"You know what's not a realistic show? That Bonanza. You got a 50 year old father and three 48 year old sons. Explain that"
--Jackie Gayle
--Jackie Gayle
Was Bonanza a Good show ?
- Thread starter TransporterBeam
- Start date
^^^ That's true about Greene and Roberts (I think they were the same age). But I think Blocker and Landon could actually have been his sons, agewise.
--Ted
--Ted
Of the television westerns, Bonanza is the one I like. The comparison piece for me is Gunsmoke, and it was always drab both in look and tone. Even when serious, Bonanza was bright and vibrant; I suppose it fits the old saying in my mind, "a joy to behold".
Lorne Greene's (the quintessential Jewish Canadian cowboy) birthdate is listed as February 12, 1915. Roberts' is May 18, 1928. Blocker's is December 10, 1928 and Landon's is October 31, 1936. Landon's half Jewish by his dad, so it was good casting. 
I watched some episodes and was surprised that it was better than I recall. But if you want a good TV Western, try the early episodes of Gunsmoke.
PS, oh this is an old thread. I guess I already said that.
PS, oh this is an old thread. I guess I already said that.
I never saw much Gunsmoke. Were there a lot of 90 minute episodes on it. Gunsmoke never seemed to be syndicated much.
With Lee Majors on The Fall Guy and Linda Evans on Dynasty the show which came on every afternoon was The Big Valley, even Bonanza was hard to find.Occasionally The High Chaparral and even less often Maverick would rotate on the air
Gunsmoke began as a 30 minute drama and around the ninth season went to an hour. Gunsmoke is a good show, but I'd be hard pressed to recall a truly classic episode.
The Virginian was a 90-minute western and a fantastic show. How it survived all those years opposite ratings powerhouse The Beverly Hillbillies is amazing.
That explains it. As a kid I never wanted to sit for a full 90 minute Virginian but I do recall it being shown. As a 30 minute show it Gunsmoke would rotate with say The Rifleman but then suddenly it would need to switch to an hour bloc.
Dusty Ayres
Commodore
But it is: Bonanza: The Official First Season, Vol 1 & 2
First off, Bonanza's owned by CBS Studios, not Warner Brothers Television (Bonanza info)-they have to release it on DVD.
Pernell Roberts hated the show, and wanted out, as is well known. He therefore wouldn't appear in a TV movie about what happened to his family.
Not at the time DVD's were first being released. It was actually Paramount, which had 20 years to release Bonanza but didn't. CBS just acquired some of Paramount's television library about two years ago.
--Ted
