THE MOVIES MIMICKING REAL LIFE (Or Vice Versa). Pts. 1-2

I admit to being a Michael Landon fan of the highest order. I mean, the man was just SO talented; as a writer, producer, director, and actor.

Who can forget his “Little Joe” role in “Bonanza”? And of course, his landmark production, “Little House on the Prairie” in which he portrayed one of my ancient relatives, the real life, “Charles Ingalls.” And then we have the most recent of the three series, “Highway to Heaven” in which Landon portrayed the fictional, “Johnathon Smith;” an angel sent by God, and who intervened in the lives of those whom He set in his pathway.

Recently, I was thrilled to come across the afore mentioned “Highway to Heaven” series on Netflix. At this writing, my wife and I have viewed five of the segments. We, admittedly, have a long way to go; (but that’s okay).

Yesterday we watched a couple of the segments, and in the midst of one of the programs, I noticed one of the most curious things I’ve ever witnessed on television.

As “Johnathon” and his mortal sidekick, “Mark Gordon” (Victor French, who also appeared as “Mr. Edwards” on “Little House”) pulled up to a traffic light in the latter’s beat-up old automobile, a late model sports car pulled up on the passenger side. Suddenly, the young man seems to recognize the well-known television personalities and peers intently into the vehicle. And for the space of perhaps 15-20 seconds the fella just stares.

As the light turns green, the surprised stranger honks his horn. Interestingly enough, throughout the course of the scene neither Landon or French look in his direction, or even seem aware of his presence; no doubt “purposely ignorant” of the stranger.

I am convinced that the foregoing scenario represents one of those so-called TV ‘bloopers’ and should have been cut from the film. Yet, somehow the little visual ‘typo’ was overlooked, and managed to appear in the finished product.

Pt. 2

Did I mention that “Highway to Heaven” was the final series produced and directed by Michael Landon, and in which he appeared as the major character?

(Well, it was).

And whereas, the fictional Johnathon Smith had, (according to the story line) already gone on to his reward, and had been re-commissioned as an angel, and whereas the equally fictional Mark Gordon had been appointed by the Creator to assist him on an indefinite basis, in fact the program lasted only five years. And whereas, each of the actors were “larger than life” and in apparently good health, the real life Victor French passed away within months of the end of the series, and Michael Landon followed close behind him.

Sadly, two consummate actors of their time left us before their time; both passing away in the fifth decade of their lives. Having portrayed multiple television and movie characters, they were prematurely forced to contend with reality. Reminiscent of the young man who once pulled up beside them in the midst of something altogether fictional, and who found himself staring into the faces of real people; role modeling the insubstantial.

I will miss Little Joe, and Charles Ingalls and Johnathon Smith, and Mr. Edwards, and Mark Gordon.

May they rest in peace.


William McDonald, PhD. Excerpt from (Mc)Donald's Daily Diary, Vol. 61. Copyright Pending.

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