BONANZA

NBC TELEVISION

http://artfiles.art.com/images/-/Bonanza-Photograph-C12146713.jpeg

http://img.webring.com/r/b/bonanza/logo

http://www.bonanzabrand.net/images/index/guys.jpg

Information From IMDb

Directors
Included 2 Directors of Duke,
Joseph Kane
Arthur Lubin

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

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

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

Who was your favorite character, Keith?

I'm torn between Hoss and Little Joe. Guess I'll go with Hoss but LJ is close behind. :teeth_smile:

I was also a big fan of Michael Landon's "Little House on the Prairie".

Hoss was my guy, but they all had appeal. Interesting that the writers never added another wife for Ben.

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!!!

When I was younger, three things in life were guaranteed: death, taxes and the fact that I'd be sitting in front of a television at 9:00 on Sunday evening looking forward to another great story about the Cartwright clan.

Great shows week in and week out - sometimes it was a drama - another time it was funny but always quality writing.

I've spent alot of time in the area that the fictional Ponderosa Ranch sits on and I have to say that Ben Cartwright couldn't have picked a more beautiful place for a ranch.

When are they going to release this classic television show on DVD..??

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

I have added a few more Pictures from "Bonanza" and a little story about Meeting Lorne Greene for the First Time.:teeth_smile:
I was to meet Him years later again a few times, when I was Flying for the Hearst Corp. in California.:wink_smile:


http://www.ranch26bar.com/BONANZA2.html

Chilibill
:cowboy:

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)

http://www.williamsmith.org/all%20with%20jamie.jpg

Man, you are on the ball, Keith. That's who I remembered. Thanks for looking that up.

Mark

Hi Mark,

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

http://www.williamsmith.org/all%20with%20jamie.jpg

Hi Keith:

Small correction - that's not David Canary in the above pic with Ben, Little Joe and Hoss.
That's a character named Jamie Hunter Cartwright (Mitch Vogel) who appeared on the series from 1968-1973.

Candy was a ranch hand - here is is pictured with Lorne Greene.

http://www.geocities.com/klmillard/Canary_Greene.gif

Mark

Thanks Mark,

I knew it was Candy, but it's been such a long time,
I couldn't remember what he looked like!
Thanks for pointing him out and posting his picture!

Yup, it's been a long time for me too. If you look at the two men, they kinda look a little alike, minus the red hair, that is. :wink_smile:

Thanks for clearing that up, Mark.

Mark

One of the best tv westerns of all time. I couldn't hardly wait for the next weeks program to come on. The relationship between Ben and his son's was one of the things that drew me to the show.I always felt so sorry for any female who fell in love with one of them because before the hour was up they were generally killed off.:shades_smile:

I could see a few episodes of Bonanza in Austrian Television as a child, and I liked it that much, that I started reading Bonanza books and comics. Therer are also some LPs with the actors making good country music! I have them all at home.

In Germany they are now releasing the whole Bonanza series (14 Seasons) on DVD! I have bought Season 1-7, that are available at the moment, and I still like it. I have not seen most of the episodes before.

- And my favourite characters on the show are Ben and Hoss...

It is still one of my favoite Westerns and I still Watch It.
Chilibill
:cowboy:

For all you soap opera fans, David Canary can be found on All My Children playing a dual role of twin brothers, one mentally challenged, the other normal. Been on for quite a few years now.

While it does not seem that Bonanza is yet available "by the season" here in the States, you can definitely obtain numerous episodes on DVD (we searched "bonanza" on both Deep Discount and Amazon, and came up with a fair amount of reasonably priced options).

In another thread (http://www.dukewayne.com/showthread.php?t=1229&highlight=bonanza) (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 (http://www.tv.com/bonanza/show/228/episode_guide.html), along with the plot, guest stars, etc. A must-see for the die-hard fan!

Chester :newyear:

In another thread (http://www.dukewayne.com/showthread.php?t=1229&highlight=bonanza) (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 (http://www.tv.com/bonanza/show/228/episode_guide.html), 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.

