Posts from ethanedwards in thread „Bonanza (1959-1973)“

  • Bonanza (1959-1973)

    Quote from Hondo Duke Lane

    I occasionally watch Bonanza on TV Land, and really enjoy the show with the Adam years better. Just seem to be a whole family. Adam added meat to the show and it worked for the years he was there. It seemed to flow well and make things equal in the action and adventure. When Pernell Roberts left. I don't recall any show explaining as to why he left the Ponderosa. Or did I ever hear anything about Adam. Did the show and the cast just make like he never existed?

    The show was alright but it wasn't the same, and the story line seem weaker. Did anyone feel the same as I did? Was there any explanation as to the exit of Adam Cartwright?

    Cheers :cool: Hondo


    Mike,
    Apparently, Pernell Roberts wanted to 'better' himself
    by leaving the show for more demanding roles.
    Green, and co. advised him not to leave ,
    as the show was becoming successful, and that he would make a fortune.
    The three other's did make a fortune and
    alas Adam failed in his subsequent career.
    Bad move heh!!


    He was written off in the series,
    by him moving to Austraila!!

  • Bonanza (1959-1973)

    Quote from chester7777

    In another thread (about the impressive list of guest stars on Bonanza during its run), Stumpy had a great link to a site that lists every episode of Bonanza, along with the plot, guest stars, etc. A must-see for the die-hard fan!


    Chester :newyear:


    Jim, thanks for posting this,
    on the other Classic TV Westerns , I have listed the more notable,
    support actors, but for some reason, I didn't for this one.
    You're right, there are a multitude of them for this series,
    and I have now edited my inititial post, to include
    the more notable one's, that us Duke fans might recognize.

  • Bonanza (1959-1973)

    Quote from dukefan1

    Bonanza was my favorite western show growing up, with Big Valley a close second. Little Joe was my favorite Cartright. After Parnell left, wasn't a cousin or friend added to the cast? I think his name was Candy. Been a good while since I have seen this show.

    Mark


    Hi Mark,


    I think this was your man,
    David Canary ... 'Candy' Canaday (84 episodes, 1967-1973)


  • Bonanza (1959-1973)

    I must admit Jim,
    I liked Ben, he came across,
    as the type of father, any kid would want.
    I guess, as Murray said, he should have found another woman,
    and gave those boys, another Mom in their lives,
    AHHH!!!

  • Bonanza (1959-1973)

    Bonanza is a western television series that was produced
    by and ran on the NBC network from September 12, 1959 to January 16, 1973.
    Lasting 14 seasons and 430 episodes, it ranks as the second longest running western series
    (behind Gunsmoke) and still continues to air in syndication.
    The show centers around the Cartwright family, who live in the area near Lake Tahoe, Nevada.
    The show stars Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, Dan Blocker, Michael Landon, and David Canary.
    The show's title "Bonanza" is a term used by miners in regard to a large vein or deposit of ore,
    and commonly refers to The Comstock Lode.
    In 2002, Bonanza was ranked No. 43 on TV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time.


    A great childhood favourite of mine, and what great title music.
    The characters, almost seemed part of the family.

  • Bonanza (1959-1973)

    BONANZA


    NBC TELEVISION



    Information From IMDb


    Plot Summary


    The Cartwright's thousand-square-mile Ponderosa Ranch is located near Virginia City, Nevada, site of the Comstock Silver Lode, during and after the Civil War. Each of the sons was born to a different wife of Ben's; none of the mothers is still alive. Adventures are typical western ones, with lots of personal relationships/problems thrown in as well.
    Written by Ed Stephan


    Series Cast
    Lorne Greene ... Ben Cartwright / ... (407 episodes, 1959-1973)
    Michael Landon ... Joseph 'Little Joe' Cartwright / ... (391 episodes, 1959-1973)
    Dan Blocker ... Eric 'Hoss' Cartwright / ... (385 episodes, 1959-1972)
    Pernell Roberts ... Adam Cartwright (172 episodes, 1959-1965)
    Bill Clark ... Townsman / ... (109 episodes, 1959-1973)
    Victor Sen Yung ... Hop Sing (96 episodes, 1959-1973)
    Victor Sen Yung ... Hop Sing (96 episodes, 1959-1973)
    Ray Teal ... Sheriff Roy Coffee (95 episodes, 1960-1972)
    David Canary ... 'Candy' Canaday (84 episodes, 1967-1973)
    Bob Miles ... Townsman / ... (72 episodes, 1959-1968)
    Martha Manor ... Blonde Saloon Girl / ... (69 episodes, 1960-1970)
    Betty Endicott ... Brunette Saloon Girl / ... (66 episodes, 1960-1969)
    Bing Russell ... Deputy Clem Foster / ... (56 episodes, 1961-1972)
    Mitch Vogel ... Jamie Hunter Cartwright / ... (45 episodes, 1968-1973)
    Cosmo Sardo ... Bartender / ... (36 episodes, 1960-1968)
    Grandon Rhodes ... Doctor / ... (27 episodes, 1960-1967)
    Troy Melton ... Gunman / ... (21 episodes, 1959-1972)
    Hal Burton ... Townsman / ... (21 episodes, 1966-1973)


    and many more, notably,


    Denver Pyle, John Mitchum, Ed Prentiss, Victor French, Strother Martin
    DeForest Kelley, Roy Barcroft, Harry Carey Jr.Karl Swenson,
    Slim Pickens, Leo Gordon, James Coburn, Jack Elam, Edward Faulkner,
    Ben Johnson, Eric Fleming, Bruce Dern, Buddy Ebsen, Barry Sullivan
    Dan Duryea, Edgar Buchanan, Vic Morrow, Hank Worden,Henry Hull
    John Carradine, Leif Erickson, Vera Miles, Steve Forrest,Stacy Keach Sr.
    and David Huddleston


    Directors
    Included 2 Directors of Duke,
    Joseph Kane
    Arthur Lubin


    Creators:
    David Dortort
    Fred Hamilton


    Trivia


    * In the show's early episodes, the writers would typically have the Cartwrights being hostile to visitors to their property. Lorne Greene objected to this pointing out that with the Ponderosa being as large as it is, the Cartwrights would be an important business interest in the community. Thus visitors would naturally come for economic and political reasons as well as social ones and the Cartwrights would logically welcome them as such. The producers agreed and altered the premise of the characters accordingly.


    * During the first season of the show, the guest stars were paid far more than the stars of the show because the producers didn't think that the stars were well-known enough to pull in viewers.


    * When Dan Blocker died unexpectedly shortly before filming began for the final season, it was decided to have Hoss die too by having him killed in an accident. The opening episode, a two-hour special in which Little Joe marries only to see his bride die, was originally scripted to feature Hoss.


    * When Pernell Roberts left the show, his character Adam was written off by having him move to Australia.


    * Adam's mother was from Boston, Hoss's from Sweden and Little Joe's was from New Orleans.


    * The character 'Ben Cartwright' was ranked #2 in TV Guide's list of the "50 Greatest TV Dads of All Time" (20 June 2004 issue).


    * Ben was a major in the United States Army.


    * Although it got off to a rough start, by 1961 it was the #1 show on TV.


    * Most viewers have only heard the famous theme song by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans played as an instrumental. The theme song actually had lyrics and there is footage of the lead actors singing those lyrics.


    * According to the 1973 book "Marilyn Beck's Hollywood", when Pernell Roberts told Lorne Greene he was leaving the series because he wanted to challenge himself as an actor, Greene told him to stick to it as he would be so rich by the end of the run he could hire Tennessee Williams himself to write a play for him. Roberts' career went into a tailspin that lasted over a decade after he left the show. Co-star Michael Landon later said of Roberts' departure that they simply took a leaf out of the dining room table and split the money three rather than four ways. While the post "Bonanza" Roberts struggled (until later catching on with "Trapper John, M.D." (1979), Greene, Landon and Dan Blocker became very wealthy from their income from the show, which all three wisely invested.


    * The character Ben Cartwright is a New Englander who had been a seaman. Before setting out West with his young son Adam, the widower Ben had been a ship's chandler, running a shop supplying gear to merchant vessels. (This past is referred to in several episodes, but most significantly, "Elizabeth, My Love" broadcast during the second season on May 27, 1961, when an older Ben is remembering Adam's late mother, his first wife.)


    * This was the first US television show to have all its episodes filmed in color.


    * Lorne Greene, Dan Blocker and Michael Landon sang a lyric version of this famous instrumental theme for the pilot, but it never aired.


    * During the filming of one episode, Lorne Greene was required to jump off a small ledge into a lake five feet below. Michael Landon later recalled that when Greene did the stunt, he jumped into the water feet first and went completely under, but his hair piece came off and floated on the surface of the lake. Landon and the rest of the crew watched to see what would happen. After a short while, Greene's hand shot up out of the water, grabbed the hairpiece, and pulled it down. Greene emerged from the lake, wearing his hairpiece slightly askew. He walked nonchalantly past the snickering crew, and went into his trailer without saying a word.


    Filming Locations
    Warner Brothers Burbank Studios - 4000 Warner Boulevard, Burbank, California, USA
    (1970-1973) (studio)
    Alabama Hills, Lone Pine, California, USA
    Anchor Ranch, Lone Pine, California, USA
    Baldwin Dry Lake, San Bernardino National Forest, California, USA
    Bell Ranch, Santa Susana, California, USA
    Big Bear Lake, California, USA
    Big Sky Ranch - 4927 Bennett Road, Simi Valley, California, USA
    Bourne's Meadow, Lake Tahoe, California, USA
    Bowers Mansion Park - 4005 U.S. Highway 395 N., Carson City, Nevada, USA
    Bronson Canyon, Griffith Park - 4730 Crystal Springs Drive, Los Angeles, California, USA
    Browne's Meadow, California, USA
    Cedar Lake, Big Bear Valley, San Bernardino National Forest, California, USA
    Chávez Ravine, Elysian Park, Los Angeles, California, USA
    Clark Fork River, Stanislaus National Forest, California, USA
    Clark's Summit, San Bernardino National Forest, California, USA
    Clark's Summit, Stanislaus National Forest, California, USA
    Coronado National Forest, Arizona, USA
    Corriganville, Ray Corrigan Ranch, Simi Valley, California, USA
    Davis Creek Park, Carson City, Nevada, USA
    Death Valley National Park, California, USA
    Desilu Studios - 9336 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA
    Diamond Peak, Lake Tahoe, California, USA
    Donnell's Lake, Stanislaus National Forest, California, USA
    Donnell's Vista, Stanislaus National Forest, California, USA
    Eureka Valley, Death Valley National Park, California, USA
    Franklin Canyon Reservoir, Santa Monica Mountains, Los Angeles, California, USA
    Glenbrook Valley, Nevada, USA
    Golden Oak Ranch - 19802 Placerita Canyon Road, Newhall, California, USA
    Gooseneck Meadow, Martis Valley, Lake Tahoe, California, USA
    Grandview Point, San Bernardino National Forest, California, USA
    Holcomb Valley, California, USA
    Iverson Ranch, Chatsworth, Los Angeles, California, USA
    Janss Conejo Ranch, Thousand Oaks, California, USA
    Kern River, California, USA
    Lake Los Angeles, California, USA
    Lake Sherwood, Thousand Oaks, California, USA
    Lake Valley, Lake Tahoe, California, USA
    Los Padres National Forest, Goleta, California, USA
    Lucky Baldwin Mine, San Bernardino National Forest, California, USA
    Mescal, Arizona, USA
    Mount Rose Summit, Lake Tahoe, California, USA
    Nevada Beach, Lake Tahoe, Nevada, USA
    Old Tucson - 201 S. Kinney Road, Tucson, Arizona, USA
    Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA
    (1959-1970) (studio)
    Ponderosa Ranch - 100 Ponderosa Ranch Road, Incline Village, Lake Tahoe, Nevada, USA
    Ponderosa Wagon Camp, Incline Village, Lake Tahoe, California, USA
    Red Hills Ranch, Sonora, California, USA
    Red Rock Canyon State Park - Highway 14, Cantil, California, USA
    Rose Knob Peak, Lake Tahoe, California, USA
    Round Hill Pines Beach, Lake Tahoe, California, USA
    Saddleback Butte State Park, California, USA
    Sand Harbor, Lake Tahoe, California, USA
    Shay Ranch, Big Bear Valley, San Bernardino National Forest, California, USA
    Sonora Pass, California, USA
    Sonora, California, USA
    Spahn Ranch, Chatsworth, Los Angeles, California, USA
    Spooner Lake, Lake Tahoe-Nevada State Park, Incline Village, Lake Tahoe, Nevada, USA
    Spooner Meadow, Lake Tahoe, Nevada, USA
    Tahoe Meadows, Lake Tahoe, California, USA
    Truckee River, California, USA
    Truckee, California, USA
    Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park - 10700 W. Escondido Canyon Rd., Agua Dulce, California, USA
    Zephyr Cove, Lake Tahoe, Nevada, USA