Bonanza: The Return
Encyclopedia
Bonanza: The Return is a 1993 TV-movie sequel to both the 1959-1973 television series Bonanza
and the 1988 made-for-television film Bonanza: The Next Generation
. The movie was directed by Jerry Jameson and featured noted character actors Ben Johnson
, Jack Elam
, Dean Stockwell
, Linda Gray
, and Richard Roundtree
.
None of the characters from the original series appears since the entire cast, with the exception of Pernell Roberts
, was dead. Michael Landon, Jr. and Dirk Blocker
, sons of the original series' stars, do appear. This film was followed two years later with the TV-movie Bonanza: Under Attack
.
The setting is The Ponderosa in the year 1905. Augustus Brandenburg (Dean Stockwell), a land baron, attempts to take the Ponderosa first by legal, and then by illegal means, in order to strip the land of its natural resources. The story includes several flashbacks to the original series.
Bonanza
Bonanza is an American western television series that both ran on and was a production of NBC from September 12, 1959 to January 16, 1973. Lasting 14 seasons and 430 episodes, it ranks as the second longest running western series and still continues to air in syndication. It centers on the...
and the 1988 made-for-television film Bonanza: The Next Generation
Bonanza: The Next Generation
Bonanza: The Next Generation is a 1988 TV-movie sequel to the television series Bonanza which presents none of the original characters . Lorne Greene had signed-on to reprise patriarch Ben, but died shortly before production began...
. The movie was directed by Jerry Jameson and featured noted character actors Ben Johnson
Ben Johnson (actor)
Ben "Son" Johnson, Jr. was an American motion picture actor who was mainly cast in Westerns. He was also a rodeo cowboy, stuntman, and rancher.-Personal life:...
, Jack Elam
Jack Elam
William Scott "Jack" Elam was an American film actor best known for his numerous roles as villains in Western films and, later in his career, comedies .-Early life:...
, Dean Stockwell
Dean Stockwell
Dean Stockwell is an American actor of film and television, with a career spanning over 65 years. As a child actor under contract to MGM he first came to the public's attention in films such as Anchors Aweigh and The Green Years; as a young adult he played a lead role in the 1957 Broadway and...
, Linda Gray
Linda Gray
Linda Ann Gray is an American actress, best known for her role as Sue Ellen Ewing on the television prime-time soap opera Dallas.-Career:Prior to acting, Gray began working as a model in the 1960s...
, and Richard Roundtree
Richard Roundtree
Richard Roundtree is an American actor and former fashion model. He is best known for his portrayal of private detective John Shaft in the 1971 film Shaft and in its two sequels, Shaft's Big Score and Shaft in Africa .-Personal life:Born in New Rochelle, New York, Richard Roundtree graduated from...
.
None of the characters from the original series appears since the entire cast, with the exception of Pernell Roberts
Pernell Roberts
Pernell Elvin Roberts, Jr. was an American stage, movie and television actor, as well as a singer. In addition to guest starring in over 60 television series, he was widely known for his roles as Ben Cartwright's eldest son, Adam Cartwright, on the western series Bonanza, a role he played from...
, was dead. Michael Landon, Jr. and Dirk Blocker
Dirk Blocker
Dennis Dirk Blocker is an American actor and the son of late actor Dan Blocker, of the popular TV series, Bonanza.Dirk Blocker began appearing in American television in 1974, acting in an episode of Marcus Welby, M.D. at the age of sixteen...
, sons of the original series' stars, do appear. This film was followed two years later with the TV-movie Bonanza: Under Attack
Bonanza: Under Attack
Bonanza: Under Attack is a 1995 TV-movie sequel to the 1959-1973 television series Bonanza and television films Bonanza: The Next Generation and Bonanza: The Return...
.
The setting is The Ponderosa in the year 1905. Augustus Brandenburg (Dean Stockwell), a land baron, attempts to take the Ponderosa first by legal, and then by illegal means, in order to strip the land of its natural resources. The story includes several flashbacks to the original series.
Partial cast
- Ben JohnsonBen Johnson (actor)Ben "Son" Johnson, Jr. was an American motion picture actor who was mainly cast in Westerns. He was also a rodeo cowboy, stuntman, and rancher.-Personal life:...
... Bronc Evans - Michael Landon, Jr. ... 'Benj' Cartwright
- Emily WarfieldEmily WarfieldEmily Warfield is an American actress who made her acting debut with the TV movie Dream Date in 1989. She also co-starred in the movie The Man in the Moon with the then-unknown Reese Witherspoon in 1991....
... Sara Cartwright - Brian Leckner ... Josh Cartwright
- Richard RoundtreeRichard RoundtreeRichard Roundtree is an American actor and former fashion model. He is best known for his portrayal of private detective John Shaft in the 1971 film Shaft and in its two sequels, Shaft's Big Score and Shaft in Africa .-Personal life:Born in New Rochelle, New York, Richard Roundtree graduated from...
... Jacob Briscoe - Jack Elam ... Buckshot
- Dirk Blocker ... Walter Fenster
- David Sage ... Miller Swanson
- Stewart Moss ... Preston McAdam
- Dean StockwellDean StockwellDean Stockwell is an American actor of film and television, with a career spanning over 65 years. As a child actor under contract to MGM he first came to the public's attention in films such as Anchors Aweigh and The Green Years; as a young adult he played a lead role in the 1957 Broadway and...
... Augustus Brandenburg - Linda GrayLinda GrayLinda Ann Gray is an American actress, best known for her role as Sue Ellen Ewing on the television prime-time soap opera Dallas.-Career:Prior to acting, Gray began working as a model in the 1960s...
... Abigail 'Laredo' Stimmons - John Ingle ... Judge Jefferson MacKenzie
- Archie Lang ... Dr. Green
- Richard Fullerton ... Head Surveyor
- Charles Gunning ... Otis