Introducing Jamie Hunter

362.) The Night Virginia City Died
         September 13, 1970
         Written by: John Hawkins
         Directed by: William Wiard

         In the first episode aired, but not filmed, Virginia City is suffering from many fires and it appears an arsonist is on the loose.  Roy Coffee and Clem search for the arsonist and their first suspect is found innocent.  The real arsonist is Janie, Clem's fiancee, who has recently come to town with her aunt.  Janie had become fascinated with fire when, as a child, her abusive stepfather burned to death.  This episode is one of a few to feature Roy and Clem exclusively.  This episode's subplot was written, so it could be filmed in the dark to cover the move to Warner Brothers Studios in 1970.  The last scene at the end reveals the new Virginia City, now at Warner in Burbank, California.

         Guest Stars: Janie...Angel Tompkins,...Roy Coffee...Ray Teal,...Clem...Bing Russell,...Wade Tucker...Phil Browne,...Roberta...Edith Atwater,...Tim Moss...Jon Shank,...Hamilton...Mark Tapscott,...Ira...Lane Bradford,...Whiskey Smith...William Fawcett,...Mrs. Carter...Mona Bruns,...Evans...Stuart Nisbet,...Dr. Martin...Paul Kent,...Dusty Rhoades...Lou Frizzell,...Bob Miles...(uncredited; stunts as townsman).

         Trivia: Angel Tompkins as Clem's fiancee Janie, who is also the fire-obsessed woman who is starting all the fires in Virginia City, unknown to anyone until the episodes' end.  Ray Teal and Bing Russell are featured exclusively in this episode; their career's are on the line, by angry townsmen.  Veteran actor Phil Browne as Wade Tucker, who is after their jobs, along with Lane Bradford, this time as a lawman.  Phil Browne was blacklisted in the 50's, "Red Era" and finally returned to the US around this time, he resided in England many years.  He is still fondly remembered as Uncle Owen in "Star Wars" ( 1977 ).

         Mark Tapscott makes his last appearance, as another angry townsmen, previously seen in eleven's, "The Long Way To Ogden".  William Fawcett makes his last appearance, this time as Whiskey Smith, the hotel cook who is falsely accused of being the firebug.  He was previously in nine's, "Check Rein", as Asa.  Lou Frizzell makes an appearance as Dusty, since he was introduced in eleven's, "The Horse Traders", and would return in this season again, along with Mitch Vogel as Jamie Hunter.

         Trivia: One of the most heartwrenching moments in the series' history is when Clem learns that Janie died in the last fire she set, and is consoled by Ben, leading to the first daytime shot of the Western Street, at Warner Brothers, the company was now filming there, and not at Paramount.  We also see the first glimpse of the Ponderosa interior, now located on the Warner Brothers Lot.

         Trivia: The cast credits were updated by David Dortort for this season of the series.  The reason for this decision was the Lake Tahoe ride-up of the cast was outdated from 1965.  A new sequence of the main cast was used, consisting of action shots that would be tinted in aqua and would pause briefly.  The guest star credits would be superimposed on the final watercolor portrait of the actress on the stage.  The twelfth season would mark the last time the watercolor portraits would be seen with the end titles concluding the show.

         Music Trivia: David Rose decided to re-orchestrate "The Ponderosa" cue in the 1967-68 season and gave it a wider range to score for a scene. The theme cues served as leit motivs that would establish the characters and locales in the story. He'd use it for various episodes in the tenth and eleventh seasons. For the twelfth season, he re-orchestrated the cue for the title music, some theme cues and effect tracks. Rose named the new title music, "The Big Bonanza." The cue dates back to the 1959-60 season, with Rose re-orchestrating and re-recording it for every season of the series.

         In 1972, the new title music was shelved after Dan Blocker's death. The new cast credits for the final season fell short of the cue's duration, so the original Livingston-Evans theme was used instead. Rose still employed the "The Big Bonanza" in guises for the theme and effect tracks during the final season. Rose re-orchestrated the cue once again for "Little House on the Prairie" in 1974. As usual, he wrote the cue in many guises over the 9-year run through 1983.

         Filming date: June 1970.

