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Bonanza
S1.E16
All episodesAll
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
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IMDbPro

El Toro Grande

  • Episode aired Jan 2, 1960
  • TV-G
  • 1h
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
170
YOUR RATING
Bonanza (1959)
Western

After tangling with bandits on the way to California to buy a prized bull for the Ponderosa, Little Joe fends off a pretty senorita and her jealous fiancé, while Hoss discovers that the bull... Read allAfter tangling with bandits on the way to California to buy a prized bull for the Ponderosa, Little Joe fends off a pretty senorita and her jealous fiancé, while Hoss discovers that the bull has been spirited away by a little boy who is convinced that the Cartwrights plan to kill... Read allAfter tangling with bandits on the way to California to buy a prized bull for the Ponderosa, Little Joe fends off a pretty senorita and her jealous fiancé, while Hoss discovers that the bull has been spirited away by a little boy who is convinced that the Cartwrights plan to kill and eat his big bovine friend.

  • Director
    • Christian Nyby
  • Writers
    • John Tucker Battle
    • David Dortort
    • Fred Hamilton
  • Stars
    • Lorne Greene
    • Pernell Roberts
    • Dan Blocker
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.8/10
    170
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Christian Nyby
    • Writers
      • John Tucker Battle
      • David Dortort
      • Fred Hamilton
    • Stars
      • Lorne Greene
      • Pernell Roberts
      • Dan Blocker
    • 8User reviews
    • 1Critic review
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos10

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    Top cast18

    Edit
    Lorne Greene
    Lorne Greene
    • Ben Cartwright
    Pernell Roberts
    Pernell Roberts
    • Adam Cartwright
    Dan Blocker
    Dan Blocker
    • Eric 'Hoss' Cartwright
    Michael Landon
    Michael Landon
    • Joseph 'Little Joe' Cartwright
    Ricardo Cortez
    Ricardo Cortez
    • Don Xavier Losaro
    BarBara Luna
    BarBara Luna
    • Cayetena Losaro
    • (as Barbara Luna)
    Armand Alzamora
    Armand Alzamora
    • Eduardo El Montalban
    Alan Roberts
    • Epifanio Lopez
    Jose Gonzales-Gonzales
    Jose Gonzales-Gonzales
    • Valiente Lopez
    Penny Santon
    Penny Santon
    • Esmerelda Lopez
    Alma Beltran
    Alma Beltran
    • Maria Theresa Losaro
    Tina Menard
    Tina Menard
    • Floriana
    Ralph Moody
    Ralph Moody
    • Indian Chief
    Rodd Redwing
    Rodd Redwing
    • Indian Brave
    • (as Rod Red Wing)
    Don Kelly
    Don Kelly
    • Second Bandit
    Duane Cress
    • Bandit
    Augie Gomez
    • Man Loading Bull
    • (uncredited)
    Vincent St. Cyr
    Vincent St. Cyr
    • Indian
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Christian Nyby
    • Writers
      • John Tucker Battle
      • David Dortort
      • Fred Hamilton
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews8

    6.8170
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    Featured reviews

    31Wishbone

    Not Bonanza Quality

    Yep I agree with the others here - this show was put together at a Friday Night pool party. Just two of my own observations: First, at the very beginning of the episode, when Ben is in the bank withdrawing $15,000, he and the banker act like he is taking out fifty cents. If this actually happened, it would be cloaked in total secrecy - behind closed doors - and the money would be at best hidden in the clothing or even horse tackle when the brothers left on their trip - from their home, not the town. Instead, the money is broadcast in full volume in both the bank and street alley for all the bad guys to hear. Ben even smiles and nods at one of the loitering crooks as he leaves the bank. Stupid. The second dumb thing was the way the Senorita - who was engaged to another man! - threw herself at Joe and practically demanded, well, "relations". Pretty sad stereotype of Mexican women.
    5mitchrmp

    Bunch of bull

    I do not like this episode. It's just so boring! There are some funny parts in it (my favorite is when Joe and Hoss are discussing their trip in front of Adam), but for the most part it's pretty boring. There are other "bull" stories that are a lot better...

    In this episode, Hoss and Little Joe go to Mexico to buy a seed bull for $10,000.00. I cannot even imagine buying any kind of animal for that price! WOW!!! Back then that was like...what? a million dollars or something in today's standards? Anyways, the entire episode is about the boys getting this bull back home.

    One of my least favorite episode so far.

    Dead: 2
    5JackFrost-233-429353

    Red Bull and Gummy Bear

    Yeah...I like Bonanza and the episodes where Hoss and Joe have much screentime together. Always funny.

    "El Toro Grande" was not the best episode in a mediocre first season, but has his funny moments.

    Especially in the scene where the bear approached the boy and the bull at the campfire, you could see that the bear was an actor in disguise. :D.
    10guidice-24891

    I love bonanza

    Im from Venezuela and, I love bonanza, is my favorita tv show, this episode is excellent
    4TheTelephile

    "That's certainly a lot of bull."

    While the previous episode of Bonanza (The Last Hunt) was quite good, unfortunately, this episode is a downgrade.

    In today's story, Little Joe and Hoss are tasked with purchasing and bringing a (crazy expensive) bull back to the Ponderosa. Throughout the episode, they encounter one roadblock after another-from two men attempting to steal their money, to a rather rambunctious woman who takes every opportunity to throw herself at Little Joe, to a little boy and his family who are oddly protective of the bull, and a tribe of Native Americans seeking food for their starving people. Oh, and let's not forget the sword fight between Little Joe and the jealous woman's fiancé. Sounds like a lot, huh? Oh yes, and Hoss fights a bear. (Whoever was in that bear costume, kudos to them, haha.)

    I felt this episode needed to focus on one conflict rather than introducing so many problems at once. By the time the story ended, I was feeling a bit weary-honestly, even relieved.

    After Little Joe and Hoss explain their crazy story to Adam, Ben looks over the prized creature and remarks, "That's certainly a lot of bull." Adam sarcastically responds, "Yes sir, it sure is." That pretty much sums up my feelings on this one. Season 1 varied quite a bit in quality, and this episode falls on the lower end of that range.

    Related interests

    John Wayne and Harry Carey Jr. in The Searchers (1956)
    Western

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Final screen performance of Ricardo Cortez. After this he retired from acting and became a stockbroker.
    • Goofs
      During a camping scene Little Joe is playing a guitar; but he's playing it tuned right-handed. But, Little Joe wears his gun on the left side.
    • Quotes

      Ben Cartwright: Well, Adam, you thought these boys would have a lot of trouble bringing that bull up here, huh?

      Adam Cartwright: I guess I was wrong, Pa.

      [Turns to his brothers]

      Adam Cartwright: You sure you didn't have any trouble?

      Eric 'Hoss' Cartwright: Not a bit.

      Joseph 'Little Joe' Cartwright: Well, a little bit. Like... uh... wh-when Big Red almost got cut up into steaks by those Indians.

      Adam Cartwright: Indians?

      Eric 'Hoss' Cartwright: Yeah, but that never would've happened except Little Joe was busy fighting a duel.

      Adam Cartwright: Duel?

      Joseph 'Little Joe' Cartwright: Otherwise, I would have had to get married.

      Adam Cartwright: Married?

      Joseph 'Little Joe' Cartwright: Yeah, but th-that was right after Hoss fought the bear.

      Adam Cartwright: Bear?

      Eric 'Hoss' Cartwright: Ah, that wasn't nothing. You ought to have seen how Little Joe gunned down them two bushwhackers that tried to steal our $15,000.00.

      Adam Cartwright: Now, just a minute. Who you trying to kid?

      Ben Cartwright: [Looking at the bull] It's certainly a lot of bull.

      Adam Cartwright: [Looks at his father, then walks away from his brothers] Yes sir, it sure is.

    • Soundtracks
      Bonanza
      (Theme Song)

      Written by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 2, 1960 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Memorable Entertainment TV
    • Language
      • English
    • Filming locations
      • Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production company
      • National Broadcasting Company (NBC)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h(60 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1
      • 4:3

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