The Rifleman
"Welcome to the McCain Ranch"
Chit Chat on bloopers and things worth mentioning!
*The links on this page do not take you to the episode, it takes you to the bloopers or things of interest
 If it is not in blue then it is not a link, they are just statements

A big thanks to all the 's & 's who have contributed to this page & The McCain Ranch

'The Sharpshooter' episode #1 — Take a close look at the cowboy hat Lucas is wearing.  The picture on the right is from the beginning of the episode, when Lucas & Mark stop to checkout the land.  The picture on the right is near the end when Lucas confronts Big Jim & his gang.  Cowgirl! (A) Johnny Crawford tried to do a bit of a southern accent - I am glad he dropped it - it sucked. (B) They never mentioned that "North Fork" was in NM, and the name of the hotel (The California House) suggests that the original idea was to have it in California. (C) Lucas makes his very first "Raise the boy right Micah" speech to Vernon.  Thanks Renewed Fan! When Mark was having lunch with Vernon, he told Vernon that he can shoot his "Dad's" rifle.  Does this count as a blooper? Cowgirl! When Lucas & Mark came to North Fork.....what horse was Lucas riding? Cowgirl! The house used in 'The Sharpshooter' does not look exactly like the one burned down in 'Home Ranch'. Admittedly, they look alike. Can anyone compare?  Thanks Renewed Fan! 'The Sharpshooter' versus 'Home Ranch' Cowgirl! Just how far is it to North Fork? When Lucas and Mark rode into town, Lucas rode a blaze-faced Sorrel. In the next episode, Home Ranch, he had Razor.  Did he swap? Did he buy, even though he was strapped for cash???  BTW, did you notice the same blaze-faced sorrel was ridden by one of the gang in 'End of a Young Gun'?  I have a blaze-faced Sorrel myself. He's my big boy  :) It is interesting to note that one horse is usually ridden by the character actor in the shows.  He is often seen tied in the street also.  It looks like a blazed sorrel and has white stockings.  He has been in almost every episode.  He must have been a wonderful horse because: He stands nicely when they mount, and he stands quietly when they need him to, besides that he was a nice looking horse. There were a lot of changes between the pilot 'The Sharpshooter' and 'The Home Ranch'. Mark aged about 6 months and this was obvious. Another thing I never quite understood was that in an era when beer sold at the local saloon for 5 cents, Lucas in the pilot refers to that little prize money ($500) helping make their first payment on the Dunlap Ranch. $500 in those days would have bought most of the ranch, I would think.  Thanks Sweeney! Hi Cowgirl - Greetings from rainy Seattle, Washington Some interesting notes from 'The Sharpshooter' — Early in the first episode there is a shot looking into the distance from in front of The Dunlap ranch house with very obvious utility lines (see screen shot). Could be telegraph in 1880, but maybe 1958 power lines? Also, the mama cow that Mark herds out of the scene has a chain and number ~ I can't find documentation that cattle chain tags date back to 1880 as an alternative to branding. Thanks JB from Seattle, Washington! 'The Sharpshooter' — Actually, there was not only a "Pa" moment in 'The Sharpshooter', but there was also a "Dad" moment - - Vernon also refers to Lucas as "Your Dad" and maybe because this was a pilot, they hadn't decided what Mark would call Lucas.  It happened while Mark was talking to Vernon in the restaurant.  Thanks Renewed Fan! What other episode to you hear Mark call Lucas "Dad?"

'Home Ranch' episode #2 — who is this guy that Jackford is hitting in the tummy?  It's suppose to be Lucas McCain.  "Who's the guy tripping Jackford?"  Cowgirl 'The Sharpshooter' versus 'Home Ranch'  Cowgirl!

'End of A Young Gun' episode #3 — When Mark is hanging off the cliff, he doesn't have a hat on. When he gets to the top, to stand next to the outlaw, he's wearing his hat. Where did he pick it up? On the way up the side of the cliff? Blooper? Also, got a kick how little Mark ran up to Lucas and took his hand while he was explaining things when they showed up at the house. Precious!  Thanks Mary! In a scene where Lucas is talking with Michael Landon, he gave him a new crutch, then he has the old crutch in the next scene, then the new one again! Also, when Lucas was fixing the wagon, he spins the wheel one way, and after some talking, spins it the other!  Thanks Lone Star Mama's family Check out the back of Lucas' jeans—now mind, keep your mind out of the gutter!  ; )  Look at the W stitches on the back pocket, plus the Wrangler patch is missing—Wranglers jeans were first made by Blue Bell, who acquired the brand when they took over Casey Jones in the mid 1940's. Cowgirl In 'End of a Young Gun' Michael Landon's character was named Will and in 'The Mind Reader' his name was Billy, they were two totally different characters.  Thanks Michelle Palmer! At the end, Michael Landon's character, Will is saying goodbye to Lucas and Mark and then he turns his attention to Ann.  Mark is looking up at Ann, then Lucas quickly turns Mark's head away.  It was so typical "fatherly" that I wonder, was it planned our did Chuck just do it as an adlib?  It almost looked like Mark didn't expect it.  Thanks Bluewindfarm! After Will throws the rope down, if you watch Mark, it looks like he's standing perfectly fine.  He's not holding on very tight...You can tell he's standing on a platform or something.  Thanks Michelle!

'The Marshal' episode #4 — What about about Sheriff Fred Thomlinson?   Cowgirl!  The marshal tells the outlaws that Micah is working on the McCain place - 15 miles west of town. But, in the Sharpshooter, the Dunlap Ranch was 4 miles from town, and in some episode it was described as being south of town.  But the sign in 'The Sharpshooter' says: 4 miles South. Just how far was it to The McCain Ranch? Thanks Renewed Fan! When we meet Micah, his "bad" arm is nearly useless. It gets better in the other episodes.  Thanks Rob! No rug - Mark is getting ready to scrub the floor in the living area with a mop.  BUT when we watch 'The Schoolmaster' — Mark is sweeping a rug.

'The Brother-in law' episode # 5 — Another I guess blooper...Lucas gave Johnny a black eye within days of the big bronco ride. When they show him before the ride the black eye is gone. Them Cowboys sure heal fast.  Thanks Mark! I heard Mark refer to his deceased mother as "Mom."  It happened early in the episode, while Mark and Johnny were talking near the corral. In 1880's, "mom" would not have been a common term to refer to a mother. "Ma" would have been much more common.  Thanks Renewed Fan!  By the way, the first appearance of the stone wall, which is seen in a number of first season episodes, then never again, is in this episode.   I do not think it was used as a filming location anytime after the first season, for whatever reason. Thanks Renewed Fan!  Lucas is breaking in the new horse and during the ride his hat falls off and pops right back on during the breaking in.  Thanks Mee!  Maybe I'm wrong. but the corral they were breaking the horse in isn't seen again, at least not to my knowledge.  There is a refection of the sun shining off of a window of a moving car.  While watching this episode you can see the car moving from the top to bottom.  Thanks Pete & Rob! Lucas mounts Razor without using the stirrups. Did anyone notice there was a blooper in the breaking of "Duster"?  Duster was a sorrel to start out with when Chuck was riding then was a dark black horse when Johnny Gibbs finished riding him. It also looked like the same black horse that was Lucifer in the last part of the episode. Leave to me to catch the horse bloopers! Well a nice acting job that Chuck did and I loved his eyes when he was confronting Johnny Gibbs. Wow he was great. Did ya'll notice he jumped on Razor without using the stirrups again when he was done talking to Micah?

'Eight Hours to Die' episode #6 — In the scene where Mark and the Judge are riding together, and the Judge's horse stumbles - there is nothing but trees in the background. Mark dismounts, goes to the fallen judge, they talk for a moment - - then you get a background shot showing the slope with the first season's stone wall in the background.  Thanks Renewed Fan! Did you notice that in the general store scene Mark is wearing his own Lucas-style shirt, the kind with frogs instead of buttons?  Mark looks like a little version of his 'Pa.'  Mark wears a bow tie along with it, which I don't think Lucas ever does.  I wonder who thought up that shirt for Lucas--I've never seen frogs on men's shirts, except on Chinese shirts. Thanks Pete Villafea! I have found the blooper that, in my opinion, takes the cake!! 'Eight Hours to Die' episode #6—When the judge gets his letter, he looks at the newspaper clipping "Hangman Shot at the Foot of the Scaffold". If you freeze frame it on DVR, you can read the actual article - it appears to be about a City Planning Board approving some sort of plat for a subdivision called Rincon(?) Terrace. There was some controversy about an 8,000 square feet item (not clear from the legible portion what this item was) which was smaller than the city had previously approved.  It looks like they took a 1958 newspaper clipping, added a bogus headline, and used it. The later newspaper clipping, which Micah gives to Lucas, is blurry. It seems to say something about a "report is being prepared(?)" in one sentence.  Thanks Renewed Fan! Sometime after the judge gags Lucas, the gag looks the same way the judge put it on Lucas, with the pointy part on his chin and covering his mouth and the other times it doesn't have the pointy part on his chin and it's in his mouth, not over it.  Thanks Holly! When Lucas is unloading the wood you can see the back of his shirt is sweaty.  When he checks to see who the is rider is, there's some sweat spots also on the front of his shirt. After Lucas finds out the rider's Micah, there's no more sweat spots on the front of his short and his back's no longer sweaty!  Thanks Holly! Lucas' shirt is pretty dirty and sweaty in the front when he first goes after the judge, who is propped up against a tree. However, when Mark calls to him, the front of the shirt is fabulously free of dirt, etc. Makes me wonder if there were a few takes on that scene and perhaps CC met the ground a time or two. I know I would. That man sure can ride a horse. Also, when Mark first goes to get a wet a rag for the judge's brow, there is clearly a rag (red, I think) in his left pocket. Then suddenly, the rag is gone. Ah, the joys of slo-mo. Was it coincidental that the hot coals Lucas kicked over were placed in just the right spot so when he rolled the wagon wheel, the coal exactly met the rope binding his right hand? When he first kicked the hot coals over, it didn't seem like the hot coals would meet up with the rope tie.  Thanks Laurie! In what other episode did Lucas have to knock over a forge to use the hot coals to break free?  Cowgirl! Did anyone seem to notice how many times the gag (neckerchief) changed position and design? I love being able to go back and look again.  Thanks Donna! Lucas tells Micah that he and Mark lived in Claypool, Wyoming before coming to North Fork. In all other episodes, they came to North Fork from the Indian Territory. Thanks Renewed Fan! In 'The Wyoming Story', Micah tells Lucas that he would be a good one to go to Wyoming on an undercover job because he had never been there.  But in '8 Hours to Die,' they lived in Claypool, WY.  We know this from looking at the post office door when the judge goes and gets the letter.  Thanks Michelle Palmer

'Duel of Honor' episode #7 — The Count checks into Room 10 when all the stagecoach passengers are getting their rooms, but when Lucas opens the door on the way to the duel, it is Room 9! Groder calls Sweeney "Frank" in the bar scene.  That may be Sweeney's first name - but I never heard it before.  Cowgirl! In 'Seven' May, Mrs. Sweeney calls him "Bill".  How many actors played Nils or was it Niles or Nels?  There is actually another version--in the very first scene, stage driver Glenn Strange calls him Nile (three times). Later, Lucas calls him Niles. There's a strange thing about the scene where Lucas & Mark visit Niles as he fixes the stagecoach: when Lucas asks Niles, "How's that wheel comin', Niles?" --it is not Chuck Connors' voice.  Compare it with Lucas' next lines, and you can tell that the first line was dubbed in by someone else.   Do the subtitles say that the stagecoach driver's name is named Mr. Cole? When Mark tries to get his attention in the first scene, you can read Johnny Crawford's lips and he is saying Mr. Cope. It goes along with what the Count says in the duel scene--Cesare Danova pronounces it Mr. Colb. Thanks Pete Villafea! I always search the credits on IMDB and TV.com to see what they say.  And this is what I came up with, plus I try and listen to their names, especially if no credit given.  Cole, stagecoach driver IMDB—Stage Driver, Cole TV.com n the background you see the North Fork Land office. The bank came to North Fork in episode #8 'The Safe Guard.'  The picture to the right is from "The Money Gun" episode#33—showing the bank in the background.  North Fork must not have needed a Land Office anymore.  Cowgirl The bank came to North Fork in 'The Safe Guard.'  The picture to the right is from "The Money Gun".  It's showing the bank in the background.  North Fork must not have needed a Land Office anymore.  Cowgirl Did anyone else notice that in the bar scene with the count, Lucas introduces himself as Luke McCain? I don't think he ever introduced himself as anything but Lucas in any other show.  I wonder if they were still setting up the characters and tried different things.  Notice the picture on the right, the one with Lucas.  There's no roof on the Blacksmiths.  Cowgirl!

'The Safe Guard' episode # 8 — with Claude Akins as the Texas gunslinger. What makes it a wonderful story is, when was the rifleman supposed to take place?  My guess is around the 1880's.  Mark just sold his pig for a whopping $5. What does he want to do with the money? He wants to put it in the bank so he can earn 2 1/2% interest.  Here we are 127 years later and my savings account is making about 2 or 2 1/2%.  Now, that's progress brother. Thanks Bob Booth! this seems to be the episode with the most "H" names among the North Fork locals:-Hattie—Hanavan—Hamilton—Harriet the pig—(alas, Eddie Halstead was not around.) Indeed, the show seemed to have a thing about H's: even among the actors, there was Hope, Harlan, Higgins, and Harmon.  Thanks Pete Villafea! Look for the dancing bucket and a "very phony" looking horse hoof.  Thanks Chawin' Charlie! In this episode you find out that Mark's middle name is Warren. Watch the scene where Mark is trying to open a bank account. Mr. Hamilton says "Mark 'Warren' Mc - - you are Lucas McCain's son?"    Thanks Renewed Fan!

'The Sister' episode #9 — When Lucas fights with the Pete Snipe (Dan Blocker) character and gets knocked to the ground, you can tell the man who is supposed to be Lucas is NOT because he has dark hair and a widows peak.  Thanks Rob!

'New Orleans Menace' episode #10 — Watch about 5 minutes into the episode. The Czar is demonstrating how he whipped his men to make them drag his carriage when it was stuck. Mark is standing next to Lucas. Lucas grabs the whip - - suddenly and for one camera shot only Mark is standing 10 feet behind Lucas on the porch. In the next camera shot, Mark is again right next to Lucas. Obviously, they were doing some kind of a stunt with a whip, and made sure to move Johnny Crawford well back.  Thanks Renewed Fan! Not only did I notice the picture but the first time after Lucas checked on Mark, he leaned back against the wall with a frown. The second time, after hitting his head on the picture, he smiled.  In my imagination (which can really be different) it was kind of like the picture hanging there helped to make everything OK.

'The Apprentice Sheriff' episode #11 — look at Sandy Dixon's shirt.  Cowgirl Chawin' Charlie.....I remember this scraggly-lookin' cowboy vest that keeps reappearing from one episode to another.....especially if there is an episode that features a group of bad guys, or range hands who hang around the saloon a lot, drink, and scheme against Lucas, or Micah, or the Bank, or trying to take over the town, etc. This is just a sample of the different types of curtains that was in The North Fork Saloon. If you happen to find a different combination of curtains, I would be glad to add them to this page.  Cowgirl! Mark and Lucas live 3-5 miles out of town. On horse, that's about an hour's ride, according to 'Seven,' into town. Mark usually rides his horse to school, then rides it home again. In 'The Apprentice Sherriff,' Lucas takes Mark to school in the buckboard. He tells Mark that if he wants' to wait around, he'd come pick him up around 4. Does that mean that he would walk home the 3-5 miles when his father brings him in?  Thanks Michelle Palmer!

'The Angry Gun' episode #13 — This is not exactly a blooper, but it is more of a 'revealing mistake' made in 'The Angry Gun' (and in 'The Ordeal' and in several other episodes).  Lucas is always well-shaven. Consider 'The Angry Gun' - Lucas is on his on, with nothing but a canteen, in the desert for about 24 hours. He then gets a horse from one of the outlaws, and chases the survivor for another 24 hours or so. Still, he clearly does not need a shave at the end.  Thanks Renewed Fan! We have another person here to watch after Mark.  After the men rode away and things settled down Lucas put Mark on the stage and asked the Mason, the driver to take Mark to Mrs. Peterson's house, that she will look out after Mark until he comes to get him.  We never see Mr. Peterson again. Cowgirl! When Lucas was putting Mark on the stage it sounded like he said "Come on, Mike."  Of course, I could be wrong, but it sure sounded like that is what he said.  Thanks Gloria!

'The Gaucho' episode #14 ― 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. Cowgirl!

'The Pet' episode #15 ― Did you notice when Haskins got bit - they showed a hand with a dark long sleeve shirt.  Haskins was wearing a long sleeve white shirt with a coat?  The horse that bit Haskins was dark - Flecker's horse was light in color.  Cowgirl When Lucas fights with Haskins in the barn, there's a quick view of an obvious stunt double. Thanks Rob!

'The Sheridan Story' 1 & 2 episode #16― when Blandon soaks his shirt after Mark gives him the drink, it is nearly completely dry only seconds later as he turns to go into the house after Lucas invites him inside.  Thanks Rob!  Did anyone else catch when the reb was having his pain attack in the barn that his hand was moving around his waist under the shirt?  Yes I for one did !  Thanks Fred! Compare these two pictures, where is the bridge on the picture on the right and where on the bushes on the left picture?  Thanks Rob! When Lucas comes out of the house, I think the fireplace is in the wrong place  And there's a "shower bath" at one corner of the house, but I don't think it's ever seen again.  If you look at the picture on the right you can see the outside shower—but if you look at the picture on the left - where the right post is - there is nothing there except a bush. Thanks Rob! In the scene where one officer is in the shower, a few seconds later, Sheridan describes his associates by rank - they are all officers but he names one as a sergeant. However, ALL of the members of Sheridan's little traveling party wear officer's "shoulder straps". None of them wear sergeant's stripes.  Thanks Renewed Fan! Did you know that Lawrence Dobkin played General Phil Sheridan in both "The Rifleman" and "Cheyenne?" In "Cheyenne" he played General Phil Sheridan in 'Gold, Glory, and Custer.'  This time he is presiding officer at a court martial hearing involving Custer's Last Stand.  Thanks PJH! *(a) Sheridan was a very small man. His nickname was "Little Phil". The actor portraying him can almost look Chuck Connors. in the eyes, while the real Phil Sheridan was about 5-3. (b) The history was actually VERY good. Every battle named was real, and Sheridan was present at each of them. The quote by Sheridan to Grant ("A crow would have to carry rations") is accurate. (c) Sheridan was involved in the charge at Missionary Ridge. As implied in the dialog, his troops got away from him and launched an unauthorized, spontaneous charge (it wasn't just Sheridan's troops - several other outfits were involved too). Sheridan was leading infantry at the time and did not become a cavalry commander until later. (d) Most impressively, the 11th Tennessee was ACTUALLY one of the Confederate regiments on Missionary Ridge opposing Sheridan! Whether the scriptwriters did the research or simply lucked-out I do not know. (e) After the war, Sheridan remained with the army, and was famous (infamous) for his harsh reconstruction policies in Texas during the late 1860's, and for his remark "the only good Indian is a dead Indian". He became commander in chief of the US Army in the early 1880's (1884?) - about the time frame of the Rifleman.  Thanks Renewed Fan! Look at the reins in the tree. That was Mark ?? I would say, that is a little to high for that boy. He was not very tall in the first season ... Thanks Kira!

'The Retired Gun' episode #17 ―  when the newly married couple first arrive at Lucas' ranch, we see them drive past the rear door of the McCain house, as if the road from North Fork winds past the side of the house. Never seen before or after.  Thanks Rob! In 'The Vision' you can see Micah ride up to the ranch from the side where the rear door is.  Cowgirl!Chawin' Charlie.....I remember this scraggly-lookin' cowboy vest that keeps reappearing from one episode to another.....especially if there is an episode that features a group of bad guys, or range hands who hang around the saloon a lot, drink, and scheme against Lucas, or Micah, or the Bank, or trying to take over the town, etc.

'The Photographer' episode #18 — During the time that the lens cap is off the camera, Mark moves. Specifically, he changes his mouth, smiling more broadly part way through the exposure time - - the picture would have been blurred, at least for the area around Mark's mouth, without regard to all the movements by gunmen, etc. in the background.  Thanks Renewed Fan! I watched that episode last night, Mark does keep moving and the picture would have been blurred anyway.  Also the photographer was not  too steady himself.  Abel mentions that he had taken Lucas & Margaret's wedding picture.  Did we know there was one?  Lucas never showed this to Mark.  Boy would I had loved to have seen that picture!  Cowgirl! The MADERA HOUSE sign over the hotel does not have any of the little doo-dads that Lucas shoots off in various other episodes. Those little targets were obviously added later in the series to provide fodder for Lucas' rifle.  Thanks Rob!    Notice the US on the wagon,  what would Able Goss be doing with a Calvary wagon? Cowgirl! Has anyone ever noticed when Lucas says "Mark and I have some buying to do.  Alright if we come back later?" Lucas tells Mark to come on, so Mark starts walking, but Lucas suddenly grabs him by the neck and pulls him back beside him...I wonder why?  Was this Lucas pulling Mark next to him in a fatherly gesture, or was it Chuck pulling Johnny back into the scene?  See what you think, here is the video Photographer.  Thanks Michelle Palmer!

'Shivaree' episode #19 — Look at the difference in how tall Lucas is in the picture on the left versus the picture on the right.  If you watch this episode, and watch Lucas in this scene, you can see him step up.   Cowgirl! In the saloon stand-off, Lucas is talking to the boy through the bat-wing doors. Next view of Lucas he's behind the door and it isn't open. Then, as he begins to enter the saloon, it's open again. Thanks Rob! This is just a sample of the different types of curtains that was in The North Fork Saloon. If you happen to find a different combination of curtains, I would be glad to add them to this page.  Cowgirl! I was thinking on this this morning.  In this episode, Mark tells Lucas he wouldn't mind bunking up with him for awhile - he wouldn't even mind if he snored.  This is such a cute line - and I must say that it's worth the smile Lucas awards us with....  BUT... Since Mark and Lucas share a bedroom, he already listens to him snore every night and they do "bunk up" together... Thanks Michelle!

'The Indian' episode #21 and 'Conflict' episode #155 — Margie, Remember that 'mullein bush' with five pods' that I pointed out to you in.  Not only does it make a return appearance in 'Conflict' but they actually re-use that very same shot. Thanks Pete Villafea!  Major blooper in my opinion...I guess they can get away with it when they use stock footage from the back of Lucas riding along or something, but if you watch when Lucas rides down to where Buckhart is talking to the chief, it shows Lucas from the front and he has on a vest!!!!!  It shows a close up picture of it (I'm thinking it was from "The Gaucho")  This is pretty major in my book - what was their reason???  It immediately showed him from the back after that with his regular shirt on...  Thanks Michelle Palmer! We see a much younger Mark and Lucas are shown riding away from the ranch and in different clothes.  I wrote a blooper comment recently about an episode-do you have the ability to compare these shots? I think the shot in the season 5 episode came from  'The Guest' episode #165   Thanks Renewed Fan! Instead of two different pictures we ended up with three different pictures from different episodes just for this scene alone.  Thanks Michelle & Renewed Fan!

In 'The Boarding House' episode #22 — Julia/Big Anna is wearing a somewhat see-through blouse. There is a shot of her back, and she's wearing a bra, and from what I could see it looks like what modern day women wear. Were "bras" around then or is this a blooper? Thanks Donna a.k.a. Picklemum Did anyone notice who's walking down the street with John Hamilton in the opening scene?  It's his sister from back East - Agnes.  Gee, I never thought we'd see her in North Fork again!  Not after the reception she got in 'The Boarding House.'  Thanks Michelle! 'The Boarding House' episode #22 & 'The Money Gun' episode #33.  I think they used file footage from  'The Boarding House' and added it to 'The Money Gun.'  Although I could not capture the exact frame, I'm sure these both came from 'The Boarding House.'  Cowgirl!

'The Second Witness' episode #23 — Doc Burrage....."What happens to Mark?"  Lucas to Hattie....."Take care of Mark for me?"  Hattie to Lucas....."I'd give anything to have that boy of yours for good, but....."

'The Trade' episode #23 — Don't cha' just love the way Mark climbs onto Blueboy in his younger years?  Cowgirl Mark mounted his horse from the right side.

'One Went to Denver' episode #25 — we can see the front of the McCain barn ... from THE BEDROOM of their house.  Thanks Rob!  Rumor has it that the rifle Lucas threw at Tom Birch was a rubber rifle. Cowgirl   This is a great episode, but with a few amusing plot holes. The bank guard shoots the two robbers in the bank. Emerging from the bank, the guard sees robber #3 mounting his horse outside the hotel and riding off. The guard shoots robber #3. What is the problem with this? Well, Robber #3 had nothing to do with the robbery (at least as far as the guard knows!). He was in the hotel when the robbery went down, and never showed any outward sign of involvement with the robbers. The psychic bank guard, however, perceived his involvement and shot him. Problem #2 - Tom Birch's arrest. Let's imagine, for the moment, the trial of Tom Birch for bank robbery. It would go something like this: LAWYER: Mr. McCain, where were you during the bank robbery? LUCAS: In the saloon. LAWYER: And where was my client, Mr. Birch? LUCAS: Also in the saloon. LAWYER: Did he ever cross the street to assist in the robbery? LUCAS: No. LAWYER: Did he draw his gun? LUCAS: No. LAWYER: He was just having a drink with you in the saloon, wasn't he? Well, you can imagine from that exchange where I am heading - - Birch would have likely been acquitted of bank robbery - at least of the North Fork Bank job.  Thanks Renewed Fan! Chawin' Charlie.....I remember this scraggly-lookin' cowboy vest that keeps reappearing from one episode to another.....especially if there is an episode that features a group of bad guys, or range hands who hang around the saloon a lot, drink, and scheme against Lucas, or Micah, or the Bank, or trying to take over the town, etc.

'The Deadly Wait' episode #26 — Dan Maury is in front of this building called "North Fork Eagle?"  Cowgirl Dan Maury drinks all day & isn't drunk, apparently he doesn't need any sleep either. Thanks Rob !   Lucas had just been shot & Mark is hurrying to take him to town.  Notice the rein slips from his hand & he jus picks it up as if nothing happened and hurries off!  Atta boy Mark!  Cowgirl This is just a sample of the different types of curtains that was in The North Fork Saloon. If you happen to find a different combination of curtains, I would be glad to add them to this page.  Cowgirl!

'The Wrong Man' episode # 27 — Lucas is at a carnival, throws some balls at I guess bottles, tho it never shows the other end of the booth. If you look closely at the balls, one can see that they are modern baseballs with the seam threads painted white. baseball was invented in 1845 and popular towards the end of the 1800's but the modern style ball came later.  Thanks Wyatt! Lucas gets into a fight with carnies, it ain't Lucas. Thanks Rob!

'The Challenge' episode #28 — Listen to this song closely—It's part of the Jake Pardee Ballad—do you know what saloon is being sung about here? ♫    Thanks Glenn Gilbert! Lucas: "I told Mark that I didn't want him to watch this fight and that if anything happened he could always trust John Hamilton, he's a good friend."  OOOPS! Do we have another caretaker for Mark if something would happen to Lucas?  Listen to this song closely—It's part of the Jake Pardee Ballad—do you know what saloon is being sung about here? ♫    Thanks Glenn Gilbert! In the beginning, the hitching post has an obvious pile of dirt scooped up against it as if the dirt was holding the base of the post, or is hiding it for some reason. When the reins are tied to the post, it wobbles. Thanks Rob! When Lucas speaks through the broken window to the younger outlaw, there is a sign on Hattie's wall that is worth mentioning. It can be seen just for an instant. It says something like "Marshal's Sale of Abandoned Property" "Guns - Boots - Saddles"—"May 24" Ok, I can understand the guns being abandoned. I can understand saddles being abandoned. But boots?? Is Micah burying the folks Lucas shoots without their boots on? Come to think of it, Lucas' actions might be pretty profitable for Micah. Chawin' Charlie.....I remember this scraggly-lookin' cowboy vest that keeps reappearing from one episode to another.....especially if there is an episode that features a group of bad guys, or range hands who hang around the saloon a lot, drink, and scheme against Lucas, or Micah, or the Bank, or trying to take over the town, etc. Ever notice how the guns in Hattie's stores are automatically loaded?  They can just grab them and fire.... Thanks Michelle!

'The Hawk' episode #29 — In McCain's house the character "Flack" gets in a fight, but it ain't him. Thanks Rob! When Mark and Lucas were going into town they got on their horses. The door of the barn was totally different from the door on the barn as they were riding away....you could tell one was outside and the other wasn't. Then after they rode away the door was open and wasn't two seconds earlier.  Thanks Kaye! When Mark puts the hawk in the bag and straps it onto his horse, he straps the hawk on the right side of the horse. When he and Walt Hake/Reed Young are ready to leave to go to the McCain Ranch, the bag with the hawk in is on the left side of the horse.  Thanks Pete!  When Lucas and Mark are letting the Hawk go you can hear the sound of an airplane flying overhead and also if you look close enough you can see the line (wire) the Hawk is connected to just before Lucas is going to let the Hawk go. What do you think?  Thanks Susan! 'The Hawk' & 'The Jailbird' check out the difference in the Hardware Stores & the Hardware signs  Cowgirl Don't cha' just love the way Mark climbs onto Blueboy in his younger years?  Cowgirl Mark mounted his horse from the right side.

'The Three-Legged Terror' episode #30 — Lucas thanks Fremont, Johnny's uncle for being very cooper-A-tive  (Long A). I remember that CooperAtive word because it sounded so weird, but then Fremont, Johnny's uncle, repeated the word with the same pronunciation. I could never figure that out. I mean someone on the set must have have known that was the wrong pronunciation?????  Thanks Sweeney. !

