Fri 13 Nov 2020
A Western TV Episode Review by Jonathan Lewis: THE RIFLEMAN “The Marshal” (1958).
Posted by Steve under Reviews , TV Westerns[6] Comments
THE RIFLEMAN “The Marshal.” ABC, 21 October 1958 (Season 1, Episode 4). Chuck Connors (Lucas McCain), Johnny Crawford (Mark McCain). Guest Cast: Paul Fix, James Drury, R.G. Armstrong, Robert Wilke, Warren Oates, Abby Dalton, Bill Quinn. Written & directed by Sam Peckinpah.
It doesn’t really get any more western than this. Written and directed by Sam Peckinpah, “The Marshal,†a first season episode of The Rifleman has it all. A once respected lawman gone to seed and now a drunk who refuses to even carry a gun. A pair of brothers terrorizing a town. A scheming outlaw willing to murder without hesitation. A redemption arc for the aforementioned drunken former marshal. And some terrific character actors.
Although Chuck Connors is the star, this episode really belongs to Paul Fix. He portrays Micah Torrance, a once fearless marshal who is first seen stumbling drunk outside of a saloon. Lucas McCain (Connors) takes him under his wing and offers him good hard work on the ranch. It’s there that both he and his son Mark (Johnny Crawford) realize how much damage whiskey has gone to Micah’s body and soul.
At more or less the same time that Micah is trying to put his life back together, outlaws ride into town. Leading the group is the handsome, but devious Lloyd Carpenter (James Drury before he starred in The Virginian). There are also two brothers. Flory Sheltin (Robert Wilke) and his brother Andrew (Warren Oates).
Without giving away too much of the story, let’s just say that something happens to the current sheriff of North Fork (R. G. Armstrong) that allows for Micah to take his place as the chief lawman of the fictional New Mexico town. Fix would go on to appear in some 150 or so episodes of The Rifleman.
November 13th, 2020 at 5:41 pm
The presence of Fix and often strong guest casts always benefited THE RIFLEMAN as did writing and direction. This and THE WESTERNER were among the best written and acted Western series on the air (Peckinpah notably worked on both, and on the half hour GUNSMOKE).
November 13th, 2020 at 5:54 pm
From the very beginning, The Rifleman knew that the show would benefit from a strong array of guest stars. In the pilot episode, there is Dennis Hopper, Leif Erickson (before The High Chaparral). In the third, young rising star Michael Landon.
November 13th, 2020 at 7:12 pm
Fix was always one of my favorites. His daughter married Harry Carey Jr.
November 13th, 2020 at 7:22 pm
It’s amazing how much they used to pack in less than a half hour.
November 13th, 2020 at 10:20 pm
A little surprising that you didn’t mention Four Star, The Rifleman‘s home studio.
Sam Peckinpah already had a bit of a reputation as a tough customer to work with on the set.
Dick Powell was one of the few producers in town who’d give Peckinpah free rein in TV, as he did with just about anyone who worked for him.
The results may be seen to this day.
November 13th, 2020 at 10:57 pm
Absolutely right, Mike. Dick Powell fostered a lot of talent.