Bonanza (TV Series) Enter Thomas Bowers (1964) User Reviews

Singer or slave

[bkoganbing · 8/10 · 15 June 2019]

The civil rights revolution enters this Bonanza story as real life concert singer Thomas Bowers played by William Marshall arrives in Virginia City for a concert. What a surprise it was when he gets off the stagecoach and his race is discovered.

The Cartwrights especially Dan Blocker make him feel welcome but many do not. And one of them Kelly Thordsen hears rumors of a runaway slave in the area and reports same to Ray Teal the sheriff.

William Marshall best known as Blacula on the big screen and Dr. Denkstrom from Star Trek prime really delivers as singer and actor in this episode. It's one of the best Bonanza episodes ever done.

The one where Hoss and Ben must've found some crack to smoke

[glitterrose · 8/10 · 23 March 2022]

Because that's the ONLY explanation I could think of for why they still expected and encouraged Thomas to follow through on singing for the people of Virginia City after EVERYTHING the towns people put him through.

Don't get me wrong. I do think the episode was interesting and you absolutely can't mistake William Marshall from his speaking voice. I had seen him on an episode of "The Alfred Hitchcock Hour" and that voice definitely stands out. I'm referring more to his speaking voice. I honestly don't have a clue if that was him singing at the end or if another voice was being dubbed in. I was watching the episode and thought I'd check it out on imdb to see who was being credited and I don't really see any credits for who was singing in this one? Strange. Whether or not it was William Marshall or somebody else, that person deserves to be credited.

I feel like this episode echos the Leprechaun episode. Just exchange out "You'll be getting the money from these men for all the services and supplies they purchase while living in the area." to "Mistreatment can go out the window just as long as you're doing something for me/us." I don't blame Thomas for wanting to get out of the area as soon as his name was cleared. I wouldn't have wanted to stick around and perform for the people that denied me a place to stay while in the area, food to eat while I'm in the area, people terrorizing me just because of something they're nitpicking about. Thomas was already going through stuff even before this paper about a runaway slave matching Thomas' description was read.

Embarrassing but vital social drama

[BigSkyMax · 10/10 · 4 March 2015]

This is 1960s liberal television at its best--daring to discuss and promote the most vital issue of its day, the fight for racial equality. This episode was broadcast in late April, 1964 at a time when it was still legal for Americans to discriminate against each other because of the color of their skin. In February the House of Representatives passed the first part of the 1964 Civil Rights Act; it took until June for the Senate to agree and President Johnson didn't sign into law until July 2. It is the Civil War era in the Virginia Territory and opera singer Thomas Bowers (William Marshall) is booked to play at the Virginia City Opera House before the darling ladies see Bowers is a black man -- when he steps off the stage. Which, as a black man, he never would have been allowed to ride in the first place. He is befriended by Hoss Cartwright. (Also pretty unlikely, if only due to Pa's pro- neutrality feelings made clear only two years earlier in 1962's "The War Comes to Washoe.") The plot is further stirred with the sub-plot of a runaway slave, making reference to the horrendous Dred Scott decision. As in ALL Bonanza episodes, in the end, the Good Guys win, and the Evil is defeated. And if only a fraction of the evil of America's racism is glimpsed in a Hollywood TV show, at least someone tried. Still, looking back after 50 years, Enter Thomas Bowers makes you feel less proud than small. Why was there even a need for this episode? Because there was there a need for such a law in 1964. Worse yet, there still is.

For 1964 this is as daring as anything that All in the Family did

[zrlazard · 12 May 2024]

Pernell Roberts, reportedly displeased with the writing and direction of the show, suddenly elected not to renew his contract and left at the end of the 1964-1965.

This episode aired in April 1964. For a highly rated show like Bonanza to take on the subject of racism was daring indeed. I don't know but, I would not be surprised if Roberts had something to do with the subject matter.

I felt that they tackled it as realistically as they could. People being surprised that this famous (real life) opera singer was African-American. Bowers being denied food and lodging at establishments. Being hunted because he resembled a runaway slave. The Dred Scott Decision by the Supreme Court. So forth. All subject matter that was unheard of on American television at the time.