ben cartwright

[skippercollecto]

"A Rose for Lotta" is the title of the pilot episode of "Bonanza," which first aired in September 1959. In this first episode, the Cartwrights are much more "countrified," with a bit of twang to their voices. Ben gets furious easily, in a comical way, yelling 19th-century swear words like "Thunderation!." He also quotes religious and Biblical phrases easily, and has a faraway look in his eyes when he says them.
Obviously, over the seasons, Lorne Greene toned down a lot of the early Ben's mannerisms, making Ben more genteel. But it seemed like some of that early Ben showed up when Greene played Adama--the occasional over-the-top pomposity and the dreamy longing expression on his face when he talked about the Colonials' mythology.
You will have to watch "Lotta" for yourself to see what I am referring to.
Mary

[jewels]

Interesting observations.

[Big Al]

The producers of BSG TOS wanted Lorene Greene as Adama to appeal to our parents at the time (1978) wanting to cash in on the Ben Cartwright fatherly figure Icon that was Lorene Greene, At that time Bonanza was still a household name only being canceled 6 years Prior to Galactica after a 14 year run. Our Parents and Grand Parents alike absolutly knew Lorene Greene as if he were a Family member. I always wondered what it would have been like with Michael Landon as Apollo's older brother.