Gambini, the Great

Gambani is not a circus act. He's a dare devil that does dangerous stunts. And when he does one that almost takes his life, he tries to hand his legacy to his oldest son, but his son refuses and leaves. Now it's all up to his youngest, but he has some growing up to do. Meanwhile, Gambani will continue his shows, but without the coffin act...or will he?

When he enters Walnut Grove, many of the children are suddenly turned on by what appears to be raw adventure. But for Albert, he decides he wants to be the next Gambani. He's amazed to watch them riding on the trapeze and imagines him up there doing just that - without a net! Albert gets so affected, in fact, that he starts trying the stunts. Of course, Willie does also because it only lands him into a mess of trouble.

Unfortunately, Albert's head in the clouds gets him into serious trouble with his father, who is very, very, very unhappy with him. Charles lets it go until Albert risks his life for a stunt, then he forbids him to have anything to do with the show. But something happens that may just change everybody's mind!

I wonder what the music they used for this episode was. It sounds like something European, maybe French tunes. Normally, even when the issue at hand is quite tragic, the music doesn't go too far from David Rose's classical opening theme. But this time I think they went overboard with it and overplayed the intended agitation.

Something's off with either the casting or the story. Almost nothing happens till the end, and it looks like quite a lot of time was spent without story development.

Much as the moral is solid and fits in the LHOTP universe well, I doubt this one was a well-crafted episode with regards to overall entertainment value.

The following episode dealt with the master of circus expertise. Gambini himself learned how to escape the jaws of death in any trick. The opening part of the show; however, had some scary moments. Papa Gambini did not escape a burning fire while being locked in chains (on his wrists and feet) while he was contained in a coffin. He survived the scare; but not without some tense moments before arriving at the hospital. After being admitted into the hospital, his older son was concerned about assuming the responsibility of being a great performer in his father's place. The older son balked at the idea; consequently, his father eventually disowned him of any link to the Gambini Family. Marco then takes over his father's role as a performer; much against his mother's wishes.

Later on in the show, Albert Ingalls was being negligent in his family chores at home. He spent a good two hours or so (or so it may seem) being around the Gambinis. He had told Mr. Gambini he had never learned how to use a tight rope; Charles Ingalls said, "That day will NEVER come!!" He told Albert Ingalls that he was not going to be a patient -- he was going to be a doctor. Albert interjected by saying, "But Pa ..." And Charles Ingalls said, "I DON'T want to hear anymore about it ... go put on your shoes ... you got chores to do at home." Mr. Gambini complied to Charles Ingalls' wishes about having young people endangering their lives just for an act in the circus. The Final Rating: An 8.6!! I highly recommend watching this episode -- dating back from the 1981-1982 Television Season!!