Charles Phillip Ingalls and Caroline Lake Ingalls (nee' Quiner) had five children; Mary Amelia, Laura Elizabeth, Caroline Celestia "Carrie", Charles Frederick (who lived for only nine months) and Grace Pearl.
The original TV movie/pilot episode which aired on NBC in 1974 did not use the familiar classic David Rose theme song. It had a different theme song, but fans of the series will recognize it as a leitmotif that reoccurs regularly throughout the series.
Adapted for television by screenwriter Blanche Hanalis. She would continue to receive a front line "Developed For Television" credit in every episode of the series, although she had no further involvement with the show beyond her pilot script.
Melissa Gilbert's audition with Michael Landon consisted of the scene where Pa is playing his fiddle by the campfire. Melissa and Michael wore their own clothes for the audition, which is on YouTube.
One of the shots of Laura (Melissa Gilbert) when the family was enjoying Christmas with Mr. Edwards would later be used in the opening credits when the name of the series was changed to "Little House: A New Beginning" in the final season.