Recently a newspaper article dared to ponder what stars of today reflect the appeal of cinematic icons. Is Leo the new Bogey? Who cares. I want to know what actor today is the new Claude Akins? He was one of the prime heavies early in his career. He was a one man goon squad. He also worked well as an authority figure either playing a cop or a military member. His father was a cop and Akins served in the Signal Corp during World War II. He didn’t have to go far to tap into those characters. Late in his career he was able to shine his comical side as the title character in The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo. For the longest time, Akins popped up on nearly every show being produced. Bonanza: The Official Second Season, Volume 2 doesn’t merely feature Akins in a guest shot, but he’s the title character for the “Sam Hill” episode.
Sam Hill (Akins) is a blacksmith who once lived on property near the Ponderosa. His drunk father (Petticoat Junction‘s Edgar Buchanan) sold the property. Under normal circumstances, that’s just life. Hill doesn’t like the fact that dad sold the land to an insane paramilitary leader and his creepy cohorts. The land is special to him since it’s where his mother is buried. The opening is mindblowingly dramatic. As a thunderstorm sweeps into the Bonanza, Akins bangs an anvil on his moving wagon. Hoss Cartwright (Dan Blocker) answers him back. It’s a rush as the two duet with metal clangs. Robert Altman directed this episode like a major film effort and not just a crank out episode. He captures the furious nature of Akins in the big finale. Even after the intensity, Akins warms up the screen with a smile. He wasn’t a one note goon. Why didn’t Altman work with Akins when he made the step up to being a movie director?
“Bank Run” reminds us that crooked financial executives aren’t brand new. Little Joe (Michael Landon) and Hoss must rob the local bank to save the town. Turns out the banker wants to fake a bank run so he can foreclose. The only way to stop him is to take away the money. “The Fugitive” sends Adam (Pernell Roberts) down to Mexico to retrieve the body of a friend’s son. This doesn’t go too well since the guy isn’t that dead. “Vengence” turns Hoss into a killer. He was just trying to subdue a drunk. The dead guy’s kin shoots Hoss in the back. Joe is ready for his turn to claim revenge. James Coburn drops by the Ponderosa to see his old friend Adam on “The Dark Gate.” Turns out Coburn has changed since their last meeting. He’s hanging out with a bad crowd that includes Harry Dean Stanton (Paris, Texas).
Bonanza: The Official Second Season, Volume 2 wraps up a fine sophomore effort. The Cartwrights keep up their title as the toughest all male family on the range. What really stands out of the 16 episodes is the arrival of Claude Akins as Sam Hill. He’s legendary as the character. He’s legendary as a supporting actor. There’s nobody with his talent popping up as a guest star on today’s TV.
The Episodes
“Bank Run,” “The Fugitive,” “Vengeance,” “Tax Collector,” “The Rescue,” “The Dark Gate,” “The Duke,” “Cutthroat Junction,” “The Gift,” “The Rival,” “The Infernal Machine,” “The Thunderhead Swindle,” “The Secret,” “The Dream Riders,” “Elizabeth, My Love” and “Sam Hill.”
The video is 1.33:1 full frame. The transfers look fine with the hues chosen for the early color TV sets. The audio is Dolby Digital Mono. The mix brings out the richness of the theme song. The episodes have subtitles.
Archival Footage and Still Photos (1961): Tournament of Rose Parade, Pasadena, CA (1:11) has a glimpse of the Cartwrights going down the street with numerous still shots of their ride. Hoss’ cowboy hat is bigger than most of the floats.
Photo Gallery: Cast Members at “Home” are numerous publicity stills of the cast off the set. Be warned of the shot of Dan Blocker diving into his pool. Lorne Greene looks seductive with a polo mallet. Michael Landon attempts to shave.
Photo Galleries: Paramount Studios Publicity Poses include Virginia City Exteriors, Ponderosa Ranch Interiors, Light Moments, Double Duty, Candids – Lorne Greene and Candids-Pernell Roberts. Are you ready to see Lorne Greene riding a bike in full costume?
Photo Gallery: 1961 Cast Portraits by Elmer W. Holloway and Michael Landon: “Marine For a Day.” The cast portraits makes the Cartwrights look less than macho. Landon had gone down to work out with the Marines one day.
Audio Commentaries include Naura Hayden on “The Infernal Machine.” She played Big Red and has plenty of behind the scenes facts. Anthony Lawrence contributes to “Elizabeth, My Love” and “The Rival.” He wrote the scripts to both episodes. He gives a detailed explanation for his inspiration and how he makes scenes work. He discusses creative politics in getting his ideas onto the TV screen. Andrew J. Klyde adds background to “Sam Hill.” He’s the lawyer for Bonanza Ventures, but he’s passionate about the history of the show.
On-Air Promos (1:15) makes Michael Landon invite us to watch his family.
David Dortort Stories: “Tributes to the Fans” (3:18) lets the creator of the show read a few old letters from viewers. So many people considered the Cartwrights part of their families.
Original NBC Logo, Bumpers and RCA Promos are featured on a few episodes. Thrill to the first colorful peacock. Other episodes have their original trailers.
Bonanza: The Official Second Season, Volume 2 brings more problem to the massive spread outside of Carson City, Nevada. The Cartwrights don’t put up with be yanked around. The highlight is the legendary Claude Akins bringing his anvil to the Ponderosa.
CBS DVD presents Bonanza: The Official Second Season, Volume 2 Starring: Lorne Greene, Pernell Roberts, Dan Blocker and Michael Landon. Boxset Contents: 16 Episodes on 4 DVDs. Released on DVD: October 11, 2011. Available at Amazon.com.
