Thursday Television Review: Bonanza

Bonanza (1959-1973)

Starring: Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, Michael Landon, Dan Blocker, Victor Sen Yung, Mitch Vogel, David Canary, and Guy Williams

Summary

Ben Cartwright (Lorne Greene) owns a sprawling and bountiful land in the Nevada Territory, a veritable bonanza, called the Ponderosa. He has been widowed three times, but each time was left with a memory through a son. Ben is strong and hardworking, having built up this ranch from nothing. He was a sailor back east, but wanted to make a new life, very much succeeding. A strong voice in the community, he stands up for those who can’t stand up for themselves and tries to teach his sons the same thing.

Adam (Pernell Roberts), the oldest, is sensible and stable. Always looking to keep the ranch running smoothly and keep everyone alright. He went to college back east and is a big reader, he often dreams of returning back east, however, he can’t leave his roots, or can he? Adam is a smart businessman and is often with his dad, working things through. Sometimes they butt heads, but they love each other above all else. Always a gentlemen, even when their cousin Will (Guy Williams) steals his girl. However, he would one day have to spread his wings, and that he does.

Hoss (Dan Blocker) is the middle son, a big and tall teddy bear! He loves his father and brothers and would do anything for them. But don’t cross him, he will stand his ground. Hoss can out-eat anyone with his voracious appetite, for which he’s well known. Half-Swedish by birth, he has the joy of a Scandinavian! He’s a big dreamer and often finds himself thinking of new things, but isn’t always sure how to accomplish them.

That’s when Little Joe (Michael Landon) comes to the rescue. Full of new ideas or ideas on how to accomplish Hoss’ dreams, he usually ends up getting them into some sort of trouble. Always clad in his green coat and his little smirk, he has lots of energy and tenacity, he won’t give up on anything! He also fancies himself as a charmer with the ladies and never passes an opportunity to try to win a heart. Of course, if he’s not winning one for himself, he tries to match others together, it only goes awry when he messes up and his brothers are involved. Oh well. This doesn’t get Little Joe down.

Of course, the family wouldn’t be complete without the Cartwright’s faithful friend and cook, Hop Sing (Victor Sen Yung). Oppinionated and hardworking, Hop Sing could whip any of the Cartwrights, if necessary. A very good cook, which Hoss would be very sad to part with, Hop Sing can do just about anything in that kitchen. He knows many people and has many relatives that come in handy every time they go into San Francisco! You try arguing with him in Chinese, you won't win!

Ranch Hand Candy Canaday (David Canary) comes along and lends a voice of reason, especially to Joe’s antics. He is every part a member of the Cartwrights, as if he were a son. Strong minded, he works hard and is willing to do what it takes.

Jamie (Mitch Vogel) is the youngest son of Ben Cartwright, adopted as a young boy. Ben welcomes him into the family and he is every bit one of the Cartwrights! He soon takes on the role of “Little Brother”, the title that Joe held for so long. Full of ideas and a compassionate heart, Jamie would give the shirt off his back for anyone.

Together, they work to run the Ponderosa, help their neighbors, go on adventures, and make friends. They are a strong family, but have their ups and downs. Sometimes they don’t agree, but they make sure to resolve it in the end. And remember, pick a fight on anyone of us, you pick a fight on all. Compassionate, hardworking, funny, creative, and honest. The Cartwright men ride again!

Review

Bonanza was a great hit western series during the 1960s that allowed people to see the adventures, family squabbles, and family fun that occurred with the Cartwright men! It's an interesting series, because it covers many angles of interest: mystery, drama, comedy, romance. Each episode is different and unique and allows for different reactions. The show attempted to make it a series about all four of the men, not allowing any one actor to get higher billing. You’ll notice that each episode changes the order of billing. Nevertheless, there does seem to be a bias toward Lorne Greene and, especially, Michael Landon. Of course, Pernell Roberts left the show nearly half-way through, and Dan Blocker died a year before the series ended. Many of the episodes, particularly later ones, were written and directed by Michael Landon himself.

One might wonder if it's safe to live on the Ponderosa, as combined the brothers and Ben get shot more than 20 times and get in many accidents. But hey, there's only so much you can work with when you have so much adventure to live out in an hour-long episode!

If you manage to find a Hoss and Joe episode, you won’t be sorry, well…maybe you will be, but at least you’ll have reason to laugh. Usually, during these episodes, Hoss and Joe get into so much trouble, or cause it, and end up looking for any way to solve it. If Little Joe comes up with an idea, you might want to run in the opposite direction. He is definitely the idea man and often gets poor Hoss into trouble, but usually pays for it in the end.

The character of Ben Cartwright is meant to be strong, the good father type, but rarely does he have much control over his sons, who are all adults living in his home. They act more like four close friends than anything. But you know that Ben loves his boys and would do anything for them. They each have their own unique story, because they have their own mother. A flashback episode allows for some good basis for the series, and when you watch them, you see the characteristics of each boy has come from their mother.

The Cartwright men have excellent horses, each their own personal one. This adds some fun to the series, especially for children, as they learn the names of the horses and personalities of the characters. Interesting to note, the Cartwrights changed costumes very seldom, this made it easier to film and use old footage.

Having a Chinese cook brings character to the series, more of an old west theme. Some thought that the series was rough on the racism issue among others, but due to the general lightheartedness of the series, nothing much was done. Toward the end of the series, the episodes started getting rougher and overall, the series wasn’t as good without two of the brothers. Adding in the extra hand and a new son helped in some sense, but to classic Bonanza fans, it wasn’t quite the same.

If you want a series that is full of adventure, drama, ideals, and even lessons, Bonanza is for you. A series that lasted quite long, rare for many other shows of that time (with the exception of Gunsmoke). Bonanza featured nearly every actor and actress you can imagine, so keep an eye out as you watch, you never know who got their start there.

Come on down to watch an episode of Bonanza!

Ellen Nolan