The Golden Years:
Adam's Last Adventure

169.) Invention Of A Gunfighter
         September 20, 1964
         Written by: Dan Ullman
         Directed by: John Florea

         Joe eventually regrets teaching Johnny Chapman how to handle a gun, as Chapman soon begins abusing his powers.  Soon after Joe teaches Johnny how to expertly handle a gun, he leaves town and returns to Virginia City, a cold-blooded bounty hunter.  His two bounties he is after: his girlfriend Olive and Little Joe as his next victim.

         Guest Stars: Johnny Chapman...Guy Stockwell,...Olive...Valerie Allen,...Al Mooney...Ron Foster,...Sheriff Coffee...Ray Teal,...Bartender...Bern Hoffman,...Martha Manor (uncredited; saloon girl with blonde hair),...Bob Miles (uncredited; stunt double for Guy Stockwell).

         Trivia: Guest star Guy Stockwell seen in his first Bonanza appearance, as Johnny Chapman, later to appear in season eleven's, "Anatomy Of A Lynching".  Guy's younger brother is actor Dean Stockwell, who also appeared in season eleven's, "The Medal", and starred in the series, "Quantam Leap".  Guest star Ron Foster, as Al Mooney, later appeared in season eight's "Something Hurt, Something Wild", season seven's, "Peace Officer", season twelve's, "Terror At 2:00", and in season nine's, "Sense Of Duty".

         Stunt Horse Trivia: Beauty makes his seventeenth appearance, this time in a bit part as Johnny Chapman's new black stallion he rides into town, near the climax of the story.  Beauty's white star on his face and white markings on his rear legs above the hooves are painted over.

         Stunt Trivia: In the episode's teaser, Bob Miles doubles Johnny Chapman ( Guy Stockwell ) when Al Mooney ( Ron Foster ) fights him and hits him over the table in the saloon.

         Location Scenes Filmed at: Iverson Ranch, Southern California and June 1962 stock footage of Joe riding Cochise at Gooseneck Meadow and Gooseneck Reservoir, Truckee, California.

170.) The Hostage
         September 27, 1964
         Written by: Donn Mullally
         Directed by: Don McDougall

         Ben is held for ransom by outlaws holed up in an abandoned mine.  This episode was shown without commercial interruptions in order for the sponsor, Chevrolet, to introduce its new models at the end of the show.

         Guest Stars: Chad...Harold J. Stone,...Willa...Jacqueline Scott,...Tip...Conlan Carter,...Billy...Buck Taylor,...Len...Cal Bartlett,...Jim...Bill Clark,...Bob Miles...(uncredited; extra as posseman),...Ed Jauregui...(uncredited; stunt double for Lorne Greene),...Bill Clark...(uncredited; stunt double for Dan Blocker & Harold J. Stone),...Martha Manor...(uncredited; stunt double for Jacqueline Scott).

         Trivia: Veteran actor Harold J. Stone carries the spotlight, along with Lorne Greene, in "The Hostage".  Guest star Jacqueline Scott makes her second appearance, previously seen in season three's, "The Tall Stranger", and her last appearance was in season seven's, "A Natural Wizard", as Skeeter Dexter's mother.  She was also in the TV-movie, "Duel", with Dennis Weaver, in 1971.  Conlan Carter, making his first appearance, as the trigger-happy outlaw, later seen in season nine's, "Blood Tie".

         Location Scenes Filmed at:  Keyesville, Big Blue Mine, Kernville and June 1964 stock shot of Ben riding Buck across the river at Kernville, California.

         Filming date: Early June 1964.

171.) The Wild One
         October 4, 1964
         Written by: Jo Pagano
         Directed by: William Witney

         Hoss tangles with ornery, opinionated horse wrangler Lafe Jessup, who is reluctantly married and about to become a father.

         Guest Stars: Lafe Jessup...Aldo Ray,...Prudence Jessup...Kathryn Hays,...Bob Miles...(uncredited; stunts for Aldo Ray),...Bill Clark...(uncredited; horseback double for Dan Blocker).

         Trivia: Aldo Ray, in his first appearance, later seen in season fourteen's, "Riot" as a prison guard.  Kathryn Hays as Lafe's wife, a fine actress, best remembered, as the deaf-mute, Gem, in the classic Star Trek episode, "The Empath".

