
Thanks for Everything, Friend Full Episode – Bonanza, Season #06, Episode #04
Adam Cartwright narrowly avoids drowning with the timely assistance of Tom Wilson, a charismatic figure known for his skills in both card games and wooing women. Despite Adam’s appreciation for Tom’s help, he grows cautious as Tom starts showing romantic interest in Matilda, who is already committed to Jerry. The plot thickens when Tom is accused of murdering Matilda’s father. Adam takes it upon himself to clear Tom’s name, and the task becomes surprisingly simple when Sue confesses to the crime. Thanks For Everything, Friend, penned by Jerry Adelman, originally aired on October 11, 1964.
Explore the intricacies of its storyline and uncover captivating trivia, or immerse yourself in the full episode below.
Table of Contents
Watch the Full Episode of Thanks for Everything, Friend
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Main Cast
In addition to the primary cast, “Thanks for Everything, Friend,” the fourth episode of Season 6 of Bonanza showcases several recurring and guest-supporting actors. The following individuals are prominently featured in this episode:
- Lorne Greene as Ben Cartwright
- Pernell Roberts as Adam Cartwright
- Dan Blocker as Eric ‘Hoss’ Cartwright
- Michael Landon as Joseph ‘Little Joe’ Cartwright
- Rory Calhoun as Tom Wilson
- Linda Foster as Sue Miller
- Tom Skerritt as Jerry
- Barbara Wilkin as Matilda
- Ray Teal as Sheriff Roy Coffee
- John Mitchum as Grimes
- John Bose as Townsman (uncredited)
- Bill Clark as Deputy Jim (uncredited)
- Betty Endicott as Party Guest (uncredited)
- Al Haskell as Townsman (uncredited)
- Bob LaWandt as Townsman (uncredited)
- Jack Lilley as Barfly (uncredited)
- Bob Miles as Poker Player (uncredited)
- John Rice as Barfly (uncredited)
- Danny Sands as Townsman (uncredited)
- Cosmo Sardo as Bartender (uncredited)
- Chick Sheridan as Chick (uncredited)
- Norman Stevans as Party Guest (uncredited)
Full Story Line for Thanks for Everything, Friend
Adam accidentally tumbles into a river and is saved by Tom Wilson. Grateful for his rescue, Adam chooses to overlook Wilson’s advances towards Sue Miller, who is already in a relationship with another man. However, when Sue’s father is murdered, suspicion falls upon Miller until an unexpected confession from Sue herself. Sensing something amiss, Adam launches an investigation to uncover the real culprit.
Full Script and Dialogue of Thanks for Everything, Friend
[CALF BLEATING] [CALF BLEATS] We'll have breakfast a little later, unh. Guess we better go fishing. Hey! [SIGHS] [COUGHS] Thanks. Well... How's the water? Wet. [LAUGHS] You want coffee or whiskey? I think I'll try a little bit of both. There you are. Personally, I, uh, never drink this early in the day. And, of course, I, uh, never go swimming this early in the year. - Drink hearty. - Thanks. That is good whiskey. I figure if a man's gonna drink himself to perdition, he might as well enjoy himself along the way. By the way, my name is Adam Cartwright. Tom Wilson. I'm glad to meet you. Oh, I've never been gladder to meet anybody in my whole life. How come I've never run into you around here before? I've never been around here before. As a matter of fact, I got just this far last night. - What brings you out here? - Girl. I hope she turns out to be worth the trip. Well, I didn't come out here to see her. I came out here to get away from her. Oh. Heh, it's a funny thing, sometimes fathers are more anxious for a girl to get married than a girl is. [BOTH LAUGH] I'll get your clothes, be dry by now. - Oh, I'll get them. - Sit right there. You're liable to get yourself shot in that outfit. - Liked for an Indian or something. - Heh. There you go. Shirt. Pants. So the school teacher said, "I don't know how many toes he's got. He never took his boots off." [ALL LAUGHING] Hey, pull yourself together, will you? Before you split your seams. "Never took his boots off." You know, it's funny the way fate works things out. If Adam hadn't fallen into the river, we wouldn't have such an entertaining guest for dinner. Well, it's certainly my pleasure meeting you and your sons. Uh... [BEN SIGHS] Has everybody had enough to eat? I have. It's been a wonderful dinner. Thank you. [BEN CLEARS THROAT] [HOSS SIGHS] I think I must have eat too much. I feel plum stuffed. You've been stuffed for years, heh. Don't you get smart, little brother, or I'll box your ears. I wouldn't to do that. He