The Saga Becomes A Solid Western
and Candy Comes On The Scene

270.) Second Chance
         September 17, 1967
         Written by: John Hawkins, Paul Schneider
         Directed by: Leon Benson
         Original Story Title: "The Losers"

         Renegade Indians have been on the rampage attacking settlers and raising havoc in the West.  Joe and Hoss have gone to warn the settlers when Joe is shot with an arrow.  Hoss tries to remove the arrow, but the shaft breaks and it is imbedded in Joe's shoulder, leaving Joe gravely wounded.  Hoss desperately searches for help and comes upon a wagon train with an odd assortment of people.  There are two women, a thief, a dying doctor, and a coward on the wagon train.

         Guest Stars: Mulvaney...James Gregory,...Estelle Dawson...Bettye Ackerman,...Issac Dawson...Joe De Santis,...Frazier...Douglas Kennedy,...Anna...Jane Zachary,...Breck...Ken Drake,...Lt. March...Jim Beck,...Telegrapher...Martin Eric,...Hal Burton...(uncredited; horseback double for Michael Landon),...Bill Clark...(uncredited; horseback double for Dan Blocker).

         Trivia: The late James Gregory makes another guest appearance, this time as the traitorous ex-soldier Mulvaney, with actress Jane Zachary as his daughter Anna.  Bettye Ackerman, actress and wife of the late Sam Jaffee plays Estelle, with character actor Joe De Santis as Dawson, the dying doctor, in a poignant and sensitive performance.  Character actors Ken Drake as Breck and Douglas Kennedy as Frazier make another appearance, and Jim Beck makes his last appearance on the series as Lt. March.

         Trivia: Stock footage was taken from Paramount's vast library of films for many shots of the rampaging Indians in all four acts of this episode.  Hal Burton doubles Joe and Bill Clark as Hoss in act one, where the stuntmen dressed as Indians are chasing them down the sand at Lovejoy Buttes, in a bit part.

         Location Scenes Filmed at: Lovejoy Buttes, Antelope Valley and Red Rock Canyon, Mojave Desert, California, with a June 1962 stock shot of Ben riding Buck along the shore of Gooseneck Reservoir, Truckee, California, along with stock footage of the rampaging Indians from Paramount's film library, laced throughout this episode's storyline.

         Filming date: April 27 to May 4, 1967.

271.) Sense Of Duty
         September 24, 1967
         Written by: John Hawkins, Gil Laskey
         Directed by: William Witney

         Ben, Hoss, and Joe come to the aid of a militia escort, being pursued by the Paiute Indians, and ward them off, only for Ben to discover that he will be commanding the Virginia City 116th militia after decades of non-service.  The prisoner, a rabble-rousing Paiute who claims he is a God, is being escorted back to prison, at Fort Churchill.  They are forced to cross Indian country on their journey, where they encounter the prisoner's loyal followers, Chief Winetka and his tribe.

         His followers feel he is a God and not a man and will stop at nothing to protect him.  Chief Winetka even puts his friendship aside with Ben and orders his warriors to fight the militia.  Candy Canady (David Canary) makes his debut, as a drifter looking for a meal and an adventure.  In gratitude for Candy helping them, Ben hires him and he agrees to sign on at the Ponderosa on two conditions: that he can pack up and leave anytime he gets the notion or Ben can send him down the road whenever he wants.

         Guest Stars: Candy...David Canary,...Sergeant Ankers...Gene Rutherford,...Wabuska...Michael Forest,...Steve...Ron Foster,...Chief Winetka...Richard Hale,...Deputy...Ben Gage,...Colonel Brill...John Matthews,...Tim Kelley...Kip Whitman,...Wells...Gregg Palmer...(uncredited),...Townsman #1...Bill Quinn...(uncredited; bit part),...Townsman #2...Dan White...(uncredited; bit part),...Hal Burton...(uncredited; horseback double for Michael Landon),...Bill Clark...(uncredited; horseback double for Dan Blocker),...Bob Miles...(uncredited; horseback double for David Canary),...Ed Jauregui...(uncredited; horseback double for Lorne Greene)...Lincoln Demyan...Spence.

         Trivia: David Canary makes his debut as "Candy Canaday", in the first of the 81 episodes he would establish himself in Bonanza.

         Trivia: Michael Forest makes his last appearance on the series, this time as Wabuska, the Paiute who is convinced he is a God.  Michael Forest's career suffered heavily after he made the 1967 Star Trek episode in which he played Apollo and was then confined to these roles, as he played a similar role on Bonanza, both filmed around the same time in 1967.  He left for Rome in 1968 and made a lucrative career in doing voice-overs in the film industry there.  He returned to the United States in 1978 and today is retired in his 70's and is still active at conventions across the country.

         Character actors Ron Foster as Steve and Richard Hale as Chief Winetka, along with Ben Gage as the Deputy and Bill Quinn as a townsman, all make return appearances in this episode.  Big and burly Gregg Palmer makes another guest appearance as Wells, and goes uncredited, along with a few other character actors seen in this episode.

         Stunt Trivia: Joe is horseback doubled by Hal Burton, Ben by Ed Jauregui and Hoss by Bill Clark as they ride to stop the rampaging Indians from killing the soldiers.  This is repeated in act four on location, when all the stuntmen dressed as Indians ride in from all directions and circle them, with Bob Miles doubling Candy (David Canary), Hal Burton as Joe, Ed Jauregui as Ben, and Bill Clark as Hoss riding through the sand, in all the long shots at Red Rock Canyon.   This was the first episode David Canary filmed in May 1967.  He would film his second three months later in August, after the 12-week hiatus was finished out.

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

         Filming date: May 15 to May 22, 1967.

272.) The Conquistadores
         October 1, 1967
         Written by: Walter Black
         Directed by: Leon Benson

         Mexican prospectors take Joe hostage and demand $25,000 dollars in gold for his return.  The town quickly hears about it, and two of the townsmen, Anderson and Perkins, plan to steal the gold for themselves, before Hoss and Ben can deliver it.

         Guest Stars: Blas...John Saxon,...Anderson...John Kellogg,...Quail...Mike de Anda,...Miguel...Carlos Rivas,...Emiliano...Rodolfo Hoyos,...Roy Coffee...Ray Teal,...Perkins...Eddie Ryder,...Charlie...King Moody,...Boke...Clyde Howdy,...Aldrich...Jim Boles,...Hal Burton...(uncredited; horseback double and stunt double for Michael Landon),...Bob Miles...(uncredited; stunts for Carlos Rivas),...Fred Carson...(uncredited; horseback stunts as townsman).

         Trivia: John Saxon makes his second of three appearances, this time as Blas, the Mexican schoolmaster, in probably the most entertaining of his guest roles on the series.  Veteran character actors John Kellogg as Anderson and Eddie Ryder as Perkins make another guest appearance on the series.  Mike de Anda as Quail, previously seen as Corrales in nine's "The Gold Detector" and Carlos Rivas as Miguel, who would be seen in season ten's "Salute To Yesterday" as the Mexican-Indian bandit Angel Montana.

         Stunt Trivia: Hal Burton doubles Joe in three bit parts in this episode.  The first is as Joe is lassoed off the Paint horse in act one, and then later doubles Joe again when he jumps actor Mike de Anda off his horse at Bronson Canyon, and then at Lovejoy Buttes, in an over-the-shoulder shot of Joe falling off the cliff, to complete one filmed scene.  Michael Landon only does his close-ups as Joe for the above scenes on the soundstage and location, but is fully able to do his complete fight on Stage 16 in this excellent episode.

         Location Scenes Filmed at: Lovejoy Buttes, Antelope Valley, and Bronson Canyon, Southern California.

         Filming date: August 9 to August 16, 1967.

273.) Judgement At Olympus
         October 8, 1967
         Written by: Walter Black
         Directed by: John Rich
         Original Story Title: "Judgement at Olympia"

         Candy is arrested for committing murder in the town of Olympus.  He is accused of killing Jed Wheelock, the son of wealthy A. Z. Wheelock.  He insists on finding his son's killer but he wants a fair trial for Candy.  Joe accompanies Candy to make sure things go smoothly, but when Joe is accused of killing a witness who claims he saw Candy kill Jed, Joe is locked up for murder with Candy, and it is up to Hoss to find the killer.  Prototype for several episodes over the next few seasons.

         Guest Stars: Dayton Fuller...Barry Sullivan,...Mary Elizabeth Fuller...Brooke Bundy,...A. Z. Wheelock...Arch Johnson,...Sheriff Henning...Robert Brubaker,...Deputy Gibbs...James Griffith,...Eggers...Vaughn Taylor,...Dawes...Dabbs Greer,...Judge...Rusty Lane,...Telegrapher...Olan Soule.

         Trivia: Barry Sullivan makes his last appearance, this time as Dayton Fuller, previously in one's, "Death On Sun Mountain", as Mark Burdette, later seen in Little House's, "Author, Author!".  Brooke Bundy, in her last appearance, as Mary Elizabeth, previously in seven's, "The Debt".  Arch Johnson as A. Z. Wheelock, making his last appearance, previously seen in four's, "The Artist", and in five's, "Return To Honor".

         Dabbs Greer as the prosecuting attorney, in a powerful role, making another of eight appearances on Bonanza.  Robert Brubaker as Sheriff Henning, previously in earlier seasons, and later in this season's, "The Stronghold".  James Griffith as the Deputy, previously seen in some earlier episodes, most notably, three's, "The Burma Rarity".

         Filming date: September 17 to September 24, 1967.

274.) Night Of Reckoning
         October 15, 1967
         Written by: Walter Black
         Directed by: Leon Benson

         A sadistic outlaw named Dibbs along with his gang, take siege of the Ponderosa, holding Joe, Hoss, and Candy prisoners.  Their foreman, Donny Buckler, has stashed $60,000 dollars and Dibbs will stop at nothing short of murder to get his hands on it.

         Guest Stars: Dibbs...Richard Jaeckel,...Donny Buckler...Ron Hayes,...Kelly Lincrom...Joan Freeman,...Carew...Teeno Pollick,...Rusher...William Jordan,...Webster...James Wainwright,...Dr. Martin...Grandon Rhodes,...Harriet Guthrie...Eve McVeagh,...Bob Miles...(uncredited; horseback stunt as Deputy, stunt double for David Canary, stunt double for Teeno Pollick),...Bill Clark...(uncredited; extra as Ponderosa hand as stunts for Dan Blocker).

         Trivia: Hop Sing is away and a woman named Harriet Guthrie is taking his place at the time of "Night Of Reckoning".

         Trivia: Richard Jaeckel in his last appearance, this time as the sadistic outlaw Dibbs, previously seen in six's, "Between Heaven and Earth", as Mitch Devlin.  Ron Hayes making another appearance, this time as Dibb's foreman, Donny Buckler.  Joan Freeman returns one last time as Kelly Lincrom, previously seen in five's, "The Trap".

         William Jordan as one of Dibb's gunmen Rusher, famous as a screen heavy in TV and films, later seen in ten's "The Clarion" as Mr. Lech and today has his own web site and resides in Florida.  James Wainwright as Webster, later seen in Little House, along with Teno Pollick, as Carew, also in Little House.  Eve McVeagh as Harriet Guthrie, supporting actress, active in TV and film, many decades.

         Bob Miles does three bit parts in this episode. First, as the Deputy that is shot off his horse by Rusher in the front yard. The second bit part has Bob doubling Candy as he falls and trips Dibbs in the living room. The third bit has Bob double Teeno Pollick when Joe shoots him off the stairway in the climax. Dan Blocker is doubled by Bill Clark when Hoss charges and tackles Webster to the floor in the climax, too. Bill Clark also plays a Ponderosa hand, who Joe tries to hint that he and the others are held hostage, when he rudely tells him off at the front door, but Dibbs catches onto this.

         Location Scenes Filmed at: June 1961 stock footage of Joe riding Cochise at Solitude Canyon, Lake Tahoe, Nevada.

         Filming date: August 25 to September 1, 1967.

