MovieChat Forums > Love's Unending Legacy (2007) Discussion > Letter from Janette Oke

Letter from Janette Oke

posted 17 years ago by ncarlson80
23 replies | jump to latest

I wrote to Janette Oke awhile back telling her about the petition going for Logan and I asked her what her thoughts were/are on the writers killing off Willie when he doesn't die in the books. Well the letter I got in the mail today was very simple and sweet. Mrs. Oke had no clue that Willie was going to be killed off! She also wrote that she misses Katie Heigl as Marty.

Here is a little snippet from the letter.

It was most interesting to get your letter concerning your petition to bring back Logan Bartholomew. I have met Logan and he seems like a nice young man. I have not seen this latest movie and was surprised to hear this news. I'm sorry that the producer of the movies has decided to do this....

As I'm sure you and other book readers have noticed, the movies get further and further away from the book stories as they go along...

The letter wasn't all that long but I am so happy I got a response from her :) She is such an amazing lady.

"No matter how far away I am you will always be in my heart." Missie LaHaye - LUL

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[–] IntheClouds 17 years ago

Hey, thanks for sharing that with us, brat02. I know she's older now, so it was nice of her to take the time to write back. It's interesting she had no idea "Willie" was killed off.

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[–] ncarlson80 17 years ago

You're welcome :) It is interesting that she had no clue about Willie. She doesn't know what goes on in these movies until she watches them like the rest of us. You'd think being she wrote the books that all of these movies are supposedly based on that she'd get to see a pre-screening or something. The rights to the books are out of her hands now so Hallmark or whoever can do with them what they please apparently. It's really sad because the books are great and it's disturbing how the makers of these movies can ruin the books for everyone.

"No matter how far away I am you will always be in my heart." Missie LaHaye - LUL

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[–] kimmmbop_98 17 years ago

That's interesting. I recall reading under the "From the Writer's of Love Comes Softly" topic a statement from someone that said this: "I don't remember where I read it, but Janette Oke has been pleased with the movies." Based on the letter you received from her, it doesn't seem like she is pleased.

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[–] ncarlson80 17 years ago

Sure seems that way doesn't it? I don't blame her if she is not pleased with the way the movies are going. Most of the fans aren't pleased with them either.

"Willie did not die in the books - so for us, he will always be apart of the story." Janette Oke

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[–] snow_angels318 17 years ago

The post several people have referred to now is actually something I posted on one of movie boards back a long time ago. There were some rather critical comments on Love comes softly and Love's enduring promise - saying that Janette Oke was probably very upset with the producers over the changes they'd made. According to her website she was very pleased with the movies and felt that while the story lines were different, her characters were what she wanted them to be... what we have to realize is at this point LLJ hadn't even been released yet, the movies have so drastically changed since it doesn't surprise me she doesn't still feel that way.
(i think i changed my id since so you probably can't find the original post anymore)

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[–] ncarlson80 17 years ago

It's sad that the books had to be changed so drastically. We all understand some changes need to be made to make the transition from book to movie possible but every movie since LLJ has been WAY out there. It's sad that Mrs. Oke can't be happy about these movies. Those books are very near and dear to her and they just keep getting all messed up.

"Willie did not die in the books - so for us, he will always be apart of the story." Janette Oke

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[–] canislupisusa 17 years ago

The "Loves Comes Softly" books are one of my favorites by Janette Oke. Yes, I do agree that is too bad that the movies are moving further and further away from the books, at least for "Loves Abiding Joy" and "Love's Unending Legacy". The last three books in the series focus on Belinda, so it will be interesting to see if the film writers to bring the story line in the movies back closer to the books. In the movie version "Love's Unending Legacy" there were some parts in Belinda's character that do tie in with the books. It has been a while since I read them, so if I am a little off, please forgive me. In the movie, she helped to save the little puppy and she does something similar in the books. This starts her strong interest in becoming a
nurse. When I noticed that I thought there still may be some hope yet. There is a lot more that happens in Belinda's life before, at least in the books, Janette Oke concluded the series. Then she wrote a short book series called A Prairie Legacy, which are about one of Belinda's children. Those are also very good if any of you are interested in reading more about the Clark family.

Even though the story lines in the movies are far from the books. At least the story lines in the movies tie in together.

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[–] ncarlson80 17 years ago

I have read the four books in the Prairie Legacy series and I love them! Yes, the storylines do tie together in the movies but they should have more of the books in them. The Love's Unfolding Dream movie has bits and pieces and characters from the Love Finds a Home and Love Takes Wing books and of course Love's Unfolding Dream. I think they are going to cram a lot into LUD. They are going to be making the last two books into movies as well but there is no time frame on when that will be. I think it would be awesome if the Prairie Legacy books could be turned into movies as well. Who knows. That might just happen someday. I just hope when and if it does happen that they stay closer to the books and don't get so messed up.

"Willie did not die in the books - so for us, he will always be apart of the story." Janette Oke

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[–] LisaAP25 17 years ago

I agree that the movies have varied far from the books. After seeing Love Comes Softly and seeing how different it was from the book, I decided to quit comparing them because the books are good and the movies are good, but if you compare them too much then you lose some of the enjoyment out of both of them.

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[–] LostRomanovPrincess 17 years ago

What is janette oke's address.

I danced with the prince that was my slipper.

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[–] ncarlson80 17 years ago

Janette Oke
Bethany House Publishers
11400 Hampshire Ave. S.
Bloomington, MN 55438

All mail is forwarded to her immediately.

"I hope your apple pie is freakin' worth it." Dean Winchester - Supernatural

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[–] LostRomanovPrincess 17 years ago

Thanks.

I danced with the prince that was my slipper.

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[–] ncarlson80 17 years ago

You're welcome :)

"I hope your apple pie is freakin' worth it." Dean Winchester - Supernatural

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[–] rosalieross 16 years ago

I totally agree with that. I like the movie versions and thought they did really well in the length of time they did it in. So sad about Willie, but I thought that Tyler did a good job, and looking for good values, I found them there.

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[–] ncarlson80 17 years ago

Katherine Heigl played Marty so much better then Samantha Smith does. No offense to her or anything.

"I hope your apple pie is freakin' worth it." Dean Winchester - Supernatural

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[–] LostRomanovPrincess 17 years ago

i sent a letter to her last friday.

Shut up Tanner i rather hear the donkey.

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[–] ncarlson80 17 years ago

That's awesome :) Let us know when you get a reply back.

"I hope your apple pie is freakin' worth it." Dean Winchester - Supernatural

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[–] ninjavixen 17 years ago

Samantha Smith is one of the nicest actresses I have ever worked with. I take offense on her behalf. You have no idea how hard it is to come into a series with fans that are going to IMMEDIATELY judge the quality of your work harshly merely because you are hired to play a character previously played by another actress. Not fair. Sam did an awesome job in the film. Whatever issues you have with the choices that were made by the Hallmark Channel regarding casting or storyline... leave Sam alone. Katherine Heigl wasn't available. That's the way the business works. Don't blame Sam for taking a job that you wanted to go to someone else. (And if you ever met Sam you would love her too.)

Also... making a series of movies that are EXACTLY like the books they are based on ends up being boring. Who wants to see a book report in film form? The departures are part of the adventure. The question becomes... if they hadn't killed off Logan, would you have been so offended that they took liberties with the story lines? My guess is: no.

P.S. I'm wondering if you see the irony in the type-o from your tag for the first half of your posts... "Willie did not die in the books - so for us, he will always be APART [sic] of the story." Janette Oke

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[–] sherry54 16 years ago

I loved the movies. I decided after the first one, movie, that I was going to just sit back and enjoy watching them as not being what was in the books.
The acting of the main characters was wonderful. Secondary characters were a tad weak, but worth the watch. I think that if a woman, who read the books, was going to be doing the directing maybe they would of been closer to what the books were and what Janette Oke was trying to convey to the reader. I have been a fan of Janette Oke since the mid 80s when I received my first book by her as a gift from my loving husband. It was book #2, loved it so much told my husband I just had to get book #1 and he did. He bought me all the rest of the Love series and then all the rest. I had lost them, they got damaged in storage. Since then I have replaced them all, well the ones I loved the most. LOVE COMES SOFTLY

LOVE'S ENDURING PROMISE

LOVE'S LONG JOURNEY

LOVE'S ABIDING JOY

LOVE'S UNENDING LEGACY

LOVE'S UNFOLDING DREAM

LOVE TAKES WING

LOVE FINDS A HOME

A SEARCHING HEART

THE TENDER YEARS

A QUIET STRENGTH

LIKE GOLD REFINED

WHEN CALLS THE HEART

WHEN COMES THE SPRING

WHEN BREAKS THE DAWN

WHEN HOPE SPRINGS NEW

BEYOND THE GATHERING STORM

WHEN TOMORROW COMES

ONCE UPON A SUMMER

THE WINDS OF AUTUMN

WINTER IS NOT FOREVER

SPRING'S GENTLE PROMISE

A GOWN OF SPANISH LACE

DANA'S VALLEY

THE CALLING OF EMILY EVANS

ROSES FOR MAMA

JULIA'S LAST HOPE

THEY CALLED HER MRS. DOC

A WOMAN NAMED DAMARIS

TOO LONG A STRANGER

THE MEASURE OF A HEART

NANA'S GIFT

I used her books as a guide in my walk with Jesus, they helped a lot in my role as a wife and mother. I will be forever thankful for an author like Janette Oke. Love the movies, hate the movies... it is up to you. I know I love the books and read them alot.

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[–] 16 years ago

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[–] pandamay14 16 years ago

Hi,
I hate that they took "Willie" out of the movies. I don't know the circumstances, but I have heard that sometimes producers will "kill" a character if they don't want the character in the movie anymore, or if the character has other engagements, or if something happens to where the character can't continue with the movie/program. Just some thoughts as to why he's not in the movies anymore.
PS. LOVE the books.

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[–] 16 years ago

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[–] knr5501 16 years ago

I agree. I can't believe they would use such a sorry excuse as "he was too young!" I say pish posh! Other than Katherine Heigl and Dale Midkiff (sp?), Logan was the only actor who showed emotion in any of the films! They need to figure out a way to bring him back...if he's so young, maybe he can play Mattie in the next two!

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