| Bonanza episode | |
|---|---|
| “Hoss and the Leprechauns” | |
| Season 5, Episode 12 #146 in Series | |
 | |
| Air date | December 22, 1963 |
| Production code | |
| Guest starring: | |
| Written by | Robert V. Barron |
| Directed by | John Florea |
| Episode Guide | |
| Previous Episode: The Legacy |
Next Episode: The Prime of Life |
| External links | |
 IMDbHoss and the Leprechauns on IMDb | |
Summary[]
No one really believes Hoss' fantastic story about the strongbox full of gold he shows up with. He claims he followed a leprechaun and found his chest of gold.
Wherever it came from, it's enough to send locals on a wild treasure hunt for more. In a way, Hoss' leprechauns do exist; they're a band of performers from the carnival who have staged a rebellion against their shady boss, Professor McCarthy.
Plot[]
Hoss scares away a bear while out in the woods that has treed a small, green clad man, subsequently finds a buried strongbox filled with bags of gold dust. Hoss cannot find the "leprechaun" but takes the strongbox home to the Ponderosa for safekeeping. Pa, Adam, and Joe find his story unbelievable, but cannot explain the gold. Ben stores the gold in a closed bookcase with plans to take it to the sheriff in Virginia City.
That night, Hoss hears a noise downstairs and leaves his bed to investigate. Coming down the stairs, he sees the leprechaun try to take the strongbox out the window. Hoss trips on the stairs, breaking through a railing and waking the rest of the household. Pa, Adam, and Joe find Hoss on the floor with a large bump on his head, claiming that the leprechauns stole the strongbox of gold. Again, Hoss is not to be believed, but Pa acknowledges that the gold is indeed gone and confirms Hoss' injury.
The next day, the Cartwrights go to the sheriff to report a robbery from their ranch. Word spreads around town that there is buried gold on the Ponderosa. The whole town goes searching for the mythical men after a newly arrived Irish professor confirms the presence of multiple leprechauns...and their gold!
Cast[]
The Cartwrights
- Lorne Green: Ben Cartwright
- Dan Blocker: Hoss Cartwright
- Michael Landon: Little Joe Cartwright
- Pernell Roberts: Adam Cartwright
Recurring[]
Other[]
- Clegg Hoyt: Dorsel
- Felix Silla: Sean
- Frank Delfino: Timothy
- Harry Monty: Michael
- Nels P. Nelson: Bobby
- Robert Sorrells: Charlie
- Roger Arroyo : Audie
- Sean McClory: Professor James Aloysius McCarthy
Notes[]
Did you know?[]
- German episode title: "Hoss und die grünen Männchen", meaning "Hoss and the Green Manikins".
- TV Guide names this episode as a classic.
Quotes[]
- "We're looking for little green men riding around on good sized hound dogs."
- ―Adam Cartwright[src]
Gallery[]
Videos[]
