards and his family leave Walnut Grove (Victor French, the actor playing Edwards, had gone off to star in his own sitcom, Carter Country), whereupon the town greets a new crop of citizens: kindly but bull-headed farmer Jonathan Garvey (Merlin Olsen), his wife, Alice (Hersha Parady), and their troublesome son, Andy (Patrick Laborteaux). That said, it must be emphasized that most of the season's meatier plotlines are focussed on the Ingalls' household. Inspired by her teacher, Miss Beadle (Charlotte Stewart) -- who gets married in the course of the season -- Mary Ingalls (Melissa Sue Anderson) opts for a teaching career herself. Alas, it looks as if her ambitions may be dashed when Mary is told that she is going blind. Once she has reconciled herself to her fate -- but is still determined to make education her life's work -- Mary agrees to attend a blind school in Winoka, Dakota Territory, where she meets and falls in love with her new teacher, Adam Kendall (Linwood Boomer). Season five marks the final full season in which Karl Swenson appears in the role of mill owner Lars Hanson; the actor passed away in the fall of 1978. ~ All Movie Guide
- 1976
In this first episode of a two-part story, Laura Ingalls (Melissa Gilbert) is given a wonderful horse named Bunny -- which of course is great source of envy for spoiled-brat Nellie Oleson (Alison Arngrim). While being permitted to ride Bunny, Nellie falls off the horse, whereupon she pretends to be paralyzed so that Laura will be forced to wait on her hand and foot. Nellie's nasty scheme almost results in the death of the horse -- but, as usual, the little nemesis' comeuppance is near at hand. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Landon, Karen Grassle, (more)
- 1976
In the conclusion of a two-part story, Laura Ingalls (Melissa Gilbert) wants to enter her horse Bunny in an upcoming race, but is short the money to have the horse properly shod. Meanwhile, Laura's nemesis, Nellie (Alison Arngrim), cajoles her snobbish mother, Mrs. Oleson (Katherine MacGregor), into purchasing a thoroughbred so that she, too, can enter the race. So confident is Mrs. Oleson that her daughter's horse will easily defeat Bunny that she donates a valuable family heirloom as the winner's trophy -- but things don't go exactly according to plan. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Landon, Karen Grassle, (more)
- 1976
In the conclusion of a two-part story, an embittered Laura Ingalls (Melissa Gilbert) holds her widowed grandfather, Lansford (Arthur Hill), responsible for injuries sustained by her beloved horse Bunny. Sadly concluding that moving in with his son Charles (Michael Landon) was a mistake, Lansford wanders away from Walnut Grove. Upon realizing how wrong she was, Laura conducts a frenzied search for Lansford, who by this time has all but lost the will to live. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Landon, Karen Grassle, (more)
- 1976
Laura (Melissa Gilbert) is hoodwinked into bringing a billy goat named Fred into the Ingalls household. Alas, Fred is not only cantankerous but voracious as well, eating everything in sight -- including the family's crops. Sadly, Laura agrees with her father, Charles (Michael Landon), that the best thing to do is give Fred away to someone else -- but she soon finds that this is well-nigh impossible. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Landon, Karen Grassle, (more)
- 1976
Laura (Melissa Gilbert) and Mary (Melissa Sue Anderson) are outraged when their little sister, Carrie (played by twin actresses Lindsay and Sidney Greenbush), lets loose a collection of bugs that the girls have been gathering for a classroom project. But their anger gives way to terror when, while chasing a pretty butterfly, Carrie falls into an abandoned mine shaft. Worse still: The only person truly capable of rescuing the girl is Mr. Laudy (John Ireland), a former miner who has degenerated into a drunken derelict. Though some sources indicate that this episode was telecast on January 10, 1977, the official TV listings of the period indicate that it was actually shown earlier, on October 17, 1976. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Landon, Karen Grassle, (more)
- 1976
