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In the Name of the Father

By Chad Bonham

Michael Landon Jr. follows the example of his father and promotes Christian values in the films he directs.

SPOTLIGHT

Living in the shadow of a famous father can be tough. But Michael Landon Jr.—son of TV star Michael Landon—doesn't seem to mind it at all.

From being a kid on the set of Bonanza to working as a film loader on the set of Highway to Heaven, the son of the legendary actor grew up in the film industry. But Landon says his father never pressured him to get into the entertainment business. He ended up there anyway—but behind the camera instead of in front of it. Landon, 43, is a director. And he's grateful for the example his father provided.

"My father was always wonderful with his crew. He was respectful. He engaged with them. There was no yelling on his part. So that's the same kind of approach that I take."

Landon's career developed slowly. He wrote a screenplay for Janette Oke's best-selling novel Love Comes Softly. But it was 10 years, in 2003, before he was able to direct and produce the movie for the Hallmark Channel. The waiting paid off. The film became the network's highest rated show by 40 percent.

That success translated into unprecedented DVD sales through Fox Faith. The studio was also impressed with the numbers generated by the following three movies in the series—Love's Enduring Promise (2004), Love's Long Journey (2005) and Love's Abiding Joy (2006).

Landon then formed Believe Pictures with good friend Brian Bird. The two have since released The Last Sin Eater (2007) based on the Francine Rivers novel and in early 2008 will release on DVD Saving Sarah Cain, based on the novel The Redemption of Sarah Cain by Beverley Lewis. A movie based on the classic children's book The Velveteen Rabbit is also slated for 2008 release.

Landon hopes that he can make a difference in the entertainment world by producing family-friendly films that stay true to his faith in Christ.

"You definitely hope that there's purpose and meaning behind what you're doing. Both my partner and I believe that we're trying to make a difference. We're just going to keep on trying," Landon says.

Landon has no intention of compromising his convictions. "I will never do anything against my Christian worldview," Landon adds. "Never."
Chad Bonham
Learn more about Michael Landon Jr. and his work at ibelievepictures.com.

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