User Reviews

This is another of those near-Gunsmoke-quality episodes that show just how good "The Rifleman" could be.

It starts off like many others, with Lee van Cleef (Drako) an old friend of Luke's, who dragged him through enemy fire to safety, showing up. Of course, the old friend became a gunslinger, who now (apparently) wants to reform and settle down in a nice, quiet town like North Fork. Of course, his presence is likely to attract gunslingers -- but he figures that in six months, a year -- or maybe two -- he will be forgotten.

Drako has a wonderful scene with Mark, reminding him that no one remembers the very first gunslinger -- or the man who shot him, or the man who shot //him//, and so on.

The story has a surprising ending, with Drako, Lucas, and Micah simply //facing down// the three SOBs who want to murder Lucas and take over the town. They leave in fear, without a shot being fired.

Drako decides not to stay, and leaves, proclaiming he will rest "where all gunfighters rest".

Given the adult storytelling and diamond-sharp dialog, I assumed the script was by Cyril Hume. But it was by David Harmon, who also penned the following (and not-as-good) episode (5.6).

Terrific. Highly recommended.

THE RIFLEMAN –Death Never Rides Alone - 1962

This is the 147th episode from the 1958 to 1963 western series, THE RIFLEMAN. Over the course of 168 episodes we follow the life of Lucas McCain and his son, Mark. They have moved to the small western town of North Fork where they hope to start a new life. Chuck Connors headlines the series with Johnny Crawford as his son. Connors is a world class hand with a Winchester rifle which of course ends up getting him in no end of trouble.

Famous gunman Lee Van Cleef rides into North Fork. He grabs a table at the local saloon and asks for a bottle. He asks the bartender, Bill Quinn, if he knows Chuck Connors. The barkeep tells Van Cleef he does indeed know Connors. Van Cleef tells Quinn to deliver a message to Connors. Van Cleef is staying at the hotel and would like to speak to Connors.

When Connors gets the message, he is having game of checkers with the North Fork Sheriff, Paul Fix. Connors admits that he knows Van Cleef from 15 years before. It was also before Van Cleef became a famous gun hand. Connors grabs his rifle and pays Van Cleef a visit at his hotel; room.

Van Cleef does not want any trouble, he is just tired of the life of a gunman. He is looking for a place to set down roots. Needless to say this idea does not last long. Three rough and ready types, Rex Holman, Mel Carter and John Rayborn ride into North Fork. Van Cleef knows the three from before. The three ride into small towns, bump off the local law, then rob the town.

He tells Connors about this and stands with Connors and Sheriff Fix when gunplay looks imminent. This throws the three gunmen, Holman, Carter and Rayborn off their game plan. They do not like to play when the odds are not in their favour. They decide to saddle up and head for easier picking elsewhere. The next day Van Cleef also decides to ride on. He will look for a place no one knows him.

A pretty good episode with plenty of tension even if there is no actual gunplay. The director, big screen veteran, Joseph H Lewis could do stuff like this in his sleep. Long-time cinematographer, Howard Schwartz really stepped up his game for this one, using plenty of great angles etc to keep the tension up. Schwartz worked on over 300 TV episodes and television movies.

Well worth a watch.