Of all the classic television westerns out there, none is as famous as Bonanza. When it first premiered on NBC Television in 1959, it was already a milestone, seeing as how it was the first hour-long TV show to be broadcast in color (resulting in a few other shows to follow suit). Audiences across the country responded so well to the series, in fact, that it kept on-a-runnin’ for a total of fourteen seasons (taking second place to CBS’ Gunsmoke, which ran for a mind-boggling twenty seasons).

The premise of the show was as simple and down-to-earth as any western could get. Set at the legendary Ponderosa Ranch, Bonanza followed the lives of the Cartwright Family. Elder Ben (the great Lorne Greene) is a passionate man, one who takes great pride in looking after his ranch, his family, and his surroundings. Fate has been none too kind in affording Ben with a lifelong mate: you see, he’s already parted ways (in the heavenly sense) with three very different brides. Fortunately, each wife left Ben with a son — and it’s the completely dissimilar backgrounds of each boy that probably gave Bonanza a great deal of appeal.

Ben’s oldest and wisest son is named Adam (and rightfully so). Portrayed by Pernell Roberts (Trapper John, M.D.), Adam’s mother was part of New England’s high society sect — and her upbringing is most apparent in his actions. He’s a collected sort, the kind that knows to shoot first and ask questions later. Then there’s the middle brother, affectionately nicknamed “Hoss” (Dan Blocker). Born to a rather large Swedish woman, Hoss is the type of guy you would definitely want on your side in a fight, but not the type of person you would want to rely on for his wits. Lastly, there’s Little Joe (Michael Landon — the only cast member who didn’t wear a toupee, interestingly enough), the rabblerousing rebel born of Southern stock — he don’t care for Yankees none, even if his oldest brother is one of them. Rounding up the cast (though on a much smaller scale, but noteworthy nonetheless) is Hop Sing, the Ponderosa’s quick-tempered-but-invaluable chef (played by Charlie Chan’s Number 2 son, Victor Sen Yung).

Article Author: Luigi Bastardo

Luigi Bastardo is the disgruntled alter-ego of Adam Becvar, a thirtysomething lad from Northern California who has watched so many weird movies since the tender age of 3 that a conventional life is out of the question. …

Visit Luigi Bastardo's author page — Luigi Bastardo's Blog