TV Gems

1: The Smiler

Writer: Lewis Reed  Director: Thomas Carr

Synopsis

Recurring Actors/Characters
Ray Teal (Sheriff Roy Coffee)

Guest Stars
Herschel Bernardi (Clarence Bolling), Catherine McLeod (Mrs. McClure), Bill Zuckert (Gilbert), Robert Foulk (Deputy Sheriff), Scatman Crothers (Jud), Hy Terman (Arthur Bolling)

• Featured Cartwright: Hoss
• This episode marked the move (during its original run) to the 9pm Sunday time slot, where Bonanza would stay for the next eleven years.

Air Date: 24 September 1961

2: Springtime

Writer: John Furia  Director: Christian Nyby

Synopsis

Guest Stars
John Carradine (Jedediah Milbank), John Qualen (Parley), Jena Engstrom (Ann), Claude Johnson (Paul), Denver Pyle (Theodore Hackett), Lorna Thayer (Maina Hackett), Clegg Hoyt (Livery Stable Owner), Selmer Jackson (Doctor)

• Lorne Greene does a voice over at the beginning of the episode.
• The Cartwrights have improved the stock on the Ponderosa.
• The Cartwrights lost a lot of cattle to mountain lions during one of the worst winters they ever had.

Air Date: 1 October 1961

3: The Honor of Cochise

Writer: Elliott Arnold  Director: Don McDougall

Synopsis

Guest Stars
Jeff Morrow (Cochise), DeForest Kelley (Capt. Moss Johnson), Stacy Harris (Col. Clinton Wilcox), Bing Russell (Major Reynolds), Al Ruscio (Delgado), Hal John Norman (Apache Warrior), Robert Rothwell (Lt. Culver), Raymond Mayo (Doctor)

• Joe was originally slated to be the one who gets shot and Adam was to carry him to safety. Pernell Roberts couldn't do this due to a bad back, so it was decided that Roberts' stand-in, Betty Endicott would do it instead. Roberts' was not pleased at the thought of this - a woman just over 5ft carrying Michael Landon. Michael Landon and Pernell Roberts worked out a way to have Joe carry Adam instead during their lunch break. The script was then re-written to have Adam as the shooting victim instead.

Air Date: 8 October 1961

4: The Lonely House

Writer: Frank Chase  Director: William Witney

Synopsis

Guest Stars
Paul Richards (Trock), Faith Domergue (Lee Bolden), Jim Beck (Gavin), Vito Scotti (Pooch), Ray Hemphill (Banker)

• Featured Cartwright: Joe
• Pernell Roberts does not appear in this episode.

Air Date: 15 October 1961