has very valuable ears. - Let me see that. - Sure. - Here's another one. - Heh. Hey. Hey, how do you do that? Well, a good magician never explains his tricks. Magician? Is that what you do for a living? Well, that and whatever comes to hand. Well, I'll tell you something, Tom. We got a little mine that's producing about half the amount of silver you just dug out of Joe's ears. [ALL CHUCKLE] No. Seriously though, we could use, uh, a good hand. Pay's not too bad and the keep's pretty good. How about it? Well, that's very kind of you, Mr. Cartwright. But, uh, I don't think I wanna be a ranch hand. Well, just as you say. I do want you to know that our house is yours for as long as you want it. Well, thank you very much. But I'm, uh, kind of anxious to see Virginia City, and, uh, since it's getting kind of late, I think I'll be moving along. BEN: What? Won't you stay overnight? Well, thank you, but, uh, no. All right. - Joe, would you get his hat and gun? - Right, Pa. TOM: I wanna thank you again, I'm indebted to you for your hospitality. We're indebted to you, Tom, for saving Adam's life. I gained from that. I made a friend. That's quite a gun. I've never seen one like it. Hade it made in New York by Merwin Hulbert. JOE: It's got beautiful balance. TOM: Yeah, and handles pretty well. I say there's three things you ought to know how to handle. A gun, a gal, and a good poker hand, heh. - Good night, sir. - Good night, Tom. - Hoss. Joe. - Tom. - Come back and see us. - Thank you, I will. I'll walk you out. Sorry you're in such a hurry to leave, Tom. Well, I'll be seeing you around. - I owe you money. - What? Well, uh, $50 fell out of your wallet, it was all wet, heh. I didn't think you'd want wet money. Anyway, I'll pay it back to you one of these days. - You need any more? - If I did, I would have taken it. When are you gonna be in town? In a few days. - Well, look me up. I'll buy you a drink. - Where will you be? - You'll find me. - Heh, right. Take it easy. You know what the preacher said? - No. What? - He said, "Yeah, but never to an inside straight." [ALL CHUCKLE] I don't get it. Well, you will, just think about it a while. Do your mind some good. - How about another $20? - That's too rich for me. Wanna have a look, friend? Show me. That kind of luck ain't natural. [CHUCKLES] Uh, cards, please. Oh, hello, Adam. You know everybody here? Everybody but the lady. Oh, uh, honey, I want you to meet a good friend of mine, Adam Cartwright. Adam, this is, uh... What's your name again, sweetheart? - Matilda. - Matilda. Come on and deal. Oh, pleasure before pleasure. Cut them. Everybody get in. Hold it. Leave the gun where it is. What are you doing, Cartwright? Backing a crooked poker player? - Crooked? - Yeah. Took that ace off the bottom. An ace? Right there. I guess that finishes me. Boys, don't run away, the game just started. Sit down, Adam, I'll buy you a drink. The best in the house for my friend here. Honey, why don't you, uh, run along? Adam and I wanna talk over some old times. And see if you can find some new friends. - Huh? - Yeah. Go find some new friends. They'll be a blessing to you in your old age. Oh, I'll see you later though, won't I? - You sure will. - All right, then. Bye. TOM: Good to see you, Adam. Thought we were gonna have a little trouble there. Why? Because our friend thought there was an ace on the bottom of the deck? Was there? Heh, I wonder how he knew that. Ace wouldn't have done me any good, anyway? But that six of clubs would. TOM: Well, what do you know. A straight. Is Grimes right? Were you, uh...? Cheating? Adam, if I wanted to deal myself a straight, I wouldn't waste my time palming a card. You're a hard one to figure. Don't even try. Hey, uh, what's a hard-working, serious fella like you doing in town in the middle of the day? We have a little party out at the Ponderosa Sunday. I thought you might like to join us. Well, now you're talking my language. Just make sure there is plenty of pretty girls. Right. Bartender, will you cash in my chips there? So long, cheater. [GRUNTS] Like I was saying, Adam. Just make sure there's plenty of pretty girls there. Sorry, old boy. Excuse me. [ALL CHATTERING] [BAND PLAYING] Excuse me, boys. Boy, that smells good. It's gonna taste good too. There's the punch, ladies. Help yourself. Just got a whiff of that beef, it smells mighty good. You stay right here and I'll get you some. Hey. Told those ladies over there I'd get us some of this barbecued beef, if it's all ready. Yeah. Listen, Tom, how come you ain't paying any attention to some of the younger girls? Well, I don't think, uh, the younger girls need me, they're getting plenty of attention right now. Tom believes in spreading the fun. Why not? I like everybody to have a good time. Well, now, ah... May I carve that for you, Mr. Cartwright? - All right, Tom. Sure. - Thank you. - Well, Jerry, hello. - Hi, Mr. Cartwright. - I'm sorry we're late. - Hi, Mr. Cartwright. Sue. You're looking even prettier than usual. - Thank you. - Your father's not here? Oh, no, he's not back from his business trip to San Francisco. Oh, say, that will be a big feather in his cap if he closes that deal he's been working on. You say hello as soon as he gets back. - Thank you, I will. - Well, have a good time, you two. Uh, thank you. Jerry, Sue, this is Tom Wilson. Tom, this is Sue, and her friend, Jerry. TOM: How are you doing? - How are you? Nice to see you. How are you? Jerry, Sue, where you two been? You're about the last ones here. Hi, Little Joe, heh. Yeah, well, I was, uh, ironing my good pants, and I burned a hole in them, [BOTH CHUCKLE] so I was looking all around for these, and they had a spot on them, and I, uh, had to take it off, but I just, heh... - Heh, I thought we'd never get here. - Heh. Have you, uh, been in Virginia City very long, Mr. Wilson? Oh, uh... Just a few days. I generally don't stay in any one spot too long. That's, uh, too bad. [CHUCKLES] Of course, that depends upon how pretty the girls are. Spoken like a true gentleman. You want some punch, Sue? Oh. Thank you. Well, couldn't very well, uh, get that pretty dress all dirty now, could we? My, you're strong. Um... Adam, uh, I see you have some of that meat ready, why don't I take it over there? Thank you. Hey, Tom. Take on the winner of this match. - Okay, just a minute, be right back. - Right. Here you are, ladies, that's a nice piece there. You want one or two? - There you go. - Have a little bread. TOM: Ah. BEN: Good homemade bread. Ladies and gentlemen, all of you gather round who wanna watch this. Tom Wilson is gonna take on Pete Dunne, the champion. Just took Norm, just took Chick. Gather round if you wanna watch it. - Ready, fellas? - Yeah. On three. One, two, three. [TOM GRUNTING] [ALL APPLAUDING] [ALL CHATTERING] Uh, yeah, well, that's, uh... That's pretty good, but I bet you couldn't whip old Hoss here. I don't think anybody can whip Hoss. So I'm gonna stop while I'm ahead. - You're smart. - Thank you, buddy. Ah, say, would you like to play some horse shoes? - My, these shoes are getting heavy. - Well, let me help you. - We won. - Heh. Jerry, would you mind getting me some more of that punch? Yeah. Sure, Sue. Tom. Uh, would you come with me? There's something I'd like to talk to you about. Why, of course. Well, Tom over there sure believes in flirting with trouble. What's he up to now? Well, he's exercising his charm a little bit. BEN: Hmm? Yeah, I have a feeling he should be exercising his charm - on something else. - Like what? Like a hard day's work. He seems to get along without it. JERRY: Uh... Sue asked me to get her a glass of punch, I've been looking all over for her. Have you seen her, Mr. Cartwright? No. I haven't. What about you, Adam? You seen her? No, no, but, uh... Mary Connors over there is just dying to have some of that punch. Come on. You, uh, wanted to tell me something, Sue? Well, I thought... Oh, please. Don't. You mustn't. Please? Hi, Jerry. What's the matter with you? You look like war was just declared. War just might be declared. JOE: Huh? By me on that fancy friend of your brother's. - That Tom Wilson. - What are you talking about? I'm talking about a skunk. Him. - You know what he's been doing? - No. He's been seeing Sue. You know she's my girl. He's been seeing her every day of the week. You know what I ought to do? I ought to go into that town, and I ought to drag him out into the street, and I ought to knock his head off, is what I ought to do. Yeah, I think I'll do just that. Come on, Jerry, you're no match for Tom Wilson. - Well, he's got me mad. - All right, he's got you mad. You're still no match for him. Well, what am I gonna do, Joe? You know how I feel about Sue. And that guy, he's just playing with her. Adam invites him out here to meet your friends, and he pulls a thing like this. [JERRY SIGHS] Look, I know, but go on home, forget it for a while. I'll talk to Tom. It's partially our