Bonanza - Western Classic Celebrates 50 Years
Why The Biggest Hit TV Series of the 1960s Still Remains Relevant
Premiering September 12th, 1959, on NBC, Bonanza was television’s first full-hour western series filmed in color. For western series, Bonanza is second only to Gunsmoke, running an amazing 14 seasons (1959-1973), and producing a grand total of 431 episodes.
Bonanza's Popularity In the 1960s
Facing possible cancellation during its first season, Bonanza was saved by network executives, since they were particularly keen on promoting new RCA color television sets to an audience still using black and white sets (RCA was NBC’s corporate parent).
Given a new lease on life, Bonanza settled into the Top 5 by 1961, staying there until 1971, becoming the most popular series of the 1960s. In fact, Bonanza ranked #1 from 1964--1967 in the Nielsen ratings, and it still airs regularly around the world. For the United States, the TVLand network is the primary home of this classic show.
The Cartwrights
Bonanza’s premise went like this: a three-time widower, Ben Cartwright, portrayed by Canadian actor Lorne Greene, was one of the largest landowners in Nevada. Calling his home The Ponderosa, Ben had three sons, each from a different mother, who helped him on his ranch, with plenty of adventure thrown in for good measure.
The eldest son was Adam, portrayed by Waycross, Georgia native Pernell Roberts. He was essentially the more serious and level-headed of the brothers. Pernell left the series at the end of the 1964 – 1965 season in order to seek more quality roles, with actor David Canary eventually replacing Adam in 1967 as a ranch hand taken in by the Cartwrights.
Next, actor Dan Blocker portrayed middle son Hoss Cartwright. Hoss was a very big man, able to win any fight, yet his heart was as large as his empowering frame. He passed away unexpectedly during a gall bladder operation in 1972, which ultimately led to the show’s cancellation. Many fans considered Hoss to be the heart of the show.
Spotlighting Michael Landon as Little Joe Cartwright
Actor Michael Landon rounded up the main cast as Little Joe, Ben’s youngest son. Often letting his emotions get the best of him, Little Joe was quick to fight, and many girls fell for his handsome, charming attributes.
Landon went on to even greater fame in the series Little House on the Prairie and Highway to Heaven, staying on television continually from 1959 until his death in 1991, a remarkable achievement. During later seasons of Bonanza, Michael developed his writing and directing skills, always wringing the emotion out of any scene he oversaw.
Why Bonanza Endures
So, why is Bonanza still successful today? Consider this: Bonanza had its fair share of fistfights and gunfights, but the show always centered on the family bond between the four Cartwrights.
Even if an attractive lady fell in love with one of the Cartwrights, the audience always knew the family would never split up. Today families can still watch Bonanza today without worrying about excessive violence, profanity, or sexual themes. A strong sense of morality maintained the show’s backbone.
Episodes were not strictly shoot-em-ups, either. Bonanza was innovative in devoting full episodes to comedy, storylines which included leprechauns, multiplying rabbits, and Hoss attempting to fly. Then, for the next week, a drama would be shown. This remarkable ability to delve into other genres should be credited to creator and producer David Dortort.
Relevant Social Issues, Writing, And Directing
Racism was addressed on Bonanza during a time when it was not fashionable to do so, ranging from the effects of slavery to the persecution of Chinese workers. Michael Landon wrote and directed an episode entitled “The Wish” in 1969 that dealt with Hoss trying to help a black family combat prejudice after the Civil War’s conclusion, one that Landon called his favorite of the entire series.
The writing and direction were also commendable. Storylines were never convoluted, always following a logical progression. The majority of episodes did not follow a serial format, either, thus ensuing channel surfers might pause and view an episode without having to dwell on the backstory.
Strong Performances
The four main leads were all highly skilled, proficient actors, able to make the audience believe and identify on some level with whatever situation they faced. For example, when Little Joe had terrible nightmares due to his fear of heights, the viewer felt his anguish.
Notable guest stars are also a draw for audiences. Today it is amazing to spot all the stars that did some of their earliest work on Bonanza, including Telly Savalas, Charles Bronson, James Coburn, Jodie Foster, Marlo Thomas, Dennis Hopper, Jack Lord, or Carroll O’Connor.
When younger generations watch Bonanza, the vivid color and cinematography of the series also create a timeless quality. The show simply does not look fifty years old, and the gorgeous locations in Lake Tahoe, Arizona, and California only add to its luster.
Finally on DVD (Season One, That Is)
The current popularity of Bonanza shows no sign of wavering today. The first season of Bonanza finally arrived on DVD in September to commemorate its 50th anniversary. Bonanza is the epitome of television excellence to this day, and thanks to syndication, new generations will continue to discover this classic western series.
References
- Ponderosa Scenery Website: http://ponderosascenery.homestead.com/
- Bonanza World Website: http://bonanzaworld.net/
- Bonanza Gold: The Magazine
Bonanza: Season One, Vol. 1 DVD Cover
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Bonanza: Season One, Vol, 2 DVD Cover
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