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Bonanza

  • TV Series
  • 1959–19731959–1973
  • TV-PGTV-PG
  • 49m
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
9.3K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
661
13
Episode guide
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, Dan Blocker, and Pernell Roberts in Bonanza (1959)
Clip: Original episodic promo
Play clip1:39
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.

IMDb RATING
7.3/10
9.3K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
661
13
  • Creators
    • David Dortort
    • Fred Hamilton
  • Stars
    • Lorne Greene
    • Michael Landon
    • Dan Blocker
Top credits
  • Creators
    • David Dortort
    • Fred Hamilton
  • Stars
    • Lorne Greene
    • Michael Landon
    • Dan Blocker
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 55User reviews
    • 17Critic 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
    Bonanza: The Official First Season
    Bonanza: The Official First Season
    Clip 0:37
    Bonanza: The Official First Season

    Photos2380

    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)
    Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, and Dan Blocker in Bonanza (1959)
    Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, and Dan Blocker in Bonanza (1959)
    Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, and Dan Blocker in Bonanza (1959)
    Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, and Dan Blocker in Bonanza (1959)
    Michael Landon and Patricia Medina in Bonanza (1959)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Lorne Greene
    Lorne Greene
    • Ben Cartwrightas Ben Cartwright…
    430 episodes430 eps • 1959–1973
    Michael Landon
    Michael Landon
    • Joseph 'Little Joe' Cartwrightas Joseph 'Little Joe' Cartwright…
    430 episodes430 eps • 1959–1973
    Dan Blocker
    Dan Blocker
    • Eric 'Hoss' Cartwrightas Eric 'Hoss' Cartwright…
    415 episodes415 eps • 1959–1972
    Pernell Roberts
    Pernell Roberts
    • Adam Cartwrightas Adam Cartwright
    202 episodes202 eps • 1959–1965
    Bill Clark
    Bill Clark
    • Townsmanas Townsman…
    141 episodes141 eps • 1959–1973
    Victor Sen Yung
    Victor Sen Yung
    • Hop Singas Hop Sing
    107 episodes107 eps • 1959–1973
    Ray Teal
    Ray Teal
    • Sheriff Roy Coffeeas Sheriff Roy Coffee
    99 episodes99 eps • 1960–1972
    Martha Manor
    • Townswomanas Townswoman…
    98 episodes98 eps • 1960–1972
    David Canary
    David Canary
    • Candy Canadayas Candy Canaday
    90 episodes90 eps • 1967–1973
    Bob Miles
    • Townsmanas Townsman…
    76 episodes76 eps • 1959–1968
    Bing Russell
    Bing Russell
    • Deputy Clem Fosteras Deputy Clem Foster…
    59 episodes59 eps • 1961–1972
    Mitch Vogel
    Mitch Vogel
    • Jamie Hunter Cartwrightas Jamie Hunter Cartwright…
    48 episodes48 eps • 1968–1973
    Grandon Rhodes
    Grandon Rhodes
    • Dr. J.P. Martinas Dr. J.P. Martin…
    26 episodes26 eps • 1960–1967
    Hal Burton
    Hal Burton
    • Townsmanas Townsman…
    25 episodes25 eps • 1965–1973
    Troy Melton
    Troy Melton
    • Gunmanas Gunman…
    23 episodes23 eps • 1959–1972
    Bruno VeSota
    Bruno VeSota
    • Bartenderas Bartender…
    21 episodes21 eps • 1961–1968
    Roy Engel
    Roy Engel
    • Dr. Paul Martinas Dr. Paul Martin…
    18 episodes18 eps • 1959–1970
    Harry Holcombe
    Harry Holcombe
    • Dr. J. P. Martinas Dr. J. P. Martin…
    16 episodes16 eps • 1969–1972
    • Creators
      • David Dortort
      • Fred Hamilton
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    7.5
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    Bonanza: The Next Generation
    5.6
    Bonanza: The Next Generation
    The Virginian
    7.6
    The Virginian

