The Viewer's Cut

Due to the upgrade the week of November 17th, and figuring out the new admin features we're a little late in posting our next Viewer's Cut. Hopefully we're now back on track. "I tried my best to get out of that partnership with Annie, but Annie wouldn't hear of it." The Saga of Annie O'Toole Feisty Annie O'Toole (Ida Lupino) comes to Nevada with her old Da {aka "Himself"} to mine silver and winds up feeding the silver miners, shanghaiing Adam Cartwright to be her partner in her tent-kitchen "The Square Meal" and to be her attorney in Miner's Court when an old enemy challenges her right to her claim. First Aired: October 24, 1959 Writer: Thomas Thompson Director: Josep…

"Why did I not see it Adam..." The Philip Diedescheimer Story The Philip Diedesheimer Story is a poignant episode that explores mining safety and the struggles of a German engineer advocating for safer mining practices in Virginia City after a cave-in. First Aired: 10/31/1959 Director: Joseph 'Kane Writer: Thomas Thompson Another historical storyline. Would you have done anything differently had you been the writer or sat in the director's chair? Do you have a favorite or least favorite scene? What of the Cartwrights, did they slip seamlessly into history? If it's been a while since you watched the episode, click here -> The Philip Diedescheimer Story Previous Dis…

"Having faith in no one carries a special kind of security. You and your son have destroyed it. I'll never forgive you that, Ben." The Julia Bulette Story Little Joe falls in love with an older woman, the owner of the town's saloon, much to the chagrin of his family, moralizing town leaders, and creating a rival for her affection. First Aired: October 17, 1959 Writer: Al C. Ward Director: Christian Nyby Oh, there are so many directions when it comes to discussing the characters and the numerous storylines in this episode. Let's see what our members have to say. What about the Cartwrights? Did you fe…

"I'm new in Virginia City." "So, I noticed." "Quite a town. ... Who are the Cartwrights?" "Oh, I reckon you'll find out soon enough." Enter Mark Twain Sanuel Langhorne Clemens arrives in Virginia City to write for the Territorial Enterprise newspaper, only to be pulled into the suspicious activities surrounding a corrupt railroad boss and a local judge determined to seize parts of the Ponderosa. First Aired: October 10, 1959 Director: Paul Landres Writer: Harol Shumate Here's your opportunity to discuss the characters and this storyline. In the opening scene, is Hoss being the 'overly-protective' older…

Hoss and Joe are heading to San Francisco and Ben's telling them to have a good time and warning them against the Barbary Coast and doesn't want to hear of either being Shanghaied! The Paiute War Adam is unjustly blamed by a trader for the mistreatment of two Paiute women. Tensions threaten war between the tribe and the local militia when the eldest Cartwright son is taken hostage. First Aired: October 3, 1959 Written by: Gene L. Coon Director: Paul Landres Here's your opportunity to discuss the characters/actors and this storyline. What about the guest stars. How did you perceive Jack Warden as Mike Wils…

"Ya look at a catus and see a rose, 'cause a rose is what ya want to see. I don't recon there's anything wrong with wantin' to see something good and pretty." The Newcomers First Aired: September 26, 1959 Director: David Nyby Writers: Thomas Thompson An old foe returns to the Ponderosa bringing trouble while guiding his partner, and sister, to the desert high country for her health. When Ben demands they return to California, area miners believe there is more behind the order than protecting the land -- maybe a conspiracy to protect a hidden gold mine. Here's your chance to discuss the characters and the storyline.…

"The Cartwrights are here!" declared Ben to Chief Winnemucca and his tribesman. Death on Sun Mountain The Cartwrights confront two San Franciscans after their get rich scheme involving the slaughter of the antelope herds to sell the meat to the area miners, causes Chief Winnemucca and his braves to steal Ponderosa cattle to survive. First Aired: September 19, 1959 Director: Paul Landres Writers: Gene L. Coon, David Dortort, Fred Hamilton Here's your opportunity to discuss the characters and this storyline. Thankfully, the actors are beginning to settle into their roles, but they're a bit 'loud' at times and sti…

Summary: Mining tycoon Alpheus Troy and his cronies hire Lotta Crabtree to lure one of the Cartwrights into town to hold him for ransom. The demand? Ponderosa timber rights. First Aired: September 12, 1959 Director: Edward Lugwig Writers: David Dortort / Fred Hamilton Summary: Mining tycoon, Alpheus Troy and his cronies hire Lotta Crabtree to lure one of the Cartwrights into town to with the intent to hold him for ransom. The demand? Ponderosa timber rights. First Aired: September 12, 1959 Director: Edward Lugwig Writers: David Dortort / Fred Hamilton Here's your chance to discuss the characters and the sto…

