David Canary said that Candy was originally a much darker character in ''Bonanza''

The Candy we know and love didn't start out all that loveable.

You might know David Canary as Candy, the spirited foreman of Ponderosa. However, the original version of Candy was apparently a lot different from the Candy that we saw on the screen. 

According to an interview with the Associated Press, David Canary, who portrayed Candy, revealed the original intent for the character. He said, "Candy originally was a violent character." Canary also said, "The concept of the role has changed, primarily due to the antiviolence thing."

While Candy was a fan-favorite character, Canary said that it also would have been entertaining to see the original iteration of Candy. He said, "I've gained something because they've given me roles that require more acting that have more range to them. But I miss the old incisiveness. I liked the contrast to the Cartwrights. Now I'm Candy Cartwright." Still, Canary was glad to be a part of the Bonanza family. He commented, "My desire is to stay with Bonanza as long as possible, then split."

A change in character wasn't the only thing that Canary was after during his time on the show. He also found himself wishing the show would grow beyond its Western ties. He said, "I want to expand the Bonanza image." He also confessed, "I'm not a Western man. I don't consider myself an action man." 

Canary, who had begun as a singer and a performer, expressed, "Let's face it, I'm really Gene Kelly inside Jack Palance's body." Canary was offered the role of Candy in Bonanza after executive producer David Dortort saw him in the film Hombre, and knew he'd be perfect for the role. But before all that, Canary loved to sing. He said, "I started out as a singer. That's the best-kept secret in Hollywood."

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9 Comments

zorob150 5 months ago
When David Canary joined the series it was going through a major revamp. David Dortort step down for a while as producer and move to executive producer status. They also hired New riders and directors which gave the series a much-needed transfusion. Majority of season 9 was very good but by season 10 I think that was their best year. He came along at the right time and it was just a shame that he left over money issues with the producer. By 1972 when Bonanza had slipped to 20th in the ratings after spending 10 consecutive years in the top 10 Landon and David Dortort approached him on returning to the series with the guarantee that he would be paid on the same level as the three principles. And some behind the scenes trivia he was going to return to the series even before Dan Blocker's death..
Runeshaper 11 months ago
"I'm really Gene Kelly inside Jack Palance's body." Not saying this isn't true, but this made me laugh A LOT LOL
Andybandit 11 months ago
DC was good Candy in Bonanza. He was also good on All My Children which was a soap opera just in case some people didn't know what show that was.
cperrynaples Andybandit 11 months ago
Yep, he played twin brothers on AMC! He was also Steven Frame on Another World!
MrsPhilHarris 11 months ago
“He found himself wishing the show would grow beyond its Western ties.” What? It was a western.
Bapa1 MrsPhilHarris 11 months ago
Sci-Fi? Horror? Candy The Night Stalker?
Gossemer MrsPhilHarris 11 months ago
Maybe he wanted to be a western Willie Wonka?. " oh the candy man can"
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