Archetypal television western which was broadcast between 1959 and 1973, Bonanza told the story of the Cartwright family, owners of a vast ranch called the Ponderosa:
Ben Cartwright (Lorne Greene), patriarch of the family, a former ship's chandler from New England
Adam Cartwright (Pernell Roberts), his eldest son by his first (late) wife. He was the quiet, educated, angsty one who dressed all in black.
Eric "Hoss" Cartwright (Dan Blocker), his middle son by his second (late) wife. He was the affable Gentle Giant and usually a peacemaker between his brothers.
Joseph "Little Joe" Cartwright (Michael Landon), his youngest son, by his third (late) wife. He was the young, hotheaded immature one.
Beyond the core cast of Cartwrights, the program had a vast ensemble of regulars and recurrers numbering literally in the hundreds, including at times such current and future famous names as James Coburn, Tim Matheson, Jack Elam, Buddy Ebsen, Mariette Hartley, Tom Skerritt, Harry Dean Stanton, George Kennedy, Bruce Dern, Bonnie Bedelia, Dawn Wells, Wayne Newton, Majel Barrett, James Doohan and DeForest Kelley. Beyond the big name guest stars, there were rarely one-off characters on Bonanza — almost every character ever seen, even bad guys, made appearances in at least two episodes; and even nameless extras in the background (such as "Blonde Saloon Girl" and "Brunette Saloon Girl") could and did have multi-year runs playing their characters. In fact, between the length of its time on the air and the scope of its storylines, Bonanza was virtually a gateway series for talent both new and established looking for television credits.More than just a "shoot-em-up" horse opera, Bonanza first exploited and then explored the clichés of The Western, eventually evolving into something more than its origins might have suggested it was capable of.
The Cast Showoff: Pernell Roberts was also a talented singer; so some episodes had Adam singing during the plot.
Cattle Baron: A rare protagonist example of the trope, the Cartwright family are stated to have a 640,000 acre spread and a few hundred permanent (though rarely seen) employees. Moving a few thousand head of cattle to new pastures is a morning's work, and the Nevada mining industry was nearly crippled by Ben's refusal to cut and sell more lumber than he was already providing.
Cool Old Guy: Ben Cartwright prefers to stay at home and act as Mission Control to his sons, but when the chips are down he can fight, shoot and work just as well as his boys.
Cousin Oliver: The addition of Jamie Hunter Cartwright (Mitch Vogel) to open the 1970-1971 season. As the character of Little Joe began maturing throughout the 1960s, he began to be too old to take Ben's intended-for-teenager's fatherly advice. That, and to maintain interest among younger viewers, justified Jamie's arrival on the Ponderosa. (To be fair, the series continued to be a top 20 hit for two more seasons, with the real dooming catalyst being Dan Blocker's death and a move of the series to Tuesday evenings (from its longtime Sunday night home).
Joe actually has two! Shorty Slade from "The Gunmen", and Angus Borden from "Alias Joe Cartwright".
Cultured Badass: The Cartwrights. For all their salt-of-the-earthiness and willingness to get their hands dirty, the Cartwrights have fashionable town-clothes, a large, lavishly but tastefully decorated home and modern, expensive weapons. Ben Cartwright is also partial to fine French wines, Château Lafite in particular.
Dark Is Not Evil: Adam's main outfit is completely black, occasionally with a splash of color, and he's probably the broodiest of the bunch. Yet he's still loyal to his family and won't hesitate to help anyone in need.
Early Installment Weirdness: The Cartwrights in the early episodes often confronted strangers in the Ponderosa in a hostile fashion with guns drawn. Lorne Greene convinced the producers that since the Cartwrights are such major landowners and a major business interest in the region, they logically would be more hospitable to visitors for economic, social and political purposes.
"We chased lady luck, 'til we finally struck Bonanza.
"With a gun and a rope and a hat full of hope, planted a family tree.
"We got hold of a pot of gold, Bonanza.
"With a horse and a saddle, and a range full of cattle,
"How rich can a fellow be?"
Fourth Date Marriage: Happens frequently, often, and at least twice to each of the main characters, although the altar isn't always reached by the time it's called off. Justified a little by the fact marriages often did occur with haste back in the 1800s.
The Gambling Addict: Helen Layton, who'd driven her husband to drink himself to death over her gambling debts, and latched onto Hoss as her new sugar daddy. When she was exposed, she left town with another man.
Historical In-Joke: A few. The Cartwrights were directly involved with the invention of the honeycomb timbering for silver mines and the water pumping windmill, for example.
In an early episode, gold prospectors were complaining about the blue clay that was gumming up their equipment — it was never revealed in-story that it was silver ore.
Real life historical figures from the West - like Mark Twain and Emperor Norton - would make guest appearances.
Hollywood Healing: Considering the number of times Little Joe was shot/stabbed/trampled by horses/otherwise injured over the course of the series, it's amazing his body was still functional.
Limited Wardrobe: From about the third season onward, the main characters wore the same costume in just about every episode. This was done to cut the cost of re-filming action shots (such as riding clips in-between scenes), as previously-shot stock footage could be reused.
Long Runner: Take a look at the top of the page and count how many years it was on the air....
For many years its run made it only second longest running primetime American drama after Gunsmoke before being surpassed by Law & Order (20 seasons, itself tied with Gunsmoke) and ER (15 seasons) though only the former had more episodes.
Missing Episode: When the show entered syndication in 1973, the original rerun package contained only the first six seasons (complete, minus one 1965 episode), plus select episodes from the eighth through 11th seasons (1966-1970, those considered to be the "most popular" amongst fans); this is the package that airs currently on TVLand. The entire 1965-1966 season, the episodes from 1966-1970 not included in the original syndicated package, and the final three seasons (1970-1973, which had Mitch Vogel as part of the cast as young teen-ager Jamie Hunter Cartwright) were not included and, amongst die-hard fans presumed to be "lost." However, the "missing" episodes were later included in a second rerun package, and these episodes have aired on CBN and the Hallmark Channel. That said, there are no known instances of the entire run of 430 episodes — from the premiere to the final episode — being aired as part of a single rerun package on a TV network or station.
Missing Mom: Not just one would do, as all three of Ben's wives died not long after giving birth to each son.
Non-Idle Rich: The Cartwrights are the wealthiest people in Virginia City, but they're frequently seen doing menial labor around the ranch.
Not-So-Fake Prop Weapon: In one episode Hoss get framed for murder when the blank rounds from a prop gun get switched for real bullets and the blanks turn up in his saddle bag.
During a friendly fencing match, the button covering the point comes off and Joe is very nearly stabbed.
Poorly Disguised Pilot: "Sam Hill" starring Claude Akins, a blacksmith who reunites with his long lost father. It was intended to jumpstart a spinoff series but it never materialized.
Also "The Avenger", though not as overt as "Sam Hill" was.
Put On A Stagecoach: When Pernell Roberts left the show, his character Adam was said to have moved to Australia, and then almost never mentioned again.
Race Lift: The real Virginia City was a popular destination for freedmen escaping the South, especially during the time the show was set. Yet few blacks were ever shown on Bonanza, even as walk-ons. Pernell Roberts said he left the show in part specifically because of the Race Lift.
Rearrange the Song: The driving, rock-oriented version of the theme song heard in later seasons.
Recycled Soundtrack: Unusually for the time, averted - every episode had an original score (mostly by David Rose, although his scores tended to avoid the theme song by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans). Combined with it being filmed in color from first show to last (a rarity for a series which began in 1959) and it must have cost NBC a fortune. Safe to say they've made their money back now, however.
Little Joe just can't seem to keep his feet off the table.
Hoss often can't remember which word he's looking for, and will look to Joe for help.
Once happens while the two characters are debating; Little Joe provides Hoss with the word he's looking for, then they jump right back into the debate.
A lot of people seem to think "Candy" is a funny name. He doesn't seem to mind.
Little Joe falling in love nearly every week. Oh, wait, that wasn't supposed to be funny?
Single Tear: Michael Landon excelled at these, so it's really no surprise that Little Joe favors this method of showing emotion.
Straw Vulcan: Eskith talks a lot about how emotions are the cause of most problems. In his dying moments, he laments that he was defeated by emotion.
0 reviews