The shadow of the recent Attica uprising looms large over the October 3, 1972
Bonanza episode "Riot!" While on a tour of the Nevada State Prison, Ben Cartwright and several other prominent men are taken hostage by rioting prisoners. Though some of the inmates hope to escape, most of the others simply want to expose the brutal conditions in the prison-conditions that the corrupt wardens are determined will never be made public. The supporting cast includes
Gregory Walcott as Will Cooper, Marco St. John as Plank,
Aldo Ray as Heiser, Barney Philips as Calhoun, and
Denver Pyle as the head warden. Also on hand is
Tim Matheson, making the first of several
Bonanza appearances as reformed convict Griff King. Riot! was written by
Robert Pirosh. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide