| The Young Pioneers | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Western/family/drama |
| Written by | Rose Wilder Lane |
| Directed by | Irving J. Moore |
| Starring | Linda Purl Roger Kern Mare Winningham Robert Donner Robert Hays Jeff Cotler |
| Opening theme | Dominic Frontiere (instrumental) |
| Country of origin | United States |
| No. of episodes | 3 |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) | Ed Friendly |
| Running time | approx. 47 minutes |
| Broadcast | |
| Original channel | ABC |
| Picture format | Film |
| Audio format | Monaural |
| Original run | April 2, 1978 – April 16, 1978 |
The Young Pioneers is a three-episode ABC western television series starring Linda Purl (born 1955) and Roger Kern (born 1948) in the role of young newlyweds Molly and David Beaton, who settle in the Dakota Territory during the 1870s.[1] The program was based on novels of Rose Wilder Lane, daughter of Laura Ingalls Wilder, whose work inspired NBC's Little House on the Prairie starring Michael Landon. The Young Pioneers aired at 7 p.m. Eastern on Sundays on April 2, 9, and 16, 1978.[2]
The recurring cast included Robert Hays (born 1947) as Dan Gray, Robert Donner (1931–2006) as Mr. Peters, Mare Winningham (born 1959) as Nettie Peters, Michelle Stacy as Flora Peters, and Jeff Cotler (born 1967) as Charlie Peters. A Martinez (born 1948) portrayed the Indian Circling Hawk. Geno Silva (born 1948) played another Indian, Fool's Crow.[1]
The episodes are entitled "Sky in the Window", "A Kite for Charlie", and "The Promise of Spring".[2]