User Reviews

THE RIFLEMAN – Grasshopper – 1960 Chuck Connors headlines this 1958 to 1963 western series that ran for 168 episodes. Connors is a world class hand with a Winchester rifle.

Connors and son, Johnny Crawford are taking a train ride to visit some family. On board the train is Richard Devon, a convicted killer on his way to be hanged for murder. Devon and Connors know each other from a run in they had years before. Also on the train is retired lawman, Arthur Hunnicutt.

Soon joining the train are two rather unsavoury types, Joe Bassett and James Anderson. They are here to spring Devon. Guns are pulled with the Marshal escorting Devon being killed. Devon is also badly wounded.

Devon swears he will kill all the passengers if Connors does not tend to his wounds. Connors agrees to do so if Devon will release the hostages. Devon agrees but of course does not hold up his end of the deal. He intends to kill Connors son, Crawford.

Ex-lawman Hunnicutt manages to pull out his rifle which he had in his luggage, and tosses it to Connors. Rounds are exchanged with the bad types going down for the count. Devon is recaptured. At the next stop, Devon is handed over to the law for his date with the hangman.

More or less the whole episode happens on one set and is handled with ease by former big screen director, Lewis Allen. Allen is well known to noir fans as the helmsman on, CHICAGO DEADLINE, APPOINTMENT WITH DANGER and DESERT FURY.

If you're going to review an episode try to get the facts straight. This reviewer called the prisoner being taken on the train to his hanging by the name, Cameron. Cameron was played by Arthur Hunnicutt, an old timer, who befriends Mark with tall tales of Daniel Boone.

The actual culprit being taken for hanging by the Marshall is one Walt Ryerson played by the versatile Richard Devon. The Rifleman had some of the finest actors who never missed a beat. No wonder they had so many return appearances line John Anderson, Devon, Dabbs Greer, Warren Oates, Royal Dano, Peter Whitney, John Dehner and Adam Williams.

Anyway it's Ryerson's brother and partner who are on the train to free Walt at the next town. Unfortunately a plague of locusts prevents the train from moving and as Lucas leaves the car the two gunmen take over, kill the Marshall but Ryerson is wounded.

Lucas tries to talk to the Marshall from outside the car and Ryerson yells, 'He can't talk right now, he just gave me a reprieve by dying!' Mark is held hostage along with the other passengers and Lucas has to think fast.

Ryerson has a bullet in the leg and he's bleeding badly. Lucas makes a deal to set a tourniquet so the passengers can be freed. However he's dealing with a rogue and Ryerson doesn't comply. Lucas reminds him the tourniquet needs to be reset or he'll bleed to death. Mr. Cameron tries to be a hero but does manage to think fast.

A good episode I remember from my childhood where once again Lucas saves the day.