Pernell Roberts Movies
Pernell Roberts worked such odd jobs as butcher, forest ranger and tombstone-maker while studying acting and singing and scouting around for off-Broadway jobs. Roberts' film debut, in a characteristic Deep Brooder role, was in 1958's Desire Under the Elms. From 1959 through 1966, Roberts co-starred as black-clad, taciturn Adam Cartwright on Bonanza. "Aloof, rebellious and outspoken" was how Bonanza producer David Dotort summed up Roberts, who fought tooth and nail over every real or imagined challenge to his integrity (his biggest beef was that he had to call Lorne Greene "Pa" rather than "Father"). Fed up with what he perceived as the series' declining quality, Roberts left Bonanza in 1966; it was explained to fans that "Adam" had left to study at a European university. Free of his TV series commitment, Roberts returned to his first love, the stage--and also divested himself of the toupee he'd been forced to wear as Adam. The actor played the straw-hat circuit in such musicals as Camelot and The King and I, all the while accepting film and TV roles that came up to his standards. Unfortunately, his stubbornness and standoffishness left a sour taste with co-workers and fans alike, and Roberts was unable to soar to the artistic heights to which he aspired. After years of declaring that he'd never again return to the grind of weekly television, Roberts accepted the role of Dr. "Trapper" John McIntyre, chief of surgery at San Francisco memorial hospital, in the seven-season (1979-86) M*A*S*H spin-off Trapper John MD. In 1991 Pernell Roberts assumed the hosting duties of the TV anthology FBI: The Untold Stories. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi- 1965
In this frontier spin on Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew, Joan Hackett guest-stars as Margarita, the fiery, sharp-tongued daughter of a Mexican nobleman (Jay Novello). Having frightened off most of her potential suitors, Margarita may never be married-a sorry state of affairs for younger sister Eleana (Susan Silo), who cannot be wed until Margarita takes a hustand. It is up to Adam Cartwright to play "Petruchio" to Margarita's "Kate". Also in the cast are Cesare Danova as Luis, Eugene Iglesias as Carlos and Valentin DeVargas as Manuel. Written by Suzanne Clauser (with no credit afforded the Bard of Avon!), "Woman of Fire" first aired on January 17, 1965. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
- 1965
The great Ed Wynn appears on this Bonanza episodes a Phineas T. Klump, a lovable old eccentric who is determined to be the first man to fly. Klump hopes to achieve this goal with a bulky set of artificial feathered wings, with "true believer" Hoss Cartwright as his ground crew. But when Klump is injured in a fall, it is Hoss who dons the wings for an experimental ascent (or descent!) from a high cliff. Marlyn Mason costars as Klump's granddaughter Amanda. Written by Blair Robertson and Hazel Swanson, "Ponderosa Birdman" first aired on February 7 1965. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
- 1965
Held in thrall by a gang of rustlers, the local cattleman's association hires a professional gunman named Simmons (Robert Wilke) to deal with the outlaws. The Cartwrights vote against engaging the services of Simmons, fearing that he will cause more harm than good. Their predictions apparently come true when one of the rancher's wives is mysteriously killed. Also appearing are Earl Holliman as Clegg and Don Collier as Tatum. First telecast January 31, 1965, "The Flannel-Mouth Gun" was cowritten by actor Leo Gordon and Paul Leslie Wilke. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
- 1965
A group of flamboyant Italian acrobats pay a visit to the Ponderosa. Despite his long friendship with Guido Borelli (Cesar Romero), leader of the acrobats, Ben Cartwright is disturbed over Borelli's exhibitions of jealousy whenever his sweetheart Pitina (Ilze Taurins) shows interest in another man-such as Ben's son Joe. When Borelli's younger rival Carlo (Fabrizio Mioni) is stabbed, Guido tries to frame Joe for the act. Lily Valenty rounds out the guest cast as Donna Luisa. Written by Jo Pagano, "The Deadliest Game" was originally shown on February 21, 1965. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
- 1965
Pernell Roberts plays a dual role in this February 14, 1965 installment of Bonanza. Adam Cartwright discovers that his exact double, a man named Tom Burns, is posing as Adam to raise money under false pretense. With the help of a saloon girl named Ann (Lola Albright), Adam attempts to track down his lookalike-only to be threatened by Tom's apparent murderer. "The Search" was written by series "regular" Frank Cleaver. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
- 1965
When her husband Booth (Steve Cochran) is murdered, Hallie Shannon (Joan Freeman) is convinced that her former sweetheart Joe Cartwright committed the dirty deed so that Joe and Hallie could be together again. Unfortunately, Booth's twin brother Buck (also Steve Cochran) is of the same opinion-and Buck has a notoriously itchy trigger finger. Joe's troubles are compounded when Hallie herself turns up dead. This episode posted the series' highest ratings of the season when it originally aired on March 28, 1965. "The Trap" was written by Ken Pettus. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
- 1964
As originally intended, Kathie Browne was to make between eight and ten Bonanza appearances as widow Laura Dayton, so as to prepare audiences for the wedding of Laura and Adam Cartwright-and the eventual exit from the series of Pernell Roberts. In addition, Guy Williams had been brought in as Adam's (and Roberts') potential replacement, Ben's nephew Will Cartwright. But the series' female fans responded negatively to the notion of Adam taking a bride, while the other cast members reportedly felt threatened by the charismatic Williams' presence on the set. As a result, both Browne and Williams were deftly written out of the show in the episode titled "Triangle." A sequel to the previous week's "The Pressure Game", this installment found Laura and Will suffering the pangs of guilt over their burgeoning romance, which left a temporarily wheelchair-bound Adam out in the cold. Everything turned out happily in the end-except perhaps for Kathie Browne and Guy Williams, who never appeared on the series again. Written by Frank Cleaver, "Triangle" first aired on May 17, 1964. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
- 1964
Season Five of Bonanza came to a close on May 24, 1964 with the episode titled "Walter and the Outlaws", a sequel to the previous season's "Any Friend of Walter's" (the scripts for both episodes were written by Lois Hire). Arthur Hunnicutt returns as grizzled prospector Obie, who lives in a squalid shack with his pet dog, the redoubtable Walter. Also making return appearances are Steve Brodie, Vic Werber and James Luisi as dimwitted but deadly outlaws Macie, Teague, and Willard, still determined to steal Obie's cache of gold. This time around, the crooked trio kidnap Walter, hoping to make Obie surrender his treasure. The prospector and the Cartwrights concoct an elaborate rescue scheme which goes hilariously awry. The classic scene in which head outlaw Macie is forced to take castor oil has, alas, often been removed from syndicated prints of "Walter and the Outlaws." ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
- 1964
Publicly humiliated by town tough Al Mooney (Ron Foster), young Johnny Chapman (Guy Stockwell) asks his friend Joe Cartwright to teach him how to use a gun. Joe agrees, but eventually regrets this decision when Johnny becomes a cold-blooded bounty hunter. Making matters worse, Johnny has been hired to gun down his former girlfriend Olive (Valerie Allen)-and also Joe Cartwright. Written by Dan Ullman, "Invention of a Gunfighter" originally aired September 20, 1964, as the inaugural episode of Bonanza's sixth season. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
- 1964
A gang of four criminals-three men, one women-kidnap Ben and hold him for a $100,000 ransom. Tension mounts as Ben tries to formulate an escape plan by turning the crooks against each other. The guest cast includes Harold J. Stone as Chad, Jacqueline Scott as Willa, and Conlan Carter as Tip. Written by Donn Mullally, "The Hostage" originally aired on September 27, 1964 without commercial interruption, as part of an agreement between the Bonanza producers and their longtime sponsor Chevrolet to air one episode per season sans interior ads. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
- 1964
