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Stranger at Night
Episode 36
Writer: David Lang
Director: Lewis Allen
Original Air Date 06/02/1959

Cast

Chuck Connors as Lucas McCain

Johnny Crawford as Mark McCain

Paul Fix as Marshal Micah Torrance



Guest Cast
Thomas Gomez as Artemus Quarles
Thomas Gomez as Artemus Quarles

Thomas Gomez was an American television, stage and film actor.  His filmography includes nearly 100 roles during a career spanning 30 years.  He made his film debut in "Sherlock Holmes and the Voice of Terror" (1942).  Gomez received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the 1974 film "Ride the Pink Horse."

Gomez made one appearance on THE RIFLEMAN, playing Artemus J. Quarles in "Stranger at Night" (episode 36).  In addition to THE RIFLEMAN, Gomez also appeared in "The Texan" (1958–1960), "Laredo" (1965–1967) and "Gunsmoke" (1955–1975).

Jack Hogan as Joe Carson

Jack Hogan, born Richard Roland Benson, Jr., is an American character actor who has worked primarily in television.  He has appeared in nearly 80 movies and television shows in a career spanning almost 40 years.  Following his service in the Navy, Hogan studied at the Pasadena Playhouse in California to become an actor.  He guest-starred in many popular series of the 1960s through the 80s, including the crime dramas "Hawaii Five-O" (1968–1980), "Adam-12" (1968–1975), "Magnum, P.I." (1980–1988), for which he also worked behind the scenes in the casting department, and "Ironside" (1967–1975), the nautical adventure series "Sea Hunt" (1958–1961), the action series "The A-Team" (1983–1987), and the mystery thriller "Peter Gunn" (1958–1961).  He also had a few recurring roles, including his best-remembered role as the quick-tempered womanizer Kirby in the war drama "Combat!" (1962–1967), and Chief Ranger Jack Moore in the action series "Sierra" (1974), as well as Judge Smithwood in the crime drama "Jake and the Fatman" (1987–1992).

Hogan made two appearances in THE RIFLEMAN, portraying Joe Carson in "Stranger at Night" (episode 36) and Rudy Gray in "The Man from Salinas" (episode 130).  He also guest-starred in several other westerns of the 1950s and 60s, including "Lawman" (1958–1962), starring John Russell and Peter Brown, "Have Gun – Will Travel" (1957–1963), starring Richard Boone, "The Deputy" (1959–1961), starring Henry Fonda, "Bonanza" (1959–1973), starring Lorne Greene, Dan Blocker, Pernell Roberts and Michael Landon, "Bat Masterson" (1958, 1961), starring Gene Barry, and "Cheyenne" (1955–1963), starring Clint Walker.

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.


Mark returns home from school and along the way stumbles on the body of an unidentified man.  Lucas investigates, discovers the man was stabbed to death, and the only clue to his identity is a belt inscribed with the initials R. M.  He goes into town to report his findings to Marshal Torrance, leaving Mark in the care of Artemus Quarles, a distant cousin by marriage and a jack-of-all trades who is visiting the McCains.  Mark is enchanted with his tales of pirates and buried treasure, and he is convinced that Quarles is a wonderful man, until he finds a gun belt with the initials R. M. hidden in Quarles' wagon.  Quarles threatens the boy to discourage him from telling Lucas about the guns, which would draw suspicion for the killing, but Lucas arrives home in time to rescue Mark from harm.