Bonanza season 2

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Contents

Bonanza
Season 2
Bonanza main cast 1959.JPG
Cast of Bonanza in 1959
Starring
No. of episodes34
Release
Original network NBC
Original releaseSeptember 10, 1960 (1960-09-10) –
June 3, 1961 (1961-06-03)
Season chronology
← Previous
Season 1
Next →
Season 3
List of episodes

The second season of the American Western television series Bonanza premiered on NBC on September 10, 1960, with the final episode airing June 3, 1961. [1] The series was developed and produced by David Dortort, and season two starred Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, Dan Blocker, and Michael Landon. The season consisted of 34 episodes of the series's total 431 hour-long episodes, the entirety of which was produced in color. [2] It aired on Saturdays from 7:30 pm–8:30 pm on NBC [3] and placed at number 17 in the Nielsen ratings. [4]

Synopsis

Bonanza is set around the Ponderosa Ranch near Virginia City, Nevada and chronicles the weekly adventures of the Cartwright family, consisting of Ben Cartwright and his three sons (each by a different wife), Adam, Eric ("Hoss"), and Joseph ("Little Joe"). A regular character is their ranch cook, Hop Sing. A new recurring character is added, sheriff Roy Coffee.

Cast and characters

Main cast

Recurring

Guest stars

Production

Being in the same timeslot as Perry Mason , it took some time for the show to catch on. NBC saw improvement in the ratings toward the end of the premiere season and so renewed the series for another season. [5]

Episode 34, "Sam Hill", was the pilot episode for an unsold spinoff. [6]

Casting

Ray Teal was added as recurring character Sheriff Roy Coffee. [7]

Filming

Episode 8 of the season, "The Abduction", was filmed entirely on a Paramount soundstage. [8] Location shooting for episode 12, "The Savage", took place at Franklin lake in Hollywood and Iverson's Movie Ranch. [9] Iverson's Movie Ranch was also used for episode 23, "The Rescue". [10] Red Rock Canyon was used for episode 24, "The Dark Gate" and episode 27, "The Gift". [11] Episode 30, "Thunderhead Swindle", was filmed at Bronson Canyon. [12]

Episodes

Bonanza, season 2 episodes
No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
331"Showdown" Lewis Allen Dean Riesner September 10, 1960 (1960-09-10)
The youngest member (Ben Cooper) of a gang that has just robbed Virginia City's bank takes a job with the Cartwrights so the sheriff doesn't find his accomplices.
342"The Mission" James Neilson Robert E. Thompson September 17, 1960 (1960-09-17)
Hoss befriends Charlie Trent (Henry Hull), the town drunk who was once a top scout in the Army before he led his troops into a massacre. Hoss helps him regain his self-esteem. John Dehner guest stars.
353"Badge Without Honor" Arthur Lubin John Twist September 24, 1960 (1960-09-24)
The Cartwrights grow suspicious of U.S. Deputy Marshall Gerald Eskith (Dan Duryea), assigned to escort a reluctant witness, who is also a close friend of theirs, to a racketeering trial in San Francisco.
364"The Mill" John Rich Halsted WellesOctober 1, 1960 (1960-10-01)
The Cartwrights offer to build a mill for their paraplegic neighbor Tom Edwards (Harry Townes) and his wife Joyce (Dianne Foster), who is a longtime friend of Ben. Tom's hired hand, Ezekiel (Claude Akins), is suspicious of Ben.
375"The Hopefuls"James Neilson E. Jack Neuman October 8, 1960 (1960-10-08)
A Quaker woman convinces Adam to take her wagon train on a perilous journey west. He doesn't know that the woman's father has eyes on the gold that they are carrying to the promised land. Larry Gates, Patricia Donahue and Dennis Patrick guest star.
386"Denver McKee" Jacques Tourneur Fred Freiberger and Steve McNeilOctober 15, 1960 (1960-10-15)
Retired U.S. Deputy Marshall Denver McKee (Franchot Tone) is willing to do anything to make his daughter (Natalie Trundy) happy. Bob Barker guest stars.
397"Day of Reckoning" Richard H. Bartlett Story by : Leonard Heideman
Teleplay by : Leonard Heideman and R. Harner Norris		October 22, 1960 (1960-10-22)
A bigoted and racist farmer (Karl Swenson) takes action when Ben gives an Indian a piece of land as a reward for saving his life. Ricardo Montalbán and Madlyn Rhue guest star.
408"The Abduction" Charles Haas Herman GrovesOctober 29, 1960 (1960-10-29)
Joe's carnival date Jennifer Beale (Jackie Russell) is abducted in a deadly ransom plot orchestrated to extort money from her rich father Joshua. The plan unravels when Hercules (Robert Maffei) finds out who killed the woman he loved, Delia (Barbara Lawrence). Gerald Mohr and Stafford Repp guest star.
419"Breed of Violence"Johnny FloreaDavid LangNovember 5, 1960 (1960-11-05)
Dolly Kincaid (Myrna Fahey) defies her lawman father (Val Avery) and runs off with a handsome stranger (John Ericson) who is actually a bank robber.
4210"The Last Viking"Johnny FloreaAnthony LawrenceNovember 12, 1960 (1960-11-12)
Hoss's uncle Gunnar (Neville Brand) turns out to be the leader of a vicious band of outlaws called the Commancheros that kidnaps Little Joe and his girlfriend.
4311"The Trail Gang"John Rich Carey Wilber November 26, 1960 (1960-11-26)
Outlaw Johnny Logan (Richard Davalos) plots his revenge against his sheriff-father (James Westerfield) for sending him to prison years ago. To succeed, he disguises as Sam Jackson, a young drifter hired by Ben, who isn't aware of Johnny's real identity. Edgar Buchanan guest stars.
4412"The Savage"James NeilsonJoseph Stone and Paul King December 3, 1960 (1960-12-03)
Adam falls for a girl (Anna-Lisa) believed by Indians to be the white buffalo woman. The tribe wants to harm her and is looking for her.
4513"Silent Thunder" Robert Altman John Furia Jr. December 10, 1960 (1960-12-10)
A deaf girl (Stella Stevens) is treated badly by her father and Joe decides to help her by teaching her sign language. The girl misunderstands Joe's actions as gestures of love.
4614"The Ape"James P. Yarbrough Gene L. Coon December 17, 1960 (1960-12-17)
Hoss tries to help a mentally-challenged man with immense physical strength to control his temper. His efforts are undermined by a saloon girl. Karen Sharpe and Leonard Nimoy guest star.
4715"The Blood Line"Lewis AllenWilliam Raynor and Myles Wilder December 31, 1960 (1960-12-31)
Todd Grayson (David Macklin) seeks revenge on Ben for the death of his father Luke. Jan Sterling and Lee Van Cleef guest star.
4816"The Courtship"James P. YarbroughRichard MorganJanuary 7, 1961 (1961-01-07)
Hoss falls in love and proposes to a beautiful woman (Julie Adams) Adam knows is a compulsive gambler and only interested in Hoss' money.
4917"The Spitfire"William D. Faralla Ward Hawkins January 14, 1961 (1961-01-14)
A family seeks revenge against Joe for shooting the treacherous patriarch in self-defense after the man tried to set fire to the Ponderosa. Jack Elam and Katherine Warren guest star.
5018"The Bride" Alvin Ganzer Richard NewmanJanuary 21, 1961 (1961-01-21)
A beautiful young woman (Suzanne Lloyd) claims to be Ben's wife and a sheriff (John McIntire) falsely charges him with murder - all in a complex scheme to take over the Ponderosa. Adam West guest stars.
5119"Bank Run"Robert AltmanN.B. Stone Jr.January 28, 1961 (1961-01-28)
Joe and Hoss rob the bank in an attempt to stop the owner from foreclosing on a depositor, but they end up being pursued by the law. Dan Tobin and Ian Wolfe guest star.
5220"The Fugitive"Lewis AllenRichard H. LandauFebruary 4, 1961 (1961-02-04)
Adam investigates a friend's death in Mexico, only to be faced with hostile townspeople and the dead man's wife. Ziva Rodann, James Best, Frank Silvera and Arthur Batanides guest star.
5321"Vengeance"Dick ModerMarion ParsonnetFebruary 11, 1961 (1961-02-11)
Hoss is shot by the vengeful brother (Adam Williams) of the man he accidentally killed, Willie the town drunk (Keith Richards). Beverly Tyler guest stars.
5422"Tax Collector" William Witney Arnold BelgardFebruary 18, 1961 (1961-02-18)
The citizens of Virginia City unite to rebel against the new tax collector Jock Henry (Eddie Firestone), who uses peculiar methods to figure out how much people owe.
5523"The Rescue"William D. FarallaSteve McNeilFebruary 25, 1961 (1961-02-25)
Ben must rescue his sons from cattle rustlers. Leif Erickson and Richard Coogan guest star.
5624"The Dark Gate" Robert Gordon Ward HawkinsMarch 4, 1961 (1961-03-04)
Rancher Ross Marquette (James Coburn) is behaving strangely and he accuses his friend Adam of having an affair with his wife.
5725"The Duke"Robert AltmanStory by : Theodore & Mathilde Ferro
Teleplay by : William R. Cox		March 11, 1961 (1961-03-11)
A British boxer called the Duke (Maxwell Reed) with a weakness for the ladies faces Hoss in a prizefight. JD (Jason Evers), the Cartwrights' meek friend, is pulverized by the Duke who also assaults Marge (Randy Stuart), a saloon girl who adores JD. The Duke's manager (J. Pat O'Malley), who is his brother, comes to her rescue.
5826"Cutthroat Junction"Dick ModerNat TanchuckMarch 18, 1961 (1961-03-18)
Jed Trask (Robert Lansing) joins the outlaws he was supposed to stop when he is abruptly fired during his mission. He is helped by some people of the Virginia City council.
5927"The Gift"William Witney Denne Bart Petitclerc and Thomas ThompsonApril 1, 1961 (1961-04-01)
Joe and a friend (Martin Landau) trek across the desert with a valuable Arab stallion to get a birthday present for Joe's father, unaware that they're being stalked by horse thieves.
6028"The Rival"Robert AltmanAnthony LawrenceApril 15, 1961 (1961-04-15)
Hoss has a crisis of conscience when he sees Jim Applegate (Charles Aidman), a rival for his sweetheart Cameo (Peggy Ann Garner)'s affections, leaving the scene of a lynching.
6129"The Infernal Machine"William WitneyWard HawkinsApril 22, 1961 (1961-04-22)
A con man persuades the citizens of Virginia City to invest in a horseless carriage. A promoter sells shares into the invention, but all of a sudden he skips town. Eddie Ryder, June Kenney, Nora Hayden and George Kennedy guest star.
6230"The Thunderhead Swindle"Dick ModerGene L. CoonApril 29, 1961 (1961-04-29)
There's a sharp rise in unemployment and Ben tries to disprove reports of a silver strike which he believes is fraudulent. Parley Baer, Judson Pratt, Vito Scotti and Ross Elliott guest star.
6331"The Secret"Robert AltmanJohn HawkinsMay 6, 1961 (1961-05-06)
Joe is falsely accused of murdering a girl following a family friend's testimony. The Cartwrights race to prove his innocence. Crahan Denton guest stars.
6432"The Dream Riders"Robert AltmanJames Van Wagoner and Jack McClainMay 20, 1961 (1961-05-20)
A balloonist distracts the citizens of Virginia City while his associates make plans to rob the bank. Sidney Blackmer and Stuart Nisbet guest star.
6533"Elizabeth, My Love"Lewis AllenAnthony LawrenceMay 27, 1961 (1961-05-27)
Ben remembers his time with Elizabeth Stoddard (Geraldine Brooks), Adam's mother, while his son is seriously ill.
6634"Sam Hill"Robert Altman David Dortort June 3, 1961 (1961-06-03)
The Cartwrights help blacksmith Sam Hill (Claude Akins) keep the land where his mother is buried after his drunk father (Edgar Buchanan) signed it away to an old enemy (Ford Rainey). Directed by Robert Altman.