         Trivia: Bob Miles doubles Aldo at all the shots at Red Rock Canyon. Bob did the horseback doubling, whip doubling and stunt doubling for the actor and as usual, Bill Clark doubled Hoss in the episode.

         Trivia: In the original story Prudence dies while in childbirth, however NBC thought this was too morbid, so the ending was changed and Prudence has her baby and lives.

         Stunt Horse Trivia: Beauty makes his eighteenth appearance, this time as the black stallion that Hoss plans to catch, and after being caught, causes havoc with the Palamino, and steals the show from all the actors.  In one scene, Dan Blocker is playing with him, by using hand signals in the corral at Red Rock Canyon.

         Horse Trivia: The Palamino seen in the show was a casting horse, a cut above the average horse supplied by the Myers and Wills Stables, who would supply certain horses to the show.

         Location Scenes Filmed at: Red Rock Canyon, Mojave Desert, California.

         Filming date: June 1964.

172.) Thanks For Everything, Friend
         October 11, 1964
         Written by: Jerry Adelman
         Directed by: Christian Nyby

         Adam has to track down Tom Wilson, a smooth-talking rougue who saved Adam's life, from drowning in a river rescuing a baby calf.  Tom makes friends with Sue Miller, who has a boyfriend, Jerry.  When Sue's father is killed Tom is blamed, but Adam thinks otherwise.  After visiting Tom in jail, Sue confesses to murdering her father and Tom is released from jail.  Adam investigates further and discovers Tom is guilty and tracks him down to the exact spot they first met at: the river.

         Guest Stars: Tom Wilson...Rory Calhoun,...Sue...Linda Foster,...Jerry...Tom Skerritt,...Matilda...Barbara Wilkin,...Roy Coffee...Ray Teal,...Grimes...John Mitchum,...Bartender...Cosmo Sardo...(uncredited; extra),...Bob Miles...(uncredited; diving stunt for Rory Calhoun, extra as cardplayer in saloon),...Bill Clark...(uncredited; extra as Deputy),...Betty Endicott...(uncredited; extra as party guest with dark hair),...Martha Manor...(uncredited; extra as party guest with blonde hair).

         Trivia: Rory Calhoun was the star of the series, "The Texan" and was married to Lita Baron.  A very young Tom Skerritt makes his first of two appearances on the series, this time as Sue's boyfriend, Jerry.  He was later in season fourteen's, "The Hunter", as Coporal Bill Tanner.  Some of his best work was "The China Lake Murders", "Poison Ivy", and as the Sheriff in television's "Picket Fences".

         Stunt Trivia: Pernell manages to do all his own stunts, mainly maintaining his strength against the undercurrents he is swimming against in the Kern River until Rory Calhoun pulls him out.  Bob Miles doubles for Rory when Tom jumps into the river in act four.

         Location Scenes Filmed at: Kernville and Onyx, California.

         Filming date: Mid-June 1964.

173.) Logan's Treasure
         October 18, 1964
         Written by: Ken Pettus, Robert Sabaroff
         Directed by: Don McDougall

         A man Ben helped send to prison twenty years before insists he does not know where the gold he and his partner stole is buried.  Others, including a bounty hunter and his partner's son disagree.

         Guest Stars: Sam Logan...Dan Duryea,...Frank Reed...John Kellogg,...Angie Malone...Virginia Gregg,...Mike Crawford...Tim McIntire,...Roy Coffee...Ray Teal,...George...Russ Bender,...Hotel Clerk...Jack Carol,...Betty Endicott...(uncredited; extra as townswoman with dark hair),...Martha Manor...(uncredited; extra as stage passenger with blonde hair).

         Trivia: Dan Duryea, in his second and last appearance, on Bonanza.  He was previously in season two's, "Badge Without Honor".

         Location Scenes Filmed at: Golden Oak Ranch, Southern California.

174.) The Scapegoat
         October 25, 1964
         Written by: Rod Peterson
         Directed by: Christian Nyby

         Hoss prevents bumbling Waldo Watson, a fighter running from Eastern gamblers, from committing suicide and takes him in at the Ponderosa.

         Guest Stars: Waldo Watson...George Kennedy,...Mary...Sandra Warner,...Weaver...Richard Devon,...Collins...Jon Lormer,...Reese...Troy Melton,...Pitts...Bill Catching,...Bob Miles (stunts; uncredited for Richard Devon),...Bill Clark (stunts; uncredited for Dan Blocker),...Alex Sharp (stunts; uncredited for George Kennedy),...Betty Endicott (uncredited; Hoss' date with dark hair).

         Trivia: Guest star Richard Devon, as Weaver, previously seen in season one's, "The Avenger", season two's, "The Trail Gang", and later, in season eight's "A Bride For Buford".  George Kennedy in his second and final appearance on Bonanza, as Waldo Watson, most entertaining.

         Location Scenes Filmed at: Iverson Ranch, Southern California and September 1962 stock footage at Lake Los Angeles, Antelope Valley, California and August 1961 stock footage of Adam and Hoss on the wagon at Golden Oak Ranch, California.

         Filming date: July 1964.

175.) A Dime's Worth Of Glory
         November 1, 1964
         Written by: Richard and Esther Shapiro
         Directed by: William F. Claxton

         An opportunistic journalist causes trouble for Ben, Adam, and an aging lawman whose best days are behind him.

         Guest Stars: Sheriff Reed Laramore...Bruce Cabot,...Tobias Finch...Walter Brooke,...Gus Pickard...Charles Maxwell,...Raymond...Dal Jenkins,...Mike...Preston Pierce,...Deputy...Anthony Jochim,...Telegrapher...John Harmon,...Henry Wills...(uncredited; horseback & stunt double for Pernell Roberts),...Bob Miles...(uncredited; horseback double for Charles Maxwell),...Ed Jauregui...(uncredited; stunt double for Lorne Greene).

         Trivia: Guest star Walter Brooke, who played the journalist, later appeared in "Stage Door Johnnies", and in "The Luck Of Pepper Shannon".  Serial star Charles Maxwell's familiar face and heavy presence, are seen again, once more, in Bonanza.

         Stunt Trivia: Henry Wills doubles Adam as he climbs out the stage and jumps on the horse in pursuit of Gus Pickard, who is horseback doubled in bit parts by Bob Miles.  Wills doubles Adam again in bit parts during the fight at the episode's climax.  Pernell only does his filmed close-ups for the fight.

         Location Scenes Filmed at: Albertson Ranch, Southern California.

176.) Square Deal Sam
         November 8, 1964
         Written by: Jessica Benson, Murray Golden
         Directed by: Murray Golden

         Sam is a charming old conman that winds up taking all the Cartwrights and Hop Sing when they buy into a phony land deal.  With Hoss' help, Sam and his wife eventually wind up running the Virginia City orphanage.

         Guest Stars: Sam Washburn...Ernest Truex,...Martha Washburn...Nydia Westman,...Gibson...Sandy Kenyon,...Deputy Clem...Bing Russell,...Danny...Danny Flower,...Judge...Sidney Smith,...Hop Sing...Victor Sen Yung,...Bartender...Bruno Ve Sota,...Telegrapher...Olan Soule...(uncredited),...Stage Driver...Clint Sharp... (uncredited),...Bill Clark...(uncredited; extra as cowboy in saloon),...Betty Endicott...(uncredited; extra as townswoman with dark hair),...Martha Manor...(uncredited; extra as townswoman with blonde hair).

         Location Scenes Filmed at: June 1964 stock footage of the stagecoach riding alongside the river at Kernville and June 1962 stock footage of Hoss driving the buckboard at Gooseneck Reservoir, Truckee, California.

177.) Between Heaven and Earth
         November 15, 1964
         Written by: Ed Adamson
         Directed by: William Witney

         Little Joe becomes obsessed with his fear of heights when he can't retrieve his rifle from near the top of a mountain.  Feeling like his fear makes him less of a man, he becomes extremely insecure and difficult to tolerate.  When he defeats his friend, Mitch Devlin, in the local arm-wrestling competition, he treats the match with a grave seriousness, rather than the fun game it was supposed to be.

         Every night he wakes Pa and his brothers with screaming nightmares, which always show him falling off a cliff.  Ben tries to convince Joe that a fear doesn't make someone any less of a man, but he knows his advice is useless.  The only way to rid Joe of his fear is to get him to face it head on.  This episode is based on Fred Dortort's fear of heights, the son of "Bonanza" creator-producer David Dortort and was given to Michael Landon, who confessed he had a fear of heights similar to Dortort's son.

         Guest Stars: Mitch Devlin...Richard Jaeckel,...Ken...Robert Biheller,...Bob Miles...(uncredited; horseback double, buckboard double, climbing and falling double for Michael Landon),...Bill Clark...(uncredited; buckboard double for Dan Blocker),...Ed Jauregui...(uncredited; climbing double for Lorne Greene),...Cosmo Sardo...(uncredited; extra as bartender),...Betty Endicott...(uncredited; extra as saloon girl with dark hair),...Martha Manor...(uncredited; extra as saloon girl with blonde hair).

         Trivia: Bob Miles takes the actual plunge off of the rock overhang, that Little Joe/Michael Landon is seen on, in act one.  Then, a dummy was dropped from the very top of the overhang, which is part of Vasquez Rocks, in Southern California.

         Trivia: Richard Jaeckel would also be seen in season nine's, "Night Of Reckoning", and this marks the first appearance of Robert Biheller, as Ken, who would have the spotlight in season eight's, "Napoleon's Children".

         Trivia: Bob Miles doubling as Little Joe, in the scenes where a phobia-stricken Joe, tries to break the wild horse, and crashes through the corral fence, along with the spooked horse.

         Stunt Trivia: At the conclusion of this episode, the very last shot is of the giant overhang with Ben being doubled by Bill Clark and Joe being doubled by Bob Miles, coming down the edge of the mountain.

         Stunt Trivia: In the scenes with Hoss and Joe in the buckboard, Joe panics and whips the horses into a run.  Michael and Dan do their close-ups on a mock-up buckboard.  Bob Miles doubles Michael and Bill Clark doubles Hoss in the aerial long shots from the rocks above, of the buckboard speeding along the dirt road, with the spooked horses.  Then to a filmed cut of Michael and Dan riding away in the buckboard, for the completed filmed scenes in the story.

         Location Scenes Filmed at: Vasquez Rocks and Janss Conejo Ranch, Southern California.

178.) Old Sheba
         November 22, 1964
         Written by: Alex Sharp
         Directed by: John Florea

         In this very funny episode, Hoss and Joe take an elephant as payment for their performance in a circus, after Hoss injures the wrestler, Bearcat.  When they bring the elephant home, Ben tells them to take it back.  When Hoss and Joe say they cannot, Ben takes matters into his own hands, leading to very funny moments.

         Guest Stars: Mr. Tweedy...William Demarest,...Bearcat...Henry Kulky,...Roy Coffee...Ray Teal,...Anderson...Phil Chambers,...Bob Miles...(uncredited; elephant double for Michael Landon),...Bill Clark...(uncredited; elephant double for Lorne Greene),...Martha Manor...(uncredited; extra as townswoman with blonde hair).

         Trivia: Guest star William Demarest was previously seen in "The Hayburner" as Enos Milford.

         Location Scenes Filmed at: Bronson Canyon in Southern California.

179.) A Man To Admire
         December 6, 1964
         Written by: Mort R. Lewis
         Directed by: John Florea

         Hoss relies on clever attorney Whitney Parker, who has a drinking problem, to clear him of a murder charge.  In one of the series' historical inaccuracies, Abraham Lincoln sends a wire saying he needs Hoss' lawyer for cases in Illinois, although by this time (it was 1861 in the previous season's "The Waiting Game"), Lincoln was president.

         Guest Stars: Whitney Parker...James Gregory,...Byron Evans...William Mims,...Flint Durfee...Booth Colman,...Benjie...Michael Petit,...Ev Durfee,...Hal Baylor,...Roy Coffee...Ray Teal,...Bartender...Bern Hoffman...(uncredited),...Deeter...Dave Willock,...Telegrapher...Jason Johnson...(uncredited; bit part),...Bill Clark...(uncredited; stunt double for Dan Blocker & extra as cowboy in courtroom),...Betty Endicott...(uncredited; extra as townswoman with dark hair in courtroom),...Martha Manor...(uncredited; extra as townswoman with blonde hair in courtroom).

         Trivia: James Gregory as Whitney Parker, a veteran character actor, from the Bronx, NY, and best remembered as a Hollywood heavy, passed away on September 19, 2002 and will be missed.  He was in season nine's "Second Chance" as Mulvaney, and in season ten's "Company Of Forgotten Men" as the Sergeant, who is an old friend of Candy's.  Gregory is also remembered as the sinister Dr. Tristan Adams, in the classic Star Trek episode, "Dagger Of The Mind".  Hal Baylor, a regular, appeared in "The Stranger", "The Ride", "The Saga Of Whizzer McGee", "Shining In Spain", "Old Charlie", "Six Black Horses", and in, "The Stronghold".  Booth Colman was later seen as the fanatical Parson Parley, in season eight's saga, "The Pursued".

         Trivia: One of three episodes to feature the billiard table, Hoss' only hope, in this episode.

         Stunt Trivia: Bill Clark doubles Hoss when Flint Durfee strikes him over the head with his cane, in the alley scenes filmed at night, on the Western Street.

180.) The Underdog
         December 13, 1964
         Written by: Donn Mullally
         Directed by: William F. Claxton

         The Cartwrights put their trust in a half-breed, who is in reality, leader of the horse thieves no one has been able to catch.

         Guest Stars: Harry Starr...Charles Bronson,...Lee Burton...Tom Reese,...Roy Coffee...Ray Teal,...Warren...Bill Clark,...Klawson...Bob Hoy,...Stokey...Henry Wills,...Marie...Mimi Walters,...Bartender...Bruno Ve Sota,...Bob Miles (stunts; uncredited for Charles Bronson and as cowboy thrown out saloon),...Betty Endicott (uncredited; townswoman with dark hair).

         Trivia: In the fight scene with Little Joe and Harry Star, once again, Bob Miles is doing the doubling for actor Charles Bronson, in the long shots, filmed at the Iverson Ranch in Southern California.

         Horse Trivia: Beauty makes his nineteenth appearance, this time as one of the wild horses that Harry Starr and his gang have stolen. The Palamino seen in the show was a casting horse, a cut above the average horse supplied by the Myers and Wills Stables, who would supply certain horses to the show.

         Location Scenes Filmed at: Iverson Ranch, Southern California and June 1962 stock footage at Mount Rose Summit, overlooking Washoe Lake, Nevada, July 1959 stock footage at Mount Rose Summit, overlooking Lake Tahoe and June 1961 stock footage at Spooner Lake, Lake Tahoe, Nevada.

181.) A Knight To Remember
         December 20, 1964
         Written by: Robert V. Barron
         Directed by: Vincent McEveety

         Mexican bandits, who rob the stage Adam is riding, are frightened off by an armour plated rider who claims to be King Arthur, who is ridding the countryside of robbers and dragons.

         Guest Stars: King Arthur...Henry Jones,...Sheriff Munsey...Charles Watts,...Cyril...Robert Sorrells,...Roy Coffee...Ray Teal,...Phoebe...Zeme North,...Juan...Rodolfo Acosta,...Stage Driver...Raymond Guth,...Bandit...Rico Alaniz...(uncredited),...Bob Miles...(uncredited; horseback double for Henry Jones),...Henry Wills...(uncredited; horseback double for Pernell Roberts),...Betty Endicott...(uncredited; extra as stage passenger with dark hair),...Martha Manor...(uncredited; extra as townswoman with blonde hair).

         Trivia: Guest star Henry Jones, in his first appearance, later appeared in season thirteen's, "The Younger Brother's Younger Brother", as the Sheriff.  Robert Sorrells, seen as his deputy, previously seen in, "Hoss and the Leprechauns", later in "The Bottle Fighter", and in "Dead Wrong", and "The Meredith Smith".  Guest star Rodolfo Acosta, making his first appearance as one of the Mexican bandits, later seen in seven's, "All Ye His Saints", as Lijah, in ten's, "Yonder Man", as Matar, and in twelve's, "El Jefe", as the Sheriff.

         Horse Trivia: Sheik makes his sixth and final appearance on the series as the white stallion.  He was previously seen in four's "Mirror Of A Man", "Song In The Dark", and in two's "Sam Hill" and "The Gift".

         Location Scenes Filmed at: Iverson Ranch, Southern California.

         Filming date: September 1964.

182.) The Saga Of Squaw Charlie
         December 27, 1964
         Written by: Warren Douglas
         Directed by: William Witney

         A peaceful Indian is framed for the kidnapping of a young girl, a stunt which ends of tragedy.  In the final act, Lorne Greene recites the 23rd Psalm to Squaw Charlie.

         Guest Stars: Squaw Charlie~Red Eagle...Anthony Caruso,...Bud Cleggett...Donald "Red" Barry,...Martha...Virginia Christine,...Roy Coffee...Ray Teal,...Angela...Vicki Cos,...Lem...William Tannen,...Buck...Myron Healey,...Hank...John Mitchum...(uncredited),...Bob Miles...(uncredited; extra as Bob and stunts; uncredited for William Tannen),...Bill Clark...(uncredited; extra as townsman),...Betty Endicott...(uncredited; extra as townswoman wih dark hair),...Martha Manor...(uncredited; extra as townswoman with blonde hair), Boyd "Red" Morgan (uncredited; stunt double for Anthony Caruso).

         Trivia: Guest star Anthony Caruso was also in the classic Star Trek episode, "A Piece Of The Action" as gangster Bela Oxmyx.  Don "Red" Barry, who appeared in this episode, and in "A Time To Step Down", was also in Little House as the town bigot, Larabee, in 1977-1980.

         Anthony Caruso Trivia: In a recent interview with Wildest Western magazine Caruso glowingly spoke of Bonanza;remembering the show well, Tony remarks that he enjoyed working with the fine cast and crew.  However, to this day Caruso ponders why Pernell Roberts left the series.  "I think that was a dumb move, myself.  He had a real good job on 'Bonanza'.  Oh, well, that was his decision."

         Location Scenes Filmed at: Golden Oak Ranch, Southern California and June 1961 stock footage at Glenbrook Bay, Lake Tahoe, Nevada.

183.) The Flapjack Contest
         January 3, 1965
         Written by: Frank Cleaver
         Directed by: William F. Claxton

         Joe puts Hoss on a strict diet so he will be ravenous enough to win the $500 prize offered in Virginia City's annual flapjack eating contest, during which a bank robbery takes place.

         Guest Stars: Trager...Johnny Seven,...Big Ed...Mel Berger,...Lily...Joan Huntington,...Banker...Howard Wendell,...Ira...Olan Soule,...Hop Sing...Victor Sen Yung,...Bartender...Bern Hoffman,...Bob Miles...(stunts; uncredited for Johnny Seven),...Bill Clark...(stunts; uncredited for Dan Blocker),...Betty Endicott...(uncredited; extra as townswoman with dark hair),...Martha Manor...(uncredited; extra as townswoman with blonde hair).

         Trivia: A total of seven window panes are broken, due to Little Joe's misfortune in this episode.

         Trivia: As Hoss falls down the stairs, late at night, stuntman Bill Clark actually takes the real fall, and then a close-up back to Blocker, as one of Little Joe's contraptions to keep Hoss from eating the day the contest arrives.

         Trivia: In the fight between Joe and Trager, Bob Miles doubles for actor Jonny Seven, in the long shots.

184.) The Far, Far Better Thing
         January 10, 1965
         Written by: Mort R. Lewis
         Directed by: Bernard McEveety

         On their way to prevent a young woman from encountering the renegade Indians, Joe and Tuck are captured, and in order to save them all, Joe must fight Sharp Tongue, who is the leader of the band who went to school with Joe as a youth.

         Guest Stars: Lucinda Melviney...Brenda Scott,...Tuck...Warren Vanders,...Mr. Melviney...Stacy Harris,...Sharp Tongue...X Brands,...Tall Brave...Jack Bighead,...Bob Miles...(uncredited; horseback and stunts for Michael Landon and stunts for X Brands),...Alex Sharp...(uncredited; stunt for Warren Vanders),...Bill Clark...(uncredited; extra/stunts as Paiute Indian),...Martha Manor...(uncredited; extra as townswoman with blonde hair),...Betty Endicott...(uncredited; extra as townswoman with dark hair).

         Trivia: In the life or death fight with Sharp Tongue, Michael is wearing crepe soled boots for better traction.  These type of boots are much more flexible and safer when doing such a complicated fight scene such as this one.

         Trivia: Guest star Warren Vanders, as Tuck, would later be seen as a Pony Rider and Indian fighter, in "Ride The Wind", an incorrigible posseman, in "The Trackers", and as a deputy, in "The Desperado".  Veteran character actor Stacy Harris as Lucy's father, previously seen in "A House Divided" and "Twilight Town".

         Trivia: X Brands, who played Indians, was actually of German descent.  An ancestor of his was one of two Jan Brands in their small German town.  He invented the middle initial "X" to distinguish himself.  He became known as "X" Brands and so did several descendents, none of whom could be called X until the previous "X" died.  The fact that commercials later used the term "Brand X" had nothing to do with the actor's name.  He signed his name "X"

         Paint Horse Trivia: This episode marks the debut of Michael's stunthorse that replaced the first riding Paint called Cochise on the series.  A few days before this episode began filming in October 1964, the very first riding Paint horse was maimed along with some other horses at Fat Jones Stables in North Hollywood.  The horse was euthanized along with two others, while the vet saved some of the other horses.  Michael went back to the stable and rented a stunt double that he and his stuntmen would ride in various parts in many episodes through the very last episode filmed in January 1971.  The horse was sold off with the others at Fat Jones that year for thousands of dollars.

         Stunt Trivia: When the Indians jump Joe and Tuck off the horses at Iverson Ranch, Bob Miles is horseback doubling as Joe and Alex Sharp as Tuck.  They do a bit part fight with the stuntmen dressed as Indians, and then Michael and Warren finish it and surrender.

         In the fight at the temple, Joe pitted against Sharp Tongue, it's Bob Miles who expertly doubles X Brands in the long and medium shots of the fight with Michael doing his complete fight.  X Brands only does his necessary fight close-ups with Michael.

         Location Scenes Filmed at: Iverson Ranch, Southern California.

         Filming date: October 1964.

185.) Woman Of Fire
         January 17, 1965
         Written by: Suzanne Clauser
         Directed by: William F. Claxton

         Ben's friend, Don Miguel, visits the Ponderosa with his two daughters, Margarita and Elena, and Elena's two very anxious suitors.  Their mission? They're on their way to California to meet Margarita's suitor, Don Luis.  Trouble is, Margarita is a "woman of fire" who manages to scare away all suitors with her hot temper.  Since Margarita is the older daughter, she must be married before Elena.  Elena's two suitors are quickly losing their patience, and Don Miguel fears his name will be disgraced if Margarita rejects Don Luis.

         When Margarita blows up at Adam, he gives her what she's needed for a long time, a good spanking, which quiets her temporarily.  However, Adam soon wishes he never got involved.  Don Miguel and and Elena's two suitors ask him to tame Margarita, since he is the only one who has ever silenced her.

         So, in a modern telling of "Taming of the Shrew", Adam works to turn Margarita into a proper lady.  Unfortunately, he's too successful.  Don Luis surprises everyone by coming to the Ponderosa, anxious to see the wonderful woman of fire that he's heard so much about.  A marvelous performance by Joan Hackett, who was also in season thirteen's "Second Sight".

         Guest Stars: Margarita...Joan Hackett,...Don Luis Santana...Cesare Danova,...Elena...Susan Silo,...Don Miguel...Jay Novello,...Carlos...Eugene Iglesias,...Manuel...Valentin De Vargas,...Bob Miles...(uncredited; horseback double for Eugene Iglesias),...Henry Wills...(uncredited; horseback double for Pernell Roberts),...Bill Clark...(stunts; uncredited for Dan Blocker).

         Trivia: When Hoss is teaching Margarita how to play Adam's guitar, she loses her temper and smashes it over his head, courtesy of Dan's stuntman, Bill Clark.

         Location Scenes Filmed at: Golden Oak Ranch, Southern California.

         Filming date: October 1964.

Season Six Episodes 186 - 202 continued...