363.) A Matter Of Faith
         September 20, 1970
         Written by: Jack B. Sowards, John Hawkins
         Directed by: William Wiard

         The Cartwrights discover that Dusty Rhoades has joined up with the young son of a rainmaker who was killed.  First episode that features Mitch Vogel as Jamie Hunter.

         Guest Stars: Jamie Hunter...Mitch Vogel,...Dusty Rhoades...Lou Frizzell,...Mayor Corey...Jack Collins,...Rogers...Geoffrey Lewis,...Garrison...Michael Hinn,...Scott...Bruce Gordon,...Mercantile Owner...Dabbs Greer...(uncredited; bit part).

         Trivia: Mitch Vogel makes his debut as Jamie Hunter, in his first of 39 episodes, along with a returning Lou Frizzell, as Dusty Rhoades.  Bruce Gordon makes his last appearance, this time as a skeptical townsman, who does not believe Jamie can make it rain, along with character actor Geoffrey Lewis, who also worked with Clint Eastwood.  Dabbs Greer makes yet another appearance, this time as a storekeeper.

         Location Scenes Filmed at: Big Sky Ranch, Simi Valley, California.

364.) The Weary Willies
         September 27, 1970
         Written by: Robert Pirosh
         Directed by: Leo Penn

         The Cartwrights become aware of the hard time Civil War veterans are having, as they struggle to reenter society.  Actor Richard Thomas was to have been added to the cast, but this proposal was rejected by NBC.

         Guest Stars: Billy...Richard Thomas,...Angie...Lee Purcell,...Colter...Lonny Chapman,...Marcus...Elisha Cook, Jr.,...Pelletin...Mayf Nutter,...Krulak...Kevin Tighe,...Trimble...Scott Graham,...Hurley...David Hayward,...Bartender...Remo Pisani,...Sheriff Coffee...Ray Teal,...Doctor...Harry Holcombe,...Farmer...Stacy Keach, Sr,...Hop Sing...Victor Sen Yung,...Dusty Rhoades...Lou Frizzell.

         Trivia: A young Richard Thomas makes his only appearance on the series.  He portrays Billy in this episode.  Lonny Chapman makes his last appearance, previously seen in seven's, "The Genius", and so does Elisha Cook Jr, who was seen in seven's, "A Dollar's Worth Of Trouble".  Harry Holcombe makes another appearance as the Doc.

         Music Trivia: The song in this episode, "The Weary Willies", was written by Owens Boomer Castleman, David Rose and ensemble played the song, and sang by Michael Martin Murphy.

         Location Scenes Filmed at: Franklin Lake , Southern California.

365.) The Wagon
         October 5, 1970
         Written by: Ken Pettus
         Directed by: James Neilson

         After being taken into custody by a sheriff who does not care if he is guilty or innocent of a crime, Hoss escapes from the prison wagon with a woman he is convinced got a raw deal.

         Guest Stars: Price Buchanan...Denver Pyle,...Madge Tucker...Salome Jens,...Kyte...Jonathan Lippe,...Jase...Lee Jay Lambert,...Sheriff Brody...Stuart Randall,...Fred Quinn...Bob Vanselow,...Sheriff Clem...Bing Russell,...Luis Getty...George Murdock.

         Trivia: Denver Pyle makes another appearance as the corrupt prison guard, along with a returning George Murdock, both previously seen in earlier seasons of "Bonanza".

         Trivia: The desert backdrops were used in this episode, the second to last time we see them, later seen in this season's, "Shadow Of A Hero".

         Location Scenes Filmed at: Big Sky Ranch, Simi Valley and Vasquez Rocks, California.

366.) The Power Of Life and Death
         October 11, 1970
         Written by: Joel Murcott
         Directed by: Leo Penn

         A man called Davis has shot Colonel Clayton and escapes on horseback.  Joe and Ben join the posse that sets out to find Davis.  Ben and Joe volunteer to cross the desert.  Ben and Joe find Davis hold up at a water hole, when Indians attack and Ben is wounded in the leg, and steal the horses.  Joe unties Davis, who tends to a wounded Ben, who is suspicious that Davis will try to escape.  After playing a game of cat and mouse, Ben and Davis come to an agreement: survival.  Joe makes the decision to cross the desert on foot, while Ben and Davis are at the water hole, both men in need of medical help and justice. First episode to be filmed at Old Tucson and Mescal, Arizona.

