Saddle up, partner!
If you're a fan of classic Westerns, you've probably heard of "The Rifleman" - the hit
TV show that aired in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
Starring the legendary Chuck Connors as the sharpshooting widower Lucas McCain, the series
has been hailed as a masterclass in the genre - but even the best of the best can have their
slip-ups!
From questionable props and costumes to towns that didn’t even exist yet, there are plenty
of bloopers and historical errors to be found in "The Rifleman."
In this video, we'll take a closer look at some of the most amusing mistakes made on
the set of this iconic show.
But that's not all!
As we cover some of the most fascinating and perplexing behind-the-scenes blunders featured
in this classic Western, we'll also be shining light on a few little-known facts about the
show that will surely change the way you look at it for good.
So put on your Stetsons and grab your six-shooter – because it's time to ride out and explore
the wild and wonderful world of "The Rifleman"!
Factsverse Presents: Look Closer, This Scene from the Rifleman Is Not Edited
A Town Out of Time
Set in the 1880s, The Rifleman follows the story of Lucas and Mark McCain, who move to
the town of North Fork from Enid, Oklahoma.
Interestingly, Oklahoma Territory wasn't officially opened up for settlement until April 22, 1889,
and Enid didn't even exist as a town until the Land Run of 1893.
Jeans From The Future
Lucas McCain, a bonafide hero of the Wild West, had a strong affinity for denim.
Yet, he was more than just a fashion-savvy cowboy - he was a trendsetter.
In the early episode "End of a Young Gun" featuring Michael Landon, Lucas is seen repairing
a wagon wheel with his shirt off, displaying his impressive physique.
However, eagle-eyed viewers might notice something peculiar - the distinct "W" stitched onto
the rear pocket of his jeans.
It's not just any denim, it's Wranglers.
The only problem?
Wrangler jeans weren't invented until the 1940s - a full half-century after Lucas' time.
It seems that our hero might just have a secret time-traveling agenda.
The evidence is mounting - could it be that "The Rifleman" is not just a classic Western
show, but a glimpse into the future?
The Duke Connection
Lucas McCain's trusty Winchester rifle was a true scene-stealer, but it seems that it
had a secret Hollywood history of its own.
While the show is set in the late 19th century, it's impossible for the 1892 Winchester rifle
to have existed during that time period.
After all, Lucas is a Civil War veteran who becomes a rancher in the 1870s and 1880s.
But as it turns out, the rifle had a previous life on the big screen - in none other than
John Wayne's iconic 1939 film "Stagecoach."
Producer Arnold Laven later spilled the beans, revealing that the rifle used in "The Rifleman"
was the very same one that the Duke had wielded in his Oscar-winning performance.
It seems that even in the Wild West, Hollywood magic can work wonders - and who knows what
other surprises might be lurking behind the scenes of this classic Western series?
Surprising Origin
Did you know that "The Rifleman" had humble beginnings as a rejected episode script for
"Gunsmoke"?
Written by the legendary Sam Peckinpah, who would later be nominated for an Academy Award
for his screenplay of "The Wild Bunch," the original concept featured a pistol-wielding
marksman named John McCain.
Despite Peckinpah's talent and track record, the "Gunsmoke" producers just couldn't see
the potential in the idea and ultimately passed on it.
However, as we all know now, that didn't stop "The Rifleman" from blazing its own trail
and becoming a beloved classic in its own right.
It just goes to show that sometimes, a little bit of rejection can lead to something truly
great.
What’s In a Name?
Although The Madera Hotel was a familiar sight in North Fork throughout the series, it appeared
under a different name in the pilot episode, "The Sharpshooter."
Instead, the establishment was referred to as the California House.
That being said, it's possible that ownership or management had changed between the pilot
and subsequent episodes, leading to the name difference.
Subtle Changes
Sam Peckinpah's original vision for The Rifleman's protagonist was far different from what audiences
eventually saw on their TV screens.
However, producer Arnold Laven believed that the character, originally named John McCain,
should be a widowed father raising his son alone, and thus changed his name to Lucas.
In an effort to set The Rifleman apart from other Westerns airing at the time, Laven also
opted to replace the typical pistol seen in countless other shows of the genre with a
distinctive, customized rifle, which became a defining feature of the hero's character.
Getting Chuck Wasn’t Easy
Casting the lead role in The Rifleman proved to be a challenging task.
After initially declining the part due to a low salary offer from ABC, Chuck Connors
eventually secured the role.
Prior to his acting career, Connors had pursued professional sports in both baseball and basketball.
However, realizing that his athletic aspirations were unlikely to be sustainable in the long
run, he shifted his focus to the world of acting.
Casting Considerations
After Chuck Connors initially rejected the lead role in The Rifleman, ABC assumed that
finding a suitable replacement would be a simple task.
However, their search proved to be more challenging than expected.
Producers first approached actor John Anderson, followed by renowned actor James Whitmore,
best known for his roles in Battleground, Give 'em Hell, Harry!, and The Shawshank Redemption.
Despite these efforts, the producers ultimately decided that Chuck Connors was the perfect
fit for the role after seeing his chemistry with child actor Timmy Kirk in the 1957 film,
Old Yeller.
Recognizing that the heart of The Rifleman was the bond between a widowed father and
his son, the producers offered Connors a more substantial salary, which he ultimately accepted.
Connor’s Kid’s Cameo
"Tension" was an emotionally charged episode of "The Rifleman" that saw Lucas and Mark
mourning the loss of their dear friend Sid Halpern.
As they attend the funeral, they encounter Sid's grieving widow and son, Toby, who are
dressed in somber black.
It was a poignant scene, made all the more memorable by the talented young actor who
portrayed Toby - Jeff Connors.
Though he only had two uncredited roles on the show, they would be his only screen credits
in a career that included many other notable accomplishments.
Interestingly, Jeff, much like his father, was also a devoted family man - he and his
first wife, Elizabeth Jane Riddell Connors, had four sons together.
While Jeff may have passed away in 2014, his legacy lives on through his work and his loved
ones.
Looking Stylish – Perhaps Too Stylish
Despite being set in the 1880s, the hairstyles of the male and female characters in The Rifleman
predominantly reflect the trends of the 1950s and 1960s when the show was filmed.
Similarly, most of the men's shirts depicted in the series feature a full front button-down
design, despite this style not being manufactured until the early 1920s and not becoming popular
until the later 1920s or early 1930s.
These anachronistic style choices add an unintentional yet intriguingly charming aspect to the show
that is, at least in our opinion, undeniable.
Age Is Just A Number
In the episode "Bloodlines," actor Buddy Hackett, best known for his comedic roles, surprised
viewers with his dramatic performance as Daniel Malakie.
Malakie discovers that his two sons, Ben and Jud, have been incarcerated.
The role of Ben was portrayed by Christopher Dark, who was born in 1920.
In contrast, Hackett was born in 1924, making him four years younger than the actor who
was selected to portray his son.
The casting choice may seem unconventional or even downright odd, but it resulted in
a powerful and memorable episode.
Gender Reveal
In the episode "The Baby Sitter," viewers fell in love with the adorable "baby girl"
named Fancy.
However, it may come as a surprise to some that the child actor portraying Fancy was
actually a boy named Robert Anacher.
Despite the gender difference, Robert's performance as Fancy was so convincing that the discrepancy
went unnoticed by the vast majority, if not all, viewers.
Locked and Unloaded
Lucas McCain had a distinctive way of cocking his rifle with one hand using the oversized
lever, but the rifle's modification for rapid-fire included a special screw that automatically
fired the gun when the trigger was pushed.
This means that when Lucas spins the rifle around his hand to cock it, the gun is actually
empty of ammunition and not in a state to fire.
A Tuneful Treat
In "The Challenger," a ballad about the infamous outlaw Jake Pardee is heard throughout the
episode.
Fans may recognize the voice of the song’s singer as Thurl Ravencroft, who also lent
his distinctive baritone voice to "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch."
In a later verse of the song, as Mark lays in bed, Ravencroft references "Peckinpah's
Saloon."
This clever nod is a hidden Easter egg of sorts for fans of Sam Peckinpah, the legendary
director of gritty Westerns like The Wild Bunch.
Peckinpah not only wrote the pilot episode of The Rifleman, "The Sharpshooter," but he
also directed four early episodes.
However, he parted ways with the series after the first season.
Mark’s Middle Name
Television shows rarely bring up character's middle names, except as punchlines in comedic
situations.
However, in the gripping episode "The Safe Guard," keep your eyes peeled during the bank
scene at the climax.
As Mark signs his check, the teller announces his full name, "Mark...
Warren...," and recognizes him as Lucas' son.
It's a pivotal moment revealing Mark's middle name to be Warren.
A Real Sharpshooter
Lucas McCain's rifle-handling was a bit of an enigma throughout the show.
There was no explanation, and it never impacted the plot one iota, but one moment he would
grip his rifle with his right hand, then later he'd switch to his left.
The show's creators never addressed this curious behavior, but it's reasonable to assume that
McCain's unparalleled shooting ability allowed him to wield his firearm with either hand
with equal ease.
Boundary-Breaking
During television's golden era in the 1950s and 60s, family life was depicted with a wholesome
veneer, in contrast to today's grittier portrayals.
Strict censorship standards enforced by TV networks prevented anything too controversial
from airing.
Oddly enough, one such taboo was the depiction of single parents.
Despite the reality that single parenting has existed throughout human history, TV always
showed two parents raising children.
The Rifleman broke new ground as the first network television series to depict a single
parent raising a child.
When producer Arnold Laven decided to make Lucas McCain a single father raising his son,
he earned accolades from both fans and TV critics alike.
In fact, in 2004, TV Guide magazine featured an article on the "50 Greatest TV Dads of
All Time," and McCain made the cut.
Out of all the iconic TV dads, he ranked an impressive 32nd overall.
Not too shabby!
So, unfortunately, we've reached the end of the line, but before you move on to watching
another one of our facts-packed videos, take a moment to show us a little support by dropping
us a line in the comments.
What was your favorite episode or character in The Rifleman, and did you know that Chuck
Connors was a pro Baseball player before he transitioned to acting?