Stories

We're drawn to Bonanza, one of TV's most iconic Westerns, based on the well-off Cartwright family and their one-thousand square mile Ponderosa Ranch, the site of the Comstock Silver Lode, during and after the Civil War. The beloved TV series created by David Dortort is based on the adventures of Ben Cartwright and his three sons as they run and defend their ranch while helping the surrounding community in and around the area of Virginia City, Nevada, bordering Lake Tahoe. Set in the 1860s, Bonanza starred Lorne Greene, Dan Blocker, Michael Landon, Pernell Roberts (who left after six seasons), and later David Canary and Mitch Vogel. NBC's longest-running western was known for presenting moral dilemmas and how they overcame them. Bonanza chronicled the weekly adventures of the Cartwright family, headed by the thrice-widowed patriarch Ben Cartwright (Lorne Greene). He had three sons, each by a different wife: the eldest was the urbane architect Adam Cartwright (Pernell Roberts) who built the ranch house; the second was the warm and lovable giant Eric "Hoss" Cartwright (Dan Blocker), and the youngest was the hotheaded and impetuous Joseph or "Little Joe" (Michael Landon). 1. Lorne Greene as Ben Cartwright Ben Cartwright | SOURCE: Pinterest.com | LAmorguefiles.com (definition.org) Canadian actor and musician Lorne Greene landed the role of Ben Cartwright, the widowed patriarch of the clan. In 2007, a TV Guide survey listed Cartwright as TV’s #2 favorite father. Greene died in 1987 at the age of 72 due to complications from pneumonia, but not before appearing in numerous TV shows and films throughout his career. Ben Cartwright an amazing TV dad! RELATED: Iconic Longaberger Company Shuts Down 2. Not Another Idiot Father SOURCE: Mercurie (definition.org) When Bonanza first premiered, TV’s conventional method of depicting fathers was a dimwitted man often managed by their wives. However, producer David Dortort wanted something different. He wanted Ben to be an admired father-figure worthy of respect. Dortort insisted the show also ditch the 30-minute limit for a full hour show to better explore the character. 3. They Never Changed Clothes SOURCE: PonderosaScenery.Homestead.com (definition.org) Eagle-eyed fans of the show might have noticed the characters never changed clothes. This tactic made it so production could work in stock footage when necessary and lower production costs. Despite the lower costs, the show was still one of the most expensive of its day. 4. Michael Landon (Joseph "Little Joe" Cartwright) SOURCE: Over50Feeling40.com | Wikipedia.org (definition.org) American actor, writer, director, and producer Michael Landon played the role of Little Joe, the youngest Cartwright son, whose mother was of French Creole descent. Before his successful career in Bonanza, Landon had a number of small roles in movies and TV shows. He died in 1991 at the age of 54 after a battle with cancer. 5. Michael Landon’s Real Name SOURCE: imgArcade.com (definition.org) Michael Landon’s real name was Eugene Maurice Orowitz. Initially, Orowitz wanted the screen name, Michael Lane, but another actor already had the name in the Screen Actors Guild. Going back to the ol’ phone book (memba those?) Orowitz stumbled across the name Alf Landon and soon Michael Landon was born. (We would have taken Alf, if we’re being honest.) 6. A Multi-Talented Cast SOURCE: SecondHandlps.de (Definition.org) Not only were the actors of the show talented in front of the camera, most could sing and four of the Cartwrights contributed to the 1964 Christmas-themed album, Christmas at the Ponderosa. Lorne Greene even had a single, “Ringo,” that became a huge hit in the U.S. and Canada. 7. Pernell Roberts (Adam Cartwright) SOURCE: Pinterest.com | imdb.com (Definition.org) American actor and singer Pernell Roberts Jr. played the role of Adam Cartwright, the oldest son. Aside from Bonanza, he had guest-starred in over 60 television series. After working on Bonanza for only 6 years, he decided to leave the show. After that, he returned to doing some stage work and appeared on other programs. He retired in the 1990’s and died in 2010 at the age of 81 following a battle with cancer. 8. Pernell Roberts Hated the Show SOURCE: bonanzaboomers.com Roberts left the show after six years, surprising viewers, but people behind the scenes knew that Roberts’ politics and lack of regard for the intelligence of the script caused him to detest the show from the beginning. 9. The TV Show That Inspired a Restaurant Chain SOURCE: BaconSports.com (Definition.org) Restaurants Ponderosa/Bonanza Steakhouses were actually inspired by the show and started by Bonanza cast member Dan Blocker. He founded the first American Bonanza Steakhouse in Kokomo, Indiana in 1965. The chain expanded to Canada in 1971. The restaurants are owned by the Metromedia Restaurant Group. 10. Victor Sen Yung (Hop Sing) SOURCE: CrisaSantos.com.br | MoviesPictures.org (definition.org) In a case of art imitating life, Victor Sen Yung, the actor who played the Cartwright family’s chef Hop Sing, was actually an accomplished chef in real life. After the show ended, Yung supported himself by appearing on cooking shows and authoring The Great Wok Cookbook in 1974. 11. The Western Version of King Arthur SOURCE: LochGarry.wordpress.com (Definition.org) When Dortort started to think about the show and how it would be put together, he pictured it as an Old West presentation of the legend of King Arthur. In his vision for the show, Ben Cartwright was King Arthur and his sons were his knights. In many ways, that premise came true as Ben led and guided his children through life. 12. Dan Blocker (Hoss Cartwright) SOURCE: Bonanza.wikia.com | Wikimedia.org (Definition) Dan Blocker played the character of Eric “Hoss” Cartwright, the middle son. His character was gullible, sweet, and a little dimwitted, which was quite the opposite of Dan Blocker in real life. Before he entered the acting industry, he had received a Master’s degree and worked as a teacher. Sad to say, he died in 1972 at the age of 43, 19 days before the production of the 1972-73 season was scheduled to start. 13. Dan Blocker - The Largest Baby Ever Born In a Town in Texas SOURCE: KnownPeople.net (Definition.org) Weighing in at 14 pounds at birth, Dan Blocker was, at the time, the largest baby ever born in Bowie County, Texas. In his first grade, Blocker already weighed a whopping 105 pounds. 14. From Barely Surviving to Thriving SOURCE: Kwizoo.com (definition.org) Bonanza suffered very low ratings during its first season as it aired every Saturday night to dismal ratings and was nearly canceled. However, because it was the first TV show filmed and broadcast in color, and NBC was intent on keeping the show running due to its color production, they moved it to Sunday evenings, where its ratings soared. Bonanza eventually reached number one in 1964. 15. David Canary ("Candy" Canaday) SOURCE: Bonanza.wikia.com | TVGuide.com (definition.org) David Canary joined Bonanza as “Candy” Canaday to help fill the gap that was left when Pernell Roberts left the show. Before Bonanza, Canary was among the candidates to take over the role of Mr. Spock in Star Trek. Canary died of natural causes in November 2015. 16. The Ponderosa Ranch - Disappointment Turned to Delight SOURCE: CardCow.com (definition.org) Because of the success of the show, many Bonanza fans traveled to Incline Village, Nevada, the location of the fictional Ponderosa. However, they were disappointed because there actually wasn’t anything there. Sensing opportunity, land developers Bill and Joyce Anderson partnered with the producers of the show to develop a large theme park in Incline Village, which included a complete recreation of the ranch house. Portions of the show were even filmed at the park, and it continued to attract fans until it closed in 2004. 17. Stock Footage That Saved A Ton Of Money SOURCE: BonanzaBoomers.com (definition.org) Because of the stock footage used, the production saved thousands of dollars per episode. It was a simple but very effective trick that cut out plenty of big shots that would have inflated the show’s budget. 18. One of the Most Expensive Shows On TV SOURCE: DVDtalk.com (definition.org) Even if the production saved money using stock footage and using the same clothing, the network was spending between $100,000 and $150,000 per episode. That made Bonanza one of the most expensive scripted shows to produce on a weekly basis. It was also one of the best performing TV shows, which helped justify the large amount of money spent on each episode. 19. Zorro Could Be Adam Cartwright SOURCE: Trotting-Horse.com (definition.org) Guy Williams was offered to play the role of Adam Cartwright. Williams refused and decided to play the role of Zorro instead. While he never took on the main role, he did appear on five episodes of the show as cousin Will Cartwright. His character was created as a replacement for Pernell Roberts in case he ever walked off the show. Guess they sensed something was up with Roberts early on! 20. Hoss Had A Real First Name SOURCE: BonanzaBoomers.com (definition.org) Hoss Cartwright was actually named Eric Haas Cartwright. His family and other characters on the show always used the nickname “Hoss” which was a play on his middle name. 21. The Cartwright Curse SOURCE: Bonanza.Wikia.com/ (definition.org) Every woman that Cartwright fell in love with either ended up dead or left town. It became a joke among the show’s actors and fans and there was obviously a “Cartwright Curse.” We would have settled for just one marriage that lasted but this dad was obviously cursed to raise his kids as a strong father figure with no mom in sight. 22. Fake Hair SOURCE: FanPop.com (definition.org) Many of the actors on the show wore toupees, including Blocker, Roberts, and Green. Landon’s hair, however, was all real. 23. Equal Screen Time Worldemand The four men of the Bonanza household share the same screen time. The production wanted that no one of the four overshadowed the other three. Every script was closely scrutinized to make sure there were four stars during every episode. It paid off and led to a very well-balanced show that offered the chance for every star to shine. 