Bonanza The Thunderhead Swindle (Season 2, Episode 30)
TV-G
TV Episode | 60 min | Western

Primary photo for The Thunderhead Swindle

Bonanza

The Thunderhead Swindle (Season 2, Episode 30)

TV-G

TV Episode | 60 min | Western

The mines in the Comstock Lode seem tapped out. With the sharp rise in unemployment, the promise of silver found in the thunderhead could mean boom or bust to everyone in Virginia City. Can the Cartwrights make sure that it's kept?

Director

Dick Moder

Writer

Gene L. Coon (written by)

Producer

David Dortort

Composer

David Rose

Cinematographer

William E. Snyder (as William Snyder)

Editor

Ellsworth Hoagland

See all filmmakers & crew (34)

Edit Released

Updated Apr 29, 1961

Release date

Apr 29, 1961 (United States)

Awards

Series awards

Won 3 Primetime Emmy Awards. Another 6 wins & 16 nominations

Contacts

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Cast	+ Add Cast
34 cast members

Name	Known for
Lorne Greene Ben Cartwright Ben Cartwright See fewer	Bonanza (1959)
Pernell Roberts Adam Cartwright (credit only) Adam Cartwright (credit only) See fewer	Bonanza (1959)
Dan Blocker Eric 'Hoss' Cartwright Eric 'Hoss' Cartwright See fewer	Bonanza (1959)
Michael Landon Joseph 'Little Joe' Cartwright Joseph 'Little Joe' Cartwright See fewer	Little House on the Prairie (1974)
Parley Baer Jack Cunningham Jack Cunningham See fewer	License to Drive (1988)
Judson Pratt Jim Bronson Jim Bronson See fewer	The Horse Soldiers (1959)
Vito Scotti Leon Flores Leon Flores See fewer	The Godfather (1972)
Ross Elliott Watkins Watkins See fewer	Tarantula (1955)
Ray Teal Sheriff Roy Coffee Sheriff Roy Coffee See fewer	Ace in the Hole (1951)
Walter Coy Frank Furnas Frank Furnas See fewer	The Searchers (1956)
Harvey Stephens Jock McPherson Jock McPherson See fewer	The Bat (1959)
Michael Hinn Thornton Thornton See fewer	The Reivers (1969)
William Flaherty Wheeler Wheeler See fewer	The Monolith Monsters (1957)
Charles Horvath Howell Howell See fewer	His Majesty O'Keefe (1954)
Chet Brandenburg Miner (uncredited) Miner (uncredited) See fewer	Under Two Jags (1923)
Bill Clark Bully (uncredited) Bully (uncredited) See fewer	Bonanza (1959)
Frank Ellis Miner (uncredited) Miner (uncredited) See fewer	Roll Wagons Roll (1940)
Betty Endicott Brunette Townswoman (uncredited) Brunette Townswoman (uncredited) See fewer
Raoul Freeman Miner (uncredited) Miner (uncredited) See fewer
Joe Garcio Bartender (uncredited) Bartender (uncredited) See fewer	The Black Coin (1936)
Herman Hack Miner (uncredited) Miner (uncredited) See fewer	Arizona Trails (1935)
Chuck Hamilton Possible Investor (uncredited) Possible Investor (uncredited) See fewer	Captain Midnight (1942)
Al Haskell Miner (uncredited) Miner (uncredited) See fewer	Terror of the Plains (1934)
Bob Hoy Small Miner on Street (uncredited) Small Miner on Street (uncredited) See fewer	The Enforcer (1976)
Ethan Laidlaw Miner (uncredited) Miner (uncredited) See fewer	Is That Nice? (1926)
Kermit Maynard Miner (uncredited) Miner (uncredited) See fewer	The Fighting Texan (1937)
Bob Miles Miner with Club (uncredited) Miner with Club (uncredited) See fewer	Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988)
Rex Moore Miner (uncredited) Miner (uncredited) See fewer
Boyd 'Red' Morgan Henchman (uncredited) Henchman (uncredited) See fewer	Beyond the Time Barrier (1960)
Charles Morton Miner (uncredited) Miner (uncredited) See fewer	Arms and the Man (1932)
John Rice Possible Investor (uncredited) Possible Investor (uncredited) See fewer
John Roy Possible Investor (uncredited) Possible Investor (uncredited) See fewer
Jack Tornek Possible Investor (uncredited) Possible Investor (uncredited) See fewer	A Five Foot Ruler (1917)
Sailor Vincent Miner in Thunderhead (uncredited) Miner in Thunderhead (uncredited) See fewer	The Man I Love (1929)