Plot: Adah Menken comes to Virginia City, sparking Ben's interest. But a former lover, a has-been heavyweight boxer arrives, seeking his former glory and Adah's affection. First Aired: November 14, 1959 Director: Christian Nyby Writer: Donald Sanford You've watched the episode. Now it's your chance to sit in the director's chair, or better yet, sit at the editor's desk. What would you have done differently in the episdoe? How would you have made the episode better? Add a scene? Delete a scene, if so which one and why? Change an actor portraying a guest star? What if a different member of the Cartwright family had been the main focus instead of …

Plot: Defending the honor of a saloon girl he likes, Adam ends up in a duel; only to be arrested for her murder after she dies in his arms. First Aired: December 12, 1959 Director: Christian Nyby Writer: David Dortort (created by), Carey Wilber You've watched the episode. Now it's your chance to sit in the director's chair, or better yet, sit at the editor's desk for the entertainment section of your local paper. What review would you give to the people who read your paper? Do you have any behind the scene tidbits to share? What were your favorite / least favorite scene(s) from The Sisters? PS: When commenting, p…

The Spanish Grant Plot: Parts of the Ponderosa as well as all of the Carson Valley Settlers' homestead lands appear to be part of a Spanish land grant about to be siezed by the De La Cuesta family. First Aired: February 6, 1960 Director: Christian Nyby Written by: David Dortor (creator), Morris Lee Green, Laurence Heath (aka Leonard Heideman) You've watched the episode. Now it's your chance to sit in the director's chair, or better yet, sit at the editor's desk for the entertainment section of your local paper. What review would you give to the people who read your paper? What would you have changed, if anything? What are your feelings …

The Annie O'Toole Story Plot: Feisty Annie O'Toole comes west with her 'old Da' to mine silver and winds up feeding the silver miners. In the process, she manages to shanghai Adam Cartwright to be her partner in her tent-kitchen, "The Square Meal". When needed, Adam also becomes her attorney in Miner's Court when an old enemy challenges her right to her claim. First Aired: 10/24, 1959 Director: Joseph Kane Writer: Thomas Thompson You've watched the episode. Now it's your chance to sit in the director's chair, or better yet, sit at the editor's desk. What would you have done differently in The Annie O'Toole Story? How woul…

The Gunmen Plot: A Texas small town is the setting for two feuding families who have hired bloodthirsty killers to settle the score; unbelievably, Hoss and Little Joe are mistaken for the fiends. First Aired: January 23, 1960 Director: Christian Nyby Written by: Carey Wilbur You've watched the episode. Now it's your chance to sit in the director's chair, or better yet, sit at the editor's desk for the entertainment section of your local paper. What review would you give to the people who read your paper? What would you have changed, if anything? What are your feelings for this episode? Do you have any behind the scene tidbits to…

The Fear Merchants Plot: A Chinese-American boy is accused of murder. While aiding him, the Cartwrights go up against an unscrupulous mayoral candidate who wants all 'foreigners' out of Virginia City. First Aired: June 2, 1960 Director: Lewis Allen Written by: Frank Unger, Thomas Thompson, David Dortort (creator) You've watched the episode. Now it's your chance to sit in the director's chair, or better yet, sit at the editor's desk for the entertainment section of your local paper. What review would you give to the people who read your paper? What would you have changed, if anything? What are your feelings for this episode? Do yo…

Pot: Adam and Little Joe ride with the posse trailing after the murderers of Vannie Johnson and they're all that stand between right and another lynching. First Aired: November 28, 1959 Director: Christian Nyby Writer: David Dortort (creator), Carey Wilber You've watched the episode. Now it's your chance to sit in the director's chair, or better yet, sit at the editor's desk for the entertainment section of your local paper. What review would you give to the people who read your paper. Do you have any behind the scene tidbits to share? What were your favorite / least favorite scene(s) from The Truckee Strip. PS: …

Plot: After Army deserters hide out on the Ponderosa, Ben takes it upon himself to bring the truth of their treatment to their commanding officer. First Aired: March 5, 1960 Director: Charles F. Haas Writers: Robert E. Thompson, Bill Barrett, and Malcolm Stuart Boylan You've watched the episode. Now it's your chance to sit in the director's chair, or better yet, sit at the editor's desk for the entertainment section of your local paper. What review would you give to the people who read your paper? What would you have changed, if anything? What are your feelings for this episode? Do you have any behind the scene tidbits to share? What…

The Mission Plot: Hoss helps the town drunk regain his self-esteem by volunteering to lead a fold-bearing troup through the desert; where there's very little water. First Aired: September 17, 1960 Director: James Neilson Writers: David Dortort (creator), Robert E. Thompson You've watched the episode. What are your thoughts? Would you have changed anything? What are your feelings for this episode? Do you have any behind the scene tidbits to share? What were your favorite / least favorite scene(s) from this episode?