Release

The season aired on Saturdays from 7:30 pm–8:30 pm on NBC. [3] The timeslot was deliberate. It was a time when many people were shopping in department stores, and they could see the show displayed on color televisions at period when color television sets had not yet been widely adopted. [13] However, many people watching at home were still tuning in to Perry Mason in that timeslot. [13]

Reception

Variety gave the first episode of the season a better review than the previous season, writing that the acting and direction "were up to pro standards", and that the show "appears to have a good workable concept riding for it". [7]

Season two finished at number 17 in the Nielsen ratings. [4]

Related Research Articles

<i>Bonanza</i> American western television series

Bonanza is an American Western television series that ran on NBC from September 12, 1959, to January 16, 1973. Lasting 14 seasons and 432 episodes, Bonanza is NBC's longest-running Western, the second-longest-running Western series on U.S. network television, and one of the longest-running, live-action American series. The show continues to air in syndication. 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. The series initially starred Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, Dan Blocker and Michael Landon and later featured Guy Williams, David Canary, Mitch Vogel and Tim Matheson. The show is known for presenting pressing moral dilemmas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Landon</span> American actor and filmmaker (1936–1991)

Michael Landon was an American actor and filmmaker. He is known for his roles as Little Joe Cartwright in Bonanza (1959–1973), Charles Ingalls in Little House on the Prairie (1974–1983), and Jonathan Smith in Highway to Heaven (1984–1989). Landon appeared on the cover of TV Guide 22 times, second only to Lucille Ball.

