Grandon Rhodes Movies

A few weeks ago, Granny was convinced that TV wrestling was real. Now she has become engrossed in TV soap operas, and as before, she is certain that the trials and tribulations of the daytime drama characters are genuine. As a result, Granny rushes down to the TV station to save "doomed" surgery patient Rex Goodbody (John Dehner) with her own special brand of doctorin'. "The Soap Opera" was originally telecast on March 6, 1968. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Henry Darrow guest-stars as Amigo, a role originally written for Sammy Davis Jr.). Persecuted all his life merely because of his Mexican heritage, Amigo has cast his lot with a band of terrorists, led by the vicious Cap Fenner (Gregory Walcott). When Ben saves his life, Amigo's loyalties are torn between the Cartwrights and the outlaws-with Joe Cartwright finding himself a pawn in the struggle. It has been reported that Henry Darrow landed his costarring role on The High Chaparral on the strength of his performance in this episode. First shown on February 12, 1967, "Amigo" was written by John Hawkins and Jack Turley. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Jose De Vega is cast as Tatu, an embittered Indian youth who hates all white men. Injured and left to die by his tribe, Tatu is rescued by Hoss, who makes it his mission in life to prove to the boy that not all whites are monsters. Before the episode is over, both Tatu and Hoss have their faithful in mankind severely tested. Despite the serious nature of the story, Michael Fisher's teleplay manages to rabbet in a few moments of levity. "To Kill a Buffalo" originally aired on January 9, 1966. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In Sheriff Coffee's absence, Virginia City's mayor (Ted Knight) hires ruthlessly efficient lawman Wes Dann (Eric Fleming) as peacekeeper. At first an admirer of Dann, Joe Cartwright soon learns that the cold-blooded temporary sheriff is less interested in upholding the law than meting out his own sadistic brand of punishment. This episode marked one of the final TV appearances of former Rawhide star Eric Fleming; others in the cast include Roy Foster, Ray Stricklyn, Dee Pollack, Clyde Howdy, Grandon Rhodes, I. Stanford Jolley, and legendary serial villain Roy Barcroft. First telecast on February 6, 1966, "Peace Officer" was written by Don Mullaly. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Raymond Burr essays a dual role in this offbeat episode, appearing as both Perry Mason and Mason's evil lookalike, a scurrilous merchant seaman named Grimes. It seems that someone has hired Grimes to pose as Mason in order to discredit the lawyer's testimony in a hearing over a million-dollar patent dispute. Subsequently, the winner of the dispute, Otis Swanson (Oliver McGowan), is murdered, and innocent Barbara Kramer (Indus Arthur) is arrested for the crime. To save Barbara from the gas chamber, Perry must literally chase himself by tracking down the elusive--and dangerously short-tempered--Mr. Grimes. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Hoss Cartwright seriously injures washed-up boxer Hank Kelly (Michael Conrad in a challenge fight. Feeling guilty, Hoss refuses all entreaties to fight on a professional basis-but younger brother Joe is eager and willing to show off his pugilistic prowess. Featured in the cast are Phillip Pine as Ross Dugan and Mari Aldon as Rubi Kelly. Written by Robert L. Goodwin, "The Fighters" first aired on April 24, 1966. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Growing increasingly fond of lovely Claire Amory (Nancy Gates), Ben Cartwright must deal with Claire's invalid brother Carl (Wesley Lau). Cruel and manipulative, Carl exploits his infimirities to force Claire to marry Ben whether she wants to or not. A real-life accident forced Lorne Greene to wear an eyepatch throughout this episode. Written by Mort Thaw and Lee Pickett, "His Brother's Keeper" first aired March 6, 1966. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Former silent-movie idol Ramon Novarro guest-stars as Jose Ortega, a prevaricating old windbag who claims to possess a Spanish land grant deeding him the Ponderosa and most of the surrounding territory. Of course, nobody believes Ortega, and everybody takes turns beating him up. Rescued from another pummelling by Joe Cartwright, Jose rewards Joe with a valuable gift, which leads the Cartwrights' lawyer to conclude that maybe Ortega was telling the truth about his land holding after all-and that the Ponderosa may indeed no longer belong to Ben Cartwright. Michael Dante costars as Ortega's avaricious nephew Miguel. First telecast September 26, 1965, "The Brass Box" was written by Paul Schneider. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

"The Strange One" is Marie (Louise Sorel), who is expelled from a wagon train when she is accused of being a witch. Marie is rescued from her tormentors by Hoss and Joe Cartwright, who offer her shelter at the Ponderosa. Before long, it becomes obvious that Marie is gifted with "second sight"-but does that make her a witch after all? Another well-written (by Jo Pagano and Stephen Lord) lesson in tolerance and understanding, "The Strange One" has not been seen much since its original network presentation on November 14, 1965; more recently, it was removed from the Bonanza package shown on cable's Family Channel because its "controversial" religious undertones did not rest well with that network's chairman Pat Robertson. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Every prediction made by a fortune teller to Patricia Kean (Julie Adams) has come true, including her marriage to her wealthy boss Max Armstead (Jesse White). This is why Patricia begins worrying when the seer predicts "You'll wear white. . .then widow's black." Sure enough, Max ends up being fatally poisoned--and as he breathes his last, he accuses Patricia of being his murderer. This place Patricia's lawyer Perry Mason (Raymond Burr) in an uncomfortable position, inasmuch as both he and Lt. Drumm (Richard Anderson) were present when Max spoke his final words! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Having been told repeatedly that her share of the Clampett fortune is $11 million, Granny marches over to the Commerce Bank and demands to see her money in cash. While banker Drysdale tries to mollify Granny -- and to prevent her from withdrawing her money -- he must also contend with his imperious wife, who is aghast over Elly May's plans to enter her pet hounds in an exclusive Beverly Hills dog show. Former action star Steve Brodie appears as a burly bank guard. "Drysdale's Dog Days" first aired on March 17, 1965. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Minerva Doubleday (Phyllis Love) hires Paul Drake (William Hopper) to act as courier in the sale of her Uncle Homer's (Will Kuluva) rare Confederate half-dollar, which is supposedly worth $50,000. But what follows is a maelstrom of theft, embezzlement, blackmail, and finally murder, with George Parsons (Hunt Powers) as the victim. Lucky for accused killer Minerva that Paul Drake is a close associate of lawyer Perry Mason (Raymond Burr). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The police are convinced that photographer Jacob Kadar (Eric Feldy) committed suicide. But model Judith Blair (Margo Moore) tells her lawyer Perry Mason (Raymond Burr) that she was present at Kadar's murder--and that she was pointing a loading gun at him at the time! Though Judith insists that she didn't pull the trigger, Perry is in a quandary: Should he go to the police with this information, or remain silent to prevent Judith from facing a murder charge that will be mighty hard to beat? Featured in the cast is the late Karen Kupcinet, daughter of Chicago columnist Irv Kupcinet, who ironically was the victim of a real-life murder that occurred two months before "The Case of the Capering Camera" originally aired--and which was never solved. This episode also marks the final appearance of Ray Collins as Lt. Tragg. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide