David Dortort (Writing)
Little is known about David Dortort, a figure with a modest footprint in Writing. Stay tuned for updates as more details become available.
Works
Ponderosa
Ponderosa is a television series developed by Bonanza creator David Dortort for PAX-TV that ran for the 2001–2002 television season. Envisioned as a prequel to the long-running NBC series Bonanza, it had less gunfire, brawling and other traditional western elements than the original. Bonanza creator David Dortort approved PAX TV's decision to hire Beth Sullivan, creator and executive producer of Dr. Quinn: Medicine Woman to oversee scripts and executive produce, which some believe gave the series a softer edge. Ponderosa was canceled after one season, in part because of disappointing ratings and high production costs. Although Sullivan had hoped to film the series in and around Los Angeles, PAX decided to film in Australia to reduce costs. Series "show runner" Sullivan sustained severe injuries in a car crash only twelve days after the airing of the first season's last episode. The show should not be confused with Ponderosa, the title used for Bonanza reruns aired on NBC during the summer of 1972.
Release Date: 2001-09-09
Department: Writing
Job: Writer
Episode Count: 2
Vote Count: 1
Bonanza: Under Attack
After a rogue band of Pinkerton detectives led by ruthless Charley Siringo bushwhacks reformed outlaw Frank James, he seeks sanctuary on the Ponderosa with the next generation of Cartwrights and his former Civil War compatriots. Will Frank's comrades come to his aid or turn their backs on him? Richard Roundtree also stars in this made-for-TV sequel to the popular Western series.
Release Date: 1995-01-15
Department: Writing
Job: Writer
Vote Count: 8
Bonanza: The Return
A man with a grudge against the late Little Joe seeks revenge on the Cartwrights and attempts to take over the Ponderosa.
Release Date: 1993-11-24
Department: Writing
Job: Writer
Vote Count: 389
Bonanza: The Next Generation
This is the continuing saga of the Cartwrights, only none of the original Cartwrights are here anymore but their sons. Ben and Hoss have passed on, and Little Joe is MIA; he went with Teddy Roosevelt and is currently missing. Ben's brother, Aaron is now in charge of the Ponderosa, and Little Joe's wife Annie also lives there. His son, Benjamin has come back fom the East. Charlie Poke is a man who owes his life to Ben Cartwright and is now the ranch foreman, and is not exactly on good terms with Aaron. Aaron has allowed a mining company access to mine on the Ponderosa, but the man in charge has other ideas. And Hoss' son Josh whom no one has seen before, has come to the Ponderosa to kill Hoss cause he thinks Hoss deserted him and his mother not knowing that Hoss died before he could go back to bring his mother back to the Ponderosa.
Release Date: 1988-03-22
Department: Writing
Job: Story
Vote Count: 2
The Chisholms
The Chisholms is a CBS western miniseries starring Robert Preston, which aired from March 29, 1979, to April 19, 1979; and continued as a television series from January 19, 1980, to March 15, 1980. The 1979 miniseries showed the family moving from Virginia to Wyoming. When the TV series commenced in 1980, the pioneers were shown en route along the California Trail from Wyoming to Sacramento, California.
Release Date: 1979-03-29
Department: Production
Job: Producer
Episode Count: 18
Vote Count: 4
The High Chaparral
The High Chaparral is an American Western-themed television series starring Leif Erickson and Cameron Mitchell which aired on NBC from 1967 to 1971. The series, made by Xanadu Productions in association with NBC Productions, was created by David Dortort, who had previously created the hit Bonanza for the network. The theme song was also written and conducted by Bonanza scorer David Rose, who also scored the two-hour pilot.
Release Date: 1967-09-10
Department: Production
Job: Producer
Episode Count: 98
Vote Count: 22
Bonanza
The High-Sierra adventures of Ben Cartwright and his sons as they run and defend their ranch while helping the surrounding community.
