"The Underdog" is one of the best remembered episodes, no doubt due to the sterling presence of Charles Bronson, at 43 already a well known movie actor, whose TV credits would cease in three years after relocating to Europe. 'Special Guest Star' Bronson is cast as Harry Starr, a drifter facing prejudice in the Old West, his mother a white woman and his father a renegade Comanche. The Cartwrights take pity on the loner by offering him a job as ranch hand, but encounter opposition from another newcomer, Lee Burton (Tom Reese), who decides to take his two days pay and quit. Later in town, Harry is assaulted by Burton's men, so Ben Cartwright decides the best thing for Harry is to work in solitude north of the Ponderosa. Unfortunately, trouble follows the half breed, as horses begin disappearing from ranches around town, and Burton himself discovers a branding iron hidden in Harry's shack, with Harry nowhere to be found. As the bounty for Harry grows to $4000, Burton intends to collect it, dead or alive (preferably dead). Joe does most of the work, Hoss makes only a brief appearance, Adam not at all. Low budget director-actor Bruno VeSota is clearly seen delivering a couple of lines as the bartender.
4 Reviews
Charles Bronson
wildbillharding29 December 2016
I had the great pleasure of watching Charlie Bronson at work on Death Wish 2 in June '81. The film's terrible, but Bronson was a much better actor than he was given credit for. He underplayed, which actor friends tell me is much harder than it looks. Charlie was one of the greats and is sadly missed. He had a distinguished war record that most of his fans know nothing about.
This Bonanza episode is perfect for Charlie, who was often cast as a half-breed or an Indian, as in Drum Beat and Run of The Arrow. He was often the 'underdog' in his TV appearances, but that all changed in the early '70s when he became the superstar he deserved to be.
This Bonanza episode is perfect for Charlie, who was often cast as a half-breed or an Indian, as in Drum Beat and Run of The Arrow. He was often the 'underdog' in his TV appearances, but that all changed in the early '70s when he became the superstar he deserved to be.
An elaborate con
bkoganbing4 July 2019
Charles Bronson guest stars in this Bonanza story concerning a young half white,
half Comanche drifter who winds up on the Ponderosa and gets a job breaking
horses. The Cartwrights befriend him especially Michael Landon.
But being who he is he runs up against prejudice so Lorne Greene has him working out of a remote line shack. And then horses for the roundup reymuda start disappearing.
All I will say is that things are not as they seem. Quite an elaborate con is working here.
Charles Bronson dominates this episode with a fine performance of a man who can't quite fit in anywhere.
But being who he is he runs up against prejudice so Lorne Greene has him working out of a remote line shack. And then horses for the roundup reymuda start disappearing.
All I will say is that things are not as they seem. Quite an elaborate con is working here.
Charles Bronson dominates this episode with a fine performance of a man who can't quite fit in anywhere.
another experiment in social engineering
Thomas0015 July 2017
For some reason, Harry is called "half breed". In contrast, when previous Bonanza shows featured half-white girls abandoned by Indians, they were just plain victims, to feel sorry for. Trying to take the PC elements out of it all, this is a story about a misguided male who teams up with others, to exploit his mixed race to commit a crime.
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