         Guest Stars: Davis...Rupert Crosse,...Sheriff...Larry Ward,...Matt...Ted Gehring,...Mexican Woman...Tina Menard,...Dusty Rhoades...Lou Frizzell,...Soldier...Evans Thornton...(uncredited; bit part).

         Trivia: The late and underrated Rupert Crosse portrays Davis in this episode.  He starred in six episodes of "Partners" in 1971-72.  Crosse also co-starred in the movie, "The Reivers" in 1969.  Lou Frizzell makes another appearance as Dusty, along with a returning Larry Ward, as the Sheriff.  Ted Gehring makes another appearance, as a stable owner, in a humorus role, this time.

         Location Scenes Filmed at: Old Tucson and Mescal, Arizona.

         Filming date: July 1970.

367.) Gideon The Good
         October 18, 1970
         Written by: Ken Pettus
         Directed by: Herschel Daugherty

         On the trail, Joe witnesses a woman kill a man, but the woman rides away before he can positively identify her.  He rides into the nearest town, Black River and reports the crime to Sheriff Gideon Yates, and the two ride out to find clues.  They find a handkerchief embroidered with the letter "L".  Sheriff Yates knows who the killer is, his wife Lydia.  She married him before she got a legal divorce from her first husband, Loomis, and killed him to silence him.

         Gideon tries to coax Joe out of town, but he recognizes Lydia's picture in a photographer's window.  When Joe refuses to leave, Gideon tries to shoot him down in cold blood and orders a manhunt against him.  Joe's only hope is a Mexican stable boy, who saw Gideon shoot him, and ultimately Joe and Gideon have one of the most memorable confrontations in the series' history.

         Guest Stars: Sheriff Gideon Yates...Richard Kiley,...Lydia Yates...Terry Moore,...Maria...Carmen Zapata,...Myles...John Hime,...Hicks...Wes Bishop,...Pike Rogers...Allen Emerson,...Luis...A. Martinez.

         Trivia: The late Richard Kiley as Gideon Yates, the Sheriff of Black River, in his only appearance, and Terry Moore makes her only appearance, once married to Howard Hughes. A. Martinez as Luis, the stableboy, later would go on to great fame on daytime television.

368.) The Trouble With Trouble
         October 25, 1970
         Written by: Jack B. Sowards
         Directed by: Herschel Daugherty

         When Hoss volunteers to be Sheriff of a town called Trouble, he soon finds out that the town had correctly been named.  Hoss almost manages to arrest the whole town, and captures the Clanton gang all by himself.

         Guest Stars: Montana Perkins...Gene Evans,...Chip...G. D. Spradlin,...Judge...E. J. Andre,...Matthew Brody...Jeff Morris,...Mark...Hal Holmes,...Rev...Ray Young,...Tom Blackwell...Edgar Daniels,...Fred...Don Hanmer,...Jack Clanton...Lane Bradford,...Lily...Chanin Hale,...1st Lady...Bobo Lewis,...2nd Lady...Athena Lorde,...Jethro...E. A. Sirianni,...Wally...Sunshine Parker,...Eben...Bobby Riha,...Little Cowboy 1...Jesse Wayne...(uncredited; stunts),...Little Cowboy 2...Jack Williams...(uncredited; stunts),...Townsman 1...Harvey Parry...(uncredited; stunts),...Townsman 2...Richard Farnsworth...(uncredited; extra and stunts).

         Trivia: Gene Evans makes his last appearance as Ben's friend, who needs a strong Sheriff, and Hoss is called upon him.  E.J. Andre makes another appearance in the town of "Trouble", along with G.D. Spradlin as the Deputy, that eventually Hoss makes the Sheriff of Trouble!  Serial star Lane Bradford makes another apperance, this time as the outlaw Jack Clanton.

