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Bonanza TV Show
(1959 - 1973)

Key Cast:
Ben Cartwright - Lorne Greene
Joseph "Little Joe" Cartwright - Michael Landon
Eric "Hoss" Cartwright - Dan Blocker
Adam Cartwright - Pernell Roberts

Bonanza TV Show
Intro

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Description

Ben Cartwright and his three sons - Hoss, Little Joe, Adam are unforgettable in "Bonanza" -
the first TV western to be broadcast in color.

For fourteen years, "Bonanza" graced the TV screen, making it the second longest-running western
TV show after "Gunsmoke." Lorne Greene starred in "Bonanza" as Ben Cartwright, a three-time widower
who has three sons living with him. They help Cartwright run his mining and ranch empire - the Ponderosa
Ranch which is over 1,000 square miles.

The eldest son Adam (Pernell Roberts) is the most serious and introspective. The middle son, Hoss (Dan Blocker)
is the biggest, loudest and probably the most gentle in spirit. The youngest son, Little Joe (Michael Landon) is
the most impulsive and romantic.

Unlike other westerns which had lots of violence, "Bonanza" was relied more on interesting and dramatic
storylines that let viewers get to know the Cartwrights. Every week featured a new adventure involving one
or more of the Cartwright men and various people who cross their paths.

For most of the 1960s, "Bonanza" was one of the top shows on television. Its success led to it
being broadcast in syndication for years. It is considered one of the best TV westerns ever made.

Now you can own this great program on DVD. Don't miss out!

Interesting Facts

• "Bonanza" is the second longest running western TV show in history. Airing for 14 years, Bonanza is
is second only to the western TV show "Gunsmoke" which aired on television for 20 years.

• Pernell Roberts, who plays Adam Cartwright, left "Bonanza" after the 1964-65 TV season. In the show, his
character was written out as having gone to Australia to live. New people were added to the regular cast,
such as Candy (David Canary) who was a ranch hand who became like a son to Ben Cartwright.

• Dan Blocker, who played Hoss, died unexpectedly in 1972 from a pulmonary embolism. This was just prior
to the start of the 1972 - 1973 TV season. The ratings for "Bonanza" also went down this year, so the show
ended in 1972. "Bonanza" did continue on in syndication for many years.

Awards

• "Bonanza" won the prestigious Bronze Wrangler Award in 1970 for Outstanding Western TV drama.

• "Bonanza" also won three Emmy Awards during its television run. They were: Outstanding Individual
Achievement in Color (1965) , Outstanding Individual Achievements in Film Editing (1966) and Outstanding Achievement in Music Composition (1971)

• "Bonanza" has also won a TV Land Award for "Best in the West" in 2003.

Buy "Bonanza" on DVD

Buy "Bonanza - The Official First Season"
This studio-released DVD set contains all of the episodes from the first
season of "Bonanza." All of the episodes have been digitally-remastered in order
to provide the best picture quality possible.

Top Quality, Digitally-Remastered DVDs
8 Disks with all 32 episodes from Season One
Guaranteed Studio Quality!

Season One Bonus Features in this DVD Set
• Archival Interviews With Creator-Producer David Dortort
• Galleries Of Extensive Episodic And Rare Behind The Scenes Photos
• Original Episodic Promos On Select Episodes
• Original NBC Network Peacock Logo, Bumpers, And RCA Spots On "A Rose For Lotta"
• 1953 Fireside Theater Episode: "Man Of The Cornstock"
• Original NBC Network Peacock Logo, Bumpers, And RCA Spots On "The Avenger"

 
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