'The Gaucho'
Episode 14
There was a buzz in the bank as we entered. Rumson was selling his ranch but no one knew to whom. Curge Palmer is angry because he made a good offer on the ranch and was outbid by $1,000. In walks a strange looking man to put his money down for the "rancho" he had just purchased. Rumson had sold out to a "pepper gut."
Later, back at the ranch Mark is at the table finishing his homework and I'm on the porch cleaning the rifle. There is an unusual silence between us and Mark knows I'm disappointed with him. "What's a gooch?" I ask him. He sure thought it was funny in town today. I correct him and explain that the right word is "Gaucho," an Argentinean cowboy. "What's a pepper gut?" I want to know. A blank look comes over his face. "Are you angry at me Pa?" "Not angry," I reply. Mark apologizes but I'm not sure he knows what he' sorry for. I rode over to meet our new Argentinean neighbors. I ask a favor that Mark be allowed to ride with the ranchers' son , Manolo. I want him to learn to respect differences in people and know there is good in all people. Manolo refuses to ride with Mark but the father insists that this meeting will occur. I ride off with satisfaction knowing that Mark will spend time with this young gaucho. Mark doesn't like the idea any either, he's too worried about going fishing with Freddie, but Pa's orders will be followed.
Mark and Manolo meet the next day for a ride. The gaucho is anxious to show Mark his prowess and skill with a different set of ranching tools. He quickly pulls out the bolos to show Mark how an Argentinean cowboy ropes a calf. Mark is impressed and the two become quick friends. Later in the evening a town fellow, Ned Dunnell, escorts Nita, home. Manolo meets Ned at the porch and threatens that this courtship will end now or his knife will do the talking. Ned is not afraid and refuses to stop seeing her. He leaves with the determination that he will return, but the next day, Ned is found dead. An accuser is already with Marshal Torrance giving Manolo's name as the murderer. Curge Palmer had seen Manolo in town earlier demonstrating the power of the large bolos and knew this was the only thing that could bash a man's head in the way Dunnell's head had been bashed in.
A mob is gathered and determined to go after the young gaucho and I knew Mark was out on the range with Manolo. I didn't want my son in the middle of any gunplay so I ask Micah to let me ride ahead and try to convince Manolo to come in on his own. The gaucho laughed as he told me he was guilty and that he will never surrender. In the struggle, the boy is accidentally stabbed with his own knife in front of Mark's eyes. Hurt, Mark rides away as Manolo's father and sister arrive. I stop the father before he can see his dead son. The father knew this violent end would come to his son some day but now that it's happened he can't believe it. I hurried home to comfort Mark.
At home, I found Mark quite upset inside the barn. "You said he was good! You said people who were different were good!" he cried. "I did son. I didn't explain it right. They are people like anyone else, no better, good and bad." It was hard to explain to a 10-year-old boy the grown-up idea that there is good and bad in all people. All I can do is love him and hope that some day he will understand.
piddlin' stuff.....Perry Lopez played Manolo Argentez. He's 'The Gaucho' that Mark thought was different. He played in many of things, "Rare Breed," "Death Wish 4," "Battle Cry," "McClintock," "Hec Ramsey" & "Creature of the Black Lagoon," just to name some.
Lawrence Dobkin appeared in four episodes of "The Rifleman" ~ 'The Sheridan Story' as General Phil Sheridan. 'Knight Errant' as Don Chimera del Laredo ~ he was the guy with the sword. 'The Gaucho' as Juan Argentez, the Gaucho's father. 'The Day the Town Slept' as Ben Judson. He was the man who beat Micah in the election for Marshal of North Fork.
He directed 'The Tinhorn' ~ 'Jealous Man' ~ 'Day of Reckoning' & 'The Executioner'. Writer of the episode 'The Actress.' He also directed some episodes of "Branded." Besides doing this, he appeared in many other shows and films. Again another "The Untouchables" guest star.Chana Eden was Nita Argentez. She was the sister of 'The Gaucho.' She was in the TV movie "Remembrance of Love." I read the reviews on this. Sounds really good! If anyone has seen this, I'd be interested in their review!
Dennis Cross appeared in several episodes of "The Rifleman". 'The Safe Guard' as Witcherly - 'The Gaucho' as Ned Dunnell, he was killed by Manolo for liking his sister. - 'The Pasty' as Lafe Oberly, a member of Doke's gang - 'The Hero' as Dorn, the gunslinger in charge - 'The Vision' as Fance Degnan. He was the cowboy by the wagon that laughed when Mark told Hazel he thought she was pretty and as Martin in 'The Quiet Fear.' He was the cowboy he laughed - thought it funny a woman who couldn't talk.
He also appeared with Chuck and Johnny in "Branded" ~ 'Coward Step Aside'.Bobby Crawford Jr. was in this 'Eight Hours To die,' 'The Gaucho' and 'The Second Witness,' he played Freddy Toomey. He's the boy that told Mark his Pa wouldn't make it to testify against Slade Burrows.
He also appeared in his own series, "Laramie," as Andy Sherman.
He and Johnny appeared together in the movie "Indian Paint."
We all know who's brother he is, don't we? Do you know who is the older of the two?
Be sure & check out The Robert (Bobby) Crawford Jr. website.
Be sure & stop by and say "hay" to Ginia.
Stuart Randall appeared in two episodes of "The Rifleman." "The Gaucho" and "The Grasshopper". In "The Gaucho" he played Kurge Palmer and in the "The Grasshopper" he played Marshal Dixon. This man has done many great shows. He was a regular on TV series "Laramie" and "Cimarron City". In both of these he played the part of sheriff's. Looking over his credits he has played many roles as a marshal or a sheriff. He even played Sheriff Coffee in one of the episodes of "Bonanza".Morris Lippert as Danny. He is the one boys with Mark that was making fun of 'The Gaucho.'
Morris just turned 62….and lives in Phoenix Arizona. He is married and no children. He has been in the floor covering business for the last 35 years and still has family in California where he grew up.
When he was young he wanted a job, so instead of a paper route he rode his sister’s bike to the studio, got an agent…and the rest is history! He was in the Donna Reed Show, and a couple other shows, and did a movie with Danny Kaye and a pilot for television with Sherry Lewis….never got picked up….so ended his career at probably 12. He had red hair and freckles….and is still adorable! posted 4/8/07
Thanks Debra, Morris' wife for this info on her hubby.'The Gaucho'—near the end where Lucas & Manolo are fighting - When Lucas flips Manolo there is no knife in hand & then you see the knife in Manolo's gut.
*If anybody has any information on any of the stars, and would like to share it, please get in touch with
Trivia—'The Gaucho'
Site Map
around the McCain Ranch
updated 4/4/08