Customer Reviews

Little House on the Prairie (A Christmas They Never Forgot/The Craftsman)

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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

This double feature's first episode finds Albert employed by a guest character we've never heard from before (and never will again): Mr. Singerman, a Jewish coffin maker. "The Craftsman" becomes typical Little House fare as Albert must stand against the prejudice of the Larrabee boys, who rough him up and call him a "Jew lover," and as Laura must confront her unwillingness to get involved. Wise Mr. Singerman teaches Albert some important lessons about work ethic and judging others, and any fan of the show expects the somewhat melodramatic ending. This episode features Don "Red" Barry as the ultra-bigoted Larrabee, and is largely watchable for one of the only full laughs ever heard from Nels Oleson in the history of the show.

The second episode has more to recommend it than the first. "The Christmas They Never Forgot" is a beautiful holiday show that finds our favorite characters snowbound in the Ingalls home on Christmas Eve, swapping stories of their favorite childhood Christmases. Caroline shares her memories of a rainy holiday with a stepfather she didn't want; Almanzo remembers the year Santa Claus gave his brother Royal no presents; and those who have seen the premiere episode will recall, along with Laura, the Ingalls family's first Christmas in Kansas. But perhaps the dearest Christmas memory is Hester Sue's, as she recounts a year that she was convinced Santa Claus had "a white beard and a white face," and that black children never got gifts from him. Her father kept her faith alive with a sweet deception that she would not discover for many years later.
This Little House double feature earns an average of four stars-three for "The Craftsman," five for "Christmas They Never Forgot." How the Powers That Be choose which episodes to restore to DVD remains a mystery to me, but at least one of these is a true classic.

This is a beautiful episode where the family reminisces about their favorite Christmases in the past. It's sweet to see Almanzo as a little boy, and also Caroline as a little girl. My favorite aspect is that Michael Landon brought in a special group of choral singers for this episode and the music is amazing, absolutely beautiful. It's a wonderful family video that really conveys the true holiday spirit.

A must-have for any real Christmas video collection. Each story told by the cast members of a long-ago Christmas is heartwarming and moving. A nice touch is the beautiful carols sung acapella by a choir as background music. For me, it belongs on that list of movies watched every year at Christmas...along with 'It's A Wonderful life', 'A Christmas Story', etc. Michael Landon will always be remembered in my home, as this movie will be played every year.

My favorite show of all time is "Little House on the Prairie." It was always on television until just recently. I was so excited to find that Amazon.com had the DVD's to purchase. I want my children to grow up with the down home, wholesome, family show of Little House. I was so upset that it is no longer on my cable system's networks but now I know that I can find the love of the Ingalls' family right here on Amazon.com.
Thanks!

A Christmas they never forgot is my second favorite Little House on the Prairie second only to the premire movie.... A real joy to watch over and over again... The Craftsman is a joy to experience to notice over and over again...

I have seen all the Little House On The Prairie Shows. You can't go wrong with these. It shows how families & friends stick together through thick and thin. Teaches good family values that have been lost over the years. It shows how hard it was to make a living in the 1800's and how family and friends pull together to help one another. You will cry and you will laugh.

This movie is a must have for anyone who loves collecting Christmas movies. The one thing I will say though is look around the internet for better prices $30 is not a great price for this movie.