Bonanza

Fun Facts About Bonanza

• Bonanza is the second longest-running Western TV series (behind Gunsmoke), airing from 1959 to 1973. It followed the Cartwright family — Ben, Adam, Hoss, and Little Joe — on their Ponderosa ranch near Virginia City, Nevada.
• The show helped popularize color TV. It was the first hour-long Western series filmed in color, enticing viewers to upgrade from their black-and-white sets.
• The iconic Bonanza opening credits, featuring a specially created, hand-drawn map burning away to reveal the four main cast members on horseback, is one of the most recognizable TV intros ever.
• Michael Landon, who played Little Joe Cartwright, was only 22 years old when initially cast. He would go on to become one of the show's biggest stars.
• According to the show, the Cartwright ranch was said to be nearly 1,000 square miles in size. That would be approximately 640,000 acres.
• Actor Dan Blocker was a former high school teacher before taking the role of Hoss Cartwright. He earned a master's degree in dramatic arts, teaching English and drama in Texas.
• The producers originally planned for the Bonanza theme song to have lyrics. But it was cut just before the show premiered because it was considered to be too cheesy.
• In Season 10 of Bonanza, Hop Sing clears Little Joe of a murder charge using knowledge of ancient Chinese identification methods called "chops." He demonstrates how fingerprints are unique to each person, proving Little Joe's innocence.