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» » Bonanza A Matter of Faith (1959–1973)

Short summary

Jamie Hunter, the orphaned 13-year-old son of a rainmaker, arrives in Virginia City to carry on his father's work, as part of a tour of the southwestern United States. And just in time - the area has been stricken by a massive drought that shows no signs of letting up. Jamie and his friend, Dusty, try selling their wares to anxious ranchers and farmers, but when the rainmaking equipment doesn't immediately help, the farmers grow angry and want to lynch the lad. Ben, however, learns that Jamie is orphaned and alone, and - needing someone to stick up for him - decides to allow Jamie to build a rain tower on the Ponderosa. The townspeople become angry that Ben has sided with whom they believe is a scam artist and that night, storm the camp. In the process, one of the farmers burns the rainmaking book that had belonged to Jamie's father. Ben consoles a deeply grieving Jamie (the book was his last physical link to his father) and warns the farmers off ... just as it begins to rain! An ...

First episode featuring Mitch Vogel as Jamie Hunter. Of course, the character would later be adopted by Ben Cartwright and take up the role of the youngest son.

User reviews


  • comment
    • Author: Kriau
    Riding on a medicine show wagon, former Cartwright running buddy Lou Frizzell comes into Virginia City in his new profession as a rainmaker. Virginia City and the surrounding area including the Ponderosa is suffering from drought. But rainmakers are notorious charlatans and Frizzell and his young helper Mitch Vogel are in for trouble.

    This show introduced Vogel as Jamie Hunter later Cartwright who Lorne Greene adopts in an effort to bring in some younger viewers to the by then aging show. Sad to say it was not better plotted.

    Frizzell was on a few times and I can't believe the good people of Virginia City failed to recognize him. It didn't make any rational sense.

    Still Vogel was an appealing character and he'd soon become a Cartwright.
  • Episode cast overview:
    Lorne Greene Lorne Greene - Ben Cartwright
    Dan Blocker Dan Blocker - Eric 'Hoss' Cartwright
    Michael Landon Michael Landon - Joseph 'Little Joe' Cartwright
    Mitch Vogel Mitch Vogel - Jamie Hunter Cartwright
    Lou Frizzell Lou Frizzell - Dusty Rhodes / Doc Garibaldi
    Jack Collins Jack Collins - Mayor Corey
    Geoffrey Lewis Geoffrey Lewis - Rogers Martin
    Michael Hinn Michael Hinn - Garrison
    Bruce Gordon Bruce Gordon - Scott
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