Whow, the boys from the Ponderosa are going to celebrate their 50th Anniversary this year in September! - Lorne Greene, Dan Blocker and Michael Landon left this world many years ago, but they are still great TV-legends. Pernell Roberts, who played Adam Cartwright, is the only one who is still alive! He celebrated his 80th birthday last year.

Bonanza ran over 14 seasons and is still a great hit in so many countries. It was not the first TV-Western series and not the one, that had the most seasons, but for me it still is the greatest TV-Westernshow of all times!

Always thought Bonanza was a great show but, to me the best part about it was the vivid color it was presented in. Even after all these years of constant showing, the colors in it are still just as rich as ever and makes it look like it was just filmed yesterday. Back when color tv's were just coming on, we'd always like going over to my uncles house. He worked for RCA and always had color tv's from the very start. Be there on a Sunday night and get to see Disneys Wonderful World Of Color, followed by Bonanza. What a treat.

I agree completely. Bonazas color seemed completely natural. Some shows when put to color never were the same.

I've been watching the series "Little House on the Prairie" starring Mike Landon, who also had a very prominent role in "Bonanza" as Little Joe.

A few days ago there was an episode of "Little House" entitled "The Legacy", which portrays Mike worrying about his legacy. All the time I'm watching this episode, I'm thinking to myself "Mike, you left us one heck of a legacy in the form of outstanding television". (Not only did he star in "Little House" as Charles Ingalls, he was also executive producer, writer and director of many of the episodes.)

Don't forget Stumpy, Mike Landon also created, produced and starred in Highway To Heaven. Thought that was a pretty good show in itself. He also wrote and directed the tv movie, The Lonliest Runner, starring Lance Kerwin who played a teenager who was a bedwetter and whose mother constantly embarrassed him by hanging his bedsheets outisde his bedroom window. It was supposed to be based loosely on Landons life.

Don't forget Stumpy, Mike Landon also created, produced and starred in Highway To Heaven. Thought that was a pretty good show in itself. He also wrote and directed the tv movie, The Lonliest Runner, starring Lance Kerwin who played a teenager who was a bedwetter and whose mother constantly embarrassed him by hanging his bedsheets outisde his bedroom window. It was supposed to be based loosely on Landons life.

I was familiar with "Highway to Heaven", Jim, and even watched it a few times during its' run. But for some reason, I just couldn't get into that Mike Landon show.

Like another of my favorites (Steve McQueen), I think Mike died way too young.

Always thought Bonanza was a great show but, to me the best part about it was the vivid color it was presented in. Even after all these years of constant showing, the colors in it are still just as rich as ever and makes it look like it was just filmed yesterday. Yes, I enjoy the color too! Here in Europe they released Season 1-7 of Bonanza on DVD and the picture and the color is real great!

Here in Europe they released Season 1-7 of Bonanza on DVD

I'm green with envy. Here in Region 1 all they've released are a few episodes here and there. No complete seasons so far. This in the country that originated the show.

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I don't know if it was at the end of an actual episode or if it was filmed for it, then scrapped. But there is footage of Greene, Roberts, Blocker and, Landon singing the Bonanza theme song as they're leaving town, complete with loud whoops and yells of BONANZA!. I seen it on some blooper show years ago. If they used after an episode in the first year, it was only the one time. It didn't go over well and it was never done again.

Couple of very good YouTube clips, Keith
Thanks !

Chester :newyear:

The first episode I watched was one with Ben Johnson - always a favorite of mine - and when the title music came on, I jumped up and down and shouted at my cats, "I KNOW this song!" and proceeded to hum along. Now I find myself singing it to myself constantly. :D

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Keith,

I guess Jim saw the Bonanza clips awhile ago, when you first posted them, but somehow I missed them. I REALLY enjoyed the one with Lorne Greene singing the song. His voice is slightly reminiscent of Howard Keel's. And who ever knew there were lyrics to that song??