Plot: Little Joe encounters a gypsy girl, who believes she is bewitched after being banished by her people, and brings her to the Ponderosa. First Aired: April 23, 1960 Director: Lewis Allen Writers: David Dortort (creator), Anthony Lawrence You've watched the episode. What are your thoughts? Would you have changed anything? What are your feelings for this episode? Do you have any behind the scene tidbits to share? What were your favorite / least favorite scene(s) from this episode? PS: When commenting, please be respectful of the actors, directors, writers, and other Forum members.

Showdown Plot: Bank robbers strike Virginia City. Afterwards, the youngest member of the gang takes a job on the Ponderosa so he can keep his fellow outlaws informed about the law or if a posse plans to get too close to their hideout. First Aired: September 10, 1960 Director: Lewis Allen Writers: David Dortort (creator), Dean Riesner You've watched the episode. What are your thoughts? Would you have changed anything? What are your feelings for this episode? Do you have any behind the scene tidbits to share? What were your favorite / least favorite scene(s) from this episode? PS: When commenting, please be re…

Plot: In an effort to force Ben Cartwright to sign over part of the Ponderosa, a murderous sheepherder takes Adam hostage. First Aired: February 13, 1960 Director: Felix E. Feist Written by: David Dortort (creator), Robert E. Thompson You've watched the episode. Now it's your chance to sit in the director's chair, or better yet, sit at the editor's desk for the entertainment section of your local paper. What review would you give to the people who read your paper? What would you have changed, if anything? What are your feelings for this episode? Do you have any behind the scene tidbits to share? What were your favorite / least fav…

Feet of Clay Plot: With his mother's death and his father in prison, the Cartwrights take in a boy until his uncle can arrive to claim him. Their attempts are complicated after Billy Allen's father escapes from prison; Ben and the boys fear what the news will do to the child, and believe Vance Allen may be heading their way. First Aired: April 16, 1960 Director: Arthur Lubin Writers: David Dortort (creator), John Furia You've watched the episode. What are your thoughts? Would you have changed anything? What are your feelings for this episode? Do you have any behind the scene tidbits to share? What were your favorite / le…

Plot: The Cartwrights face an uncertain future with two facing a hanging for a crime they didn't commit. A drifter is an unlikely ally as Hoss and Joe face the loss of their father and brother. First Aired: March 19, 1960 Director: Christian Nyby Written by: David Dortort (creator), Clair Huffaker You've watched the episode. Now it's your chance to sit in the director's chair, or better yet, sit at the editor's desk for the entertainment section of your local paper. What review would you give to the people who read your paper? What would you have changed, if anything? What are your feelings for this episode? Do you have any behind the …

Plot: A neighbor's son wants to sell their land for a mining operation; however, that will spoil the water rights agreement between his father and Ben Cartwright. First Aired: April 9, 1960 Director: George Blair Writer: David Dortort (creator), Harold Jack Bloom You've watched the episode. What are your thoughts? Would you have changed anything? What are your feelings for this episode? Do you have any behind the scene tidbits to share? What were your favorite / least favorite scene(s) from this episode? PS: When commenting, please be respectful of the actors, directors, writers, and other Forum members.

The Stranger Plot: Ben withdraws from the Governor's race after the arrival of Inspector Charles Leduque with news about a 20-year old murder charge in New Orleans. First Aired: February 27, 1960 Director: Christian Nyby Written by: David Dortort (creator), Oliver Crawford, Laurence Heath You've watched the episode. Now it's your chance to sit in the director's chair, or better yet, sit at the editor's desk for the entertainment section of your local paper. What review would you give to the people who read your paper? What would you have changed, if anything? What are your feelings for this episode? Do you have any behind the scen…

San Francisco Plot: After a cattle drive, the drovers of the Ponderosa are warned of the dangers as they take in the sights of San Francisco. When two of their men disappear, Ben suspects they were shanghaied. It's up to Hop Sing and his cousins to help the Cartwrights find the men and break up the ring. First Aired: April 2, 1960 Director: Arthur Lubin Written by: David Dortort (creator), Thomas Thompson You've watched the episode. Now it's your chance to sit in the director's chair, or better yet, sit at the editor's desk for the entertainment section of your local paper. What review would you give to the people who read your paper?…