| Bonanza episode | |
|---|---|
| “The Saddle Stiff” | |
| Season 13, Episode 17 #406 in Series | |
 | |
| Air date | January 16, 1972 |
| Production code | |
| Guest starring: | |
| Written by | Samuel A. Peeples, John Hawkins |
| Directed by | William F. Claxton |
| Episode Guide | |
| Previous Episode: Second Sight |
Next Episode: Frenzy |
| External links | |
 IMDbThe Saddle Stiff on IMDb | |
Summary[]
Cactus Murphy, an embittered ranch whom Ben fired, suggests that the Cartwright patriarch is getting a little old to "put in a real week's work." Ben's response: Take a job under the assumed name Ben Brown and show Murphy that he is still more than capable of sweating out the job of a rancher.
Plot[]
Ben's decision to let a ranch hand go for incompetence gets the old man riled up. Cactus Murphy challenges the Cartwright patriarch to do the work he usually does in a week, and without using his status to get it accomplished. Ben accepts the challenge and goes to work incognito on the Ponderosa.
Cast and Characters[]
The Cartwrights[]
- Lorne Green: Ben Cartwright
- Dan Blocker: Hoss Cartwright
- Michael Landon: Little Joe Cartwright
- Mitch Vogel: Jamie Cartwright
Other[]
- Buddy Ebsen: Cactus Murphy
- Don Collier: Paul Walker
- Charles H Gray: Cass Breckenridge
- Jay MacIntosh: Sally
- Hal Riddle: Tiller
- Dick Farnsworth: Tate
- Henry Wills: Yokum
Mentioned[]
- The Sheriff