SEPTEMBER 12

On this date in 1959 (I was 14 and had just started high school), NBC broadcast the first episode of the television show called Bonanza.  What is significant about that?  It was the first regularly scheduled TV program shown in color.  Not too many people had color televisions at that time (including my family) but we knew it was coming.   You could go to Shillito's Department Store and watch a show in color if one was on. 

Bonanza was the story of the Cartwright family ranch called the Ponderosa.  It turned out to be the second longest running western show of all time - it ran continuously until 1973. 

One of it's stars was Michael Landon who played Little Joe Cartwright.  After Bonanza, he began another long run with Little House on the Prairie (1974-1982).   

Another Bonanza star was Dan Blocker.  He played the role of Hoss Cartwright.  He started a craze where people all over the country were calling their friends Hoss. 

The third brother was Adam Cartwright played by Pernell Roberts.  He left the show after six years to take on the title role in Trapper John M.D.  That show ran until 1986.

The father of the family was Ben Cartwright played by Lorne Greene.  When Bonanza ended it's run, he made a few appearances on other programs and many commercial ads.  He died in 1987.

A TV series in color  -  57 years ago today. 
*)*