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This article is about the television program. For other uses, see Bonanza (disambiguation).
Bonanza
Bonanza title screen.jpg
Also known as Ponderosa
Genre Western
Created by David Dortort
Fred Hamilton
Starring Pernell Roberts
Lorne Greene
Dan Blocker
Michael Landon
Victor Sen Yung
Guy Williams
David Canary
Mitch Vogel
Ray Teal
Bing Russell
Tim Matheson
Theme music composer Ray Evans
Jay Livingston
Opening theme "Bonanza"
Composer(s) David Rose
Walter Scharf
Harry Sukman
Country of origin United States
Language(s) English.
No. of seasons 14
No. of episodes 430
Production
Executive producer(s) David Dortot
Mark Roberts
Producer(s) Fred Hamilton
Running time 45–49 minutes
Production company(s) David Dortot-Fred Hamilton Productions
Distributor Paramount Television
Broadcast
Original channel NBC, TV Land
Picture format 30. minutes
Audio format Monaural
Original run September 12, 1959 (1959-09-12) – January 16, 1973 (1973-01-16)
Status Ended
.Bonanza is an American Western series that ran on NBC from September 12, 1959 to January 16, 1973. Lasting 14 seasons, it is among the longest running Western television series (second behind Gunsmoke) and continues to air in syndication, starring Pernell Roberts, Lorne Greene, Dan Blocker, and Michael Landon.^ Full Synopsis Bonanza: The Last Viking Release: 1960 Among the most popular TV Western series ever, "Bonanza" starred Lorne Green as...
  • Bonanza: The Burning Sky (1968) - Synopsis - MSN Movies 10 February 2010 12:30 UTC movies.msn.com [Source type: General]

 ^ Bonanza TELEVISION PROGRAM Western drama, broadcast 1959-73.
  • Bonanza 10 February 2010 12:30 UTC www.nndb.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ John Califf < jcaliffn7011n@gmail.com > Troy, OH USA - Saturday, January 23, 2010 at 15:12:14 (EST) .
Bonanza was a famous tattoo parlor in Upmyassistania...Its where i got a tattoo of Obama...the worst president ever

Contents

Premise

.The show chronicled the weekly adventures of the Cartwright family, headed by the thrice-widowed patriarch Ben Cartwright (played by Lorne Greene).^ Ben Cartwright was played by Canadian announcer-actor Lorne Greene, who was much younger than the part he played but had Shakespearean training and a powerful speaking voice.
  • "Bonanza" (1959) 10 February 2010 12:30 UTC us.imdb.com [Source type: General]

 ^ Full Synopsis Bonanza: Elegy for a Hangman Release: 1963 Ben Cartwright plays host to Judge Whitaker ("Otto Kruger"), better known to one...
  • Bonanza: The Burning Sky (1968) - Synopsis - MSN Movies 10 February 2010 12:30 UTC movies.msn.com [Source type: General]

 ^ Full Synopsis Bonanza: My Son, My Son Release: 1964 A widower for many years, Ben Cartwright finally decides to take another bride,...
  • Bonanza: The Burning Sky (1968) - Synopsis - MSN Movies 10 February 2010 12:30 UTC movies.msn.com [Source type: General]

 .He had three sons, each by a different wife: the eldest was the urbane architect Adam Cartwright (played by Pernell Roberts) who built the ranch house; the second was the warm and lovable giant Eric, better known by his nickname "Hoss" (played by Dan Blocker); and the youngest was the hotheaded and impetuous Joseph or "Little Joe" (played by Michael Landon).^ Second, he has a greater maturity than either Little Joe or Hoss.

 ^ We've made some changes on the Ponderosa, and Ben Cartwright and his three sons - Adam, Hoss and Little Joe - are all for them.

 ^ Pernell Roberts played his eldest son, Adam, a thoughtful but restless man, 1959-65.
  • "Bonanza" (1959) 10 February 2010 12:30 UTC us.imdb.com [Source type: General]

 .The family's cook was the Chinese immigrant Hop Sing (played by Victor Sen Yung).^ Victor Sen-Young was Hop Sing, and veteran Ray Teal played Sheriff Roy Coffee.
  • "Bonanza" (1959) 10 February 2010 12:30 UTC us.imdb.com [Source type: General]

 ^ BEN Hop Sing attends to all that in addition to doing the cooking.

 ^ LAURA Aunt Lil -- Hop Sing's a very fine cook -- as he just proved.

 .Bonanza was considered an atypical western for its time, as the core of the storylines dealt less about the range but more with Ben and his three dissimilar sons, how they cared for one another, their neighbors and just causes.^ LAURA I know -- but all this talk about marriage and all -- Well, don't you see, first we have to be sure we love one another -- then we'll know what to do.

 ^ As his sons formulate a plan to rescue their father, Ben devises one of his own after he senses dissension amongst his captors.
  • "Bonanza" (1959) - Episode list 10 February 2010 12:30 UTC www.imdb.com [Source type: General]

 ^ Full Synopsis Bonanza: For a Young Lady Release: 1970 Carri Sturgis ("Jewel Blanch"), a young friend of Ben Cartwright's adopted son...
  • Bonanza: The Burning Sky (1968) - Synopsis - MSN Movies 10 February 2010 12:30 UTC movies.msn.com [Source type: General]
.The family lived on a thousand-square-mile [1] ranch called Ponderosa on the shore of Lake Tahoe in Nevada; the name refers to the Ponderosa Pine, common in the West.^ Reaching the ponderosa pine country near Virginia City, Nevada and Lake Tahoe, he built up a large landholding, with cattle, timber, and mines, becoming an important man in the territory.
  • "Bonanza" (1959) 10 February 2010 12:30 UTC us.imdb.com [Source type: General]

