BONANZA, THE LOST EPISODES
Family drama that offered a liberal sprinkling of comedy and romance made Bonanza a highly satisfying experience from 1959 until 1973. Over its 431-episode run, millions of viewers watched as the Cartwrights hugged it out while weathering one family crisis after another from their home base of the Ponderosa Ranch on the Nevada frontier.
The legendary Western that combines all the classic action of the Old West with authentic family relationships, honor, justice and values corralled a total of 16 Emmy nominations and captured nine.
The famous show-opening sequence and unforgettable theme song branded our brains and blazed a path into American folklore. But did you know that a herd of popular episodes were not included in various syndication package deals during the show’s original run? Or that these rarely aired shows that would become known as the “Lost Episodes” can only be seen here on INSP?
Bonanza centers on the Cartwright family and was one of the first Westerns to focus on family and family values. Bonanza has it all: the power to move you to tears, keep you on the edge of your seat, and to make you laugh out loud.
— Patriarch Ben is a former sailor who had a dream to leave the east coast and settle in California. However, a lack of funds and a wealth of circumstances land him in Nevada where the three-time widower and his boys carve out an action-packed life on their sprawling ranch. Ben is a self-made man of deep faith and solid morals.
— Adam is the eldest and most mature of Ben’s three sons. He is reliable and can be counted on to remain level-headed in a crisis. Adam attended college in Boston to study engineering and architecture. He designed the Ponderosa main house.
— Hoss may look like he could crush a bad guy with his little pinky but, in fact he is a lovable, gentle giant of a man. He can be a little too trusting, even gullible, as younger brother Little Joe easily lures him into crazy schemes and pranks. Kind by nature, he is quite shy around the ladies.
— Little Joe is the only Cartwright son born on the Ponderosa. Though known as a jokester, he’s not one to back down from a fight. Joe can be a hothead, impulsive, his temper taking over his common sense. He’s charming, handsome and knows how to sweet talk the ladies.