"The Wild One" is ornery Lafe Jessup (Aldo Ray), a pugnacious horse wrangler who'd sooner pick a fight than eat or sleep. While trying to pummel Hoss Cartwright, Lafe is interrupted by Prudence (Kathryn Hays), the Quaker wife whom he'd deserted a few months back. Prudence announces that Lafe is about to become a father-but in his typical bullheaded fashion, he wants nothing to do with either his wife or his unborn child. First telecast October 4, 1964, "The Wild One" was written by Jo Pagano. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
- 1964
Adam Cartwright is rescued from drowning by Tom Wilson (Rory Calhoun), a man as lucky at cards as he is at love. Though grateful to Tom, Adam looks askance when Tom moves in on Matilda (Barbara Wilkin), the girlfriend of a man named Jerry (Tom Skerritt). When Tom is accused of killing Matilda's father, Adam tries to prove his innocence-a task that proves deceptively easy when Sue makes an all-too-convenient confession. Written by Jerry Adelman, "Thanks For Everything, Friend" originally aired on October 11, 1964. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
- 1964
When Sam Logan (Dan Duryea) was sent to prison, he claimed he didn't know where his partner Jack Crawford hid $100,000 in stolen gold. After serving 20 years, Sam is released, whereupon his trail is dogged by a number of shady and avaricious characters, among them a relentless bounty hunter named Reed (John Kellogg) and Crawford's son Mike (Tim McIntire). Because he is the man whose testimony sent Sam to prison, Ben Cartwright also becomes swept up in the search for the missing gold. Virginia Gregg appears in the role of Angie. First shown on October 18, 1964, "Logan's Treasure" was written by Ken Pettus and Robert Sabaroff. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
- 1964
George Kennedy guest-stars as Waldo Watson, a born loser who has decided to end it all. Feeling pity for Waldo, Hoss Cartwright hires him as a Ponderosa ranch hand. Alas, not only is Waldo a clumsy and inept worker, but he also puts the Cartwrights' lives in danger, courtesy of a gang of trigger-happy Eastern gamblers who want to collect a long-standing debt from the hapless Waldo. Others in the cast include Sandra Warner as Nancy Collings and Richard Devon as Weaver. Written by Rod Peterson, "The Scapegoat" originally aired October 25, 1964. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
- 1964
First telecast March 22, 1964, "Return to Honor" served to introduce onetime Zorro star Guy Williams in the role of Ben Cartwright's nephew Will-a potential replacement for Adam Cartwright, should Pernell Roberts make good on his repeated threats to leave Bonanza. As the story opens, Ben receives word that Will has been murdered in the neighboring town of Pine City. In truth, the wounded Cartwright cousin is hiding out from a gang of counterfeiters whose engraving plates he has "borrowed." Others in the cast include Arch Johnson (Butler), Robert Wilke (Marshal), Hugh Sanders (Doctor), Gregg Palmer (Gannett) and Bill Clark (Jenner). "Return to Honor" was written by Jack Turley. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
- 1964
Bruce Yarnell makes his first appearance as the Cartwrights' cousin Muley from Missouri. "Blessed" with a singing voice that can literally shatter glass, Muley manages to make life difficult for his rich relations-and also inadvetently louses up negotiations with a neighboring Indian tribe. The supporting cast includes such dependable character actors as Jesse White, Jerome Cowan, Strother Martin and Ralph Moody, the latter in his standard role as an elderly Indian chief. Written by Robert Barron and Alex Sharp, "The Saga of Muley Jones" was originally telecast on March 29, 1964. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
- 1964
The focus is on new series regular Will Cartwright (Guy Williams) in the Peter Packer-scripted Bonanza episode "The Roper." In the absence of Ben and his sons, outlaws invade the Ponderosa, attempt to rob Ben's safe, and take Will as hostage. As the crooks await Ben's return-the better to demand the combination of the safe, then kill the Cartwright patriarch-Will desperately concocts a scheme to save himself and Emma (Julie Sommars, the put-upon wife of outlaw leader Lee Hewitt (Scott Marlowe). "The Roper" first aired April 5, 1964. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
- 1964
Hoping to purchase some fireworks from the Chinese Yiphee Trading Company, Hoss Cartwright gets his order scrambled, and as a result winds up with a "picture bride" named Tai Li (Marlo Thomas), aka Pink Cloud. Hardly the shy, retiring type, the feisty, outspoken Tai Li proceeds to make like miserable for Hoss, and also throws a monkey wrench in Virginia City's plans to build a railroad spur. The cast includes Benson Fong and Philip Ahn. Written by Lewis Clay, "A Pink Cloud Comes from Old Cathy" originally aired on April 12, 1964. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
