Charles Ingalls
From Little House on the Prairie Wiki
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| Charles Ingalls | |
| Played by | Michael Landon |
| Gender | Male |
| Debut | Pilot Movie |
| Occupation | Farmer, odd jobs |
Charles Ingalls is the father of Mary, Laura, Albert, Carrie Ingalls, and Grace Ingalls, and the husband of Caroline Ingalls. He grew up in the backwoods of Wisconsin with his parents. Charles has a usually optimistic attitude, a foreign thing to many members of Walnut Grove -- and is occasionally criticized for this.
Charles also serves on the Walnut Grove Church and School board. His jobs usually included tending to his farm (growing wheat, etc.) and working at Hanson's Mill with Isaiah Edwards and, later, Jonathan Garvey. Charles did take on many different occupations when a family crisis occurred, such as working in a mine, transporting liquid dynamite, etc.
Contents |
[edit] Childhood
[edit] Family
There were a few episodes in the show about Charles' Mother, Father, and a few other members of the family. In The Inheritance, Charles and his family are informed about a rich Uncle dying (referred to as Uncle Rich by Mrs. Oleson). As a result, they run up large bills at the Mercantile. A box arrives full of confederate money, so the Ingalls' home, farm, and land go up for auction.
In episodes such as Journey in the Spring Parts 1 and 2 and I Remember, I Remember we learn more about his family and his childhood.
Jonathan Garvey buys their land for two pennies along with some other members in the town. They give everything back to Charles. In one episode, they have a tornado that wipes out their crops. As a result, Charles decides on moving back to Wisconsin (where he grew up). After having a talk with Caroline they stay in Walnut Grove.
[edit] Book Character
Charles' character in the book series was a switch between characters. The character in the television show is known as the mild-mannered kind-hearted farmer and miller. In the books, Charles character is somewhat harsh, and in one book he whips a man (a large stretch between the connection of both characters). In the books, Charles and his family moved frequently -- in the show, they move from the Big Woods of Wisconsin to Kansas, then to Walnut Grove, then a few years later briefly to Winoka and then return to Walnut Grove until Season 9 when they permanently move to Iowa (although Laura stays in Walnut Grove while Charles, Albert and Caroline return briefly everynow and then).
[edit] Behind the Scenes
Charles was played by Michael Landon throughout the series, Landon wrote every other episode of the show along with, producing and directing many of them. In total, Michael Landon directed the largest number of episodes, eighty-seven.
A few of the episodes in Little House were somewhat similar to Landon's first major acting role on Bonanza. Such as an episode where he would buy a piece of glass for a window, but it keep breaking from other characters accidentally sitting or standing on it.
Michael Landon appeared on the cover of TV Guide a few times as Charles Ingalls. Occasionally Melissa Gilbert and Melissa Sue Anderson appeared with Landon as Laura and Mary.
[edit] Jobs
Charles had many jobs in the show, using the money to pay for an operation for Mary in one episode, etc.
- Miner
- Miller
- Liquid Dynamite Transporter
- Farmer
- Horse Stable Cleaner
- Builder, along with fixing and building things such as hat racks, etc.
- Gold Panning
- Store Merchant
- Purchasing Agent
[edit] Season 1
[edit] A Harvest of Friends
Charles and his family get settled in Walnut Grove. In order to pay for the land, livestock, and equipment Charles takes a job at Hanson's Mill and working at the Feed and Seed store fixing the roof and stacking grain. When the bills are about paid for he takes his family on a picnic, and while getting a kite down from a tree, Charles loses his balance and falls off.
In result, he has a few broken ribs and cannot continue working for a few weeks, which leaves him unable to met his agreement for the contract. When Liam O'Neill comes to take away his oxen, Charles attempts to finish the order, but because of his ribs is unable to. Mary and Laura follow Pa and try to do the work themselves, the townsmen see this and finish the order for Charles.