'The Angry Man' episode #31—There was an outside shot of the McCain home showing smoke coming out of the chimney. The next scene is Lucas talking with Dr. Burrage and there is no fire burning in the fireplace. I know this is stock footage as it's happened in several other episodes. It's fun spotting these things.  Thanks Ruth! In the first scene, where Mark and Lucas are hunting and meet their new neighbors, Abel McDonald says something like "I am homesteading this government land. I have to build a house." A few scenes later, Abel McDonald and son are shown living in a house, with a barn and other structures, already on the property. So, where did they get them so quickly? Thanks Renewed Fan! I noticed the same thing. Abel meets Lucas and Mark and says 'this isn't government land anymore', having just gotten the homesteading papers. I doubt such land came with a house on it. They sure put it up quickly, no doubt.  Thanks rooster davis! We have our first sighting of "Spike" aka Old Spike.  Cowgirl!

'The Woman' episode #32—Check out the action with the hat.  Cowgirl I never noticed the McCain's having dutch doors before. Was that just in this one episode (i.e. another continuity issue) or have I just failed to notice them previously?  Thanks Renewed Fan! Take notice to the rifle above the fireplace.....the picture on the right the rifle is facing right.  The picture to the left the rifle is facing left.

'The Money Gun' episode# 33—The wind is a blowin' in the trees, 'cept those that are painted on the backdrop in the fight scene.  Thanks Rob ! 'The Money Gun' — Is Asa saying Mr. Hamilton or Mr. Henson.  Maybe it's just the cigar in his mouth? "What say U?"  Did you notice the Scottish accent John Hamilton had in the beginning episodes, later his accent is gone?  Cowgirl Did you notice that we see parts (or camera angles) of North Fork in this episode that are seldom, if ever, repeated? As they leave town for the duel, you see a side street which is viewed at an angle. You see the same location again near the end of the episode, as they return to town after the duel.  Thanks Renewed Fan!  Notice the bars on The Marshal's office windows & door / 'Man from Salinas' episode #130—No bars  Cowgirl In the picture to the left—'Duel of Honor' — In the background you see the North Fork Land office. The bank came to North Fork in  'The Safe Guard.' The picture to the right is from "The Money Gun" — showing the bank in the background.  North Fork must not have needed a Land Office anymore.  Cowgirl Did anyone notice who's walking down the street with John Hamilton in the opening scene?  It's his sister from back East - Agnes.  Gee, I never thought we'd see her in North Fork again!  Not after the reception she got in 'The Boarding House.'  Thanks Michelle! 'The Boarding House' episode #22 & 'The Money Gun' episode #33.  I think they used file footage from  'The Boarding House' and added it to 'The Money Gun.'  Although I could not capture the exact frame, I'm sure these both came from 'The Boarding House.'  Cowgirl!

'A Matter of Faith' episode #34 — When Hode shoots at Jonas, Mark, and Lucas, everyone dives for cover. Lucas returns fire and Mark scrambles to get inside the house. Mark ends up scooting backward right between Lucas' legs. Cowgirl

'Blood Brothers' episode #35 — Lucas and Mark take the dying Stoddard to the doc's office.  Mark comes in and wants to stay. Lucas hesitates, then says something like, "well, dying is a natural part of life so you can stay".  Problem: there have been about 57 killings so far in the series (plus some natural causes deaths, like the death of the judge in 'Eight Hours To Die'). Mark has witnessed probably half of these killings. So, why is Lucas hesitant to let Mark stay? It is not like it is the first time Mark has seen someone die. It probably is not even the 30th time Mark has seen someone die. This seems to be a bit of a scriptwriter's idea - it sounded nice to have Lucas say it, but the reality is that the whole exchange is not rational. Thanks Renewed Fan! (1) Micah says that "thirty years ago" in Montana, he got married and had a farm - - thirty years before was the early 1850's, when Montana was not inhabited by anyone but Indians and a few trappers/fur traders in the 1850's. Bannock, which is a town referenced by Micah, was founded in the 1860's. (2) Micah's story reminds me a WHOLE lot of the account Lucas tells in "Old Man Running" about the death of Margaret. (3)I do not know that vigilantes were ever, strictly speaking, "legal" in the West, and Lucas' favorable attitude toward them seems a bit out of character. (4) When Stoddard is being treated by Doc Burrage, Mark comes in and asks to be allowed to stay. Lucas says something like "being born and dying are natural" and decides to let Mark stay. . . question: how many folks has Mark seen Lucas kill already? 30, maybe? So, he should be pretty used to it. What is the big deal about him being in the room?  Thanks Renewed Fan!

'Stranger at Night' episode #36 — When Mark was in the wagon playing with the sword, you could see his shadow on the hills outside. I tried to capture Mark's shadow.  You can see Mark's shadow but it was hard to capture.  When Mark ran from Quarles in the house, there was a lock on the backdoor. Never noticed a lock before.  Why lock the back if you are not going to lock the front door?!! Also what was the purpose of Quarles grabbing Mark like that when he ran in the barn yelling for Lucas? He was really rough on his poor little arm!! Very Obvious painted background scenery at the McCain Ranch. Thanks Rob! When Artemus is crashing through the front door at the end, the curtains blow through the window - no glass pane. This is just a sample of the different types of curtains that was in The North Fork Saloon. If you happen to find a different combination of curtains, I would be glad to add them to this page.  Cowgirl!

'The Raid' episode #37 — While Lucas & Chaqua are fighting you can hear Buckhart tell Mark to get a knife to cut him loose.  The picture on the left is after Mark got the knife.  If you watch closely, they seem to be waiting for their cue to pull Lucas off of Chaqua.  They watch for several seconds and when Lucas starts to say..... "You took my boy....." in the background they both get up to pull Lucas off of Chaqua.  Cowgirl What kind of Apaches were these? (a) Lucas is left alive. (b) Lucas kept his scalp. (c) Lucas' rifle was lying right there, not five feet away, and they left it. (d) The ranch was not burned. (e) The livestock (especially the horses) were not taken. (f) I know the Apaches had the habit of taking teenage girls, but I am not sure that they had much of a history of taking teenage boys. Thanks Renewed Fan! Mark is helping his Pa chop wood. He stops and stares out at the land. If you look quick enough, behind the trees in that scene on the left hand side, you will see someone on horseback hiding behind the trees. I believe this happens right before Mark starts talking about how it seems like they are the only two people there.  I replayed it a few times because I thought I was seeing things. When the raid starts they are coming from toward the house, not from behind the barn until Chaqua comes and hits Lucas on the head.  'The Raid' — Mark is kidnapped by Indians.  After knocking Lucas out, one of the Indians grabs Mark and tosses him face down, on a horse.  He is actually slung over the horse, face down in front of the rider.  As Mark is being tossed up, watch his hands and arms.  He actually reaches out to grab the saddle and help position himself in front of the rider.  It this were a real event, I imagine Mark would be kicking, fighting, and trying to push away from the saddle. Personally, I don't blame him.  It would be pretty uncomfortable to be thrown up on a horse in that position.  Thanks PJH!

'Outlaw's Inheritance' episode #38 — When Mark delivers the envelope to Lucas with the $500, there is a chair on the front porch with its back to the wall. (You can see it on the edge of the frame, to the viewer's left, behind Lucas). A moment later, Lucas uses the chair for target practice. It is now out on the porch, facing to the side, and not against the wall. When the lawyer walks into the Madera House, he walks into the dining hall and addresses Micah as "Marshall". Problem: the lawyer is new in town (he just got off the stage and has no visible badge) so how does he know who Micah is? Micah's badge is NOT visible! Lucas remarks that "25 years ago," Jamison was an outlaw on the Oklahoma border.  The series is set circa 1884. Take away 25 years and you get 1859. Lucas should have still been living in Indiana.    Thanks Renewed Fan!

'Boomerang' episode #39 — I just got a glimpse of this, and it may either be a blooper or a mistake on my part! When they first show the grave (4-5 minutes into the episode) there is no tree or bush behind it. Near the very end, they show it again, and now there is a tree or bush behind it.  Thanks Renewed Fan!  The date on Sam Elder's marker for his grave was 1871 which is far too early (Mark would have been born pre-Civil War. In the 2nd season episode 'The Martinet'  the date on the grave was 1883 or 1884.  In the last scene of 'Boomerang', there is a blooper - Johnny Crawford almost falls down when the buckboard starts moving.  Thanks Renewed Fan!

'The Patsy' episode #41 —  When Mark was fighting - his shirt has a big rip on the shoulder. But Lucas was patching it on the elbow - and nothing to see at the shoulder...Thanks Kira! Personally.....I wouldn't have even fixed that shirt, but then Lucas wouldn't appreciate me saying that, with the price of shirts back then.  Cowgirl!

'Bloodlines' episode #42 — There is a scene where Lucas and Micah riding through a meadow while looking for the Malakie Clan.  They both had white shirts on throughout the show...except...  Thanks Pete! I don't know if you've noticed but this is a real sloppy bit in 'Bloodlines' episode #42—.Buddy Hackett (old man Malakie) is drinking whisky outside the old salt mine, and one second he has a shiny dark but clear-looking glass bottle. He raises it to his mouth to take a drink and it gets shot right in front of his face - but the bottle which gets shot is at least six inches shorter than the one he was holding seconds before, a different shape, and rather opaque instead of clear shiny glass. Also, why do the credits list Rhys Williams in the role of "Dac Burrage"? That's d-a-c. ??? Still a really good episode and Buddy Hackett did a good job playing a role out of his normal character. Thanks rooster davis! I think Johnny Crawford's scene.....when he thinks it is his Pa that has been killed is awesome. He did a great job on this one!  Did anyone else notice that when Lucas and Micah enter the bar and Micah shots off his shotgun, Lucas actually flinched? I thought they put the loud sounds in later so I was surprised to see this reaction. I don't remember seeing his flinching any other time and there were lots of gunfights!  (a) The ranch has moved again. Now it is north of town!  (b) Lucas fires ten shots outside the mine then reloads at the mine door with Micah (wow! they actually get the number of shots right!). Then, after entering the mine, he fires about 16 shots without reloading.  Thanks Renewed Fan!