 .The nearest town to the Ponderosa was Virginia City, where the Cartwrights would go to converse with Sheriff Roy Coffee (played by veteran actor Ray Teal), or his deputy Clem Foster (Bing Russell).^ Victor Sen-Young was Hop Sing, and veteran Ray Teal played Sheriff Roy Coffee.
  • "Bonanza" (1959) 10 February 2010 12:30 UTC us.imdb.com [Source type: General]

 ^ Ben Cartwright was played by Canadian announcer-actor Lorne Greene, who was much younger than the part he played but had Shakespearean training and a powerful speaking voice.
  • "Bonanza" (1959) 10 February 2010 12:30 UTC us.imdb.com [Source type: General]

 ^ Original Air Date— 10 October 1959 The Cartwrights help Virginia City reporter Samuel Langhorne Clemens investigate suspected shady goings-on between a railroad company and a local judge.
  • "Bonanza" (1959) - Episode list 10 February 2010 12:30 UTC www.imdb.com [Source type: General]

 .Greene, Roberts, Blocker, and Landon were equal stars.^ Genre: Western Release: 1968 Director: John Rich Starring: Lorne Greene , Michael Landon , Dan Blocker    ...more .
  • Bonanza: The Burning Sky (1968) - Synopsis - MSN Movies 10 February 2010 12:30 UTC movies.msn.com [Source type: General]

 The opening credits would rotate the order among the four stars. As the series advanced, writers began to showcase one or two Cartwrights in each episode, while the others would be seen briefly in the prologue and epilogue. .Not only did this provide for more thorough character development, it also gave all four actors more free time.^ After a few years, he developed into a popular character actor who would be seen in a large number of comedies, musicals and a few westerns.

 ^ Includes all accessories (alternator and regulator w/stc and more)and free crating.

 ^ Dan Blocker was probably the only one of the four Carwright whose actor was a very contrasting difference to his character persona.
Originally, the Cartwrights tended to be depicted as put-off by outsiders. Lorne Greene however, objected to this, pointing out that as the area's largest timber and livestock producer, the family should be less clannish. The producers agreed with this observation and changed the Cartwrights to be more amiable.
.Early in the show's history, Ben Cartwright recalls each of his late wives in flashback episodes.^ Gunnar is the brother to one of Ben Cartwright's late wives.
  • "Bonanza" (1959) - Episode list 10 February 2010 12:30 UTC www.imdb.com [Source type: General]

 ^ Full Synopsis Bonanza: The Late Ben Cartwright Release: 1968 Ben Cartwright is determined to block the gubernatorial bid of John Faraday...
  • Bonanza: The Burning Sky (1968) - Synopsis - MSN Movies 10 February 2010 12:30 UTC movies.msn.com [Source type: General]

 ^ Full Synopsis Bonanza: Inger, My Love Release: 1962 In the 1961 "Bonanza" episode "Elizabeth, My Love," Ben Cartwright's thoughts...
  • Bonanza: The Burning Sky (1968) - Synopsis - MSN Movies 10 February 2010 12:30 UTC movies.msn.com [Source type: General]

 .A recurring situation (which also occurs in the TV western The Big Valley) was that every time one of the Cartwrights became seriously involved with a woman, she died from a malady, was slain, or left with someone else.^ The new time slot caused the series to soar, and it eventually reached number one by the mid-'60s.
  • "Bonanza" (1959) 10 February 2010 12:30 UTC us.imdb.com [Source type: General]

 ^ Full Synopsis Bonanza: The Last Viking Release: 1960 Among the most popular TV Western series ever, "Bonanza" starred Lorne Green as...
  • Bonanza: The Burning Sky (1968) - Synopsis - MSN Movies 10 February 2010 12:30 UTC movies.msn.com [Source type: General]

 ^ She made her first appearance with the Cartwrights two years ago and became the only girl invited back a second time.
.In a few 1964 episodes, Ben has a nephew named Will (Guy Williams), who visits the Ponderosa ranch.^ Original Air Date— 9 May 1965 A ranch hand who saves Hoss's life is offers a job on the Ponderosa, despite a rumor that he's a jinx.
  • "Bonanza" (1959) - Episode list 10 February 2010 12:30 UTC www.imdb.com [Source type: General]

 ^ Full Synopsis Bonanza: The Burning Sky Release: 1968 Ben Cartwright hires a new horse trainer named Will Holt ("Michael Murphy"), who...
  • Bonanza: The Burning Sky (1968) - Synopsis - MSN Movies 10 February 2010 12:30 UTC movies.msn.com [Source type: General]

 ^ Duff was married to actress-director Ida Lupino, whose name you may recognise as the actress who played 'Annie O'Toole' in the episode 'The Saga of Annie O'Toole'.

 [2] He was the son of Ben's deceased brother John.

The cast

Lorne Greene – Ben Cartwright

.Canadian-born Lorne Greene began his career as the chief radio announcer for CBC radio from 1939 thru 1942, becoming known as the "Voice of Doom" for his deep, gravelly voice.^ Ben Cartwright was played by Canadian announcer-actor Lorne Greene, who was much younger than the part he played but had Shakespearean training and a powerful speaking voice.
  • "Bonanza" (1959) 10 February 2010 12:30 UTC us.imdb.com [Source type: General]

 ^ Kathie is a soft-voiced blonde with deep, sea-green eyes and a smile like a shy sun.

 ^ Born John Forkum, Dehner began his career as an animator for Walt Disney Studios, then worked as a disc jockey and a professional pianist.

 Although his distincitive voice had propelled him into newcasting, he had earlier shown an interest in acting during his education at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario. After a stint in the military in 1945, Lorne co-founded the Acadmy of Radio Arts in Canada as well as the Jupiter Theatre.
.In 1953 he moved to the U.S. to pursue his acting career, making numerous appearances on various telecasts before landing the role of Ben Cartwright on Bonanza in 1959, a role he would continue to play for the next 14 years.^ Full Synopsis Bonanza: New Man Release: 1972 Having saved Ben Cartwright's life during a prison riot, convict Griff King...
  • Bonanza: The Burning Sky (1968) - Synopsis - MSN Movies 10 February 2010 12:30 UTC movies.msn.com [Source type: General]

 ^ Full Synopsis Bonanza: Elegy for a Hangman Release: 1963 Ben Cartwright plays host to Judge Whitaker ("Otto Kruger"), better known to one...
  • Bonanza: The Burning Sky (1968) - Synopsis - MSN Movies 10 February 2010 12:30 UTC movies.msn.com [Source type: General]

 ^ The owner of the sheep then plots to kidnap one of the Cartwrights and force Ben to sign over 50,000 acres of his land to him.
  • "Bonanza" (1959) - Episode list 10 February 2010 12:30 UTC www.imdb.com [Source type: General]

 .After Bonanza's cancellation in 1973, Lorne Greene went on to star in 1978's Battlestar Galatica and then in the 1980s he hosted the television series, Lorne Greene's New Wilderness.^ Lorne Greene, known to so many as the voice of Canada, Battlestar Galatica's Commander Adama and probably the most prolific, the Ponderosa's beloved father figure, Ben 'Pa' Cartwright.

 ^ This would led him to Television in the fifties where he was one of the hosts on the "All Star Revue" which ran from 1950-52.

 ^ Hull stared in films such as The Great Gatsby (1949), Inferno (1953), Buccaneer (1958) also starring Lorne Greene.

 He died in 1987 at age 72.
The cast of Bonanza
Though not familiar stars in 1959, the cast quickly became favorites of the first TV generation.

Dan Blocker – Hoss Cartwright

.Three hundred pound Dan Blocker played the gentle middle son Eric a.k.a.^ Eric "Hoss" Cartwright was portrayed huge Dan Blocker as a man of gentle ways and grit but ordinary intelligence.
  • "Bonanza" (1959) 10 February 2010 12:30 UTC us.imdb.com [Source type: General]

 Hoss. Born in Texas, he was a teacher before Hollywood. The Hoss character had a warm heart and a penchant for lost causes. The character was originally conceived as "lovable but slow-witted." Blocker, however, was the only cast member with an advanced degree, a Masters in Dramatic Arts. .Prior to starring in Bonanza, Dan had a recurring role as Tiny Budinger in the 1958–1959 TV western series Cimarron City starring George Montgomery, also on NBC. That series' cancellation after only one season freed him to be cast as Hoss Cartwright, his most famous role.^ EPISODE GUIDE Season One (1959) .
  • Bonanza 10 February 2010 12:30 UTC www.nndb.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ Dan Blocker Hoss Cartwright 1959–1972 .
  • Bonanza Cast and Details 10 February 2010 12:30 UTC www.tvguide.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ Guest Cast & Credits Premiered: September 12, 1959, on NBC Rating: TV-PG User Rating: (27 ratings) Add Your Rating: Premise: Ben Cartwright and his three sons (by three wives) ride herd over the sprawling Ponderosa spread in 1860s Nevada in one of the most handsomely mounted and beloved series of all time.
  • Bonanza Cast and Details 10 February 2010 12:30 UTC www.tvguide.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]
In 1972, Dan Blocker died suddenly from a post-op blood-clot to the lungs. .The show's producers chose to simply mention the character's death in passing (TV producer Sheldon Leonard was the first to "kill off" major characters, starting in 1956 with Make Room For Daddy and in 1963 with The Real McCoys, wherein the female leads of each show chose not to renew their contracts).^ "Bonanza" was the first hour-long TV show in any genre produced in full-color.
  • "Bonanza" (1959) 10 February 2010 12:30 UTC us.imdb.com [Source type: General]

 ^ Full Synopsis Bonanza: Half a Rogue Release: 1963 "Slim Pickens" makes his first appearance as the rogueish but lovable...
  • Bonanza: The Burning Sky (1968) - Synopsis - MSN Movies 10 February 2010 12:30 UTC movies.msn.com [Source type: General]

 ^ But the role everyone will remember him for is the charismatic, wisecracking police lieutenant, Theo Kojak a character which first appeared in the TV movie The Marcus-Nelson Murders based on a real-life homicide.

 Hoss's horse was Chub, a Thoroughbred/ Quarter horse standing 15.3 hands high and weighing 1,250 lb. Chub had a stripe face marking.

Michael Landon – Little Joe Cartwright

It was young Michael Landon who received most of the fan mail, and was seen in female-oriented teen magazines. .In addition to acting, Landon began to develop his skills in writing and directing Bonanza episodes, starting with "The Gamble."^ Full Synopsis Bonanza: Don't Cry, My Son Release: 1971 "Bonanza" star "Michael Landon" both wrote and directed the poignant episode...
  • Bonanza: The Burning Sky (1968) - Synopsis - MSN Movies 10 February 2010 12:30 UTC movies.msn.com [Source type: General]

 ^ Full Synopsis Bonanza: To Die in Darkness Release: 1968 "Michael Landon" made his directorial debut with this "Bonanza" episode from May...
  • Bonanza: The Burning Sky (1968) - Synopsis - MSN Movies 10 February 2010 12:30 UTC movies.msn.com [Source type: General]

 ^ Full Synopsis Bonanza: Something Hurt, Something Wild Release: 1966 On September 11, 1966, the eighth episode of "Bonanza" got off to a strong start...
  • Bonanza: The Burning Sky (1968) - Synopsis - MSN Movies 10 February 2010 12:30 UTC movies.msn.com [Source type: General]

 .Some of the shows Landon directed are considered to be the most moving including, "The Wish," "He Was Only Seven," and "Forever."^ This would enable the show to move in new, fresh directions, and, incidentally, answer the wishes of many of the audience.

