VE AG released the first seven seasons on DVD in Germany between 2008 and 2010. “The Lonely Man” presents the controversial interracial marriage between the Cartwrights’ longtime Chinese chef (Hop Sing) and a white woman (Missy). His first wife was Abel’s daughter Elizabeth, and they had one son, Adam.
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Dortort was impressed by Canary’s talent, but the character vanished in September 1970, after Canary had a contract dispute. He returned two seasons later after co-star Dan Blocker’s death, reportedly having been approached by Landon. The Bonanza theme song opens with a blazing Ponderosa map and saddlebound Cartwrights. The melodic intro, emulating galloping horses, is one of the most recognized television scores. Although there were two official sets of lyrics (some country-western singers, avoiding royalties, substituted the copyright renditions with their own words), the series simply used an instrumental theme. Before the pilot aired (on September 12, 1959), the song sequence, deemed too campy, was edited out of the scene and instead the Cartwrights headed back to the ranch whooping and howling.
The Cartwrights Of The Ponderosa
The series sought to illustrate the cruelty of bigotry against Asians, African Americans, Native Americans, Jews, Mormons, the disabled, and little people. Though not familiar stars in 1959, the cast quickly became favorites of the first television generation.
Episodes
- David Canary returned to his former role of Candy (to offset Hoss’ absence), and a new character named Griff King (played by Tim Matheson) was added in an attempt to lure younger viewers.
- Little Joe had a son named Benjamin ‘Benj’ Cartwright who was played by Landon’s real-life son and seen in all three Bonanza TV movies.
- The show is set in the 1860s and centers on the wealthy Cartwright family, who live in the vicinity of Virginia City, Nevada, bordering Lake Tahoe.
- After four years with the series, Canary left due to a contract dispute.
- Ben and his sons then continued west, reaching Nevada, and through much hard work established the Ponderosa Ranch.
- He returned two seasons later after co-star Dan Blocker’s death, reportedly having been approached by Landon.
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The opening scene for the first season was shot at Lake Hemet, a reservoir in the San Jacinto Mountains, Riverside County, California, and later moved to Lake Tahoe. During the first season extra horses were rented from the Idyllwild Stables in Idyllwild, also in the San Jacinto Mountains. The first Virginia City set was used on the show until 1970 and was located on a backlot at Paramount and featured in episodes of Have Gun – Will Travel, Mannix and The Brady Bunch.
Jamie Hunter Cartwright
- During the first season extra horses were rented from the Idyllwild Stables in Idyllwild, also in the San Jacinto Mountains.
- Dortort was impressed by Canary’s talent, but the character vanished in September 1970, after Canary had a contract dispute.
- The time period for the television series is roughly between 1861 (Season 1) to 1867 (Season 13) during and shortly after the American Civil War.
- Vogel played the red-haired orphan of a roving rainmaker, whom Ben takes in and adopts later in a 1971 episode, called “A Home For Jamie”.
- The Hop Sing character is depicted not only as a cook but also a family counselor and herbal healer.
- Bonanza is an NBC-produced television series that ran on the NBC network from September 12, 1959 to January 16, 1973.
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Fourteen-year-old Mitch Vogel was introduced as Jamie Hunter Cartwright in “A Matter of Faith” (season 12, episode 363). Vogel played the red-haired orphan of a roving rainmaker, whom Ben takes in and adopts later in a 1971 episode, called “A Home For Jamie”. Beginning in 1962, a foundation was being laid to include another “son”, as Pernell Roberts was displeased with his character.
Television movies
He appeared in more than 200 movies and some 90 television programs during his 37-year career. Landon began to develop his skills in writing and directing Bonanza episodes, starting with “The Gamble”. Starting in September 2009, CBS Home Entertainment (distributed by Paramount) has to date released the first eleven seasons on DVD in Region 1. All episodes have been digitally remastered from original 35 mm film elements to yield the best picture and sound quality possible with current technology. At the beginning of the episode, Adam is shown to be outraged at the Supreme Court’s Dred Scott v. Sandford decision (placing the time as 1857), which he discusses with his father. According to David Dortort, sponsor General Motors was anxious about the episode.
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Dan Blocker – Eric “Hoss” Cartwright
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- The character departed in that same episode, but left an opportunity for a return if needed.
- According to David Dortort, sponsor General Motors was anxious about the episode.
- In the ninth season, David Canary was added to the cast as ranch hand/foreman Candy Canady.
- Beginning in 1962, a foundation was being laid to include another “son” as Pernell Roberts was displeased with his character.
- However, the unexpected death of Blocker in 1972 left a bigger hole, and Bonanza ended one season later.
- Early in the show’s history, Ben recalls each of his late wives in flashback episodes.
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As producer, Dortort ensured that the episode re-aired during the summer rerun seasons, though two TV stations in the South refused to air it. David Canary returned to his former role of Candy (to offset Hoss’ absence), and a new character named Griff King (played by Tim Matheson) was added in an attempt to lure younger viewers. Bonanza City casino Griff, in prison for nearly killing his abusive stepfather, was paroled into Ben’s custody and given a job as a ranch hand. Several episodes were built around his character, one that Matheson never had a chance to fully develop before the show was abruptly cancelled in November 1972 (with the final episode airing January 16, 1973). Many fans, as well as both Landon and Greene, felt that the character of Hoss was essential, as he was a nurturing, empathetic soul who rounded out the all-male cast.
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Recurring cast
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Despite the show’s success, Roberts departed the series after the 1964–65 season (202 episodes) and returned to stage productions. However, Roberts was persuaded to complete his contract, and remained through season six. In the ninth season, David Canary was added to the cast as ranch hand/foreman Candy Canady. After four years with the series, Canary left due to a contract dispute. In the twelfth season, Mitch Vogel joined the cast as Jamie Hunter, a teenage orphan who is adopted by Ben Cartwright.