In 'Blowout' episode #43—I saw something that was a little strange.  At the cafe there was a sign above the bar that said spaghetti and meatballs.  Now considering this did not appear to be an ethnic restaurant. I would think that in New Mexico in the 1880's spaghetti and meatballs would have been considered just a touch exotic don't you think?  Thanks Earl!  Also, tho not really a blooper, but worth mentioning, at the end, when Lucas & Mark are on their horse talking to Ben Waller, it's dark but if you watch closely, you can see the door to the Blacksmith's open & close. You cannot see who or what is going on because the characters are in the way. Anybody see these? Yes Renewed Fan, I did see this, but did anybody else?   Thanks Renewed  Fan! When Lucas first gets off the stage and is talking to Ben, you can see a bulge in his pocket that looks like a pack of cigarettes (left).  In the middle pictures you see no bulge/cigarettes.  The picture on the right, if you look at Lucas' pocket, just at the top, it looks like the is something in his pocket, but you can only see a little of it.  (You have to look real close) Did Chuck smoke cigarettes or did he strictly stick to cigars?  Chuck smoked both Michelle. Thanks Michelle!

'The Obituary' episode #44 — Panama Billings trying to run Lucas down.  Only thing, it's not Lucas!  Cowgirl If you noticed there was no hitching posts in front of The Marshal's office. Thanks Renewed  Fan! How many do-dads did Lucas shoot?  Tom & Cowgirl What other episode do we see someone shoot off the do-dads on the sign of the Madera House?  Cowgirl What does Mrs. Eleanor Claremont & Leona Pickford Bartell have in common?

'Tension' episode #45 — 'A Case of Identity' — In both of these episodes you see that Lucas records everything in his Bible. Take a look at the 2 Bibles.  Cowgirl!   The hutch does not have curtains.  In 'Hostages to Fortune' — Lucas looking for his bottle of whiskey.  Notice the curtains on the hutch. Mark gets the whiskey out of the kitchen cupboard—do they kept it in the hutch or the cupboard?.  You see this all throughout the different episodes.  Cowgirl When Ezra & Gavin Martin (father & son—bounty hunters) arrive at the McCain Ranch, the son, Gavin kicks Lucas; Lucas flinches BEFORE the kick is thrown.  Thanks Rob! When Clemmie unfolds the wanted poster, it's creased, but when the camera moves in on on the wanted poster it's perfect, no creases. Thanks Rob! When they first show Mark on the cattle drive, he is pulling a horse.  Why? So that means there are four horses all together... Lucas: 1 horse Mark:  2 horses Sid: 1 horse Then Clemmie - 1 horse When they leave, there's: Mark: 1 horse Lucas: 2 horses What happened to the other 2 horses?  And why did Mark have that other horse in the first place???  Thanks Michelle Palmer! The horse that Mark is leading in the beginning of the episode is the pack horse.  You can see the supplies, etc. on its back.   When they leave the camp Mark is on Blueboy, Lucas is on Razor and Sid's body is tied to a horse that is saddled---I think we should assume it is Sid's horse. So the pack horse and Clemmie's horse are both missing.  Even it they let Clemmie's horse go to find its own way home, what happen to the pack horse?  Thanks PJH! Sid Halpern stated that he had been an outlaw before he married his wife and had their son.  The deed he had done happened around the time Margaret died, which was about six years ago (seven according to Lucas) - which would have made Mark 13 instead of 11/12 in this episode if they were sticking to the six-year old thing - that blooper's already been established. However, Toby looks to be around seven years old or so...so, if this robbery had taken place seven years before, Toby and his mom would have had to have been around when the train was robbed, right?  so either Sid lied about meeting his wife after the robbery, or the writers didn't figure the math right...Of course, I'm sure back in the 50's, the viewers never gave it a second thought...Thanks Michelle!

'Eddie's Daughter' episode #46 & 'The Illustrator' episode #88 — The dress that Lil, Eddie's Daughter wore & the dress Hanna Shaw wore, look like the same dress to me. Cowgirl The hotel sure has change throughout the episodes. And where Eddie had billiard tables Lou had a bar & a dining area  Cowgirl!

'Panic' episode#47 — You have to watch the episode to get the full effect) It is a mere glimpse, but clearly there for a couple of seconds.  You can see a car like Chawin' Charlie says, you have to look close but there is a moving car. In the part where Mark is in the buckboard with Doc, Mark says to his Pa, "Ill see you tomorrow, Dad." Thanks, Chawin' Charlie!

'The Ordeal' episode #48 — "Raise the boy right Micah....."

'Spiked Rifle' episode #49 — There was a small blooper in this one. Near the beginning, when Lucas is talking to Hamilton in the bank, Hamilton says that the $20,000 is going to the Federal Reserve In Albuquerque - There was no Federal Reserve until the 1930's. Thanks Renewed Fan!

'The Letter of the Law' episode #50 — Mark asks what "letter of the law" means: "The letter of the law" is the strict word-for-word content & meaning of a law (or contract), no more & no less that what is specified in the text. To conform to the letter of the law is to follow the law exactly as it is written. Lucas "kills" Vic Morrow twice - the first time in The Angry Gun and the second time in 'The Letter of the Law!' Guess he really wanted him to stay dead!!  Cowgirl! Look at the difference in the Gunsmith's building & signs in 'The Letter of the Law' — 'Mail Order Groom' — 'Long Gun from Tucson'.  Cowgirl!

'The Legacy' #51 — While Lucas and Micah are waiting for the stage, you can see Micah toss something on the ground.  It looks like a tissue to me by the way it falls.  Anybody else see this?  Thanks Pete Villafea!

'The Baby Sitter' episode #52—Leona Pickford Bartell suggests that Lucas could keep Fancy out at his place to hide it from the father.  Lucas objects. "I don't know anything about babies!"  And what was Mark when he was born?  Later the baby is crying and Mark wants to give her a bottle. 'She's already had two' says Lucas. 'Well maybe she wants three,' says Mark. Doubtful, Lucas says, 'All right, but I'm afraid her deck's gonna be awash.' LOL. Guess that's what they call the poop deck.  Thanks rooster davis! (a) We have talked about the geographical location of North Fork, but we get some clues in this episode. Wood says he as followed his wife and give a bit of a travelogue - Santa Fe, Albuquerque, and Socorro. If you trace those locations out, Wood is heading into southwestern NM - so I submit that North Fork is somewhere in the SW portion of the state. (b) During the fight at the end, Mark's face is dirty in long shots (with soot from the smokehouse) but clean in close-ups-and there are different people standing behind him in long shots and in close shots. Thanks Renewed Fan! There seems to be some confusion as to the events surrounding Mark's birth.  In the episode 'Six Years and a Day', Lucas tells Mark he waited and waited for Mark to be born and Margaret almost died. In 'The Babysitter', Lucas tells Mark he comes back to the ranch house to find Mark has already been born.  Thanks Caryl T! Hear Mark Sing "Cowboy's Lullaby" What does Leona Pickford Bartell & Mrs. Eleanor Claremont have in common?  Thanks Michelle!

The picture on the left is from 'The Retired Gun' episode #17.  The picture on the right is from 'The Coward' episode #53.  But yet in 'The Martinet' episode #83 — In the part where Lucas  is confronted by Captain Perry and Lucas gets on his horse and tells Micah, "You better try and talk some sense into him Micah."  The sign on the building behind him reads "Feed and Grain - Wes Carney - Prop."  Cowgirl! Here you see inside of The North Fork Saloon in two different episodes.  Look at the steps in the picture on the far left, this is from 'The Coward.'  You see the stairs and a window to the left.  In the middle picture you see a different stairs & window which is from 'The Lonesome Bride.'  The picture on the right is from  'The Lonesome Bride.'  Here you a see a door, but in the episodes of 'The Coward' - no door!  Cowgirl!

'The Surveyors' episode #54—One blooper-ish comment on this one: Near the end of the episode, Lucas sees Len and Charley in the bank. He goes to the back door of the bank and tries to open it. The camera shows the door knob turning, then pans upward to show a deadbolt on the door. Lucas shoots the door open with his rifle. He aims low, at the knob, and then the door swings open - - but the deadbolt, which was located up high, should not have been damaged by Lucas' shots, and the door should still have been latched.  Thanks Renewed Fan! Did you see in this episode how little Mark could heave that saddle on his horse?  That's gotta be heavy.  Good job Mark!  Cowgirl!

What is a.....Woolly bugger? 'Mail Order Groom' episode #56 — had this adjective used at least twice: !! Lucas told John his suit was a woolly bugger and John used the phrase later in the show. I never heard that expression before. do you think it was made up or is it actually an old term? Any ideas? Wellllll.....I've heard it before being use to describe something that is ugly, big, outdated. Down here in the South, I've heard it used like that....which really does describe the suit he was wearing. Anyone else?—Kaye We call those wooly caterpillars "wooly boogers" here. I looked it up in this slang dictionary, and it had either bugger or booger, and it listed the worms and the fishing reference. It also said in Arkansas and Oklahoma, it meant a provision in a legislative act that would just be overlooked anyway. And last, in the Southwest it was a term for anything out of the ordinary or interesting. Here I thought he was talking about his itchy long handles.—Steph My own thought is "Wooly Bugger" is a another word for wooly worm which is a caterpillar. Here in Michigan Wooly Worms are said to predict the severity of the oncoming winter by the thickness of their "coat". They are usually a fuzzy black with a little brown in them. I offer below back-up to support my claim. Ol' Lucasboy The woolly worm is a very old fly that can be found in Izaak Walton's 1653 book 'The Complete Angler'. Russell's original Woolly Bugger had a black marabou tail, and a black hackled olive chenille body, (just like our Viva Woolly Bugger). He had designed it to fish the small mouth bass in the streams near his home.—Lucas Thanks everybody your your answers.  What are your thoughts on a "Wooly Bugger?"

