This page represents the 171 episodes of the series that are the
least requested or used in Bonanza. The story begins when after the
series' cancellation in 1972-73, NBC and Republic Pictures decided to
distribute the first six years which established the series and the
later portions, which is how they have been distributed for almost 30
years now in America.
The other half of the series, a total of 171 episodes were kept in
NBC's main storage vault where all the episode are kept at. Various
independents would buy them for airplay in the 1970's and 1980's, some
under the title of "Ponderosa". The 166 color episodes on 35mm film prints were digitally restored by Republic Pictures. The annoying "Lost Episode" subtitle seen below the main title, was the work of a character generator, courtesy of The Family Channel. They added it on the screen when duplicating the syndication set for airplay. The original audio tracks were re-mastered
on digital audiotape, and then synched with the digital videotape, and
edited, an overview of the process. 120 were issued in 1988 and 51 more issued in 1989 (some without the
Lost Episodes subtitle), although season ten's "Emily" was not seen
until 1994 on The Family Channel. In short, there is no such thing as a
"Lost Episode" of 'Bonanza'.
In August of 1997, with the acquisition of Fox buying the Family
Channel, the Lost Episodes made their last airing on August 14,1997 and returned
two years later in September 1999, the Goodlife Network acquired
171 of them, all unedited, although the recording pitch was slighty sped
up, changing the original way the music and dialogue are heard! The episodes Pat Robertson censored
were: "The Strange One", from season seven, "The Pursued", from season
eight, "Second Sight" and "A Visit To Upright", both from season
thirteen. Incidentally, the fourteenth season was never
re-ran (fourteen's, "Stallion", the only exception).
Note: Each of the Lost Episodes listed below is linked to its description in the Episode Guide.
|
