Classic Movie Poster of the Week

Premiering June 19th 1957 in US theaters was the horror classic starring future Bonanza heartthrob Michael Landon.  

Magazine Cover of the Week

October 7th 1972

Members of the cast of the NBC western series Bonanza were illustrated on the cover of TV Guide.

This was the 14th and eventually the final season of Bonanza, as NBC moved its powerhouse to Tuesday nights where it was up against "Maude" and "Hawaii Five-O" which led to a huge ratings plunge.  The damage however had been done to the show with the tragic death of "Hoss" Dan Blocker in May 1972.  His sudden passing left a void that could not be filled but NBC brought Tim Matheson in to join Lorne Greene, Michael Landon and Mitch Vogel ("Jamie") to add more youth.  David Canary also returned for the final season as "Candy Canady" after being approached by Michael Landon.  The show slipped to #52 after the previous season at #20, Bonanza had never been out of the Top Ten before the 1971-72 season.  The cancellation left CBS' GUNSMOKE as the only western on Prime Time tv.

WE LOVE BONANZA!

March 13th 1965

WE LOVE BONANZA!

GOLD KEY COMICS

1966

Dell Comics

1966

We Love Bonanza

TV Guide: September 4, 1965 - Dan Blocker, Lorne Greene, Michael Landon of "Bonanza"

Bonanza - Season 6

The 1964-65 television season was the 6th season of Bonanza and its first (of 3 consecutive seasons) as the #1 show on network primetime programming.

"Jonah"

Season 6 episode 32

aired May 9th 1965

NBC

TV Guide July 22nd 1967

I wasnt even a week old when this issue came out

Just for Fun

Bonanza - Season 6 (Old Sheba)

Another episode from season 6 of Bonanza, 1964-65 season.   This was the first season that Bonanza was the #1 show in prime time television.

Episode 10

Old Sheba

originally aired November 22nd 1964 (NBC)

guest star William Demarest as "Tweedy" and Henry Kulky as "Bearcat"

Joe convinces Hoss to wrestle Bearcat at Tweedy's Circus. During the fight, Hoss manages to fractured some of Bearcat's ribs. So in recompense for the income Tweedy will lose, Hoss stays on Tweedy. After a month of fighting bouts, Joe and Hoss come to collect the money that Tweedy owes. Tweedy, however has lost all of his money gambling. The two Cartwright boys arrive home with Old Sheba, an elephant. Ben isn't happy and sets about trying to get rid of the elephant.

Bonanza - Season 6

Continuing the look at Season 6 of Bonanza, 1964-65, the first season Bonanza was the #1 show in prime time television.

Episode 9
Between  Heaven and Earth
originally aired November 15th 1964
guest star Richard Jaeckel as Mitch

When Joe and his friend Mitch go after a puma, Joe climbs a big peak and throws his gun up higher, intending to crawl up after it. But as he looks down, things begin to spin. He realizes he can't go any higher, and he retreats down the hill. Needing to prove himself, Joe spars against Mitch.

Bonanza - Season 6

The 1964-1965 prime television season was the first season that Bonanza was the #1 show for the season.

Square Deal Sam

Episode 8

NBC TV

Originally aired November  8th 1964

The Washburns just arrived in town and are looking for work. When Hoss hears about the difficulties they've been through, he invites them to stay at the Ponderosa. After they sell everyone at the ranch a share in a copper mine, the Cartwrights find out the Washburns are not exactly what they appear to be. But this is just the beginning of the yarns Samuel is willing to spin.

Classic Television - Bonanza

Episode 9 Season 9 - The Sure Thing

Aired November 12th 1967

(excellent video quality)

Bonanza - Walter and the Outlaws

From Season 5, the season's final episode

"Walter and The Outlaws".  

Aired on NBC May 24th 1964

Bonanza aired on Sunday nights 9-10pm and was the #2 show for the 1963-64 season.  It was sandwiched in the ratings by CBS' Wednesday 9-10pm power house combo of the Beverly Hillbillies at #1 and the Dick Van Dyke Show at #3.

In this episode the dog Walter is the same dog from the first episode of the 1964-65 season of the Andy Griffith Show

"Barney's Bloodhound". 

 He was named "Blue" in that episode.

This episode is probably the best example of just how fun and funny Bonanza could be and how everyone on the show interacted so good to make it a hilarious episode.