- 1964
This landmark Bonanza episode stars William Marshall (long before his tenure as "Blacula" and as "The King of Cartoons" on Pee-wee's Playhouse) in the role of celebrated black opera singer Thomas Bowers. Returning from a triumphant tour of Italy, Bowers encounters the rawest, most vicious forms of bigotry and prejudice when he arrives in Virginia City. Worse still, Bowers faces arrest as an escaped slave. The Cartwrights come to Bowers' aid. Others in the cast include Ena Hartman as Caroline, Kelly Thordsen as Sam, Jason Wingreen as Luke and Alice Frost as Mrs. Gable. This episode caused a stir in some areas due to its sensitive subject matter. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
- 1964
The men of the Ponderosa cannot understand why bounty hunter Dev Farnum (Dennis Hopper) is so unfriendly and secretive. Could it have anything to do with the fact that Dev is the outcast son of a celebrated preacher? Or perhaps it is because the Cartwrights' house guest is Holly Burnside (Susan Seaforth), the wife of Jamey Boy Briggs (Ron Starr)-the man whom Farnum has been hired to bring in, dead or alive. Written by William Bruckner, "The Dark Past" first aired May 3, 1964. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
- 1964
Kathie Browne makes her third appearance as Adam Cartwright's erstwhile lady friend Laura Dayton. Encouraged by her Aunt Lil (Joan Blondell) to rush Adam into marriage, Laura decides to make her sweetheart jealous by playing up to Adam's cousin Will (Guy Williams). The scheme backfires when Laura and Will fall in love for real. First telecast on May 10, 1964, "The Pressure Game" was written by Don Tait. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
- 1964
Ernest Truex guest-stars as "Square Deal Sam" Washburn, a veteran confidence trickster. Sam's latest suckers are the Cartwrights and their cook Hop Sing, whom he sweet-talks into a phony land deal. But redemption is at hand for Sam and his wife Martha (Nydia Westman), courtesy of a group of cherubic orphans. Sandy Kenyon rounds out the guest cast as Gibson. First telecast on November 8, 1964, "Square Deal Sam" was written by Jessica Benson and Murray Golden. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
- 1964
Pulp novelist Tobias Finch (Walter Brooke) wants to write "The Saga of the Courageous Cartwrights"-but the courageous Cartwrights want no part of such an exploitive project. Undaunted, Finch decides to pen the life story of over-the-hill lawman Reed Laramore (Bruce Cabot), who revels in being "glorified." Inevitably, Laramore causes trouble for everyone concerned when he tries to live up to his own legend. Cowritten by Richard and Esther Shapiro, "A Dime's Worth of Glory" was first shown on November 1, 1964. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
- 1964
"Old Sheba" is a scraggly circus elephant, which the Cartwrights receive as payment for Hoss' one-night stand as a big-top performer. Ben and Adam insist that Hoss and Joe return the pachyderm, but the boys are convinced that they can take care of Old Sheba all by themselves. To make a long story short, they can't. Also appearing are William Demarest as Tweedy, Henry Kulky as Bearcat, and Clegg Hoyt as Barney. First shown on November 22, 1964, the hilarious "Old Sheba" was written by Alex Sharp. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
- 1964
This compelling Bonanza episode focuses almost exclusively on Little Joe Cartwright. Plagued by a fear of heights, Joe suffers severe nightmares after losing his rifle on precarious Eagles Peak. The only way Joe will find peace is to "conquer" the peak and retrieve his weapon-but he may not live to accomplish this goal. Ed Adamson's teleplay was reportedly inspired by star Michael Landon's real-life phobia concerning high places, a problem that he willingly revealed to his legions of fans. The supporting cast includes Richard Jaeckel as Mitch. "Between Heaven and Earth" originally aired on November 15, 1964. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Starring:
- Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, (more)
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