User Reviews

I love all these old expressions, and Rifleman had more than there share of them. In this particular episode, Jack Elam got to say some. He called Freddie "Fancy Pants" because of his pants. He called North Fork a jerk-water town.

This episode is pretty good. There are some lessons Mark learns - people who are different are treated as something to be hated because they aren't understood. Of course, I love the part where Mark informs his father he wants to go, and Lucas says a firm NO. He wants to teach Mark that there's nothing COOL about duels. He didn't think it was something a young boy should be part of. So instead, he makes Mark stay at the hotel. Does he really think Mark went back to sleep?

Don't ask me to pick my favorite! I just can't.

Saw this series long ago. Never before noticed that "Mr Cole" who agreed to do the countdown for the duel is actor Glenn Strange aka Sam the bartender on Gunsmoke! Did yinz know he was 6'5"?! I knew he was a tall man but wow! Kinda funny seeing such a skinny little Jack Elam but he did his usual good job at being creepy! I think the real star of this episode is (barely seen) Mark! If only for a minute, he reminds us that ugly things like HATE & BIGOTRY aren't something that we're born with, it has to be learned. What's more beautiful than a child who hasn't been taught to be evil? To have innocent unconditional love for everyone - as God intended. Isn't that something we should all strive for? ... Sorry, guess i REALLY digressed this time. Anyway. This episode simply lifted my spirits. There must still be at least a few men left like the count-Freddie & Lucas McCain, right? Otherwise i'd think HE would've wiped us out by now. I dunno, it somehow gives me hope. ... ... btw if anyone does come across an (older) man like Lucas McCain, please lemme know? Ok, thanks!

Even though this episode was nicely done by the actors involved, the story really did not stir much interest in my opinion. The plot has been played out many times in nearly all western episodes where a 'fancy lad' arrives in town and the next thing you know he has been insulted and challenges another to a duel.

In this show, Cesare Danova plays a Italian Count that just happens to arrive on a stage in North Fork. When a local, Sid Groder (Jack Elam), insults the ways of the Count he is challenged to a duel. And with Lucas McCain being the temporary Marshal of the town, Lucas will make sure that the duel is on the up-and-up. But expect surprises when the duel takes place.

Danova and Elam seemed perfectly cast in this story which only adds interest to the show but it just did not cause much excitement for the viewer. With the high marks for the episode, I felt somewhat disappointed after watching. It was not a bad show but one that needed something other than a routine script.