'A Case of Identity' episode #57—Lucas gave Wingate his bible to prove to him that Mark is not his son. When Wingate slams the bible closed it is almost touching him. The next time that the bible is shown, it is at the far end of the table. Thanks Pete! In 'A Case of Identity' one of the detective's name is Lon Perry  He was shot and killed at the end of this episode. In 'The Martinet,' Lon Perry was the son of Captain Perry who was shot and killed by Lucas a year ago (July) when he was trying to extort money.  I didn't know there was a connection...Though, Lon Perry does seem a bit old to be the Captain's son... Thanks Michelle Palmer! Jack Wilder is the writer of both 'A Case of Identity' and 'The Martinet'. I like the idea of using the character twice---wonder if the writer realized how long it would take us to figure it out!! Thanks PJH!

'The Visitor' episode #58—Ok did anyone notice that he almost knocked her hat off with his? I noticed those little things of course when you keep running it back three or four times.  Did you notice that when Lucas and Mark were getting ready to meet the stage Mark says: "You said that we were going fishing" and was upset they were going into town. Then after he meets Ann Dodd, he suddenly has to go to school? Thought that was odd.  Thanks Christine! When they leave town of course we didn't see the horses BUT when they were heading home the buckboard had ONE HORSE pulling it. When he was talking to her he said he had to unhitch the TEAM. Well maybe he was so infatuated by her he forgot he had just one horse... Ha Ha. Thanks for the insight on this episode that shall now be my favorite. Did anyone else notice when Ann arrived on the stage, she told Lucas, "You're taller than I expected".  If she's known him for years, and was Margaret's close friend, his height shouldn't surprise her. Maybe she meant, "taller that I remembered". Also, Mark wants to stay up later, since there is "no school tomorrow", yet he tells Lucas as he runs up after missing the stage, that he 'got the teacher to let him out early'.  Bloopers? Or am I watching too closely??!!  Thanks Mary! Okay now let me see.....first Lucas & Mark got slicked up to meet the stage. Mark goes off to school after meeting the stage. After Ann cooked her goose.....and she & Mark were just finishing up the dishes is when Lucas told Mark he better get to bed. Mark said there was no school tomorrow. Lucas said they had a big day ahead of them. Ann chimed in with "for both of us." With that Mark said "Then you'll stay?" Ann said she wouldn't miss it for the world. So assuming Ann stayed a day like they had talked about and Mark missed saying goodbye to Ann, there could have been a day in between her leaving. BUT she was only staying one day extra, so did they have a 6 day school week or did Mark just have a day off of school during the week? I guess we'll never know!  So now is this a blooper or not?????  I think I figured this blooper out though.  In the visitor, they were going to have some sort of Founder's Day or something.  It's very likely that school was dismissed for the day to celebrate this event - that wouldn't have been uncommon back them.  When a community plans something, the whole community comes out...so school would have been canceled, hence the entire episode took place during the week!  Thanks Michelle Palmer! I know that we've talked about (or I've read about) the fact that Lucas only had one horse attached to the wagon when he went into town that morning, but when he and Ann locked eyes inside his house later that morning, he said, "I guess I should go unhitch the team." Excuse me for using my imagination here, but I was thinking of the director and maybe the conversation that was said. Director:  Okay, let's get those horses hitched up so we can get this scene done! Whoever:  Well, the vet's checking out the horses right now!  We only have one horse to use. Director:  Well, how long will it be? Whoever:  Could be a couple hours.  Go ahead and do another scene. Director:  No.  They'll be too interested in watching Lucas and Ann to notice.  Let's just do the one horse! (Okay, so I'm having a weird day)!  Thanks Michelle Palmer! I found it odd that Ann's uncle's last name was Dodd - probably a blooper.  Dodd was Ann's married name (I'm assuming), so her uncle's last name should not have been Dodd!  Thanks Michelle Palmer!

'The Hero' episode#59 Lucas and Micah are playing chess in Micah's office...and Lucas is even winning!  Found a continuity error in episode #117 season 4 - 'Knight Errant' — Lucas plainly states to Don and Colonel Black that he doesn't know anything about the game of chess.  However...in an episode that aired in season two,  Lucas pulls into town in his wagon and stops across from a building that has a large window facing the street: two film hands can be seen via the reflection in the window as they duck down between the wagon and the building.  Thanks Rob & Chawin'  Charlie! Mark went off to school when he was caught teasing Colly. Yet, Lucas took him home in the buckboard. Where was Blueboy?

'The Horsetraders' episode #60 — Lucas and Mark are riding into town. Lucas is to the right of Mark wearing a vest, Mark a jacket. The next scene is Lucas (no vest) is to the left of Mark.  Mark now has a shirt on instead if his jacket. Thanks Pete! When old man "Kansas" and his wife pull into Lucas' ranch at the start of the show, watch how the buggy slides sideways as they stop. Never would happen if it was a real gravel road. Thanks Rob! Near the end of the scene in 'The Horsetraders' where the Colonel and Kansas are negotiating the price of the horse (who turns out to be the Steel Dust), Kansas takes out his wallet to pay. The horse, starts nuzzling the wallet, Kansas and then the Colonel, thinking one of them has a sugar cube for him. The men move slightly and the Colonel even grabs the horse's halter, trying to keep the him still. It's funny to watch them carry on with the scene while horse keeps looking for a treat.  Thanks PJH!

'The Spoiler' episode #61 — Mrs. Avery promised Mark some cinnamon rolls.  When she & Mr. Avery arrive back at the ranch, she tells Mr. Avery....."Now.....I've got to get those rolls a bakin'.....that Mike ain't one for being late!"  Within the first few minutes a Brud Evans stabs Joey Merrick in the back and kills him just to get his horse and gun. By appearance and references made in the story he would have probably been no more than mid or late teens in age. I don't recall anyone that young being killed in Rifleman before and it was just an outright killing.  I have no doubt such things happened in the old West. Still though it was unusual for Rifleman. Thanks rooster davis! At the end of the story the Avery's, said that he was their son and 'No pa on Earth could change that'.  I think it should have been 'No power on Earth...'. Details, details.  Thanks rooster davis!

'Heller' episode #62—As Heller and her brother go into their barn(?) with the stolen pistol, it looks like they are crossing wet ground outside, with some puddles of standing water. It is a neat detail of authenticity to include, even if it is only visible for a second or two. Question that come to my mind: How many times in the five years of the Rifleman was it actually shown as raining? Thanks Renewed Fan!    Mark told Lucas that he had seen Mr. Heller at the 'Last Chance Saloon'. When Lucas was in town the Saloon across the street was named 'North Fork Saloon'.  Sweeney & The Last Chance Saloon came to North Fork in episode #4 'The Marshal.'  'Heller' is episode #62. The Last Chance Saloon aka The North Fork Saloon — When the show originally aired it was call The Last Chance Saloon.....I would say it was a slip of the tongue, which makes that a blooper!  Cowgirl When they are having their weekly father/son talk in the barn, Lucas is polishing his saddle and carrying it out the barn to go to town.  But when they go to town, they take the wagon... Thanks Michelle Palmer!

'The Grasshopper' episode #63 — Look at the spot on Johnny Denver's jacket.  Cowgirl

'A Time for Singing' episode #64  — At the end of the episode, Spence is outside the church arguing with Dan and Laurie.  He told them that Bro had died.  Bro was in the barn with Mark and Spence had gone to the jail, so how did he know that Bro was dead, or even that anything was different in the barn - all they heard was a gunshot in the night...   Thanks Michelle!

'The Deserter' episode #65 — (a) There was no 16th Cavalry in 1883 - they numbered the regular army cavalry regiments 1 to 10 in that era. (b) I heard Lucas refer to a "command post".  What would it have been called in 1883?  A command post would have been called "headquarters".  (c) I didn't know that anyone could read a telegram that you were sending. No privacy laws in those days? As for privacy laws, they did not (strictly speaking) have them, but they did have the Bill of Rights (i.e. search warrants) which was ignored several times in this episode. Basically, the captain had no authority to arrest Lucas, to declare martial law, etc. But I think the point of the episode was to show that he was totally out of control. By the way, in the 1870's and 1880's, the US army had a staggering desertion rate (10% or more per year!) and no one was ever executed for desertion (absolutely zero executions for desertion from 1865 to early 1945, when Eddie Slovak was shot.  Thanks Renewed Fan! Does anyone have any idea what regiment Lucas was really in during the war?  Just what Indiana Regiment was Lucas in?  What a great job Renewed Fan did on this page.  Thank you for all the work and thought you have put into this page!

