THE RIFLEMAN – The Money Gun - 1959
This is the 33rd 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.
Well known "Bounty Killer" John Dehner rides into North Fork. Dehner is for hire for 500 bucks a kill. He keeps things legal by always getting the victim to draw and make it a fair fight. He has been hired by local, William Phipps to kill wealthy rancher, Bert Freed. Freed is a brute of a man who bullies his way through life. He has a mean temper and is not the least adverse to the laying on of fists etc. No one in North Fork can stand him.
Connors, who knew Dehner from years before, tries to talk the gunman into leaving town. Dehner of course has a reputation to keep. He has been paid, and he will do the job. Connors rides out to warn Freed about the gunman. Freed laughs the warning off and rides into town to face Dehner. Sheriff Paul Fix has the men take their beef outside of town.
The fight does not turn out the way Dehner, or his employer, Phipps expects. Freed refuses to draw, which would give Dehner a legal defence, and instead goes for Dehner with his fists. He works the man over and then busts up his gun hand. Freed, Connors and Sheriff Fix turn and head back to North Fork. The unamused Phipps wants his $500 back from Dehner. He steps up shoots Dehner dead.
Fix now puts the grab on Phipps. "You just killed an unarmed man. It will be the rope for you."
This one is a truly excellent episode with several nice curves thrown at the viewer. This superb episode was written and directed by none other than, Sam Peckinpah. Peckinpah of course, was the director of the ground breaking western, THE WILD BUNCH. This was only his third assignment in the director's chair.
This is the 33rd 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.
Well known "Bounty Killer" John Dehner rides into North Fork. Dehner is for hire for 500 bucks a kill. He keeps things legal by always getting the victim to draw and make it a fair fight. He has been hired by local, William Phipps to kill wealthy rancher, Bert Freed. Freed is a brute of a man who bullies his way through life. He has a mean temper and is not the least adverse to the laying on of fists etc. No one in North Fork can stand him.
Connors, who knew Dehner from years before, tries to talk the gunman into leaving town. Dehner of course has a reputation to keep. He has been paid, and he will do the job. Connors rides out to warn Freed about the gunman. Freed laughs the warning off and rides into town to face Dehner. Sheriff Paul Fix has the men take their beef outside of town.
The fight does not turn out the way Dehner, or his employer, Phipps expects. Freed refuses to draw, which would give Dehner a legal defence, and instead goes for Dehner with his fists. He works the man over and then busts up his gun hand. Freed, Connors and Sheriff Fix turn and head back to North Fork. The unamused Phipps wants his $500 back from Dehner. He steps up shoots Dehner dead.
Fix now puts the grab on Phipps. "You just killed an unarmed man. It will be the rope for you."
This one is a truly excellent episode with several nice curves thrown at the viewer. This superb episode was written and directed by none other than, Sam Peckinpah. Peckinpah of course, was the director of the ground breaking western, THE WILD BUNCH. This was only his third assignment in the director's chair.