 ^ "Most of the men I meet are connected with some phase show business, but I'm not attracted to any particular type.

 ^ Full Synopsis Bonanza: The Wish Release: 1969 Written and directed by "Michael Landon", "The Wish" would remain Landon's...
  • Bonanza: The Burning Sky (1968) - Synopsis - MSN Movies 10 February 2010 12:30 UTC movies.msn.com [Source type: General]

 According to David Dortort (Bear Family boxed CD liner notes), Landon himself grew difficult during the last five seasons the show ran, "Nearly every line, every scene, every set up... everything would halt for endless story conferences on the set... it got increasingly bitter toward the end." .In a 1992 memorial retrospective directed by the star's son Michael Jr., "Michael Landon: Memories with Laughter and Love," cast member David Canary said that the one word that most described Landon to him was "fearless."^ He was a semi-regular on "Little House on the Prairie," and a frequent guest star on "Gunsmoke," which featured his son, the Western artist and actor Buck Taylor, as a regular cast member.

 ^ Full Synopsis Bonanza: Don't Cry, My Son Release: 1971 "Bonanza" star "Michael Landon" both wrote and directed the poignant episode...
  • Bonanza: The Burning Sky (1968) - Synopsis - MSN Movies 10 February 2010 12:30 UTC movies.msn.com [Source type: General]

 ^ Full Synopsis Bonanza: Gideon, the Good Release: 1970 Guest star "Richard Kiley" is cast as Sheriff Gideon Yates, one of Nevada's most...
  • Bonanza: The Burning Sky (1968) - Synopsis - MSN Movies 10 February 2010 12:30 UTC movies.msn.com [Source type: General]
.In the episode, "Marie, My Love" (1963), the episode detailing Ben Cartwright's wooing of Little Joe's mother, we learn that Little Joe has an older half-brother named Clay Stafford, who later spends time at the ranch.^ Season 4, Episode 20: Marie, My Love .
  • "Bonanza" (1959) - Episode list 10 February 2010 12:30 UTC www.imdb.com [Source type: General]

 ^ Full Synopsis Bonanza: Elegy for a Hangman Release: 1963 Ben Cartwright plays host to Judge Whitaker ("Otto Kruger"), better known to one...
  • Bonanza: The Burning Sky (1968) - Synopsis - MSN Movies 10 February 2010 12:30 UTC movies.msn.com [Source type: General]

 ^ Full Synopsis Bonanza: Justice Release: 1967 Joe Cartwright's impending marriage to the lovely Sally Cutler ("Shirley Bonne")...
  • Bonanza: The Burning Sky (1968) - Synopsis - MSN Movies 10 February 2010 12:30 UTC movies.msn.com [Source type: General]

 .On Lorne Greene's 1964 song "Saga of the Ponderosa" (Bear Records), Marie's first husband was "Big Joe" Collins who dies saving Ben.^ Original Air Date— 9 May 1965 A ranch hand who saves Hoss's life is offers a job on the Ponderosa, despite a rumor that he's a jinx.
  • "Bonanza" (1959) - Episode list 10 February 2010 12:30 UTC www.imdb.com [Source type: General]

 ^ Lorne Greene, known to so many as the voice of Canada, Battlestar Galatica's Commander Adama and probably the most prolific, the Ponderosa's beloved father figure, Ben 'Pa' Cartwright.

 ^ Full Synopsis Bonanza: The Conquistadores Release: 1967 Joe Cartwright is kidnaped by a band of impoverished Mexicans, who hope to save...
  • Bonanza: The Burning Sky (1968) - Synopsis - MSN Movies 10 February 2010 12:30 UTC movies.msn.com [Source type: General]

 .After Ben marries Marie, they chose to call their son "Little Joe". Whether to Stafford or Collins, Marie Cartwight was previously married.^ When Ben and Joe capture Davis in the desert, they are attacked by a rouge Indian tribe, and Ben is seriously wounded.
  • "Bonanza" (1959) - Episode list 10 February 2010 12:30 UTC www.imdb.com [Source type: General]

 ^ Full Synopsis Bonanza: El Toro Grande Release: 1960 Little Joe and Hoss set out for Monterey, CA, bearing the cash with which they...
  • Bonanza: The Burning Sky (1968) - Synopsis - MSN Movies 10 February 2010 12:30 UTC movies.msn.com [Source type: General]

 ^ In 1932, Dan married Helen Bryan and together they had two sons, Peter and Richard.
.After Bonanza, Landon produced and starred in two other successful NBC series, the first being the pioneer adventure, Little House on the Prairie, which aired for roughly nine and a half seasons between 1974 and 1983. Landon's character was absent the ninth season with the final half season a series of movies.^ He is probably best known for the character 'Sheriff Lobo' in the comedy series of the same name and TV movie 'B.J. and the Bear'.

 ^ Full Synopsis Bonanza: The Greedy Ones Release: 1967 Bonanza's final eighth-season offering, "The Greedy Ones" first aired on May 14,...
  • Bonanza: The Burning Sky (1968) - Synopsis - MSN Movies 10 February 2010 12:30 UTC movies.msn.com [Source type: General]

 ^ Full Synopsis Bonanza: Don't Cry, My Son Release: 1971 "Bonanza" star "Michael Landon" both wrote and directed the poignant episode...
  • Bonanza: The Burning Sky (1968) - Synopsis - MSN Movies 10 February 2010 12:30 UTC movies.msn.com [Source type: General]

 .Landon also appeared in all but fourteen Bonanza episodes for its 14 years on-air, a total of 416/430 episodes.^ Full Synopsis Bonanza: The Gift Release: 1961 Originally scheduled to air on March 18, 1961, the "Bonanza" episode "The Gift"...
  • Bonanza: The Burning Sky (1968) - Synopsis - MSN Movies 10 February 2010 12:30 UTC movies.msn.com [Source type: General]

 ^ Full Synopsis Bonanza: All Ye His Saints Release: 1965 "Clint Howard" is the center of attention on this "Bonanza" episode as...
  • Bonanza: The Burning Sky (1968) - Synopsis - MSN Movies 10 February 2010 12:30 UTC movies.msn.com [Source type: General]

 ^ Full Synopsis Bonanza: The Greedy Ones Release: 1967 Bonanza's final eighth-season offering, "The Greedy Ones" first aired on May 14,...
  • Bonanza: The Burning Sky (1968) - Synopsis - MSN Movies 10 February 2010 12:30 UTC movies.msn.com [Source type: General]

 Little Joe's horse was Cochise, a black and white paint horse. Cochise was male and enjoyed an occasional sip of cofffee. Cochise was made into a breyer animal creations model in 2009.

David Canary – Candy Canaday

.In 1967, David Canary joined the cast as "Candy" Canaday, a plucky army-brat turned cowboy, who became the Cartwrights' confidant, ranch foreman and timber vessel captain.^ David Canary Mr. Canaday 1968– .
  • Bonanza Cast and Details 10 February 2010 12:30 UTC www.tvguide.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ Original Air Date— 11 October 1970 The Cartwrights are part of a posse that is after Davis, who shot and killed an Army colonel.
  • "Bonanza" (1959) - Episode list 10 February 2010 12:30 UTC www.imdb.com [Source type: General]

 The character vanished in 1970 after Canary himself had a contract dispute with Dortort. He would later return.

Mitch Vogel – Jamie Hunter/Cartwright

.In 1970, 14-year-old Mitch Vogel joined the series as Jamie Hunter, the orphaned son of a rainmaker.^ Mitch Vogel Jamie Hunter 1970–1972 .
  • Bonanza Cast and Details 10 February 2010 12:30 UTC www.tvguide.com [Source type: FILTERED WITH BAYES]

 ^ Original Air Date— 20 September 1970 An orphaned rainmaker named Jamie Hunter comes to Virginia City, hoping to help relieve the drought-stricken area.
  • "Bonanza" (1959) - Episode list 10 February 2010 12:30 UTC www.imdb.com [Source type: General]

 .Ben adopted Jamie in a 1971 episode.^ Original Air Date— 19 September 1971 Against Ben's orders, Jamie drives a supply wagon on a route he's not supposed to; he loses control and wrecks the wagon.
  • "Bonanza" (1959) - Episode list 10 February 2010 12:30 UTC www.imdb.com [Source type: General]

 ^ Original Air Date— 19 December 1971 Ben begins the process to adopt Jamie as his son, but the process is complicated when Jamie's maternal grandfather, Paris Callahan, comes forward wanting custody.
  • "Bonanza" (1959) - Episode list 10 February 2010 12:30 UTC www.imdb.com [Source type: General]

Ratings

Year Ranking Year Ranking Year Ranking
1960–1961[3] 17 1964–1965[4] 1 1968–1969[5] 3
1961–1962[6] 2 1965–1966[7] 1 1969–1970[8] 3
1962–1963[9] 4 1966–1967[10] 1 1970–1971[11] 8
1963–1964[12] 2 1967–1968[13] 4 1971–1972[14] 20
Initially, the series aired on Saturday evenings opposite Perry Mason. The Saturday night ratings were dismal and Bonanza was soon targeted for cancellation. .It was kept on the air, however, because it was one of the first series to be filmed and broadcast in color, and NBC corporate parent RCA wanted to use the show as a vehicle to spur sales of RCA-manufactured color television sets (RCA was also the primary sponsor of the series during its first two seasons).^ Original Air Date— 3 October 1971 Two ranchers find a seriously wounded Little Joe in the Nevada desert.
  • "Bonanza" (1959) - Episode list 10 February 2010 12:30 UTC www.imdb.com [Source type: General]

 ^ FOR SALE: Two beautiful sheepskin seatcovers from my V35A. Tan/golden color and in great shape.

 ^ Original Air Date— 14 December 1969 Two men whom Ben once worked with during a gold claim arrive in Virigina City ...
  • "Bonanza" (1959) - Episode list 10 February 2010 12:30 UTC www.imdb.com [Source type: General]

 .Given one last chance, it was moved to Sunday nights at 9:00 p.m.^ Last one I have $325.00.

 Eastern, for new sponsor Chevrolet (replacing The Dinah Shore Chevy Show). .The new time slot caused the series to soar, and it eventually reached number one by the mid-'60s.^ Overhauled by Edo some years ago (mid 80s as I recall) after I replaced it with new and sent this one for overhaul to keep as a spare.

 ^ "I've heard that he doesn't like the show and he's itching to leave, but let's face it, most actors on a series say that at one time or another.

 .By 1970, it had become the first series to ever wind up in the Top Five for nine consecutive seasons (a record which would stand for decades) and thus established itself as the single biggest hit TV series of the 1960s.^ He was active on television, and provided the voice of Dick Tracy for a series of early 1960s TV cartoons.

 ^ Established as a major screen villain, Marvin began shifting toward leading roles with a successful run as a police detective in the TV series 'M Squad'.

 ^ Season 4, Episode 29: Five into the Wind .
  • "Bonanza" (1959) - Episode list 10 February 2010 12:30 UTC www.imdb.com [Source type: General]

 It remained high on the Nielsen ratings until 1971, when it finally fell out of the top ten.

Production

Costumes

.From the third season on, the Cartwrights and nearly every other recurring character on the show wore the same clothing in almost every episode.^ Season 8, Episode 25: Joe Cartwright, Detective .
  • "Bonanza" (1959) - Episode list 10 February 2010 12:30 UTC www.imdb.com [Source type: General]

 ^ Season 5, Episode 17: Alias Joe Cartwright .
  • "Bonanza" (1959) - Episode list 10 February 2010 12:30 UTC www.imdb.com [Source type: General]

 ^ Third Season Episode 82 "The Tall Stranger" January 7, 1962 Hoss Cartwright is interested in Margie Owens, the banker's daughter, but he has a formidable rival on Mark Connor.

