Michael Landon Movies

Legendary stage actress Adah Isaacs Menken (Ruth Roman) brings her celebrated Mazeppa troupe to Virginia City. Ben Cartwright welcomes the opportunity to renew his longstanding friendship with the "lady in pink tights." As for Ben's sons Adam, Hoss, and Little Joe, they become convinced that Adah is trying to ensnare their father into marriage. Also in the cast is Don Megowan as Adah's persistent would-be suitor John Regan. Written by Donald S. Sanford, "The Magnificent Adah" was originally telecast on November 14, 1959. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Engineer Philip Diedshiemer (John Beal) arrives in Virginia City, where, in partnership with Adam Cartwright, he creates a timbering system called "square set," which is designed to make the Deep Silver Mines safe from cave-ins. Trouble ensues when the mine owners refuse to pay Diedshiemer for his efforts. Also in the cast are Mala Powers as Helene, R.G. Armstrong as Andrew Holloway, Charles Cooper as Gil Fenton, Paul Birch as Tregallis, Robert Osterloh as Casey, Howard Negley as Dr. Wesley, and silent-film veteran Mae Marsh as a townswoman. Written by Thomas Thompson, "The Philip Diedshiemer Story" was first broadcast on October 31, 1959. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Film noir icon Jane Greer guest-stars as Julia Burnette, a hard-shelled Virginia City saloon owner. Despite Julia's checkered past, Little Joe Cartwright is smitten by her beauty and charm. Ignoring the admonitions of his father and brothers, Joe falls in love with the much older woman. Written by Al C. Ward, "The Julia Bulette Story" first aired on October 17, 1959. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Ben Cartwright finds out that Mark Burdette (Barry Sullivan) and Early Thorne (Leo Gordon) have been illegally slaughtering the antelope on the Paiute Indians' property, then selling the meat to the miners at an exorbitant price. To thwart the two poachers and protect the Indians' food supply, Ben offers to sell his own meat at a much lower price. Burdette and Thorne then hatch a scheme to foment a war between the Paiutes and the Cartwrights. First telecast on September 19, 1959, "The Sun Mountain Herd" (aka "Death on Sun Mountain") was written by Gene L. Coon and David Dortort, who based their teleplay on a true story. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Though seriously wounded during a bank robbery, Ben Cartwright manages to kill a member of the Morgan gang. When outlaw leader Carl Morgan (Mort Mill) swears revenge, the citizens of Virginia City flee in terror, leaving Ben and his son Hoss to their fate. Only the town drunk and a nervous Eastern doctor remain to help the Cartwrights make their stand against the Morgans. Featured in the cast are Simon Scott as Tom Pryor and William Pullen as Sheriff Tolliver. Written by Thomas Thompson, "The Vendetta" originally aired on December 5, 1959. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Both Ben Cartwright and Luther Bishop (Carl Benton Reid) lay claim to the strip of land separating their two spreads. Though there's no love lost between Cartwright and Bishop, Ben is willing to allow the law to determine ownership of the disputed strip. But ruthless land baron Jason Cauter (S. John Launer) is not quite so patient. Meanwhile, Little Joe falls in love with Bishop's daughter Amy. James Coburn plays a supporting role in "The Truckee Strip," which was written by Herman Groves and originally broadcast on November 21, 1959. ~ Hal Erickson, 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

The first season of Bonanza came to an end on April 30, 1960, with the episode titled "Death at Dawn." Laurence Mascott's teleplay would seem to have been influenced by the like-vintage TV series The Untouchables, as a gang of 19th century gangsters holds Virginia City in thrall, forcing the citizens to buy protection lest "accidents" befall them. When a store owner is murdered by gang member Perkins (Gregory Walcott), the only witness, the victim's wife Beth (Nancy Deale), is terrorized into silence. Determined to bring Perkins to justice, Ben Cartwright offers Beth safe harbor at the Ponderosa-whereupon gang leader Sam Bryant (Robert Middleton) kidnaps Ben and offers to release him in exchange for Perkins. Featured in the cast are Morgan Woodward (Sheriff Biggs), Wendell Holmes (Judge Scribner), Paul Carr (McNeil), Peter Leeds (Norton), Hugh Sanders (Dr. Brahm), Anthony Joachim (The Hangman) and Jess Kirkpatrick (Kelly). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Feeling responsible for the massacre of a troop of soldiers, former Army scout Charlie Trent (Henry Hull) has become the town drunk. But when Cavalry Captain Pender (John Dehner) sends word to Virginia City that he is in need of a reliable scout for a dangerous misison, Hoss Cartwright recommends Charlie, determined to rehabilitate the pathetic derelict. The strong supporting cast includeds Peter Whitney as Lewt Custer and Harry Carey Jr. as Corporal Burton. Written by Robert E. Thompson, "The Mission" first aired September 17, 1960. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

At the end of a cattle drive, the Cartwrights and their cowhands look forward to rest and relaxation in San Francisco, Instead, two of Ben's gullible drovers are shanghaied on a boat bound for Hong Kong. While searching for his missing employees, Ben is himself shanghaied, forcing Hoss and Joe to go to the rescue. Featured in the cast are Murvyn Vye as Cut-Rate Joe, Robert Nichols as Johnny and O.Z. Whitehead. Written by Thomas Thompson, "San Francisco Holiday" (aka "San Francisco") first aired on April 2, 1960. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

David Ladd, the son of movie idol Alan Ladd (and a future film executive in his own right) guest-stars as young Billy Allen, left all alone in the world by the death of his mother. Hoping to snap Billy out of his melancholy, Hoss Cartwright becomes close friends with the boy. Billy's loyalties and emotions are rent asunder when his outlaw father Vance (Logan Field) breaks out of jail and commits cold-blooded murder-forcing Hoss to shoot Vance down. Also appearing is Robert Tetrick as Pike. Written by John Furia Jr., "Feet of Clay" was first seen on April 16, 1960. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

The Cartwrights play host to former big game hunter Lord Marion Dunsford (Edward Ashley) and his wife Lady Beatrice (Hazel Court). Having grown to abhor violence and bloodshed, Dunsford is now an object of contempt and ridicule to his wife, who prefers the company of "real men" like Adam Cartwright. Jealous over Beatrice's growing attraction to Adam, Dunsford is goaded into one last-and potentially fatal-hunting expedition. Also appearing in this Bonanza episode from March 26, 1960 is Bert Freed as Simon Belcher. "The Last Trophy" was written by Bill S. Ballinger. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi