In an unusual twist on the standard Western, widower Lucas McCain struggles to successfully homestead his ranch in North Fork, New Mexico while raising his son Mark. Unfortunately, the Marshall of North Fork has a difficult time handling the weekly "bad guys," and Lucas must repeatedly get out his Winchester Rifle to protect himself, his son, and his neighbors.
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05x26 Old Tony Aired: Apr. 08, 1963Mark and his girlfriend Laurie discover that an old hermit is very lonely. [continue reading]
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Show's Cast / Crew
Directors
- Joseph H. Lewis (51 episodes)
- Arnold Laven (21 episodes)
- Arthur H. Nadel (10 episodes)
Writers
- Arthur Browne Jr. (35 episodes)
- Calvin Clements Sr. (13 episodes)
- Cyril Hume (9 episodes)
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Series Fun Facts
- In the pilot for the series, by Sam Peckinpah (originally written for Gunsmoke but turned down for that show), Chuck Connors' character was named John McCain, not Lucas McCain, and he didn't…
[show]In the pilot for the series, by Sam Peckinpah (originally written for Gunsmoke but turned down for that show), Chuck Connors' character was named John McCain, not Lucas McCain, and he didn't have a son. It was producer Arnold Laven's idea to make McCain a widower with a son. Also, McCain was originally supposed to have been a dead shot with a pistol. Laven had the idea to use a customized Winchester rifle as McCain's weapon of choice.
[hide] - Chuck Connors initially turned down the role of Lucas McCain because he thought the salary was too low. The show's producers then considered James Whitmore and John Anderson for the role, but…
[show]Chuck Connors initially turned down the role of Lucas McCain because he thought the salary was too low. The show's producers then considered James Whitmore and John Anderson for the role, but when they saw Connors' chemistry with child actor Tommy Kirk in Old Yeller, they realized he was the best choice for the role and made him another offer, this time at a much higher salary. He accepted.
[hide] - Chuck Connors is said to have fired 12 shots with the rifle in the opening credits.
