The father-son bond in The Rifleman is still considered to be among the greatest in television history, even after 60 years.
For those who grew up in the late 1950s, this Western classic was a must-watch in many homes because it emphasized timeless values like honesty and respect.
In addition to its iconic moments, The Rifleman contained a multitude of little mistakes, mishaps, and fascinating anecdotes that would only be known to die-hard fans.
As we uncover the hidden gems within this iconic Western, watch.
Who cares that The Rifleman and other early Westerns were riddled with historical inaccuracies? They are a lot of fun to watch and continue to offer more complex characters than anything currently available on TV. Every episode provided an insightful lesson, often highlighting basic human values with a heartfelt moral message.
The legendary Chuck Connors portrayed rancher and skilled marksman Lucas McCain in The Rifleman. McCain was widowed and raising his son, Mark, played by the charming Johnny Crawford. The two’s intimate bond and thrilling Old West adventures captivated the audience.
Despite being hailed as one of the greatest programs ever produced, even the best of the best can make blunders. Let’s peek behind the scenes and discover some things that most of us viewers didn’t know!
A trailblazer is Lucas McCain.
It’s no surprise that cowboy Lucas McCain liked jeans, but it turns out that he was at least fifty years ahead of his time! Those who watched “End of a Young Gun,” one of the first episodes starring Michael Landon, could have spotted a scene where Lucas adjusts a wagon wheel without wearing a shirt.
The “W” stitched on the back pocket of his pants indicates that he is wearing Wranglers. The catch? Those jeans weren’t manufactured until the 1940s, despite the fact that the series is set in the 1880s. In addition to being a fashionable cowboy, Lucas McCain is a great trendsetter who was well ahead of his time!
The genuine son of Connors
As I mentioned before, one element of the show that I really liked was the father-son relationship. But did you know that Chuck Connors’ real-life kid makes a cameo in the series? Mark and Lucas attend the McCains’ friend Sid Halpern’s funeral in the “Tension” episode.
The widow is there with her son, Toby, who is dressed in black. Chuck Connors’ second son with Faith Quabius, Jeff Connors, played that young Toby and had two lines. Regretfully, Jeff passed away in 2014.
Obtaining Chuck wasn’t simple.
Casting The Rifleman’s protagonist was challenging.
Although it was not certain, Chuck Connors had to defeat forty other actors to land the role. Since he might earn more money as a freelance actor, he first turned down ABC’s small compensation offer.
However, Connors ultimately secured the role in an unexpected manner. It all started when the producers brought their children to watch Connors in Old Yeller as a strong father figure. After the meeting, perhaps after the kids had voiced their concerns, the producers came back with a far better offer that included a five percent ownership part in the show. In a flash, everything was set!