"When Calls the Heart" Cast To Welcome "Little House on the Prairie" Star To Season 12

While the Hearties Family Reunion fan event is taking place in Vancouver, Canada, Michael Landon Jr. (one of the producers of "When Calls the Heart" and son of Michael Landon) revealed some exciting news to the fans assembled there. "Little House on the Prairie" star Melissa Gilbert (who famously portrayed Laura Ingalls as a young girl and teacher on the prairie series) will join the cast of "When Calls the Heart" for two episodes in Season 12!

According to Hallmark, Melissa Gilbert will play Georgie McGill, “who shares a surprising past with one special Hope Valley resident.”

Announcement video:

This is not, however, Melissa Gilbert's first time on Hallmark; she previously starred in these movies for the network: Thicker than Water, Sacrifices of the Heart, and The Christmas Pageant.

Returning for season 12 of "When Calls the Heart" are: Erin Krakow, Kevin McGarry, Chris McNally, Jack Wagner, Pascale Hutton, Kavan Smith, Andrea Brooks, and lots more of the regular cast members...


My Quick Take:

Oh my goodness... this news makes me so happy! I'm so thrilled to learn and share with you all that Melissa Gilbert will be visiting Hope Valley. I think this will be a wonderful addition to the show. Who will her character, Georgie, have a connection with in the town? There are so many possibilities. I'm guessing it might be Jack Wagner's character, Bill Avery, but we shall see.

Due to the prairie time period and small community centered around the church and one-room schoolhouse, "When Calls the Heart" is often compared to "Little House on the Prairie," so to have them connected in this way is extra special.

I hope many of you enjoyed this news, as well.

Blessings to you all,

Net

"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

It's Official! Hallmark Drama is now Hallmark Family - Details Here:

As of today, the end of an era has come as Hallmark Drama is rebranded to Hallmark Family. If you turn to the channel, you will now see the Hallmark Family logo, which has replaced Hallmark Drama in the lower right-side corner of the screen.

You can see the difference in these two images...

The network also released a new promo - giving viewers an idea of what the new Hallmark Family name means, and it appears the channel will air more of the same content we are used to - family dramas, like Little House on the Prairie and The Waltons and classic Hallmark movies.

Video Promo:

Welcome to #HallmarkFamily! Your home for beloved classics, Hallmark original movies & timeless stories with a brand new name! pic.twitter.com/PzGUdEZKqF

— Hallmark Family (@Hallmark_Family) February 28, 2024

The New Logo Look:

As I was creating this post and staring at the new logo versus the old, I noticed how the company name, Hallmark, has become smaller, while the word Family is far bigger than Drama in the previous logo. The emphasis is strategically focused on the word Family over Hallmark, which I find to be rather interesting.

I pulled up my Frndly TV programming guide to see if changes had been made there, and yes, they have. For those of you who have this streaming service, if you don't have your Frndly TV guide in alphabetical order, then you should find Great American Family and Hallmark Family side by side in the guide. It was easier to tell the two apart before, but now that Hallmark Drama is Hallmark Family, I'm wondering if that might confuse some viewers into thinking they are watching Great American Family. It makes one wonder?

I know Great American Family and Hallmark Family aren't close on DirecTV, but are they close (in channel number) through other cable services?

Anyway, I wanted to be sure to mention this big change for Hallmark Drama to Hallmark Family today. Is this a channel you watch often or plan to watch more of since the rebranding? I must say, I don't watch regularly, but every now and then, I tune in when the network plays a classic Hallmark movie I love from years back.

Happy watching, everyone!

Net

🎄Happy 4 Months 'til Christmas!!! #CountdownToChristmas

🎄 Merry *Mark the 25th*! 🎄


Can you believe it? On this August 25th, there are now only 4 months until December 25th, Christmas day, and the Christmas movie season will begin even sooner, of course, at the end of October!

Until then, we will still enjoy our Summer, while looking forward to Christmas, too! Here at *It's a Wonderful Movie* we each pick our own Christmas movie, cartoon, etc... to watch and celebrate the day. If you'd like to join in, please share your choice in comments below.

Christmas on TV today:

Hallmark Drama has two great classic family choices...

The Waltons - The Best Christmas at 2PM

Storyline: After having a number of failed Christmases over the years, Olivia wants to make certain that she makes the last Christmas that the entire family will be home for and spend together the best one ever at the Walton household.

Video Clip: (Spoiler Alert: this is the last scene of the episode!)

