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One Went To Denver
Episode 25
Writer: Pat Fielder
Director: Lewis Allen
Original Air Date 03/17/1959

Cast

Chuck Connors as Lucas McCain

Johnny Crawford as Mark McCain

Paul Fix as Marshal Micah Torrance



Guest Cast
Richard Anderson as Tom Birch
Richard Anderson as Tom Birch in One Went to Denve

Richard Anderson is an American actor whose career in film and television spanned more than fifty years.  He first became interested in acting at an early age, appearing in high school plays, and after serving in the Army, he began doing summer stock, radio work and playing bit parts in movies.  He performed comedy scenes modeled on a "screen test" format for a TV series called "Lights, Camera, Action" (1950).  Shortly thereafter, MGM offered him a contract.  Anderson went on to have a prolific television career with roles in genres ranging from detective dramas to westerns, including a recurring role in the last season of "Perry Mason" (1964–1966), playing police Lt. Steve Drumm, and also "Zorro," "Death Valley Days," "I Spy," "The Man from U.N.C.L.E.," "The Fugitive," "The Big Valley," and many others.  In the 1970's he appeared in "Gunsmoke," "Ironside," and "The Love Boat," and in the 1980's he guest starred on "Charlie's Angels" and on "Dynasty."  Anderson is best known for his role as Oscar Goldman, boss to Lee Majors' "Six Million Dollar Man" and Lindsay Wagner's "Bionic Woman."

Richard Anderson made six guest appearances in THE RIFLEMAN, playing a different role in each episode.  He played Tom Birch in "One Went To Denver " (episode 25), the title role of Lariat Jones in "Lariat" (episode 67), Duke Jennings in "Miss Bertie" (episode 90), Jason Gowdy in " Flowers By the Door " (episode 92), Harry Chase in "Milly's Brother" (episode 140), and Griff in "The Bullet" (episode 163).

Lewis Charles as Eber Tate

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).

John Goddard as Naylor

John Goddard is an American film and television actor.  He has appeared in nearly 60 movies and television shows in a career spanning more than 20 years.  He has appeared in quite a few of crime dramas, beginning with a leading role in "Gangbusters" (1952), co-starring Richard Crane and Robert Bice, and also "Dragnet" (1951–1959), starring Jack Webb, "Richard Diamond: Private Detective" (1957–1960), starring David Janssen, "77 Sunset Strip" (1958–1964), starring Efrem Zimbalist, Jr., and "Perry Mason" (1957–1966) and "Ironside" (1967–1975), both starring Raymond Burr.  Goddard made two appearances in THE RIFLEMAN, portraying Naylor in "One Went to Denver" (episode 25) and Davis in "Letter of the Law" (episode 50).  He also guest-starred in several other popular westerns of the 1950s and 60s, including "The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp" (1955–1961), starring Hugh O'Brian, "Wagon Train" (1957–1965), starring Ward Bond and later John McIntire, "The Virginian" (1962–1971), starring James Drury and Doug McClure, and "Daniel Boone" (1964–1970), starring Fess Parker.

John Harmon as Eddie Halstead, Hotel Clerk at the Hotel Madera/California House
John Harmon as Eddie Halstead, Hotel Clerk at the

John Harmon was an American actor who appeared in over 250 roles in film and television from the 1930's through the 1970's.  His early roles were mostly uncredited, but he was cast in a wide variety of genres and played many different kinds of characters.  Harmon appeared in 15 episodes of THE RIFLEMAN as Eddie Halstead Hotel Clerk at the Hotel Madera.  The character of Halstead was first introduced in episode 7, "Duel of Honor."

Jack Kruschen as Sammy
Jack Kruschen

Jack Kruschen was a Canadian actor whose career began on stage, but he became a character actor in both movies and television.  In his 50-year career, with more than 200 screen credits, he played virtually every kind of role.  Often cast in comedic ethnic roles, Kruschen occasionally landed a role as a villain, but more often was cast as the volatile, emotional Italian or Jewish neighbor patriarch.  He was nominated for an Academy Award for his role in "The Apartment" (1960).  Kruschen appeared in four episodes of THE RIFLEMAN, portraying the Clyde Bailey in "The Retired Gun" (episode 17), Sammy in "One Went to Denver" (episode 25).  He was one of six actors to play Doc Burrage, appearing in "Trail of Hate" (episode 77) and "Baranca" (episode 82).

Ben Morris as Jimmy Carson

Ben Morris was an American radio, film and television actor.  He appeared in nearly 20 movies and television shows over five years.  He lent his voice to more than 300 radio programs.  Fittingly, he portrayed the radio announcer in the noir film "Kiss Me Deadly" (1955), starring Ralph Meeker.  He guest-starred in several popular television shows of the 1950s, including the crime dramas "M Squad" (1957–1960) and "Dragnet" (1951–1959), as well as the family drama "Lassie" (1954–1974).  Morris made one appearance in THE RIFLEMAN, portraying Jimmy Carson in "One Went to Denver" (episode 25).  He guest-starred in several other westerns, including "Have Gun – Will Travel" (1957–1963), starring Richard Boone, "Maverick" (1957–1962), starring Jack Kelly and James Garner, "Zane Grey Theater" (1956–1961), starring Dick Powell, "Wagon Train" (1957–1965), starring John McIntyre and Ward Bond, and "Wanted: Dead or Alive" (1958–1961), starring Steve McQueen.

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.

Harlan Warde as John Hamilton, President of the North Fork Bank
Harlan Warde as John Hamilton, President of the No

Harlan Warde was an American actor who appeared in 180 films and television series over a 40 year career.  Most of his early film roles were uncredited.  He appeared in 18 episodes of THE RIFLEMAN, portraying John Hamilton, President of the North Fork Bank.  His character debuted in "The Safeguard" (episode 8).   Warde had recurring roles in other television series, many in the Western genre.  Among his many other TV credits, he also appeared in "Dragnet" ( 1954), "You Are There" (1953–1956), "Jane Wyman Presents The Fireside Theatre" (1955 1957), "Perry Mason" (1958–1966), "The Virginian" (1962–1971), "Bonanza" (1962–1972), "The Big Valley" (1965–1969) and "The Fugitive" (1966 1967).


Lucas welcomes an old friend who turns up at his ranch for an unexpected visit.  Knowing that his friend Tom Birch has a reputation for lawlessness, Lucas is at first concerned but then is reassured by Tom's statement that he is just passing through North Fork on his way to Denver.  Later, however, Lucas finds himself involved in a plot to rob the North Fork Bank and must choose between backing up the Marshal and helping the friend who once saved his life.