PRAIRIE TALE - MELISSA GILBERT SHARES
Any lover of the Little House TV series will enjoy reading Melissa Gilbert’s book, PRAIRIE TALE. Having known Melissa for 30 years I can tell you that she’s always been candid and direct. Her memoir is fun and revealing with wonderful insights into a life that has been lived in the spotlight, through good times and bad, from the time she was old enough to walk and talk.
On a personal note while Melissa and I are good friends now, we didn’t have an easy time working together thirty-years ago largely because of the difference in our ages…eight years. When it all started for us I was 23 and she was 15. Eight years is insignificant now, but at the time they were huge and it wasn’t easy for either of us to navigate the demands of playing even a chastely romantic couple on the Prairie. It was a wonderful fantasy for young girls to watch, but it wasn’t easy for her to do. All that said, while she was challenged by it she did an amazing job and the work we did together continues to be enjoyed by audiences all over the world. That’s a good feeling.
Get the book…its funny and revealing. I think Melissa Gilbert has a new career on her hands. She’s a writer now too.
Dean
June 17th, 2009 at 10:49 am
Dean,
I know you would love Melissa’s book.
It’s wonderful to read and so much new to learn about the making of Little House and the interesting but not so easy life of a “child star”.
Now as we got to know Melissa’s very direct point of view on working with you on Little House (”Chester the Molester”
) wouldn’t this be a reason for you to tell us the story from your point of view as you already started with “Process of Making Little House”.
You are a wonderful writer too and we loved to read the memories you already shared with us. So please don’t stop….
Diva Martha
June 17th, 2009 at 3:05 pm
So you you’re looking for a “he said” vs “she said” on our on-set relationship? As I said to Melissa the other night…its mind bending to have had a young woman thinking of me as a “Chester the Molester” when I was just 24 myself. It’s laughable on the one hand and hurtful on the other…but I’ve never been in Melissa’s shoes so I’m not criticizing. If we’d been able to discuss any of this we might have been able to avoid a lot of awkward discomfort.
Time is a great healer…we’re good friends today.
June 17th, 2009 at 10:02 pm
At the first moment when I read Melissa’s opinion about this certain scene, I was a little bit upset and hurt too, because I thought “oh my god, didn’t she think that she might hurt a good friend’s feelings?” and then decided to take it funny and not serious. I hope it was meant funny though, because you really don’t deserve being treated like that.
And no - I am not looking for a “she said - he said”. I am just curious how it was working with the cast (of course also Melissa included) and crew and with Mike from your point of view.
Sorry if you got me wrong - I am not into sensational outbursts. It was just so interesting to read what you already told us so I thought you would not mind sharing more of your memories.
Martha
June 18th, 2009 at 6:47 am
I have yet to purchase Melissa’s book myself but after reading other peoples reviews and opinions, I must admit it has peaked my curiousity.
Although I don’t like to think of “Our little Laura” as having such a checkered past, it only proves she is human like the rest of us and for the most part she did a great job in avoiding the media spotlight. I wonder with todays “paparazzo” if she would have been so lucky?
Now that you’ve endorsed it and given it your thumbs up, I do plan on buying the book soon to add to my Little House collection.
Lorrie
June 18th, 2009 at 9:55 am
Hi Dean and everybody,
I’m currently reading the book (almost finished) and I love it… Yes I was wondering how you felt yourself when you arrived on the set and had some perception of Melissa’s “cold” attitude with you… I guess you are a patient and understanding person and that you just waited for things to take place… Which happened, as Melissa tells in the book, some time later… I can see similarities with Melissa Sue Anderson who “freaked out” when she was supposed to kiss her onscreen boyfriend played by Radames Pera… She apparently reacted more abruptly than Half-Pint did with you, though… Anyway, I’m glad you became good friends… It is all credit to Melissa to tell the “truth” now about something the viewer of fan didn’t even suspected !
Eric
PS: Dean, are you attending the Reunion in Keystone ? I just looked the website and they say you and Melissa won’t be there…
June 18th, 2009 at 11:45 am
Comments have been floating around about this book and I have yet to buy it. Part of me just doesn’t want to know some things. It’s kind of like when I read “Forever Liesl” and found out that Christopher Plummer didn’t actually sing in “The Sound of Music”. I like living in the fantasy that he did sing and that rather than not liking to work with children, he had a good relationship with them.
Foolish, and unrealistic, I know, but I’m not sure I’m ready for that to end just yet.
I agree that Melissa did an excellent job of working through the challenges of playing the wife of an older man. As you said, then the age difference was huge. Both of you did a wonderful job in your roles and I’m glad that the show continues to be so popular. My girls are young yet, but they already have a favorite episode, “The Return of Nellie”. They get a kick out of Nancy and her antics.
I’ve always thought you should write an autobiography, as well. Your connection to Little House and Almanzo remains strong, and your career has taken such an interesting turn as of late. I would love to read your story…as long as you don’t tell me anything I don’t want to know. LOL!
All my best,
Cheryl
June 19th, 2009 at 5:55 pm
i have about another 25 pages to go..i can’t put it down…it certainly is funny, poignant and candidly written..i was amazed at what she has gone through and has come out all the stronger for it…it is extremely well writtten and a must read for any little house fan…
June 22nd, 2009 at 9:23 pm
I hope I’m not over stepping my boundary writing my thoughts here, Dean…but I think it was so very unnecessary for Melissa Gilbert to write those words about you, whether or not she truly felt that way at 15 or 16 years old. What’s the point now? I find it extrememly insensitive because she is apparently a very good friend of yours today.
