Bonanza: A Classic Western

by Guy Belleranti

September 1959 brought to television one of the best and most popular western series of all time – Bonanza. The program followed the Cartwright family and their adventures both on their huge ranch and in the surrounding territory near Virginia City, Nevada and Lake Tahoe.

The Cartwright’s ranch was named the Ponderosa, a word that refers to the Ponderosa Pine, a tree common to higher elevations in the west. “Bonanza”, meanwhile, refers to the silver-rich Comstock Lode, a discovery that brought a flood of prospectors to the area, which in turn resulted in the formation of Virginia City. Both the Comstock Lode and Virginia City were real parts of American western history. The Ponderosa, however, was a fictional ranch.

Lorne Greene was Ben Cartwright. Widowed three times, Ben was father to three sons, one by each of his wives. Adam, played by Pernell Roberts, was the eldest son. Eric or “Hoss”, was the middle son, and portrayed by Dan Blocker. Michael Landon played Joseph or “Little Joe”, the youngest.

Being the oldest, Adam was probably also the most level-headed of the sons. His character remained a part of the program until Roberts left the series in 1965.

Hoss, a large, shy and gentle man, remained one of the primary characters until Dan Blocker’s sudden death in 1972. Hoss, was at best, only of average intelligence, but he was very likable. In fact, he was my favorite character on Bonanza.

Landon’s Little Joe remained through the entire 430 episode run of the program. Little Joe started out sort of hot-headed, but his character developed as the series went on. Unlike brother Hoss, he was anything but shy with the ladies.

Other main characters during the series run included:
- Candy Canaday played by actor David Canary. A drifter cowboy, Candy’s arrival took some of the sting off the show’s loss of Adam.
- Hop Sing, the immigrant Chinese cook for the Cartwrights. He was played to perfection by Victor Sen Young.
- Virginia City sheriff Roy Coffee played by Ray Teal.
- Coffee’s deputy Clem Foster played by Bing Russell.
- Jamie Hunter Cartwright played by Mitch Vogel. Jamie an orphaned son of a rainmaker was adopted by Ben, and was a part of the program from 1970 until its end in January 1973.

Bonanza was the first hour long drama produced in full color. It was the number one rated show in three straight seasons – 1964-65, 1965-66, 1966-67.
Bonanza ran for more years than any western other than Gunsmoke. And like Gunsmoke it featured good acting and was a fine family western that promoted positive values. Like any family, Ben and his sons didn’t always agree on things, and the brothers did clash with one another. However, the fondness between brothers and between father and sons was always clear.

David Dortort was Bonanza’s creator and producer. Dortort also produced the 1950’s television western series The Restless Gun and the latter 1960’s/early 1970’s western The High Chaparral.

Episodes were written by many people including Michael Landon. Robert Altman (MASH, Nashville) directed eight episodes in 1960-61.

From 1961 to 1972 Bonanza ran every Sunday night. Then NBC moved it to Tuesdays and Dan Blocker died and the show was never the same.

Several Bonanza TV movies were made in the latter 1980’s and early 1990’s, but none featured original cast members. However, the program lives on in reruns, and many episodes can also be purchased on DVD.

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