As we’ve begun the serious work of putting together the ALMANZO WILDER: Life Before Laura DVD several essential topics have come up in creative discussion which I was not able to cover this past September while in Malone.  These topics are critical to any documentary about Almanzo Wilder’s youth and we are exploring ways to include them now knowing that this audience will appreciate Almanzo’s story being told accurately and entertainingly.  The good news is that our documentary about Almanzo is going to be quite wonderful. Look for updated details coming soon. Dean 

The famous Hollywood fashion watcher, Mr. Blackwell, this week named Little House’s Alison Arngrim to his 2008 Worst Dressed list.  The reality for many is that there is no such thing as bad publicity and Alison has never been shy about going for it in whatever form it may take.  I can tell you all that she was thrilled to achieve this dubious distinction.  Her fellow fashion offenders, according the judgmental eye of Mr. Blackwell, include Victoria Beckham, Jessica Simpson, Lindsey Lohan, and Kelly Clarkson among others.  Little House was never a source of high fashion, but its certainly been memorable and defining for many.  I’ve never been to a Little House event or a LIW site where I haven’t seen dozens of little girls with their hair in pig tails wearing colorful bonnets and calico dresses…there’s even been an occasional Nellie.  That’s love.  I’m sure most of you who participate here have your own Little House on the Prairie fashion stories…please share them with all of us. Dean 

Happy New Year to all Legacy Documentaries blog readers.  I’ve really had fun writing for you these past months and really appreciate your kind, thoughtful responses to my blog entries.    Just a quick follow up on last week’s post about the Little House connection to THE WIZARD OF OZ.  After the posting I wrote a quick note to Melissa Gilbert to ask if she would share some of her memories of working with the great Ray Bolger on Little House.  This morning she wrote me back and shared the following:   

Ray was doing an episode of the  show and I told him that I basically had the entire Wizard of Oz memorized. He didn’t believe me, so I started reciting it for him; dialogue, music, everything and I got kind of emotional. He gave me big hug and said “Come here,I want to show you something” He walked me over to a corner of the sound stage and there was a bit of yellow brick road still painted on the cement. I hugged him and thanked him so much for telling me and every time any of my friends would visit I would take them right to that corner and show them. 

 I never know what I’m going to find out when I ask Melissa a question.  I didn’t know that she had memorized the movie…but when she says she memorized it you can be sure that she knew every word and nuance.  Melissa had an uncanny ability to learn dialog.  She always knew hers and everyone else’s too. She also had the ability to process just about everything that was taking place on the stage…on the set and off…even when she was acting in a scene.  

I would’ve loved to have been there when Ray and Melissa had their special visit on Stage 15. Thanks to Melissa for sharing…

 Dean