275.) False Witness
         October 22, 1967
         Written by: Eric Norden
         Directed by: Michael Moore

         After completing a cattle drive in the town of Sand Dust, Candy announces he is heading for Chicago, but he, Hoss, and Joe are placed in protective custody in Sand Dust, after they witness robbery and murder.

         Guest Stars: Valerie Townsend...Davey Davison,...Billy Slater...Michael Blodgett,...Doug Slater...Bill Fletcher,...Sheriff Dunkel...Robert McQueeney,...Matt Haskell...Frederic Downs,...Jeremiah...Jerry Douglas,...Judge Wheeler...Russ Conway,...Deputy Jensen...Len Hendry,...Deputy Strand...Frank Gerstle,...Deputy Farrell...Bill Henry,...Deputy Short...Hal Burton...(uncredited; extra and stunt),...Bill Clark...Deputy...(uncredited; extra),...Hal Burton...(uncredited; horseback double for Michael Landon and horseback stunt as gang member),...Bob Miles...(uncredited; horseback double for Bill Fletcher).

         Trivia: Davey Davison, making her last appearance, this time as Valerie Townsend, previously in five's, "Twilight Town", as Louise.  Robert McQueeney makes his last appearance as the Sheriff of Sand Dust, previously seen in two's, "The Rival", seven's, "The Strange One", and in eight's, "Black Friday".  Bill Fletcher making his last appearance, this time as Doug Slater, previously as Tollar, in eight's, "The Unseen Wound".

         Trivia: Billy Slater is played by Michael Blodgett. The handsome and engaging actor was born on January 1, 1940 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He began his acting career in Minneapolis and later earned a law degree in political science from Cal State Los Angeles and attended Loyola Law School for a year. He made his film debut as a beach bum in "A Swingin' Summer" (1965).

         In the summer of 1967, Michael was the emcee on "Groovy", a weekly TV program of beach party music that was telecast on Los Angeles' Channel 9. He was also cast in the "Bonanza" episode "False Witness" as the notorious outlaw, Billy Slater. In 1968, he switched to Channel 11 and went on to serve as host for "The Michael Blodgett Show", a 90-minute talk show in which he interviewed guests such as Connie Stevens, Agnes Moorehead, Henry Mancini and Pat Paulsen.

         Blodgett achieved his greatest fame in cult popularity with his excellent portrayal as a blithely decadent and hedonistic playboy, Lance Rocke in Russ Meyer's campy treat, "Beyond the Valley of the Dolls" (1970). His other memorable roles in movies include brash young prisoner Coy Cavendish in "There Was a Crooked Man" (1970), free-spirited hippie Lee Ritter in the offbeat fright feature "The Velvet Vampire" (1971) and abusive masseur Roger Hudson in "The Carey Treatment" (1972). Blodgett had a reoccuring role on the short-lived TV series "Never Too Young" (1965).

         In addition to his guest star appearance on "Bonanza", Michael did guest spots on "McHale's Navy" (1962), "The Alfred Hitchcock Hour" (1962), "The Munsters" (1964), "Daniel Boone" (1964), "Ironside" (1967), "Night Gallery" (1970), "Barnaby Jones" (1973) and "Barbary Coast" (1975).

         Michael left the acting business the late 70's and became a successful novelist and screenwriter. He wrote the novels "Captain Blood", "Hero and the Terror" and "The White Raven." In addition, he wrote or co-wrote the scripts for the Chuck Norris action film "Hero and the Terror" (1988), in which he made an uncredited cameo, "Rent-a-Cop" (1987), the hit comedy "Turner and Hooch" (1989), "Run" (1991), the TV-movie thriller "Revenge on the Highway" (1992) and "The White Raven" (1998). Michael was married four times and had three children over the years. He is the ex-stepfather of Eva Bush. On November 14, 2007, Michael Blodgett died from a heart attack at the age of 67 in Los Angeles, California.

         Trivia: The first outdoor opening scene of David Canary, as "Candy", in the opening credits, which was actually filmed a few weeks later, at Zephyr Cove, for, "Showdown At Tahoe".

         Stunt Trivia: At the climax of this episode Hal Burton horseback doubles Joe in a bit part, as he jumps the stuntman who is playing the outlaw off his horse to the ground in between Michael's filmed cuts in "False Witness".  Hal also plays Deputy Short, who is gunned down by one by the gang on the street.  Earlier in act one, he plays one of the gang members who Joe shoots off his horse in the first gunfight. Also in the climax, Bob Miles horseback doubles Bill Fletcher when Hoss shoots him off the horse.

         Location Trivia:  First of five episodes filmed on the Western Street at the RKO-Desilu backlot in Culver City.

         Location Scenes Filmed at:  RKO Forty Acres, Culver City, Southern California and June 1962 stock footage at Gooseneck Meadow, Truckee, California accompanied by stock footage from Paramount's film library, depicting the cattle drive shots as this episode opens up.  A few more stock shots of some wolves howling are cut in, along with a June 1961 stock shot of the moon rising at Incline Village, Lake Tahoe, Nevada.

         Filming date: September 5 to September 12, 1967.

276.) The Gentle Ones
         October 29, 1967
         Written by: Frank Chase
         Directed by: Harry Harris

         Most people consider Mark Cole a coward, but he does not hesitate to step forward when his brother attempts to break a horse by torturing it.

         Guest Stars: Mark Cole...Robert Walker, Jr.,...Dana Dawson...Lana Wood,...Frank Cole...Pat Conway,...Major Dawson...Douglas Henderson,...Trask...Stuart Anderson,...Clem...Bing Russell,...Hop Sing...Victor Sen Yung,...Hal Burton...(uncredited; horseback double for Robert Walker and extra as hand),...Bill Clark...(uncredited; horseback double for Pat Conway),...Clint Sharp...(uncredited; extra as stage driver).

         Trivia: Robert Walker, Jr. as Mark Cole, son of the late Robert Walker, Sr.  Robert Walker, Jr. was in 60's and 70's TV and is best remembered as "Charlie", in the classic Star Trek episode, "Charlie X".  Lana Wood, younger sister of the late Natalie Wood, and Douglas Henderson making his last appearance, as Ben's army friend, previously seen in season seven's, "Five Sundowns To Sunup", as the Reverend.  Pat Conway makes his second appearance, this time as Cole, who is Mark's older brother.  Later seen in ten's "Salute To Yesterday", and previously seen in seven's, "The Lonely Runner", as Roy's corrupt Deputy.

