Product Details

• Actors: Michael Landon, Karen Grassle, Melissa Sue Anderson, Melissa Gilbert, Victor French
• Directors: Michael Landon, William F. Claxton, Maury Dexter, Alf Kjellin, Victor Lobl
• Format: Color, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Good Times Video
• VHS Release Date: October 23, 2001
• Run Time: 46 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6303625932
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #164,187 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Tenderness was never in short supply on Little House on the Prairie, but this double feature got an extra sprinkling. In "A Christmas They Never Forgot," the entire extended Ingalls family (including Mary and Laura's husbands, this being a later-season show) gathers round the fire to swap tear-stained holiday memories. First up is gentle, soft-spoken Ma, who waxes sentimental when Esther Sue inquires about the "most unusual" necklace she's wearing--turns out it's a relic from Christmas past, a peace offering from a new step-pa whom Caroline, as a broken-hearted little girl, rejected outright during his first Christmas with his new family. Later, Laura remembers Mr. Edwards's snow-soaked adventure as a surrogate Santa to the girls--something that ingratiated him to Ma, who up to then eyed her daughter's wild-bearded spitting coach suspiciously. Then, Esther Sue meets up with her own pa during a sad stroll down a memory lane lined with racial prejudice. The same hackles-raising theme of prejudice is piped into the next episode, "The Craftsman." Here, Albert accepts an apprenticeship with old man Isaac, coffin supplier to the mercantile and the town's sole Jew. Despite the old man's peaceful, kindly nature, Albert is tagged a "Jew lover" and bullied by shortsighted farmers' sons. Being a boy of superior stock, he's nonetheless loyal to the old man, something he's grateful for when it comes time to visit the sage carpenter's own coffin. Throughout this episode, dear old Isaac dispenses the sort of wisdom--"Never be ashamed of work you've done, only be ashamed of what you haven't done"--that endeared this series to parents during its original run. With this release, the nostalgic can get weepy, as well as emotionally awoken, anew alongside younger generations. -Tammy La Gorce

Product Description

From the woods of Wisconsin and the plains of Kansas to Minnesota, the Ingalls fight to build and hold onto a new home, facing the danger of an untamed wilderness on the American frontier of the 1870's.

A Christmas They Never Forgot - After a sudden, fierce snowstorm traps all the members of the Ingalls family inside the little house on Christmas Eve, they pass the time by exchanging stories about their favorite Christmases of the past.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not what I expected!, February 6, 2000

By 

Susie (MI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Little House on the Prairie - The Christmas They Never Forgot [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I love everything that is connected with Laura Ingalls Wilder, and was looking forward to this video. However, it was just filled with reflections and short flashbacks. I would prefer to see a movie that actually developed one of these flashbacks rather than this. I was also hoping to give the Ingalls bug to my daughter. This video doesn't allow you to watch any particular character long enough for that. I probably would have bought this eventually but only after I purchased the other available videos.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very good Christmas story, December 27, 2001

By 

Grace (Illinois) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Little House on the Prairie - The Christmas They Never Forgot [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Excellent "Little House" video with great music, sensitivity, love, and family. This video has everything. =) When the family gets snowed in on Christmas Eve, they pass the time by retelling stories of their most memorable Christmases in the past. Each flashback was touching and entertaining. My favorite stories were those of Almanzo and Hester Sue. Almanzo was just so adorable, I laughed, and Hester Sue had an extremely bittersweet story to tell. Yes, the flashbacks are short, but they're enough to give you a fairly good background on the individual character. Don't miss this "Little House" edition--it's a great video to watch, both at Christmas and throughout the year.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Two Heartwarming Stories to Savor, June 1, 2003

By 

L. Shirley "Laurie's Boomer Views" (Huntington Beach,CA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Little House on the Prairie (A Christmas They Never Forgot/The Craftsman) (DVD)

This review refers to the Goodtimes Double Feature DVD.. "Little House on the Prairie..A Christmas They Never Forgot/The Craftsman".....

Two wonderful stories from the Little House series to warm your heart and make you smile are to found on Goodtime's great transfer of the beloved TV series.

In "A Christmas They Never Forgot", Laura and Mary are now grown and married, and are visiting Ma and Pa Ingalls along with Hester Sue. The whole family gets snowed in the tiny house and while the youngsters worry about Santa's arrival, the grown ups, each take turns telling heartwarming tales of special Christmas' of their youth. It's a wonderful episode to watch at holiday time or anytime and will have you running the usual range of emotions we are always treated to in these wonderful stories.

"The Craftsman" is the poignant and touching tale of Mr. Singerman. An old, lonely Jewish expert woodcarver, who takes Albert under his wing, to teach him the craft. Albert is then subject to harrassment and harshness from the other kids as being a "Jew Lover". But he develops a strong bond and deep admiration of the older gentleman. Laura also learns the value of tolerance. Although a dramtic episode, there are some priceless humorous moments, and Mr. Singerman's little gems of wisdom are fun as well.

Some of the guest stars you'll find in these two episodes are Newell Alexander, Tom Lester, Alvin Kupperman, Frank De Kova, Don "Red" Barry and of course Victor French as "Mr. Edwards". The music by David Rose is as always, stirring and perfect in setting the tone.

A nice sharp picture and good colors, with very good sound that is always distinguishable, makes for a great view of these classic TV programs. Each episode runs about 45 minutes, and they are both on the same side of the disc, so you can just enjoy for about an hour and half.

It would be nice if Goodtimes would issue more of these episodes and put more 4 pks together( there is one avaiable now) for those of that that just can't get enough of these entertaining and enlightening stories that deliver a great message of life and family values along the way.

Recommended for the whole family to enjoy together....have fun...Laurie