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The Angry Man
Episode 31
Writer: Arthur Browne, Jr.
Director: Jerry Hopper
Original Air Date 04/28/1959

Cast

Chuck Connors as Lucas McCain

Johnny Crawford as Mark McCain



Guest Cast
Edgar Buchanan as Doc Burrage
Edgar Buchanan as Doc Burrage

Edgar Buchanan was an American character actor who appeared in over 100 films and dozens of television series, including several long-lived sitcoms.  In a career spanning four decades, he played grizzled, gravelly-voiced characters and was frequently cast in westerns.  His most well-known and lovable character was Uncle Joe Carson, who appeared in all 222 episodes of "Petticoat Junction," (1963-1970), 17 episodes of "Green Acres" (1965-1969), and, in 1968, three episodes of "The Beverly Hillbillies" (1962-1971).  In his last role, the 1974 film "Benji," he co-starred with the dog (Higgins) from his stint on "Petticoat Junction."  Buchanan made six appearances in THE RIFLEMAN, portraying Grandpa Fogerty in "The Long Goodbye" (Episode 119) and the recurring character of Doc Burrage in five, including "The Pet" (episode 15), "The Second Witness" (episode 23), "The Trade" (episode 24), "The Deadly Wait" (episode 26), and "The Angry Man" (episode 31).

Kim Charney as Carey MacDonald

Kim Charney is an American film and television actor.  He has appeared in more than 30 movies and television shows in a decade-long career.  Charney may be best-remembered for his recurring role as Terry Richmond in "Leave It to Beaver" (1957–1963).  He also appeared in the film-noir "Suddenly" (1954), starring Frank Sinatra, in which he played the role of Peter Benson III, or "Pidge." Charney made one guest appearance in THE RIFLEMAN, portraying Carey MacDonald in "The Angry Man" (episode 31).  In addition to THE RIFLEMAN, he guest-starred in several other classic westerns of the 1950s and 60s, including "Tales of the Texas Rangers" (1955–1959), "Wagon Train" (1957–1965), "The Restless Gun" (1957–1959), "Lawman" (1958–1962) and "Cheyenne" (1955–1963).

Fritz Ford as Townsman

Fritz Ford, born Fred Apking, was an American stuntman and actor.  Between his stunt work and acting credits, Ford appeared in nearly 70 movies and television shows during a career spanning 30 years.  He provided stunt work for several films, including the war drama "The Desert Rats" (1953), starring Richard Burton, James Mason and Robert Newton; the sci-fi adventure film "Planet of the Apes" (1962), starring Charlton Heston, Roddy McDowall, Kim Hunter and Maurice Evans; and the sci-fi drama "Soylent Green" (1973), starring Charlton Heston, Anthony Zerbe and Leigh Taylor-Young.  He also appeared in several films as an actor, including minor parts in the noir film "The Big Heat" (1953), starring Glenn Ford and Gloria Grahame; and the sci-fi thriller "Seconds" (1966), starring Rock Hudson; as well as the role of Murray in the horror film "Damien: Omen II" (1975), starring William Holden and Lee Grant.

Ford guest-starred in a variety of popular television shows of the 1960s, including the crime drama "Arrest and Trial" (1963–1964), the espionage thriller "The Man from U.N.C.L.E." (1964–1968), the superhero parody "Batman" (1966–1968), the espionage series "I Spy" (1965–1968) and the sci-fi series "V" (1984–1985).

Ford made six appearances in THE RIFLEMAN, portraying Mr. Jones [stunt double for Chuck Connors; uncredited] in "The Safeguard" (episode 8), Deputy Carl [uncredited] in "The Second Witness" (episode 23), Townsman in "The Angry Man" (episode 31), and Second Cowboy in "Ordeal" (episode 48).  He made uncredited appearances in "The Apprentice Sheriff" (episode 11) and "The Sheridan Story" (episode 16).

George Matthews as Abel MacDonald
George Matthews as Abel MacDonald

George Matthews was an American film, theater and television actor.  His filmography includes more than 50 roles in a career spanning nearly three decades.  He was heavy-featured and burly, so frequently was cast in villain roles; although, he often portrayed tough guy characters for comedic effect, especially on the stage.  He also appeared in musicals and dramas, with a notable portrayal of Mitch in "A Streetcar Named Desire" (1949–50), co-starring Uta Hagen and Anthony Quinn.  His performance won acclaim from"The New York Times' " Brooks Atkinson.

Prior to making one appearance on THE RIFLEMAN, Matthews co-starred with Chuck Connors in the Spencer Tracy – Katherine Hepburn vehicle, "Pat and Mike" (1952).  In THE RIFLEMAN, Matthews played Abel MacDonald in "The Angry Man" (episode 31).   Other guest-starring roles in television included appearances on "Gunsmoke" (1955–1975) and a recurring character in Glynis Johns' 1963 comedy series about a mystery writer and amateur sleuth.


The young son of a neighboring rancher is seriously hurt in an accident.  When Lucas learns from Mark that the boy is getting worse, he investigates and finds that the rancher is a suspicious, hardened and bitter man who flatly refuses to take his son to a doctor because he thinks his wife's death was the result of poor medical treatment.  Desperate to help the child, Lucas takes him at gunpoint and seeks care for the boy from the town doctor.  He is relieved to learn the boy will recover, but his troubles are only beginning when the boy's father arrives with a shotgun looking for McCain.