The Ponderosa Ranch was a theme park based on the television western Bonanza, which housed the land, timber and livestock-rich Cartwright family. The amusement park operated in Incline Village, Nevada, near Lake Tahoe, from 1968 until 2004. Portions of the last five seasons of the TV series and three television films were also filmed at that location.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pernell Roberts</span> American actor (1928–2010)

Pernell Elven Roberts Jr. was an American stage, film, and television actor, activist, and singer. In addition to guest-starring in over 60 television series, he was best known for his roles as Ben Cartwright's eldest son Adam Cartwright on the Western television series Bonanza (1959–1965), and as chief surgeon John McIntyre, the title character on Trapper John, M.D. (1979–1986).

The Ponderosa is a television series developed by Bonanza creator David Dortort for PAX TV that ran for the 2001–2002 television season.

<i>Bonanza</i> season 1 Season of television series

The first season of the American Western television series Bonanza premiered on NBC on September 12, 1959, with the final episode airing April 30, 1960. The series was developed and produced by David Dortort, and season one starred Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, Dan Blocker, and Michael Landon. The season consisted of 32 episodes of the series's total 431 hour-long episodes, the entirety of which was produced in color. It aired on Saturdays from 7:30 pm–8:30 pm on NBC and placed at number 45 in the Nielsen ratings.

<i>Bonanza</i> season 3 Season of television series

The third season of the American Western television series Bonanza premiered on NBC on September 24, 1961, with the final episode airing May 20, 1962. The series was developed and produced by David Dortort, and season three starred Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, Dan Blocker, and Michael Landon. The season consisted of 34 episodes of a series total 431 hour-long episodes, the entirety of which was produced in color. At the start of the third season, the show was moved to Sundays at 9:00 p.m. In that time slot, the ratings soared and the series become second only to Wagon Train as the most popular program on American prime time television.

<i>Bonanza</i> season 4 Season of television series

The fourth season of the American Western television series Bonanza premiered on NBC on September 23, 1962, with the final episode airing May 26, 1963. The series was developed and produced by David Dortort, and season four starred Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, Dan Blocker, and Michael Landon. The season consisted of 34 episodes of a series total 431 hour-long episodes, the entirety of which was produced in color. Season four was aired on Sundays at 9:00 p.m. It ranked #4 in the Nielsen ratings, the highest rated Western for the 1962–1963 season.

<i>Bonanza</i> season 5 Season of television series

The fifth season of the American Western television series Bonanza premiered on NBC on September 22, 1963, with the final episode airing May 24, 1964. The series was developed and produced by David Dortort, and season five starred Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, Dan Blocker, and Michael Landon. The season consisted of 34 episodes of a series total 431 hour-long episodes, the entirety of which was produced in color. Season five was aired on Sundays at 9:00 p.m. It ranked #2 in the Nielsen ratings, the highest rated Western for the 1963-1964 season.

<i>Bonanza</i> season 6 Season of television series

The sixth season of the American Western television series Bonanza premiered on NBC on September 20, 1964, with the final episode airing May 23, 1965. The series was developed and produced by David Dortort, and season six starred Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, Dan Blocker, and Michael Landon. The season consisted of 34 episodes of a series total 431 hour-long episodes, the entirety of which was produced in color. Season six was aired on Sundays at 9:00 p.m. It moved up to capture the #1 spot in the Nielsen ratings for the 1964-1965 season, a position it would hold for three straight seasons.

<i>Bonanza</i> season 7 Season of television series

The seventh season of the American Western television series Bonanza premiered on NBC on September 12, 1965, with the final episode airing May 15, 1966. The series was developed and produced by David Dortort. Season seven starred Lorne Greene, Dan Blocker, and Michael Landon. It was the first season without Pernell Roberts. The season consisted of 33 episodes of a series total 431 hour-long episodes, the entirety of which was produced in color. Season seven was aired on Sundays at 9:00 p.m. It ranked #1 in the Nielsen ratings for the 1965-1966 season, the second of three straight seasons in the top spot.