 This was done to cut the cost of refilming action shots (such as riding clips in-between scenes), as previously shot stock footage could be reused.
.
  • Ben Cartwright: Sandy shirt, tawny leather vest, gray pants, cream-colored hat, occasional green scarf.
  • Adam Cartwright: Black Shirt, black or midnight blue pants, black hat.^ FOR SALE: One complete set color coded control knobs...black,blue,red.

     Elegant city wear. .Cream-colored trail coat.
  • Hoss Cartwright: White shirt, brown suede vest, brown pants, large gray flat-brimmed open-crown hat.
  • Little Joe Cartwright: cream, gray or white shirt, green corduroy jacket, tan pants, tan hat.^ Standard cream/white color.

     ^ Second, he has a greater maturity than either Little Joe or Hoss.

     ^ Before being cast as Adam Cartwright's fianc, Laura Dayton, Kathie Browne had already appeared on BONANZA twice - once as Hoss's love interest!

     Black leather gloves from 10th season on.
  • Candy Canaday: Crimson shirt, black pants, black leather vest and hat, green/grey scarf.

Hair styles

In 1968, Blocker began wearing a toupee on the series as he was approaching forty and losing hair. .He joined the ranks of his fellow co-stars Pernell Roberts and Lorne Greene, both of whom began the series with hairpieces (Greene wore his modest frontal piece in private life too, whereas Roberts preferred not wearing his, even to rehearsals/blocking).^ She also guest starred along side Pernell Roberts in an episode of 'The Detectives', 'House Call'.

 ^ Hull stared in films such as The Great Gatsby (1949), Inferno (1953), Buccaneer (1958) also starring Lorne Greene.

 ^ Remaining busy into the '50s, Victor co-starred in both the stage and screen versions of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Flower Drum Song.

 .Michael Landon was the only original cast member who was wig-free throughout the series, as even Victor Sen Yung's Hop Sing wore an attached queue (pony tail).^ Hop Sing and the others who have been holding their hands behind them, during all this, now start showering the bride and groom with handfuls of rice.

 ^ Original Air Date— 29 March 1970 In the series' only Easter-themed episode, a Quaker woman convinces Hoss to pose as the Easter bunny for the orphanage.
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 ^ He will however, be loved and best remembered for his role as Hop Sing, the temperamental cook and housekeeper to the Cartwright clan and to many fans, the fifth member of the family.

Cancellation

.In the fall of 1972, Bonanza was moved to Tuesday nights against a new CBS sitcom, Maude. The scheduling change, as well as Dan Blocker's death several months earlier, resulted in plunging ratings for the show.^ DAN BLOCKER December 10th 1928 - May 13th 1972 .

 ^ Dan Blocker Hoss Cartwright 1959–1972 .
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 .David Canary returned to his former role of Candy (to make up for Blocker's absence), and a new character named Griff King (played by Tim Matheson) was added to lure younger viewers.^ He was a master of character roles, and did much of his own make-up on the stage.

 ^ Subsequent small and large roles earned him a reputation for rugged, tough-guy characters, making the most of his unconventional features.

 ^ He went on to roles in many westerns series and films, building up an impressive list of credits and eventually playing the role of 'Bones' McCoy which changed his life forever.

 .Griff, in prison for nearly killing his abusive stepfather, was paroled into Ben's custody and got a job as a ranch hand.^ In the end, Griff is paroled to Ben's custody.
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 ^ Original Air Date— 9 May 1965 A ranch hand who saves Hoss's life is offers a job on the Ponderosa, despite a rumor that he's a jinx.
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 ^ Original Air Date— 17 October 1972 In this sequel episode to "Riot," Ben helps parolee Griff King adjust to life outside of prison, giving him a job as a ranch hand.
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 .Several episodes were built around his character, one that Matheson never had a chance to fully develop before the show's sudden cancellation in January 1973. Many fans felt that the Hoss character was essential, as he was a nurturing, empathetic soul who rounded-out the all-male cast.^ Many in the industry felt that Savalas had what it took to be a leading man and was quoted as being "one of the funniest men she'd ever met" by Imogene Coca.

 ^ He starred in several movies, directed several episodes of his show, was in several Broadway productions, and was an acomplished artist.

 ^ Allen directed several Bonanza episodes, including The Witness, Riot, One Ace Too Many, Second Sight, Frenzy, and many more.
.For 14 years, the Cartwrights were the premier western family on American television and have been immensely popular on cable networks such as TV Land, ION (formerly PAX), Family Channel (before Fox Family & ABC Family Era), and the Hallmark Channel.^ After a few years, he developed into a popular character actor who would be seen in a large number of comedies, musicals and a few westerns.

 ^ NCIS Dancing with the Stars The Game Biggest Loser American Idol more popular tv shows Most Popular Celebrities .
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 ^ She later turned to Television where she directed episodes in shows such as 'The Untouchables (TV)' and 'The Fugitive (TV)'.

TV movies

.Bonanza was brought back for three made-for-TV movies featuring the Cartwrights' offspring: Bonanza: The Next Generation (1988), Bonanza: The Return (1993) and Bonanza: Under Attack (1995).^ They finally made the offer irresistible with a deal generous enough to cause mutiny on any lot: she had a one-year contract with complete freedom to do any other TV show or movie!

 ^ She made her first appearance with the Cartwrights two years ago and became the only girl invited back a second time.

 ^ We've made some changes on the Ponderosa, and Ben Cartwright and his three sons - Adam, Hoss and Little Joe - are all for them.

