Figure 1.--

"The Rifleman" was one of the first of a series of Westerns that dominated American TV screens in the late 1950s and 1960s. The Rifleman is Lucas McCain (Chuck Connors) who is a widower trying to raise his son Mark on the Western Frontier. He is homesteading a ranch in North Fork, New Mexico. The local Marshall, however, has his hands fulls with a never-ending supply of desperafos. Invariably McCain has to pull out his Winchester Rifle (never six guns) to save the day. I don't remember any particuarly interesting episodes of this Western. The costuming never changed much. Lucas McCain's had a son, Mark (Johnny Crawford). He only wore long pants--usually jeans. Mark was the thoughtful son of a rough man trying to make a man out of the motherless boy. Johnny looks very Western, but jeans like that were not worn in the 1870s-80s, rather overalls with the bib front was the available style.

TV-ology

"The Rifleman" was one of the first of a series of prime-time Westerns that dominated American TV screens in the late 1950s and 1960s. There have been realtively few Westers either before or after the 1960s. "The Rifleman" was very popular during its original run. It also occassionally runs in syndication.

Plot

The Rifleman is Lucas McCain (Chuck Connors) who is a widower trying to raise his son Mark on the Western Frontier. He is homesteading a ranch in North Fork, New Mexico. The local Marshall, however, has his hands fulls with a never-ending supply of desperados. Invariably McCain has to pull out his Winchester Rifle (never six guns) to save the day. I don't remember any particuarly interesting episodes of this Western. The costuming never changed much.

Cast

The star of the show was Chuck Conners who played Lucas McCain. His son Mark is played by Johnny Crawford. Johnny was briefly, a Mousketeer for Disney. One source relates a story from that time, concerning the late Mr. Disney and Johnny. During a lunch break Walt happened to see young Crawford and asked him, "Hi, Johnny; how are you?" Johnny was so impressed that Mr. Disney knew his name that he hastened to tell his grandmother, who was seated nearby. She listened, smilingly, and told her grandson, "Mr. Disney knows your name because it's printed on the front of your Mousketeer T shirt!"

Costuming

He only wore long pants--usually jeans. Mark was the thoughtful son of a rough man trying to make a man out of the motherless boy. Johnny looks very Western, but jeans like that were not worn in the 1870s-80s, rather overalls with the bib front was the available style. One reader comments, "Concerning the clothes Johnny wore in his role as "Mark Mc Cain", the review is correct. There was little variance from episode to episode. I don't remember, though, Johnny wearing a plaid shirt as seen on a publivity photo. He usually wore a long sleeved, solid color shirt (possibly a medium blue) with his jeans and boots. When he was outdoors he most often wore a western style hat with a fairly low crown, it seems. In colder weather he added a fleece collared coat. From time to time "Mark" and his dad would eat in town at a hotel, The Madera House. For dinner "Mark" would dress up in a suit typical of the setting (about 1875). The coat buttoned rather high, and "Mark" wore a string tie, tied in a bow at top. His hair was neatly combed on such occasions. Perhaps to save money on the show's budget was the reason for the similarity in clothes throughot the series' run. It's also easier to splice scenes shot at different times if the clothes are always the same (That's why Jack Webb always wore the same sport jacket, tie, and slacks in his show, "Dragnet"!)"

Episode

There were only a few episodes in which "Mark" was the central figure. Such as the episode with the new schoolmaster, a strict fellow from back East. "Lucas Mc Cain", "Mark's" dad, the Rifleman, was bringing some children, including Mark, in his wagon to town for the first day of school. The new schoolmaster, "Mr. Griswald", chided Lucas for being a few minutes late. When Griswald saw Lucas' rifle, he really fussed at Lucas for carrying a weapon so near school children. As school opened for the day, Griswald had some more to say about Lucas' poor judgement, and Mark had enough of it and came home. Lucas told Mark that Griswald is strict, but if he's unfit, that's up to the school board to decide. As for Mark, he'd have to return to school and take his punishment. Mark returned during lunch break and on the school grounds apologized to Mr. Griswald, who told Mark that he was to be kept after school for a week as punishment. Mark politely accepted his "sentence" and apologized. Then, as Mark went back inside the school house, ahead of Griswald, another boy told Mark they were going to "show" Griswald: the boy placed some messy candy in Griswald's textbook, ruining it. Mark tried to stop the boy, but it was too late. Griswald entered just in time to see Mark with the ruined book in his hand. Immediately, Griswald suspected Mark, who, ever the loyal friend, took the blame and accepted a whipping from Griswald, as the real culprit watched silently. Humiliated, Mark told Lucas what happened, and the Rifleman could only tell his son that if he's going to accept blame for the misdeed, he must also take the punishment. Mark, unfazed, ran away with the boy to an abandoned mine. The mine caved in, trapping both boys. Lucas and Griswald rescued the boys in time. Griswald explained a scientific principle (a fulcrum and lever) to the boys, and how it was applied to save them. Griswald, the teacher, has learned a lesson by show's end, that he can be liked AND respected by the boys. Griswald even asked if he could have some of that sticky candy!

Created: October 3, 2002
Last updated: October 3, 2002