My Prairie Cookbook (3 page)

Little House on the Prairie
began on the NBC network on September 11, 1974, and ended on May 10, 1982. During the 1982–83 television season, it was broadcast with a new title,
Little House: A New Beginning.
Michael Landon was the star and executive producer of the show and also directed the largest number of episodes—eighty-seven! And I was Laura (lucky girl).

How do I even find the words to describe what the early years of filming
Little House on the Prairie
were like? It was fun. Pure, unadulterated fun! Every day was a new adventure for me, playing dress-up in prairie clothes and working with such a warm and talented cast and crew. We quickly became a family.

The crew was very close. Some of them had worked together for decades—and a few of them had worked with Mike on
Bonanza
. Michael Landon was our boss, our father, and our mentor. Kent McCray was his co–executive producer, sergeant
at arms, and best friend. Together they created an atmosphere of loyalty and the best kind of creativity. They also allowed us to have fun while we were working. Actually, Mike didn't just allow fun—he rather insisted on it.

From my very first day on the set, I felt that I was part of something very special. Working on the
Little House
set was a dream come true for an adventurous little girl like me. There were other kids to play with and also dogs, horses, cows, chickens, wolves, and rabbits—all of them were tratined and there for me to play with. And play I did. In many ways, it didn't feel like work. I suppose that's the way it should be for a child in my business. Though I could and would hunker down and be serious in a heavy scene, I remember the early years as being more fun than I could have dreamed.

I also remember watching the adults around me in absolute awe. I was thunderstruck by Karen Grassle (Caroline). She was so beautiful and different—earthier than any woman I had known before. She was very well trained as an actor and had a grace that drew me to her. I'd watch her breathe and the way she moved her hands. She was the personification of beauty. And Victor French (Isaiah) could make me laugh until my sides hurt. He could also make me cry by looking at me just the right way.

I didn't fully know it at the time, but I was surrounded by some of the most talented actors in the business. I was also lucky to be surrounded by an incredibly talented crew. They all did their very difficult jobs so well that they made it look easy. They spoiled me forever. To this day, I am totally perplexed when a crew doesn't work well together. I am also perplexed when a work environment isn't fun. Hey, I learned from the best, so I have very high expectations!

One of our first TV Guide shoots. Anytime we did still photos, Mike would make us laugh. Looks like it was my turn to make us laugh this time.

Oh how I adored Victor French!!

That's Uncle Miles. He was one of our first assistant directors. Behind him is Ted Voightlander. He was one of our cinematographers.

These are all pictures from behind the scenes of the filming of the pilot movie in 1973.

The man putting makeup on my wee little face is Whitey Snyder. He was Marilyn Monroe's personal makeup artist!