Though, it is getting people “talking” (like me) and promoting interest in her book, I’m sure.
June 23rd, 2009 at 10:15 am
Hi Dean!
Just wondering….what were your suggestions on the title of the book?
Shellie Ann
June 23rd, 2009 at 4:36 pm
Hello Dean,
I agree with Cheryl. I think I’d actually like to read an AutoBio by you rather than Melissa. From what I’ve been told she’s a bit vindictive in the book. (I don’t know because I haven’t read it and am not sure I will.) There is too much victreiol (sp?) in the world today as it is. LHOTP is my escape from reality. That’s partly why I love it so much.
Also, to follow up on Carl’s question…. Is there a reason you’re not going to Keystone in September? I’m sure everyone would love to see you there.
K/H D
June 25th, 2009 at 12:10 pm
I loved the show and all the stories and people. I just got the book and she is really telling everyone how she felt at that young age. I really think as an adult at that time Dean you handled it all fine thats why you can be good friends for such a long time.You take care and thank you so much for the time you spent on the show I loved it from start to finish.
Gale Miller from Chicago
June 26th, 2009 at 6:34 am
I’ll put it on my Summer reading list. -C ^..^
June 28th, 2009 at 8:57 pm
I had not thought about “Prairie Tale” as being a new career for Melissa. Evidently the title shows she is savvy as to copywrite laws in staying away from the ‘little house’ brand.
One more thing she has in common now with Laura Ingalls Wilder, she’s published. Since she has cleared the air in a sense it would be lovely for her to accept an invitation to see where the stories all began and the rich history and legacy she was able to have a part in through the medium of television.
A side note on reality: Almanzo was ten years older than Laura, but I guess 1985 is alot different than 1885.
July 15th, 2009 at 8:28 pm
Hi Dean,
I passed the book down to a big Fan of little house and a big fan of you. I was telling her that you played MoonDoggie on the new Gidget. I really enjoyed the show. And I also told a lot of Fans about your sight. Good luck with all your new projects.
Gale Miller from Chicago
August 5th, 2009 at 7:56 pm
I didn’t even know Melissa had written a book. I’ll have to pick it up! I would definitely read one written by you, Dean! I didn’t know there was so much tension on the set then. Those are my favorite episodes. I enjoy the whole series, of course, but my favorite is once Almanzo arrives! That’s when I start watching every episode when they’re aired.
August 6th, 2009 at 8:39 pm
I would have to agree I loved the show when Dean started. I would also like to read a book if you write one.
August 14th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
Hello everyone! I have yet to read the book, but I am very much interested and curious. I absolutely love the show and watch it often on the Hallmark Channel. I always wanted to know more about the cast, so I am delighted that her book has came out (would love to read a book about you too Dean!).
About the age difference on the show- I never really thought about it. I knew the real life Laura had an older husband, so it would make sense that the television show would also have an older husband when Laura was coming of age. Times were much different then- although I was 17 when I met my husband who is eight years older than me!
Anyways, great show and great cast! Love it.
September 20th, 2009 at 11:55 pm
Prior to reading Melissa’s book, I had seen a number of her television interviews discussing it. So by the time I did read it, the “shock factor” was somewhat lessened for me. That was actually a good thing, since I was (and still am) one of those fans obsessed with the Laura and Almanzo romance, as played by Melissa Gilbert and Dean Butler. So at first I was disappointed by the discovery that Melissa was so uncomfortable with the romantic scenes. To her credit, there was absolutely nothing in those scenes indicating she was struggling. But I also commend you, Dean. Because you must have known (to a certain extent) Melissa was having a hard time. Yet you were able to work through it and produce something very poignant! All of the scenes between the two of you appeared genuine and natural. Quite frankly, you looked like a young couple madly in love with each other. I think that is why it is so hard to accept that Melissa had such a difficult time. But you pulled it off, which is a testament to the amazing talent and skill you both possess as actors!
October 25th, 2009 at 10:36 am
I enjoyed reading the book. I always loved the Almonzo and Laura romance. It is nice to hear that both of you remain friends. You both did an excellent job and I still enjoy watching some of the episodes on a rainy day even though I am old and married:)
May 14th, 2010 at 5:25 pm
Hi Dean,
I recently (more like quite a few months back), bought the entire Little House on the Prairie DVD set, along with the pilot!!! Let me just say, the box is huge, though totally worth it!!!
Since I’m totally blind, I’ve really enjoyed episodes highlighting Mary Ingalls and the Winoka School for the Blind.
I can’t wait to watch the episodes where you come on the seen. I also can’t wait to watch all the extra material on the DVD’s as well!!! That’ll be so awesome!!! I’ve already watched some of it, so I can’t wait to see all the rest!!!
Upon reading the comments to this post, I can understand why Melissa would have such a hard time interacting with someone eight years older than her. I was shy about older boys at that time, too.
I’m so glad I’ve found a blog that you post to! I agree with others who made the comment: it would be interesting to read a book about your viewpoint on the Little House on the Prairie TV show.
I hope I can get around to watching your (as yet unpurchased) documentaries about Laura Ingalls Wilder and Little House. I’ll get around to buying them someday.
Thanks for being willing to interact with all us Little House fans, Dean!!! It’s much appreciated!!!