Mauling Victor French
with special thanks to Michael Kraven for bringing this to our attention


Little House on the Prairie
Season Two
Episode Twelve

Entitled HIS FATHER'S SON

Synopsis:

Mr. Edwards and John Jr. feel estranged from each other, and an upset Mr. Edwards tries to make his son join him in his way of life. With an expensive gun Mr. Edwards also offers to take him on a hunting trip to his son's dismay.

John Jr. writes a heartfelt letter which Mr. Edwards apparently disregards leaving his son with no choice but to go with him. During the trip a frightening encounter helps Mr. Edwards understand his son, and John discovers that his father does care for him, but he couldn't read the note he wrote for him.

It is while on this hunting trip that real television magic happens.

Mister Edwards (as portrayed by the late great Victor French) hears something and scouts ahead (leaving his boy back and away from possible harm).




It turns out to be....A BEAR!!!




And a stealthy one at that as it takes our bearded hero by surprise!


Wazzat?!?


WHACK!!!



His trusty hat goes flying and the lumbering Edwardsian form eats forest floor while the Bear has other Eating Plans.



Mister Edwards struggles futilely against his Ursine Foe.



And the wounds from the mauling rack up.





Helpless now before the ferocious attack, the Bear reveals his modus operandi when he flips Edwards over and nuzzles into his pack.


It was all for a sandwich.


NOT MY SAMMICH!


Eventually Mister Edwards' wussy son arrives and runs for help.



Mister Edwards survives but has been revealed as an illiterate.

It turns out that the man in the Bear Suit was none other than Michael Landon (Pa Ingalls on the show AND the writer and director of this episode)!!!




Was he sending a message to Victor French? It's hard to say as the hirsute behemoth of an actor was also his co-star on HIGHWAY TO HEAVEN.

Landon in a Bear Suit.

Classic.

T