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Dead Cold Cash
Episode 85
Writer: Teleplay by Arthur Browne, Jr. and Irving Elman
Story by Irving Elman
Director: Dick Moder
Original Air Date 11/22/1960

Cast

Chuck Connors as Lucas McCain

Johnny Crawford as Mark McCain

Paul Fix as Marshal Micah Torrance



Guest Cast
Chris Alcaide as Ben Casper
Chris Alcaide

Chris Alcaide made ten appearances in THE RIFLEMAN, portraying different characters in each episode.  He is best known for his roles in westerns, having appeared in over 400 television western programs.  Alcaide, a veteran character actor of great range and talent appeared in a wide variety of projects, including "The Glass Menagerie," "The Wild One" with Marlon Brando, "Assassination" with Charles Bronson and "Kid Galahad" with Elvis Presley.  Other movie credits include "The Miami Story," "Gunslinger," "Miami Expose," "The 49th Man," "Massacre Canyon" and "Rock All Night."

Steve Darrell as Eli Benson

Steve Darrell, born Darryl Eugene Horsfall, was a prolific American film and television actor who appeared in more than 150 movies and television shows in a career spanning nearly 30 years.  Most of his filmography is in westerns; although, he guest-starred in a few TV shows in other genres, notably the gothic horror crime series hosted by Boris Karloff, "Thriller" (1960–1962).  Darrell made two guest appearances in THE RIFLEMAN, portraying Ben Russell in "Obituary" (episode 44) and Eli Benson in "Dead Cold Cash" (episode 85).

In addition to THE RIFLEMAN, Darrell guest-starred in virtually all of the popular westerns of the 1950s and 60s, including "The Gene Autry Show" (1950–1956); "The Adventures of Wild Bill Hicock" (1951–1958), starring Guy Madison and Andy Devine; "The Lone Ranger" (1949–1957); starring Clayton Moore, "Cheyenne" (1955–1963), starring Clint Walker; "The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp" (1955–1961), starring Hugh O'Brien; "Wanted: Dead or Alive" (1958–1961), starring Steve McQueen; "The Deputy" (1959–1961), starring Henry Fonda; "The Virginian" (1962–1971), starring James Drury and Doug McClure; "Rawhide" (1959–1966), starring Clint Eastwood; "Gunsmoke" (1955–1975), starring James Arness; and "Daniel Boone" (1964–1970), starring Fess Parker.  Darrell also had a recurring role as Sheriff Hal Humphrey in "Tales of Wells Fargo" (1957–1962).

Ed Nelson as Stacey Beldon

Ed Nelson, born Edwin Stafford Nelson, was an American stage, film and television actor.  He appeared in 185 movies and television shows during a career spanning 50 years.  He interrupted his undergraduate career at Tulane University, New Orleans, to spend two years studying at the New York School of Radio and Television Technique; however, at age 71 he returned to Tulane to complete his coursework and earn a degree.  While living and working in Los Angeles, Nelson was active in the Screen Actors Guild and was a board member for many years.  He remained a long-standing member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

Nelson appeared in many films, including several Roger Corman horrors, such as "Attack of the Crab Monsters" (1957), "Teenage Cave Man" (1958), "Cry Baby Killers" (1959) and "A Bucket of Blood" (1959), as well as film classics, such as the historical WWII drama "Judgment at Nuremberg" (1961), starring Spencer Tracy, Burt Lancaster and Richard Widmark, and the disaster epic "Airport 1975" (1974), starring Charlton Heston, Karen Black and George Kennedy.  He also appeared in the family adventure "For the Love of Benji" (1977) and the dramatic thriller "Runaway Jury" (2003), starring John Cusack, Rachel Weisz and Gene Hackman.  Nelson spent several years portraying President Harry Truman on stage, replacing James Whitmore in "Give 'Em Hell, Harry."

Nelson guest-starred in many popular television shows of the 1950s through the 90s, including the action series "Highway Patrol" (1955–1959), Rod Serling's iconic anthology series, "The Twilight Zone" (1959–1964), the crime dramas "77 Sunset Strip" (1958–1964), "Arrest and Trial" (1963–1964) and "Jake and the Fatman" (1987–1992), the medical drama "Dr. Kildare" (1961–1966), the sci-fi anthology series "The Outer Limits" (1963–1965), the war drama "Combat!" (1962–1967) , the adventure series "The Fugitive" (1963–1967), the action undercover police series "Mod Squad" (1968–1973), the family dynasty drama "Dallas" (1978–1991), and the Aaron Spelling action detective series "Charlie's Angels" (1976–1981).  Nelson is best remembered for his portrayal of Michael Rossi in the primetime soap opera "Peyton Place" (1964–1969).  He also had another recurring role as Ward Fuller in the adventure series "The Silent Force" (1970–1971).

Nelson made three appearances in THE RIFLEMAN, portraying Stacy Beldon in "Dead Cold Cash" (episode 85), Jake Shaw in "The Illustrator" (episode 88) and Ben Varges in "First Wages" (episode 112).  He guest-starred in many other westerns, including "The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp" (1955–1961), "The Deputy" (1959–1961), "Zane Grey Theater" (1956–1961), "Have Gun – Will Travel" (1957–1963), "Bat Masterson" (1958–1961), "Tales of Wells Fargo" (1957–1962), "Maverick" (1957–1962), "Bonanza" (1959–1973), "Death Valley Days" (1952–1975), "Rawhide" (1959–1966), "The Virginian" (1962–1971), "Laramie" (1959–1963), "Wagon Train" (1957–1965), and "Gunsmoke" (1955–1975).

Sarah Taft as Sara Caruthers

Sarah Taft was an American film and television actress.  She appeared in more than 50 movies and television shows in a 20-year career.  She had roles in several memorable films, including the part of Sarah in the dramatic comedy "The Reivers" (1969), starring Steve McQueen and Sharon Farrell; as well as minor parts in the Alfred Hitchcock thriller "Vertigo" (1958), starring James Stewart and Kim Novak; the romantic comedy "Donovan's Reef" (1963), starring John Wayne; and the thriller "The Mechanic" (1972), starring Charles Bronson, Jan-Michael Vincent and Keenan Wynn.

Taft guest-starred in many popular television shows of the 1950s and 60s, including the action crime drama "Highway Patrol" (1955–1959), the period crime drama "The Untouchables" (1959–1963), the legal drama "Perry Mason" (1957–1966), Rod Serling's iconic anthology series "The Twilight Zone" (1959–1964), the medical drama "Ben Casey" (1961–1966), the family comedy "My Three Sons" (1960–1972), the espionage thriller "The Man from U.N.C.L.E." (1964–1968), and the western action adventure "The Wild Wild West" (1965–1969).  Taft made two appearances in THE RIFLEMAN, portraying the old woman in "Waste" (episode 74) and Sara Caruthers in "Dead Cold Cash" (episode 85).  She also guest-starred in the westerns "Tales of Wells Fargo" (1957–1962), starring Dale Robertson; and "Gunsmoke" (1955–1975), starring James Arness.

Joan Taylor as Milly Scott, Owner of the General Store
Joan Taylor as Milly Scott, Owner of the General S

Joan Taylor was an American actress born to a family in the entertainment business.  Her mother, Amelia Berky, was a vaudeville dancer and singer in the 1920s.  Her father operated a movie theater, which inspired in her an abiding interest in the movies from an early age.  Taylor came to Hollywood in 1946 and worked on the stage at the Pasadena Playhouse for four years.  Discovered by Victor Jory when she played Regina in "Another Part of the Forest," she was contracted to Paramount Studios where she appeared in several Western pictures.  She guest-starred in numerous television series in the 1950s and early 60s, retiring from acting in 1962.

Taylor appeared in 18 episodes of THE RIFLEMAN between 1960 and 1962, playing Milly Scott, Owner of the General Store, which she bought from Hattie Denton.  An attractive young woman who figured as a love interest for Lucas McCain, her character was introduced in "Miss Milly" (episode 84).

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).


The dead widow of a bandit whom Lucas once shot in the line of duty as the deputy marshal has plotted a grotesque revenge against McCain.  Sara Caruthers' will stipulates that her $100,000 fortune should be divided among the townsfolk of North Fork on condition that Lucas McCain dies within seven days after her death.  At first, it appears that Lucas' neighbors will reject the idea of taking the tainted money, but a notorious hired gunman suddenly and inexplicably arrives in town.