Episode 21
Writer: Cyril Hume
Director: Arnold Laven
Original Air Date 02/17/1959
Cast
Chuck Connors as Lucas McCain
Johnny Crawford as Mark McCain
Paul Fix as Marshal Micah Torrance
Guest Cast
Michael Ansara was an American stage, television, film and voice actor, as well as a director and producer. Born in Syria, Ansara immigrated to the United States at the age of two. Originally, he dreamed of becoming a physician, but kindled a passion for performing after taking some acting classes to overcome his natural shyness. He has appeared in nearly 200 films and television shows in a career spanning more than five decades. He appeared in several Bible-era epics, including portraying Judas in "The Robe" (1953), starring Victor Mature, Prince Belshazzar in "Slaves of Babylon" (1953), the taskmaster in "The Ten Commandments" (1956), starring Charleton Heston and Yul Brynner, Herod's commander in "The Greatest Story Ever Told" (1965), starring an ensemble cast that included Max von Sydow and Charleton Heston. In 1999, Ansara had the starring role in the dramatic film "The Long Road Home." Despite his Middle Eastern heritage, Ansara was often cast as a Native American in his early career. He is best known for his role as Cochise in the television series "Broken Arrow" (1956–1958), which made him a household name. A later generation would recognize him for his portrayal of Commander Kang in three installments of the sci-fi franchise "Star Trek." While working on "Broken Arrow" Ansara met Barbara Eden, whom he later married. He appeared in two episodes of Eden's hit comedy show "I Dream of Jeannie" (1965–1970), co-starring Larry Hagman.
Ansara appeared in many of the most popular TV shows of the 1950s through 80s, guest-starring in every genre from crime dramas, whodunits, sci-fi, comedy and action adventures to westerns. He appeared in THE RIFLEMAN twice, on both occasions playing Deputy U.S. Marshal Sam Buckhart in "The Indian" (episode 21) and "The Raid" (episode 37). The storyline had Buckhart coming to North Fork in search of Indians suspected of murdering a Texas Ranger and his family. THE RIFLEMAN episodes were spun-off for a new NBC series, "Law of the Plainsman" (1959–1960) starring Ansara as Buckhart and co-starring Gina Gillespie and Robert Harland. The series is regarded by some as one of the best television westerns ever made. Although better know for his role in "Broken Arrow," Ansara also thought that "Plainsman" was a better show.
In his later career, Ansara frequently did voice acting in animated TV shows, movies and video games, including three iterations of the comic superhero in "Batman" (1992–1995), "The New Adventures of Batman" (1997–1999) and "Batman Beyond" (199–2001), playing the villain Mr. Freeze, a character Ansara would reprise in the film adaptation of "Batman Beyond" (1999) and in several "Batman" video games. He also provided the voice for the recurring character General Warhawk in the animated series "Rambo" (1986). Mr. Ansara passed away at his home in Calabasas, California on July 31, 2013 at age 91.
Robert Chadwick was an American film and television actor. He appeared in 10 movies and television shows in a brief career of a little over a decade. He appeared in several popular series of the 1950s and 60s, including "The Outer Limits" (1963–1965), "Perry Mason" (1957–1966) and "Rawhide" (1959–1966). In addition to his work in television, Chadwick played the role of the father in David Lynch's surreal short film, "The Grandmother" (1970). He guest-starred in one episode of THE RIFLEMAN, portraying Eskamimzin in "The Indian" (episode 21).
Lewis Charles, born Lewis Cholost, was an American actor who worked primarily in television. He appeared in more than 140 movies and television shows in a career spanning 30 years. He guest-starred in a wide variety of different genres, making appearances in crime dramas, including "Richard Diamond, Private Detective" (1957–1960), "Peter Gunn" (1958–1961), "The Untouchables" (1959–1963) and "77 Sunset Strip" (1958–1964), as well as the popular family series, "The Andy Griffith Show" (1960–1968), the live-action "Batman" (1966–1968) and the espionage action series "Mission: Impossible" (1966–1973). Charles made three guest appearances in THE RIFLEMAN, portraying Slade in "The Indian" (episode 21), Eber Tate in "One Went to Denver" (episode 25) and Pascal in "Skull" (episode 124). He also guest-starred in several other classic westerns, including "The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp" (1955–1961), "Wanted: Dead or Alive" (1958–1961) and "Bonanza" (1959–1973).
Frank Dekova was an Italian-American stage, film and television actor. Originally a teacher, Dekova joined a Shakespearean repertory group and was eventually discovered by the legendary film director Elia Kazan. He appeared in nearly 140 movies and television shows in a career spanning more than 30 years. Dekova guest-starred in various popular TV shows, including the adventure series "Route 66" (1960–1964), starring Martin Milner; the crime drama "The Untouchables" (1959–1963), starring Robert Stack; the frontier farce starring Forrest Tucker and Larry Storch, "F Troop" (1965–1967), in which he had a recurring role as Chief Wild Eagle; and the iconic western family drama starring Melissa Gilbert, "Little House on the Prairie" (1974–1983).
Dekova made two guest appearances in THE RIFLEMAN, portraying Chief Hostay in "The Indian" (episode 21) and Carl Miller in "Meeting at Midnight" (episode 74). He guest-starred in numerous other westerns, almost always playing the role of a Native American chieftan. He appeared in "The Restless Gun" (1957–1959), starring John Payne; "Gunsmoke" (1955–1975), in which he had a recurring role as Tobeel; "The Deputy" (1959–1961), starring Henry Fonda; "Rawhide" (1959–1966), starring Clint Eastwood; "Maverick" (1957–1962), starring James Garner; and "Cheyenne" (1955–1963), starring Clint Walker.
Lenny Geer, born Leonard P. Geer, was an American film and television actor, as well as a stuntman. He appeared in more than 80 movies and television shows during his 35-year career. Many roles throughout his career were uncredited. He was a stunt actor/double (mostly uncredited) in 29 films, and among the leading men for whom he doubled were Robert Mitchum and George Montgomery. He guest-starred in dozens of TV show, mostly westerns, but he appeared in other genres, as well, including the crime dramas "Perry Mason" (1957–1966), Rod Serling's anthology series, "The Twilight Zone" (1959–1964) and Starsky & Hutch (1975–1979), multiple appearances in the family drama "Lassie" (1954–1974), doing double-duty in one episode as an animal trainer, and the comedy "The Munsters" (1964–1966). Geer's film appearances include the romantic comedies "Hero at Large" (1980), starring John Ritter, and "Coast to Coast" (1980), starring Robert Blake, the John Cassavettes film "Love Streams" (1984), in which he co-starred with wife Gena Rowlands, and the action crime drama "Stick" (1985), starring Burt Reynolds and Candice Bergman.
Nick-named the Be-Bop Cowboy, Geer appeared in numerous popular westerns of the 1950s and 60s, including three appearances in THE RIFLEMAN, portraying Todd Ullman in "The Indian" (episode 21), a barfly in "The Woman" (episode 32) and a townsman in "The Mind Reader" (episode 40). Other westerns in which Geer appeared include "Have Gun – Will Travel" (1957–1963), "The Restless Gun" (1957–1959), "Wanted: Dead or Alive" (1958–1961), "Bat Masterson" (1958–1961), "The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp" (1955–1961), "Tales of Wells Fargo" (1957–1962), "Wagon Train" (1957–1965), "Daniel Boone" (1964–1970), "Laredo" (1965–1967), "Gunsmoke" (1955–1975), and "The Virginian" (1962–1971).
Eddie Little Sky, born Edsel Wallace Little and also known as Edward Little, was an American film and television actor. He appeared in nearly 70 movies and television shows during his two-decade career. Prior to becoming an actor, Little Sky served in the United States Navy in the Pacific during World War II. After the war, he was approached by the American actor and war hero Audie Murphy, who encouraged him to take up acting, which made him one of the first Native Americans to portray Native American characters in film.