Little House on the Prairie - Blizzard at 7PM

Storyline: Miss Beadle delights her class by closing early for Christmas break because she wants them to get home before the coming snowstorm hits, but many children are caught in the blizzard and the townsmen search for them while the doctor treats frostbite.

Other Christmas TV Specials Today:

If you'd like to do a little Christmas shopping today, then check out QVC. All day long they will have their special Countdown to Christmas Sale! One of my personal favorites is Bethlehem Lights Seasonal Lighting.

My Christmas Movie Pick:

I decided my Christmas movie pick to *Mark the 25th* is the Great American Family movie: Much Ado About Christmas, which stars Susie Abromeit. I have this movie on my DVR, and thought it would be a fun re-watch before the premiere of Susie's new Great American Family movie this weekend, Love in Bloom!

Plus, I have great news! 

Much Ado About Christmas 

is now available to order on DVD! 

See all the details at Amazon - *click here*!

What is your Christmas pick to *Mark the 25th*! 

Be sure to share in comments below.

Have a Merry Day, everyone! 

Net🎄

Catch Some Great NEW MOVIES FATHER'S DAY WEEKEND & More... SEE HERE:

fishing image via: Pixabay

Here's a highlight of what's new this weekend + movies/shows that honor fathers on this Father's Day Weekend....

☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀

Saturday, June 19, 2021:

Take a trip to Paris in the new Summer Nights movie...

Her Pen Pal

Storyline: Event planner Victoria (Jansen) can’t wait to attend –- and plan –- her best friend’s wedding in Paris. But when she finds out her ex is bringing a date, Victoria reconnects with her French childhood pen pal (Sasse).

Her Pen Pal premieres

Saturday, June 19, 2021

at 9pm/8c. on the Hallmark Channel

☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀

Sunday, June 20, 2021:

Celebrate Fathers, Dads, Daddies, Pa's, and Grandpas on this Father's Day with the...

Little House on the Prairie

PA-THER'S DAY MARATHON

Pa-ther's Day Marathon
SUNDAY STARTING AT 9 AM ET on UPtv!

☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀

Sunday, June 20, 2021:

Movies/Shows that honor Daddy's on Father's Day...


TCM:

Judge Hardy and Son (1939) - 12pm
The Courtship of Eddie's Father (1963) - 1:45pm
Life with Father (1947) - 4pm
Father of the Bride (1950) - 6:15 pm

Hallmark Drama:

The Waltons Marathon All Day!

☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀

Sunday, June 20, 2021:

It's another western adventure with...

Wild West Chronicles

“Stagecoach Mary”

Details via INSP: When Mother Amadeus takes ill, former slave Mary Fields travels west to nurse the nun back to health; Mary becomes a fearless mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service, protecting the mail from bandits and earning the nickname Stagecoach Mary.

Wild West Chronicles airs

Sunday, JUNE 20, 2021

at 5:30PM ET. on INSP

☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀

Sunday, June 20, 2021:

An all new mystery takes place in Malta with Hallmark's...

To Catch a Spy

Storyline via Hallmark: A travel writer witnesses a murder at a hotel in Malta and becomes ensnared in a web of intrigue and espionage as she tries to find the killer before the killer finds her.

To Catch a Spy premieres

Sunday, June 20, 2021

at 8pm/7c. on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries

I hope you all have a nice, relaxing weekend. Happy Father's Day to all the wonderful Fathers that visit here. I will be spending the day with my precious, hardworking Daddy (love him so much!) and my entire family - honoring all the Fathers. We eat delicious food, prepared by the ladies, and typically, we play games and enjoy good conversation. We are expecting very hot weather and possible rainstorms throughout day, so we'll probably be indoors. Hope your weather is pleasant.

Even though my father enjoys a good Hallmark movie, I'll be recording the new movies to watch sometime later. Hope you all can catch something good over the weekend. I always look forward to seeing TCM's classic movies that honor fathers, especially the Andy Hardy movies! For those of you who have Fathers who enjoy old westerns, you'll want to be sure to tune in to the Wild West Chronicles on INSP. And, how cute is the PA-ther's Day Little House on the Prairie Marathon on UPtv, and I just love a marathon of The Waltons on Hallmark Drama - so many good family-friendly options!

Blessings to you all, Net

☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀☀

SHINING HIS LIGHT:

"Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name Jah, and rejoice before him. A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation."

~Psalm 68:4-5

It's a "LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE" Reunion on Home & Family!

Take a trip down memory lane to Walnut Grove...

with cast members from the Television Drama Series

"Little House on the Prairie".

