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Gun Shy
Episode 153
Writer: Cyril Hume
Director: Arthur Nadel
Original Air Date 12/10/1962

Cast

Chuck Connors as Lucas McCain

Johnny Crawford as Mark McCain

Paul Fix as Marshal Micah Torrance



Guest Cast
Patricia Blair as Lou Mallory, Owner of the General Store and the Madera House Hotel
Patricia Blair as Lou Mallory with Chuck Connors a

Patricia Blair was an American television actress whose career was active primarily in the 1950s and 1960s.   The Texas-born beauty began her career as a teenage model who went on to apprentice in summer stock before being discovered by Warner Bros.  She began acting in films under the names Patricia Blake and Pat Blake.   She appeared in a few films, including "Jump Into Hell" (1955), "Crime Against Joe" (1956) and "The Black Sleep" (1956), which reunited screen icons of the horror film genre Bela Lugosi, Lon Chaney Jr., Basil Rathbone and John Carradine.   She also appeared in the suspense thriller "City of Fear" (1959), starring Vince Edwards.  She portrayed the Fashion Narrator in the Robert Redford romantic western "The Electric Horseman" (1979), co-starring Jane Fonda.

In 1962, Blair replaced actress Joan Taylor in a semi-regular role as Lou Mallory, Chuck Connor's love interest in the last season of THE RIFLEMAN.  Blair played the attractive red-haired, fiery Irish businesswoman, whose character was savvy Landowner and Owner of the General Store and the Madera House Hotel.  Blair's character of Lou Mallory appeared in 17 episodes of THE RIFLEMAN; she debuted in the title role of episode 145.  Blair also made guest television appearances on "The Bob Cummings Show" (1955–1959), "The Virginian" (1962–1971), "Perry Mason" (1957–1966), "Bonanza" (1959–1973), and she co-starred in "Daniel Boone" (1964–1970), playing wife Rebecca Boone opposite Fess Parker.   She also had a recurring role as Goldy in the western adventure series "Yancy Derringer" (1958–1959). 

Jimmy Carter as Charlie

Jimmy Carter was an American film and television actor who had a short career of just five years.  While attending Mark Keppel High School, he and a friend formed the band "4 Below Zero," and in 1967, the band released the song "It's Sally's Birthday Today" on DoubleShot Records.  He also did an album with Barry Manilow in the late 70s.  During his brief stint as an actor, Jimmy appeared in 12 television shows and one movie, including some of the most popular TV series of the 1950s and 60s.  He guest-starred in the crime drama "The Lawless Years" (1959–1961), "Route 66" (1960–1964), "Leave It to Beaver" (1957–1963) and the long-running western series, "Bonanza" (1959–1973).  He also appeared in the movie "The Jayhawkers" (1959), playing the character Paul Dubois.  Carter made one guest appearance in THE RIFLEMAN, portraying Charley in "Gun Shy" (episode 153).

Pat Goldin as Fitch, the Dress Salesman

Pat Goldin was a Russian-born television and film actor.  He appeared in nearly 50 movies and television shows in a career spanning almost 25 years.  Many of his early roles were in films, which were mostly uncredited bit parts.  Among his television credits were roles in the crime dramas "Dragnet" (1951–1959), starring Jack Webb and "Perry Mason" (1957–1966), starring Raymond Burr, and the quirky comedy "The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis" (1959–1963), starring Dwayne Hickman and Bob Denver, as well as a handful of other obscure series.  Goldin made one appearance in THE RIFLEMAN, portraying Fitch the dress salesman in "Gun Shy" (episode 153).

Bob Hall as the Minister

Bob Hall, sometimes credited as Bob Hull, is an American television and film actor.  He has appeared in five movies and television shows in a decade-long career.  He guest-starred in one of the last major anthology series, "Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre" (1963–1967).  He also portrayed Johnson in the western film "Shalako" (1968), starring Sean Connery and Brigitte Bardot.  Hall made one appearance in THE RIFLEMAN, portraying the minister in "Gun Shy" (episode 153).  He also guest-starred in the western "Branded" (1965–1966), starring THE RIFLEMAN's Chuck Connors.

Jay Nelson as the Stage Owner/Driver

Jay Nelson made one appearance in THE RIFLEMAN, portraying the stagecoach driver in "Gun Shy" (episode 153).

Bill Quinn as Sweeney, the Bartender
Bill Quinn as Sweeney, the Bartender

Bill Quinn was an American actor whose early career began in the 1920's in silent films and ended with the 1989 science fiction film, "Star Trek V: The Final Frontier."  Perhaps, his best-known role was Mr. Ranseleer, Archie Bunker's blind friend in "All In The Family" (1971-1978).  He also was a regular character in the Carroll O'Connor spin-off, "Archie Bunker's Place."  Quinn's other television credits include roles in "The Odd Couple" (1970-1975), "McHale's Navy" (1962-1966), and "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" (1970-1977), in which he play Mary Richard's father.  In 1971, he appeared in Universal Pictures' "How to Frame a Figg" starring Don Knotts.  Quinn was a regular character in THE RIFLEMAN, appearing in 40 episodes as Sweeney, the Owner/Bartender of the North Fork Saloon.

Darryl Richard as Fred

Darryl Richard was an American television actor.  He appeared in 14 television shows in just over a decade.  He guest-starred in several popular shows, including "The Phil Silvers Show" (1956–1959), Rod Serling's anthology series, "The Twilight Zone" (1959–1964), and the popular family comedy "The Donna Reed Show" (1958–1966), in which he played the recurring role of Smitty.  Richard made one appearance in THE RIFLEMAN, portraying Fred in "Gun Shy" (episode 153).

Peter Whitney as Vantine
Peter Whitney

Peter Whitney was an American television and film actor whose large frame and heavy-set, swarthy appearance brought him many roles playing villainous characters in his early career.  Later, as a character actor, he made frequent appearances in television series, particularly the western genre.  Among his film credits, he appeared in "In the Heat of the Night" (1967), "The Great Bank Robbery" (1969), and "The Ballad of Cable Hogue" (1970).  Whitney made nine appearances in THE RIFLEMAN, portraying Tracey Blanch in "Eddie's Daughter" (episode 46), John Jupiter in "Mail Order Groom" (episode 56), Andrew Bechtel in "Heller" (episode 62), Otto Drosheck in "Strange Town" (episode 81), Vince Fergus in "The Queue" (episode 110), John Holliver in "Long Gun from Tucson" (episode 121), Neb Jackman in 'Lou Mallory" (episode 145) and "Which Way Did They Go?" (episode 167), and Vantine in "Gun Shy" (episode 153).


Mark develops a sudden and intense aversion to his father's rifle after a shooting accident takes the life of his friend.  Lucas tries vainly to explain to Mark that the gun is necessary to frontier living, but Mark refuses to accept this, which ends in a quarrel that estranges father and son.  The arrival of a dangerous gunman in town provokes a situation that helps Mark and Lucas resolve their differences.