responsibility. Like you said, Adam invited him out here, so let me talk to him. - All right. - Don't worry about it, go on. [JERRY MUMBLING INDISTINCTLY] Where you going? Into town to look up your fine friend, Tom Wilson. - What for? - To beat his brains out. What are you talking about? I'm talking about the fine friends you pick. He repays our hospitality by stealing Jerry's girl. Oh, now, wait a minute, Joe. In the first place, I don't think he "stole" her away from Jerry. - Meaning what? - Meaning that I somehow can't think of Tom, as they say in polite circles, as "forcing his attentions" on her. - Listen, Adam... - And in the second place, Sue was never Jerry's to be stolen. I mean, he's not married or engaged to her. So if she's seeing Tom, I'd say it's their business, not yours. I'm making it my business. You see, I have a little sense of friendship, a little sense of loyalty, even if you haven't. Good luck. Sue is just an impressionable kid, and Jerry's been going with her for a long, long time. So just leave her alone. Sure, Joe, sure, anything you say. It's just like I've been telling you. You know, the one thing I wouldn't wanna do in this whole world is cause any trouble for the brother of my old buddy. - How about a drink? - No, thanks. I think I better go. Oh, come on. It's been a long dusty ride. You owe it to your throat. I owe it to Jerry to give him the news, he's been pretty worried. All right, you give Jerry the news, I'll see Sue today and tell her she's back to being his property. All right? All right. - Thanks. - It's all right. - Dad got you working, huh? - I see you're still in one piece. I was expecting to go up there with a broom, sweep you up. You see him? Sure, I saw him. And he said that Jerry could have Sue back with his compliments. That ought to make your buddy happy. No, he's sore as a boil. - What? - Yeah. I stopped by his place to give him the good news. Said he doesn't want her under those conditions. As a gift from some high and mighty benefactor. Wouldn't have anything to do with her, if she was the last girl in the world. He's gonna go over to her place now and tell her so. So like the proverbial family quarrel, little brother here almost got his nose punched in for his trouble. [JOE CHUCKLES] Always knew you had a nose for trouble, Joe. Heh, thanks. What's up, Pa? ADAM: What's wrong? Sue Miller's father has been killed. What? Shot down in cold blood. Who did it? Tom Wilson. No. Young Jerry came calling on Sue, he heard a shot, rushed into the house, and there was Tom Wilson, strongbox was open. Mr. Miller was lying dead on the floor. ADAM: There must be some mistake. The only mistake, I guess, was introducing that fella to Sue. Oh, Mr. Cartwright, isn't it terrible about poor Tom? Well, they're going to hang him, aren't they? GRIMES: Cartwright. What do you think of your fine-feathered friend now? Be a fine day for this town when we watch him swing. Believe me, there will be plenty of dry eyes in the crowd. You can bet on that. - Howdy, Adam. - Can I see Tom? - You sure can. You go right ahead. - You think he's guilty? Well, don't you? I'd rather wait till all the evidence is in. All the evidence needed is right here on this desk. Now, there's the gun that killed Mr. Miller. And here is the strongbox that killed him for. All the chambers are loaded. You and I both know he had plenty of time to reload one cartridge. Robbery, an open-and-shut case. Go ahead, you want to see him. Hey, Adam, old buddy. How are you? - I'm all right. - Ah, I'm sorry I can't ask you in. - Would you like a little drink? - No, thanks. - You're in bad trouble, you know. - I've been there before. Did you shoot Miller? You really are worried about me, aren't you, old buddy? - I'd like to help you if I can. - You sure can. - How? - Got a deck of cards? Would you give me a straight answer just for once? - Sure, what do you wanna know? - Did you shoot Miller? Well, now, I think if I were to, uh, try to answer a question like that, I'd be a prejudiced witness. All right, maybe I can get some answers out of Sue. - Don't. - Why not? She was there too. Leave her out of it. Please. ADAM: There's some things about this case against Tom Wilson that don't add up. He's an intelligent man. Wouldn't try to rob your father in broad daylight in his own house for the little amount of money that was in that strongbox. What do you want of me, Adam? Ah, I know how hard this must be for you, but I'm just trying