David Canary Movies

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

Though the title of this episode refers to the young lady played by Sheila Wells, the emphasis is on George's father, photographer Enos Blessing (Jack Albertson). Hired to provide an alibi for crooked lawyer Cato Troxell (Gerald Mohr), who plans to murder the judge (Fred Clark) responsible for hanging his brother, Blessing takes a group picture of the Ponderosa entourage, then doctors the photo to include Troxell. This little arrangement ultimately proves fatal for both Troxell and Blessing. Featured in the all-star supporting cast are Andy Devine and Patsy Kelly) as Roscoe and Mrs. Neely. Written by William H. Wright, "A Girl Named George" first aired on January 14, 1968. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The eleventh season of Bonanza was wrapped up on April 19, 1970 with the powerhouse episode "A Matter of Circumstance." Though several prominent actors-notably young Vincent Van Patten-appear in the supporting cast, the episode is virtually a one-man show, focusing on Michael Landon as Joe Cartwright. Left alone at the Ponderosa to await the arrival of a new cook, Joe is injured by a fall from his horse. Dazed and confused, Joe tries to stay conscious and treat his own injuries-even if it means amputating his own arm! The episode is distinguished by the subjective-camera direction of William F. Claxton, wherein we see most of the action through Joe's eyes. "A Matter of Circumstance" was written by B.W. Sandefur. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

John Astin and Emmaline Henry, who back in 1962 played husband and wife in the short-lived sitcom I'm Dickens-He's Fenster, were reunited in the December 21, 1969 Bonanza episode "Abner Willoughby's Return." Astin is cast as ex-miner Abner, who after 17 years at sea comes back to Virginia City to dig up the gold he buried before his departure. Thing of it is, the hiding place is now on the property owned by Widow Sprague (Emmaline Henry) and her son Charlie (Russell Schulman). When Abner tries to persuade the widow to move, he-and most of the Ponderosa men-are forced to remain on the property due to a quarantine. Written by Jack B. Sowards and Leslie McFarland, "Abner Willoughby's Return" was one of several Bonanza episodes which, for a variety of reasons, were withdrawn from the series' original syndication package; it has since been exhumed for cable-TV play. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The "Don Quixote" legend was given a 19th century western spin on Bonanza's inaugural eleventh-season entry "Another Windmill to Go." The Cartwrights are dumbstruck when they find Don Q. Hought (Laurence Naismath) rowing a wheeled boat across their grazing land. But Don Q. is not as daffy as he seems: His main purpose in life is to challenge obscure-and very silly-Federal laws. Also seen are Jill Townsend as Abbey, Bart Larue as Walters, Gregg Palmer as Benson and character comedian George Furth (who'd recently co-authored the hit Broadway musical Company) as Horace Keylot. Written by Palmer Thompson, "Another Windmill to Go" first aired on September 14, 1969, and was later selected by NBC for an "encore presentation" in the Summer of 1972. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Perhaps the silliest Bonanza episode ever filmed, "Caution, Easter Bunny Crossing" was written by Larry Markes. This is the one in which Hoss Cartwright dresses up in a huge rabbit costume to entertain a group of orphans at an Easter party. En route to the festivities, Hoss runs afoul of four dimwits from Brooklyn who hope to become wild-west outlaws. The incredible climax finds Hoss foiling the villains not with his six-guns but with an arsenal of pungent easter eggs. Marc Lawrence, Len Lesser, Vic Tayback and Art Metrano play the erstwhile outlaws, while other roles are filled by Allyn Ann McLerie and Sandy Kenyon. The familiar-sounding background music was earlier used as the theme for the classic TV puppet series Kukla, Fran and Ollie. "Caution, Easter Bunny Crossing" originally aired on March 29, 1970. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Unbeknownst to Hoss Cartwright, the horse he has just purchased previously belonged to a murdered millionaire. As a result, Hoss is railroaded into jail on a murder-theft charge. Threatened with lynching by a band of townsfolk eager to get their hands on the dead man's missing money, Hoss breaks out of jail with the help of black cowboy Child Barnett (Yaphet Kotto), a man who has spent virtually his entire adult life on the run. Others in the cast are John Marley as Sheriff Millet, Harry Hickox as Mayor Bingham, Henry Beckman as Charlie, Bruce Kirby as Chad, and bandleader Frank DeVol as Brother Stoner. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The Cartwrights give food and shelter to a bedraggled, impoverish company of army veterans, who have been denied their pensions for various and sundry reasons. What the Cartwrights don't know is that the ex-soldiers intend to get even with the government by robbing the Carson City mint. Complicating matters is the fact that one of the veterans, Sgt. Mike Russell (James Gregory), is an old friend of ranch hand Candy. First broadcast on February 2, 1969, "Company of Forgotten Men" was written by Kay Lenard and Jess Carneol. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Although Salty Hubbard (Arthur Hunnicutt) is Sunville's biggest liar, everyone in town believes Salty's claim that stranger Hoss Cartwright is really notorious outlaw Big Jack (Mike Mazurki). To stay alive, Hoss is forced to fake his own death, funeral and all. Meanwhile, the real Big Jack prepares to take full advantage of "Good Tuesday", a local bank holiday. In the episode's comic highlight, Hoss suddenly rises from the dead as the nonplussed Preacher (John Carradine) and the other mourners look on in bug-eyed terror. Others in the cast include Ivor Francis as the Banker and Milton Parsons as (what else?) the Undertaker. First shown on December 7, 1969, "Dead Wrong" was written and directed by Bonanza star Michael Landon. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Bonanza inaugurated its tenth season on September 15, 1968, with the episode titled "Same Pines, Different Winds." Irene Tedrow is cast as tenacious widow Carrie Picket, who owns a parcel of land which she calls "her piney woods." Because her late husband never filed a legal claim for the property, Carrie is threatened with eviction by evil lumber tycoon Jason Milburn (Herb Voland). Joe Cartwright tries to come to Carrie's aid-only to be harshly rebuked by the old woman, who trusts absolutely no one. Also appearing are John Randolph as Doc and G. D. Spradlin as Jenk. "Same Pines, Different Winds" was written by Suzanna Clauser. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Mary Fickett is cast as Erin O'Donnell, an Irish girl raised by the Sioux in Paiutes. Falling in love with Erin, Hoss Cartwright does his best to shield her from the bigotry of the townspeople. But Erin regards Hoss' efforts as futile, citing the tribal prophecy that she is "the wolf child, born to fight and die for the Indian.". Given the mortality rate of the Cartwright boys' sweethearts, it isn't hard to predict the outcome of this melancholy tale. Written by Sandy Summerhays, "Erin" was originally telecast on January 26, 1969, then rebroadcast by NBC on June 4, 1972. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

During a murder trial, Ben Cartwright is trapped in the basement of the courthouse by a mine cave-in. Also entombed with Ben are the accused murderer, the main prosecution witness, the witness' fiancee, and the court clerk. As Joe, Hoss, and Candy race against time to rescue the prisoners before the complete collapse of the courthouse, Ben unearths several startling facts about the people around him. The guest cast includes Tiffany Bolling, Scott Thomas, Don Knight, Ted Gehring and Eddie Firestone. Written by Ken Trevey, "Five Candles" has seldom aired since its network TV debut on March 2, 1969. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide