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The Debt
Episode 133
Writer: Calvin J. Clements
Director: Richard Donner
Original Air Date 03/05/1962

Cast

Chuck Connors as Lucas McCain

Johnny Crawford as Mark McCain

Paul Fix as Marshal Micah Torrance



Guest Cast
Keith Andes as Reynolds

Keith Andes, born John Charles Andes, was an American television, film, radio and stage actor.  He garnered nearly 70 credits as an actor during his nearly 40-year career.  He began developing his acting skills in childhood, making his first radio appearance at the age of 12.  He was an active performer throughout his high school years and later.  Andes was well-educated, first attending Oxford University, then graduating with a bachelor's degree in education from Temple University, Philadelphia, in 1943.  He also studied voice at the Philadelphia Conservatory of Music.  During his service in the Air Force, in World War II, Andes embarked on a career on Broadway.  He was the leading man in the crime drama, "This Man Dawson" (1959).  He also had a recurring role as Keith Granville in the comedy series "Glynis" (1963), starring the famous stage performer Glynis Johns.  Andes made one appearance in THE RIFLEMAN, portraying Reynolds in "The Debt" (episode 133).  He also guest-starred in "Daniel Boone" (1964–1970) and "Gunsmoke" (1955–1975).

Hank Patterson as Abe Merar

Hank Patterson, born Elmer Calvin Patterson in 1888, was an American actor and a musician.  He appeared in more than 170 movies and television shows during a career spanning nearly 20 years.  Before embarking on an acting career, Patterson worked as a travelling vaudeville piano player.   He was a veteran of World War II.  He worked primarily in television but had a few film roles, including a minor part in the romantic drama "Perfect Strangers" (1950), starring Ginger Rogers, and the science fiction films "Tarantula" (1955) and "Earth vs. The Spider" (1958).  He is best-remember for his recurring character Fred Ziffel in the comedy series "Petticoat Junction" (1963–1970) and "Green Acres" (1965–1971).

Patterson guest-starred in many popular television shows of the 1950s through the 70s, including the action crime drama "Highway Patrol" (1955–1959), the legal drama "Perry Mason" (1957–1966), "Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color" (1954–1990), the crime drama "The Untouchables" (1959–1963), Rod Serling's iconic anthology series "The Twilight Zone" (1959–1964), the family comedy "The Andy Griffith Show" (1960–1968), the western action adventure "The Wild Wild West" (1965–1969) and the police drama "Mod Squad" (1968–1973).

Patteron made one appearance in THE RIFLEMAN, portraying Abe Merar in "The Debt" (episode 133).  He guest-starred in several other westerns, including "The Lone Ranger" (1949–1957), "The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp" (1955–1961), "Bat Masterson" (1958–1961), "Zane Grey Theater" (1956–1961), "Cheyenne" (1955–1963), "Wagon Train" (1957–1965), "Rawhide" (1959–1966), "Laramie" (1959–1963), "The Virginian" (1962–1971), "Death Valley Days" (1952–1975) and "Gunsmoke" (1955–1975).


Mark deliberately disobeys his father for the first time when he allows a convicted prisoner to escape.  Recognizing the prisoner as the man who once saved his life, Mark's gratitude persuades him to help the man get away, but his kindness backfires when the man takes him along as a hostage to insure his escape.