Still Going Strong

334.) Another Windmill To Go
         September 14, 1969
         Written by: Palmer Thompson
         Directed by: James B. Clark
         Lost Episode

         An Englishman with a passion for challenging ridiculous laws shows up on the Ponderosa grazing in a land-rowing boat mounted on a wagon.

         Guest Stars: Don Q. Hoat...Laurence Naismith,...Abbey...Jill Townsend,...Walters...Bart La Rue,...Benson...Gregg Palmer,...Andy...Virgil Frye,...Shack...Jay Lee Lambert,...Clay...Bruce Watson,...Judge...Foster Brooks,...Bartender...Remo Pisani,...Smitty...Troy Melton...( uncredited; extra ).

         Trivia: Gregg Palmer makes his last appearance, along with Bart La Rue, and the famous comedian, Foster Brooks plays the Judge, makes a memorable Bonanza appearance.  Brooks makes his last appearance in "The Law and Billy Burgess".

         Music Trivia: This is the last season the chapter title music that accompanies the title and watercolor credits, performed by Harry Sukman and the studio sessionists would be heard on the series, based on David Rose's 1961 theme, "The Ponderosa".  The cue is more commonly known as "The Ballad Of Virginia City".

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

         Filming date: July 1969.

335.) The Witness
         September 21, 1969
         Written by: Joel Murcott
         Directed by: Don Richardson

         A young woman, Jenny Winters who is prone to telling tall tales, claims she witnessed the Logan gang holding up a stagecoach.  The Cartwrights hide her at the Ponderosa, but that is only the beginning of what Jenny will learn from spinning tall tales.

         Guest Stars: Jenny Winters...Melissa Murphy,...Orvil Winters...Stefan Gierasch,...Hilda Cutter...Connie Hines,...Jim Cutter...Alan Baxter,...Fantan...Matt Clark,...Bo Logan...Wayne Storm,...Sheriff...Bing Russell,...Stretch Logan...Bo Hopkins,...Bob Miles...(uncredited; stunt double for Bo Hopkins).

         Trivia: Melissa Murphy makes another appearance, this time as Jenny Winters, previously seen in ten's, "Yonder Man" as Noreen, later seen in fourteen's, "The Hidden Enemy".  Stefan Gierasch as Jenny's father, makes his first of two appearances, later seen, in thirteen's, "The Iron Butterfly".  Bo Hopkins makes his only Bonanza appearance as one of the Logan Brothers.

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

336.) The Silence At Stillwater
         September 28, 1969
         Written by: Preston Wood
         Directed by: Josef Leytes
         Lost Episode

         A young boy positively identifies Candy as the man wanted in Stillwater for robbery, arson and murder.

         Guest Stars: Sheriff Austin...Pat Hingle,...Lonnie...Strother Martin,...Barnum...Frank Marth,...Vern...Eddie Ryder,...Jim Hale...Dan Kemp,...Gene Shane...John Ferson,...Hostler...Gene Dynarski,...Deputy...Gene Tyburn,...Peter...Teddy Quinn,...Doctor...John Zaremba.

         Trivia: Veteran actor Pat Hingle as the Sheriff of Stillwater, along with Strother Martin, making another appearance, one of many, later seen as Cole in thirteen's, "The Younger Brother's Younger Brother".

         Filming date: June 10 to June 17, 1969.

337.) A Lawman's Lot Is Not A Happy One
         October 5, 1969
         Written by: Vincent Wright
         Directed by: Don Richardson

         As acting Sheriff of Virginia City, Hoss must contend with land swindlers and a reluctant bridegroom.

         Guest Stars: Hiram Peabody...Tom Bosley,...Cissie Summers...Melinda Dillion,...Paul Forbes...Robert Emhardt,...Fairfax...Jay Novello,...Mr. Green...Harry Hickox,...Mr. Franklin,...Byron Morrow,...Mrs. Green...Elizabeth Talbot-Martin,...Mrs. Franklin...Helen Kleeb,...Elbert...Bob Gravage,...Sheriff...Ray Teal,...Bartender...Remo Pisani.

         Trivia: Tom Bosley makes his last appearance, along with Melinda Dillon, best remembered in Steven Spielberg's, "Close Encounters Of The Third Kind".  Robert Emhardt and Jay Novello make returning appearances, along with Byron Morrow, making his last one.  Helen Kleeb as one of the leading ladies of Virginia City, later seen in twelve's, "Terror At 2:00", and in fourteen's, "Forever".

         Location Scenes Filmed at: Franklin Lake, Southern California.

338.) Anatomy Of A Lynching
         October 12, 1969
         Written by: Preston Wood
         Directed by: William Wiard

         Will Griner is acquitted of murder which upsets the folks of Virginia City.  They feel Griner silenced witnesses and are ready to lynch him.  Ben works to reopen the case by finding out the truth about the case before it is too late.

         Guest Stars: John Degnan...Guy Stockwell,...Louise Thurston...Ellen Weston,...Roy Coffee...Ray Teal,...Jim Fisher...Ted Gehring,...Will Griner...Walter Barnes,...Pete...Mills Watson,...Stut...Dan Scott,...Teague...Stacy Harris,...Clyde Quinn...Roy Engel,...Lassen...Stephen Coit,...Martha Manor...(uncredited; extra as townswoman with blonde hair).

         Trivia: Guy Stockwell makes his last appearance, previously seen in six's, "Invention Of A Gunfighter".  Walter Barnes making his first, as Will Griner, later seen in this season's, "The Long Way To Ogden", and in thirteen's, "Bushwhacked!".  Ted Gehring makes another appearance, and Mills Watson makes his first, later seen in thirteen's, "The Iron Butterfly".

         Filming date: August 8 to August 15, 1969.

339.) To Stop A War
         October 19, 1969
         Written by: Carey Wilbur
         Directed by: Leon Benson

         Dan Logan, a former army scout and lawman who works for the Cartwrights, has his hands full with rustlers, a range war, and a one-time prostitute whose devotion is questionable.

         Guest Stars: Dan Logan...Steve Forrest,...Anita Bayless...Miriam Colon,...Frank Slater...Warren Kemmerling,...Pete Hill...Alan Vint,...Sheriff...Bing Russell,...Ike Kels...Chuck Bail,...Billy...John Tracy,...Bartender...Ollie O' Toole,...Jess Hill...Richard Bull,...Charlie...John J. Fox...(uncredited; bit part),...Hal Burton...(uncredited; horseback double for Alan Vint).

         Trivia: Steve Forrest makes his second and last appearance, this time as Dan Logan, previously seen in nine's, "Desperate Passage", as Josh Tanner.  Warren Kemmerling makes another appearance, as Frank Slater, and Richard Bull makes his first appearance, and is later seen in fourteen's, "The Twenty-Sixth Grave".  He is later seen as Nels, in Michael Landon's, "Little House On The Prairie".  Actress Miriam Colon as Anita, later seen in an episode of "Highway To Heaven".  A rare glimpse of Virginia City's "D" Street is shown, where Logan's girlfriend lives.

         Location Scenes Filmed at:  Agoura, Southern California.

340.) The Medal
         October 26, 1969
         Written by: Frank Chase
         Directed by: Lewis Allen

         Ben lends a hand to a down and out war veteran, Matthew Rush, who received the Congressional Medal Of Honor.  Joe makes a reference to the flapjack contest in a scene with he and Hoss in this episode.  In one scene, Ben tells the villain, Seth Nagel, "Some wounds take a long time to heal. I have a few of those myself."

         Guest Stars: Matthew Rush...Dean Stockwell,...Seth Nagel...Harry Townes,....Lori Nagel...Susan Howard,...Walt Nagel...John Beck,...Del Nagel...Charles Briles,...Barker...E. J. Schuster,...Bartender...Remo Pisani,...Hop Sing,...Victor Sen Yung,...Boy...Sundown Spencer,...Telegraph Clerk...James Rawley,...Cowhand...William Pyfer...(uncredited; bit part),...Ponderosa Hand...Hal Burton...(uncredited; extra).

         Trivia: Dean Stockwell as Matthew Rush, his only appearance on the original series, later seen in the 1993 Bonanza TV-movie, "The Return".  He is the younger brother of actor Guy Stockwell.  Harry Townes makes his last appearance, previously seen in two's, "The Mill", and in four's, "The War Comes To Washoe".  Susan Howard makes her only appearance, also played Kara, a Klingon, in the classic Star Trek, "Day Of The Dove".  John Beck, another second leading man, makes his first of two appearances, also in this season's, "What Are Pardners For?"

         Location Scenes Filmed at: Mount Pinos Summit, Los Padres National Forest, California with June 1962 stock footage at Mount Rose Summit, Lake Tahoe, Nevada along with a June 1968 stock shot of the Ponderosa replica at Incline Village, Lake Tahoe, Nevada and then a September 1967 stock shot of Ben riding Buck at Tahoe Meadows, Lake Tahoe, Nevada, and finally June 1962 stock footage of Ben riding along the shore at Gooseneck Reservoir, Truckee, California.

         Filming date: June 1969.

341.) The Stalker
         November 2, 1969
         Written by: D.C. Fontana
         Directed by: Robert L. Friend

         Candy helps the widow of a man he shot and killed in self defense, unaware she is plotting revenge against him.

         Guest Stars: Lisa Campbell...Charlotte Stewart,...Jake...Lloyd Battista,...Devlin...John Perak,...South....Vernon Waddle,...Sheriff...Bing Russell,...Postal Clerk...Pitt Herbert,...Mrs. Pardee...Dorothy Konrad,...Doctor...Harry Holcombe,...Kenny...Brian Dewey,...Travis...Austin Roberts,...Jim Campbell...Ed Griffith,...Ray Mazy ...(uncredited; horseback fall for David Canary).

         Trivia: Charlotte Stewart makes the first of her two Bonanza appearances, later seen in thirteen's, "The Grand Swing", and would be cast as Ms. Beadle, the schoolteacher, in "Little House On The Prairie".

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

342.) Meena
         November 16, 1969
         Written by: Jack B. Sowards
         Directed by: Herschel Daugherty
         Lost Episode

         Joe and Candy run into Meena Calhoun, a smart but slightly loopy prospector's daughter, and a trio of claim jumpers.

         Guest Stars: Meena Calhoun...Ann Prentiss,...Luke Calhoun...Dub Taylor,...Jesse Potts...Victor French,...Owen Potts...Robert Donner,...Virgil Potts...George Morgan,...Charlie...Stuart Nisbet,...Hal Burton...(uncredited; horseback double for Michael Landon),...Ray Mazy...(uncredited; horseback double for David Canary).

         Trivia: Ann Prentiss makes her first appearance as Meena Calhoun, along with Dub Taylor, as her father, Luke.  He has been in previous episodes, such as eight's, "Ponderosa Explosion", and nine's, "The Gold Detector".  Victor French returns, this time as the head outlaw, along with Robert Donner, later seen in this season's, "The Horse Traders", along with Ann Prentiss and Dub Taylor again.

         Stunt Trivia: In the filmed shots at Iverson Ranch, Michael and David Canary ride up and do their close-ups.  As Joe turns to ride away, it's Hal Burton doubling Joe, as he rides away and powers the horse down the dirt road going to look for Meena.  Then, a September 1967 stock shot of Candy (Ray Mazy) is cut in at Solitude Canyon, Lake Tahoe, Nevada.  In the very last scene of this episode, of Candy and Joe riding away on the same horse, it's really stuntmen Ray Mazy as Candy and Hal Burton as Joe.

         Location Scenes Filmed at: Iverson's Ranch and Lovejoy Buttes, Southern California, with September 1967 stock footage of Candy at Solitude Canyon, Lake Tahoe, Nevada.

343.) A Darker Shadow
         November 23, 1969
         Written by: John Hawkins, Jonathan Knopf, B.W. Sandefur
         Directed by: Don Richardson

         A Virginia City store clerk decides to take advantage of his co-worker's paralyzing sensitivity to bright light.

         Guest Stars: Wade Turner...Gregory Walcott,...Sarah...Sandra Smith,...Clyde...Dabney Coleman,...Mr. Baker...Bill Zuckert,...Sheriff...Bing Russell,...Hank...Michael King,...Sweeny...Don Melvoin,...Dr. Mills...Chick Chandler,...Hal Burton...(uncredited; horseback double for Michael Landon and stunt double for Dabney Coleman),...Troy Melton...(uncredited; stunt double for Gregory Walcott),...Bob Jauregui...(uncredited; photo double for Greg Walcott).

         Trivia: Gregory Walcott makes another guest appearance, this time as Wade Turner.  He was previously in ten's "My Friend, My Enemy" as Sheriff Crowley.  Sandra Smith makes her second and last appearance, this time as Wade's girlfriend, Sarah.  She was previously in ten's "Salute to Yesterday" as Ann.  Dabney Coleman makes his second and last appearance, this time as Clyde.  He was previously in ten's "Queen High" as Mr. Peterson.  Chick Chandler makes another appearance, this time as Doc Mills.

         Stunt Trivia:  Hal Burton horseback doubles Joe when he rides up the steep trail on the ridge in search of Wade.  He also doubles Joe in bit parts at the summit and does the fall from the Paint horse when Clyde shoots him off at the climax of this episode.  Michael Landon does the other filmed cuts in these location scenes which he could safely do without getting injured.  The fight between Wade (Gregory Walcott) and Clyde (Dabney Coleman), has their stuntmen doubling them in the long shots of the fight.  Hal Burton doubles Dabney Coleman and Troy Melton doubles Gregory Walcott in "A Darker Shadow".

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

         Filming date: August 1969.

344.) Dead Wrong
         December 7, 1969
         Written by: Michael Landon
         Directed by: Michael Landon

         In Sunville, Hoss and Candy are mistaken for an infamous pair of outlaws: Big Jack and his partner Sid.  With the help of the town's loudmouth storyteller, Salty, he and Candy stage Hoss' "death".  The real Big Jack and Sid come quietly to Sunville, and with all the attention on Hoss and Candy as the mistaken outlaws, plan on robbing the bank.  A funny and touching comedy.

         Guest Stars: Salty Hubbard...Arthur Hunnicutt,...Bobby Dan...Eric Christmas,...Big Jack...Mike Mazurki,...Banker...Ivor Francis,...Hotel Manager...Jim Connell,...Sid...Robert Sorrells,...Sheriff...Guy Wilkerson,...Undertaker...Milton Parsons,...Bum #1...Sunshine Parker,...Bum #2...Lee McLaughlin,...Dillard...John Carradine.

         Trivia: Michael Landon even hired one of his in-laws, who was seen sitting in a rocking chair, on the right, along with another senior citizen, looking on as Hoss is "killed" by Salty, in the hilarious gunfight scene!

         Trivia: Arthur Hunnicutt makes his fourth and final appearance, this time as Salty, the storyteller.  He was previously in one's, "The Hanging Posse", four's, "Any Friend Of Walter's", and five's, "Walter And The Outlaws".  Fine comedian Eric Christmas as Bobby Dan, along with a returning Mike Mazurki as Big Jack, and Robert Sorrells, as Sid.  Two veteran actors also appear; Guy Wilkerson as the Sheriff and John Carradine, as Dillard, who was Jed, in three's, "Springtime".

         Dan Blocker Trivia: The character Bobby Dan (Eric Christmas) is really the first name of Bobby Dan Davis Blocker, the beloved Hoss Cartwright himself, that Michael used in this story he wrote and directed.

         Location Scenes Filmed at: Griffith Park, Southern California.

345.) Old Friends
         December 14, 1969
         Written by: Barney Slater
         Directed by: Leon Benson

         Ben is sorry to learn that two of his oldest friends are on opposite sides of the law, after 27 years.  Charlie Shepard once worked a mining claim with Ben, along with Jess Waddell, now a bounty hunter, and will stop at nothing to kill Charlie, regardless of what anyone tries to persuade him to do otherwise.  Hoss mentions Adam five years after his departure from the series.

         Guest Stars: Charlie Shepard...Robert J. Wilke,...Jess Waddell...Morgan Woodward,...Morgan Shepard...Rick Lamson,...Sheriff...Bing Russell,...Hop Sing,...Victor Sen Yung.

         Trivia: Morgan Woodward makes another appearance, this time as Jess Waddell, later seen in thirteen's, "The Prisoners", and Robert J. Wilke makes his last appearance, this time, as Charlie Shepard.

         Location Scenes Filmed at: Franklin Lake and Vasquez Rocks, California.

346.) Abner Willoughby's Return
         December 21, 1969
         Written by: Jack B. Sowards, Leslie McFarlane
         Directed by: Herschel Daugherty
         Lost Episode

         Joe agrees to help the man who tried to steal his horse, Abner Willoughby, who has returned to claim the box of gold he hid years ago, before going to sea.

         Guest Stars: Abner Willoughby...John Astin,...Widow Sprague...Emmaline Henry,...Charlie...Russell Schulman,...Sheriff Brian....Walter Sande,...Minnie...Irene Tedrow,...Vinson...William Hansen,...Stokes...Patrick Sullivan Burke,...Capt. Price...Duane Grey,...Clerk...E. A. Sirianni,...Ray Mazy (uncredited; stunt double for John Astin).

         Trivia: John Astin makes his only appearance, best remembered on "The Addams Family", and who also is a director in television.  Irene Tedrow makes another appearance as the gun-toting Grandma, previously seen in ten's, "Different Pines, Same Wind", as Carrie.

         Stunt Trivia: In the scene where Abner walks off the building rooftop, it's Ray Mazy who does the fall for John Astin.

         Location Scenes filmed at: Agoura, Southern California with June 1961 stock footage of Joe at Sand Harbor, Lake Tahoe, Nevada and June 1961 stock footage of Joe at Solitude Canyon, Lake Tahoe, Nevada.

347.) It's A Small World
         January 4, 1970
         Written by: Michael Landon
         Directed by: Michael Landon
         Lost Episode

         Ben attempts to help a recently widowed circus midget make a new start in Virginia City.  Written and directed by Michael Landon.  This episode brings the previous "Hoss and the Leprechauns" to mind when viewing it.

         Guest Stars: George Marshall...Michael Dunn,...John Flint...Edward Binns,...Mrs. Marshall...Angela Clarke,...Sheriff Clem...Bing Russell,...Alice...Carol Lawson,...Clarke...Ralph Moody,...Dr, Martin...Roy Engel,...Wyley...Stuart Nisbet,...Annie...Michelle Tobin.

         Trivia: Actor Michael Dunn makes his only appearance, as George, best remembered as the evil mastermind, Dr. Loveless, in TV's, "The Wild Wild, West", starring Robert Conrad and Ross Martin.  Ed Binns as Mr. Flint, a veteran of film and television, and little Michelle Tobin, as his daughter, who falls down the mine shaft, previously seen in nine's, "A Dream To Dream".

         Trivia: Michael Landon recycled this story, for the 1982 "Little House On The Prairie: The New Beginning", episode, "Little Lou".

348.) Danger Road
         January 11, 1970
         Written by: Milton S. Gelman, Brian McKay
         Directed by: William F. Claxton
         Lost Episode

         Ben needs to haul three beams that are 30 feet long and the Cambeau Freight Company will not do it.  A new, independent freight hauler may be the answer.  However, when Ben meets Gunny, he orders him off the Ponderosa.  Ben and Gunny served together in the Mexican war, and chose opposite sides.  Ben puts his differences aside with Gunny and helps him win the government contract away from Cambeau Freight Company.

         Guest Stars: Raymond "Gunny" Riley...Robert Lansing,...Cambeau...William Sylvester,...Serafina Riley...Anna Navarro,...Willard...Jay Jones,...Sheriff...Bing Russell,...Storekeeper...Stuart Nisbet,...Bartender....Ollie O' Toole,...Ed...Leroy Johnson,...Hal Burton...(uncredited; horseback double for Michael Landon & stunt double for Robert Lansing),...Ray Mazy (uncredited; horseback double for David Canary),...Ed Jauregui...(uncredited; wagon double for Lorne Greene).

         Trivia: Robert Lansing makes another appearance, this time as Gunny, previously seen in earlier seasons, such as two's, "Cutthroat Junction", as Jed Trask, later seen as John Dundee, in fourteen's, "Heritage Of Anger".  William Sylvester as Mr. Cambeau, later seen in fourteen's, "The Bucket Dog". Anna Navarro returns, this time as Gunny's wife.  She was previously in eight's "Amigo", and nine's, "The Thirteenth Man", and later in twelve's, "El Jefe".  Jay Jones, as Willard, the scheming driver, actor and stuntman, seen in the classic Star Trek, also in season twelve's, "Kingdom Of Fear", and in fourteen's, "Forever".

         Location Scenes Filmed at: Mount Pinos Summit and Lockwood Valley at Los Padres National Forest, California with September 1967 stock footage of Joe and Candy at Gooseneck Meadow, Truckee, California.

         Filming date: September 1969.

Season Eleven Episodes 349 - 361 continued...