The Pure Truth (8 Mar. 1964)

When Hoss is set up to take the fall for a bank robbery in another town, the help of an eccentric gold prospector appears to be all that stands between him and the real bandit's bullet.

Director:

Don McDougall

Writers:

David Dortort (creator), Lois Hire

Stars:

Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, Dan Blocker

Cast

Episode cast overview:
Lorne Greene	...	Ben Cartwright
Pernell Roberts	...	Adam Cartwright
Dan Blocker	...	Eric 'Hoss' Cartwright
Michael Landon	...	Joseph 'Little Joe' Cartwright
Glenda Farrell	...	Lulabelle 'Looney' Watkins
Stanley Adams	...	Sheriff Tate
Lloyd Corrigan	...	Jesse Simmons
Jay Lanin	...	Ward
Ray Teal	...	Sheriff Roy Coffee
Raymond Guth	...	Stagecoach Driver Al
Olan Soule	...	Herman, telegrapher
Maudie Prickett	...	Middle-aged Woman in Bank

Storyline

When Hoss is set up to take the fall for a bank robbery in another town, the help of an eccentric gold prospector appears to be all that stands between him and the real bandit's bullet.

---

Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance | Western

---

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 March 1964 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Stage 17, Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

National Broadcasting Company (NBC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This was the highest-rated episode of the series (source: Nielsen Media Research and quoted in numerous books). Some authors believe that the public, shocked by President John F. Kennedy's assassination in November 1963, turned to television for escapism in greater numbers than had ever been noted before.

User Reviews

Not Red Rock, Rim Rock

The spotlight turns on Dan Blocker in this funny episode of Bonanza in which Hoss gets his annual attack of spring fever which makes him dangerous to be around.

When he accidentally breaks sheriff Ray Teal's gun hand just as Teal is about to go to Rim Rock in Utah to pick up a prisoner, Hoss goes in his place, but manages to buy a ticket to the wrong place, Red Rock to be precise.

The second he's there the bank gets robbed and the finger points to him as the only stranger in town. A lynch party is called for and Red Rock's hapless sheriff Stanley Adams can't stop it. But Hoss gets away and winds up in the camp of an old hermit woman played by Glenda Farrell. Between the two of them they find out what the real story is.

Despite Hoss Cartwright nearly being lynched this was a very funny Bonanza episode. Dan Blocker and Glenda Farrell worked very well together and are given good support by a familiar group of character actors.