While passing the Oleson home on Halloween night, Laura (Melissa Gilbert) thinks she witnesses a murder -- specifically, Mr. Oleson (Richard Bull) decapitating Mrs. Oleson (Katherine MacGregor) with a long sword. Fully aware that their mother is merely out of town, the Oleson kids -- Nellie (Alison Arngrim) and Willie (Jonathan Gilbert) -- prankishly decide to play upon Laura's terror with an elaborate charade. But as usual, Nellie and Willie's scheme backfires spectacularly. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Landon, Karen Grassle, (more)
- 1976
Walnut Grove is held in the grip of terror when the three Galender brothers move into town. Before long, the bullying brothers have run up enormous bills that they refuse to pay, spread malicious and injurious lies, and beaten up anyone who gets in their way. The limit comes when the brothers try to sexually assault Caroline Ingalls -- and when the girl's father, Charles (Michael Landon), confronts the boys, he is pummeled for his troubles. It ultimately falls to the schoolchildren of Walnut Grove to end the Galenders' violent rampage once and for all. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Landon, Karen Grassle, (more)
- 1976
While on a hunting trip, Laura (Melissa Sue Anderson) accidentally shoots and wounds her father, Charles (Michael Landon). The only other person within miles of the accident is Sam (Burl Ives), a blind recluse who is reluctant to offer assistance, feeling that he is totally worthless. It is up Laura, and Laura alone, to restore Sam's self-confidence to the extent that the old hermit will help her find someone who can tend for her injured father. This 90-minute episode is one of several Little House on the Prairie installments filmed on-location in California's Gold Rush Country (though the action is set in Minnesota!). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Landon, Karen Grassle, (more)
- 1976
The Walnut Grove town council agrees to bankroll Mary (Melissa Sue Anderson) when she has a chance to participate in statewide mathematics competition. Armed with confidence of her friends and neighbors, Mary, accompanied by her parents, heads to Minneapolis with the certainty that she will win the competition -- only to suffer the humiliation of coming in second. Meanwhile, sister Laura (Melissa Gilbert) lets her responsibilities as temporary head of the Ingalls household get the better of her. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Landon, Karen Grassle, (more)
- 1976
Laura (Melissa Gilbert) and Nellie Oleson (Alison Arngrim) vie for the attentions of Jason (Eric Shea), a would-be scientist. Using the Olesons' new-fangled phonograph machine, Nellie and her brother, Willie (Jonathan Gilbert), conspire to record a conversation guaranteed to humiliate Laura in front of Jason and their entire schoolroom. As usual, however, Nellie's scheming backfires in spectacular fashion. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Landon, Karen Grassle, (more)
- 1976
While visiting a train station with their families, Ingalls sisters Mary (Melissa Sue Anderson) and Laura (Melissa Gilbert) and the Edwards' adopted son, Carl (Brian Part), sneak into an empty caboose. Carl accidentally discouples the car from the rest of the train, thereby propelling himself and the girls on a treacherous, 30-mile downhill ride. As the caboose races toward certain destruction, Charles (Michael Landon) desperately tries to rescue the kids. This episode was filmed in the Gold Rush Country of California. ~ 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)
- 1976
Mr. Edwards (Victor French) is disappointed that his eldest adopted son, John Jr. (Radames Pera), would rather read books than go hunting. When Edwards gives John a gun as a birthday gift, the boy writes a letter explaining his reluctance to kill any living creature. Despite the letter, Edwards is convinced that John does not love him. It takes an eventful hunting trip for the two men to come to an understanding -- and to reveal a hitherto well-kept secret concerning the proud Mr. Edwards. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Landon, Karen Grassle, (more)
- 1976
Having endured any number of setbacks, Charles (Michael Landon) can stand no more when a tornado wipes out his crops. Thoroughly discouraged, Charles decides to sell the farm and return to Wisconsin -- but he doesn't tell his family about this decision. On a happier note, Charles' daughter Mary (Melissa Sue Anderson) and Mr. Edwards' (Victor French) adopted son, John Jr. (Radames Pera), share their first kiss. This was the final episode of Little House on the Prairie's second season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Landon, Karen Grassle, (more)
