Dana Delaney as Colleen McMurphy in China Beach
I was discussing with friends recently about how much better TV shows were when we were kids. It's mostly reality TV and talent shows these days. I know, I know, I sound like the typical older person. "Things were so much better in my day." Well, when it comes to television entertainment, they were.Thinking back, some of my favorite shows were set in a historically significant time period. No surprise, there, I suppose. How many 7 year old girls do you know who watched Baa Baa Black Sheep and loved it? Considering my high school history teacher was dreadfully dull, I think part of the credit for my love of history has to go to being exposed to shows like these as a kid. I decided to compile a list. They are historically inaccurate, yeah, yeah. They also beat the garbage on TV that kids watch these days. Some of my colleagues would, no doubt, argue against the value of these shows from a historical point of view but in my opinion anything that sparks an interest in history and prompts a student to learn more has value. These shows did that for me.
TV Series:
The Little House on the Prairie (1974-1983) is based on the beloved novels by Laura Ingalls Wilder about her 19th century childhood on the edge of the frontier.
A depression era show rich in family values, The Waltons (1971-1981) is based on the autobiographical novel Spencer's Mountain by Earl Hamner, Jr.
Baa Baa Black Sheep (1976-1978) is based on real-life war hero Marine Corps Major Gregory "Pappy" Boyington and the rogue ace pilots of the Black Sheep Squadron who were stationed in the South Pacific theater during World War II. Featuring the charming Robert Conrad as Pappy and a hit cast (viewers of a certain age will recognize a very young John Larroquette), it mixes the drama of wartime with a healthy dose of humor and hard to believe antics.
Robert Conrad as Maj."Pappy" Boyington
China Beach (1988-1991) tells the story of the Vietnam War from the perspective of women, mostly nurses, working at an evacuation hospital in Da Nang, Vietnam. The best episode features actual Vietnam War nurses sharing their experiences, interspersed with scenes from the show. It's a crying shame this show is not available on DVD, Netflix, or anywhere else that I'm aware of. It appeared in reruns on Lifetime during the late 90s but hasn't been seen since.
TV Miniseries:
Shogun (1980) takes you back to 17th century Japan as portrayed in James Clavell's bestselling epic.
Roots (1977) is based on Alex Haley's bestselling saga of Kunta Kinte, who is stolen from his ancestral home in 18th century Africa and sold into slavery in America. Absolutely riveting.
Napoleon and Josephine: A Love Story (1987) There are probably better movies about Napoleon but they don't feature Armand Assante. I was a junior in high school when this one aired and it left quite an impression.
Jacklyn Smith portrays Florence Nightingale (1985), the pioneer of nursing.
North and South (1985) is based on John Jakes' best selling Civil War-era saga.
The Blue and the Gray (1982) is a Civil War era miniseries that still gets rave reviews. Be sure the version you get is complete and uncut with 3 discs.
Lonesome Dove (1989) is based on Larry McMurtry's novel set in 19th century Texas and features Robert Duvall as the unforgettable Gus McRae. Two former Texas Rangers set out to drive cattle to Montana and meet with unforeseen dangers along the way.
Robert Duvall as Gus McRae and Tommy Lee Jones as Woodrow Call
The Winds of War (1983) is based on the bestselling World War II-era novel of the same name by Herman Wouk.
War and Remembrance (1989) is the sequel to Winds of War. Some of the scenes were filmed on the USS Alabama, just across the bay from where I went to high school. Several of the boys in my class were cast as extras.
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