to get at the truth. But I told you the truth. I heard a shot, I ran in here and I found Jerry accusing Tom of shooting my father. Why did Tom come here in the first place? To tell me... He promised Little Joe not to see me anymore. Because of Jerry. And? And I told him that I didn't care about Jerry, that I loved him. Tom. And what did Tom say to that? At first he laughed, heh. Then he kissed me, told me to go to my room, that we'd talk later. And then you heard the shot and ran in here. Yes. Adam, maybe that's why Tom went to my father, to talk about us. Maybe. But only Tom can tell us. If he doesn't, he's going to die for killing your father. Oh, Adam, take me to him. Please, I must see him. - Sheriff? - Yes, Miss Sue? I have something to tell you. Well, come right on over here and tell us. Go ahead. Tom is innocent. I shot my father. - Heh, well, Sue, I can't hardly... SUE: Oh, it's true. I heard Tom ask my father for permission to marry me. He refused. Offered Tom money to go away. When Tom said he wouldn't take the money, my father was so angry he pulled out his gun, he called Tom terrible names. He said he was going to kill him. Tom said he wouldn't draw against an old man. But my father was so angry, I knew he... I ran into the study. Then what did you do? I grabbed my father's gun, it went off by accident. Tom reloaded the gun, shoved me into the other room just before Jerry ran in. Sheriff, Tom was only trying to protect me. But I can't let him die. I guess you'd better arrest me. Why did you do it, Adam? What have you done to her? Try to take it easy, Jerry. I don't feel any better about this than you do. But you know her, Adam. You've known her longer than I have. Do you really think that Sue could have shot her own father? Adam, heh, I'm not the smartest guy in the world. But I know, as sure as I know the sun's gonna come up, that she couldn't have done it. I know how you feel, Jerry, but that's not evidence. You're smart, Adam. You tell me, what is evidence? Well, it's something that will prove that she is lying. Lying? Of course she's lying. Jerry, saying it doesn't make it true. Oh, but she is, I know she is. Look, now, she said that Tom pushed her out of the room just before I came in, right? - Right. - Well, he couldn't have. There's only one door to the study. I would have seen her come out. Because I went in right after the shot. You sure? You sure, it couldn't have been longer. No. It's just, uh, like I said, Adam. - Is that evidence? - Yeah. Let's get over to the Miller house. JERRY: Wait. How can we go out there? There's nobody's there. If the bullet was fired from there, uh, it would have gone into this wall. - What would? - The bullet. The one that killed Mr. Miller. They never found it. There's nothing in the wall, Adam. Yeah, you're right. Where is it? It's gotta be in this room someplace. - Jerry. - Huh? Look at that. Is that it? Yup. It's the bullet that killed Mr. Miller. But where did it come from? What do you mean? Well, Miller supposedly was shot with a .45. This couldn't have possibly come out of a .45. Well, where are you going? I got Tom Wilson out of jail. So I guess it's up to me to get him back in. Adam. Well, what a pleasant surprise. Come on in. Join the party. [DOOR CLOSES] Adam, you remember, uh... What's your name again, honey? How many times do I have to tell you? It's Matilda. - Matilda. - I wanna talk to you alone. Why are you always so serious, old buddy? This is serious. All right, Grandpa. Anything you say. Honey, why don't you, uh, run along and practice your needlepoint? Huh? No telling how many wonderful things you could make. Like what? Ooh, like, uh, saddle-covers and ankle-warmers, three-fingered gloves, pencil-wrappers. There's no telling what you could do. Now you go ahead and run along. - Will I see you later? - That is a promise. - Oh, all right, then. Goodbye. - Goodbye. All right, Adam, I'm all ears. I'm gonna have to take you back to jail. And why would you wanna do that, old buddy? Murder. Now, there's a depressing thought. I found the slug. You might as well have written your name on it. I don't know what kind of a game you've been playing, but, well, maybe a jury can figure it out. Oh, I think you could figure it out if you really tried, Adam. You're a bright boy. One of the brightest friends I ever had. I'm gonna miss you, Adam. - I sincerely hope you'll miss me. - Don't do it, please. You really wouldn't like shooting me, would