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Reviews
Bonanza: Twilight Town (1963)
Bonanza's Best!
I have always considered this my favorite all-time episode of Bonanza. I like the supernatural trappings of the production which really surprised me at first viewing. It's a fascinating story with a nice, appealing performance by Davey Divison. Michael Landon does excellent work in this too and the rest of the Cartwright clan is seen only briefly - early on, and at the conclusion. The kind of show that sticks in your mind years later when most of what you saw back then has faded from memory. The facts of the tragedy of Martinville unfold gradually and the story builds to a rousing climax and poignant finale. Almost as though it was dream. There have been other TV westerns which have had supernatural trappings in an episode, such as Wild, Wild West and The Virginian, but those shows weren't brought off as well as this one. Landon's bravura performance is more proof that he was capable of high- quality work. I highly recommend this episode!
Wagon Train: Princess of a Lost Tribe (1960)
Wagon Train Fantasy
I disagree with those who hate this episode. Yes, it's preposterous and better suited presented as a dream Horton's character might have experienced, but I enjoyed it for several reasons. First, Linda Lawson was quite stunning at that time- somewhat stilted acting notwithstanding. The concept of lost civilizations has been a literary (and cinematic) staple for many years and how an intrusion by explorers of a western culture would affect it is fodder for thought. The plot development strains credulity, but it held my interest nevertheless. Robert Horton always does fine work in this series and he does exerts yeoman efforts here to keep it watchable. There have been similar episodes in other series such as Bonanza and The Virginian involving events which included ambiguous dream/fantasy experiences. I'd not seen this episode before although I used to watch Wagon Train way back during its original run. I thought this episode was well worth an hour of my time!