The Rifleman
"Welcome to the McCain Ranch"
'New Orleans Menace'
Episode 10

While on the road to North Fork, a Czar and his henchmen stopped by the McCain Ranch for directions. The Czar introduced himself as Tiffauges and told me he was from New Orleans. He started to look around the ranch and ask me about it. I told him I owned the land, all 4,100 acres.  "Hmmmmm.....big land owner," he said.  He told me he would take the land off my hands. I told him this ranch was not for sale. This Czar is use to getting his own way.  He had his sites set on our ranch.  He told me that I was to come into North Fork tomorrow and we will work out the details for him to buy the ranch. I told him I would be in town tomorrow, but for supplies, that it doesn't change a thing, the ranch is not for sale! I told him I had every intention of bringing up my boy on this ranch.

When I got to town the next day the Czar was watching for me. He told Marshal Torrance to tell me he wanted to see me. He again told me he wanted the McCain Ranch and if he didn't get his way, I could encounter some losses with my livestock, my crop, even my home being burned down. When that didn't faze me, he threaten Mark's life. He mentioned that harm could come to my son. That I would not know when it would happen. He told me again that he wanted my ranch and to have the paper ready tomorrow because he was coming back to the ranch to buy it.

Before I left town, Micah told me this Czar was run out of New Orleans by the Texas Rangers.  Micah  & I had set up a plan, since I told the Czar to be at my ranch by ten, then Micah and the posses should be there by 10:15. They would be there to back me up. But they did not know that the 'New Orleans Menace' would be their earlier then Lucas and Micah had anticipated.

As Mark was leaving for school, I saw the Czar and his henchmen approaching and I told Mark to go into town the back way and tell Micah to get out here right away and then go straight to school.

Czar approached me and told me how his man Xavier, thought that I was a 'muy mucho, much man' and that I would not be put down easy if at all. When I refused to go on with any deal, the Czar told his men to kill me. Only one of his men tried to shoot me and I killed him.  He got angry and told them to shoot me like the pig I am and he pulled out his own gun to kill me. That's when Xavier killed him.  "The 'big fat nothing lying in the dirt, Xavier said.

Xavier spoke to me with much pride and respect. He told me I was right about freedom ~ and that 'freedom is a precious thing.'
'arrivederci'

That night I could rest a lot easier, knowing that my son would be safe.

piddlin' stuff.....Akim Tamiroff played Tiffauges the 'New Orleans Menace.'  He was born in Tiflis, Georgia, Russian Empire. [now Tbilisi, Georgia]  He classically trained at the Moscow Art Theatre. Despite a thick Russian accent, played a wide variety of ethnic characters onscreen. In Hollywood from the early 1930s, he started with unbilled bits and worked his way up to major supporting roles  Tamiroff traveled throughout Europe during the 1950s and 1960s, appearing in movies made in several different countries and languages. His most memorable American film during those years was Orson Welles' "Touch of Evil."

Michael Pate appeared in 5 episodes - he first appeared in the 'New Orleans Menace,' he played Xavier, the man who thought Lucas to be 'a muchy man.'  His next episode was 'The Second Witness,' he played Brad Davis, he was the man dead set on killing Lucas for testify against his brother.  In 'The Visitor' he played Pete Morgan, he tried to kill Ann Dodd in this episode.  In 'The Mescalero Curse,' he played Mogollan, an Apache Indian who put 'The Mescalero Curse' on Lucas.  The last episode he played Sanchez, in 'The Executioner,' the Indian and one of the heavies that came to collect his share of stolen money from a friend of Lucas's that just got out of jail.

He also appeared with Chuck Connors in "Branded" in 'Call to Glory,' as Crazy Horse. [aka ~ Blade Rider, Revenge of the Indian Nations]
He was born in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.  When World War II broke, he served in the Australian Army in the SWPA unit. He was later seconded to the 1st Australian Army Amenities Entertainment Unit - The Islanders - in various combat areas. 
Michael Pate began his career in 1938 writing and broadcasting a program called 'Youth Speaks' for ABC Radio with George Ivan Smith. He also wrote for newspapers and magazines and began writing as a book and theatre critic.  He started acting in 1941.
He also was a TV Series writer for "Rawhide." 

Jerry Oddo as Sam Schuette.  He was on of  Tiffauges' men, the one who drew to shoot Lucas when ordered to do so.
He has appeared in shows such as "Bonanza"—"Disneyland"—"Follow The Sun"—"M Squad"—"One Step Beyond"—"Perry Mason"—"Sky King"—"SurfSide 6"—"The Californians"—"The Lawless Years"—"The Roaring 20's"—"The Untouchables"—"Zane Grey Theater"—"Zorro"  

Galvan DeLeon as the guitarist.  This episode & the movie "South Pacific," which he played a sub chief, but went uncredited, is all I could find on him. 

Harlan Warde as John Hamilton, the President of the North Fork Bank

Hope Summers as Hattie Denton

*If anybody has any information on any of the stars, and would like to share it, please get in touch with

Trivia—'New Orleans Menace'

The Rifleman Trivia Index

The Apprentice Sheriff

The Sister

Site Map
around the McCain Ranch
updated 4/1/08