Lorne Greene Movies

Written and directed by Bonanza star Michael Landon, "The Younger Brothers' Younger Brother" is one of the series' zaniest episodes. It all begins when Hoss Cartwright is mistaken for one of the notorious Younger Brothers, who have recently resumed their criminal activities after a 12-year prison term. Thrown in jail, Hoss must depend upon Ben and Joe to bail him out-only to end up sharing a cell with his father and brother when they, too, are mistaken for Youngers. Meanwhile, the real Younger boys, led by Cole Younger (Strother Martin), demonstrate the monumental stupidity that landed them in the slammer in the first place. "The Younger Brothers' Younger Brother" first aired on March 12, 1972. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Fresh from his nine-year stint on The Beverly Hillbillies, Buddy Ebsen is cast as Ponderosa hired hand Cactus Murphy, fired for incompetence by Ben Cartwright. His dander up, the old hand challenges Ben to do all the work Cactus does in a week-and without using the Cartwright money or power to his advantage. Taking up the cudgel, Ben signs on to his own spread as a wrangler named "Ben Brown"-and does he learn a painful lesson! Richard Farnsworth appears in the supporting role of Tate. First broadcast on January 16, 1972, "The Saddle Stiff" was written by Samuel A. Peeples and John Hawkins. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Hoss and Joe Cartwright are arrested in a Mexican border town and thrown in jail. Hoss is all for expediting the trial, but Joe is in no hurry: He's being treated like a king, with beautiful Ines (Pilar Seurat) and various other senoritas waiting on him hand and foot. Only when it is almost too late does Joe discover the real reason behind this preferential treatment. Alfonso Arau of The Wild Bunch fame is seen as Simon. Written by Joseph Bonaduce, "Customs of the Country" was originally telecast on February 6, 1972. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Had Bonanza been moved from its familiar Sunday night time slot to a less preferable Tuesday evening berth any earlier than its 14th season on the air, the show might have managed to survive the change and continue to prosper. This, however, proved not to be the case, and the reason was both simple and tragic: Dan Blocker, the series' beloved Hoss Cartwright, had unexpectedly died just before the beginning of season 14. This stunning loss, coupled with Bonanza's ever-eroding ratings opposite CBS's Maude and Hawaii Five-0, tolled the series' death knell -- an ignominious finale for the second longest-running Western series in TV history. Even so, many of Bonanza's final episodes were among the series' best, notably the season 14 opener "Forever," which details the pathetically short-lived marriage between Joe Cartwright (Michael Landon) and his bride Alice Harper (Bonnie Bedelia) (this episode was to have focused on Hoss Cartwright, but Dan Blocker's death forced star/producer/director Landon to hastily -- and regretfully -- rewrite the action). A later episode, "Riot!," introduces Tim Matheson in the recurring role of ex-convict Griff King, who, after saving the life of Ben Cartwright (Lorne Greene), is given a chance to turn his life around as a ranch hand on the Ponderosa. "The 26th Grave" guest stars Ken Howard as Mark Twain, the last of the many real-life historical characters who cross paths with the Cartwrights. "The Sound of Loneliness" marks the return of former series regular David Canary in the role of taciturn ranch hand Candy. And the final episode to be telecast, "The Hunter," is basically a two-man show, sans dialogue for the most part, with Joe Cartwright being stalked by an unhinged huntsman named Tanner (Tom Skerritt). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Having unofficially adopted Jamie, Ben is poised to make it official in court. His plans are scuttled by the arrival of Jamie's actual grandfather Callahan (Will Geer, who wants to take the boy back with him to Boston. Written by Jean Holloway, this Bonanza episode served as a reunion for Will Geer and Mitch Vogel, who'd previously costarred in the theatrical feature The Reivers. Also worth noting: The adroit usage of "flashback" footage from the previous episodes "A Matter of Faith" and "The Grand Swing", and the supporting appearance by a pre-stardom Robert Carradine. "A Home for Jamie" originally aired on December 19, 1971. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Native American actor Chief Dan George, who had catapulted to stardom in the 1971 theatrical feature Little Big Man, appears in this Bonanza episode as Red Cloud, a dying Indian chieftan. Before being gathered to his fathers, Red Cloud wants to reclaim a precious warbonnet lost in battle, which now hangs on the wall of the saloon owned by former Indian fighter Frank Ryan (Forrest Tucker). Joe Cartwright, grateful to Red Cloud for saving his life, wants to help the old man fulfill his dying wish-but how can he do this without jeopardizing his long-standing friendship with Ryan? Also appearing are Linda Cristal as Teresa, M. Emmet Walsh as Mattheson, and Patrick Adiarte as Swift Eagle. Originally telecast on December 26, 1971, "Warbonnet" was written by Arthur Heinemann, Charles Goldwad, and actor Robert Biheller (using the alias "Robert Blood"). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Rip Torn guest-stars as Will Hewitt, a former soldier who was blinded in the last battle of the Civil War. Determined to solve the murder of his brother, Hewitt is given a helping hand by Ben Cartwright's adopted son Jamie. The teleplay by John Hawkins and Robert Pirosh is capped by a truly surprising denoument. Also in the cast are Don Knight as Clayton, Loretta Leversee as Laurie, Charles Maxwell as Keeley, and James Chandler as McKey. "Blind Hunch" first aired on November 21, 1971. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Neville Brand makes another Bonanza appearance in the December 5, 1971 episode "The Rattlesnake Brigade." This time, Brand is cast as the vicious head of the Doyle Gang, who hold Jamie and three other teenagers hostage while making their escape. Jamie's adoptive father Ben Cartwright agonizes along with parents of the other hostages as the wagon bearing the Doyles and their youthful prisoners gets farther and farther away. The topnotch supporting cast includes such familiar character actors as David Sheiner, Severn Darden, Don Keefer, and Richard Yniquez. The 400th episode of Bonanza, "The Rattlesnake Brigade" was written by Gordon T. Dawson. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In Sheriff Coffee's absence, Joe Cartwright is called upon to escort prisoner Hank Simmons (Michael Witney) through a particularly rugged patch of terrain. Trouble is, Simmons knows the area far better than Joe. Things get even tougher for the youngest Cartwright as the charismatic Simmons banks upon his friendship with a Mexican family who may or may not be Joe's only hope for survival. Also in the cast are Manuel Padilla as Pedro, Morgan Woodward as Moorehouse, and Priscilla Garcia as Maria. Originally broadcast on October 17, 1971, "The Prisoners" was written by Arthur Heinemann. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Bonanza star Michael Landon both wrote and directed the poignant episode "Don't Cry, My Son." After the death of her baby, Ruth (Diana Shalet), the distraught wife of an overworked doctor (Richard Mulligan), walks out on her husband. Unhinged by this, the doctor kidnaps the newborn child of the woman he is presently caring for, imagining that the infant is his own child. "Don't Cry, My Son" was first broadcast on October 31, 1971. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Season Thirteen of Bonanza began on September 19, 1971 with the series' 390th episode, "The Grand Swing." Young Jamie's carelessness results in the loss of a valuable horse. Hurt and humiliated, Jamie offers to leave the Ponderosa for good. Rather than display anger, the boy's adoptive father Ben Cartwright takes Jamie on a extended pack trip through the length and breadth of the Cartwright property, hoping to demonstrate how best to handle difficult situations. In the course of the story, Ben and Jamie become closer than ever. Highlights of this wonderful episode include a full tour of the Ponderosa spread (filmed in Arizona and California), and a poignant vignette involving a "witness tree", where Hoss and Joe Cartwright's names were carved years before. "The Grand Swing" was written by Ward and John Hawkins and William Koenig. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Wounded in an ambush, Joe Cartwright is rescued by the Griswolds, a farming family. Delirious with fever, Joe experiences surrealistic flashbacks and bizarre disturbing visions (in one, he sees Hoss trying to kill him!) As his condition worsens, it becomes obvious that emergency surgery is called for-but Joe is too seriously injured to be moved from the Griswold farm. Featured in the cast of this superbly directed and photographed episode are Richard O'Brien and Peggy McCoy as Mr. and Mrs. Griswold, and David Huddleston as Doc Scully. Originally telecast October 3, 1971, "Bushwacked!" was written by Preston Wood. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide