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Bonanza

  • TV Series
  • 1959–1973
  • TV-PG
  • 49m
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
10K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
823
46
Bonanza (1959)
Clip: Original episodic promo
Play clip1:39
Watch Bonanza: The Official First Season
2 Videos
99+ Photos
Western

The Wild West adventures of Ben Cartwright and his sons as they run and defend their Nevada ranch while helping the surrounding community.The Wild West adventures of Ben Cartwright and his sons as they run and defend their Nevada ranch while helping the surrounding community.The Wild West adventures of Ben Cartwright and his sons as they run and defend their Nevada ranch while helping the surrounding community.

  • Creators
    • David Dortort
    • Fred Hamilton
  • Stars
    • Lorne Greene
    • Michael Landon
    • Dan Blocker
  • See production, box office & company info
    • IMDb RATING
    7.3/10
    10K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    823
    46
    • Creators
      • David Dortort
      • Fred Hamilton
    • Stars
      • Lorne Greene
      • Michael Landon
      • Dan Blocker
    • 57User reviews
    • 18Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Won 3 Primetime Emmys
      • 9 wins & 16 nominations total

    Episodes430

    Browse episodes
    TopTop-rated

    Videos2

    Bonanza: The Official First Season
    Clip 1:39
    Watch Bonanza: The Official First Season
    Bonanza: The Official First Season
    Clip 0:37
    Watch Bonanza: The Official First Season

    Photos2365

    Michael Landon in Bonanza (1959)
    Bonanza (1959)
    Michael Landon in Bonanza (1959)
    Lorne Greene, Jan Sterling, and David Macklin in Bonanza (1959)
    Dan Blocker and Pernell Roberts in Bonanza (1959)
    Anna-Lisa in Bonanza (1959)
    Michael Landon, Stella Stevens, and Kenneth MacKenna in Bonanza (1959)
    Nancy Deale and Pernell Roberts in Bonanza (1959)
    Michael Landon and Patricia Medina in Bonanza (1959)
    Lorne Greene in Bonanza (1959)
    Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, and Dan Blocker in Bonanza (1959)
    Michael Landon in Bonanza (1959)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Lorne Greene
    Lorne Greene
    • Ben Cartwright…
    Michael Landon
    Michael Landon
    • Joseph 'Little Joe' Cartwright…
    Dan Blocker
    Dan Blocker
    • Eric 'Hoss' Cartwright…
    Pernell Roberts
    Pernell Roberts
    • Adam Cartwright
    Bill Clark
    Bill Clark
    • Townsman…
    Victor Sen Yung
    Victor Sen Yung
    • Hop Sing
    Ray Teal
    Ray Teal
    • Sheriff Roy Coffee
    Martha Manor
    • Townswoman…
    David Canary
    David Canary
    • Candy Canaday
    Bob Miles
    • Townsman…
    Bing Russell
    Bing Russell
    • Deputy Clem Foster…
    Mitch Vogel
    Mitch Vogel
    • Jamie Hunter Cartwright…
    Grandon Rhodes
    Grandon Rhodes
    • Dr. J.P. Martin…
    Hal Burton
    Hal Burton
    • Townsman…
    Troy Melton
    Troy Melton
    • Gunman…
    Bruno VeSota
    Bruno VeSota
    • Bartender…
    Roy Engel
    Roy Engel
    • Dr. Paul Martin…
    Harry Holcombe
    Harry Holcombe
    • Dr. J. P. Martin…
    • Creators
      • David Dortort
      • Fred Hamilton(uncredited)
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Michael Landon wore four-inch lifts in the series.
    • Goofs
      During the first season opening credits, the Cartwrights can be seen galloping on horses on a dirt road that contains an unmistakable set of tire tracks from the truck carrying the camera in front of them.
    • Quotes

      Ben Cartwright: You and your education.

      Adam Cartwright: Education is progress! Now what have you got against it?

      Ben Cartwright: I don't have anything against education - as long as it doesn't interfere with your thinking!

    • Crazy credits
      In the opening sequence, when the actors ride on their horses towards the camera and are introduced, the order in which they are introduced is never consistent - this was most likely done to prevent a single actor from becoming the "main" star of the show.
    • Alternate versions
      Many television broadcasts and DVDs of public domain episodes currently in circulation replace the famous title theme music with generic music. Only official videos and DVDs from Artisan/Republic are uncut and contain the music as intended.
    • Connections
      Featured in Zenith Presents: A Salute to Television's 25th Anniversary (1972)

    User reviews57

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    great western
    This series is great for many things. The Cartwrights are righteous, hard working and well respected. They work from early in the morning until they sit down for dinner, eating meat and potatoes. Dan Blocker was Texas heaviest baby when he was born, and Little Joe (Michael Landon) always comments on how much he eats for dinner. Pernell Roberts is very cool as Adam, and Lorne Greene, playing Ben Cartwright depicts a very noble and respectable man. Under the scorching sun they meet problems like racism, indians and every other problem you could expect those days. Great entertainment. A TV-series like this will never be made again.
    helpful•47
    7
    • the_oak
    • Aug 20, 1999

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    FAQ5

    • How did the characters Adam and Hoss leave the series?
    • Little Joe's middle name
    • What were the reasons for Pernell Roberts abrupt departure from the series?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 12, 1959 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Ponderosa
    • Filming locations
      • Spahn Ranch, Chatsworth, Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production company
      • National Broadcasting Company (NBC)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      49 minutes
    • Color
      • Color

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