Release Date: 1959-09-12
Department: Writing
Job: Writer
Episode Count: 1
Vote Count: 435
The Restless Gun
The Restless Gun is an American western television series that appeared on NBC between 1957 and 1959, with John Payne in the role of Vint Bonner, a wandering cowboy in the era after the American Civil War. A skilled gunfighter, Bonner is an idealistic person who prefers peaceful resolutions of conflict wherever possible. He is gregarious, intelligent, and public-spirited. The half-hour black-and-white program aired seventy-eight episodes. Jeanne Bates appeared in varying roles with Payne in five episodes of The Restless Gun. The Restless Gun theme song begins: "I ride with the wind, my eyes on the sun, and my hand on my restless gun..." The song composer is probably Paul Dunlap, credited as the primary series composer, but could have been contributed to by either of the two other series composers, Dave Kahn and Stanley Wilson, also. Two versions are currently posted on YouTube, but neither posting lists any composer or performance credits.
Release Date: 1957-09-23
Department: Writing
Job: Writer
Episode Count: 1
Vote Count: 3
The Big Land
Back home in Texas following the Civil War, former Confederate officer Chad Morgan (Alan Ladd) leads a cattle drive to Missouri, assuring fellow ranchers that their stock will bring $10 a head at auction. Instead, ruthless cattle baron Brog (Anthony Caruso) has scared off all competition and offers much less.
Release Date: 1957-03-01
Department: Writing
Job: Screenplay
Vote Count: 16
Reprisal!
New ranch owner Frank Madden, half Indian but posing as white, arrives just as an all white jury finds the three white Shipley brothers who lynched three Indians innocent. There is soon trouble between Frank and the Shipleys who are using Frank's land to graze their cattle. When the brother of one of the Indian victims kills a Shipley, Frank is accused and put in jail. The Shipleys then organize a lynch mob and head for the jail.
Release Date: 1956-11-02
Department: Writing
Job: Screenplay
Vote Count: 6
A Cry in the Night
A police captain's emotions get in the way when his daughter is kidnapped.
Release Date: 1956-08-17
Department: Writing
Job: Screenplay
Vote Count: 19
Hot Cargo
After marrying the captain of a tramp steamer in Hong Kong, a barmaid falls in love with a harbor policeman, but her frustration with her meager life leads her to contemplate a quicker way to the wealthy life.
Release Date: 1956-01-04
Department: Writing
Job: Writer
The 20th Century Fox Hour
The 20th Century Fox Hour is an American drama anthology series televised in the United States on CBS from 1955 to 1957. Some of the shows in this series were restored, remastered and shown on the Fox Movie Channel in 2002 under the title Hour of Stars. The season one episode Overnight Haul, starring Richard Conte and Lizabeth Scott, was released in Australia as a feature film.
Release Date: 1955-10-05
Department: Writing
Job: Writer
Episode Count: 1
Vote Count: 6
Screen Director's Playhouse
Presented by Eastman Kodak, this show was a series of original scripts directed by acclaimed directors and featuring well-known performers. The stories ranged from musicals to comedies and dramas.
Release Date: 1955-10-05
Department: Writing
Job: Writer
Episode Count: 1
Vote Count: 3
Climax!
Climax! is an American anthology series that aired on CBS from 1954 to 1958. The series was hosted by William Lundigan and later co-hosted by Mary Costa. It was one of the few CBS programs of that era to be broadcast in color. Many of the episodes were performed and broadcast live.
Release Date: 1954-10-07
Department: Writing
Job: Writer
Episode Count: 1
Vote Count: 10
Public Defender
The Public Defender is a half-hour 69-episode television dramatic series starring Reed Hadley as Bart Matthews, an attorney for the indigent. The series aired on CBS from March 11, 1954 to June 23, 1955, a season and a half.
Release Date: 1954-03-11
Department: Writing
Job: Writer
Episode Count: 1
Vote Count: 2
The Lusty Men
Retired rodeo champion Jeff McCloud agrees to mentor novice rodeo contestant Wes Merritt against the wishes of Merritt's wife who fears the dangers of this rough sport.
Release Date: 1952-10-24
Department: Writing
Job: Writer
Vote Count: 87
Fireside Theater
Fireside Theater is an American anthology drama series that ran on NBC from 1949 to 1958, and was the first successful filmed series on American television. Stories were low budget and often based on public domain stories or written by freelance writers such as Rod Serling. While it was panned by critics, it remained in the top ten most popular shows for most of its run. It predated the other major pioneer of filmed TV in America, I Love Lucy, by two years.
Release Date: 1949-04-05
Department: Writing
Job: Writer
Episode Count: 1
Vote Count: 3
Christopher Closeup
Religious programming.
Department: Writing
Job: Writer
Episode Count: 1