Pernell Roberts Movies

Kate Mulgrew made her American TV debut in the taped 90-minute melodrama Alien Lover. She plays a lonely, orphaned teenager, recently released from a mental institution. While wandering around in the family attic, Mulgrew switches on an old television. She sees the image of a young man (John Ventantonio)-who promptly begins talking to her. Girl and boy gradually fall in love....but is he for real, or merely a figment of her troubled psyche? And if so, where does he come from and why is here? Pernell Roberts, Susan Brown, and Steven Earl Tanner costar in this ABC Wide World Mystery presentation, which debuted November 25, 1975. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In this mystery, ace-detective Bancek looks into the case of a missing coin valued at $3-million. The priceless object was stolen from a hotel vault. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

The first hour-long network Western series telecast in color, Bonanza was also the granddaddy of all "property" Westerns, future examples of which included The Virginian, The Big Valley, and The High Chaparral. The series took place during and after the Civil War in Virginia City, NV. Lorne Greene starred as Ben Cartwright, silver-haired owner of the fabulous, half-million-acre Ponderosa Ranch. The industrious, independent Cartwright had been widowed three times, each of his wives providing him with a single son. Pernell Roberts played eldest son Adam, the brooding, intellectual offspring of Ben's first wife Elizabeth; Dan Blocker played middle son Hoss, the beefy, affable issue of Ben's second wife Inger; and Michael Landon played youngest son Little Joe, a hotheaded, temperamental lad who took after his mother, Ben's third wife Marie. The four Cartwrights comprised the principal cast during the series' first six seasons, with occasional appearances by Victor Sen Yung as the Ponderosa's Chinese cook Hop Sing; Ray Teal as Virginia City's taciturn lawman, Sheriff Roy Coffee; and Bing Russell (father of Kurt Russell) as deputy Clem Foster. When Pernell Roberts left the series at the outset of season seven, it was explained that Adam had gone to Europe to complete his education. Several attempts were made to replace Adam in the hearts and minds of the viewing public: Guy Williams of Zorro fame was seen briefly as cousin Will Cartwright; David Canary appeared as ranch foreman Canady (aka Candy) during seasons nine through 11, then again during season 14, Lou Frizzell showed up as Ben's friend Dusty Rhoades beginning in season 12, as did Mitch Vogel as Dusty's ward Jamie Hunter, a teenaged orphan; and during the series' final year, Tim Matheson weaved through the proceedings as ex-convict Griff King, whom Ben tried to give a second chance by taking him on as a ranch hand. Making its NBC debut on September 12, 1959, Bonanza spent its first two seasons on Saturday evenings, opposite CBS' Perry Mason.
Ratings improved tremendously when Bonanza shifted to Sunday evenings at 9 PM (EST) beginning in the 1961-1962 season; in fact, the series was America's number one show for three seasons in a row, from 1964 through 1967. It might have run forever had it not been for two calamitous events during the 1972-1973 season: the decision by NBC to reschedule the show to Tuesdays, and the unexpected death of longtime regular Dan Blocker. With ratings plummeting precipitously, the show was canceled on January 16, 1973 -- a rather ignominious climax for a classic Western series that was second only to Gunsmoke in longevity. Since that time, a number of attempts have been made to revive Bonanza, notably a trio of made-for-TV movies produced in 1988, 1993, and 1995; the latter two appearing after the deaths of Lorne Greene and Michael Landon. And during the 2001-2002 season, the PAX network aired the prequel series Ponderosa, which detailed the adventures of the four Cartwrights in the years before Bonanza took place. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Poor Ben Cartwright is unable to get any peace and quiet on the Ponderosa, thanks to his uncommonly noisy offspring and their friends. In desperate need of a few hours' sleep, he checks into the Virginia City hotel. Not unexpectedly, comic chaos ensues, much of it caused by a bickering husband and wife (Abigail Shelton, Robert Ridgely) and a man-chasing widow (Jean Willes. Scriptwriters Frank Cleaver and Jeffrey Fleece were responsible for this non-stop laugh riot. "A Good Night's Rest" originally aired on April 11, 1965. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Guest star Henry Jones plays a flamboyant eccentric who imagines himself to be King Arthur. Wearing full armor, "Arthur" rescues Adam Cartwright from stagecoach bandits. When Adam is accused of masterminding the holdup, he finds that no one believes his wild yarn about a "knight in shining armor"-and before long, virtually everyone in the cast is convinced that Adam has gone off the deep end. Also appearing are Robert Sorrells as Cyril, Charles Watts as Sheriff Munsey, Zeme North as Phoebe and Rodolfo Acosta as Juan. Written by Robert V. Barron, "A Knight to Remember" was originally shown on December 20, 1964. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Future Lost in Space bad guy Jonathan Harris stars in this Bonanza episode as celebrated British novelist Charles Dickens. When the Virginia City newspaper begins serializing Dickens' latest novel without his permission, the author arrives in town to register a protest-and gets arrested and fined for his troubles. Despite Dickens' imperious refusal to pay the fine or speak in his own defense, Dickens' cause is championed by four of his biggest fans--the Cartwrights. Others in the cast include Victor Maddern as Dave, Frank Albertson as Sam Walker, and Charles Irving as Rogers. "A Passion for Justice" originally aired September, 29 1963. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

A gang of bandits attacks the stagecoach carrying Hoss Cartwright and two nuns, elderly Mother Veronica (Ilka Windish) and young Sister Mary Kathleen (Judy Carne). When the younger of the nuns anxiously surrenders the money collected for a new convent hospital, the older nun rebukes her, informing the girl that she hasn't got what it takes to enter the sisterhood. Determined to prove her mettle to both Mother Veronica and herself, Sister Mary Kathleen sets out to recover the stolen money-with Hoss tagging along to make certain that the headstrong nun won't get in over her head. Written by Frank Cleaver, "A Question of Strength" first aired October 27, 1963. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Suffering from amnesia as the result of an accident, Hoss Cartwright is nursed back to health by an elderly farm couple, Christina (Signe Hasso) and Klaas (Robert Emhardt), who have recently lost their son Hendrick. When Hoss awakens, the couple gently informs him that he is Hendrick, and must remain with them for all time. Their pathetic deception threatens to collapse when Hoss' father Ben arrives at their door, looking for his missing son. Written by William Stuart, "A Stranger Passed This Way" first aired on March 3, 1963. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

A deft blend of comedy and suspense, "Alias Joe Cartwright" affords series regular Michael Landon the opportunity to play a dual role: His usual characterization of Joe Cartwright, and murderous Army deserter Angus Borden. Mistaken for Borden, Joe is sentenced to a firing squad by martinet Captain Merced (Douglas Dick). But Sgt. O'Rourke (Keenan Wynn) suspects something is amiss, especially when Merced makes it clear that he knows Joe is innocent but is determined to go through with the execution anyway. Throughout the episode O'Rourke's favorite patsy, the hapless Private Peters (Joseph Turkel), runs himself ragged trying to find out if Joe is indeed who he claims to be. Also in the cast is familiar character actor Dave Willock, here seen as an overly unctuous hotel clerk. Originally telecast on January 26, 1964, "Alias Joe Cartwright" was written by Robert Vincent Wright. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Among the most popular TV Western series ever, Bonanza starred Lorne Green as Ben Cartwright and Michael Landon, Dan Blocker and Pernell Roberts as his sons Little Joe, Hoss and Adam. In the episode "Bade Without Honor," first aired in 1960, a stranger arrives in town; he says he's a Deputy Marshall and needs Jackson Blaine, a friend of the Cartwrights, to ride with him to San Francisco to testify against the Murdock Gang. Adam, however, insists on going along as he smells a rat. "Badge Without Honor" features guest star Dan Duryea; it's available on DVD in tandem with "Desert Justice," and as part of a five-episode box set. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

This compelling Bonanza episode focuses almost exclusively on Little Joe Cartwright. Plagued by a fear of heights, Joe suffers severe nightmares after losing his rifle on precarious Eagles Peak. The only way Joe will find peace is to "conquer" the peak and retrieve his weapon-but he may not live to accomplish this goal. Ed Adamson's teleplay was reportedly inspired by star Michael Landon's real-life phobia concerning high places, a problem that he willingly revealed to his legions of fans. The supporting cast includes Richard Jaeckel as Mitch. "Between Heaven and Earth" originally aired on November 15, 1964. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The townsfolk of Virginia City find their loyalties divided right down the middle during the raging feud between the Mahans and the Clarkes. It is up to Ben Cartwright to negotiate a cease-fire, and also to decide which family will get custody of twin grandchildren. Helping Ben weather this crisis is the town's new minister (Robert Brown). Featured in the cast are Leslie Wales (Peggy), Ford Rainey (Clarke) and Irene Tedrow (Mrs. Mahan). Written by Borden Chase and Frank Cleaver, "Blessed are They" first aired April 22, 1962. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

To escape her strict and oppressive father Sheriff Kincaid (Val Avery), headstrong Dolly (Myrna Fahey) rebelliously courts disaster by associating with disreputable men. On this occasion, Dolly skips town with rakishly charming Vince Dagen (John Ericson), blissfully unaware that Vince is an outlaw. Joe Cartwright tries to catch up with the fleeing couple before Dolly suffers the consequences of her defiance. Also appearing are Hal Baylor as Clegg and Norm Alden as Poke. Written by David Lang, "Breed of Violence" was originally broadcast on November 5, 1960. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide