The first two volumes were released on October 20, 2010, and the second two volumes on April 27, 2011. Bonanza is uniquely known for having addressed racism, not typically covered on American television during the time period, from a compassionate, humanitarian point-of-view. This section includes characters who will appear or have appeared in at least one season of the series. Episodes of the series have also been officially released as part-works on DVD in France and the United Kingdom.
Cast
As producer, Dortort ensured that the episode re-aired during the summer rerun seasons, though two TV stations in the South refused to air it. VE AG released the first seven seasons on DVD in Germany between 2008 and 2010. In 2011, StudioCanal acquired the rights to the series and have begun re-releasing it on DVD, and all seasons have now been released but have not been remastered. Bonanza “the official first season” was released in Scandinavia during 2010.
The nearest town to the Ponderosa was Virginia City, where the Cartwrights would go to converse with Sheriff Roy Coffee (played by veteran actor Ray Teal), or his deputy Clem Foster (Bing Russell). In the episode “Enter Thomas Bowers”, the Cartwright family helps the opera singer Thomas Bowers, an African-American freedman, after he encounters prejudice while in Virginia City to perform. At the beginning of the episode, Adam is shown to be outraged at the Supreme Court’s Dred Scott v. Sandford decision (placing the time as 1857), which he discusses with his father.42 According to David Dortort, sponsor General Motors was anxious about the episode.
David Dortort
- Starting in September 2009, CBS Home Entertainment (distributed by Paramount) has to date released the first eleven seasons on DVD in Region 1.
- Currently, Bonanza Ventures, Inc. grants merchandising and licensing rights worldwide.
- Episodes of the series have also been officially released as part-works on DVD in France and the United Kingdom.
- In 1968, a slightly revamped horn and percussion-heavy arrangement of the original score introduced the series, which was used until 1970.
- CBSHE has released each season in two-volume sets (available together and separately).
- Bonanza “the official first season” was released in Scandinavia during 2010.
The scheduling change, as well as Dan Blocker’s death in May 1972, resulted in plunging ratings for the show. David Canary returned to his former role of Candy (to offset Hoss’ absence), and a new character named Griff King (played by Tim Matheson) was added in an attempt to lure younger viewers. Griff, in prison for nearly killing his abusive stepfather, was paroled into Ben’s custody and given a job as a ranch hand. Several episodes were built around his character, one that Matheson never had a chance to fully develop before the show was abruptly cancelled in November 1972 (with the final episode airing January 16, 1973). Many fans, as well as both Landon and Greene, felt that the character of Hoss was essential, as he was a nurturing, empathetic soul who rounded out the all-male cast. In 1968, a slightly revamped horn and percussion-heavy arrangement of the original score introduced the series, which was used until 1970.
Western
CBSHE has released each season in two-volume sets (available together and separately). On May 23, 2023, the remaining seasons 12, 13 and 14 were released on DVD, as well bonanza casino as a box set of the complete series containing all 431 episodes on 112 DVDs. The ranch name refers to the Pinus ponderosa (ponderosa pine), common in the West.
Joseph ‘Little Joe’ Cartwright
Currently, Bonanza Ventures, Inc. grants merchandising and licensing rights worldwide. These episodes have been released by several companies in different configurations, with substandard picture and sound quality, edited, and by legal necessity with the copyright-protected Evans–Livingston theme song replaced with generic western music. Though not familiar stars in 1959, the cast quickly became favorites of the first television generation.
A new theme song, called “The Big Bonanza” was written in 1970 by episode scorer David Rose, and was used from 1970 to 1972. Action-shot pictorials of the cast replaced the galloping trio with the order of the actors rotating from episode to episode, resulting in Blocker or Landon often getting top billing over Greene. Finally, a faster rendition of the original music returned for the 14th and final season, along with action shots of the cast (sans Dan Blocker, who had died by this point).
Main cast
- A new theme song, called “The Big Bonanza” was written in 1970 by episode scorer David Rose, and was used from 1970 to 1972.
- Though not familiar stars in 1959, the cast quickly became favorites of the first television generation.
- Reruns of the series have aired on several cable networks such as TV Land, INSP, Family Channel, the Hallmark Channel and Great American Faith & Living.
- The first two volumes were released on October 20, 2010, and the second two volumes on April 27, 2011.
- These episodes have been released by several companies in different configurations, with substandard picture and sound quality, edited, and by legal necessity with the copyright-protected Evans–Livingston theme song replaced with generic western music.
- The scheduling change, as well as Dan Blocker’s death in May 1972, resulted in plunging ratings for the show.
The order of billing at the beginning of the broadcast appeared to be shuffled randomly each week, with no relation whatsoever to the current episode featured that week. Starting in September 2009, CBS Home Entertainment (distributed by Paramount) has to date released the first eleven seasons on DVD in Region 1. All episodes have been digitally remastered from original 35 mm film elements to yield the best picture and sound quality possible with current technology.