Celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the long-running Western TV series
Opening with one of the most recognizable themes in television history, Bonanza followed the lives and exploits of thrice-widowed patriarch Ben Cartwright and his sons Adam, Eric “Hoss” and Little Joe. They lived near Virginia City, NV, on a huge tract of land they named “The Ponderosa,” bordering on scenic Lake Tahoe.
Ben was the kind of father every son wants: wise, kind, but firm and decisive, always looking to do the right thing. It was reported that creator/producer David Dortort wanted to contrast Ben with the goofy, ineffectual fathers then popular on sitcoms.
Each son was from a different wife (who were shown in flashbacks) and the contrast of their differing personalities was at the heart of the show’s dynamics.
The series wasn’t the typical shoot ’em up. Though the Cartwrights were not averse to using their guns, most episodes found a way to solve the dramatic quandaries and moral dilemmas by non-violent means.
It rose above the limitations of television of that era by raising such issues as racism, domestic abuse, bigotry and anti-Semitism. Some Southern stations reportedly declined to show one episode that discussed the slavery-affirming Dred Scott Supreme Court case.
Bonanza was also one of the first series to be presented in color. Not surprisingly, an early sponsor was RCA, then-owner of NBC and a pioneer in manufacturing and marketing color television sets.
After Gunsmoke (CBS), with its 21-year run, Bonanza was the longest-running Western. For nine years, it was among the top five rated shows, a then unequaled run, with three years at No. 1. Even its least-watched episodes drew an audience that would dwarf today’s top draws.
The series about a close-knit fictional family was a throwback to an era when real families gathered in the living room or den after dinner to collectively watch the one television set in the home.
It continues to be popular, available on such nostalgia channels as TVLand and MeTV.
The Players
Lorne Greene (1915-1987)
“Ben Cartwright”
- Starred as Commander Adama on the Battlestar Galactica series (1979-80).
- Recorded several albums of country and western songs and had a No. 1 hit in 1964 with “Ringo,” about an old gunslinger.
- Promoted environmental causes with the series Lorne Greene’s New Wilderness.
- Cohosted the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on NBC with Betty White for nearly a decade.
- In 2007, TV Guide named Ben Cartwright as the second greatest father in TV history, behind Cliff Huxtable.
Dan Blocker (1928-1972)
“Eric ‘Hoss’ Cartwright”
- Acclaimed directors Stanley Kubrick and Robert Altman wanted to cast Blocker in their respective classics, Dr. Strangelove and M.A.S.H., but it did not work out. Altman also wanted Blocker in his The Long Goodbye, but the actor died of a pulmonary embolism after gall bladder surgery before filming began. The film is dedicated to him.
- Received a Purple Heart and other medals as a combat veteran in the Korean War.
- Worked with Frank Sinatra in the movies Come Blow Your Horn and Lady In Cement.
Michael Landon (1936-1991)
“Little Joe Cartwright”
- Realized his ambition to be a writer and director in the latter seasons.
- Starred as Charles Ingalls in Little House on the Prairie (1974–1983), and Jonathan Smith in Highway to Heaven (1984–1989), shows he had a big hand in writing, producing and directing.
- Was on the cover of TV Guide 22 times, second only to Lucille Ball.
- A member of the Television Hall of Fame.
Pernell Roberts (1928-2010)
“Adam Cartwright”
• Left the show in 1964 after 202 episodes, reportedly dissatisfied with the plots and character development.
• Also known for Trapper John, M.D. (1979-86) in which he played the lead role.
• Had a distinguished career in the theater and also recorded musical records.
A Bonanza Of Trivia
First episode: Sept. 12, 1959 · Last episode: Jan. 16, 1973 · Total episodes: 431
No women
Though each of the Cartwrights was periodically involved with a visiting female, these women invariably met an untimely end, left town or found someone else to marry. It was jokingly referred to as the “Cartwright Curse.”
Chef’s cookbook
Victor Sen Yung played the Cartwrights’ cook Hop Sing. In real life, he reportedly was an accomplished Cantonese-style chef and published a cookbook in 1974.
Musical Cartwrights
Most of the cast members released records and all four Cartwrights sang on the 1964 album “Christmas at the Ponderosa,” featuring holiday favorites.
Star Trek Connection
Actors from the original series who made a guest appearance included William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, James Doohan, Nichelle Nichols, George Takei, Grace Lee Whitney, Majel Barrett and Walter Koenig.
Big bucks
It was reportedly the most expensive series of its time, costing between $100-$150,000 per episode.
In Honor of Hoss
There’s a museum dedicated to Dan Blocker in his hometown of O’Donnell, Texas.
Theme park
From 1967 to 2004, there was a Bonanza-themed park in Incline Village, Nevada. It included a complete re-creation of the show’s ranch home.
Show steaks
Though their popularity has declined, both the Ponderosa and Bonanza Steakhouses were inspired by the series.
Clothing costs
The main characters wore the same clothes over the entire run of the series. This was done to lower production costs.
