Pernell Roberts Movies

Charles Bronson guest-stars as Harry Star, a halfbreed who is regularly subjected to the bigotry of the townsfolk. Feeling that Harry has been unjustly persecuted, Ben Cartwright hires the man as a ranchhand. What Ben doesn't know, but the audiences does, is that Harry is a member of a gang of horse thieves, who intend to exploit Ben's trust by pulling off an elaborate scam. Originally telecast on December 13, 1964, "The Underdog" was written by Donn Mullally. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Charlie (Anthony Caruso) is an old and somewhat shabby Indian. Regularly taunted and persecuted by the self-righteous townfolk. Charlie has only two friends in the world: Ben Cartwright, and a little girl named Angela (Vicki Ros). Things take a nasty turn when Angela vanishes and Charlie is accused of killing the child. Also appearing is Virginia Christine, aka "Mrs. Olsen" in the Folger Coffee commercials, as Martha, and former B-western star Don Barry. Originally telecast on December 27, 1964, "The Saga of Squaw Charlie" was written by Warren Douglas. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In anticipation of a raid by the deadly Wagner outlaw gang, the townsfolk of Virginia City want to replace their ageing sheriff Roy Coffee, whom they feel is not equal to the task of standing up to the Wagners. Adam Cartwright is among the few who insists that Coffee remain in office-but even he has second thoughts when the Sheriff appears to be suffering from a latent case of cowardice. Written by Jerry Adelman, this episode was a tour de force for veteran character actor Ray Teal, here given a rare opportunity to deliver a performance that transcends the standard two-dimensionality of Sheriff Roy Coffee. Parley Baer, the original "Chester" on the radio version of Gunsmoke, is here cast as Mr. Amistead. "No Less a Man" originally aired March 15, 1964. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Slim Pickens makes a return appearance in the role of shifty, slovenly mountaineer Jim Leyton. Incredibly, Jim has become engaged to the lovely Julie (Laurie Mitchell), despite his long-standing feud with Julie's well-named father Grizzly (Robert Middleton). Hoss Cartwright is yanked into this powderkeg situation when Jim asks him to be best man at the wedding (if, indeed, there ever is a wedding!) Treble-chinned character actor Byron Foulger appears as the Parson. Originally seen on February 23, 1964, "King of the Mountain" was written by Frank Cleaver. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

It was no secret that Pernell Roberts was wearying of his role as Adam Cartwright by the time Bonanza entered its sixth season on NBC. In fact, Roberts had been making noises about quitting the show for several years, but had always been persuaded to stick around. But come season six and the actor was adamant about ditching the show to pursue broader acting vistas. Thus, as a means of preparing the viewers for Roberts' inevitable departure, Adam is missing from several sixth season episodes, requiring his co-stars Lorne Greene (Ben Cartwright), Dan Blocker (Hoss Cartwright), and Michael Landon (Little Joe Cartwright) to take up the slack. Of season six's crop of episodes, several are standouts. "Between Heaven and Earth" is virtually a solo turn for Michael Landon, as Joe Cartwright struggles to overcome his crippling fear of heights. "Old Sheba" finds the Cartwrights playing host to an unlikely house guest -- a worn-out circus elephant! Henry Jones guest stars as an elderly eccentric who imagines himself to be King Arthur (complete with suit of armor) in "A Knight to Remember." "The Flapjack Contest" is a certified comic gem, focusing on Dan Blocker as Hoss Cartwright. In "The Search," Pernell Roberts appears in the dual role of Adam Cartwright and a raffish character named Tom Burns. In "Once a Doctor," the Cartwrights cross paths with notorious real-life murderer Dr. Thomas Crippen (Ashley Cowan). And "Dead and Gone" features singer Hoyt Axton in his dramatic debut as a trouble-prone drifter. Despite the imminent loss of the popular Pernell Roberts, the sixth season of Bonanza saw the series racking up its best-ever ratings, emerging as America's most-watched program. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Suffering from a advanced case of "spring fever," Hoss Cartwright is nonetheless assigned to pick up a prisoner in the town of Rimrock. Alas, Hoss arrives in the wrong town, where he ends up being jailed as a bank robber. Escaping, he finds shelter in the shack of local recluse Loulabelle (Glenda Farrell), better known around these parts as "Looney" (and not without good reason!) Stanley Adams and Lloyd Corrigan make brief appearances in the respective roles of Sheriff Tate and Mr. Simmons. Scripted by Lois Hire, "The Pure Truth" was first telecast on March 6, 1964. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Patricia Blair guest-stars as dance hall girl Lila Conrad, who after killing a man in self-defense hides out in the Cartwright's supply wagon. Ben Cartwright and his sons try to protect Lila from the lynch-happy cronies of the man she killed, but their efforts are thwarted by stern and merciless Judge Knowlton (Andrew Duggan). The rest of the episode chronicles the unusual relationship which blossoms between Lila and the Judge-while Mrs. Knowlton (Cathy O'Donnell) stands on the sidelines. Cowritten by Preston Wood and George Waggner (who invariably billed himself as "WaGGner"), "The Lila Conrad Story" first aired January 5, 1964. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

A widower for many years, Ben Cartwright finally decides to take another bride, the lovely Katherine Saunders (Teresa Wright). Alas, the wedding plans are shelved when Katherine's son Eden (Dee Pollack) is accused of murder. Out of loyalty to his fiancee, Ben defends Eden from the law, but soon has reason to wonder if he made the right decision. Written by Denne Petitclerc, "My Son, My Son" originally aired on January 19, 1964. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Ron Hayes appears in the dual role of virtuous family man Jud Lally and Jud's outlaw twin brother Rube Barnes. Forcing his brother to trade places with him, Rube steals a valuable stallion and commits a murder, crimes for which Jud is held responsible. The Cartwrights try to come to Jud's rescue-but even they cannot tell the twins apart. Also appearing are Nancy Rennick as Amelia and Ford Rainey as Luke. Written by A.I. Bezzerides, "Mirror of a Man" originally aired on March 31 1963. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Adam Cartwright falls in love with Rebecca (Aneta Corsaut), the daughter of Orthodox Jewish peddler Aaron Kaufman (Ludwig Donath). But when Adam asks for Rebecca's hand in marriage, the tradition-bound Aaron refuses to give his consent. Things go way beyond cultural differences when Kaufman's wagon is attacked by bandits during the Sabbath. Also appearing are Harry Dean Stanton as Stiles, Jason Wingreen as Hank, and Sarah Selby as Mrs. Cardiff. Originally telecast March 10, 1963, "The Way of Aaron" was written by Raphael D. Blau. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Patricia Crowley guest-stars as beautiful Julia Grant, an aspiring actress whose lofty ambitions far outdistance her modest talents. Despite Julia's thespic shortcomings, Joe Cartwright falls in love with her and promises to advance her career. To that end, Joe elicits the advice of the legendary Edwin Booth (John Rodney), who happens to be appearing in Virginia City. First shown on February 24, 1963, "The Actress" was written by Norman Lessing. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The third of the "Ben Cartwright's Wives" trilogy (his marriages to first wife Elizabeth and second wife Inger were recounted in 1961 and 1962, respectively), "Marie, My Love" originally aired on February 10, 1963. While his son Joe hovers between life and death after suffering a fall, Ben Cartwright recalls his years with Joe's mother, New Orleans belle Marie (Felicia Farr), and also recalls the scandal which nearly tore the couple asunder. Also appearing are Eduard Franz as Marius and George Dolenz as Marcy. The script, by Anthony Lawrence and Anne Howard Bailey, provides a satisfactory resume of the eventful life and untimely demise of Marie Cartwright, even though certain "facts" do not jibe with those set forth in previous Bonanza episodes. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Slim Pickens makes his first appearance as the rogueish but lovable mountaineer Jim Leyton. Wounded while busting out of jail, Jim tries to steal Hoss Cartwright's horse for a quick getaway, then passes out from his injuries. When he comes to, Jim tries to beat his murder rap by claiming that Hoss was the guilty party. It may be, however, that neither man is guilty of the crime-but it is up to Hoss to prove it, and to look after the troubelsome Jim, whose has been paroled in Hoss' custody. Bing Russell, who later appeared semiregularly in the role of Deputy Clem, here plays the Sheriff. Written by Arnold Belgard, "Half a Rogue" first aired on January 27, 1963. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide