User Reviews

I don't quibble with spider63's opinion of this episode -- to each his own. But the actor's name is Pernell Roberts. Pernell (Sweet Pea) Whitaker was a prizefighter from Norfolk, VA. p.s., I liked the episode because of the casting of Lupino and Hale Jr. (nice to see in a non- and pre-Skipper role). I wouldn't hold it against him or any of the actors if they're dramatic skills aren't worthy of, say, a Hollywood feature film. This was the early episodes of a TV series, way back in 1959, so the bar wasn't set very high. I do admit that the narration throughout by Roberts makes this episode stand out as rather unusual by "Bonanza" standards. But it still is a curiosity, and I don't quibble with the quality. I'll take early "Bonanza" over most current TV series' episodes any day of the week.

This is the first comical episode of Bonanza. It's not my favorite funny one indeed, but it's definitely a good relief from some of the heavier episodes. It concentrates on an Irish (?) woman who goes to Virginia City to search for treasure. Her father dies in route and she decides to open a kitchen on his plot while searching for silver.

Now, I get a little confused on how it all happened, but Adam becomes her partner (though he didn't really want to be), and Ben seems to be some sort of governor over the mine. Before all is said and done, there's quite a fight over one of the plots; and though O'Toole seems to be in the wrong, she thinks she's right.

Adam is the main Cartwright in this one, but all the characters are involved in this episode.

Dead: 1

When watching this episode you must remember that this was the first season and the characters are undeveloped at this period of production. Some of the comical situations are so raw that it was difficult to watch. But with the regular characters trying to find their status this episode, even though rough, it was still a nice first attempt at bring humor into a western drama.

In this the wonderful Ida Lupino guest stars as the title character, Annie O'Toole. She rides from California to rural Nevada staking a claim to a plot of land that appears to be rich with silver. Annie will instead open a diner, with the help of Adam Cartwright, that feeds the many men that are looking to make it rich in this wild setting. But when another slimy character also stakes claim to the same spot of land as Annie, we find out that Annie can handle her own in the land of rough miners.

Even though this happens well away from the Ponderosa, the entire cast will play some part in this show. Adam gets the main spot-light as he will assist Annie in her diner and also represent her in a court type setting. Ben, for some unknown reason, becomes a Judge in this tent community and Hoss and Joe showing up for comic relief. But the jewel of the show is Ida Lupino. Even with a odd Swedish accent, her performance stands-out as the best thing about this episode.

This really is not a poor story but was just so early in series it seems so different than what we are accustom. But as far as being the first attempt of humor, this episode is very watchable.

As a long-time Bonanza fan, I always enjoy this episode. It was produced in the first season (1959) so all the main characters' personalities were not fully developed yet: Ben Cartwright and his sons Adam, Hoss, and Little Joe. All of them were in this episode, but it was handsome young Adam Cartwright (Pernell Roberts) who did a wonderful job of telling us the saga of Annie O'Toole. Love listening to his baritone voice. The episode had moments of light humor but had a lesson in American History showing an Irish and Swedish immigrant coming to America and seeking the promise land in the silver rush. The episode also gave a taste to the primitive law that was in the Nevada Territory during this time period. The situation of "supply and demand" was also taught in the ever-changing prices of Annie's ham and eggs.