369.) Thornton's Account
         November 1, 1970
         Written by: Preston Wood
         Directed by: William F. Claxton

         Ben's new horse throws him down a steep slope, injuring his back.  Joe tries to round up some help, but the settlers in the valley live in fear of the devious owner and his hired help.  Joe goes for help from a man named Thornton, but he is wounded by the lowlife cowboys, and has no choice but to ask them for help.  A very imaginitive and visually creative dream Ben has of Joe calling out to him and falling beside him, before waking up and realizes he has just had a terrifying nightmare.

         Guest Stars: Ed Thornton...Gregory Walcott,...Frank Wells...Carl Reindel,...Martha Thornton...Heather Menzies,...Dr. Lucas Myles...Chick Chandler,...Tom Boyle...Harlan Warde,...Brian Boyle...Darrell Larson,...Sheriff...Ken Mayer,...Blue...Scott Walker,...Harvey...Jerry Gatlin,...Hal Burton...(uncredited; horseback and buckboard double for Michael Landon),...Bob Miles...(uncredited; stunts for Carl Reindel),...Buckboard Driver...Jack Williams...(uncredited; stunt driver),...Ed Jauregui (uncredited; horseback double for Lorne Greene),...Bob Jauregui (uncredited; photo double for Greg Walcott)..

         Trivia: Gregory Walcott as Ed Thornton, makes another appearance, as well as Carl Reindel, in his third and last appearance, this time as the lowlife cowboy, Frank Wells.  Harlan Warde makes another appearance as Ed's neighboring rancher, Tom Boyle.  Heather Menzies makes her only appearance on the series as Martha Thornton.  She was married to the late Robert Urich.  Chick Chandler as the Doc again, along with stuntrider/actor Jerry Gatlin, who worked on the "Bonanza" crew, seen with actor Carl Reindel in this episode.

         Trivia: Stuntman Jack Williams drives the buckboard for Michael and in other filmed cuts with Hal Burton doubling Joe at Cedar Lake.  He's hidden underneath the driver's seat, so it's almost impossible to see him, but you can get a glimpse of him.  Jack would come in and drive the stage and buckboard in some episodes on the show, to assist the actors when he was needed.

         Stunt Trivia: In the intense bar fight on Stage 19, in the saloon set, Michael does the complete fight himself, where Bob Miles doubles actor Carl Reindel in the long shots, where the actor only does his close-ups in the fight.

         Stunt Trivia: Lorne Greene is riding a casting horse in this episode.  They are a cut above the average horses ridden and their specialty is stunts and tricks.  Hal doubles as Joe on horseback in every riding shot and Michael Landon only does his necessary close-ups on horseback during the outdoor filming at Cedar Lake.  Hal also doubles Michael in all of the very fast long shots during the buckboard scenes, where Michael only does his close-ups.  Ed Jauregui horseback doubles Lorne Greene alongside Hal Burton on location.  Greene only does his medium shots with Mike Landon.

         Music Trivia: David Rose's lovely effects music is comprised of various leit motifs (musical phrases that introduce characters and scenes) that would later be heard as theme and effects music in "Little House On The Prairie".

         Location Scenes Filmed at: Cedar Lake, at Big Bear Lake, California.

         Filming date: July 21 to July 28, 1970.

370.) The Love Child
         November 8, 1970
         Written by: Michael Landon
         Directed by: Michael Landon

         A dying woman and her son are rejected by her father because she had a child out of wedlock.  Michael Landon reused this story as "A Child Of God" in "Highway To Heaven" in 1985.  David Rose's musical score won an Emmy.

         Guest Stars: Etta...Carol Lawson,...Scott...Michael-James Wixted,...Zack Randolph...Will Geer,...Hop Sing...Victor Sen Yung,...Doctor...David Bond,...Martha Randolph...Josephine Hutchinson.

         Trivia: Carol Lawson makes her second appearance on the series, this time as Etta, the daughter of Zack and Martha Randolph, along with the late and great Will Geer making his second appearance as Zack.  He was previously in ten's "The Running Man" as Cal Butler and would later appear in thirteen's "A Home For Jamie" as Paris Callahan.

371.) El Jefe
         November 15, 1970
         Written by: Ken Pettus
         Directed by: William F. Claxton

         Ben and Hoss come to the rescue of Mexican farmers who are forced off their land by the greedy mine owner who runs the town of Prince River.  Joe appears in a red shirt in one scene, in the house, rather than his usual shirt.  Good surprise ending.

         Guest Stars: Sheriff Vincente Arranda...Rodolfo Hoyos,...Owen Driscoll...Warren Stevens,...Ramon Cardenas...Jaime Sanchez,...Sara...Anna Navarro,...Zack Toler...Shug Fisher,...Graves...Troy Melton,...Brady...Bill Shannon,...Truitt...Alex Sharp,...Rojas...Pepe Hern,...Hop Sing...Victor Sen Yung.

         Trivia: Warren Stevens makes his last appearance, he was previously in nine's, "The Trackers", eight's, "The Prince", and in six's, "The Ballerina".  Rodolfo Acosta makes his last appearance, as the Sheriff, previously seen in the past seasons, along with Shug Fisher and Anna Navarro, making their last appearances on "Bonanza".  "Bonanza" writer/stuntman Alex Sharp, is seen as one of the two heavies who cause trouble for Hoss.

         Location Scenes Filmed at: Big Sky Ranch, Simi Valley, California.

372.) The Luck Of Pepper Shannon
         November 22, 1970
         Written by: John Hawkins, George Scheneck, William Marks
         Directed by: Nick Webster

         Pepper Shannon is a dime novel hero and outlaw.  Ben gives a job to Pepper Shannon on the condition the one-time outlaw stays away from Jamie, who happens to admire him.  Another episode featuring a rare appearance of both Roy and Clem.

         Guest Stars: Pepper Shannon...Neville Brand,...Mr. Corry...Walter Brooke,...Mr. Mills...Dan Tobin,...Donovan...Arthur Peterson,...Sheriff Coffee...Ray Teal,...Deputy Clem...Bing Russell,...Jones...Raymond Guth,...Hop Sing...Victor Sen Yung,...Dr. Harris...Harry Holcombe,...Hal Burton...(uncredited; stunt for Walter Brooke),...Richard Drown...(uncredited; horseback double for Mitch Vogel).

         Trivia: Neville Brand makes his second appearance as Pepper Shannon, he was previously in two's, "The Last Viking" as Hoss' Uncle Gunnar, and would later be seen in thirteen's, "The Rattlesnake Brigade".  Walter Brooke makes his last appearance, previously seen in eleven's, "The Big Jackpot" nine's, "Stage Door Johnnies", and in six's, "A Dime's Worth Of Glory".

         Stunt Trivia: In the fight scene inside the bank on Stage 19, Hal Burton doubles actor Walter Brooke as Michael runs across the room, jumps him against the wall, then slams his gunhand on the desk and knocks him over the desk onto the floor.

         Location Scenes Filmed at: Big Sky Ranch, Simi Valley, California.

373.) The Imposters
         Decembr 13, 1970
         Written by: Robert Vincent Wright
         Directed by: Lewis Allen

         Hoss and Joe pretend to be stage robbers' partners in order to recover stolen Cartwright money.  All goes well until the wife of one of the thieves shows up.

        Guest Stars: Joe Bruder...Strother Martin,...Willie Bruder...Anthony James,...Mrs. York...Diane Shalet,...Gabe Leroy...William Lucking,...Cass...Jarion Monroe,...Deputy Clem...Bing Russell,...Deputy Harris...Jim Raymond,...Bixle...Harry Harvey,...Marley...Robert Ridgely,...Petey...Larry W. Finley,...Randy Bruder...Anthony Colti,...Bob Miles...(uncredited; stunts for Anthony Colti),...Bill Clark...(uncredited; stunts for Dan Blocker).

         Trivia: Strother Martin makes another hilarious appearance, along with Anthony Colti, who we first saw as a gunman in eleven's, "The Long Way To Ogden".  Robert Ridgely makes another appearance on the series, this time as a bartender, and is last seen in thirteen's "A Place To Hide", and "Blind Hunch".

         Stunt Trivia: Bob Miles doubles Randy (Anthony Colti), in the fight with Joe (Michael Landon) on Stage 19, in the long shots.  Bill Clark doubles Hoss as he leaps out of the chair and tackles another actor across the room.  The street fight has Bob doubling Anthony Colti in the entire fight, with Michael doing his complete fight himself.  Michael runs out of the exterior after Bob Miles, tackles him on the boardwalk onto the street, as they do their famous fight together, head over heels on the dirt street, a weekly routine of their job on "Bonanza".

374.) Honest John
         December 20, 1970
         Written by: Arthur Heinemann
         Directed by: Lewis Allen

         Jamie forms a bond with a bum and his tame crow.  Before long, Jamie suggests they repair an old wagon and leave the Ponderosa.

        Guest Stars: Honest John...Jack Elam,...Sheriff Clem...Bing Russell,...Hop Sing...Victor Sen Yung,...Luke...Bucklind Beery.

         Trivia: Jack Elam as the old bum John, that Jamie takes in, previously seen in eight's, "A Bride For Buford", and in two's, "The Spitfire".

375.) For A Young Lady
         December 27, 1970
         Written by: B. W. Sandefur
         Directed by: Don Richardson

         A girl's uncle and aunt want custody of her only because they believe she has the rights to her late grandfather's mine.

        Guest Stars: Carrie Sturgis...Jewel Blanch,...Vella Owens...Madeleine Sherwood,...Buford Sturgess...Paul Fix,...Doctor...Harry Holcombe,...Clara...Peggy Rea,...Deputy...Bing Russell,...Hop Sing...Victor Sen Yung,...Gifford Owens...William Bramley,...Bob Miles...(uncredited; stunt double for Paul Fix),...Hal Burton...(uncredited; horseback double for Michael Landon),...Richard Drown...(uncredited; horseback double for Mitch Vogel).

         Trivia: A very young Jewel Blanch makes her first appearance as Carrie.  She is later seen in thirteen's, "Face Of Fear".  Veteran actor Paul Fix makes his last appearance as Carrie's grandfather, previously seen in nine's, "The Gold Detector".  Actress Madeleine Sherwood makes her only appearance as the strict and scheming woman that takes her away from her sick grandfather; eventually Jamie rescues her and that puts Joe in some trouble.

         Stunt Trivia: In the opening shots of this episode, the stuntmen do their jobs for the actors.  Hal Burton horseback doubles Joe with Jamie being horseback doubled by Richard Drown down the ridgetrail to the point of where they jump off their horses, taking the fall for the actors, when Paul Fix fires the rifle off by accident, spooking their horses.  Bob Miles doubles Paul Fix in the scene of he and Jewel Blanch descending the face of the cliff, as Miles fires the rifle off by accident, and begins his fall down the cliff face, doubling the actor.

         Stunt Trivia: Bob Miles makes his last appearance doing stuntwork on the series, doubling Buford (Paul Fix) in a bit part, when he falls down the cliff.  Bob purchased a lot in Utah and left the series right after this episode was filmed.  He would return two years later and do some stunts in what turned out to be the last episode made, in season fourteen's "The Marriage of Theodora Duffy", in November 1972.

         Location Scenes Filmed at: Agoura, Southern California and June 1968 stock clip of the Ponderosa Ranch replica at Incline Village, Lake Tahoe, Nevada.

376.) A Single Pilgrim
         January 3, 1971
         Written by: Suzanne Clauser
         Directed by: William Wiard

         Settlers from Virginia argue over Hoss' fate after one of them accidentally shoots him.

         Guest Stars: Dilsey Brennan...Beth Brickell,...Frank Brennen...Jeff Corey,...Tom Brennan...John Schuck.

         Trivia: Jeff Corey makes his last appearance, previously seen in eight's, "The Bridegroom", as well as Beth Brickell, who we saw in ten's, "Emily".  Actor John Schuck makes his only appearance, later seen in TV's, "McMillan and Wife".  Beth Brickell was nominated for her one-time Emmy and lost for her performance in this episode.

         Music Trivia: The theme cue that is heard in the teaser serves as a leit motif which underscores Hoss riding on location.  David Rose composed it in different guises to avoid sounding repetitive.  He would later compose and re-record the cue as the end title music for "Little House on the Prairie".

         Location Scenes Filmed at: Mount Pinos Summit, Los Padres National Forest, California.

         Filming date: October 1970.

Season Twelve Episodes 377 - 389 continued...