BONANZA: A CHRISTMAS STORY (TV)
Summary
One in this long-running western drama series about widower Ben Cartwright, his sons, and their adventures on their ranch in Nevada's Ponderosa. In this episode, two weeks before Christmas, Ben, Joe and Hoss make plans for a benefit to raise money for the construction of an orphanage. They are pleased when their young musician friend, Andy Walker, returns to town to sing at the event, although they are somewhat taken aback by his fast-talking manager, his Uncle Thadeus. Andy performs a song at the saloon and then visits with his friends, asking his uncle if they might stay in town past Christmas, but Thadeus has plans for a big European tour and insists they move on quickly, assuring Andy that he will handle everything. Elsewhere, Ben learns that he must go out of town to close an important lumber deal, and places Hoss in charge of the arrangements for the benefit, which flusters him. He soon finds it difficult to collect the required $20,000 from the townsfolks’ pledges, and takes a break from his efforts at the saloon as Andy entertains the customers. Thadeus offers to help Hoss, promising to help him collect the money for a ten percent commission, and Hoss happily agrees, although Joe has his doubts. Thadeus proves himself a shrewd dealer when he wheedles $1,500 out of Sam, the general store owner, and he also manages to charm Hattie, the town’s most formidable rich widow. Hoss tries to warn her that Thadeus may be taking advantage of her, but she finds him too “fascinating” to care.
Thadeus continues pulling strings all over town, even securing a shipment of sugar, which delights Hop Sing. Later, however, Andy confronts his uncle and asks why he charged for his recent saloon performances, saying that he enjoys singing for his friends and it makes him uncomfortable to be paid for it, but Thadeus tells him that it is simply good business. He reminds him that he is his only living relative and urges him to sing his mother’s favorite song, which he does. Growing emotional, he journeys to his parents’ graves and asks for guidance in dealing with his uncle. Ben soon returns to town and is alarmed by Hoss’ affiliation with Thadeus and the ten percent commission, concerned that Thadeus has been collecting cash payments and could easily run off with them. At the benefit, Andy performs a Christmas song, and Thadeus sneaks upstairs and counts the money, revealing that he does intend to steal it. Ben arrives and thanks him for his work, asking for the cash, but Thadeus dodges him and promises to deliver it later, increasing Ben’s suspicions. Later, Ben reads “A Christmas Carol” to the children, and Thadeus attempts to sneak out with the cash. An in-the-dark Andy stops him, however, and praises his efforts for the charity, saying that he was wrong about his intentions and asking him to stay for the celebrations. Thadeus has a change of heart and returns to the party as Hoss arrives dressed as Santa and toting presents. Thadeus tells the crowd that he has decided not to take his commission, and Hattie asks him to be her personal business manager, although she clearly intends more than that. He tells Andy that he has decided to stay in Ponderosa long-term after all, having found love, and everyone is happy as it finally begins to snow. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: NBC
- DATE: December 25, 1966 9:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:51:20
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:02954
- GENRE: Drama, western
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama, western
- SERIES RUN: NBC - TV series, 1959-1973
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- David Dortort … Producer
- James W. Lane … Associate Producer
- Thomas Thompson … Writer
- Gerd Oswald … Director
- David Rose … Music by
- Jay Livingston … Theme Music by
- Ray Evans … Theme Music by
- Michael Landon … Cast, Joseph 'Little Joe' Cartwright
- Lorne Greene … Cast, Ben Cartwright
- Dan Blocker … Cast, Eric 'Hoss' Cartwright
- Wayne Newton … Cast, Andy Walker
- Jack Oakie … Cast, Thadeus Cole
- Mary Wickes … Cast, Hattie
- Dabbs Greer … Cast, Sam
- Ray Teal … Cast, Roy Coffee
- Victor Sen Yung … Cast, Hop Sing
- Dean Michaels … Cast, Mike