Thanks!

Sue (aka Mrs. C :angel1:

This a Look-See at the Ponderosa Ranch House of The Great T.V. Show "Bonanza."
Chilibill
:cowboy:

http://www.ranch26bar.com/PONDEROSA.html

I love Johnny Cash's version of the theme song for Bonanza!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_HL0WA_bas

Cash´s version is great, but I prefer Lorne Greene´s! - Bear Family Records in Germany has released a CD with various versions of the Bonanza Theme Song and some more "Cartwright-stuff". Great fun to listen to it!

And there is a 4-CD set too by Bear Family Records with songs done by Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, Michael Landon and Dan Blocker (what "Hoss" is doing You can´t real call singing...). I think this set is a "must" for all Bonanza-fans!

But I am very sad, because after season 7 they have cancelled the production of Bonanza on DVD here in Germany...

I watched recently some episodes of season 1 (the German Release :wink:) and from the season 3. I found them to a low price in a shop next door. :teeth_smile:. On Amazon.de the prices for this DVD Boxes are just too expensive. I forgot how good this show is. Quite interesting in the first season the Cartwrights aren't very friendly to people who enter their territory. Also there is a lot of violence and less humour as we see in later seasons. Anyhow Great Show but with the death of Dan Blocker (Hoss) the series ended for me. :holiday_irish:

I still watch Bonanza almost every aternoon and still like it !!!
Chilibill
:cowboy:
(bud)

O.K. my favourite Version of the theme song is Lorne Greene`s...!

Here are some more news about Bonanza: Paramount releases Season One in the USA in September!

http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Bonanza-Season-1-Box-Art/12194

I hope they will release all 14 Seasons, because in Germany they stopped after Season 7.

Great show! I wish they would release the seasons on DVD. I own several DVD's, each with a couple of episodes.

If they release Season 8-14 in the USA, I will buy them! My DVD-player is now RC-free and I can watch american RC-1 DVDs!

Bonanza is 50 years old!!!
The first episode "A Rose for Lotta" was on air on Sept. 12th, 1959. It started a TV-legend, that ran over 14 Seasons and is still a big hit all over the world.

Happy Birthday to the Cartwrights! May their adventures live on for another 50 years...

My Family and I were lucky to have spent some time with the Boys at The Ranch House between Filming and it was a Time We Will Never Forget !!!
:hyper:
It is Now Closed to The Public, but below are some Pictures of the Ponderosa Ranch House and The Main Three Ponderosa Boys.
All the Extra Trees and Vines are added for the Filming !
:teeth_smile:
Chilibill
:cowboy:

http://www.ranch26bar.com/PONDEROSA.html

Great pictures! - I know, the Ponderosa is now closed, but they had opened it for public last weekend for the 50years Bonanza convention.

Watched recently the Episode The Crucible (season 3) with Lee Marvin. It's an interesting episode in which Marvin's Character is forcing Adam to work for him as a slave. Overall it was a good one but kind of weird. :smile:

Lee Marvin did a good job in this episode, but I did not real like it...

Was Duke friendly with Blocker?

JohnWayneFan4Life, I moved you post here since Dan Blocker was more related to Bonanza than Little House.

To my knowledge, he got along with everyone on Bonanza. I didn't hear anything bad about the relationships he had with the cast. They all except for Purnell Roberts on his Tribute to America TV special. I don't anything about Duke and Purnell Roberts either.

Cheers :cool: Hondo

OK thanks. I did wonder about Blocker since his politics were extreme Left.

Watched every episode from the first one on when it originally aired. Some great moments and memories. I'm from Rochester, NY and since Eastman Kodak was a sponsor, they took great pains with the color broadcasts which really popped back then. The few reruns I've seen seem faded.
My only quibble is that if a Cartwright ever got serious about a woman, say to the point of proposing, she was dead meat by the end of the episode.


We deal in lead, friend.