         Horse Trivia: Beauty makes his twenty-ninth appearance, this time as the black stallion that Frank Cole winds up torturing in retaliation for being spirited and his brother Mark steals him away to the Ponderosa.

         Filmed on location at: Albertson Ranch in Southern California.

         Filming date: April 11 to April 18, 1967.

277.) Desperate Passage
         November 5, 1967
         Written by: John Hawkins
         Directed by: Leon Benson

         Driving horses to Utah, the Cartwrights and Candy discover only two people left in a town wiped out by rampaging Paiute Indians.  Together, Mary Burns and Josh Tanner must travel through hostile territory, along with the Cartwrights and Candy.

         Guest Stars: Josh Tanner...Steve Forrest,...Mary Burns...Tina Louise,...Clem...Bing Russell,...Paul Burns...James Forrest,...Hal Burton...(uncredited; horseback double for Michael Landon and horseback stunts as Paiute Indian),...Bob Miles (uncredited; stunts as Paiute Indian),...Ray Mazy (uncredited; stunt double for David Canary),...Bill Clark (uncredited; stunt double for Dan Blocker),...Ed Jauregui...(uncredited; horseback/stunt double for Lorne Greene).

         Trivia: Steve Forrest was born as William Forrest Andrews in Huntsville, Texas on September 29, 1924.  The younger brother of actor Dana Andrews.  At 6' 3", the fairheaded, handsome and virile actor found himself doing bit parts in the 1940's in Hollywood, including 1943's Crash Dive, which featured his older brother Andrews and The Ghost Ship.  He made the transition to a supporting actor in the 1950's and 1960's, very prominently.  In the late 1960's, his face would be much more heavily seen, as he became very popular and active in major guest star roles in the 1970's and 1980's, most prominently in the ABC-TV crime drama series "S.W.A.T"--1975-76, as Lt. Dan "Hondo" Harrelson.

         Forrest made a special cameo in the 2003 remake of "S.W.A.T", as the truck driver, and Samuel L. Jackson played the role Forrest originally portrayed in the original TV-series in the 1970's.  On "Bonanza" he portrays Josh Tanner in this episode and would make another appearance as lawman Dan Logan in eleven's "To Stop A War".

         Tina Louise was born as Tina Blacker in New York City on February 11, 1934.  The red-headed beauty at 5' 8", was a former model and singer, who worked and studied at the Actors Studio and Neighborhood Playhouse in New York.  After her success in the Broadway musical "Li'l Abner", she went to Hollywood and went on to play in a variety of films, but is best known for her Marilyn Monroe-ish stranded movie star Ginger Grant, in the 1964-67 TV-series "Gilligan's Island".

         In the Broadway musical, she played Appassionata Von Climax and shared her dressing room with another Broadway actress making her debut--Julie Newmar.  Her measurements as a starlet in the 1950's were 37-24-36 and later while doing "Gilligan's Island" at 38-23-37 and was the Covergirl on Modern Man magazine in July 1957.  She detested the association of playing Ginger on the TV-series and wouldn't appear in any of the TV reunions aired on CBS, more then a decade after the cancellation of the original series.

         However, she has appeared as herself in television retrospectives to "Gilligan's Island" in 1999, 2000, 2003, and the most recent in March 2004, reuniting with surviving cast members and producers for the DVD release of "Gilligan's Island" in Southern California as herself.  In recent years, she's a volunteer reading teacher in NY school systems and a lifetime member of Actors Studio.  She has one daughter, Caprice from her first marriage.

         Stunt Trivia: In the filmed scenes of Joe rounding the bend by the creek on his horse and signaling the others, it is really Hal Burton doubling for Michael, and the camera pans over to Bob Miles dressed as a Paiute Indian on a granite outcrop and he jumps Hal off the Painthorse and they hit the ground.  Then you see filmed close-ups of Michael and Bob in a fight that takes them into the creek at Solitude Canyon, Lake Tahoe, Nevada, and then the knife fight and Bob gets the knife from Michael who wins the fight.  Both wore wet suits to protect themselves from getting hypothermia from the cold water in the creek.  The stuntmen would always play the Paiute Indians in all the fight scenes in episodes on the show.

         Stunt Trivia: In the big fight at Gooseneck Meadow has Bob Miles as the Paiute, who rides up to Candy and attacks him. Miles did double Candy, but since he played the Indian, it required Ray Mazy to double Candy on the horse. Joe sees the attack and that is where Hal Burton doubles Joe, who rides up from behind and grabs them both. All three take a big fall off the horses and hit the ground. The action cuts to Bob playing another Paiute, who goes after Ben, being doubled by another stuntman, and gets kicked and falls to the ground.

         Hoss reacts to this and Bill Clark doubles him as he rides up and jumps off the horse to stop the Paiute. Lorne and Dan had the same stuntman (Bill Clark), but since both actors were being filmed together in the scene, it required another stuntman on the crew to briefly double Lorne. Back to Joe and Candy, has Bob on top of Mike with the knife and Canary shoots him dead. The action cuts back to the others, with Ben regaining consciousness, only to see Hoss (Blocker), who strangles the Paiute dead on the ground.

         Stunt Trivia: Hal Burton doubles for Michael at Spooner Lake during the escape scenes after Joe cuts the horses loose, Hal jumps on and rides a large white horse, and then jumps off doing a twist then landing on his feet, something too dangerous for Landon to do.  Hal doubles Joe again on the horse as the group quickly rides away from the lake as act four comes to a conclusion.

         Location scenes filmed at: Gooseneck Meadow, Truckee, California and Solitude Canyon and Spooner Lake, at Lake Tahoe, Nevada.

         Filming date: September 13 to September 21, 1967.

278.) The Sure Thing
         November 12, 1967
         Written by: Sidney Ellis, Robert Vincent Wright
         Directed by: William Witney
         Lost Episode

         A young girl's ownership of a beloved stallion is jeopardized by the "big plans" of her scheming father.

         Guest Stars: Trudy Loughlin...Kim Darby,...Bert Loughlin...Tom Tully,...Harper...William Bryant,...Hop Sing...Victor Sen Yung,...Carter...King Moody,...Townsman...Duane Grey,...Official...Matt Emery,...Hal Burton...(uncredited; horseback double for Michael Landon and townsman in horse race),...Bill Clark...(uncredited; horseback double for Dan Blocker),...Polly Burson (uncredited; stunt double for Kim Darby).

         Trivia: As this episode opens, a filmed shot of Washoe Lake is seen from one of the scenic overlooks on the eastern side of the Mount Rose Summit reused from 1962 filmed footage at Lake Tahoe, Nevada.

         Trivia: Kim Darby makes her only Bonanza appearance, seen in many TV series and films, best remembered as "Miri", in the classic "Star Trek" series.

         Stunt Horse Trivia: Beauty makes his thirtieth appearance, this time as the wild stallion owned by Trudy.  The white markings on his rear legs have been painted over to match the rest of his black presence.  He is past his peak of performance in this episode for being 24 years old.

         Stunt Trivia: As this episode opens up with Joe and Hoss first seeing Trudy on her horse, chasing the wild stallion, both Hal Burton as Joe and Bill Clark as Hoss, do all the fast riding shots pursuing the black stallion.  Hal and Bill get their ropes out while riding, and Hal in the Joe costume lassoes Beauty.  Michael and Dan just do their close-ups on horseback with Kim Darby and then ride away as the opening credits sequence begins.  Hal also doubles Michael in act one, when Joe is racing after Trudy at Albertson Ranch on a brown stunthorse.  Kim Darby was doubled by Polly Burson in this episode and she doubled her in "True Grit" (1969).

         Location Scenes Filmed at: Albertson Ranch, Southern California and June 1962 stock footage of Washoe Lake from Mount Rose Summit, Lake Tahoe, Nevada.

         Filming date: May 5 to May 12, 1967.

279.) Showdown At Tahoe
         November 19, 1967
         Written by: Thomas Thompson
         Directed by: Gerald Mayer

         Jamison Fillmore and his cunning gang plan to rob a million dollars from Ben's timber operation, then use his paddle wheel steamboat, the Dixie, to escape across Lake Tahoe.  Fillmore sneaks onto the boat just before it leaves the dock and surprises Captain Nells Larson.  Fillmore and Captain Larson were cellmates in territorial prison years ago.  Fillmore orders Captain Larson to introduce him to Ben as a lumberman from San Francisco, and say nothing else.

         If he complies, Fillmore will pay for Larson's daughter Julie's education back east.  If he doesn't comply, Fillmore will kill him.  Fillmore soon suspects that the Captain betrayed him, though he didn't, and he kills him.  After the Captain's death, Candy takes over the Dixie.  Suspicious of Fillmore, Candy tells him he wants to steal Ben's payroll.  His suspicions are confirmed when Fillmore lets him in on the plan.  The final showdown in act four, one of the greatest battle sequences ever made on Bonanza.

        Guest Cast: Jamison Fillmore....Richard Anderson....Captain Nells Larson....Karl Swenson....Julie Larson....Shelia Larken....Brother Guy....Kevin Hagen.....Testy....Christopher Dark....Houston....Troy Melton....Deputy Clem....Bing Russell....Deputy Tucker....Bill Clark....Shotgun Rider....Hal Burton....(uncredited; falling stunt & horseback double for Michael Landon)....Ed Jauregui...(uncredited; horseback double for Lorne Greene)....Bill Clark...(uncredited; horseback double for Dan Blocker)..

         Trivia: Richard Anderson, making his only Bonanza appearance, as Jamison Fillmore, best remembered as Oscar Goldman in TV's, "The Six-Million Dollar Man".  Karl Swenson makes his last Bonanza appearance as Captain Larson, previously in seven's, "A Natural Wizard", and earlier seasons.  Kevin Hagen as Guy, making his last appearance also, later as Doc Baker in "Little House On The Prairie".  Christopher Dark also making his last appearance, while Troy Melton makes yet another as Houston.  Hal Burton as a shotgun rider who is killed in the last holdup, and Bill Clark as the Deputy that Fillmore kills in act one.

         M.S. Dixie I and M.S. Dixie II History:  The Dixie has a long history of over 50 years.  She was first brought to Lake Tahoe in 1948 from the Mississippi River, with the plan of turning her into a floating casino.  Not long after that plan failed, she sank off the shallow waters at Cave Rock.  After being recovered, she was converted into a houseboat by the owner of the Logan Shoals Marina.  The houseboat turned out to be very popular.  The Dixie appeared in several commercials and in this episode of "Bonanza" and in "State Troopers".  She was also very popular for political fundraisers, decked out in red, white, and blue for the likes of then Nevada Senator Paul Laxalt.

         In 1969, the decision was made to capitalize on the demand and convert the Dixie into a commercial tour boat.  Over a two-year period she was lengthened, twin engines and propellers were added, and a galley and new second and third decks installed.  On Memorial Day of 1972 the M.S. Dixie took her first public cruise, ending a 30-year period during which Lake Tahoe had been without a large commercial vessel.  She was an immmediate and long lasting success treating tens of thousands of visitors to cruises on the lake each summer.

         Among those visitors were future presidents Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford, and a contingent of visiting Russian cosmonauts accompanied by their American counterparts.  Oftentimes, the crew recognizes movie stars and celebrities.  But knowing that the guests prefer a relaxing ride without intrusions or fanfare, they are simply treated with the same courtesy and deference they have for every passenger on the Dixie.  After the years came and went, time deteriorated the original Dixie beyond reasonable repair and the decision was made to build the M.S. Dixie II.

         Because the Tahoe basin has stringent controls on shoreline activities, the plan was to construct the vessel to 90% of its completion at the yard of her builder, Skipperline Industries, at the home at LaCrosse, Wisconsin, with the sections bolted together.  All of the engines would be pre-installed, and the 151 foot long vessel would be broken down into four main sections and transported on special tractor trailers to Lake Tahoe.

         To prepare for the journey West, hundreds of curves, overpasses and bridges were surveyed and measured.  More than 30 permits were obtained to cover the roads which crossed into southern Wisconsin, Minnesota, South Dakota, Wyoming, and Utah before entry into Nevada.  The only trouble they had at Lake Tahoe was when they had to squeeze the trailers through the tunnel at Cave Rock and did it successfully.  The longest journey of the Dixie II was her first.  Final assembly took place in the parking lot at Zephyr Cove through the winter of 1993-1994, with her launch in the spring.

         With hundreds of spectators watching, the new boat inched its way to the water.  After 10 hours, the boat was in enough water to float free.  Pilot boats nudged the Dixie II to her new home at the Zephyr Cove Resort pier.  The public career of the M.S. Dixie II began in May of 1994.  She has been enthusiastically received by the cruising public, who enjoy the spacious, comfortable interiors, refurbished in 2001, picture window viewing, state-of-the-art climate control, and classic lines of this 570-passenger paddlewheeler.  Now the Dixie II cruises Lake Tahoe year round, delighting all who come aboard with the traditions of friendly service and great times that began on the Dixie I.

        Trivia: This episode marks the second outdoor opening scene of Candy, standing under the pines at Zephyr Cove, at the beginning credits.

        Trivia: In the final showdown against Fillmore and his men, Joe decides he's going to make a charge at the boat and board it to save Candy.  Ben and Hoss warn him, it's too dangerous, but there is no other way.  For the second time this season, we see Michael Landon wearing a wetsuit, as he is boarding the Dixie.  He wore a wet suit previously in this season's "Desperate Passage" in the knife fight scene at Solitude Canyon, Lake Tahoe, Nevada.

         Kevin Hagen Trivia: In his sixth and last appearance on the series, Kevin Hagen's favorite "Bonanza" episode as he remembers it well.

         "We filmed on location at Zephyr Cove on the banks of beautiful Lake Tahoe. I'd been to Lake Tahoe before and really loved the area. "Showdown at Tahoe" was fast-paced and exciting, and for an actor, a nice challenging role."

         Location Scenes Filmed at: Zephyr Cove and Tahoe Meadows, Lake Tahoe, Nevada with September 1967 stock footage of  Rose Knob Peak and June 1962 stock footage of Solitude Canyon, Lake Tahoe, Nevada.

         Filming date: September 22 to September 28, 1967.

280.) Six Black Horses
         November 26, 1967
         Written by: William Jerome, Michael Landon
         Directed by: Don Daves
         Lost Episode

         Ben's old friend has stolen money from corrupt politicians in New York and plans to invest in Nevada.  Script co-written by Michael Landon.

         Guest Stars: Onie Dugan...Burgess Meredith,...McCoy...Richard X. Slattery,...Julie...Judy Parker,...Tierney...Hal Baylor,...Patrick O' Neill...Don Haggerty,...Hop Sing...Victor Sen Yung,...Dr. Martin...Grandon Rhodes,...Father O' Brien,...Liam Dunn,...Bob Miles...(uncredited; stunts as townsman),...Bill Clark...(uncredited; stunts for Dan Blocker),...Stage Driver 1...Shug Fisher...(uncredited; extra)...Stage Driver 2...Clint Sharp...(uncredited; extra),...Ed Jauregui...(uncredited; stunt double for Lorne Greene),...Clint Sharp...(uncredited; stunt double for Burgess Meredith).

         Trivia: Burgess Meredith makes his only Bonanza appearance, veteran on film and TV, notably, the 60's hit, "Batman", as "The Penguin", in a stellar performance.  Hal Baylor making another appearance, last seen in eight's, "Old Charlie", and in this season's, "The Stronghold".  Don Haggerty as the heavy, who was infrequently seen on Bonanza, later seen in fourteen's, "Forever" as the bartender in Carson City.  Grandon Rhodes makes his last appearance as Doc Martin on the series.

         Location Trivia: July 1959 stock footage of Hoss chopping down a tree at Lake Hemet is seen, along with June 1962 stock footage from "The Quest", and July 1959 stock footage from Mount Rose Summit, Lake Tahoe, Nevada.

         Filming date: April 19 to April 26, 1967.

281.) Check Rein
         December 3, 1967
         Written by: Robert I. Holt, Olney Sherman
         Directed by: Leon Benson

         The Cartwrights help to prevent a young man's devious uncle from wrongfully acquiring a remarkable stallion and his nephew's ranch. Excellent music score David Rose based on "The Ponderosa" theme cue. He re-adapated it for the title music in 'Little House on the Prairie.'

         Guest Stars: Jace Fredericks...James MacArthur,...Cathy...Patricia Hyland,...Gabrielle Bingham...Ford Rainey,...Rio...Charles Maxwell,...Sheriff Buhler...Robert Karnes,...Asa...William Fawcett,...Cowboy...Tom Fadden,...Hal Burton...(uncredited; horseback double for James MacArthur and Michael Landon, and extra as cowboy at Rimville corral),...Bob Miles...(uncredited; stunt for David Canary),...Bill Clark...(uncredited; horseback double for Dan Blocker),...Troy Melton...(uncredited; stunt and extra as Ponderosa hand)...Ed Jauregui...(uncredited; horseback double for Lorne Greene)..

         Stunt Trivia: In some of the horseback shots at Glenbrook Valley, the cast and guest stars do their own riding. In a few other shots, Hal Burton doubles Joe, along with Bill Clark doubling Hoss, with Lorne Greene riding his horse with Patricia Hyland riding Beauty at a slower pace behind them, down the dirt road at the valley. Hal Burton also doubles James MacArthur, when his character gets blown off his horse by the dynamite explosion at Ben's logging camp in act one. In the barn fight, when Rio is about to steal the black horse, Candy gets into a fight and in one over-the-shoulder shot, is doubled by Bob Miles, getting hit over the head. Troy Melton does his extra and stunt bit as a Ponderosa hand who gets wounded by Rio at the barn fight, when he and his men try to kill Jace.

         Trivia: Veteran character actor Ford Rainey makes another appearance, this time as the sinister Gabrielle Bingham, with veteran serial star Charles Maxwell making another appearance this time, as his evil foreman Rio.  Patricia Hyland as Cathy, projects innocence and natural beauty as Jace's fiance alongside the horses.  Sheriff Buhler is portrayed by character actor Robert Karnes, making another appearance on the series, and James MacArthur makes his only appearance as Jace Fredericks. Adopted by playwright Charles MacArthur and his actress wife, Helen Hayes, shortly after his birth on December 8, 1937.

         Best remembered as Detective Dan "Danno" Williams in "Hawaii Five-O" in this complex role next to Jack Lord, from 1968 to 1979. MacArthur has been married three times, first to his college sweetheart and actress Joyce Bulifant, then actress Melody Patterson, with two children, Charles and Mary.  His third wife is H. B. Duntz, with a son named Jamie.  He also has a daughter Juliette.

         MacArthur is active these days on the fan circuit, radio, television and stage.  All of his films are being issued on DVD, along with his mother's, with many supplements and never-before-seen photos and commentaries.  The ongoing rumors about a "Hawaii Five-O" movie continue unabated with MacArthur returning as Danno, as well as a new series he will star in based in Hawaii, and a one-man show and autobiography, but nothing more definitive then that at this time.

         Stunt Horse Trivia: Beauty makes his thirty-first appearance on the series, this time as Jace's wild stallion.  Beauty's rear white markings above the hooves have been painted over again, and in some scenes, the white star marking on his head.  At 24 years-old, the horse is more than fantastic, he's a horse from God.

         Location Scenes Filmed at: Solitude Canyon, Spooner Lake, and Glenbrook Valley, Lake Tahoe, Nevada. Newly filmed September 1967 stock footage of the Cartwrights and Candy is seen at Tahoe Meadows and Solitude Canyon, Lake Tahoe, Nevada.

         Filming date: September 29 to October 4, 1967.

282.) Justice Deferred
         December 17, 1967
         Written by: Jack Miller
         Directed by: Gerald Mayer

         Hoss cannot convince Andy Buchanan they convicted the wrong man of murder, and when Andy refuses to testify against the real killer, the results are grim.

         Guest Stars: Frank Scott and Mel Barnes...Simon Oakland,...Gladys....Nita Talbot,...Andy Buchanan...Carl Reindel,...Eleanor...Shannon Farnon,...Eads...John Hubbard,...Judge...Tol Avery,...Roy Coffee...Ray Teal,...Monroe...Harlan Warde,...Belden...Byron Morrow,...Mrs. Scott...Claudia Bryar,...2nd Bartender...Cosmo Sardo...(uncredited; extra),...Bill Clark...(uncredited; stunt for Dan Blocker and extra as cowboy in saloon),...Martha Manor...(uncredited; extra as townswoman with blonde hair in courtroom).

         Trivia: Simon Oakland as Frank Scott/Mel Barnes, making his second appearance, previously seen in four's, "Thunder Man" as Poole, and later as Judge Tabor, in ten's, "The Clarion".  Carl Reindel as Andy, making his second appearance, previously seen in four's, "The Beginning", and later in twelve's, "Thornton's Account" as Frank Wells.  John Hubbard makes another appearance, previously in five's, "The Roper" and in six's, "To Own The World".

         Harlan Warde makes his second appearance as an attorney.  He was first seen in three's, "Inger, My Love", later in this season's, "The Bottle Fighter", ten's, "A World Full Of Cannibals", eleven's, "The Law and Billy Burgess", and in twelve's, "Thornton's Account".  Byron Morrow making another appearance, first seen as the Reverend Blaisdale, in eight's, "The Pursued".  Tol Avery, as the Judge, in act one, in earlier seasons, most notably in five's, "Ponderosa Matador".

         Stunt Trivia: While Hoss is testifying and Frank Scott goes and charges him at the stand, it's Bill Clark doubling Hoss, while Simon Oakland as Scott, tackles him in the chair, falling over in one scene.

         Filming date: October 5 to October 12, 1967.

283.) The Gold Detector
         December 24, 1967
         Written by: Ward Hawkins
         Directed by: Don Daves
         Lost Episode

         Hoss wants to buy a mine thought to be worthless and orders a fancy invention to prove it isn't and becomes the local laughingstock in town. "The Ponderosa" theme cue that opens the episode was later re-adapted as the end title music for 'Little House on the Prairie.'

         Guest Stars: Professor Albert McNultey...Wally Cox,...Barney...Paul Fix,...Casey...Caroline Richter,...Vern Higgins...Kelly Thordsen,...Simon...Dub Taylor,...Cash...Chubby Johnson,...Corrales...Mike de Anda,...Hop Sing...Victor Sen Yung,...Fred Carson...(uncredited; stunts as Mexican in shack and for Kelly Thordsen).

         Trivia: Wally Cox makes the first of two appearances, in this one as Professor McNultey.  Veteran movie and TV actor Paul Fix makes his first of two appearances also, along with a returning Dub Taylor and Chubby Johnson, this time as the hilarious Simon and Cash.  Mexican actor Mike de Anda portrays Corrales, also seen as one of the Mexican prospectors in nine's "The Conquistadores".  And stuntman Fred Carson does a few bit parts, one for an uncredited Mexican actor who gets into the fight with Joe and for Kelly Thordsen, when he assaults the gold detector and it explodes.

         Location Scenes Filmed at: Albertson Ranch, Southern California, with June 1964 stock footage of Hoss and Joe riding their horses at Onyx and 1961 stock footage of Joe at Iverson Ranch, California.

         Filming Date: April 3 to April 10, 1967.

284.) The Trackers
         January 7, 1968
         Written by: Louis Bercovitch, Fredrick Louis Fox
         Directed by: Marc Daniels

         Ben helps hunt down an ex-con he helped convict of bank robbery five years before, when the bank is robbed again.  The man, Kully Mako, claimed he was innocent the first time and had nothing to do with the latest heist.

         Guest Stars: Sam Bregan...Warren Stevens,...Kully Mako...Bruce Dern,...Buzz...Warren Vanders,...Grifty...Ted Gehring,...Roy Coffee...Ray Teal,...Tom Evans...Robert P. Lieb,...Sean...Christopher Shea,...Kevin...James Sikking,...Snell...Arthur Peterson,...Phillips...Lincoln Demyan...(uncredited; bit part),...Deputy...Bill Clark...(uncredited; extra),...Townswoman...Martha Manor...(uncredited; extra),...Ed Jauregui...(uncredited; horseback double for Lorne Greene),...Bill Clark...(uncredited; horseback double for Dan Blocker),...Hal Burton...(uncredited; horseback double for Michael Landon),...Ray Mazy...(uncredited; horseback double for David Canary).

         Trivia: Warren Stevens as Sam Bregan, previously seen as a Russian nobleman in eight's, "The Prince", and as Paul, in six's, "The Ballerina", and later in twelve's, "El Jefe", played Rojan in the classic Star Trek episode, "By Any Other Name".  Bruce Dern as Kully Mako, making his debut on Bonanza, later seen in eleven's, "The Gold Mine".  A veteran of TV and film, his daughter is actress Laura Dern.  Warren Vanders makes another appearance as an incorrigable posseman, Buzz, later seen in twelve's, "The Desperado", and previous episodes, as in six's, "The Far, Far Better Thing", and in seven's, "Ride the Wind".

         Ted Gehring as Grifty, another posseman, making his debut on Bonanza, later seen in ten's, "Five Candles", eleven's, "Anatomy Of A Lynching", and "A Matter Of Circumstance", twelve's, "The Power Of Life and Death", and "An Earthquake Called Callahan", thirteen's, "The Grand Swing", and "The Younger Brothers' Younger Brother".  He played Ebenezer Sprague, in Little House On The Prairie.

         James Sikking, of TV fame, as Kully's brother Kevin, previously seen in eight's, "Judgement At Red Creek", and Arthur Peterson, as the bank Inspector, previously in three's, "Blessed Are They", this season's, "In Defense Of Honor", and in eleven's, "The Long Way To Ogden".

         Location Scenes Filmed at: Albertson Ranch, Southern California with June 1961 stock footage of the stagecoach at Solitude Canyon, Lake Tahoe, Nevada. Later in the story is a montage of shots that starts off with September 1967 stock footage of the Cartwrights and Candy crossing the creek at Solitude Canyon, as they search for Kully Mako, fading to Ben riding at Keyesville, Hoss riding alongside the river in Kernville and September 1967 stock shot of Candy riding through the upper slopes at Tahoe Meadows, Lake Tahoe, Nevada.

         Filming date: October 23 to October 30, 1967.

285.) A Girl Named George
         January 14, 1968
         Written by: William H. Wright
         Directed by: Leon Benson

         Trick photography is employed to help a killer beat a murder rap, to prove he was not there at the time of the murder he committed.  However, the camera also proves to be his undermining.

         Guest Stars: Enos Blessing...Jack Albertson,...George...Sheliah Wells,...Cato Troxel...Gerald Mohr,...Judge Neely...Fred Clark,...Roscoe...Andy Devine,...Mrs. Neely...Patsy Kelly,...Coroner...Harry Harvey, Sr.,...Deputy...Steve Gaines,...Bob Miles...(uncredited; horseback and fight double for Gerald Mohr),...Ed Jauregui...(uncredited; horseback and fight double for Lorne Greene),...Martha Manor...(uncredited; blonde townswoman in courtroom).

         Trivia: Gerald Mohr as Cato Troxel, in his last Bonanza appearance, previously seen in two's, "The Abduction" as Mr. Reed, and in seven's, "Found Child", as the evil Uncle.  Sheilah Wells as George, making her first of two appearances, later seen in twelve's, "Winter Kill".  Jack Albertson, wonderful actor, also making his first of two appearances, later in fourteen's, "The Sound Of Sadness".

         Stunt Trivia: In act four's fast-paced horseback sequences at the Albertson Ranch, Ed Jauregui doubles for Lorne Greene on horseback and ropes Bob Miles who is doubling for Gerald Mohr, off his horse, and a filmed close-up of Lorne on horseback is edited in.  Ed and Bob do the whole fight doubling them and Lorne Greene and Gerald Mohr just do their required close-ups that are edited in for the final print.

         Filmed on location at: Albertson Ranch in Southern California.

         Filming date: October 13 to October 20, 1967.

286.) The Thirteenth Man
         January 21, 1968
         Written by: Walter Black
         Directed by: Leon Benson

         The ranchers are once again losing stock to rustlers and not everyone agrees with range detective Marcus Alley's preventive methods.

         Guest Stars: Marcus Alley...Albert Salmi,...Arch Holenbeck...Richard Carlson,...Issiah Heath...Kenneth Tobey,...Prudence Welles...Anna Navarro,...Johannsen...Myron Healey,...Allison...Bill Quinn,...Roy Coffee...Ray Teal,...Terry...John Lodge,...Charles...John Zaremba,...Welles...Michael Kriss,...Lamar Forbes...Jon Lormer,...Bartender...Cosmo Sardo...(uncredited; extra).

         Trivia: Albert Salmi as Marcus Alley, making his second appearance on Bonanza, previously seen in two's, "Silent Thunder", and later in thirteen's, "Search In Limbo", and in fourteen's, "Ambush At Rio Lobo".  Anna Navarro makes her debut as Prudence, the widow of the man Alley kills in act one, she was previously in eight's, "Amigo", and later in eleven's, "Danger Road", and twelve's, "El Jefe".  John Lodge makes his first appearance as a rancher, later seen as the Deputy, in this season's, "The Crime Of Johnny Mule", and "In Defense Of Honor".

         Bill Quinn is seen once again, this time as a member of the Cattleman's Association.  Richard Carlson as Arch Holenbeck, makes one of a few appearances, best remembered from the sci-fi films of the 1950's, "It Came From Outer Space", "The Maze", and "Creature From The Black Lagoon".  He was also a director and appeared on many 50's and 60's Westerns.  And Jon Lormer as Prudence's father, also in the classic Star Trek episode, "For The World Is Hollow And I Have Touched The Sky", and in Highway To Heaven.

         Filmed on location at: Vasquez Rocks, California.

         Filming date: October 31 to November 7, 1967.

Season Nine Episodes 287 - 303 continued...