you, Adam? No. But I will if I have to. Well, you have to do what you have to do. And I almost made it too. So you killed him. Well, he was pretty riled up about Sue and I getting married and I thought he was gonna shoot me. So I shot him. Then I went over to fire his gun so I could claim self-defense. And that's when that stupid Jerry came running in. Why didn't you take the money he offered you? Chicken feed. When I could inherit it all as his son-in-law. And Sue was young enough to believe you. Why not? She loves me. And I like her too. I really do. Even though she is a little young. But I could talk her into anything. Like a phony confession? Well, I convinced her that, uh, a jury would acquit a girl for killing a man, even her own father, if it was accidental. Then after things cooled off, why, we could get married. All right, now what? Well, now I guess I'm gonna have to tie you up. Think that chair will be comfortable? Why not? I, uh... I suppose you'll holler, I'll have to gag you. That's right. Put your hands behind your back. This ought to hold you for an hour or so. It's about all the time I'll need. I've got a good horse. But I'll be leaving a good friend, Adam. So long. Thanks for the loan on the gun, Roy. Now, don't you mention it, Tom. I wish that I could go myself, but the governor's coming in on a stage this afternoon, - I just gotta be here to meet him. - I understand. But I do believe that my deputy and them boys out there will be - enough of a posse for you, don't you? - No, I can handle it myself. I know, but I wanna be sure that he's taken officially. I told you that. Right. Looks like we've lost the trail. Uh, Jim, you scout on up ahead. I'll cover the river bank and meet you at the ports, all right? ADAM: Hold it right there, Tom. Adam. It's good to see you, old buddy. I was getting a little lonesome out here. Just throw down your gun belt, Tom. Sure. Now what? I'm gonna have to take you back, Tom. [CHUCKLES] - You don't seem very happy about it. - I'm not. That's the trouble with you. You're always doing things that make you unhappy. I can only do what I think is right, Tom. That's all any man can do. Not me. No, I guess not. Not you. Why do you do things, Tom? For enjoyment. There must be more to life than that. Like what, Adam? Like being of some use. Like being of some service to somebody besides yourself. - Friends? - Friends. You're not a very good friend, are you, Adam? Well, I tried to be your friend too, Tom. No, I saved your life and now you're trying to take mine. We have different ideas about friendship. You wanted to be my friend for the fun you got out of it. I was your friend because of what I could do for you. Well, you can do something for me right now. - What? - Just walk away. No, I can't do it, Tom. Don't ask me. This isn't easy for me. I liked you. I liked you too. Well, I think it's right around here we had our first drink together. Let's have another one for old time's sake. [CHUCKLES] You, uh, could have killed me. Well, you did wanna kill me. With sorrow, Adam. With sorrow. But dead. Sure is a pretty river. Beautiful. Well, there come all the king's horses and all the king's men. Doing what they think is right. Come to think of it, Adam, I'd have been a lot better off if I had just left you right there in that river. You didn't have to do that. Thanks for everything, friend. He was no good, Adam. He was one of a kind. Get him out of the water.
Behind the Scenes of Thanks for Everything, Friend
In the initial scene, where Adam plunges into the river and begins swimming, a car is observed traveling along a road that parallels the river. During this period in the series, which is set around 1859-1861, Sue Miller states, “I grabbed my father’s gun, it went off by itself.”
However, a double-action handgun would be required for such an event to occur. The earliest double-action firearms did not emerge until the late 1870s or became widespread until the 1890s. In reality, she would have needed to pull the hammer back and then pull the trigger for the gun to discharge.
Looking for More Bonanza Episodes?
Bonanza is a remarkable, family-oriented program suitable for both individual and collective viewing. “Thanks for Everything, Friend” is the 172nd installment out of a total of 430. Produced by NBC, Bonanza graced their network screens from September 1959 to January 1973, enjoying a commendable 14-season run.
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