Eddie Little Sky had uncredited roles in several notable films, including the historical crime drama "The FBI Story" (1959), starring James Stewart; the dramatic western "Cimarron" (1960), starring Glenn Ford; and the western comedy "The Hallelujah Trail" (1965), starring Burt Lancaster and Lee Remick. He also had many memorable roles, including George C. George in the mystery fantasy "7 Faces of Dr. Lao" (1964), starring Tony Randall; Alchise in the action western "Deal at Diablo" (1966), starring James Garner and Sidney Poitier; Black Eagle in the western adventure drama "A Man Called Horse" (1970), starring Richard Harris; Denson in the horror thriller "The Car" (1977), starring James Brolin; and an indian in the western musical comedy "Paint Your Wagon" (1969), starring Lee Marvin, Clint Eastwood and Jean Seberg.
Eddie Little Sky guest-starred in several popular television shows of the 1950s through the 70s, including the family comedies "Mister Ed" (1958–1966) and "Gilligan's Island" (1964–1967), the sci-fi comedy "My Favorite Martian" (1963–1966), the western action adventure "The Wild Wild West" (1965–1969) and the Aaron Spelling series "Fantasy Island" (1977–1984). Eddie Little Sky made one appearance in THE RIFLEMAN, portraying the Apache in "The Indian" (episode 21). He guest-starred in many other westerns, including "Bat Masterson" (1958–1961), "The Deputy" (1959–1961), "Maverick" (1957–1962), "Have Gun – Will Travel" (1957–1963), "Zane Grey Theater" (1956–1961), "Cheyenne" (1955–1963), "Wagon Train" (1957–1965), "Branded" (1965–1966), "Daniel Boone" (1964–1970), "Death Valley Days" (1952–1975), "The Virginian" (1962–1971), "Bonanza" (1959–1973), and "Gunsmoke" (1955–1975).
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.
Herbert Rudley was an American stage, film and television actor. He appeared in more than 100 movies and television shows during a career spanning nearly 40 years. He attended Temple University until he received a scholarship to study at Eva Le Gallienne's Civic Repertory Theatre. In 1931, he made his Broadway debut in "Did I Say No." He appeared in various other productions, including "The Threepenny Opera," "Abe Lincoln in Illinois" and "Macbeth." He subsequently portrayed Seth Gale in the film adaptation of "Abe Lincoln in Illinois" (1940), starring Raymond Massey, Gene Lockhart and Ruth Gordon. He is perhaps best-remembered for his recurring role as attorney Herb Hubbard, husband of Eve Arden, in the sitcom "The Mothers-in-Law" (1967–1969).
Rudley had roles in several memorable films, including captain of the guard in the adventure comedy "The Court Jester" (1956), starring Danny Kaye, Glynis Johns, Basil Rathbone and Angela Lansbury; and Capt. Colclough in the war drama "The Young Lions" (1958), starring Marlon Brando, Montgomery Clift, Dean Martin and Hope Lange. He guest-starred in many popular television shows of the 1950s and 60s, including the anthology series "Playhouse 90" (1956–1960), the private detective series "77 Sunset Strip" (1958–1964), the mystery action series "Peter Gunn" (1958–1961), the crime drama "M Squad" (1957–1960), the macabre anthology series "Thriller" (1960–1962), the legal drama "Perry Mason" (1957–1966) and the family comedy "Leave It to Beaver" (1957–1963).
Rudley also had several recurring roles, including Sam Brennan in the western "The Californians" (1957–1959) and Howard Baker in the daytime drama "Dallas" (1978–1991). He made two appearances in THE RIFLEMAN, portraying Gorman in "The Indian" (episode 21) and Captain James Gordon in "A Case of Identity" (episode 57). He guest-starred in several other westerns, including "Gunsmoke" (1955–1975), starring James Arness; "Have Gun – Will Travel" (1957–1963), starring Richard Boone; "Maverick" (1957–1962), starring Jack Kelly and James Garner; and "Rawhide" (1959–1966), starring Clint Eastwood.
Mickey Simpson appeared in THE RIFLEMAN pilot episode, "The Sharpshooter," as Carl Lamprey. He also appeared in "The Indian" (episode 21) as Tub. Over his long career in film and television, he appeared in many westerns, frequently cast as the villain.
A U.S. Marshal arrives in North Fork, taking an Indian prisoner back East for trial. Because the Marshal is a full-blooded Indian himself, he receives neither hospitality nor cooperation from the townspeople. Lucas' sense of fair play and justice lead him to take the Marshal's part, even when the town threatens to riot against the two of them.