Gathering for this special reunion, are... Karen Grassle (Caroline Ingalls), Melissa Gilbert (Laura Ingalls), Alison Arngrim (Nellie Oleson), Rachel Greenbush (Carrie Ingalls), Dean Butler (Almonzo Wilder), and the children of the late, Michael Landon (Charles Ingalls)... Leslie Landon Matthews (schoolteacher Etta Plum), and Michael Landon Jr. (Jim).

You can see Home & Family weekdays on the Hallmark Channel at 10am/9c. - with the previous day repeat airings at 12noon/11c.

This special Home & Family "Little House on the Prairie" Reunion Show will air Thursday, October 8, 2015 at 10am/9c. on the Hallmark Channel. (encore airing October 9 at 12noon/11c.)


My thoughts...

"Little House on the Prairie" will always hold a very special place in my heart. I grew up wearing braids just like Laura Ingalls, always admiring her spunk, her inquisitive character... and later, as I learned more about the real Laura Ingalls Wilder, I admired her as a writer, and a true American Pioneer. For all of us who still love this precious Television series, this will be a delightful look back with those who created it!


The "Little House on the Prairie: The Complete Series Deluxe Remastered Edition" - is available in this must have DVD Set, which features the entire series packaged in that iconic "Little House"!

Click Here for DVD Details!

Remembering Skye McCole Bartusiak, with Love

This Sunday, the Hallmark Channel will have a movie marathon of the Love Comes Softly films. Sadly, one of the stars from the first film, Skye McCole Bartusiak, unexpectedly passed away this summer, on July 19th, from seizures.

As a young actress, Skye McCole Bartusiak was sweet, sassy, and spunky in her portrayal of young Missie Davis in Love Comes Softly.

Skye was absolutely amazing, amidst veteran actors Katherine Heigl and Dale Midkiff, in Love Comes Softly. One couldn't help from falling in love with the little girl, in the movie. Even with all her back-talk and defiance, all she really needed was the love and care, of a mother. With great emotion, she stood her own ground, in her role as young Missie Davis. She made me laugh, and she made me cry, with deep sadness. Then, later in the story, she made me cry all over again with complete joy! I know she touched many of our hearts.

Michael Landon Jr., who directed Love Comes Softly, shared via Twitter:
"My heart's breaking over tragic loss of Skye Bartusiak who played Missie in "Love Comes Softly." Thoughts and prayers to Helen and family."

 

The film Love Comes Softly is a wonderful beginning to the "Love Saga" series...

which are all family-friendly and set in the same prairie time period.

 

 

September 14, 2014 - Sunday

*Love Comes Softly Movie Marathon on Hallmark Channel.

Love's Long Journey ... Hallmark Channel ... 11 AM

Love Finds a Home ... Hallmark Channel ... 1 PM

Love Begins ... Hallmark Channel ... 3 PM

Love's Everlasting Courage ... Hallmark Channel ... 5 PM

Love Comes Softly ... Hallmark Channel ... 7 PM

Love's Enduring Promise ... Hallmark Channel ... 9 PM

 

 

September 15, 2014 - Monday

 

*TBN will show the Movie commercial free!

 

Love Comes Softly ... TBN ... 10 PM

 

 

I hope you will enjoy the movies,

and remember Skye McCole Bartusiak, as I do, with love.

I extend my prayers to her family and friends.

 

 

*You can see Skye's complete acting credits, including the movie The Patriot, the T.V. series 24,

and the mini-series Beyond the Prairie, Part 2: The True Story of Laura Ingalls Wilder, and more at imdb.com.

 

*Please visit my Love Comes Softly page for my complete review of this movie. It is "Such a precious story of the Lord's Amazing Love".

INSP will honor 40th Year Anniversary of Little House on the Prairie!

On this day, in 1974, the television drama Little House on the Prairie first premiered on T.V. I know I grew up watching the series, countless times, in re-runs. As a little girl, I joined many other little girls in my desire to wear braids and be Laura Ingalls.

What a joy it is to mark this occasion and share it with all of you... as well as share the wonderful tribute INSP is giving this family TV drama today!



chalkboard image via: INSP

via INSP --- "It's been 40 years since Charles, Caroline, and the girls entered our homes and our hearts! Enjoy the first episode, then join the Ingalls family as they reminisce about life in Walnut Grove."

The Little House on the Prairie 40th Anniversary Celebration:


5pm A Harvest of Friends
The Ingalls family settles on the banks of Plum Creek in Walnut Grove. Once their house is built, Charles faces the difficulties of working multiple jobs in order to pay for his farming equipment and an accident may make that impossible.

6pm The Little House Years Part 1 of 3
When the Ingalls’ get together for Thanksgiving, the family shares stories of their favorite memories. This episode is filled with many flashbacks of Little House on the Prairie’s greatest, most memorable moments.

7pm The Little House Years Part 2 of 3
The walk down memory road continues as the Ingalls family shares stories of their favorite memories. This episode also shares many flashbacks of Little House on the Prairie’s greatest, most memorable moments.

8pm The Little House Years Part 3 of 3
At Thanksgiving, the Ingalls family shares stories of their favorite memories. This show contains flashbacks of Little House on the Prairie’s greatest episodes. With all the stories fresh in her mind, Laura mentions that she hopes to write a book about her special memories.

(schedule & episode details above via: INSP)


*There will also be "Pop-Ups" during the shows, on INSP, to give us a behind-the-scenes look on this wonderful series.

With great fondness, I hold this series close to my heart. Michael Landon co-created something so beautiful and lasting... the treasure of the Ingalls family that lived in that Little House... their trials, their triumphs, their everyday joys and struggles... we were there to watch it all and see the family grow, the children be married, and have children of their own. It truly is a wonderful, heartwarming series, I will always hold dear.

I hope you and your family will enjoy this trip back to Walnut Grove and the Little House on the Prairie!

---------------------------------

 

Little House on the Prairie is available on DVD, in a full series set edition, or all 9 seasons can be purchased separately. Load up your wagon at Amazon.

Help Bring Back INSP on DirecTV

If you are a DirecTV customer, then on February 1st, 2014, DirecTV removed the television network INSP, channel 364, from your channel line-up.

Finding TV Shows that are Family-Friendly is difficult these days, and knowing we had a Television Network we could always trust to bring us family entertainment, was priceless!

Please read the Statement below from INSP.


To all INSP viewers and DIRECTV customers:

Thank you to all our INSP viewers for your overwhelming support.

Your emails, phone calls and Facebook posts are making a resounding statement about how important INSP and its family friendly programming is to you.

To be clear, INSP never wanted to come off DIRECTV. INSP is FREE, has always been FREE and doesn’t add one single penny to your monthly satellite bill.

You’re the customer and you deserve to have the programing you ask for. 

Call DIRECTV. If you’ve called, please call again. If you posted, please post again.

Tell them, “I’m a DIRECTV subscriber. I love INSP. Put INSP BACK on.”

Go to DIRECTV’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/directv and tell them why INSP is uniquely important to you.

Please continue to make your voice heard.

Continue to call 1-844-GET-INSP (1-844-438-4677) and fill out the petition at www.iwantmyinsp.com.

Thank you!

------


Please join me in contacting DirecTV and asking them to bring back INSP.

Thank you, Net

Michael Landon INSP T.V. Tribute

The INSP
Michael Landon Tribute
Saturday June 23, 2012






Program Lineup
*See Promo Video Below!



6pm Little House on the Prairie
Episode: 100 Mile Walk-
When a hailstorm leaves the Ingalls family's crops in ruin, Charles and some neighbors work in a dangerous railroad blasting job. Meanwhile, Caroline rounds up the farmers' wives to salvage what's left of the crops while trying to remain optimistic in the face of the trial.

7pm Little House on the Prairie
Episode: Money Crop-
A young farmer and his expectant wife , convince Charles and others to plant a special breed of corn as a money crop. All give the farmer their money to purchase seed in Minneapolis. When he fails to return, the desperate farmers turn on Charles and the young wife. Charles frantically looks to find answers.

8pm Little House on the Prairie
Episode: Founder's Day-
When Walnut Grove's Founders Day celebration comes around, the entire town is looking forward to all the games and activities. However, as the day wears on, the citizens of the town are about to see how competitive Charles and an aging stranger can be.

9pm Little House on the Prairie
Episode: Going Home-
Overwhelmed by the random destruction left in the wake of a devastating tornado, a weary Charles Ingalls convinces himself to give up trying to make a life for his family on the prairie, puts the farm up for sale and prepares to move back to the big woods where he was born.


10pm Bonanza
Episode: The Abduction-
Little Joe and Hoss spend an unforgettable evening at the carnival when Little Joe's date, pretty Jennifer Beale, disappears. The carnival owner has an eye for pretty girls and Jennifer is intrigued by him. She soon learns that the attraction could prove fatal.

11pm Bonanza
Episode: Silent Thunder-
Guest Star Stella Stevens- Angry with the way a beautiful deaf girl is treated by her father, Little Joe takes it upon himself to teach her sign language so they can communicate better. His plan backfires when the young woman falls in love with him and the girl's jealous neighbor resents her spending her time with youngest Cartwright.


12am Highway to Heaven
Episode: To Touch the Moon-
By bringing together a juvenile delinquent and a child prodigy with leukemia, Jonathan shows that a little love can go a long way toward easing the pain of death.

1am Highway to Heaven
Episode: In with the “In” Crowd-
Jonathan and Mark pose as counselors to see if they can find who is bringing cocaine to school and bust a drug ring.


Promo Video:
(please note: the tribute will air on June 23, 2012)




MY THOUGHTS...

What a wonderful actor Michael Landon was! It is so special that INSP is doing this tribute to him. When I think of Michael Landon, I immediately see him as Charles Ingalls and laughing that enormously rich laugh that made everyone around him laugh, too! He left a wonderful legacy of television shows that continue to bring joy and laughter to generation after generation... On this week after Fathers Day, I hope you and your family enjoy this tribute to one of televisions most wonderful fathers.

INSP "Fathers Day" Special on Saturday!

The INSP
TOP TV DADS
SPECIAL
*Updated with Promo Video Below!




Saturday June 16, 2012 INSP Program Lineup
(the Saturday before Father's Day!)



6- 7pm Little House on the Prairie
Episode: A Harvest of Friends-
The Ingalls family settles on the banks of Plum Creek in Walnut Grove. Once their house is built, Charles faces the difficulties of working multiple jobs in order to pay for his farming equipment and an accident may make that impossible.

7-8pm Little House on the Prairie
Episode: The Richest Man in Walnut Grove-
When Lars is unable to pay Charles two months' back pay, the Ingalles family is forced to work together and sacrifice to pay their bills. Mary sews to earn money, Caroline helps with the farm work, and Charles finds work digging a well.


8-9pm The Waltons
Episode: The Stray-
Mysterious events at the Walton farm lead to the discovery of a little orphan boy who attaches himself to John, who then takes the lead in finding a suitable home for his young friend.

9-10pm The Waltons
Episode: The Boy from the C.C.C.-
An injured runaway boy who is taken in by the Waltons unexpectedly betrays their trust, and John finds himself mentoring the boy in hopes of affecting his future. Meanwhile, a Elizabeth’s pet raccoon takes a turn for the worse, prompting John to comfort his daughter through the tears .

10-11pm The Big Valley
Episode: Night of the Wolf-
Nick is bitten by a rabid wolf and thinking he is going to die, leaves Stockton without any explanation to the family. His journey leads him to re-examine his life and attitudes-and the help of a woman and her son to give him hope for the future.

11-12am The Big Valley
Episode: The Prize-
The Barkleys take in the infant son of a wanted man. When the outlaw father, returns to the Barkley ranch to take custody of his son, he finds himself in a showdown with a bounty hunter.


12-1am Bonanza
Episode: The Spitfire-
Joe finds a stranger burning Ponderosa land and must shoot him in self-defense. He finds himself left with the responsibility of the man's daughter and brings her home to the Ponderosa, unaware that her outlaw kin are searching for her.

1-1:30am Happy Days
Episode: Howard's 45th Fiasco-
It's Howard Cunningham's 45th birthday and he wonders where the years and his dreams have gone. Striving to convince his dad that his 45 years haven't been that dull, Richie stages a "This Is Your Life" birthday party, with help from Fonzie and the rest of the gang.


1:30-2am The Brady Bunch
Episode: Father of the Year-
Marcia enters her new dad in a newspaper contest for "father of the year," but gets herself grounded for breaking house rules to make the late-night deadline. Marcia nearly explodes keeping her little secret, even after being told she can't join the family on a weekend ski trip.


Promo Video:




((An enormous THANK YOU to M.P. at INSP for always giving me the best program information... God Bless You!))


I hope you all will have the opportunity to watch and enjoy these great shows about Fathers on Saturday, June 16th - the day before Fathers Day!


And... Happy Fathers Day to all the great Daddys out there!


-------

*Little House on the Prairie: The Complete Nine-Season Set (Complete Series + Pilot Episode)
*The Waltons: Complete Seasons 1-9 & Movie Collection
*The Big Valley - Season 1
*Bonanza: The Official First Season, Vol 1 & 2
*Happy Days: Seasons 1-4
*The Brady Bunch: The Complete Series with Shag Carpet Cover