Bonanza (TV Series) Old Charlie (1966) User Reviews

Tales of exploits

[bkoganbing · 7/10 · 6 February 2021]

The whole McIntire family guest stars in this Bonanza story of a lovable but braggadocious livery stable owner who entertains with tales of exploits from his youth. He entertains most of all his wife played by Jeanette Nolan who puts up with it all.

McIntire gets a severe test when young Tim McIntire is looking to rob the place, but fortunately Dan Blocker is around and Tim McIntire is killed. Hoss lets John McIntire take credit for the killing and the reward that goes with it.

Unfortunately the two older brothers played by Hal Baylor and also Tim McIntire come looking to settle a score. Now John and Jeanette have a real problem and again good thing Hoss Cartwright is around.

This was a banner day for the McIntire clan wit John and Jeanette showing their real life chemistry and son Tim excelling in a dual role. In the clikmax with his parents beating on young Tim is pretty funny and I think that was what the show had in mind.

Dan Blocker turns in a good performance also.

superb acting, but ....

[Thomas001 · 6/10 · 28 August 2017]

The casting was great, the acting was superb, the script was not so much. This was obviously a theme designed to invoke particular emotions, but it was so overdone and predictable, as in "I bet I know what will happen two scenes from now". That made it kinda dull to watch, the only thing missing was the funky background melody played on clarinet, french horn and tuba, which Bonanza uses for their "comedy shows."

But everybody played their role very well, notably the role of Annie Conners.

I note that Ben and Little Joe get credit too, but I don't recall seeing them on this show.