24. The Show’s Title Is Slang SOURCE: KerryHishon.com (definition.org) The name Bonanza was a slang term used by miners to describe a large mineral deposit or ore. The term is also synonymous with the word “jackpot.” A real-life bonanza was discovered right by the Cartwright’s ranch in the famous Comstock Lode. 25. The Show Stayed On TV To Sell Color TVs YouTube Bonanza was one of the earliest TV shows to be filmed in color. When it suffered ratings, it remained on air because NBC and its parent company RCA wanted to sell more color TVs. As the TV show increased in popularity it didn’t have to rely any longer on its ability to sell color TVs. 26. Michael Landon Was Obsessed With the Show Pinterest Michael Landon didn’t just have a role on the TV show, he was also highly devoted to every filmed frame. Landon appeared in all but 14 of the show’s 416 episodes. It was also the show where Landon started his writing and directing career. You might not be aware that Landon actually wrote and directed some of the series’ most beloved episodes. 27. Landon Was Also Incredibly Hard To Work With SOURCE: iCollector.com (definition.org) When the show entered its final five seasons, Landon became hard to work with on a daily basis. It was rumored he made sure that no new major characters were introduced to the show. He also regularly delayed production shoots as he attempted to create his own vision for the series. 28. Dan Blocker Was Turned Down For A Role In "M*A*S*H*" SOURCE: QuotesGram.com (definition.org) Dan Blocker was considered as one of Robert Altman’s top choices for the lead role in the movie M*A*S*H*. However, Altman’s request was not granted by the producers. The movie was still a huge success, but it would have been interesting to see which role would have been written for one of TV’s favorite actors. 29. It Was The First Time A Show Acknowledged A Character’s Death SOURCE: siamlongings.blogspot.com (definition.org) Blocker died unexpectedly. Because of that, it was announced that Hoss would be killed in an accident in an episode of the show. It was the very first time in television history that a show had dealt with, or even mentioned, the death of one of its characters. 30. Guest Stars Were Paid More Than The Show’s Stars In The First Season SOURCE: Bonanza.Wikia.com (definition.org) On the first season of Bonanza, the production was not yet sure if the viewers would love the show because the main characters were not as well-known as the other actors in the industry. In response, many famous stars were brought in for guest appearances. The show’s producers paid those actors more than the show’s actual stars. By the second season, the show’s ratings were increasing and the show’s actors had become bonafide stars. 31. The Theme Song Actually Had Lyrics DailyMotion (definition.org) We mostly heard the theme song on its instrumental version. However, it really had lyrics. The song was created by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans and there is footage of the lead actors singing those lyrics. Lorne Greene, Dan Blocker, and Michael Landon sang a lyric version for the pilot, but it never aired. Famed singer Johnny Cash recorded his own version of the Bonanza theme song. 32. The First Western TV Series Filmed 100% In Color SOURCE: Keyword-Suggestions.com (definition.org) Bonanza was not just filmed in color. In fact, it was one of the very first U.S. Western TV shows to be 100 percent produced in color, just like The Cisco Kid. That’s also the reason why it’s one of the most expensive of its time. If it wasn’t for that decision the show would have been canceled before it had the chance to become one of the most popular TV shows of all-time. 33. It Was the Second Longest Running TV Western of All Time SOURCE: TheRedlist.com (definition.org) The only Western TV series to run longer than Bonanza was Gunsmoke, which ran for 15 seasons while Bonanza for just 14. Syndication for both shows continues in various parts of the world up to this very day. 34. The Cartwrights Were Not Hostile To Visitors SOURCE: Keyword-Suggestions.com (definition.org) During the first few shows, the Cartwrights were hostile to visitors who came onto their land. However, Lorne Greene realized that the family ran an important business for the community. That meant many people would visit their homestead to conduct business. The show’s characters were soon altered to make them more approachable for their neighbors. 35. The Chevrolet Connection SOURCE: Pinterest.com (definition.org) Large portions of Bonanza’s income came from its long-standing partnership with Chevrolet. The car company sponsored almost all of the TV show’s 431-episodes which helped keep the series in production. The stars appeared in numerous Chevrolet commercials as part of the sponsorship deal which showed them endorsing various vehicles. 36. The Show Has A Deep Connection To The Original 'Star Trek' SOURCE: DateHookup.com (definition.org) Almost every major actor of the 1966 TV series Star Trek appeared at some point during Bonanza’s run. Some of them were William Shatner, James Doohan, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, Nichelle Nichols, George Takei, Grace Lee Whitney, Majel Barrett, and Walter Koenig. 