Other Recurring Characters

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Hop Sing (Victor Sen Yung)

• Father: Hop Ling (A Rose for Lotta)

Episodes
A Rose for Lotta; Enter Mark Twain; The Julia Bulette Story; The Saga of Annie O’Toole; Mr. Henry Comstock; The Magnificent Adah; The Sisters; The Last Hunt; The Fear Merchants; The Spanish Grant; The Stranger; San Francisco; Feet of Clay

 

Season 2 →

Art Direction

• Hal Pereira
• Earl Hedrick

Assistant Director

• Daniel J. McCauley: A Rose for Lotta; Death on Sun Mountain; The Julia Bulette Story; The Saga of Annie O’Toole; The Magnificent Adah; The Truckee Strip; The Hanging Posse; The Sisters; El Toro Grande; Dark Star
• Henry (Bud) Brill: The Newcomers; The Paiute War; Enter Mark Twain; The Philip Diedesheimer Story; Mr. Henry Comstock; The Outcast; A House Divided; The Fear Merchants; Blood on the Land; Desert Justice; Escape to Ponderosa; The Last Trophy; Feet of Clay; Death at Dawn
• Ned Dobson: The Gunmen; The Spanish Grant
• Don Roberts: The Stranger; The Avenger; Bitter Water
• John E. Burch: San Francisco

Casting Supervisor

• William Maybery (from The Paiute War onwards)

Color Consultant

• Alex Quiroga (all except A Rose for Lotta)

Dances Staged by

• Miriam Nelson: Mr. Henry Comstock

Director of Photography

• Lester Shorr (all except A Rose for Lotta)
• Bert Glennon: A Rose for Lotta

Editor

• Ellsworth Hoagland: Death on Sun Mountain; The Paiute War; The Magnificent Adah; The Hanging Posse; A House Divided; The Spanish Grant; The Stranger; The Last Trophy; Dark Star
• Marvin Coil: The Newcomers; The Julia Bulette Story; Mr. Henry Comstock; The Truckee Strip; The Sisters; Blood on the Land; Escape to Ponderosa; San Francisco; Feet of Clay
• Everett Douglas: Enter Mark Twain; The Saga of Annie O’Toole;The Philip Diedesheimer Story; El Toro Grande; The Outcast; The Fear Merchants; Desert Justice; The Avenger; Bitter Water; Death at Dawn

Film Editor

• Arthur P. Schmidt: A Rose for Lotta

Hairstyle Supervision

• Nellie Manley (all except A Rose for Lotta)

Makeup Supervision

• Wally Westmore (all except A Rose for Lotta)

Music: David Rose

Music Supervision

• Raoul Krauskaar: A Rose for Lotta

Process Photography

• Farciot Edouart: Desert Justice; The Stranger

Set Decoration

• Sam Comer
• Grace Gregory: A Rose for Lotta; The Truckee Strip; The Hanging Posse; The Sisters; El Toro Grande; The Outcast; A House Divided; The Gunmen; The Fear Merchants; The Spanish Grant; Blood on the Land; Desert Justice; The Stranger; Escape to Ponderosa; The Avenger; The Last Trophy; San Francisco; Bitter Water; Feet of Clay; Dark Star; Death at Dawn
• Robert Benton: Death on Sun Mountain; The Newcomers; The Paiute War; Enter Mark Twain; The Julia Bulette Story; The Saga of Annie O’Toole; The Philip Diedesheimer Story; Mr. Henry Comstock; The Magnificent Adah

Sound Recording

• Winston Leverett
• Harold Lewis: A Rose for Lotta; Enter Mark Twain; The Magnificent Adah; The Truckee Strip; The Hanging Posse; The Sisters; El Toro Grande; The Outcast; A House Divided; The Gunmen; The Fear Merchants; The Spanish Grant; Blood on the Land; Desert Justice; The Stranger; Escape to Ponderosa; The Avenger; The Last Trophy; San Francisco; Bitter Water; Feet of Clay; Dark Star; Death at Dawn
• Lyle Figland: Death on Sun Mountain; The Newcomers; The Paiute War; The Julia Bulette Story; The Saga of Annie O’Toole; The Philip Diedesheimer Story
• Hugo Grenzbach: Mr. Henry Comstock

Story Consultant

• Leonard Heideman: The Spanish Grant; Blood on the Land; Desert Justice; The Stranger; Escape to Ponderosa; The Avenger; The Last Trophy; San Francisco; Bitter Water; Feet of Clay; Dark Star; Death at Dawn

Story Editor

• Patricia Falken Smith: Enter Mark Twain; The Philip Diedesheimer Story; The Magnificent Adah; The Truckee Strip; The Hanging Posse; The Sisters; El Toro Grande; The Outcast; A House Divided; The Gunmen; The Fear Merchants
• Thomas Thompson: Feet of Clay; Dark Star; Death at Dawn

Unit Production Manager

• Jack Ballard: A Rose for Lotta
• Donald Robb: The Philip Diedesheimer Story; The Truckee Strip; The Hanging Posse; The Sisters; El Toro Grande; The Outcast
• Andrew J. Durkus: A House Divided; The Gunmen; The Fear Merchants; The Spanish Grant; Blood on the Land; Desert Justice; The Stranger; Escape to Ponderosa; The Avenger; The Last Trophy; San Francisco; Bitter Water; Feet of Clay; Dark Star; Death at Dawn

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Created by David Dortort

Producer: David Dortort

Production Supervisor: James W. Lane (all except A Rose for Lotta)

Song: “Bonanza” by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans

Processed by Consolidated Film Industries

Filmed at Paramount Studios, Hollywood, California

Episodes Copyright: 1959 (1-18), 1960 (19-32)

NBC Television Network Presentation

 

Season 2 →

Season 1 (Episode 32)

Air Date: 30 April 1960

Writer: Laurence Mascott

Director: Charles F. Haas

Synopsis
After a local shop owner is murdered, the Cartwrights and the Sheriff endeavour to make sure the murderer is tried and hanged. However, their efforts are hampered by Sam Bryant (the man the murderer works for) and his men, who are determined to keep their strangle-hold on the people of Virginia City.

Guest Stars
Robert Middleton (Sam Bryant), Gregory Walcott (Farmer Perkins), Morgan Woodward (Sheriff Biggs), Nancy Deale (Beth Cameron), Paul Carr (McNeil), Wendell Holmes (Judge Scribner), Hugh Sanders (Dr. Brahm), Peter Leeds (Norton), Ric Marlow (Scoffing Townsman), Anthony Jochim (Hangman), Bill Edwards (Mr. Cameron)

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Notable Guest Stars

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Production Notes

• Nancy Deale, who played Beth Cameron, married Lorne Greene in December 1961. Nancy was 28 and Lorne was 46. They remained married until his death in September 1987.

 

← Dark Star

Showdown →

Season 1 (Episode 31)

Air Date: 23 April 1960

Writer: Anthony Lawrence

Director: Lewis Allen

Synopsis
Little Joe falls in love with a gypsy girl who has been ostracised by her own people because they believe that she is a witch.

Guest Stars
Susan Harrison (Tirza), Hugo Haas (Zirko), Arthur Batanides (Spiro), Lili Valenty (Bruja), Argentina Brunetti (Bruja’s helper), Grandon Rhodes (Doctor)

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Notable Guest Stars

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Episode Notes

• Featured Cartwright: Joe

 

← Feet of Clay

Death at Dawn →

Season 1 (Episode 30)

Air Date: 16 April 1960

Writer: John Furia Jr

Director: Arthur Lubin

Synopsis
The Cartwrights look after young Billy Allen, whose mother has just died. Hoss befriends Billy but Billy’s father Vance, a convicted criminal and his fellow inmate Pike escape from prison and come looking for Billy, putting Hoss in a difficult situation.

Recurring Actors/Characters
Victor Sen Yung (Hop Sing)

Guest Stars
David Ladd (Billy Allen), Logan Field (Vance Allen), Robert Tetrick (Pike), Tom Greenway (Sheriff Fred), Guy Prescott (Charlie), Philip Grayson (Orville Sherman), John Eldredge (Mr. Sherman), Riza Royce (Sarah)

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Notable Guest Stars

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Episode Notes

• Featured Cartwright: Hoss
• The violent death of Hoss’ mother is referenced in this episode
• Business: Butterfield Stage Lines

 

← Bitter Water

Dark Star →

Season 1 (Episode 29)

Air Date: 9 April 1960

Writer: Harold Jack Bloom

Director: George Blair

Synopsis
A neighbour of the Cartwrights, Todd McCarren is intent on causing trouble. He has become bitter and now hates the Cartwrights. Todd is in love with Virginia Keith, whose father, is using Todd to get what he wants. Things come to a head when Len Keith manipulates the truth, causing McCarren to take matters into his own hands against the Cartwrights.

Guest Stars
Don Dubbins (Todd McCarren), Merry Anders (Virginia Keith), Robert Simon (Len Keith), Rhys Williams (Andy McCarren), Ken Becker (Tucker), Frank Watkins (Roy Wilkins), Clarke Alexander (Jamison), Forrest Taylor (Rancher)

Episode Notes

• Book: The Care and Training of Dogs by Fenton Coe

 

← San Francisco

Feet of Clay →

Season 1 (Episode 28)

Air Date: 2 April 1960

Writer: Thomas Thompson

Director: Arthur Lubin

Synopsis
After a long cattle drive, Ben, Hoss, Little Joe and two Ponderosa ranch-hands arrive in San Francisco intent on having a holiday. When the two ranch-hands disappear, the Cartwrights go looking for them with some help from Hop Sing and his cousins. The search takes an unexpected turn, when Ben goes missing. Hoss and Joe begin a frantic search for their father and the ranch-hands. They soon realise that time is running out for all three men.

Recurring Actors/Characters
Victor Sen Yung (Hop Sing)

Guest Stars
Kathleen Crowley (Kathleen/Quick-Buck Katie), David White (Alexander Pendleton/Shanghai Pete), Murvyn Vye (Cut-Rate Joe), Richard Deacon (Captain Shark), Robert Nichols (Johnny), O.Z. Whitehead (Hamp), Stephen Roberts (Police Sergeant), James Hong (Number 3 Cousin/Hop Sing’s cousin), Herb Vigran (Bartender), Michael Ross (Big Henchman), Tor Johnson (Busthead Brannigan), Don Rhodes (Little Henchman)

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Notable Guest Stars

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Production Notes

• This episode is also known as San Francisco Holiday
• Pernell Roberts does not appear in this episode

Episode Notes

• Featured Cartwrights: Ben, Hoss and Joe
• The year stated in this episode is 1861
• Saloon: Pig Eye Pete’s
• Business: J.B. Saffron Co. Inc ~ Cattle Buyers ~ San Francisco Offices

 

← The Last Trophy

Bitter Water →

Season 1 (Episode 27)

Air Date: 26 March 1960

Writer: Bill S. Ballinger

Director: Lewis Allen

Synopsis
A friend of Ben’s – Lord Dunsford and his wife Beatrice come on a visit to the Ponderosa. Adam arranges a hunting party for Lord Dunsford and Lady Dunsford decides to come along. Lady Dunsford is not that impressed with her husband’s apparent cowardice and finds Adam to be a more appealing object for her affections. However, the hunting party find they have more to contend with when they are taken captive by Belcher and his renegade Indian band.

Guest Stars
Hazel Court (Lady Beatrice Dunsford), Edward Ashley (Lord Marion Dunsford), Bert Freed (Simon Belcher), Ken Mayer (Whitey), Naomi Stevens (Touma), Don Hix (Kavanaugh), Jimmy Carter (Kavanaugh’s Grandson)

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Notable Guest Stars

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Episode Notes

• Featured Cartwright: Adam

 

← The Avenger

San Francisco →

Season 1 (Episode 26)

Air Date: 19 March 1960

Writer: Clair Huffaker

Director: Christian Nyby

Synopsis
Ben and Adam have been accused and found guilty of murder and await their hanging. Joe and Hoss try to gather support to get a stay of execution. A mysterious stranger arrives in town but he could either be a help or a hindrance to the Cartwrights.

Guest Stars
Vic Morrow (Lassiter), Jean Allison (Sally Byrnes), Richard Devon (Cy Hawkins), James Anderson (Fred), Harry Swoger (Bert), Ian Wolfe (Ed Baxter), Nestor Paiva (Barney Thornton), Robert Griffin (Sheriff Hansen), Eugene Martin (Jimmy), Bill Catching (Hoag), Robert Brubaker (Layabout)

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Notable Guest Stars

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Episode Notes

• Vic Morrow’s character’s real name was not mentioned during the episode. He is called Lassiter by the people he meets because he says he comes from Lassiter, Kansas.
• The date for the hanging is Wednesday 25th April
• Business: Byrnes Cafe

 

← Escape to Ponderosa

The Last Trophy →

Season 1 (Episode 25)

Air Date: 5 March 1960

Teleplay: Robert E. Thompson

Story: Bill Barrett and Malcolm Stuart Boylan

Director: Charles F. Haas

Synopsis
Three men, who have escaped from an army prison, are determined to keep out jail because of the jail’s commanding officer. The commanding officer arrives at the Ponderosa determined to get them. Ben takes an instant dislike to the officer but becomes involved in the search for the three men. The Cartwrights soon find themselves in a difficult situation.

Guest Stars
Joe Maross (Jimmy Sutton), Gloria Talbott (Nedda), Grant Williams (Lt. Paul Tyler), Chris Alcaide (Capt. James Bolton), Dayton Lummis (Col. Metcalfe), James Parnell (Pvt. Mertz), Sherwood Price (Corporal)

 

← The Stranger

The Avenger →

Season 1 (Episode 24)

Air Date: 27 February 1960

Teleplay: Leonard Heideman

Story: Oliver Crawford

Director: Christian Nyby

Synopsis
Inspector Charles Leduque arrives in Virginia City looking for Ben Cartwright. Leduque has the intention of arresting Ben for a murder that occurred in New Orleans over 20 years ago. Joe, not liking the fact that not only his father but his mother are implicated, decides to take matters into his own hands.

Recurring Actors/Characters
Victor Sen Yung (Hop Sing)

Guest Stars
Lloyd Nolan (Inspector Charles Leduque), Hal Baylor (Tom Cole), Arthur Shields (Dennis), Robert Foulk (Sheriff Brady), Donald Foster (Albert Gibbons), Joan Staley (Dixie), Elizabeth York (Alice), Jomarie Pettit (Louise Gibbons), Charles Tannen (Clerk), Hank Worden (Station Attendant)

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Notable Guest Stars

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Episode Notes

• Featured Cartwrights: Ben and Joe
• Some of what Marie Cartwright (Joe’s mother) did before she met Ben is hinted at. Ben states that he didn’t care what Marie did before she met him because he loved her and that was all that mattered.
• Newspaper: Territorial Enterprise
• Location: Virginia City Jail

 

← Desert Justice

Escape to Ponderosa →