Jamie Hunter Cartwright
Encyclopedia
Jamie Hunter was the adopted son of Ben Cartwright in latter-day episodes of the television western series Bonanza
. He was played by Mitch Vogel
.
Jamie Hunter was introduced in 1970, and remained on the show until its cancellation in 1973.
, A Matter of Faith, which aired September 20, 1970. He is the son of a rainmaker
, who traveled to shows around the southwestern United States
selling his wares. He visits Virginia City, Nevada
to end a drought
. In a back-story
related by the show's characters, the elder Hunter's customers (i.e. the townpeople in Virginia City) became skeptical about his abilities, and become angry with him. This brings about his health problems and eventually his death.
Jamie is trying to follow in his father's footsteps. He and his friend, Dusty Rhoades (Lou Frizzell), travel to Virginia City
to help relieve another severe drought
. The same people that become angry with Jamie's father before are now upset again when Jamie's abilities are not immediately fruitful. Ben Cartwright takes pity on the boy and allows him to build a rain tower on the Ponderosa
. The town people become angry with Ben too and storm Jamie's camp, burning his father's book. Eventually, it rains.
Ben recognizes that Jamie is now an orphan, and invites him to remain on the Ponderosa. Jamie accepts Ben's offer. In a 1971 episode, Ben legally adopts
Jamie, and he takes the surname "Cartwright."
Bonanza
Bonanza is an American western television series that both ran on and was a production of NBC from September 12, 1959 to January 16, 1973. Lasting 14 seasons and 430 episodes, it ranks as the second longest running western series and still continues to air in syndication. It centers on the...
. He was played by Mitch Vogel
Mitch Vogel
Mitch Vogel is a United States former child actor who left show business as at the age of 20. He was best known for his 1970-73 Bonanza role, where he played the teen orphan Jamie Hunter Cartwright...
.
Jamie Hunter was introduced in 1970, and remained on the show until its cancellation in 1973.
Mini biography
Jamie Hunter is introduced in the 363rd episode of BonanzaBonanza
Bonanza is an American western television series that both ran on and was a production of NBC from September 12, 1959 to January 16, 1973. Lasting 14 seasons and 430 episodes, it ranks as the second longest running western series and still continues to air in syndication. It centers on the...
, A Matter of Faith, which aired September 20, 1970. He is the son of a rainmaker
Rainmaking
Rainmaking refers to the act of attempting to artificially induce or increase precipitation, usually to stave off drought.In the US, rainmaking was attempted by traveling showmen. It was practiced in the old west but may have reached a peak during the dust bowl drought of the American West and...
, who traveled to shows around the southwestern United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
selling his wares. He visits Virginia City, Nevada
Virginia City, Nevada
Virginia City is a census-designated place that is the county seat of Storey County, Nevada. It is part of the Reno–Sparks Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 855 at the 2010 Census.- History :...
to end a drought
Drought
A drought is an extended period of months or years when a region notes a deficiency in its water supply. Generally, this occurs when a region receives consistently below average precipitation. It can have a substantial impact on the ecosystem and agriculture of the affected region...
. In a back-story
Back-story
A back-story, background story, or backstory is the literary device of a narrative chronologically earlier than, and related to, a narrative of primary interest. Generally, it is the history of characters or other elements that underlie the situation existing at the main narrative's start...
related by the show's characters, the elder Hunter's customers (i.e. the townpeople in Virginia City) became skeptical about his abilities, and become angry with him. This brings about his health problems and eventually his death.
Jamie is trying to follow in his father's footsteps. He and his friend, Dusty Rhoades (Lou Frizzell), travel to Virginia City
Virginia City
Virginia City is a city located in Storey County, Nevada.Virginia City may also refer to:* Virginia City, Montana* Virginia City, Nevada* Virginia City, Virginia* Virginia City , a 1940 film starring Errol Flynn...
to help relieve another severe drought
Drought
A drought is an extended period of months or years when a region notes a deficiency in its water supply. Generally, this occurs when a region receives consistently below average precipitation. It can have a substantial impact on the ecosystem and agriculture of the affected region...
. The same people that become angry with Jamie's father before are now upset again when Jamie's abilities are not immediately fruitful. Ben Cartwright takes pity on the boy and allows him to build a rain tower on the Ponderosa
Ponderosa Ranch
The Ponderosa Ranch was a theme park based on the popular 1960s television western Bonanza which housed the affluent land, timber and livestock-rich Cartwright family. The amusement park operated in Incline Village, Nevada, near Lake Tahoe, from 1967 until 2004...
. The town people become angry with Ben too and storm Jamie's camp, burning his father's book. Eventually, it rains.
Ben recognizes that Jamie is now an orphan, and invites him to remain on the Ponderosa. Jamie accepts Ben's offer. In a 1971 episode, Ben legally adopts
Adoption
Adoption is a process whereby a person assumes the parenting for another and, in so doing, permanently transfers all rights and responsibilities from the original parent or parents...
Jamie, and he takes the surname "Cartwright."
External links
See also
- BonanzaBonanzaBonanza is an American western television series that both ran on and was a production of NBC from September 12, 1959 to January 16, 1973. Lasting 14 seasons and 430 episodes, it ranks as the second longest running western series and still continues to air in syndication. It centers on the...
- 1959 in television1959 in televisionThe year 1959 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1959:For the American TV schedule, see: 1959-60 American network television schedule.-Events:...
- Ponderosa RanchPonderosa RanchThe Ponderosa Ranch was a theme park based on the popular 1960s television western Bonanza which housed the affluent land, timber and livestock-rich Cartwright family. The amusement park operated in Incline Village, Nevada, near Lake Tahoe, from 1967 until 2004...