    Storyline

    Edit
    The Cartwrights' one-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 three sons was born to a different wife of Ben's; none of the mothers are still alive. Adventures are typical Western ones, with lots of personal relationships/problems thrown in as well. —edited by Rob
    • apache territory
    • apache
    • apache indian
    • arizona territory
    • ranch
    • 84 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Genre
      • Western
    • Certificate
      • TV-PG
    • Parents guide

    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 reviews55

    Review
    Top review
    7/10
    Quality Production, Character Stories; A Memorable Family Western
    "Bonanza" was the first hour-long TV show in any genre produced in full-color. The continuing cast for the first 6 years featured essentially five persons--Benjamin Cartwright, his three sons and their Chinese cook, along with the local sheriff. Cartwright had been a seaman, who went west and married three times; each time he produced a son and lost his wife. Reaching the ponderosa pine country near Virginia City, Nevada and Lake Tahoe, he built up a large landholding, with cattle, timber, and mines, becoming an important man in the territory. Ben Cartwright was played by Canadian announcer-actor Lorne Greene, who was much younger than the part he played but had Shakespearean training and a powerful speaking voice. Pernell Roberts played his eldest son, Adam, a thoughtful but restless man, 1959-65. Eric "Hoss" Cartwright was portrayed huge Dan Blocker as a man of gentle ways and grit but ordinary intelligence. Attractive Michael Landon played "Little Joe", fast with a gun and learning to be a man; he also write and directed episodes for the series. Victor Sen-Young was Hop Sing, and veteran Ray Teal played Sheriff Roy Coffee. Later, others were added to the series for various stretches, once Adam's part was written out; these included David Canaray as Candy, Bing Russell, Harry Holcombe, Guy Williams, Kathie Browne, and Remo Pisani. Each week guest stars were hired, and a few actors were used in dozens of shows. Among the most memorable guest stars were John Larkin, Ruta Lee, Joan Hackett, Frank Overton, Bruce Yarnall, Inga Swenson as Inger, Ben's second wife, Felicia Farr as his third wife, Grandon Rhodes, Patricia Donahue, Robert Lansing, Lisa Lu and Steve Forrest. Titles such as "The Honor of Cochise", "The Eden Train", "Inger, My Love I,II", "Right is the Fourth "R"", and "The Mountain Girl" among many others bring fond memories. Many directors toiled on "Bonanza", whose title referred to the rich ore found in the Virginia City area during the nineteenth century. The list included Lewis Allen, Leon Benson, William F. Claxton, Herschel Daugherty, Don McDougall, Christian Nyby, Leo Penn and William Witney. Principal writers for the series, with 5 or more credits, included Robert V. Barron, Frank Chase, Suzanne Clauser, Frank Cleaver, the producer David Dortort, Warren Douglas, John Hawkins, Ward Hawkins, Arther Heinemann, Michael Landon, Jo Pagano, Stanley Roberts, Robert Sabaroff, Jack B. Sowards, Thomas Thompson and Al C. Ward. It is difficult to characterize the show except that it was a consistently second-rank attempt to do stories about first-rate ethical people living in an interesting era in a frontier setting. It was the first of the family-oriented westerns, and at the same time a show capable of detaching its principals for dual or independent adventures. If few of its episodes risk to great dramatic heights, many are far-above-average film-making efforts, even by feature-film standards. The production featured clean, straightforward cinematography, Nellie Manley's hairstyles, Wally Westmore's makeup, enjoyable costumes and expert sets, art direction and action scenes. If the family spent too much time at home, seldom were shown with cattle and had virtually no employees, the writers made up for such derelictions by involving the sons and the father in the affairs of town and territory. Innovatve and perhaps inimitable, this was quality dramatic western making from start to finish.
    helpful•23
    4
    • silverscreen888
    • Sep 29, 2005

    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)
    • 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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