Creator David Dortort introduced a storyline that would keep the character of Adam in the mix, but with a lighter schedule. During season five Adam falls for a widow with a young daughter, while making Will Cartwright a central figure. Early in the show’s history, he recalls each of his late wives in flashback episodes.
- During the first season extra horses were rented from the Idyllwild Stables in Idyllwild, also in the San Jacinto Mountains.
- The time period for the television series is roughly between 1861 (Season 1) to 1867 (Season 13) during and shortly after the American Civil War.
- Vogel played the red-haired orphan of a roving rainmaker, whom Ben takes in and adopts later in a 1971 episode, called “A Home For Jamie”.
- The Hop Sing character is depicted not only as a cook but also a family counselor and herbal healer.
- The show is set in the 1860s and centers on the wealthy Cartwright family, who live in the vicinity of Virginia City, Nevada, bordering Lake Tahoe.
- Dortort was impressed by Canary’s talent, but the character vanished in September 1970, after Canary had a contract dispute.
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Lorne Greene – Ben Cartwright
Fourteen-year-old Mitch Vogel was introduced as Jamie Hunter Cartwright in “A Matter of Faith” (season 12, episode 363). Vogel played the red-haired orphan of a roving rainmaker, whom Ben takes in and adopts later in a 1971 episode, called “A Home For Jamie”. Beginning in 1962, a foundation was being laid to include another “son”, as Pernell Roberts was displeased with his character.
David Canary – “Candy” Canaday
Dortort was impressed by Canary’s talent, but the character vanished in September 1970, after Canary had a contract dispute. He returned two seasons later after co-star Dan Blocker’s death, reportedly having been approached by Landon. The Bonanza theme song opens with a blazing Ponderosa map and saddlebound Cartwrights. The melodic intro, emulating galloping horses, is one of the most recognized television scores. Although there were two official sets of lyrics (some country-western singers, avoiding royalties, substituted the copyright renditions with their own words), the series simply used an instrumental theme. Before the pilot aired (on September 12, 1959), the song sequence, deemed too campy, was edited out of the scene and instead the Bonanza City casino Cartwrights headed back to the ranch whooping and howling.
Season 12 (1970–
- In the episode “First Born” (1962), viewers learn of Little Joe’s older, maternal half-brother Clay Stafford.
- After four years with the series, Canary left due to a contract dispute.
- David Canary returned to his former role of Candy (to offset Hoss’ absence), and a new character named Griff King (played by Tim Matheson) was added in an attempt to lure younger viewers.
- Ben and his sons then continued west, reaching Nevada, and through much hard work established the Ponderosa Ranch.
- Little Joe had a son named Benjamin ‘Benj’ Cartwright who was played by Landon’s real-life son and seen in all three Bonanza TV movies.
- He returned two seasons later after co-star Dan Blocker’s death, reportedly having been approached by Landon.
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The character departed in that same episode, but left an opportunity for a return if needed. In the 1963 flashback episode “Marie, My Love”, his father was Jean De’Marigny. Little Joe had a son named Benjamin ‘Benj’ Cartwright who was played by Landon’s real-life son and seen in all three Bonanza TV movies.
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- However, the unexpected death of Blocker in 1972 left a bigger hole, and Bonanza ended one season later.
- Beginning in 1962, a foundation was being laid to include another “son” as Pernell Roberts was displeased with his character.
- In the ninth season, David Canary was added to the cast as ranch hand/foreman Candy Canady.
- Bonanza is an NBC-produced television series that ran on the NBC network from September 12, 1959 to January 16, 1973.
- Early in the show’s history, Ben recalls each of his late wives in flashback episodes.
- According to David Dortort, sponsor General Motors was anxious about the episode.
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The series sought to illustrate the cruelty of bigotry against Asians, African Americans, Native Americans, Jews, Mormons, the disabled, and little people. Though not familiar stars in 1959, the cast quickly became favorites of the first television generation.