Watched every episode from the first one on when it originally aired. Some great moments and memories. I'm from Rochester, NY and since Eastman Kodak was a sponsor, they took great pains with the color broadcasts which really popped back then. The few reruns I've seen seem faded.
My only quibble is that if a Cartwright ever got serious about a woman, say to the point of proposing, she was dead meat by the end of the episode.


We deal in lead, friend.

LOL, my wife has said the same thing many times, Gorch. Didn't matter if it was Ben or his boys, any romance for any of them, usually resulted in death for the girl.

Just wondering? Who looked less like brothers.
The Cartwrights or the Elders?:confused_smile:

Just wondering? Who looked less like brothers.
The Cartwrights or the Elders?:confused_smile:

Bill, I don't think any of them looked at all like brothers

Just wondering? Who looked less like brothers.
The Cartwrights or the Elders?:confused_smile:

Yea, must have had quite a variety of Mom's. :wink_smile:

Chester :newyear:

I thought the Cartwrights DID look like Bros. There were elements of each that seemed to carry to the others. As for Katie's boys, Duke Earl, and Michael arguably looked a bit alike-Dino was adopted I thought.

The three younger brothers were all right, it was actually Duke who stood out because he looked so much older than the others.

Can you believe it, I was poking around the site at work and stumbled on this thread!

You would think I would have found it first!

Bonanza was and still is my favorite TV Western. I am Ben because Hoss was taking, I look more like hoss

http://i922.photobucket.com/albums/ad65/n1usd/SASS/EvilRoy_072209_0014.jpg

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

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!!

Every once in awhile, there would be mention made of Adam traveling somewhere. Just to let everyone know that he still existed, I guess. And Keith, I wouldn't say Pernell Roberts carrrer had failed. He may have made a mistake for leaving Bonanza but, the rest of his carrer was pretty good. His Trapper John MD show had a pretty good run and was fairly popular here in the states. Plus, he did quite afew guest shots on other shows and I believe he did some successful stage work.

Bonanza was and still is my favorite TV Western. I am Ben because Hoss was taking, I look more like hoss

Funny picture! Reminds me of the time, as I was a child. I lived in Styria (Austria) and they had done two Jack London movies there. They had built Dawson City for these movies in the Styrian mountains and I went there with my mum and aunt to take some "real" cowboy pictures there...


Apparently, Pernell Roberts wanted to 'better' himself
by leaving the show for more demanding roles.

Pernell Roberts passed away only a few weeks ago. Although he did not like to play Adam and he always spit on the stairs of the Ponderosa on the end of a day, he did a very great job, playing this Cartwright! He always will be remembered for this role by the fans, and I hope, he will not be too angry, when he looks down from Cowboy Heaven at them!

Just released in the UK,
Bonanza DVD Collection (http://www.bonanzadvdcollection.com/default.aspx)

This is one of my favorite tv shows of all time I grew up watchin bonaza with my dad hoss was my favorite but I always like Adam too

I think everybody all around the world loves Bonanza! Many of us grew up with the show, even in Austria, where I was born. And Bonanza, aired every sunday evening was a TV-show for the whole family. You can´t find TV-shows like that today...

bonanza is one of my favourite western series.little joe and hoss were great together.i grew up watching repeat'es of the show.the show's maker david dortort made an even better western series in the high chaparral.

David Dortort died on Sept. 5th at the age of 94 in his sleep. He was a man of great phantasy and inventor of TV-shows like Bonanza, High Chaparral, Restless Gun and The Chisolms. Exspecially for Bonanza, I think, he will be remembered forever!

have just watched the first bonanza box set thats just been released - great programme and such an evocative tune

David Dortort died on Sept. 5th at the age of 94 in his sleep. He was a man of great phantasy and inventor of TV-shows like Bonanza, High Chaparral, Restless Gun and The Chisolms. Exspecially for Bonanza, I think, he will be remembered forever!

As posted here on September 5th.
http://www.dukewayne.com/showpost.php?p=95926&postcount=642