"Little House on the Prairie" Celebrates 50 Years - Share Your Favorite Episodes And Special Memories (Can You Guess Which Character I Portrayed In My School Play?)

In honor of the 50th Anniversary of Little House on the Prairie, Hallmark Family is airing EVERY episode of the series in TEN days - beginning Friday, September 13th at 9pm EST. and ending on Sunday, September 22nd at 11:30pm EST.

The Little House on the Prairie series began on the NBC network on September 11, 1974, and ended on May 10, 1982.

See all of the episodes and characters you love, like Charles Ingalls, Laura, Mary, Caroline, Carrie, Grace, Albert, Mr. Edwards, Mrs. Beadle, Nels Olson, Willie, Dr. Baker, Reverend Alden, Almanzo Wilder, Adam Kendall, and more!

Plus, we'll also see some of the characters we didn't like so much (especially in the beginning), such as: Nellie, Harriett, and Nancy Olson! Ohhhh, that Nellie!

Every time I watch this series, it brings back wonderful memories of my childhood. Even though I grew up watching these shows in reruns, my family and I would still gather in our den to watch them together.

I wrote a play based on the Little House series when I was in school; I portrayed Laura (wearing my hair in braids, of course) and my sister portrayed Mary. And, yes, we had a Nellie, Willie, and lots of other characters, too! Those are such sweet memories.

So many favorite Little House on the Prairie episodes come to mind, it's difficult to name them all. I loved when Laura and Mary met Nellie, the horse race, the Christmas episodes (so touching!), the adorable raccoon, when Mary tries to win the award and nearly burns down the barn, the Ingalls family camping with the Olsons, Founder's Day, when Laura and Mary gamble Sunday school funds, Nellie's phonograph, the runaway caboose, and so many, many more... including the later years when Laura began teaching and fell in love with Almanzo.

Do you have any favorite episodes of Little House on the Prairie that you'd like to share? Does the series bring to mind wonderful memories for you, as well. Please share in comments below.

I hope you enjoy reminiscing down memory lane 

and watching this wonderful series again!

Net

Tonight on ABC: "It's Your 50th Anniversary, Charlie Brown!"

Image via: fulldesktopbackgrounds.com

via ABC Press Release: “It’s Your 50th Christmas, Charlie Brown” – In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the beloved PEANUTS animated tale, “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” Kristen Bell will host a special holiday retrospective, “It’s Your 50th Christmas, Charlie Brown.” The anniversary special will celebrate 50 years of the iconic classic that has brought joy and a television watching tradition at the holidays for generations of fans.

image via Disney/ABC Television Group
Kristen Chenoweth and Kristen Bell
 

The unforgettable night will feature spectacular live performances, from the memorable music of Vince Guaraldi, to Kristen Chenoweth singing “Happiness” from the “Peanuts” Broadway hit, and a performance from Matthew Morrison of an original song, “Just Like Me.” Other amazing musical guests set to perform classic songs are Sarah McLachlan, Boyz II Men, Pentatonix, David Benoit and The All-American Boys Chorus. This December marks the 50th anniversary of the Emmy-winning special, “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” (8:00-9:00 p.m. eastern standard time)

"A Charlie Brown Christmas" via peanuts.wikia.com

Following the 50th Anniversary Special, ABC will air “A Charlie Brown Christmas”...

“A Charlie Brown Christmas” – Celebrate the joy of the holidays with the classic animated Christmas-themed PEANUTS special, “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” created by the late cartoonist Charles M. Schulz. In the digitally re-mastered 1965 special, Charlie Brown complains about the overwhelming materialism that he sees everywhere during the Christmas season. Lucy suggests that he become director of the school Christmas pageant and Charlie Brown accepts, but it proves to be a frustrating struggle. When an attempt to restore the proper spirit with a forlorn little fir Christmas tree fails, Charlie Brown needs Linus’ help to learn what the real meaning of Christmas is. (9:00-10:00 p.m.  eastern standard time)


Good Grief - this is Special!!! I hope you all enjoy an evening of Charlie Brown and the Peanuts Gang as they Celebrate 50 Years of this well loved animation!!!

Charlie Brown, Linus, Sally, and all of the Peanuts Gang - hold a special place in my heart - and I know many of you feel the same!!!

 

 

See the Special Monday, November 30, 2015 :

 

“It’s Your 50th Christmas, Charlie Brown”

ABC - 8pm/7c.

“A Charlie Brown Christmas”

ABC - 9pm/8c.

Happy 50th Anniversary, Charlie Brown! You get a New Christmas Special on ABC!

via press release from ABC:

ABC ANNOUNCES KRISTEN BELL WILL HOST

“IT’S YOUR 50th CHRISTMAS, CHARLIE BROWN”

SPECIAL, AIRING NOVEMBER 30

 

Image via: fulldesktopbackgrounds.com

 

This December Marks the 50th Anniversary of the Emmy- Winning Special,

“A Charlie Brown Christmas”

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the beloved PEANUTS animated tale, “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” Kristen Bell will host a special holiday retrospective, “It’s Your 50th Christmas, Charlie Brown,” MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30 (9:00--10:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. The anniversary special will celebrate 50 years of the iconic classic that has brought joy and a television watching tradition at the holidays for generations of fans. With an unforgettable night featuring spectacular live performances of Vince Guaraldi’s classics from acclaimed musical guests, the special will also feature Hollywood notables reminiscing about their most treasured “A Charlie Brown Christmas” moments.

In the digitally-remastered 1965 special, “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” Charlie Brown complains about the overwhelming materialism that he sees everywhere during the Christmas season. Lucy suggests that he become director of the school Christmas pageant, and Charlie Brown accepts, but it proves to be a frustrating struggle. When an attempt to restore the proper spirit with a forlorn little fir Christmas tree fails, Charlie Brown needs Linus’ help to learn what the real meaning of Christmas is.

The cast of “A Charlie Brown Christmas” includes Peter Robbins (“Charlie Brown”), Christopher Shea (“Linus”), Tracy Stratford (“Lucy”), Chris Doran (“Schroeder”) and Sally Dryer (“Violet”).

“A Charlie Brown Christmas” was executive-produced by Lee Mendelson and created and written by Charles M. Schulz. Bill Melendez is the producer and director, and Vince Guaraldi is the music composer.

On October 2, 1950 the PEANUTS comic strip launched in seven American newspapers. Who would have guessed the impact the brand would have around the world for decades to come. Now celebrating its 65th anniversary, Peanuts reaches fans through thousands of consumer products around the world, over 50 television specials, on all social media channels, and a daily comic strip available in all formats from traditional to digital. A highly anticipated PEANUTS movie from 20th Century Fox and Blue Sky Studios is also on the horizon for this fall.

About Peanuts Worldwide:
The PEANUTS characters and related intellectual property are owned by Peanuts Worldwide LLC, a joint venture owned 80% by Iconix Brand Group, Inc. and 20% by members of the Charles M. Schulz family.

---------------- end of press release ----------------

My Thoughts...

This is Terrific! Yay! ABC is no Blockhead! This will certainly be a ratings success and I can't wait to see it! But, please don't change anything to the original - we love it - as is! You can't mess with perfection.

Charlie Brown, of course, holds a very special place in so many of our hearts and the Christmas special, is without a doubt, the one show that touches us deeply with it's profound, yet simple message of the true meaning of Christmas, as only Linus could deliver so sweetly, quoting directly from Luke 2 in the Bible.

While many of us have loved and watched the Charlie Brown Christmas Special since we were children, we still treasure, now as adults, these beloved characters: Charlie Brown, Sally, Linus, Lucy, Schroder, Snoopy, and so on... who come each year, at Christmas, and other Special Holidays... into our home. I'm grateful that ABC continues to air all of these specials on their network and we will continue to watch and share these special stories with our families!

I know many of you will join me in looking forward to seeing the special: “It’s Your 50th Christmas, Charlie Brown,” MONDAY, NOVEMBER 30 (9:00--10:00 p.m., ET) on ABC!