37. Landon’s Repeated Attempts To Write Scripts For The Show Originally Failed SOURCE: PonderosaScenery.Homestead.com (definition.org) Landon really wanted to write scripts for the show, but the show producer David Dortort wouldn’t allow him. While his first attempts failed, Landon eventually submitted a script that Dortort thought was good enough to produce. Not only would he become a regular writer and occasional producer on the show, he eventually wrote many scripts for Little House on the Prairie. 38. It Was The First Issue-Oriented Western TV Show SOURCE: TV-Cowboys.com (definition.org) Bonanza was the first “dramatic” TV Western that didn’t focus on hunting down and killing bad guys. Instead, each episode of the show focused on issues such as racism, prejudice, and social justice. 39. The Credits Were Rotated Each Week SOURCE: Wikipedia.org (definition.org) If you closely watch the opening sequence you will quickly notice that the order of the actors’ names was swapped out so nobody always had top billing on the show 100% of the time. As previously mentioned, the four main actors were considered equal stars and that was a carefully monitored part of the show. 40. A 'Bonanza' Theatrical Release? SOURCE: TVWhenIWasBorn.blogspot.com (definition.org) Bonanza actually had a theatrical release — in Mexico. The two episodes for “Ride the Wind” were given a full release in theaters in Mexico. The episodes were combined and renamed “Jinetes del Viento.” There were no other theatrical releases of Bonanza. 41. Saturday Night Nearly Killed The Show SOURCE: TiahBlog.blogspot.com (definition.org) Bonanza was nearly canceled because its Saturday night airtime didn’t attract a large audience. The series was targeted for cancellation but given one final chance when it was moved to Sunday nights at 9:00 p.m. By the mid-1960’s ratings had skyrocketed and it reached #1 nationwide. Not bad for a show that barely made it past one season and then went on to finish 14 years of filming. 42. Michael Landon Wore Lifts Throughout Filming SOURCE: ThePonderosa.tumblr.com (definition.org) Michael Landon’s height is 5’9″, but that didn’t stop him from wearing lifts on the set of Bonanza. Several sources claim that his new shoes added a few inches to his height. 43. Landon Joked About All The Female Deaths In The Series SOURCE: Pinterest.com (definition.org) Michael Landon thought it was funny that so many females that appeared on the show would end up dead or mysteriously be leaving town. It got to the point where he once joked that the Cartwrights “had to be careful or their horses would trip over the graves” of the past female characters. Maybe not the most tasteful joke but it was right on point. 44. The Most Globally Broadcasted TV Show SOURCE: Pinterest.com (definition.org) Bonanza’s success in the U.S. is indisputable. However, it aired not only in the U.S. but in every nation on the planet that had an available TV station. That’s a claim that even today’s most advanced connected internet streaming channels like Netflix can’t touch. Bonanza was truly the first globally accepted TV series. 45. The Show Skyrocketed Michael Landon’s Success SOURCE: BonanzaBoomers.com (definition.org) Michael Landon became a massive star because of Bonanza. He owns the claim to be the only actor to have three TV shows to run consecutively for at least five years. He starred in Bonanza (1959-1973), followed by Little House on the Prairie (1974-1983) and finally Highway to Heaven (1984-1989). 46. There Are Three Reunion Movies SOURCE: Retrotv.uol.com.br (definition.org) Because of Bonanza‘s continued success in syndication, the show continued to broadcast new TV specials even decades after the show went off the air. It includes The Next Generation (4/20/1988), Bonanza: The Return (11/28/1993), and Bonanza: Under Attack (1/15/1995). 47. Even The Show’s Theme Song Was A Hit SOURCE: Pinterest.com (definition.org) The show’s theme song, which is written by Hollywood songsmiths Jay Livingston and Ray Evans, reached No. 19 on the hit parade in 1961. You know your show is successful when its’ theme song can become a popular hit on local radio. 48. 'Bonanza' Reruns Were Run Under the Title 'Ponderosa' SOURCE: MiceChat.com (definition.org) Bonanza was still being aired every Sunday night during the summer of 1972. When the production decided for a rerun, they decided to air it on Tuesday nights at 7:30 p.m. under the title Ponderosa. The show, as ratings fell, eventually filled the same time slot with new episodes on Tuesdays. 49. Big Name Stars Were Avoided SOURCE: BonanzaBoomers.com (definition.org) Producers on the show were so certain that the newer medium of color TV was about to produce a new generation of stars that they decided not to cast a bunch of well-known actors in the show’s leading roles. That decision paid off and before long the entire cast of the show were huge international stars. 50. The Show Was Full Of Musicians Who Released Albums SOURCE: Discogs.com (definition.org) All Cartwrights sang on the 1964 album Christmas at the Ponderosa. Greene even released a single titled “Ringo” that was a huge hit in the U.S. and Canada. Greene also sang the theme song to Bonanza. It has gone on to become one of the most recognizable and popular TV theme songs of all time. (Source: Definition.org)