VoyForums

[ VoyUser Login optional ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1, 2, 3, [4], 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 ]

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Date Posted: 15:32:12 01/19/12 Thu
Author: Rick
Subject: Re: Barry Coe & Guy Williams on BONANZA
In reply to: Richard L 's message, "Re: Guy Williams on BONANZA" on 14:32:03 01/19/12 Thu

I agree that once Guy started working Bonanza and Mike's behavior worsened towards him in that period of just over 2 months (late Dec 1963 to late Feb 1964) when he was there. After Guy left, Mike said if he ever came back and he would leave for good. Mike knew Guy was joining the show well before he arrived.

The first replacement was Barry Coe and he lasted for 6 days in "The First Born." By the time they were halfway done, filming was stopped and Mike's jealousy had Coe and his character leave the show at the end of the shoot. They hushed it on the set so Coe and anyone else wouldn't find out to protect Mike from bad publicity. Yes, Dortort had Will slated as the "big brother" when he did an interview to discuss his coming on the show.

The addition of David Canary was done better. They integrated him with the main cast and gave him special guest star salary of $3000 per episode. He wasn't good-looking, so Mike couldn't object, where certain NBC executives did. Later on, Mike mellowed as he matured and grew up. In is youth, Mike was quoted for saying that he thought an actor was supposed to be tall and handsome. The latter he was, but not tall in height.

Rick

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Replies:

[> [> [> [> [> Re: Barry Coe & Guy Williams on BONANZA -- Richard L, 08:15:05 01/20/12 Fri [1]

Rick, in Guy's first 3 episodes (Honor, Roper & Companeros), it looks like they were giving Guy equal billing in the introduction, since there were no special "starring" designations.

By episode 32 (The Pressure Game & then Triangle), he got "Starring" status. I guess by the time those were produced, it was a "done deal" that he was temporary.

Guy's entrance into the show had a lot more "value" than the possible co-starring of Barry Coe, IMO. Guy would have been a true Cartwright and would have replaced Adam's role to a large extent. His relationship with Ben was developed in "Return to Honor." I think the structure was there to leave him on the show, basically in Adam's role.

[ Edit | View ]
[> [> [> [> [> [> Re: Barry Coe & Guy Williams on BONANZA -- Rick, 15:48:55 01/20/12 Fri [1]

The Barry Coe thing was done too fast and that blew up in their face. TV often has things decided so quickly and it fails. Guy had the genuine portrayal of a Cartwright and Dortort was wise to choose him as a good family member.

His contract was short and roughly for 8-10 shows in that time. He only did 5. Yes, he got top billing and salary as the other four did and this was one thing the other three didn't like. They were in it for the money and once Pernell was gone and they would get $1000 yearly raises.


Rick

[ Edit | View ]

[> [> [> [> [> [> [> Re: Barry Coe & Guy Williams on BONANZA -- Richard L, 19:00:48 01/21/12 Sat [1]

Thanks, Rick.

Yes, the Barry Coe deal was not handled as well as it may have been. One shortcoming was that Clay was not a Cartwright and the character, as portrayed, would not likely have settled on the Ponderosa. However, "The First Born" was still an excellent episode. In Guy's case, there was a need for a new "brother" to step in for Adam.

An interesting coincidence is that both Clay Stafford and Will Cartwright were both to have fought in Mexico with Benito Juárez (as per "The Companeros" episode re. Will).

I think if Will and Laura had married and stayed on Laura's ranch, that would have provided a lot for the series' future.

[ Edit | View ]

Forum timezone: GMT-8
VF Version: 2.94, ConfDB:
Before posting please read our privacy policy.
VoyForums(tm) is a Free Service from Voyager Info-Systems.
Copyright © 1998-2012 Voyager Info-Systems. All Rights Reserved.