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Bonanza, Lorne Greene, and Me

Bonanza, Lorne Greene, and Me

FromLinda's Bumpy Ride on a Bumpy Road


Bonanza, Lorne Greene, and Me

FromLinda's Bumpy Ride on a Bumpy Road

ratings:
Length:
25 minutes
Released:
Nov 3, 2022
Format:
Podcast episode

Description

Lorne Greene played a duo part, his starring role as Ben Cartwright as well as a look-alike Hustler, exact replica of Papa Ben Cartwright.This was to be one of my favorite roles as I played Dixie Wells, a break from the simple pretty girl parts and given a character that I hadn't ever played before. You might say I was a Seductress.I could slip into being a woman who'd been around and when I say "been around" I mean she'd worked in saloons and knew exactly how to entice men and wrap them around her fingers Big Time.Actually, you fellows are no doubt aware of this species of females, AREN'T YOU???As the character I was familiar with how to "work my feminine charms on my men as you'll surely pick up on & notice her strategies, etc. This was really a very fun part for me to play. And, If I may, the antithesis of who I was in real life. OH BOY!, this was a wonderful part Indeed and one I was excited to play...Going forward, the whole Cartwright family was exceptional, exuding warmth and was special because they represented very good and honest Americans.Each and every one of the actors in the Cartwright Family were Brilliant along with the devoted helper and cook Hop Sing played by Victor Sen Yung.Before closing this fun and interesting segment, I want to mention that I was also chosen to play another part or role on Bonanza that will entice you, my audience, friends and followers. You will see in a totally different Bonanza segment, the lovely and talented Linda Crystal and me together. The title is WARBONNET.Now, let’s get right into it.Lorne Greene was wonderful and in my estimation, he enjoyed every minute of it. He would say to me during breaks, "this is a good switch for me. I can finally be a bad guy and surprise my audience.” I heard him utter some words under his breath, quickly looking at me saying, "you didn't hear that did you?" I said, "what"? he said good, you're not supposed to hear words that aren't meant for your ears. To tell the truth, I did hear it but I just wasn't going to go there...You know what I mean.Mr. Greene loved switching back from the honorable Ben Cartwright, powerful head of one of the biggest family ranch owner in the territory, to a swindling hustler bad guy and may I say he did it with a great deal of finesse.During lunch breaks, he'd go into his trailer but occasionally would come out and talk as he always had something to say but only when he was in the mood. Over all, he couldn't have been nicer and garnered a great deal of respect from all cast members and crew.Oh, I want to add something about a specific scene of so-called passion with Ben Cartwright playing a dual part as the bad guy imposter and me, as the conniving wench hoping to luck out and entice some attractive man with her sensual charms, and make some money to get away from being a simple saloon girl selling those charms. Her character had always dreamed of falling in love with a rich man. Thinking back to one day in particular, our Director, Lewis Allen, had become very interested in one scene he was directing. And since I was in that scene, I vividly recall from my vantage point that I could actually see our director’s reflection in a mirror on the wall that no one else could see, just me. Especially, NOT Even from the cameraman's POV aka "Point of view". So YES, there was a passionate kiss I had with Ben Cartwright as the conniving look alike bad guy. And lest you forget, I was the only human being that could see the director’s reflection in that mirror. Now, to this day, I believe that, for an instant, I saw the director's eyebrows kind of flipping up and down as if He Was not only enjoying but living vicariously through the Ben Cartwright romantic scene. It might have been a nervous tick but I Don't Think So.
Released:
Nov 3, 2022
Format:
Podcast episode

Titles in the series (8)

Many of you may know me as an actress in Michael Crichton’s Premier film “Westworld” in which I played Arlette, robot prostitute who seduced & gave favors to Richard Benjamin. Now Richard was a fantastic actor to work with especially because he knew I was uncomfortable having to disrobe and undress. Richard might have been uncomfortable during that scene but I never noticed a hint of it. Off-screen he was a happily married man to a beautiful and highly talented actress Paula Prentiss, known for her comedy roles in many films. I’d like to mention that when actors don't have any lines of dialogue, it’s not as easy as you would think. Without words, the character has little to work with. As an audience, think about it and imagine what or how You would convey your thoughts to another person if you were unable to speak. Well, if you don’t agree, try it sometime. It isn’t easy my friends. Also, it was inferred that handsome James Brolin was having his way with another saloon gal. FYI - As an aside, James Brolin is married to the iconic “Out of this World” Singer, Actress, Award-Winning Barbra Streisand. Meanwhile, Brolin's character was being pursued by the Man in Black, Gunslinger Yul Brynner who was brilliant, outstanding, and very scary. Mr. Brynner was best known for being the staunch King in the legendary film "The King and I" with Award-Winning actress Deborah Kerr. Now regarding television, there was a well-known series called The Green Hornet (Green Hornet Music.. )in which you may know me as VAMA, the One and Only woman in history to "ZAP" the Great, Incomparable Bruce Lee as CATO. During and between "takes" Bruce and I would talk at length about so many things but honestly He did most of the talking. He said he didn't easily open up to others but felt like he'd known me for a long time. That he felt safe & very comfortable. In The Batman 66 series (Batman Music) I was The Riddler's female villain "MOTH". I will be giving fans much to chew on when talking about the show's Hero Adam West, his sidekick Burt Ward and the forever Memorable Frank Gorshin. Certainly More to share at another time. There are a slew of many other series such as Bewitched with Elizabeth Mongomery and Dick York, Lost in Space, Bonanza, and my Introductory and very first role in Ben Casey as well as many other roles in which I guest-starred.