BONANZA: MICHAEL LANDON, LORNE GREENE and DAN BLOCKER
Striking matted presentation of individual photographs signed by three of the stars of the classic Western, including a rare signature of Dan Blocker.
Comprises: (1) MICHAEL LANDON. Photograph inscribed and signed: "To Tobi,/Best Wishes/Michael/Landon". B/w, 6¾x8¾. Minor surface creases. Light vertical striation at facial image. Fine condition. (2) LORNE GREENE. Photograph inscribed and signed: "To Tobi-/Best Bonanza Wishes/Lorne Greene". B/w, 6¾x8¾. Minor surface creases and smudges (most not evident head on), light creases at facial image. Overall, fine condition. (3) DAN BLOCKER. Photograph inscribed and signed: "My best to/Tobi -/Dan Blocker". B/w, 6¾x8¾. Some writing is light (completely legible). Minor surface creases and striations (most not evident head on). Fine condition. Bonanza, the story of the Cartwright family, who lived and worked on their sprawling Ponderosa ranch, ran on NBC from 1959-1973. Bonanza was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best TV Show in 1964. Actor, producer, director and writer MICHAEL LANDON (1936-1991), who starred as Joseph "Little Joe" Cartwright, is the only actor to have three consecutive shows on television that ran for five years or more: Bonanza, Little House on the Prairie (1974-1983) and Highway to Heaven (1984-1989). Charles Ingalls, Landon's character on Little House on the Prairie, was ranked #4 in TV Guide's list of the "50 Greatest TV Dads of All Time" (June 20, 2004 issue). In early 1991, after 35 years of working on NBC, Landon moved to CBS to star in the pilot of a two-hour movie, Us, in which he played a man released from a long prison term after being cleared of a murder for which he was wrongfully convicted. This was going to be another one of Landon's shows but, in April 1991, he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Landon was 54 when he died on July 1, 1991. One of television's most creative stars on both sides of the camera, Landon was never nominated for the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Emmy Award. However, in 1994, he was inducted posthumously into the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences' Hall of Fame. Canadian actor LORNE GREENE (1915-1987) got his big break in 1959, after his performance in an episode of the western series, Wagon Train. The producer and creator of Bonanza immediately recognized Greene as the perfect Ben Cartwright, and Greene starred in the role of the family patriarch during the series' entire run. Greene's other TV outings included Battlestar Galactica, the miniseries, Roots, and several documentaries. Greene, who had a No. 1 hit record, "Ringo", in 1964, released five albums of music. DAN BLOCKER (1928-1972) portrayed Eric "Hoss" Cartwright on Bonanza from 1959 until his sudden death in May 1972 at the age of 43. Blocker had made his film debut in 1955 in Hook a Crook, and he also appeared as a guest star in several TV series, beginning in 1957. Blocker also started and owned the Bonanza steak house restaurant chain. Rare signature of Blocker. Matted to 27¼x13¼. Mat is chipped at upper edge, else fine condition.