Even after 60 years, the father-son relationship in The Rifleman is still regarded as one of the best in television history.
This Western classic, which taught timeless values like honesty and respect, was a must-watch in many homes for those who grew up in the late 1950s.
Beyond its memorable scenes, The Rifleman also featured a number of obscure errors, blunders, and interesting trivia that only ardent fans would be aware of.
Watch as we reveal the undiscovered treasures within this legendary Western.
Who cares that early Westerns like The Rifleman were full of historical errors? They still provide richer characters than anything on TV today, and they’re a lot of fun to watch. Each episode offered a valuable lesson, frequently emphasizing fundamental human principles with a touching moral undertone.
In The Rifleman, the iconic Chuck Connors played Lucas McCain, a rancher and expert marksman who was widowed and raising his son, Mark, who was portrayed by the endearing Johnny Crawford. The two enthralled viewers with their close relationship and exciting Old West adventures.
Even the best of the best can make mistakes, despite the series being praised as one of the best ever made. Let’s take a look behind the scenes and learn some things that the majority of us viewers were unaware of!
A trailblazer is Lucas McCain.
Cowboy Lucas McCain’s preference for jeans is not surprising, but it turns out that he was roughly fifty years ahead of fashion! In “End of a Young Gun,” one of the first episodes with Michael Landon, viewers with keen eyes may have noticed a scene in which Lucas fixes a wagon wheel without a shirt.
He is wearing Wranglers, as you can see by the “W” stitched on the back pocket of his jeans. The catch? Although the series takes place in the 1880s, the production of those jeans did not begin until the 1940s. A true trendsetter and undoubtedly ahead of his time, Lucas McCain is more than just a stylish cowboy!
The real son of Connors
The father-son relationship was one aspect of the show that I truly enjoyed, as I previously stated. However, did you know that the series features an appearance by Chuck Connors’ real-life son? In the “Tension” episode, Mark and Lucas go to the McCains’ friend Sid Halpern’s funeral.
There are the widow and her black-clad son, Toby. Jeff Connors, Chuck Connors’ second son with Faith Quabius, had two lines and played that young Toby. Unfortunately, Jeff died in 2014.
Obtaining Chuck wasn’t simple.
It was difficult to cast the main character in The Rifleman.
Chuck Connors had to beat out forty other actors to get the part, but it was not a given. He initially declined ABC’s low salary offer because he could make more money working as a freelance actor.
But in the end, Connors found a surprising way to land the part. It all began when the producers took their kids to see Connors play a strong father figure in Old Yeller. The producers returned with a much better offer, which included a five percent ownership stake in the show, after that experience, most likely after the children had given their opinions. It was all set in an instant!
The Winchester rifle of 1892
Chuck Connors demonstrated his extraordinary abilities by firing a seemingly never-ending stream of shots with his saddle-ring carbine at the beginning of each episode of The Rifleman. He would cast a menacing gaze straight into the camera as he swung the rifle, tossed it with ease from his right to his left, and inserted a fresh cartridge with dramatic flair.
The production used two identical 1892 Winchester rifles, one for filming and the other as a backup, to create these famous scenes.
The opening scene with the 1892 Winchester rifles may have given the impression that it was staged or trick photography. In actuality, though, Connors was really that quick and nimble with his carbine. He had remarkable skills and coordination that made those quick movements appear effortless because he was a former athlete who played professional baseball and basketball in both major and minor leagues before turning to acting. However, we are aware that the weapon was modified to allow for quick firing by varying the lever action.
The Duke relationship
More than just a prop, Lucas McCain’s reliable Winchester rifle was a scene-stealer with a fascinating history.
Since The Rifleman was set in the 1870s and 1880s, the Winchester rifle from 1892 could not have been around at that time.
However, this iconic rifle had already appeared on the big screen, first appearing in Stagecoach, a classic John Wayne film from 1939. The thrilling twist was later disclosed by producer Arnold Levin: the rifle that Lucas McCain used was the same one that the Duke used in his iconic film.
The Hotel Madera
Throughout the series, the Madera Hotel was a well-known landmark in North Fork and was featured in many episodes.
However, the establishment was renamed California House in the pilot episode, The Sharpshooter. Nobody really knows why the establishment abruptly changed its name, although there were rumors of a potential ownership change in between episodes.
Johnny Crawford was placed on a blacklist.
Johnny Crawford first appeared on camera at an audition when he was three years old. However, it was a failure; in fact, his performance as a 3-year-old actor led to his blacklisting.
Even though I can’t recall the photo, I ended up on the cutting room floor. However, in a scene where Rosalind Russell was supposed to give us all chocolate bars, I played one of several refugee children. In 1973, Johnny Crawford told The Miami Herald, “I think I got blacklisted after this film because the scene had to be reshot and I refused to give back my chocolate bar for the second take.”
The “difficult” task of selecting a new female lead
The series included a number of romantic interests, but widower Lucas McCain’s primary focus was on raising his son. It appeared as though Lucas and Joan Taylor’s character Milly Scott were about to start dating in the third season.
This plotline, however, was abandoned when Milly left the show in season four, citing a hazy excuse that she had to return east.
As a result, producers were looking for a new female lead, and Lou Mallory was born. Finding an actress who not only suited the part but also had a strong chemistry with Chuck Connors was difficult.
13 Rifleman episodes airing on AMC (231) on March 14 from 6 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (EST) The Broken Idol (S4, etc.)
Chuck was actively involved in the casting process to guarantee a successful match. This proved to be more difficult than expected, though. Chuck conducted interviews with more than a dozen women who appeared to be ideal for the role but fell short.
I was given what I believed to be a dream assignment a few months ago. At least it began as a dream, but the actor revealed that it nearly turned into a nightmare.
Patricia Blair, a stunning red-haired beauty from Texas, was the final choice after more than 60 women were carefully considered.
Do you know this baseball legend?
Lucas McCain was an exceptionally talented baseball player, as was already mentioned. But he was never able to match the skill of Duke Snider, a former Dodgers star who appeared on the show as a guest. Throughout his Major League Baseball career, Chuck Connors only managed to hit two home runs.
In the episode The Retired Gun, the well-known baseball player known as “the Duke of Flatbush” played the role of Wallace. Don Drysdale was another former baseball star who appeared on the show.
The brother of Johnny Crawford appeared.
The Rifleman was the first network television show to show a single parent raising a child, and it was largely focused on family themes.
In addition to Jeff Connors, Johnny’s brother Bobby Crawford also appeared as a relative of the show’s stars.
In the episode Second Witness, he portrayed Freddy, and he and Johnny both gave performances so outstanding that they were nominated for an Emmy in 1959. Bobby, whose real name is Robert Lawrence Crawford Jr., carried on with his acting career, playing Andy Sherman on the 1959–1960 season of Laramie on NBC. He is eighty years old and still alive today.
Protecting Johnny Crawford too much
As is already well known, Chuck Connors raised young Johnny, and the two actors maintained a close friendship off-screen after the series concluded.
Johnny Crawford had always admired Chuck Connors, especially for his love of baseball. Crawford learned priceless lessons from his mentor on and off the set of The Rifleman, and their close relationship became a defining feature of his life.
Listening to Chuck share his baseball tales, recite Casey at the Bat, or perform Shakespearean speeches was an intriguing aspect of my education. “The fact that Chuck Connors is familiar with Shakespeare always surprises people,” Crawford told The Buffalo News.
The timeless image below beautifully captures their unique bond, highlighting their intense respect and camaraderie.
Another actor who felt a strong sense of duty for Crawford was Paul Fix, who portrayed Marshal Micah Torrence on The Rifleman.
He took on the role of Crawford’s extra father during the shoot and ensured that all of the weapons were locked up. Paul Fix’s preoccupation with Crawford’s safety was a personal one.
When Fix was younger, he was playing with his brother when a weapon misfired, almost killing him. Fix was barely spared death by the bullet; his survival was a miracle.
The twist of Buddy Hackett
The comedic genius Buddy Hackett played the father of an actor who was actually four years younger than him, which was a surprising casting choice.
Buddy Hackett plays Daniel Malakie, a father who learns that his two sons, Ben and Jud, have been arrested in one episode of The Rifleman. Remarkably, Hackett was born in 1924, whereas Christopher Dark, who portrayed the “boy” Ben, was born in 1920. Hollywood has a talent for subverting conventional family roles and age expectations, as evidenced by the creative casting that results from this age dynamic.
A baby boy played with a baby girl.
Are you familiar with Robert Anacher? No? That makes sense! His portrayal of the cute baby girl Fancy in the episode The Baby Sitter was his most well-known role. However, the girl turned out to be a boy.
Deadly shot with a pistol
Chuck Connors played John McCain in the pilot, which was originally slated for Gunsmoke (1955). He was a dead shot with a pistol and had no children, according to IMDB.
The crew was impressed by Sammy Davis Jr.
A beloved superstar who left his mark on American history, Sammy Davis Jr. is known as “Mr. Show Business” and “the greatest entertainer ever to grace a stage in these United States.”