 Michael Landon, Jr., played Little Joe's son Benji while Gillian Greene, Lorne's daughter, played a love interest. In the second movie, airing on NBC, a one hour retrospective was done to introduce the drama. It was hosted by both Michael Landon, Jr., and Dirk Blocker. According to TV Guide, NBC told Blocker he was too old to play the Hoss scion, but was given the role of an unrelated newspaper reporter. Clips of his appearance were heavily used in advertisements promoting the "second generation" theme, leading audiences to believe that he was playing Hoss' offspring, given that the younger Blocker's face and unusual voice were practically identical to his father's, although he was physically much smaller. .Hoss' son Josh was born out-of-wedlock, as it is explained that Hoss drowned without knowing his fiancee was pregnant.^ You can't talk to him for five minutes without him fishing out the pictures of his own kids - Mark, Josh, Jason and baby Leslie.

 ^ Original Air Date— 8 November 1970 Old-school Zach Randolph refuses to make amends with his gravely ill daughter, Etta, because her son had been born out of wedlock.
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 ^ An unimpressed Ben listens as his sons explain their story, which all started when Joe forgot to take his hat off in church and was exasperated when Hoss ran into trouble trying to bail his younger brother out of jail.
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 Such a storyline could have been problematic in the original series. (The Big Valley, however, had a major character in Heath, who was presented as illegitimate. The Gunsmoke movies of the early 1990s employed a similar theme when Matt Dillon learned he sired Michael Learned's daughter via a short-lived romance. The initial story was first introduced in 1973, when depiction of fornication courted protests, so CBS insisted their hero Matt have the encounter when he had amnesia).

Prequel

In 2001, there was an attempt to revive the series' concept with a prequel, Ponderosa, with a pilot directed by Kevin James Dobson and filmed in Australia. .Covering the time when the Cartwrights first arrived at the Ponderosa, when Adam was a teenager and Joe a little boy, the series lasted 20 episodes and featured less gunfire and brawling than the original.^ Original Air Date— 18 February 1968 Ben Cartwright finds himself in a fight for his life when he acts too late on his suspicion that there is more than meets the eye to an amiable, young drifter that Little Joe brought home to the Ponderosa.
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 ^ Original Air Date— 26 November 1961 The Cartwrights hope that time and therapy will get bronc breaker, Johnny Lightly, back in the saddle after a bad fall.
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 ^ Original Air Date— 24 February 1963 Little Joe falls in love with a beautiful woman who aspires to be an actress.
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 Bonanza creator David Dortort approved PAX TV's decision to hire Beth Sullivan, a producer from Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, which some believe gave the series more depth as well as a softer edge.

Theme song

Bonanza also featured a memorable theme song by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans that is often parodied. Lorne Greene and the cast recorded versions of the song with lyrics.
.The Bonanza theme is one of the best known pieces of made-for-television music, and variations of it were used for twelve seasons of the series.^ I would prefer to find the one-piece jacking system used by the military for the T-34's if possible.

 Only in the pilot episode was the vocal version used. Immediately after the pilot, they dropped the lyrics and vocal and used only an instrumental theme. .In 1968, a new percussion-heavy arrangement of the original theme was introduced; the new version was used until 1970. A new theme song, called "The Big Bonanza" was written in 1970 by episode scorer David Rose, and was used from 1970–1972. A faster rendition of the original theme returned for the 14th and final season.^ Season 5, Episode 25: Return to Honor .
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 ^ Season 11, Episode 13: Abner Willoughby's Return .
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 ^ Original Air Date— 28 November 1972 Dr. Will Agar is Virginia City's new town doctor.
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The theme song has been recorded by numerous artists in a diverse variety of styles. .The biggest hit version is an instrumental by Al Caiola, which reached number 19 on Billboard in 1961. Country singer Johnny Cash recorded a vocal version of the theme song, released on his sixteenth album: Ring of Fire: The Best of Johnny Cash. Singer Ralf Paulsen recorded a German-language version of the song in 1963. Bad Manners did a ska version of the song.^ Original Air Date— 26 November 1961 The Cartwrights hope that time and therapy will get bronc breaker, Johnny Lightly, back in the saddle after a bad fall.
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 Michael Richards, as Stanley Spadowski, sang a bit of the theme song while being held hostage by Channel 8's news goons in UHF (he didn't know the words to the song he was originally supposed to sing, Helter Skelter). Michael Feinstein was the last to record the song in 2002 on his, "Songs of Evans and Livingston" tribute CD. The Little House on the Prairie theme (also by Rose), was heard first in a 1971 episode of Bonanza. The overture for The High Chaparral composed by Harry Sukman can be heard briefly at the start of the 1966 episode "Four Sisters from Boston."

Set

.The first Virginia City set was used on the show until 1970 and was located on a backlot at Paramount and turned up in episodes of Have Gun - Will Travel, Mannix and The Brady Bunch.^ Original Air Date— 13 September 1970 A series of destructive fires has Virginia City residents on edge and anxious to catch the arsonist.
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 ^ She was doing a TV show a week until the spring of 1962 when she took a break to make her first movie, "The Brass Bottle," with Tony Randall.

 ^ EXT. VIRGINIA CITY - DAY - WIDE ANGLE This is primarily an ESTABLISHING SHOT, but we can see Laura's buckboard pulled up before the stage office.

 .On a 1970 Bonanza episode entitled "The Night Virginia City Died," Deputy Clem Foster's pyromaniac fiancee leveled the town in a series of fires.^ Original Air Date— 13 September 1970 A series of destructive fires has Virginia City residents on edge and anxious to catch the arsonist.
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 ^ But Deputy Clem's new love interest seems to know a lot more about the fires than what she's letting on.
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 ^ Original Air Date— 28 November 1972 Dr. Will Agar is Virginia City's new town doctor.
  • "Bonanza" (1959) - Episode list 10 February 2010 12:30 UTC www.imdb.com [Source type: General]

 This allowed for a switch to the less expensive Warner studios from September 1970 through January 1973.
The program's Nevada set, the Ponderosa Ranch house, was recreated in Incline Village, Nevada, in 1967, and remained a tourist attraction worldwide until its sale in September 2004.

Merchandising

Bonanza has had a highly profitable merchandising history. Currently, Bonanza Ventures, Inc. grants merchandising and licensing rights worldwide. .The original series spawned successful novelty folk albums from 1962–65, two Dell Comic books in 1961 and 1964, a series of "Big-Little" books from 1966–1969, a chain of Bonanza and Ponderosa steakhouses from 1963–present, the Lake Tahoe-based "Ponderosa" theme park from 1967–2004; a line of action figures, lunch buckets and View Master sets from 1965–1973. A series of Hamilton collector plates 1989–1990; Six Bonanza novels have been published: Bonanza: One Man With Courage by Thomas Thompson (1966); The Ponderosa Spirit by Stephen Calder (1988); The Ponderosa Empire by Stephen Calder (1991); Bonanza: High Steel Hazard by Stephen Calder (1993); Bonanza: Felling of the Sons by Monette B. Reinhold (2005) & Bonanza: Mystic Fire by Monette B. Reinhard (2009).^ Original Air Date— 13 September 1970 A series of destructive fires has Virginia City residents on edge and anxious to catch the arsonist.
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 ^ Original Air Date— 14 September 1969 An eccentric Englishman arrives at the Ponderosa, his mode of transportation a land-rowing boat.
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 ^ Original Air Date— 17 December 1960 Arnie is a lonely man with big muscles, a little brain and an ugly face.
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 .Bonanza Gold, a current magazine, features detailed information about the show, including interviews with guest actors and other production personnel, articles about historical events and people depicted in the series, fan club information and fan fiction.^ Which is great, because I find out about other people.

 ^ Bonanza Series information, Fan Pages, Biographies, Cast and Crew, at starseeker.com Bonanza at TVRage.com Bonanza - Find Episode Guides and more at the User-Edited TV IV Wiki Bonanza Fan Site on Wikia.com Most Popular TV Shows .
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 ^ FOR SALE: PowerTow 40EZ for Bonanza or Baron good condition, tire does not show any wear, extra belt included.

Home video

.The last 14 episodes of Season One and the first 17 episodes of Season Two have fallen into the public domain.^ Season 14, Episode 5 Riot!
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 ^ Season 7, Episode 17 Ride the Wind .
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 ^ Season 14, Episode 15 The Hunter .
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 These 31 episodes have been released by many different companies in many different configurations, usually with the familiar theme music replaced with generic music.[1]
In 1973, NBC sold the rights to the series to National Telefilm Associates, which changed its name to Republic Pictures in the 1980s. Republic would become part of the Spelling Entertainment organization in 1994. Select episodes ("The Best of Bonanza") were officially released in North America in 2003 on DVD via then-Republic video licensee Artisan Entertainment (which was later purchased by Lionsgate Home Entertainment). .Republic (through CBS Television Distribution, which holds the television side of Republic's holdings) still retains the syndication distribution rights to the series.^ WANTED: I need the right side exhaust pipe for an E series Bonanza.

 Incidentally, the TV Land repeats still end with the 1995 logos of both Republic and Paramount Domestic Television. .CBS DVD is now the home video rights holder, while the series copyright remains with NBC Universal.^ Adam, she's your responsibility now -- so get her home right away, but drive slowly -- no bumps.

 Bonanza Ventures, however, remains a co-licensee of the Bonanza material with both NBC and CBS.
.CBS/Paramount announced on June 1, 2009 that the first season of Bonanza would be released to DVD on September 15 of the same year.^ Bruce Leonetti < great_landing@yahoo.com > Kennesaw, GA USA - Monday, June 22, 2009 at 15:11:51 (EDT) .

 ^ Darrell Gilmore < djg1120@yahoo.com > Sioux Falls, SD USA - Sunday, September 06, 2009 at 15:41:52 (EDT) .

 ^ Tim Laudan < tmajj@sbcglobal.net > Dallas, Tx USA - Saturday, June 13, 2009 at 16:15:44 (EDT) .

 The first season (which was released on schedule) was issued in two, half-season volumes available separately or bundled together.[15] This release is one of the few CBS DVD box sets to be issued uncut, in their original broadcast versions with all the original music as telecast. This is the first pre-1973 NBC show (part of the NTA package) to be distributed on DVD by CBS and Paramount, as the first such show to get any sort of release, Get Smart, has ancillary rights owned by HBO, and thus DVD rights are held by HBO Home Entertainment, with distribution through Warner Home Video. Seasons 1-7 was released on dvd in Germany, uncut with a choice between German dub and original English audio.
DVD Name Ep # Release Date
The Official 1st Season, Vol. 1 16 September 15, 2009
The Official 1st Season, Vol. 2 16 September 15, 2009

See also

Notes

  1. ^ mentioned in first scene of first episode
  2. ^ Bonanza at the Internet Movie Database
  3. ^ TV Ratings: 1960
  4. ^ TV Ratings: 1964
  5. ^ TV Ratings: 1968
  6. ^ TV Ratings: 1961
  7. ^ TV Ratings: 1965
  8. ^ TV Ratings: 1969
  9. ^ TV Ratings: 1962
  10. ^ TV Ratings: 1966
  11. ^ TV Ratings: 1970
  12. ^ TV Ratings: 1963
  13. ^ TV Ratings: 1967
  14. ^ TV Ratings: 1971
  15. ^ Lambert, David (June 26, 2009). "Bonanza – Package Art Rides In for Vol. 1 & Vol. 2 of The Official 1st Season". TVShowsOnDVD.com. http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Bonanza-Season-1-Box-Art/12194. Retrieved February 27, 2010. 

External links


Citable sentences

Up to date as of December 16, 2010

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