David Dortort(bornDavid Solomon Katz;October 23, 1916 – September 5, 2010)[2]was aHollywoodscreenwriter and producer, widely known for his role as producer in two successfulNBCtelevision series:Bonanza(1959–73) andThe High Chaparral(1967–71). Dortort's focus shifted in the late 1960s to the newer series, leaving the production ofBonanzalargely to his associates during its last five and a half years (1967–1973).
David Dortort | |
|---|---|
| Born | David Solomon Katz[1] October 23, 1916 New York City,New York, U.S. |
| Died | September 5, 2010(aged 93) Los Angeles,California, U.S. |
| Alma mater | City College of New York,1936 |
| Occupation(s) | Writer;Television producer |
| Years active | 1957–2001 |
| Spouse |
Rose Seldin
(m.1940; died 2007) |
| Children | 2 |
From 1954–55, Dortort was involved in directing and writing forThe Public Defender.He producedThe Restless Gun(1957–59),The Cowboystelevision version(1974), and aprequelseries featuring younger versions of theBonanzacharacters calledPonderosa(2001), which was produced withBeth Sullivan.In 1979–1980, he created the 13-weekCBSminiseries,The Chisholms.Michael Landonappeared in a supporting role in the pilot forThe Restless Gun,starringJohn Payne,aired on March 19, 1957, as an episode ofTheSchlitz Playhouse of StarsandDan Blockerplayed multiple roles in five episodes ofThe Restless Gun.[3]
Alan W. Livingstonof NBC hired Dortort to write the screenplay for the pilot episode ofBonanza.[4]He did it at night, while producingThe Restless Gunby day.[5]
In 2001, the alumni association ofCity College of New York,where he had studiedhistory,honored him with itsJohn H. Finleyaward.[6]
Personal life
editA native ofNew York City,Dortort was married for 67 years to the former Rose Seldin, who died September 30, 2007, at age 92. They had two children, Wendy Dortort Czarnecki and Fred Dortort.
Death
editDortort died in his sleep at his home inLos Angeles,California,on September 5, 2010, a month and a half before his 94th birthday, following a history of heart disease.[1]
Writings
editDortort published two books,Burial of the Fruitin 1947[7]andThe Post of Honorin 1949.[8]
Filmography
editFilms
edit| Year | Film | Credit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1952 | The Lusty Men | Screenplay By | Based on the novel "King of the Cowpokes" by "Claude Stanush" |
| 1956 | A Cry In The Night | Screenplay By | Based on the novel "All Through the Night" by "Whit Masterson" |
| Reprisal! | Screenplay By | ||
| 1957 | The Big Land | Screenplay By | Based on the novel "Buffalo Grass" by "Frank Gruber" |
| 1958 | A Gift for Heidi | Screenplay By | |
| 1987 | Going Bananas | Executive Producer | |
| 1988 | Bonanza: The Next Generation | Produced By | Television Movie |
| 1993 | Bonanza: The Return | Story By, Executive Producer | Television Movie |
| 1995 | Bonanza: Under Attack | Executive Producer | Television Movie |
Television
edit| Year | TV Series | Credit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1952 | Cavalcade of America | Writer | 2 episodes |
| 1952-54 | Fireside Theatre | Writer | 5 episodes |
| 1953 | Racket Squad | Writer | 1 Episode |
| 1954 | Climax! | Writer | 1 Episode |
| 1954-55 | Public Defender | Writer | 3 episodes |
| Waterfront | Writer | 8 episodes | |
| 1955 | TV Reader's Digest | Writer | 1 Episode |
| The 20th Century Fox Hour | Writer | 1 Episode | |
| 1956 | Screen Directors Playhouse | Writer | 1 Episode |
| Lassie | Writer | 1 Episode | |
| 1956-57 | Studio 57 | Writer | 2 episodes |
| 1957 | Panic! | Writer | 1 Episode |
| 1957-59 | The Restless Gun | Writer, producer | 77 episodes |
| 1959-73 | Bonanza | Writer, Creator, Producer, Executive Producer | Multiple Episodes |
| 1967-71 | The High Chaparral | Writer, Creator, Producer, Executive Producer | Multiple Episodes |
| 1974 | The Cowboys | Producer | |
| 1979-80 | The Chisholms | Writer, Creator, Executive Producer | 14 episodes |
| 2001-02 | Ponderosa | Producer |
References
edit- ^abWeber, Bruce (September 9, 2010)."David Dortort, 'Bonanza' Creator, Dies at 93".New York Times.p. A28.Retrieved2010-09-22.
- ^Woo, Elaine (September 8, 2010)."David Dortort dies at 93; created and produced TV western 'Bonanza'".Los Angeles Times.Retrieved2010-09-22.
- ^"Dan Blocker - IMDb".IMDb.n.p. n.d.Retrieved2 October2016.
- ^Weber, Bruce (March 16, 2009). "Alan W. Livingston, Talent Spotter Who Signed Beatles, Dies at 91".New York Times.p. A25.
- ^King, Susan (September 19, 2009)."Autry National Center salutes 'Bonanza' Sunday".Los Angeles Times.RetrievedSeptember 21,2009.
- ^Arenson, Karen W. (October 3, 2001)."BULLETIN BOARD; City College Alumni Group Will Bestow Honors".New York Times.p. A19.RetrievedSeptember 24,2009.
- ^Dortort, David (1947).Burial of the Fruit.New York:Crown Publishers.LCCN47000360.
- ^Dortort, David (1949).The Post of Honor.New York:Whittlesey House.LCCN49007923.
External links
edit
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