Episode 98
Writer: Cyril Hume
Director: Joseph H. Lewis
Original Air Date 02/21/1961
Cast
Chuck Connors as Lucas McCain
Johnny Crawford as Mark McCain
Paul Fix as Marshal Micah Torrance
Guest Cast
Rex Ingram was an American stage, film and television actor. He appeared in more than 50 movies and television shows during his 50-year career. In 1919, Ingram graduated from the Northwestern University medical school. He was the first African American man to receive a Phi Beta Kappa key from Northwestern University. In 1929, he made his debut on Broadway, appearing in the original cast in the productions "Haiti" (1938), "Cabin in the Sky" (1940) and "St. Louis Woman" (1946). In 1962, he became the first African American actor be hired for a contract role in a soap opera when he was cast in "The Brighter Day" (1954–1962).
Ingram's film credits include the role of God in the drama "The Green Pastures" (1960) and the Devil in "Cabin in the Sky" (1943); Tilney in the romantic comedy "The Talk of the Town" (1942), starring Cary Grant, Jean Arthur and Ronald Colman; Sgt. Major Tambul in the war drama "Sahara" (1943), starring Humphrey Bogart; and a minor part in the drama "Elmer Gantry" (1960), starring Burt Lancaster, Jean Simmons and Shirley Jones. He guest-starred in a few popular television shows, including the espionage series "I Spy" (1965–1968) and the comedy series "The Bill Cosby Show" (1969–1971). Ingram made one appearance in THE RIFLEMAN, portraying Thaddeus in "Closer than a Brother" (episode 98). He also guest-starred in the westerns "Branded" (1965–1966), starring THE RIFLEMAN's Chuck Connors; and Gunsmoke" (1955–1975), starring James Arness.
Berry Kroeger was an American radio, stage, film and television actor. He appeared in more than 90 movies and television shows during his 40-year career. He was typecast as a shady villain, which made him well-suited for the B-movie circuit. He had many notable film roles, including Alexandre Dumas, Sr. in the mystery drama "Black Magic" (1949), starring Orson Welles; Packett in the crime drama "Gun Crazy" (1950), starring Peggy Cummins and John Dall; Hugo Baumer in the crime drama "Seven Thieves" (1960), starring Edward G. Robinson and Rod Steiger; and Petrosian in the sci-fi horror "Demon Seed" (1977), starring Julie Christie.
Kroeger guest-starred in many popular TV shows of the 1950s through the 70s, including the mystery action series "Peter Gunn" (1958–1961), "The Chevy Chase Mystery Show" (1960), the family comedy "Mister Ed" (1958–1966), the Buck Henry espionage spoof "Get Smart" (1965–1970) and the sophisticated adventure crime series "It Takes a Thief" (1968–1970), as well as the crime dramas "77 Sunset Strip" (1958–1964), "Richard Diamond: Private Detective" (1957–1960) and "Perry Mason" (1957–1966). Kroeger made many appearances in several anthology series of the 1950s, including "Studio One in Hollywood" (1948–1958), "Four Star Playhouse" (1952–1956), "Hallmark Hall of Fame" (1952–1955), and "Alcoa Theatre" (1957–1960). Kroeger made one appearance in THE RIFLEMAN, portraying Ansel Bain in "Closer than a Brother" (episode 98). He also guest-starred in the westerns "Death Valley Days" (1952–1975), hosted by Robert Taylor, "Bonanza" (1959–1973), starring Lorne Greene, Michael Landon, Dan Blocker and Pernell Roberts, and "Daniel Boone" (1964–1970), starring Fess Parker.
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.
Kelly Thordsen, born Sherman Jess Thordsen, was an American television and film actor. He appeared in more than 100 movies and television shows during a career of just two decades. Character actor William Bendix appeared at an LAPD benefit where Thordsen, a motorcycle police officer, was master of ceremonies. After the performance, Bendix complimented Thordsen and suggested he embark on an acting career. Playing to type, Thordsen was frequently cast as lawmen. He had roles in several notable films, including Sheriff Clark in the drama "Sweet Bird of Youth" (1962), starring Paul Newman and Geraldine Page; an uncredited role in the film adaptation of Harper Lee's "To Kill a Mockingbird" (1962), starring Gregory Peck; Federal Purchasing Agent Carroll in the war drama "Shenandoah" (1965), starring James Stewart; and Sheriff L.D. Wicker in the thriller "The Parallax View" (1974), starring Warren Beatty.
Thordsen guest-starred in many television shows of the 1950s through the 70s, including the crime dramas "The Untouchables" (1959–1963), "Adam-12" (1968–1975) and "Barnaby Jones" (1973–1980), the medical drama "Dr. Kildare" (1961–1966), the long-running family dramas "Lassie" (1954–1974) and Little House on the Prairie" (1974–1983), the family comedy "The Andy Griffith Show" (1960–1968), the adventure drama "The Fugitive" (1963–1967), the espionage thriller "Mission: Impossible" (1966–1973), and the western adventure "Kung Fu" (1972–1975). He had a recurring role as Colorado Charlie in the western "Yancy Derringer" (1958–1959), starring Jock Mahoney, X Brands and Kevin Hagen.
Thordsen made two appearances in THE RIFLEMAN, portraying Arthur M. Truelove in "Closer than a Brother" (episode 98) and Andy in "The Score is Even" (episode 105). He guest-starred in many other westerns, including "Zane Grey Theater" (1956–1961), "The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp" (1955–1961), "Have Gun – Will Travel" (1957–1963), "Cheyenne" (1955–1963), "Tales of Wells Fargo" (1957–1962), "Wagon Train" (1957–1965), "Rawhide" (1959–1966), "The Big Valley" (1965–1969), "Gunsmoke" (1955–1975), "Bonanza" (1959–1973), "Daniel Boone" (1964–1970), and "The Virginian" (1962–1971).
Jack Wells was an American film and television actor, as well as a newscaster and television personality. He appeared in 25 movies and television shows during a career spanning nearly 30 years. He worked as a newscaster for Channel 13 in Baltimore, Maryland, eventually leaving the station to host "The Jack Wells Show," Baltimore's first morning television show. He portrayed the toastmaster in the landmark dramatic film "Brian's Song" (1971), starring James Caan, Billy Dee Williams, Jack Warden and Bernie Casey.
Wells guest-starred in several popular television shows, including the police drama "The Streets of San Francisco" (1972–1977), the crime drama anthology series "Police Story" (1973–1977), the action crime drama "Charlie's Angels" (1976–1981), the primetime drama "Falcon Crest" (1981–1990) and the legal drama "L.A. Law" (1986–1994). He made one appearance in THE RIFLEMAN, portraying Mr. Carpenter in "Closer than a Brother" (episode 98).
An old enemy from his past terrorizes Micah Torrance to the point that he resigns his job as Marshal and begins drinking heavily. Lucas beckons the enemy to North Fork, knowing that Torrance will never regain his self-respect until he can face his fear and stand up to the man.