Program History

THE RIFLEMAN – Cast & Characters

The narratives that elicited THE RIFLEMAN's central themes were compelling because of the characters' capacity to animate the viewers' imagination and ability to kindle an emotional connnection to them. THE RIFLEMAN producers, writers and directors attracted the most gifted actors working in Hollywood to enliven the stories with a colorful and varied cast of characters. More than 500 guest stars in over 970 credited roles appeared during THE RIFLEMAN's five-season run, with many veteran character actors cast in recurring roles. Bill Quinn, who began his career in the silent film era, played Sweeney the Bartender at the North Fork Saloon, appearing in 40 episodes, while John Harmon portrayed the quiet hotel clerk in 15 episodes. Harlan Warde, representing the stolid integrity of a civic-minded businessman, portrayed president of the North Fork Bank in 18 episodes. Hope Summers played Hattie Denton, the owner of North Fork's General Store. She appeared in 16 episodes, imparting a warm, maternal counterbalance to an otherwise rough and tumble atmosphere. Joan Taylor would replace Hope Summers as owner of the General Store, portraying "Miss Milly," a character introduced in episode 84. She would provide a romantic interest for Lucas in 18 episodes; however, in the fifth and final season of the show, actress Patricia Blair, potraying "Lou Mallory," would become the new romantic interest, taking ownership of the General Store from Miss Milly, who returned to her family the east. Blair appeared in 17 episodes. Other recurring characters, some portrayed by different actors, would turn up North Fork, including Toomey the Blacksmith, played by Robert Foulk, who made five appearances, the reassuring stalwart Doc Burrage, who was played by six different actors, including Edgar Buchanan and Rhys Williams, and the character Nels Swenson (also Swensen and Svenson), alternately North Fork's farrier or the blacksmith, who was played by several actors, including Richard Alexander, John Dierkes, Joe Higgins and Karl Swenson.

Many legendary icons of the stage and screen appeared during THE RIFLEMAN's five seasons. Some appearing several times in different parts, including John Carradine, Lon Chaney, Jr., Royal Dano, Dabbs Greer and Agnes Moorehead, among many other thespian luminaries. Young actors crackling with talent and energy and full of brash and bravado also appeared in THE RIFLEMAN. Some of them, such as Dennis Hopper Michael Landon and Harry Dean Stanton, would go on to have illustrious careers in Hollywood. Many of the most recognizable names in the entertainment industry of the late 50s and early 60s also graced THE RIFLEMAN's credits. Even after 50 years, the fond regard of fans and industry peers endures for many RIFLEMAN guest stars, including Chris Alcaide, Robert Culp, Sammy Davis Jr., Buddy Hackett, Kevin McCarthy, Robert Vaughn and Lee Van Cleef, all of whom imprinted their unique, indelible qualities upon the characters they played.

Chuck Connors' earlier career as a professional athlete included stints with the Boston Celtics, followed by a triple header in Major League Baseball, when he played briefly for the Brooklyn Dodgers, Chicago Cubs and LA Angels. He enlisted a few friends from his days in professional sports to make cameo appearances on THE RIFLEMAN, including baseball great Don Drysdale, former Dodger teammate outfielder Duke Snider and NFL coach and Football Hall of Famer Sid Gilman.

THE RIFLEMAN – Production Notes

The pilot episode, "The Sharpshooter," was first televised as a special on March 7, 1958 on CBS's "Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theater." It was broadcast again on September, 30, 1958, inaugurating THE RIFLEMAN series' five-year run on ABC. The last of 168 episodes, "Old Tony," aired on April 8, 1963. Among THE RIFLEMAN's 36 directors, was Sam Peckinpah, who also wrote the pilot and established the tone of the show. The series creator and co-producer, Arnold Laven, directed 22 episodes, including the pilot, "The Sharpshooter." The program is noted for its atmospheric lighting, unorthodox camera angles and cinematic qualities, as well as occasional brooding undertone, which is credited primarily to Joseph H. Lewis, who directed 51 episodes. Lewis is best-known for his 1950 film noir classic "Gun Crazy." Among its 64 writers, the most prolific contributors were Arthur Browne, Jr., Calvin Clements and Cyril Hume. The musical score, which is one of the most distinctive and best-remembered in the annals of television history, was composed by Herschel Burke Gilbert.

THE RIFLEMAN – Directors

• Lewis AllenBudd BoetticherRobert ButlerJames ClavellWilliam ClaxtonWilliam ConradLawrence DobkinRichard DonnerJohn EnglishDavid FriedkinMurray GoldenIda Lupino
• Jesse HibbsArthur HillerJerry HopperLamont JohnsonBernie KowalskiPaul LandresOtto LangArnold LavenJoseph H. LewisDon MacDougallDon MedfordRichard Moder
• Arthur NadelJames NeilsonGene NelsonSam PeckinpahJohn PeyserMontgomery PittmanTed PostJohn RichJoseph SmithDavid SwiftDon TaylorPaul Wendkos

THE RIFLEMAN – Assistant Directors

Lloyd AllenRead KilgoreNorman S. PowellDon TorpinLou Watt

THE RIFLEMAN – Writers

• Ed AdamsonJulius Adelman Albert AleyPeter ArendsMargaret ArmenLowell BarringtonArthur Browne, Jr.Calvin ClementsFrederic ConradOliver CrawfordRobert CulpJack CurtisRobert C. DennisLawrence DobkinJohn DunkelDale EunsonKatherine EunsonPat FielderHarry Julian FinkGeorge W. GeorgeJudy GeorgeBruce Geller
• Peter B. GermanoFrank D. GilroyBernard GirardTom GriesHerman GrovesDavid P. HarmonClair HuffakerCyril HumeChristopher KnopfKen KolbHarry KronmanDavid LaneDavid LangFanya LawrenceT. LeicesterWilliam F. LeichesterRobert LewinHerbert Little, Jr.Mike MamakosPeter MamakosPaul Mazursky
• Michael MorrisEdmund MorrisGene OlsonSam PeckinpahSamuel A. PeeplesMontgomery PittmanRobert ShermanTeddie Sherman Jay SimmsBarney SlaterDouglas StevensN. B. Stone, Jr.David SwiftJudy TaylorPalmer ThompsonThomas ThompsonDavid VictorArthur WeissJohn WilderWard WoodMartin Zweiback

THE RIFLEMAN – Directors of Photography

Charles BurkeGeorge E. DiskentHoward Schwartz

THE RIFLEMAN – Film Editors

Samuel BeetleyFolmer BlangstedLester OrlebeckSherman Todd

THE RIFLEMAN – Stunts

Archie Butler (stuntman, stunt coordinator and actor) – according to Arnold Laven, Butler appeared in more episodes than any other actor except the regular castBill CatchingFritz Ford (stunt double for Chuck Connors)Robert HoyTroy MeltonGeorge RobothamLuke SaucerJesse WayneAl Wyatt