Thursday Movie Picks TV Edition-Book to TV Adaptations

I am coming back to the blogging world even though my mom’s funeral or celebration of life is this Saturday and I feel guilty writing something I find fun so soon after my beloved mom’s death. I feel like I shouldn’t have fun so soon and yet, my mom would laugh and say, “Don’t be silly sweetheart, just because I am gone doesn’t mean you should stop living.” She would laugh and say, “no, no...don’t be silly.” So I'm writing about TV shows this week which is supposed to be based on a book. I didn’t go the mini-series way where I would have a lot more Picks, I chose actual tv shows that were or are quite successful and 2 have a lasting influence even today. Check out Wandering Through The Shelves to see what the rest have chosen. Here are my 3....

1. SUPERMAN-1952-1958

We all know that this tv show and all the tv shows after and films as well, come from the great comic books written by Jerry Sieger and Joe Shuster (a Canadian) from the 1930’s on. The first tv show starred George Reeves as the Man of Steel and poor George became typecast as a result. In fact, he had a substantial role in From Here to Eternity but when it was shown to people in an advanced screening, people were  laughing at Superman in this movie so his role was almost cut out completely. We know the story, Superman is from the planet Krypton, raised here on earth and  he decides to fight evil. He becomes mile mannered Clark Kent hired as a reporter for the Daily Planet and quickly falls for non nonsense Lois Lane, the star reporter. Somehow, she and photographer  Jimmy Olsen, get into trouble and Superman saves the day. I watched these shows constantly and loved them and had no idea how famous he really was in the 1950s until much later. The first season was more adult like and more violent, for this decade, so the execs decided that this is a kid’s show and, to lessen the violence and adult scripts, made it kid friendly. Oh and George Reeves did not kill himself by trying to fly off a building or shooting himself with his costume on, he was murdered...I am certain of that.

2. LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE-1974-1983

I read the books, written by Laura Ingalls Wilder, and I watched the tv show and loved it despite their home looking more like Little Outhouse on the Prairie. It Stars Michael Landon as Charles  Ingalls, The patriarch of an all female household. His dutiful wife, his perfect oldest gal, Mary, before she becomes blind, the youngest daughter, Carrie who neve did much and the plucky star, Laura Ingalls. Many episodes were about Laura and how spunky she was, always questioning and always beating up Nellie Olsen, the spoiled brat of the Olsen Family who own the store. I loved the simple tales that often had some teaching behind it. My favourite episodes were when the school kids were caught in a blizzard walking home from school. The other was the horrible episode when a fire hits the school for the blind and one of the regular characters was killed along with Mary’s baby. I had to pick this one because my mom called every PSW and nurse, Laura Ingalls. I don’t know why but she did and she even called the one lady who placed her into bed last Monday, after lunch, Laura Ingalls. She told the PSW to have a good day and good night And that was the last thing my mom said.

3. CARDINAL-1917 TO PRESENT

I started watching this highly rated Canadian show when it first came out and I am addicted. This is an adaptation of "40 Words of Sorrow" by Gilles Blunt which was a big seller. It takes place up north and begins with a young, ambitious detective sent to investigate Cardinal, a long time cop who has secrets he is trying to keep. During this time, a serial killer is loose and they must try to find the killer all while she is investigating Cardinal. The other cops  dislike her making her job even more difficult. If you get a chance, you should watch this.