Michael Landon, the Father I Knew

While I was prepared for a nasty tell-all in the form of "Mommy Dearest," as the reviewer in TV Guide had written, I was pleasantly surprised to see a poignant story of the son of a once-loving father having to come to terms with his own and his father's imperfections.

While it was a joy to see the depicted Michael Landon, Jr. eventually triumph over many life-controlling problems, and learn to love his father, the viewer will be compelled to use up a box of Kleenex when he learns that his father, the nationally-beloved Michael Landon, must inevitably die of inoperable cancer. Even though many of us lived through it ourselves as we watched Michel Landon's courageous fight against pancreatic cancer in the news, it was even tougher this time; we had to see the process through the eyes of a loving son who is unable to help his father fight a relentlessly progressing disease.

Most surprising of all is the clarity of Michael Landon, Jr's directorial vision. From the first moment, his style easily drew the viewer in to the point that the audience could actually experience what it was like to be part of the Landon family. That makes watching the family deteriorate later on even more involving and immediate. He will grow to be a true master of the art of film as he matures. I look forward to more of his work.

Some of the critics said it was like a revenge movie. The son was just saying how he felt. People still want to see Landon as little Joe, pa Ingalls and the angel on highway to heaven, and he definitely wasn't a angel. To me the son wrote a truthful story of a man who did have problems.

Michael Landon, junior did a good job, as his life with a very famous father seems to have brought him maturity. Meaning that he is able to love his father, whose warts abound as much as any of us. Most times, we find it more than a little hard to love our parents when we discover that they are as human as we are!

I think "his" account (personal viewpoint) of his dad is told as honestly as he was able to tell it. I hope he follows this movie up with a sequel. It would be nice to know how all of the Landon children survived the death of their dad. I imagine that the writing and the directing of this life experience was more than a little helpful to the author.

If there is one thing that stands out in the movie, it is the work ethic his father had. The movie show us how Michael junior learned how to work hard instead of sponging off of his wealthy parents. There are a few things like the example of "hard work" in the movie that make it more than just merely beneficial to watch.

For any parent who has several adult children, the odds are that one of those children are going to have strong negative feelings about something true or perceived to be true about something their parent did or did not do.

I had the honor of writing (in 1996) the online biography for the 'Michael Landon International Internet Fan Club. I grew up watching Bonanza and raised my own family during Little House on the Prairie. I once again travelled with Michael during Highway to Heaven.

Michael had his own set of problems with his parents, which had nothing to do with divorce. Michael Sr.'s problems were those of 'identification'. His father, a Jew, was a workaholic and detached from his mentally ill mother, who was a Catholic.

It is pretty easy to see why Michael Landon became a 'controller' as he matured during his later 'Bonanza' days. He lived, as a child, teen and young adult in a home that he had little, if any, control over his own life.

What happened between Michael Landon and his second wife, Lynn Noe was between them. I spoke extensively to the late Victoria King, Michael's older sister. She related that Lynn, who became a 'born again Christian' was at odds with Michael, who was happy being Jewish and that his children, particularly Michael Jr., was angry because of his parents' divorce, but also because his father would not 'convert' to Christianity.

Vicky said that even during the time that Michael was dying he was told by family members that he would 'go to hell', if he didn't convert. Thank God that God is the Judge of our fate. Otherwise, we would all be in trouble.

One of the statements Michael Landon made that really hit home with me was, "In my dreams, my children love me". I do pray that his children will forgive him for what they think or perceive to be wrongs against them. He could have left them without a dime to fend for themselves, but he loved his children, provided for them, their mothers and even his own mother and sister, which he did not have to do.

Michael Landon, thanks for all the fond memories you gave and continue to give millions, (thank goodness for reruns!) and, may your memory be for a blessing.

Carol 'Channah Leah' Shoemaker

I'm sorry Mr OhioBonanza - it seems you are too emotionally involved with the Landon's for any impartial reasoning. Did you fail to read the title : 'The Father I Knew' / 'A Father's Son' ???????

It's a son's recount - who was clearly taken for granted and at times, forgotten by his self-indulgent, hormone-crazed father - of this man who was his parent. & for someone who wasn't there to disregard what he experienced growing up being Michael Landon Jnr - is very selfish, arrogant and mean spirited.

**************A stale piece of hogwash, 16 May 2004. This film vilifies Michael Landon, a man of extraordinary talent, guts, compassion,intelligence, and empathy for the downtrodden. I am a big Michael Landon fan...and I watched and taped the movie when it was aired years ago. It was completely biased. For example, it made Lynn Landon look like a poor betrayed wife...well, that is partially true, but nowhere did Michael, Jr. mention that Lynn was married to two men before Michael!!! Mr. Pontrelli...and then Mr. Manny Baier...She was older than Michael and more experienced...in many ways. She was said to be more concerned with her Beverly Hills status than with enjoying life with Michael. She wouldn't cook, and she apparently couldn't even be bothered to learn how to make a cup of coffee. Michael,Jr. also neglected to mention that he was heavily into drugs as an older teen, and that he was asked to leave the college he attended. Cindy was made out to be a teenybopper type; I have met Cindy, and she was warm and sensible..and she truly loved Michael. Such a superficial treatment by Landon, Jr., with bad acting, poor casting, hackneyed direction, and poor-me writing...makes this "daddydearest" a real loser. Avoid it; spend the time watching repeats of "Bonanza"..."Little House" and "Highway to Heaven".... Betsy