The Big Bonanza (1944): cast, story & where to watch
1944 · Film · ★ 5
Released in 1944, The Big Bonanza is a drama and western film directed by George Archainbaud, running about 68 minutes. “PACKED With SUSPENSE and THRILLS of frontier adventure!” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. Having been falsely court marshaled for cowardice and sentenced to prison by the Army, Jed Kilton escapes and heads to Nevada Springs to see his kid brother. There he meets his old school friend Sam Ballou. But the two old friends soon find themselves on opposite sides and Sam has Jed arrested. Then when Jed's young brother sees one of Sam's men kill another man, the boy becomes Sam's intended victim.
Who’s in it. The Big Bonanza stars Richard Arlen as Capt. Jed Kilton, Jane Frazee as Chiquita McSweeney, Robert Livingston as Sam Ballou and George 'Gabby' Hayes as Hap Selby, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 5.0/10, The Big Bonanza has proved divisive with audiences.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Big Bonanza page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Big Bonanza tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Big Bonanza (1944)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for The Big Bonanza change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is The Big Bonanza worth watching?
- The Big Bonanza holds an audience score of 5.0 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama and western. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in The Big Bonanza?
- The Big Bonanza stars Richard Arlen, Jane Frazee, Robert Livingston, George 'Gabby' Hayes and Lynne Roberts.
- When was The Big Bonanza released?
- The Big Bonanza was released in 1944, with a runtime of about 68 minutes.