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The Wyoming Story, Part I
Episode 96
Writer: Arthur Browne, Jr.
Director: Joseph H. Lewis
Original Air Date 02/07/1961

Cast

Chuck Connors as Lucas McCain

Johnny Crawford as Mark McCain

Paul Fix as Marshal Micah Torrance



Guest Cast
Chris Alcaide as Ross
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."

Dabbs Greer as Finny
Dabbs Greer as Finny

Dabbs Greer was an American actor who had a prolific career spanning more than 50 years.   A highly recognizable character actor—the quintessential everyman—he played a wide range of supporting roles in film and television.  Originally from Missouri, his southern accent lent authenticity to the rural characters he often portrayed, especially in Westerns.  Frequently cast as a minister, his most memorable role may have been Reverend Alden in "Little House on the Prairie" (1974–1983).

Greer made his film debut in the 1938 feature "Jesse James."  He appeared in the 1958 film noir "I Want to Live" and reprised a similar role in the 1999 film, "The Green Mile," in which he played the Tom Hank's character, Paul Edgecomb, as an elderly man.  

Greer appeared in several recurring roles in popular television series in the 1950's and 1960's, including THE RIFLEMAN, in which he guest-starred eight times: he portrayed Marcus Trimble in "Outlaw's Inheritance" (episode 38), Sam Elder in "Boomerang" (episode 39), Brett in "Panic" (episode 47), Farley Steele Weaver in "The Jailbird" (episode 73), Jack Scully in "The Promoter" (episode 87), Finny in "The Wyoming Story, Parts I and II" (episodes 96 and 97), and Taylor, a prison guard in "The Stand-In" (episode 114).

Greer's recurring roles in other popular TV series included "Hank" (1965–1966), in which he played track coach Ossie Weiss, The Ghost & Mrs. Muir" (1968-–1970), as Sheriff Norris "Norrie" Coolidge, and in"Gunsmoke" (1955–1975) as storekeeper Wilbur Jonas.

Enid Janes/Jaynes as Aggie
Enid Jaynes as Aggie

Enid Janes/Jaynes made six guest appearances in THE RIFLEMAN, twice in two-part stories.  She appeared as Amy Barker in "Panic" (episode 47), Aggie in "The Wyoming Story, Parts I and II" (episodes 96 and 97), as Abbey Striker in "Quiet Fear" (episode 127), and the Pregnant Woman in "Waste, Parts I and II" (episodes 143 and 144).  She later appeared with Chuck Connors in "Geronimo" (1962) as Huera.  Jaynes was wife of THE RIFLEMAN producer Jules V. Levy.

Kent Taylor as McKee

Kent Taylor, born Louis William Weiss, was an American film and television actor.  He appeared in more than 140 movies and television shows during a career spanning nearly four decades.  Most of his film appearances were in obscure B-movies; although, he did have a minor part in the historical drama "The Scarlet Express" (1934), starring Marlene Dietrich.  He is best-remembered for his recurring role as the title character of the crime drama "Boston Blackie" (1951–1953).

Taylor guest-starred in a few popular television shows, including the Disney adventure series "Zorro" (1957–1959), in which he played the recurring character Carlos Murietta.  He also appeared in the mystery action series "Peter Gunn" (1958–1961) and the private detective series "77 Sunset Strip" (1958–1964).  He made two appearances in THE RIFLEMAN, portraying Forbes McKee in parts one and two of "The Wyoming Story" (episodes 96 and 97).  Previously, he starred in his own western series "The Rough Riders" (1958–1959), playing ex-Confederate officer Captain Jim Flagg.  He also guest-starred in a few other westerns, including "Tales of Wells Fargo" (1957–1962), starring Dale Robertson; "Laramie" (1959–1963), starring John Smith and Robert Fuller; "Bat Masterson" (1958–1961), starring Gene Barry; and "Bronco" (1958–1962), starring Ty Hardin.  His appearance in "Land of The Giants" (1968–1970) was one of his last television roles.

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).

Russell Thorson as Marshal

Russell Thorson, born Delos Russell Thorson, was an American film and television actor.  He appeared in more than 120 movies and television shows during a career spanning almost 30 years.  He portrayed Maddow in the western "Hang 'Em High" (1968), starring Clint Eastwood, and had a minor part in the war drama "Run Silent Run Deep" (1958), starring Clark Gable and Burt Lancaster.

Thorson guest-starred in many popular television shows of the 1950s through the 70s, including the family comedy "Leave It to Beaver" (1957–1963), the anthology series "Playhouse 90" (1956–1960) and "Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theater" (1956–1961), where THE RIFLEMAN made its debut.  Among the many other shows in which he appeared were the medical dramas "Dr. Kildare" (1961–1966) and "Marcus Welby M.D." (1969–1976), the legal drama "Perry Mason" (1957–1966), the sitcom "Gilligan's Island" (1964–1965), the family drama "Lassie" (1954–1974), the law enforcement drama "The F.B.I." (1965–1974), the espionage thriller "Mission: Impossible" (1966–1973), the crime drama anthology series "Police Story" (1973–1977) and the detective dramas "Cannon" (1971–1976) and "Barnaby Jones" (1973–1980).  He also played recurring roles portraying William Kennerly in the primetime television drama "Peyton Place" (1964–1969), Det. Lt. Otto Lindstrom in "The Detectives" (1959–1962), and Dr. Donald White in the daytime drama "Days of Our Lives" (1965– ).

Thorson made two appearances in THE RIFLEMAN, portraying Marshal Burks in parts one and two of "The Wyoming Story" (episodes 96 and 97).  He guest-starred in many other westerns, including "Have Gun – Will Travel" (1957–1963), starring Richard Boone; "Maverick" (1957–1962), starring Jack Kelly and James Garner; "Wanted: Dead or Alive" (1958–1961), starring Steve McQueen; "Rawhide" (1959–1966), starring Clint Eastwood; "Wagon Train" (1957–1965), starring John McIntyre and Ward Bond; "Death Valley Days" (1952–1975), hosted by Robert Taylor; "The Big Valley" (1965–1969), starring Barbara Stanwyck; and "Bonanza" (1959–1973), starring Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, Dan Blocker and Pernell Roberts.


Lucas agrees to take a job as an undercover Federal Agent.  He is sent to Wyoming to investigate reports of sales of government arms and ammunition to renegade Indians.  Lucas successfully starts his investigation, posing as a "wanted criminal," but his life is endangered when a disreputable old town drunk accidentally stumbles onto Lucas' real identity and mission.