Honoring THE SOUND OF MUSIC 50th Anniversary!

In honor to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of when 20th Century Fox's 'The Sound of Music' first appeared in theaters in 1965, starring Christopher Plummer as Captain Von Trapp and Julie Andrews as the Governess Maria, a special 50th Anniversary Edition DVD has been released.

Plus, 'The Sound of Music' will have a very special showing at the Turner Classic Movies Classic Film Festival on March 26, 2015, with TCM host Robert Osborne hosting a Q&A session with 'The Sound of Music' stars Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer. Also, a restored version of the film will be shown in more than 500 theaters across the U.S. on April 19 and 22, 2015. (details via variety.com)

CLICK HERE FOR 50th ANNIVERSARY DVD

THE SOUND OF MUSIC 50th Anniversary Single-disc DVD contents:

o Feature Film In Standard Definition

o Newly Remastered Picture and Sound

o Optional Sing-Along Track

o Music Machine Sing-Along

o The Sound of Music Tour – A Living Story

THE SOUND OF MUSIC 50th Anniversary Blu-ray 5-Disc Version:

Blu-Blu-ray Disc 1:

o    Feature Film Remastered in 1080p Hi-Def with 7.1 DTS-HD Sound

o    Your Favorite Things: An Interactive Celebration — All-New Immersive Viewing Experience with Behind-the-Scenes Images, On-Screen Lyrics, Trivia Track and Location Quiz

o    Music Machine Sing-Along

o    Audio Commentaries with Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer and Director Robert Wise

Blu-ray Disc 2:

o    Musical Stages: Creating The Sound of Music, an All-New Interactive “Backlot Tour” with In-Depth Featurettes on the Songs, the Stage Show & Movie, the Film and Sound Restoration and the Real-Life von Trapp Family

o    A City of Song — Virtual Map of Filming Locations in Salzburg, Austria

o    Vintage Rodgers & Hammerstein and The Sound of Music Programs

o    Screen Tests, Rare Treasures, Interviews, Photo Galleries & More!

Blu-ray Disc 3:

o    NEW hour-long documentary THE SOUND OF A CITY: JULIE ANDREWS RETURNS TO SALZBURG

     

DVD Disc 4:

o    Feature Film In Standard Definition

o    Newly Remastered Picture and Sound

o    Optional Sing-Along Track

o    Music Machine Sing-Along

o    The Sound of Music Tour – A Living Story

·        
Disc 5 – Exclusive 50^th Anniversary Soundtrack (featuring a selection of international performances of SOM musical favorites)

·        

Via DVD Synopsis:

One Of The Most Popular Family Films Of All Time. Every Song Is A Classic, Every Moment Is A Masterpiece!

Share the magical, heartwarming true-life story that has become the most popular family film of all time - Rodgers and Hammerstein's The Sound of Music. Julie Andrews lights up the screen as Maria, the spirited young woman who leaves the convent to become governess to the seven children of Captain Von Trapp, an autocratic widower whose strict household rules leave no room for music or entertainment.

*Click Here for the Single Disc DVD 50th Anniversary Edition!

 

*Click Here for the Blu-Ray 5- Disc DVD 50th Anniversary Edition!

 

 

My Thoughts on 'The Sound of Music'...

The story within the story of 'The Sound of Music' is powerful. My first remembrance of seeing 'The Sound of Music', I know I instantly fell in love with every single musical number, especially "Edelweiss", "Do-Re-Mi", and "So Long, Farewell". I also enjoyed the sweet love story developing between Captain Von Trapp and Maria, but what has truly captured my heart over the years, is the real underlying story, that is the most powerful force behind the entire film - the unfolding story of communism and the Nazis, whom the Von Trapp family must out-smart, in order to escape capture. Knowing it is based on the true story of the real Von Trapp family, makes the film, significantly more meaningful. I can't help from seeing parallels of this story re-occurring in our world today. 'The Sound of Music' is a grand cinema classic, that will surely be cherished for generations to come...

 

 

*images via: 20th Century Fox, for promotional use only.

*A very special thank you to Jim for the TCM festival information above!