<i>Bonanza</i> season 8 Season of television series

The eighth season of the American Western television series Bonanza premiered on NBC on September 11, 1966, with the final episode airing May 14, 1967. The series was developed and produced by David Dortort. Season eight starred Lorne Greene, Dan Blocker, and Michael Landon. The season consisted of 34 episodes of a series total 431 hour-long episodes, the entirety of which was produced in color. Season eight was aired on Sundays at 9:00 p.m. It was the third straight season the show held the #1 position in the Nielsen ratings.

<i>Bonanza</i> season 9 Season of television series

The ninth season of the American Western television series Bonanza premiered on NBC on September 17, 1967, with the final episode airing July 28, 1968. The series was developed and produced by David Dortort. Season nine starred Lorne Greene, Dan Blocker, and Michael Landon. The season consisted of 34 episodes of a series total 431 hour-long episodes, the entirety of which was produced in colour. Season nine was aired on Sundays at 9:00 p.m. After three straight seasons at number one, it slipped to #6 in the Nielsen ratings.

<i>Bonanza</i> season 10 Season of television series

The tenth season of the American Western television series Bonanza premiered on NBC on September 15, 1968, with the final episode airing May 11, 1969. The series was developed and produced by David Dortort. Season ten starred Lorne Greene, Dan Blocker, and Michael Landon. The season consisted of 30 episodes of a series total 431 hour-long episodes, the entirety of which was produced in color. Season ten was aired on Sundays at 9:00 p.m. It was #2 in the Nielsen ratings, the highest rated Western for the season.

<i>Bonanza</i> season 11 Season of television series

The eleventh season of the American Western television series Bonanza premiered on NBC on September 14, 1969, with the final episode airing April 19, 1970. The series was developed and produced by David Dortort. Season eleven starred Lorne Greene, Dan Blocker, and Michael Landon. The season consisted of 28 episodes of a series total 431 hour-long episodes, the entirety of which was produced in color. Season eleven was aired on Sundays at 9:00 p.m. It was #3 in the Nielsen ratings, behind #2 Gunsmoke.

<i>Bonanza</i> season 12 Season of television series

The twelfth season of the American Western television series Bonanza premiered on NBC on September 13, 1970, with the final episode airing April 11, 1971. The series was developed and produced by David Dortort. Season twelve starred Lorne Greene, Dan Blocker, and Michael Landon. The season consisted of 28 episodes of a series total 431 hour-long episodes, the entirety of which was produced in color. Season twelve was aired on Sundays at 9:00 p.m. It finished the season at #9 in the Nielsen ratings, behind #5 Gunsmoke.

<i>Bonanza</i> season 13 Season of television series

The thirteenth season of the American Western television series Bonanza premiered on NBC on September 19, 1971, with the final episode airing April 2, 1972. The series was developed and produced by David Dortort. Season thirteen starred Lorne Greene, Dan Blocker, and Michael Landon. The season consisted of 26 episodes of a series total 431 hour-long episodes, the entirety of which was produced in color. Season thirteen was aired on Sundays at 9:00 p.m. It fell to #20 in the Nielsen ratings.

<i>Bonanza</i> season 14 Season of television series

The fourteenth season of the American Western television series Bonanza premiered on NBC on September 12, 1972, with the final episode airing January 16, 1973. This was the final season for the series. The series was developed and produced by David Dortort. Season fourteen starred Lorne Greene and Michael Landon, the first season following the death of Dan Blocker. The season consisted of 16 episodes of a series total 431 hour-long episodes, the entirety of which was produced in color. Season fourteen moved to a new timeslot of Tuesdays from 8:00 pm–9:00 pm on NBC. The final season fell out of the top 30 in the Nielsen ratings.

References

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Shapiro 1997, pp. 71, 75.
  2. ↑ Shapiro 1997, pp. 5, 65–157.
  3. 1 2 Brooks & Marsh 2007, p. 164.
  4. 1 2 "TV Ratings: 1960–1961". ClassicTVGuide.com. Retrieved September 14, 2023.
  5. ↑ Greenland 2015.
  6. ↑ Leiby & Leiby 2015, p. 51.
  7. 1 2 Leiby & Leiby 2015, p. 40.
  8. ↑ Leiby & Leiby 2015, p. 42.
  9. ↑ Leiby & Leiby 2015, p. 44.
  10. ↑ Leiby & Leiby 2015, p. 48.
  11. ↑ Leiby & Leiby 2015, p. 49.
  12. ↑ Leiby & Leiby 2015, p. 50.
  13. 1 2 Shapiro 1997, p. 5.

Bibliography

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