article on Michael' death (interview with Cindy Landon)

21 years ago today Michael left us. No matter what is written or said about him, this is how I will always remember him. When his daughter was near death he made some promises to God if He would let her live. I think he kept them. You simply do not write and produce stories like he did without something special in your heart. I only wish he could have bessed this world a little bit longer.

Lynn said in Michael Jr.'s movie and interviews that he had a hard childhood and told stories of his "crazy" mother. She felt, and I do too, that in many ways, he was always trying to recreate what he wanted and that was why on Little House, family was so important.

His "crisis" later, didn't effect the work he put into creating that.


This was a great visit with Johnny, I've told about this joke he played with the menu many times.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bE-iheAagM0

Yes. I've also read that in Patrick Loubatière's book. Michael Landon had always dreamed with a cozy family, and dreamed it to other people too...Sadly he wasn't able to give this cozy sourroundings to his own family.

However, , creating Little House TV world he helped many people to prize family high values. I think that's great and we can't said he failed in his giving of love.

Vanesa.

Well said david.

I can't imagine life in the public eye. He probably did have fans expecting him to be like Charles Ingalls. He even said he wasn't squeaky clean and was no saint. As I said, I will always admire him for the shows he did. He was a gifted actor, writter, director and producer. He will always be my favorite actor. He may have left this world, but he will live on through his shows.

It was easier to some degree in the "olden days" before Internet and tabloids to keep some mystery, but it doesn't mean it's always good.
If actors drank a lot, Spencer Tracy comes to mind, it wasn't thought of as "needed information", people wanted to see him act. His affair, some talk, but again, it was separate. Not so much today.
People assumed Fred McMurray for instance for very close to his 3 sons on TV (My Three Sons show) and he was nice but more introverted they said, and many scenes were filmed without him there because he golfed a lot. They would put his scenes in later talking to them and split the camera shots. It doesn't change the show, but the images you get of everyone sitting around sharing meals and life wasn't accurate.
Michael was close to many on his set, kept them in line the way he should, but his other side, the one not like his character existed, but even if it wasn't what other people would want, it didn't in any way take away from the magic he did behind the camera.

We all have our demons, even him and his addiction to cigarettes and alcohol and maybe even the area he worked in, might have helped end his life prematurely, but the legacy he left behind will live on and that is more than other actors today can say.

I miss his TV...I grew up with Mr. Rogers and shows that showed goodness and morals...what is like that today?

Very well said.