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Little House on the Prairie
S1.E11
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IMDbPro

The Voice of Tinker Jones

  • Episode aired Dec 4, 1974
  • TV-PG
  • 50m
IMDb RATING
8.2/10
481
YOUR RATING
Chuck McCann in Little House on the Prairie (1974)
DramaFamilyRomanceWestern

A mute traveling tinker may have the only solution after Rev. Alden's request for a new church bell starts the townspeople of Walnut Grove to feuding over who will donate the bell and who wi... Read allA mute traveling tinker may have the only solution after Rev. Alden's request for a new church bell starts the townspeople of Walnut Grove to feuding over who will donate the bell and who will take the credit.A mute traveling tinker may have the only solution after Rev. Alden's request for a new church bell starts the townspeople of Walnut Grove to feuding over who will donate the bell and who will take the credit.

  • Director
    • Leo Penn
  • Writers
    • Blanche Hanalis
    • Laura Ingalls Wilder
    • Tony Kayden
  • Stars
    • Michael Landon
    • Karen Grassle
    • Melissa Gilbert
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    8.2/10
    481
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Leo Penn
    • Writers
      • Blanche Hanalis
      • Laura Ingalls Wilder
      • Tony Kayden
    • Stars
      • Michael Landon
      • Karen Grassle
      • Melissa Gilbert
    • 6User reviews
    • 1Critic review
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos7

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    Top cast26

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    Michael Landon
    Michael Landon
    • Charles Ingalls
    Karen Grassle
    Karen Grassle
    • Caroline Ingalls
    Melissa Gilbert
    Melissa Gilbert
    • Laura Ingalls
    Melissa Sue Anderson
    Melissa Sue Anderson
    • Mary Ingalls
    Rachel Lindsay Greenbush
    Rachel Lindsay Greenbush
    • Carrie Ingalls
    Sidney Greenbush
    Sidney Greenbush
    • Carrie Ingalls
    Richard Bull
    Richard Bull
    • Nels Oleson
    Dabbs Greer
    Dabbs Greer
    • Reverend Robert Alden
    Katherine MacGregor
    Katherine MacGregor
    • Harriet Oleson
    Charlotte Stewart
    Charlotte Stewart
    • Eva Beadle
    Karl Swenson
    Karl Swenson
    • Lars Hanson
    Chuck McCann
    Chuck McCann
    • Tinker Jones
    Wayne Heffley
    Wayne Heffley
    • Mr. Kennedy
    Eileen Ryan
    Eileen Ryan
    • Mrs. Kennedy
    James Jeter
    James Jeter
    • Hans Dorfler
    • (as Jim Jeter)
    Alison Arngrim
    Alison Arngrim
    • Nellie Oleson
    Tracie Savage
    Tracie Savage
    • Christy Kennedy
    Jimmy McNichol
    • Harry Baker
    • Director
      • Leo Penn
    • Writers
      • Blanche Hanalis
      • Laura Ingalls Wilder
      • Tony Kayden
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews6

    8.2481
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    Featured reviews

    9rdh-36107

    Laura Rules

    Laura is the Boss. She tells Mary "We're going stay and see it" when Mary wants to leave because " it is getting awful late." Who's the big sister?

    How did Tinker get that bell up there by himself. He's amazing. I love his spirit.
    9RedRainbowUnicorn23

    The sound of a church bell!!!

    This episode is good and its also on my favorite list of episode of season 1. This episode is pretty serious and for the first time we see the town arguing.We also see what can happen when a Small town like this start to bicker and fight it can mean the closing of the whole town its very dangerous. This episode also introduces a new character Mr.Kennedy SAM and Christie's father.The episode is about the Reverend telling the town that he would like to have a church bell everyone was for the idea until Mrs Olson had to step in again. She told the reverend that she and her husband would pay for the whole thing and that she would donate the plague.That's where the fight started bc no one ever putted their name on anything that they had build or gave to the town. And right there people start to choose sides and its here where things become dangerous. This episode is good and once again have a good lesson to it go give it a look this episode is perfect!!!! Now continue to episode 12
    10mitchrmp

    Out of the mouth of Babes

    This episode is an excellent example of how a church can split in half over the silliest things. In my church, it was chairs vs. pews. In this one, it was who provides the bell. One thing leads to another, and soon there's an all-out war. Unfortunately there is only one church in the town of Walnut grove. So, either you go to that church or you don't go at all.

    Eventually, the Ingalls family were the only ones who still came. The children even started fighting among themselves. Then help came from a very unexpected source.

    This is the only episode we ever see Tinker Bell in, which is unfortunate because I think his character was a great asset. He cannot say a word, yet his heart causes everyone he sees to like him. Sometimes, the only way to fix a problem is to just do it. How many times do we learn that the hard way?

    The children, even Nellie and Willie, help Tinker to make the bell. They are all excited, anticipating having their families back together. Not only do they help Tinker Bell, but they give him their own toys so they can bring peace in their town once more.

    The ending is heart-warming. My heart swells every time I watch it. Gone is the anger and hurt feelings. You can't help but to be moved at what the children did. The subject of this episode makes this one of my favorites in Season 1.
    9Quinn4077

    Beautiful Episode

    This is a beautiful episode with Tinker and the children. However, it also illustrates as almost every episode does what a pot-stirrer Harriet Oleson is. And Reverend Alden runs a close second a lot of times - the Bully Brothers (?) comes to mind. Paraphrasing Charles's words, "The Reverend's got a war on his hands." All over a stupid bell! The story of Tinker and the children is beautiful, though.

    Related interests

    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama
    Drew Barrymore and Pat Welsh in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
    Family
    Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca (1942)
    Romance
    John Wayne and Harry Carey Jr. in The Searchers (1956)
    Western

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      First episode with swearing in it.
    • Goofs
      The bell that is made and installed in the church by Tinker Jones in the episode "The Voice of Tinker Jones" is missing from all town scenes in the future 2-part episode "The Lord is My Shepherd".
    • Quotes

      Caroline: Don't you realize that this senseless squabbling is ruining our church? Hurting our children?

      Mr. Kennedy: Your children, maybe, not mine. I told you before, the matter is closed, and you can tell that husband of yours it's going to stay this way till talk of this DAMN BELL comes to an end and we find ourselves a new minister!

      Caroline: I'll thank you to watch your language!

      Mr. Kennedy: My house; say what i like!

      Caroline: You would. You don't care that your neighbors aren't speaking to each other, and that your children and mine are ACHING over this terrible feud!

      Mr. Kennedy: I said before, Mrs. Ingalls, the matter is closed!

    • Soundtracks
      Ring the Bells of Heaven
      (1866)

      Words by William O. Cushing

      Music by George Frederick Root (as George F. Root)

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    FAQ12

    • What does Tinker Jones sell to Caroline Ingalls?
    • How much money does Caroline Ingalls spend on a cooking pot that Tinker Jones sold to her?
    • What does Tinker Jones give to Mary Ingalls and Laura Ingalls?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 4, 1974 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Hallmark Channel
      • INSP
    • Language
      • English
    • Filming locations
      • Big Sky Ranch - 4927 Bennett Road, Simi Valley, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Ed Friendly Productions
      • National Broadcasting Company (NBC)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 50m
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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