| Bonanza episode | |
|---|---|
| “Invention of a Gunfighter” | |
| Season 6, Episode 1 #169 in Series | |
 | |
| Air date | September 20, 1964 |
| Production code | |
| Guest starring: | |
| Written by | Daniel B. Ullman |
| Directed by | John Florea |
| Episode Guide | |
| Previous Episode: Walter and the Outlaws |
Next Episode: The Hostage |
| External links | |
 IMDbInvention of a Gunfighter on IMDb | |
Summary[]
Johnny Chapman comes to Joe to learn how to use a gun after being humiliated by the town bully. Joe doesn't see the deadly consequences that will follow when Johnny learns to shoot well.
Plot[]
Humiliated by a professional gunslinger in front of a bar crowd that included his girlfriend, timid Johnny Chapman asks Little Joe to teach him how to handle a gun. But Johnny changes as he gains skill and confidence and Joe soon doesn't recognize his friend in the hard, ruthless man he's become.
Much to Joe and Olive’s dismay, Johnny quits his job to become a bounty hunter. Word gets back to the townsfolk in Virginia City and the Cartwrights through the newspaper that Johnny will kill a wanted man instead of taking him alive, just to get the bigger bounty. Olive is so dismayed at how Johnny has changed that she tries to die by poisoning herself. Joe visits her just in time to get help from the doctor and save her life.
After killing six or so men for bounty, Johnny goes to Virginia City to find Olive. Sheriff Coffee tells him that he has no friends anymore in Virginia City and he should leave town, never to come back. Olive is staying at the Ponderosa, ready to start a new life. Johnny finds her there and forcibly takes her with him, leaving a note for Joe. Johnny knows full well that Joe will come after her.
When Johnny sees Joe in town, he tries to goad Joe into a gunfight on the street, which Joe wants no part of and turns to walk away. Johnny draws his gun and forces Joe to shoot. Joe purposely wounds his former friend in the arm Instead of killing him. Johnny again feels humiliated in front of all the townsfolk and Olive. Olive says she will leave on the next stage and if Johnny does, too, maybe they both can put the pieces back together.
Cast and Characters[]
The Cartwrights
- Lorne Green: Ben Cartwright
- Dan Blocker: Hoss Cartwright
- Michael Landon: Little Joe Cartwright
- Pernell Roberts: Adam Cartwright
Recurring[]
- Bern Hoffman: Sam, the Bartender
- Ray Teal: Sheriff Roy Coffee
Other[]
- Al Haskell: Barfly
- George DeNormand: Barfly
- Guy Stockwell: Johnny Chapman
- Jack Tornek: Barfly
- John Hubbard: Doctor
- Martha Manor: Saloon Girl with blonde hair
- Ron Foster: Al Mooney
- Valerie Allen: Olive
Notes[]
Did you know?[]
- German episode title: "Zieh schneller, Johnny", meaning "Draw Faster, Johnny".
Quotes[]
You see why the blanks?
Gallery[]
Videos[]
