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Season 8 Episode Guide
Episodes 236- 269
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Episodes appear in order of original air date which may not coincide with when they were actually filmed.

Episode #236
Something Hurt, Something Wild 
September 11, 1966
Joe is accused of assault by one of the Cartwright's neighboring ranchers.
Written by: William R. Cox
Directed by: William Witney
Guest Stars: Lynn Loring (Laurie Ferguson), Lyle Bettger (Jed Feguson), Ron Foster (Stark), Erik Holland (Cleve Ferguson)

Trivia: Lyle Bettger, Laurie's father, previously seen in season three's, "The Guilty".
Lynn Loring(Laurie), was one of the original cast members on the CBS soap opera 'Search for Tomorrow,' and was also the producer of the 1983 movie 'Mr. Mom' with Michael Keaton.


Episode #237
Horse of a Different Hue
September 18, 1966
An old friend of Ben's shows up at the Ponderosa, and to keep any of the Cartwrights from being killed, has to make sure Little Joe doesn't win a horse race.
Written by: William R. Cox
Directed by: William Witney
Guest Stars: Colonel Fairchild(Charles Ruggles), Patty Lou Fairchild(Julie Parrish), Jeb Geller(Skip Homeier), Clem Foster(Bing Russell), Snowden(Johnny Silver), O' Leary(Joe Haworth), Mackaye(Steven Marlo), Fairly(John McKee), Sheriff(Kenneth MacDonald), Larcher(Chuck Roberson).

Trivia: Beauty makes his twenty-fifth appearance on the series. In this episode he plays Clancy, the black horse Little Joe rides in the town race.




Episode #238
A Time to Step Down
September 25, 1966
Ben's longtime friend Dan Tolliver is asked to step down from his job on the Cartwright Ranch. Upset at the thought that he is considered too old for his job, he plans a kidnapping and robbery to get back at the Cartwrights.
Written by: Frank Chase
Directed by: Paul Heinreid
Guest Stars: Dan Tolliver(Ed Begley, Sr.), Beth Riley(Audrey Totter), Temple(Donald "Red" Barry), Sand(Sherwood Price), Jim Flint(Renny McEnvoy), Bartender(Bruno).

Trivia: Ed Begley, Sr., as Dan Tolliver, was previously seen in Season seven's, "The Other Son" as Clint. Don "Red" Barry as Temple, was previously seen in Season six ~ "The Saga Of Squaw Charlie". Sherwood Price as Sand, in his last Bonanza episode, was previously seen in Season five ~ "My Son, My Son", season two ~ "Silent Thunder" and "The Secret", and in Season one ~ "Escape To Ponderosa".




Episode #239 and #240
The Pursued
Part 1 - October 2, 1966
Part 2 - October 9, 1966
The Cartwrights head to Beehive, Nevada to buy horses from a Morman with two wives. The Cartwrights have no problem with this, but the town folk do.
Written by: Thomas Thompson, Marc Michaels
Directed by: William Witney
Guest Stars: Heber Clauson(Eric Fleming), Susannah Clauson(Dina Merrill), Elizabeth Ann(Lois Nettleton), Carbo(Vincent Beck), Parley(Booth Colman), Menken(Robert Brubaker), Mrs. Lang(Jean Inness), Mr. Lang(Donald Elson), Dr. Bingham(Nelson Leigh), Reverend Blaisdale(Byron Morrow).

Trivia: The late Eric Fleming was in season seven's, "Peace Officer" as Wes Dunn, and shortly after he finished this episode, he died South America.



Episode #241
To Bloom for Thee
October 16, 1966
Hoss is engaged to a woman with a past.
Written by: June Randolph
Directed by: Sutton Role
Guest Stars: Carol Attley(Geraldine Brooks), Demers(Don Haggerty)

Trivia: Look familiar? Geraldine Brooks as Hoss' love, was cast as Elizabeth Stoddard, in Season two's, "Elizabeth, My Love".



Episode #242
Credit for A Kill
October 23, 1966
Joe requests reward money from a sheriff in order to keep his friend from getting killed.
Written by: Fredrick Lewis Fox
Directed by :William F. Claxton
Guest Stars: Sheriff Fenton(Don Collier), Lorna Medford(Luana Patten), Tanner(Dean Harens), Martha Tanner(Regina Gleason), Virgil Jordan(Charles Maxwell), Casey(Ed Faulkner), Boone Jordan(Ted Markland), Walt Jordan(Troy Melton), Bartender(John J. Fox).

Trivia: Don Collier as the Sheriff, was previously seen in Season two's, "The Mission" and in Season four's, "The Good Samaritan". Ted Markland, who portrayed Boone Jordan, was also in David Dortort's, "The High Chaparral".



Episode #243
Four Sisters From Boston
October 30, 1966
The Cartwrights come to the aid of four inept ladies.
Written by: John M. Chester
Directed by: Alan Crossland, Jr.
Guest Stars:: Sarah Lowell(Vera Miles), Gabrielle(Lyn Edgington), Lorraine(Madeline Mack), Heather(Melinda Plowman).

Trivia: Vera Miles was later seen in Season twelve's, "A Time To Die".



Episode #244
Old Charlie
November 6, 1966
Hoss help out an old loudmouth.
Written by: Robert and Wanda Duncan
Directed by: William F. Claxton
Guest Stars: Charlie(John McIntire), Annie(Jeanette Nolan), George and Billy Barker(Tim McIntire), Jack Barker(Hal Baylor).

Trivia: A family affair -John McIntire, his wife, Jeanette Nolan and his son Tim McIntire all stared in this episode.



Episode #245
Ballad of the Ponderosa
November 13, 1966
A young man who blames Ben for the death of his father, returns to Virginia City. Script co-written by Michael Landon.
Written by: Michael Landon, Rik Vollaerts
Directed by: William F. Claxton
Guest Stars: Colter Preston(Randy Boone), Lisa Stanley(Ann Doran), Harold Stanley(Roger Davis), D. A. Dave Sinclair(John Archer), Judge Borman(Charles Irving), Sheriff(Robert Foulk), Simpson(Robert B. Williams), Hank(Will J. White), Charlie(Lane Bradford).

Trivia: Ann Doran was also in Season ten's, "The Real People Of Muddy Creek". Her career began at age four, with silent films. She was also cast in "Little House" and "Highway To Heaven".



Episode #246
The Oath
November 20, 1966
Charlie Two has made an oath to his father to kill Ben Cartwright. Joe tries to stop this from happening.
Written by: Sidney Ellis
Directed by: William F. Claxton
Guest Stars: Charlie Two(Tony Bill), Big Charlie Monahan(Douglas Kennedy), Jenkins(Dallas McKennon), Fielding(Rusty Lane), Sheriff Calvin(Ben Gage).

Trivia: Tony Bill(Charlie Two) went on to direct and produce television and movies. In 1973, his feature The Sting (1973) became one of the highest grossing films in history and brought him an Academy Award for Best Picture.



Episode #247
A Real, Nice Friendly Little Town
November 27, 1966
Joe rides home and explains he got shot where his seat meets the saddle. guilted by his younger brother, an unwilling Hoss goes off to find the culprit.
Written by: Herman Hoffman
Directed by: Herman Hoffman
Guest Stars: Willie Mae Rikeman(Louise Latham), Jud Rikeman(Mark Slade), Jed Rikeman(Robert Doyle).

Trivia: Guest star Mark Slade is seen as 'Blue', in David Dortort's, "The High Chaparral. Robert Doyle is later seen in Season thirteen's, "He Was Only Seven", and in Season fourteen's, "Forever". Louise Latham is later seen in Season twelve's, "The Silent Killer".



Episode #248
The Bridegroom
December 4, 1966
Joe plays matchmaker.
Written by: Walter Black
Directed by: William F. Claxton
Guest Stars: Maggie Dowling(Joanne Linville), Tuck Dowling(Jeff Corey), Jared Wilson(Ron Hayes).

Trivia: Jeff Corey, a veteran actor and acting teacher was Leonard Nimoy's acting teacher, and also gave Bruce Lee acting lessons.



Episode #249
Tommy
December 18, 1966
The Cartwrights protect a woman and her deaf son from the boy's outlaw father.
Written by: Mort Thaw, Mary T. Taylor, Thomas Thompson
Directed by:William Witney
Guest Stars: Allie Miller(Janet de Gore), Jess Miller(Michael Witney), Tommy(Teddy Quinn), Padre(Frank Puglia), Waiter(Jorge Moreno).

Trivia: Michael Witney appeared in three other episodes of Bonanza: "Mighty Is The Word", later in "The Stronghold", and "The Prisoners". Witney was also married to the model Twiggy.
Frank Puglia(Padre) had a memorable bit as a Morroccan rug merchant who marks down prices to friends of Rick (Humphrey Bogart) in the classic film Casablanca (1942).



Episode #250
A Christmas Story
December 25, 1966
Singing Andy Walker returns to Virginia City successful, along with his questionable Uncle Thaddeus.
Written by: Thomas Thompson
Directed by: Gerd Oswald
Guest Stars:Andy Walker(Wayne Newton), Thaddeus Cade(Jack Oakie), Hattie(Mary Wickes), Sam(Dabbs Greer), Mike(Dean Michaels).

Trivia: Wayne Newton makes his second appearance on the series as Andy Walker.



Episode #251
Ponderosa Explosion
January 1, 1967
Gerby Royals (rabbits) overrun the Ponderosa as Joe and Hoss try to make their fortune.
Written by: Alex Sharp
Directed by: William F. Claxton
Guest Stars:Barlow(Dub Taylor), Clyde(Chubby Johnson), Nate(Chick Chandler)

Trivia: In the scene where Joe is in his bedroom calculating their hopeful profits, "Now that's 428 rabbits humping 428 rabbits, you got about 956 rabbits", Michael Landon recorded a voice-over for Little Joe's scene. The sound editor caught this in time avoiding major embarrassment for NBC! Did you hear this or not?
Dub Taylor(Barlow) is the father of Buck Taylor, 'Newly O'Brien' on 'Gunsmoke.'



Episode #252
Justice
January 8, 1967
When the woman Joe was planning to marry is murdered, he becomes intent upon tracking down her killer.
Written by: Richard Wendley
Directed by: Lewis Allen
Guest Stars:Horace(Beau Bridges), Sally Bristol(Shirley Bonne), Mrs. Cutler(Lurene Tuttle).

Trivia: Beau Bridges(Horace) is the son of actor Lloyd Bridges, and brother of Golden Globe Winner and Academy Award Nominee Jeff Bridges.



Episode #253
A Bride for Buford
January 15, 1967
Hoss is sure a beautiful singer is only after a prospector's money when she shows interest in him.
Written by: Robert V. Barron
Directed by: William F. Claxton
Guest Stars: Dolly Bantree(Lola Albright), Buford Buckalew(Jack Elam), Blackie Wells(Richard Devon), Rev(Paul Brinegar), Searcy(Robert B. Williams).

Trivia: Now retired from acting, Lola Albright(Dolly) was known to have one of the most distintive voices in show business. From 1958 to 1961 she played nightclub singer Edie Hart in the popular TV series "Peter Gunn." In this Bonanza episode, she sang three songs: 'Allouette', 'At The Fair' and 'Aura Lee.'



Episode #254
Black Friday
January 22, 1967
Joe runs into a former Ponderosa cowhand who is now a gunfighter and expecting to be killed on Friday the 13th. Gunfighters lie in wait to kill him and become the #1 gunfighter.
Written by: Herbert Kastle, John Hawkins
Directed by: William F. Claxton
Guest Stars: Steven Friday(John Saxon), Josh "Judge" Wyllit(Ford Rainey), Colt Berry(James Davidson), Ned Jakes(Robert Phillips), Enos Low(Robert McQueeney), Clerk(Robert Christopher), Sheriff(Willard Sage),

Trivia: John Saxon makes the first of his three appearances on Bonanza with this episode.
Ford Rainey makes the 5th of his 9 appearances in the series with this episode. He made his movie debut with an uncredited role in the 1949 James Cagney picture White Heat (1949). He continued to work into his 90s, with a recurring role on the CBS Comedy "King of Queens."



Episode #255
The Unseen Wound
January 29, 1967
Ben visits an old friend, and discovers that the Sheriff is suffering from stress brought on by his experiences during wartime.
Written by: Frank Chase
Directed by: Gerd Oswald
Guest Stars:Sheriff Paul Rowan(Leslie Nielsen), Catherine Rowan(Nancy Malone), Landers(Jack Lambert), Tollar(Bill Fletcher), Dr. Evans(Douglas Henderson), Garratt(Cal Bartlett), Timmy Rowan(Frankie Kalbott), Bleeker(Percy Helton).

Trivia: Leslie Nielsen(Rowan) was born in the Northwest Territory of Canada, where his father was a Royal Canadian Mounted Police Officer. He is probably best known for his portrayal of Frank Drebin in the "Naked Gun" comedy movies.



Episode #256
Journey To Terror
February 5, 1967
Joe visits an old friend in the Arizona Territory and realizes that her husband is part of a gang.
Written by: Joel Murcott
Directed by: Lewis Allen
Guest Stars: Wade Hollister(John Ericson), Tom Blackwell(Jason Evers), Ellie Sue Blackwell(Elizabeth Rogers), Rita(Lory Patrick), Sheriff King(Kevin Hagen), Benjie Blackwell(Kerry MacLane), Doc Jensen(Lindsay Workman), Neal(Richard Hale).

Trivia: This was John Ericson's second appearance in the series, playing Vince Dagen in Season 2's 'Breed of Violence.' Elizabeth Rogers also made her second appearance, having appeared in Season 6's 'Once a Doctor.'



Episode #257
Amigo
February 12, 1967
A wounded comanchero sides with the Cartwrights when the rest of his gang shows up to burn and rob the Ponderosa.
Written by: John Hawkins, Jack Turley
Directed by: Lewis Allen
Guest Stars: Amigo(Henry Darrow), Captain John Fenner(Gregory Walcott), Consuela(Anna Navarro).

Trivia: Gregory Walcott makes the third of his seven appearances on the series.
The role of Amigo was originally written for Sammy Davis Jr. Henry Darrow, who did play the part, was a Latin hearthrob in the late 1960's and is the first hispanic actor to portray the character of Zorro.



Episode #258
A Woman In The House
February 19, 1967
Mary Wharton, an old friend of the family, comes to live on the Ponderosa with her shiftless husband. When Ben learns Mary is the victim of domestic violence, he sends her husband packing.
Written by: Joel Murcott
Directed by: Gerd Oswald
Guest Stars: Russ Wharton(Paul Richards), Mary Farnum Wharton(Diane Baker), Monk(Dennis Cross), Goliath(Raymond Guth), Lassiter(Robert Brubaker).

Trivia: This was Paul Richards' second of three appearances on the series. Richards has the unique distinction of being the first actor to shoot Marshal Matt Dillon on 'Gunsmoke' and also the first person that Steve McGarrett on 'Hawaii Five-O' had to say "Book 'em Dano!".



Episode #259
Judgement At Red Creek
February 26, 1967
After coming to a way station where a robbery and murder have taken place, Hoss and Joe have their doubts as to who actually committed the crime.
Written by: Robert Sabaroff
Directed by: William F. Claxton
Guest Stars: Sheriff Will Rimbau(John Ireland), Morgan(John Rayner), Hill(Martin West), Mapes(Harry Carey Jr.), Willow(Bartlett Robinson), Jack Rimbau(James Sikking).

Trivia: John Ireland(Rimbau) portrayed Captain Aaron Cartwright in the 1988 TV movie "Bonanza: The Next Generation."


Episode #260
Joe Cartwright, Detective
March 5, 1967
Joe, with his nose in detective book, drags Hoss into the picture when he suspects the bank is going to be robbed. The script for this comic episode was written by Michael Landon, based on a story by Oliver Crawford. The fight scene in this episode is a take off on fight scenes from the"Batman" series, with Ben and Clem getting beat up by Hoss and Joe.
Written by: Michael Landon, Oliver Crawford
Directed by: William F. Claxton
Guest Stars: Perkins(Mort Mills), Simms(Ken Lynch), Barnes(Ed Prentiss), Charlie(Herb Vigran), Hotel Clerk(Robert B. Williams).

Trivia: This is the fifth and last appearance of Mort Mills(Perkins) on the series. This was Ken Lynch(Simms) sixth of nine appearances in the series.



Episode #261
Dark Enough To See The Stars
March 12, 1967
Young Billy Wilcox wanders onto the Ponderosa, sick, hungry, and alone. Ben finds him and offers him a job on the Ponderosa. Billy shows concern about a lawman that has come Virginia City because he has a past that could be a problem: he killed a man in self-defense and left town.
Written by: Kelly Covin
Directed by: Don Daves
Guest Stars: Billy Wilcox, aka Aaron Mendoza(Richard Evans), Jennifer Yardley(Linda Foster), Tom Yardley(Richard Eastham), Marshal Denton(Willard Sage).

Trivia: This is the second of three appearances by Richard Evans in the series; he was also seen in Season 7's 'The Other Son' and Season 11's 'What are Pardners For?'



Episode #262
The Deed And The Dilemma
March 26, 1967
Ben helps Georgio Rossi in his battle for water. A follow-up episode to "Big Shadow On The Land".
Written by: William F. Leicester
Directed by: William F. Claxton
Guest Stars: Georgio Rossi(Jack Kruschen), Regina Rossi(Brioni Farrell), Lorenzo Rossi(Michael Stefani), Maria Rossi(Penny Santon), Gurney(Donald Woods), Sandy(Robert F. Lyons), Blake(Chris Alcaide).

Trivia: Canadian born actor Jack Kruschen(Georgio) was nominated for an Academy Award in 1960 for his role in 'The Apartment.'



Episode #263
The Prince
April 2, 1967
The Cartwrights play host to Russian royals stalked by jewel thieves.
Written by: John Hawkins, Melvin Levy
Directed by: William F. Claxton
Guest Stars: Prince Vlady & Peters(Lloyd Bochner), Count Alexis(Warren Stevens), Countess Elena(Claire Griswold), Hardesty(Adam Williams), Dixon(Noah Keen), Rivers(Jerry Summers), Sgt. Bell(Clyde Howdy), Porter(Gil Perkins), Ketch(Bill Hickman).

Trivia: Lloyd Bochner(Peters)starred in "To Serve Man," one of the most popular episodes of "The Twilight Zone" (1959) ever produced.



Episode #264
A Man Without Land
April 9, 1967
The foreman of a neighboring ranch frames Joe for murder as part of a scheme to get his employer's property when the owner can't pay his taxes.
Written by: Steve McNeil
Directed by: Don Daves
Guest Stars: Ed Phillips(Jeremy Slate), Matt Jeffers(Royal Dano), Millie Perkins(Joan Marshall), Harry Jeffers(James Gammon).

Trivia: Royal Dano(Jeffers) makes his third and final appearance on the series. Dano provided the voice for Disney's audioanimatronic Abraham Lincoln in "Great Moments with Mister Lincoln," presented as part of the State of Illinois pavilion during the 1964-65 New York World's Fair. It was later turned into the Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln attraction at Disneyland. He was also voiced Lincoln for the Hall of Presidents at DisneyWorld. His voice is still in use today.



Episode #265
Napoleon's Children
April 16, 1967
A gang of kids, led by a boy who calls himself Napoleon, terrorizes Virginia City and the Ponderosa.
Written by: Judith and Robert Guy Barrows
Directed by: Christian Nyby
Guest Stars: Donny(Michael Burns), Ted "Napoleon" Arseneaux(Robert Biheller), Professor(Woodrow Parfrey), Grace(Phyllis Hill), J. W.(Eugene Martin), Reb(Kevin O' Neal), Sampson(Ken Del Conte).

Trivia: Robert Biheller(Napoleon) makes his second and last appearance on the series. He did return to the series as a writer, penning the 1971 Season 13 episode 'Warbonnet' under the name Robert Blood.



Episode #266
The Wormwood Cup
April 23, 1967
Joe tries to convince a long time friend and neighbor of the Cartwrights that he had to kill the man's son in self-defense
Written by: Michael Landon, Joy Dexter
Directed by: William F. Claxton
Guest Stars: Amos Crenshaw(Frank Overton), Linda Roberts(Judi Meredith).

Trivia: Frank Overton makes his last appearance on the series, previously seen as Captain White in Season 3's 'The Storm.' Judi Meredith makes her second and last appearance as well - she was previously seen in Season 4's 'Knight Errant.' She was a star figure skater with the Ice Follies as a youngster, but she broke her back in an accident and was told she would never skate again. She did, but then broke her kneecap. She turned to acting in 1956 when George Burns spotted her in a play and gave her a steady part on his TV show.



Episode #267
Clarissa
April 30, 1967
The Cartwrights' well-meaning, but irritating eastern cousin causes chaos on the Ponderosa.
Written by: Chester Krumholz
Directed by: Lewis Allen
Guest Stars: Clarissa(Nina Foch), George Bristol(Roy Roberts), Peterson(Robert Foulk).

Trivia: This was Nina Foch's only appearance on Bonanza. In 1963, she appeared with Michael Landon as a guest panelist on the game show 'Stump the Stars.' Foch was portrayed the first person to be murdered in the long-running series 'Columbo', in the pilot episode 'Prescription: Murder'. For the last 40 years of her life, she taught at USC's School of Cinematic Arts.



Episode #268
Maestro Hoss
May 7, 1967
Hoss buys a violin from a gypsy fortune teller, and everyone on the Ponderosa except for Hop Sing suffers the consequences.
Written by: U.S. Andersen
Directed by: William F. Claxton
Guest Stars: Madam Marova(Zsa Zsa Gabor), Mrs. Hibbs(Kathleen Freeman), Hank(Del Moore), Barney(Doodles Weaver).

Trivia: This was Zsa Zsa Gabor's only appearance on the series. Undoubtedly the woman who became to epitomize what we recognize today as "celebrity," Zsa Zsa Gabor, is better known for her many marriages, personal appearances, her "dahlink" catchphrase, her actions, life gossip, and quotations on men, rather than her film career.
Kathleen Freeman(Mrs. Hibbs) was a well known comedic actress, who was considered for the role of Housekeeper Alice Nelson on 'The Brady Bunch.' The role eventually went to Ann B. Davis.



Episode #269
The Greedy Ones
May 14, 1967
The Ponderosa is in danger of being overrun by gold hunters.
Written by: James Amesbury
Directed by: Don Daves
Guest Stars: Shasta(Robert Middleton), Gus Schultz(George Chandler), Henshaw(William Bakewell), Pike(Lane Bradford), Fallon(Bob Anderson).

Trivia: Robert Middleton(Shasta) makes his third and final appearance in the series. Mostly known for his evil roles, many don't realize that Middleton had a recurring role on the Jackie Gleason series 'The Honeymooners,' as Ralph Kramden's boss at the Gotham Bus Company.


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Written by elsie, jfclover, French Adam Fan, and DonnaB
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