Pernell Roberts Movies

While sitting in a barber's chair, Carlos Rodriguez (Alex Montoya) is killed by impatient customer Duke Miller (Perry Lopez. The only person who could possibly identify Duke as the murderer is Joe Cartwright-who, unfortunately, was unconscious during the tragedy. Feeling responsible for Rodriguez' death, Joe personally escorts Carlos' son Paco (Raphel Lopez) to his grandparents in Mexico. Upon his arrival in the town of Juarez, Joe enters another barbershop-where Duke Miller is waiting for a final showdown. First shown on February 3, 1963, "The Last Haircut" was written by Charles Lang. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Ben Cartwright plays host to Judge Whitaker (Otto Kruger), better known to one and all as "Hanging Harry." Among those sentenced to death by Whitaker was the father of Bob Jolley (Keir Dullea), who, believing his dad was innocent, now relentlessly dogs Whitaker's trail, trying to goad the Judge into a showdown. As the story progresses, Adam Cartwright comes to believe that Bob is right, and that "Hanging Harry" has a lot to answer for. Written by E.M. Parson and Shirl Hendryx, "Elegy for a Hangman" was originally telecast on January 20, 1963. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In this classic-and hilarious-Bonanza episode, Hoss Cartwright returns to the Ponderosa with a strongbox of gold, which he claims to have received from a band of "Little People"-Leprechauns, in fact. Though Hoss' family and friends don't quite swallow his story of his tiny benefactors, they cannot deny that the treasure exists, and thus a mini-gold rush ensues. Meanwhile, the "Leprechauns"-actually a group of carnival midgets and dwarves-rebel against their boss, crooked impresario Professor McCarthy (Sean McClory). Featured in the cast are such well-known professional Little People as Frank Delfino, Harry Monty and Nels Nelson, the latter two veterans both of the 1939 theatrical feature The Wizard of Oz. Scripted with tongue firmly imbedded in cheek by Robert Barron, "Hoss and the Leprechauns" was originally shown on December 22 1963. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Originally telecast December 8, 1963, "The Waiting Game" introduces Kathie Browne in the recurring role of Laura Dayton. When Laura's husband Frank (Wade Preston) is killed, she decides not to reveal this tragic fact to her wide-eyed little daughter Peggy (Katie Sweet), who is anxiously awaiting her daddy's return. Agreeing to help keep Laura's secret, Adam Cartwright finds himself falling in love with her. Written by Ed Adamson, this episode was to have been the first of eight to ten installments leading up to the marriage of Laura Dayton and Adam Cartwright-and, ultimately, Pernell Roberts' departure from the series. But thanks to the protests of Bonanza's female fans, things did not quite turn out as planned. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In this sequel to the 1962 Bonanza episode "Inger, My Love," Ben Cartwright once again waxes nostalgic over his late second wife, Inger (again played by Inga Swenson). In a lengthy flashback, Ben and Inger head westward to a remote frontier outpost, where they are besieged by hostile Indians. In the course of the story, Inger's son Hoss is born (and, for the benefit of the viewer, it is explained that Hoss' name holds a special meaning in Inger's native country). Also in the cast are Johnny Stephens as five-year-old Adam Cartwright, Gene Evans as Lucas, Kevin Hagen as Simon, Dee Carroll as Rachel, Ken Lynch as Welks, John Frederick as Payne, Kathleen O'Malley as Mrs. Payne, and William Fawcett as Tulliver. Written by Anthony Lawrence, "Journey Remembered" was originally seen on November 10, 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

While a surprise party awaits him at the Ponderosa, Little Joe Cartwright finds himself stranded in the desert after his horse is stolen. Passing out from the heat, he awakens in the mysterious town of Martinville, festooned with surreal images and populated by eerily bizarre characters. The ghostly townsfolk press Joe into service when they are threatened by a larger-than-life gunman named Felix Matthews (Michael T. Mikler). Along the way, Joe falls in love with an enigmatic young lady named Louise Corman (Davey Davison). As indicated by its title, "Twilight Town" bears more resemblance to an episode of Twilight Zone than an installment of Bonanza. Written by Cy Chermak, this truly unique episode originally aired October 13, 1963. ~ 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

Written by Eric Norden and Frank Arno, "Little Man-Ten Feet Tall" focuses on the relationship between Ponderosa ranchhand Nick Biancci (Ross Martin) and Nick's impressionable young son Mario (Michael Davis. Though Mario is prepared to fulfill Nick's dreams by becoming a concert guitarist, he changes his mind when he sees his father being intimidated by his fellow ranchhands. Thoroughly disillusioned, Mario latches onto a new "role model"-Hoss Cartwright. Denver Pyle appears as the Sheriff, while other roles are filled by James Anderson, Lane Bradford and Bern Hoffman. "Little Man-Ten Feet Tall" was originally telecast on May 26, 1963, as the final episode of Bonanza's fourth season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Bonanza begins its fifth season with the poignant episode "She Walks in Beauty," a tour de force for guest star Gena Rowlands. Even better is the next episode on the docket, "A Passion for Justice," one of several Bonanza installments in which rancher Ben Cartwright (Lorne Greene) and his sons cross paths with an authentic historical figure -- in this case Charles Dickens, played by future Lost in Space villain Jonathan Harris! In the same vein, Stefanie Powers shows up as the fabulous Calamity Jane in "Calamity Over the Comstock." Other top-drawer season five episodes include "Journey Remembered," a flashback to Ben's marriage to his second wife Inger (Inga Swenson), the mother of his middle son Hoss (Dan Blocker); "Hoss and the Leprechauns," which, believe it or not, is even funnier than its tell-all title; "The Saga of Muley Jones," marking Bruce Yarnell's first appearance as the title character, a singer with a glass-shattering voice and a libidinous nature; "Enter Thomas Bowers," featuring distinguished African-American actor William Marshall in a powerful story about racial intolerance; and "Return to Honor," introducing Guy Williams in the role of Ben Cartwright's nephew Will, a potential replacement for Pernell Roberts, who was once again insisting that he was poised to quit Bonanza at a moment's notice. And speaking of Roberts, his character of Adam Cartwright had been slated to be married to widow Laura Dayton (Kathie Browne), introduced in the fifth season episode "The Waiting Game"; but audience reaction was so negative to this potential turn of events that the Adam-Laura courtship was abruptly cut off after four episodes. (Laura was married instead to Will Cartwright, thereby killing two birds with one stone as both "intrusive" characters were written off the series!) Had it not been for CBS' blockbuster The Beverly Hillbillies, Bonanza would have been America's highest-rated program of the 1963-1964 season. As it was, however, Bonanza ranked a very high second, three notches up the ratings scale from the previous season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

George Brenlin is cast as Whizzer McGee, a short-statured scrapper who doesn't take kindly to people making fun of his size. As a result, Whizzer loses job after job, usually by pummeling his latest employer into unconsciousness. It appears that Whizzer's fortunes will improve when he is befriended by Hoss Cartwright; instead, the troubles are just beginning. Other cast members include Jeanne Bal (Melissa), Med Flory (Otis), Burt Mustin (Washburn), Hal Baylor (Big Red), Mike Ragan (Mike), and Bern Hoffman (Bartender). Scripted by Robert Lyon Welch, "The Saga of Whizzer McGee" was originally shown on April 28, 1963. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Perennial loser Claude Miller (John Fiedler) becomes a winner overnight when he strikes a rich silver lode. Determined to get even with the people who had previously subjected him to ridicule, Claude buys out his tormentors' mortgages. Alas, once a loser, always a loser: Claude's plans for revenge are undermined by his new partner, a crooked deputy. The supporting cast includes Florence Sundstrom as Daisy, J. Pat O'Malley as Clancy, Jay Lanin as Slauson, Ken Mayer as Tarbosh, and Ken Drake as Claude. First shown on May 12, 1963, "Rich Man, Poor Man" was scripted by Richard P. McDonagh and Barbara and Milton Merlin, from a story by Arnold Belgard and Robert Fresco. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

While trying to land a lucrative lumber contract with the railroad, Ben Cartwright once again finds himself in competition with his old and hated rival, ruthless ranchowner Barney Fuller (Jay C. Flippen). Determined to prove that he is up to the challenge, Ben displays an uncharacteristic streak of recklessness-and in so doing, accidentally causes the death of a Ponderosa ranchhand. Others in the cast include Melora Conway as Martha, Ralph Moody as Gabe, and Raymond Guth as Watts. First broadcast on December 29, 1963, "The Prime of Life" was one of several Bonanza episodes written by former actor Warren Douglas. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide