Michael Landon Movies

As co-hosted by Gene Kelly and Kathryn Crosby (the wife of Bing Crosby), this exclusive video compilation presents priceless back-to-back clips from many of Bing's Christmas specials that aired from the early 1960s through the late 1970s. Featured guests include: Jackie Gleason, Twiggy, David Bowie, Fred Astaire, Carol Burnett and many others. ~ Nathan Southern, Rovi

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, Rovi

Not surprisingly, "A Christmas Story" originally aired on December 25, 1966. Wayne Newton returns to Bonanza in the role of singer Andy Walker, who herein agrees to perform at the annual Oprhan's Christmas Benefit. The fly (or grinch) in the ointment is Andy's crooked uncle/manager Thaddeus Cade (Jack Oakie), who demands ten percent of the proceeds. The Cartwrights attempt to change Thaddeus' mercenary ways with a "virtual reality" restaging of "A Christmas Carol". Also appearing are Mary Wickes as Hattie and Dabbs Greer as Sam. "A Christmas Story" was written by Thomas Thompson. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Lorne Greene plays a dual role, as Ponderosa patriarch Ben Cartwright and Ben's con-man lookalike Bradley Meredith. The fun begins when Meredith, posing as Ben, makes a major land sale to the railroad-a deal that the real Ben had previously turned down flat. Also in the cast are Alan Oppenheimer as Wentworth, Linda Gaye Scott as Dixie and Charles Dierkop as Nicholson. Written by Stanley Roberts, "A Deck of Aces" first aired on January 31, 1971. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Bonanza closed out its seventh season on May 15, 1966 with the comic episode "A Dollar's Worth of Trouble." Gypsy palm reader Mme. Adella (Mabel Albertson predicts that Hoss Cartwright's life will soon accommodate a blue-eyed blonde, a moonshiner, and a murderous gunslinger. As these prognostications come true in the form of blue-eyed Kathleen Walker (Sally Kellerman) and booze-brewing John Walker (Elisha Cook Jr.), Hoss nervously gears himself for his inevitable confrontation with gun-wielding Craig Bonner (Hampton Fancher III). This episode was written by Robert L. Goodwin. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Joe Cartwright is a member of the jury that must determine whether or not Terence O'Toole (Liam Sullivan is guilty of robbery and murder. The jury votes eleven to one to conviction-with Joe, naturally, as the sole holdout. The story's unexpected climax proves to be yet another growing experience for the youngest member of the Cartwright clan, who by the time this episode aired on January 2, 1966, was "Little" Joe no longer. Also in the cast are Maggie Mahoney (the mother of Sally Field as Molly and Tim McIntire as Jeb. "A Dublin Lad" was written by Mort Thaw. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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, Rovi

On behalf of his father Ben Cartwright, Hoss delivers a large sum of money to the town of Dutchman Flats. Upon his arrival, however, Hoss is arrested by Sheriff Stedman (Denver Pyle) on a charge of bank robbery. Stedman knows that Hoss is innocent, but he's anxious to prove his worth to the townspeople. Stedman's plan goes horribly awry when the angry citizens form a lynch mob. Also in the cast are Olive Sturgess as Mary Ann, Roy Roberts as Fillmore, Terry Becker as Shukie, Kelly Thordsen as Larson, John Harmon as McCray, Rayford Barnes as Austin, and Lane Bradford as Tibbs. Written by Preston Wood and Elliot Arnold, "A Hot Day for a Hanging" first aired on October 14, 1962. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

While Sheriff Coffee testifies at a trial in San Francisco, Hoss Cartwright serves as temporary sheriff of Virginia City. Before long, Hoss has outraged and astonished the townsfolk by locking up millionaire Paul Forbes (Robert Emhardt) and his valet Fairfax (Jay Novello), for reasons which remain unclear throughout most of the episode. Conversely, Hoss refuses to accommodate troublemaker Hiram Peabody (Tom Bosley), who desperately wants to be arrested so he can escape his impending marriage to Cissie Summers (Melinda Dillon). First telecast on October 5, 1969, the lighthearted "A Lawman's Lot is Not a Happy One" was written by Robert Vincent Wright. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Accused of murder, Hoss Cartwright puts his life in the hands of celebrated lawyer Whitney Parker (James Gregory). Unforunately, Parker's glory days are behind him: more to the point, he is now the town drunk. The Cartwrights struggle to keep Parker sober long enough to save Hoss from the gallows. Also in the cast are Michel Petit as Jamie, Hal Baylor as Durfee, William Mims as Evans, and Jason Johnson as the Doctor. Written by Mort R. Lewis, "A Man to Admire" first aired on December 6, 1964. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Originally telecast September 20, 1970, "A Matter of Faith" served to introduce new Bonanza regular Mitch Vogel in the role of Jamie Hunter. The son of an itinerant rainmaker, Jamie is unofficially adopted after his dad's death by Ponderosa hand Dusty Rhodes (Lou Frizzell. Despite the skepticism and outright hostility of the townspeople, Jamie is determined to fulfill his father's promise to bring rain to drought-stricken Virginia City. "A Matter of Faith" was written by Jack B. Sowards, John Hawkins, and former Star Trek scrivener D.C. Fontana. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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, Rovi