The television classic Bonanza was a spectacular success because of the actors who fit into their character’s role as if born to the part. We were introduced to Pa, a three time widower, and to his three sons by western images that had the look and feel of great strength as well as great wealth. The opening to Bonanza has all of the drama and television screen appeal of any great show. Just the music alone will let fans of Bonanza know that Bonanza is on. There was something about the characters including their Chinese cook that seemed real. People were looking into what seemed to be real life drama of a real working ranch whose owners were letting them look. That kind of reality television based on fictional characters is only possible if the actors assume their part and become that part and if the other characters play off each other naturally. The regal portrayal of the western patriarch is consistent in every show that Bonanza made. The arrogant and testy portrayal of the eldest son never changes regardless of the situation. The gentle man whose great size and strength is only used to protect his family remains the same. The self conscious gaiety of the youngest son whose determination to be thought of as his father’s favorite is never written off by the writer’s who gave us the scripts to Bonanza.

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