'The Vision' episode #66 — (my favorite) notice that in each scene there is a different picture on th wall next to Mark's bed. I wonder if they did that on purpose? Thanks Jana! I noticed, near the beginning, when Mark is listening to the woman singing, and Lucas walks up, the woman refers to Lucas as "Daddy" and then as "Pop". Both these terms would be out of place in the 1880's, and are basically 20th century use. Thanks Renewed Fan! When Lucas carries Mark to bed, he takes off Mark's boots but quickly covers him up with the blankets when Mark starts to shiver. Mark is still wearing his clothes. Lucas and Nels then go out to the other room to send for the doctor. When Mark calls out for Lucas and he runs in, Mark is in his nightshirt!    Mark and Luke are arguing about how Mark doesn't remember much about his mom, Luke gets the picture and says something about how could he forget her because he has talked about her since he was six. Are we regressing here?!!!'Waste' part 2 — Micah was talking to Mark about his mother. Mark says he doesn't remember much because he was only 3 at the time.  Mark's age—I have noticed that Mark's age when his mother died changes all the time. He's 6, then 3, I just "heard" the discrepancies from 'The Vision' and 'Waste.'  Basically, throughout season 1, Lucas told everyone that Mark was 10 years old and several times commented that his wife died four years ago.  When Tom Birch came to visit. 'One went to Denver' episode #25—Lucas said it's been 4 years since Margaret passed. In 'The Vision' — "Here (as Lucas showed Mark his Mother's picture), the year you died, you were six.  How can you forget?" In 'The Prodigal' — Billy St. John/William Havecourt about Mark's age. 'Waste' part 2 — "No I.....no I don't really remember her at all.  Sometimes I think I do, but what I think I'm remembering is just the photographs Pa has. I was only three." In 'Old Man Running'  — Samuel Gibb tells Mark it was 11 years ago when he let his daughter to die. I don't think this works mathematically either, but I'm not sure.   It must have been hard to keep track of all the facts from all the stories over the years!  The first time that Lucas caries Mark into the bedroom, there is a lamp sitting on the side table next to Mark’s bed. Also hanging on the wall to the left of Mark’s bed is a drum with an Indian head on it. Then Lucas goes into the dining room, when he comes back into the bedroom just a half minute later, we see that Mark has managed to change from his clothes into his night shirt all by himself. Also there is a washbowl with a towel draped over it sitting on the side table that was not there just before. And if you look on the wall, the drum has been replaced by a picture in a square frame. When the doctor comes into the bedroom, the washbowl and the towel are now gone and only the lamp is on the table; also the picture on the wall has been changed to a portrait in an oval frame. However in the second scene with the doctor, the washbowl is on the table again. Later when Lucas comes back into the bedroom and says: “Please don’t die son, please don’t die.” The washbowl is now gone. Then in the final scene with Mark and Lucas, the washbowl and towel are now back on the table along with the lamp, and on the wall the oval framed picture has now been replace with the original square framed picture. Did you notice that instead of carrying a doctor’s bag the doctor is carrying an umbrella? Also, yes it’s true that they are not in Canada; However, In 'One Went to Denver', what exactly was that big hard cold block of something that Lucas was chipping away on to make vanilla ice-cream? And in 'The Sheridan Story', Lucas tells the General and his men that they can get ice at the hotel in town. But in the 'Vision', Micah has to send men up into the mountains to get ice, and all they get for their troubles is slush. Also in the 'Vision', the first scene that we see of a lone rider coming down from the snowcapped mountains was the same opening scene that was used in 'Outlaw’s Inheritance'. Thanks Dominique for this whole page of bloopers! Mark tells his "mother" that his father still wears his ring.  'The Retired Gun' episode #17 ―  when the newly married couple first arrive at Lucas' ranch, we see them drive past the rear door of the McCain house, as if the road from North Fork winds past the side of the house. Never seen before or after.  Thanks Rob! In 'The Vision' you can see Micah ride up to the ranch from the side where the rear door is.  Cowgirl! When Dr. Hennekin goes in to see Mark, he's already taken off his hat and duster, but when he's at the edge of the canyon looking down at Mark talking about the rope not being long enough he has his hat and duster on. Thanks Rhiannon!

'Lariat' episode #67 — At the very end, when Lucas does the card trick, if you watch in slow-motion, he has the card attached to the back of his hand (with a rubber band?) and rapidly closes his fist - the motion causes the card to whip around into his hand, making it appear that the card materialized.  Thanks Renewed Fan!

'Sins of the Father' episode #70 — In the recent episode, 'The Vision', ice could not be obtained when Mark was sick with a fever, except by riding to the mountains.  In 'Sins of the Father', Mark is going to a friend's birthday party - and ice cream is being served. Also in 'One Went to Denver', when Tom Birch arrives at The McCain Ranch, Lucas & Mark are making ice cream.  Not too consistent.  Thanks Renewed Fan!

'The Prodigal' episode #71 — When Billy's mother gets off the stage, she embraces Billy - and momentarily grabs the muzzle of the revolver that Lucas is holding to Billy's back.  Thanks Renewed Fan! Lucas is told that he would only have to play this farce  for 1 day because she would be leaving the next day.  So, here goes: 1.  Supper is fixed - it looks to be dark outside while they are eating supper. 2. Breakfast is ready 3.  It's night time and she brings Mark in a snack But maybe they just got scene 3 and 2 backwards when they put this episode together... Also, when Lucas lays her down on the bed, she has her hat and veil on.  The next second, it's off!  Thanks Michelle!

'The Fourflushers' episode #72 — Gabe Fenway is about the same height as Micah - Isn't it strange that the stirrups were already set for Mark? Mr. Fenway's children are in school but Mark isn't.  Is this a blooper, or did Mark get off for good behavior?  Thanks Michelle!

'Meeting at Midnight' episode #74 — I knew I saw this picture some in another episode—Thanks Renewed Fan for helping me find it! 'The jail' — In most of the episodes there was a door to the jail. 'End of the Hunt' episode #162—In this episode there was no door. In what other episode did Lucas have to knock over a forge to use the hot coals to break free?  Cowgirl! In this episode, Mark mentions he might be a writer.  Do you remember what Lucas said to him?  "I thought you wanted to be a stagecoach driver?" In what other episode did Mark mention he wanted to be a writer? Cowgirl!

'The Hangman' episode #76 — Volney is in jail, Ellie brings him breakfast in a basket, Micah unlocks the cell gate to give Volney the basket, he locks the cell gate then leaves so Volney and Ellie can talk.  When Ellie leaves she meets Micah outside the sheriff's office.  She has the basket that Micah gave to Volney.  How did she get the basket if the cell gate is locked and Micah is gone?  Thanks LL!

'Woman from Hog Ridge' episode #78 — 1. When the mountain folks first get into town, they say that the town people got up early to greet them, yet Mark had obviously just gotten out of school because he had his school books. 2. Mark carries his school books with him for the first half, then they disappear. I was assuming he put them in the wagon, but when you look at the wagon at the end, it was clean -- too clean! 3. Lucas laughs when Mark can't say "psychologist" then starts driving his very empty wagon away. Suddenly, they have all this stuff on the back of the wagon...I've heard of stock footage, but that was a bit too obvious!!! I must say that Johnny did an excellent job acting in this one. I loved the scene - and the look on Lucas's face: First a "What does that boy think he's doing?" Then a "That's my boy!" Thanks Michelle Palmer! Another episode with the do-dads being shot off on the Madera House sign. What other episode do we see some one shoot off the do-dads on the sign of the Madera House?  Cowgirl! Don't know why everyone was so nervous that Lucas was going to be hung by those mountain people.  If you notice how low the rope was standing, he would have been tall enough for his feet to reach the ground!  Thanks Michelle Palmer!

'Seven' episode #79 — Do You know Sweeney's first name?  Have you ever heard anyone call him by his first name?  I think I heard May (Sweeney's wife) call Sweeney, Bill.  Was this a blooper and May used Bill's real name by mistake?  You would think May would know her husband's name.  ; )  I never knew Sweeney was married.  I had never seen her before or after this episode.  Bill Quinn played Sweeney the bartender  Cowgirl! When  Lucas walks out to duel with the lead outlaw, Micah and a man in a cook's apron are on the porch of the Madera House. I think in some camera shots, the cook is not there. Thanks Renewed Fan! The guy in the cook's apron does leaves right before the shooting starts. When Lucas drops to the ground & then rolls to his rifle there is no guy in a cook's apron. But he does come out of the hotel shooting.  Cowgirl! In the beginning of this episode you see Mark checking out the prison wagon.  The first picture you see Lucas yelling at Mark to get away from the wagon.  The second picture you see Lucas after he forced Dorf to let go of Mark.  Notice his collar on his shirt now.  (His right - your left)  From all the action in this scene his collar got out of place.  When Lucas walks back to Mark & Micah his collar is perfect.  Cowgirl! In 'Duel of Honor' I heard Groder calls Sweeney "Frank" in the bar scene.  That may be Sweeney's first name - but I never heard it before.  Cowgirl!

'The Pitchman' episode #80 — Mark is taking Speedy on a tour of the ranch when they encounter the Watson brothers, who are upset with Speedy because of the consequences of the panacea that Speedy had sold. . .  Mark is tied up, Marsh Watson (John Milford) shoves Mark down with some force.  Mark (Johnny Crawford) reacts with a look of aggravation on his face - - I wonder if he was not acting here, but was reacting to the way he was being rough-handled?  Thanks Renewed Fan!  I can't help but think the same thing! Mark is grabbed by one of the Watson brothers as he is showing Speedy Sullivan around the property.  The Watson brother is trying to use a rope to tie Mark up.  He misses Mark's hands and we see Mark actually move his hands so they are under the rope, rather than on top of it.   Also notice when Lucas comes to the rescue that the rope Mark is tied with is so loose it's almost falling off.  Thanks PJH! Did anyone notice what happens when Swifty drives the wagon up to the poisoned water-hole in the beginning of this episode?  Razor shies away from the wagon and moves backward.  Speedy jumps out of the way and lands on the boards covering the water-hole.  I'm wondering if this was intentional or a blooper. Before cutting away to a close-up of Swifty on the wagon, Lucas and Mark are on their horses.  We see Swifty and Speedy in a close-up and then cut back to Lucas and Mark, who are now on the ground and mounting their horses.  Thanks PJH! Speed tore his trousers and said it was Lucas' fault.  Ya' know when I was watching this video, I honestly don't see how Speed tore his pants.  I bet his trousers were tore before hand and this was just Speed working one of his cons to get a free meal.  Cowgirl! Watching Lucas & Speed together, they sure seem to be enjoying themselves.  Like a private joke or something between them.  Cowgirl!

In the beginning of the episode 'Strange Town' (10/25/60) episode #81—when Mark comes running in from getting the wagon ready to take Micah into town ~ Lucas says to Mark....."Get your clothes together Mark. Your gonna come along and stay in town with Milly." Millie doesn't come to North Fork until episode #84 in 'Miss Milly' 11/15/60.  I think this is another one of those episodes they were intending to air after 'Miss Milly.'  Cowgirl! Did you notice that Lucas never paid for his beer?  Thanks Pete Villafea!

'Baranca' episode # 82—When Mark goes into town with a bad tooth—he favors the left side of his jaw.  At the end of the show, he works at the right side as if he had the tooth pulled from there.  Thanks Rob! This is just a sample of the different types of curtains that was in The North Fork Saloon. If you happen to find a different combination of curtains, I would be glad to add them to this page.  Cowgirl!

'The Martinet' episode #83—In the part where Lucas  is confronted by Captain Perry and Lucas gets on his horse and tells Micah, "You better try and talk some sense into him Micah."  The sign on the building behind him reads "Feed and Grain - Wes Carney - Prop."  Wes and Clare Carney moved out of North Fork back in  'The Retired Gun'  Cowgirl In 'A Case of Identity' one of the detective's name is Lon Perry  He was shot and killed at the end of this episode. In 'The Martinet,' Lon Perry was the son of Captain Perry who was shot and killed by Lucas a year ago (July) when he was trying to extort money.  I didn't know there was a connection...Though, Lon Perry does seem a bit old to be the Captain's son... Thanks Michelle Palmer! Jack Wilder is the writer of both 'A Case of Identity' and 'The Martinet'. I like the idea of using the character twice---wonder if the writer realized how long it would take us to figure it out!! Thanks PJH!

'Miss Milly' episode #84—that Joan Taylor is wearing a bra?  Since bras weren't invented until 1920, someone in the costume department screwed up.  Also, Millie sometimes wears blue jeans such as in 'Wyoming Story'.  Women never wore blue jeans in the 1880's. I'm all for historical accuracy. Also, seems the writers never consulted past scripts.  There seems to be some confusion as to the events surrounding Mark's birth.  In the episode 'Six Years and a Day', Lucas tells Mark he waited and waited for Mark to be born and Margaret almost died. In 'The Babysitter', Lucas tells Mark he comes back to the ranch house to find Mark has already been born.  Thanks Caryl T!

'Dead Cold Cash' episode #85—Near the end of the episode, when Lucas is about to duel with Stacy, there is a horse right behind Stacy which bucks when Stacy is shot - - problem - the horse is not behind Stacy in a couple of camera shots leading up to the duel.  Thanks Renewed Fan!

No rug - Mark is getting ready to scrub the floor in the living area with a mop in 'The Marshal' episode #4.  BUT when we watch 'The Schoolmaster' episode #86 — Mark is sweeping a rug.

'The Promoter' episode #87—Bobby Hoy hurt? after shot, hit the horse & then the hitching post. Cowgirl! Did you notice during the fight between Lucas & Ruben, the bartender was knocked to the ground and then was caught in the fight for a moment? Cowgirl! One of my favorite bloopers - Rueben meets Mark on the street and starts admiring the shotgun. They talk for a moment - this is the first time they have ever met. Rueben does NOT tell Mark his name. But, when Lucas walks up, Mark knows Rueben's name and introduces him. Thanks Renewed Fan! Mark is on the street aiming his new shotgun up at the sky. Ruben, the mentally-challenged gunslinger, approaches. They talk. Ruben does NOT introduce himself - but when Lucas joins them Mark immediately introduces Ruben to his father. Thanks Renewed Fan! This is just a sample of the different types of curtains that was in The North Fork Saloon. If you happen to find a different combination of curtains, I would be glad to add them to this page.  Cowgirl!

'The Illustrator' episode #88—When Jeremiah and Ben Travis were in the Saloon, the second glass that Ben pours, he drinks some, then the glass has more whiskey in it and then back to where it was before.  Thanks Holly! It sounded to me that he was called Mr. Cromley, or Mr. Crownly. In the credits, he was listed as Mr. Crowley. It seemed everyone called him something different in the show.  Don't cha' just love the way Mark climbs onto Blueboy in his younger years?  Cowgirl Mark mounted his horse from the right side. Ever notice when Travis is waiting for the stage at the beginning and is lighting the match on his boot - He strikes twice and it doesn't light, then the third time you see a great big explosion of smoke...Thanks Michelle! On the wall in the saloon, there is a picture painted by Charles Russell titled "The Herd Quitter."  The picture is of a steer and 3 guys on horses trying to rope it.  This picture was not actually painted until 1897.  As the time in the Rifleman is the early 1880's, this picture hanging on the wall was a blunder.  I have been cross stitching this picture and noticed it right away.  Thanks Gloria!

'Silent Knife' episode #89—Not Lucas.  The stand in for Lucas sure looks like Fritz Ford.  Not sure who it is tho.  Notice the man to the right.....this Cowboy's all over the place.  After Lucas & Mark go to Mark C's camp, Lucas says he has to go see John Hamilton.  I can't help but think he was talking about Mike Harrison, he was the man at the stagecoach line and in charge of the money that was stolen. Cowgirl

'Miss Bertie' episode #90 — (focus on the right side of the book) If you look at Miss Bertie's book of wanted posters you will see the pages are different.  Cowgirl

'Six Years and a Day' episode #91 — The sign outside of the house reads "Doc Burrage."  Doc always had his office in town and in a few different buildings.  So either this is a blooper or Doc moved his office.  Cowgirl The man standing on the porch is suppose to be Mr. Hannaberry/Hannabury.   played by Hal K. Dawson.  Mark calls him by name, Mr. Hannaberry.  Is this a new Mr. Hannabury?  The only thing is, the credits spell it Hannaberry.  Different from our regular Mr. Hannabury, Ian Murray.  Cowgirl

'The Actress' episode #94 — In this episode you see Chuck sitting at the campfire in and his pinky finger on his right hand is bent.  Do you know why? Chuck broke it playing with the Boston Celtics and it never healed right.   Thanks Donna! ♫ Hear the song 'Champagne'

In 'The Wyoming Story' — episode #96  Micah tells Lucas that he would be a good one to go to Wyoming on an undercover job because he had never been there.  But in '8 Hours to Die,' they lived in Claypool, WY.  We know this from looking at the post office door when the judge goes and gets the letter.  Thanks Michelle Palmer Take a look at Lucas's clothes. At the end when he was going home he had on jeans and light shirt and jean jacket.  He had this on when he spotted the cattle and the next scene, he's riding down toward them and it shows his back, but you can tell that he's got on that outfit he wore a lot with the ribbed shirt, with the frog closures.  Thanks Dianna! Lucas leaves North Fork with no bedroll on the back of his horse.  In the scene showing him riding along on his way to Wyoming there is a bedroll and coat on the back of the horse.  Lucas camps out along the way and has all of his gear. But when he reaches La Mesa there is no bedroll on his horse.  Thanks PJH!

'Closer than a Brother' episode #98 — Check out the doors/windows in Micah's office—the door to his office in the beginning of this episode.  Later while Lucas is talkin to Micah thru the curtain doorway, you can see the door to the office is different with no window.  When Thad comes thru the door, it's the same as in the beginning of the episode.  Thanks Pete!  When the cowboys are shooting up the saloon, if you focus on the mirror behind the bar, there's a point at which one of the cowboys (Truelove) shoots 3 holes mirror, and the third hole he shoots actually appears in the mirror before the sound effect of the gun going off. It's pretty funny. Thanks Robin Flynn! Micah's song he say when he was drunk ♫ "There was a little girl, who had a little curl"  Cowgirl!

'Lost Treasure of Canyon Town' episode #99 — Micah "grew up" in Canyon Town and Mr. Newman has not seen him in "25 years". Since the series was set in the early 1880's, this would mean that Micah was living in Canyon Town in the late'1850's and (since Micah is 50+ in the series), he "grew up" in Canyon Town in the 1840s. Problem: New Mexico was Mexican territory until the late 1840's, and there were very few Anglo towns in NM prior to the late 1850's. Also, in Blood Brothers, Micah said that "thirty years before" he lived in Montana (which was not really populated in the early 1850's, either. Thanks Renewed Fan!

'Dark Day at North Fork' episode #100 — The bar in the saloon is perpendicular to the front swinging doors.  You can see it when Micah is talking to Jack Solby.   That's the only time it was ever positioned that way-usually, it's opposite the doors. Thanks Jane! While viewing these pictures I noticed the stairs to the left of Solby.  In the other episodes the would be behind him.  Also the doors, are different.  In the one picture they are a stain glass look and the other the windows are clear.  Cowgirl! The opening looks like a canned scene of Johnny riding at a gallop toward home. Only thing is, when he arrives at the ranch, he's in a dark jacket with his school books affixed to the saddle. When he was at a gallop riding in, he is wearing his usual shirt and no books are on the saddle. I think I saw this galloping scene this week in another episode.  I also noted in this same episode, Micah is riding Bosco AKA Blueboy! Was the set a horse short that day? Johnny didn't ride at all that episode.   (I hate when that happens!)   Apparently Johnny rode another horse sometimes named Peanuts. He also told me Razor was a thoroughbred off the track, which was surprising.  Thanks Wendy!

'The Prisoner' episode #101 — What's wrong with these pictures?  Thanks Michelle!

'Short Rope for a Tall Man' episode #103 — Mark was wonderful in his defense of his Pa! What a great scene when Mark was feeding Lucas and wouldn't go to eat himself. Cowgirl !

'The Mescalero Curse' episode #106 — When Lucas lassoed Shadow, the part that had the dummy on its back, you can see that the rope missed the horses head.  Yet the next scene shows that the horse was dragging Lucas in the dirt. Thanks Pete! I tried to capture this for ya'll to see, but that episode was to dark to be able to capture a good picture.  Maybe is I get this off of Encore, it might better quality.  Cowgirl! I don't know about you but when I look at this town, it sure doesn't look like North Fork!  Cowgirl! I notice there was a hook on the bedroom door, but not in 'Stopover'  Cowgirl! Then there's Mescalero Curse when Lucas goes off to try to find the black stallion. Mark asks Lucas if he is going to take the mare and there's a comment about her being high strung. Was she a wild horse that had been broken?  Thanks Jan!  Ya' know I never saw that Mare before or after this episode.

'Stop Over' #107 — Adam West in front of fireplace, Lucas giving him a drink; to left of West's face you can see the shadow of a boom mike and it suddenly pulls back out of frame.  Thanks Rob! Snow blooper.....In the episode 'Stopover' look at the scene where Lucas is trying to revive Ryan . . . there is snow on Adam West's (Ryan) jacket. Then there is a quick shot of Johnny C., and there is snow on his jacket too. Then, there was an apparent commercial break (which Encore Westerns did not use for a commercial), Adam West revives and asks how long he was out. He is told just a few minutes. . . but there is now no snow on his jacket, or on Johnny's jacket. Thanks Renewed Fan! I notice there was a hook on the bedroom door, but not in 'Stopover'  Cowgirl!

'The Lonesome Bride' episode #108 — When Kelly picked up Chavre, through him over his shoulder and took him to Micah's office. I may have missed it but I don't think there was an edit and if there wasn't one, the actor who played Kelly did it. THAT would have been a move!  Thanks Redneckwoman! Here you see inside of The North Fork Saloon in two different episodes.  Look at the steps in the picture on the far left, this is from 'The Coward.'  You see the stairs and a window to the left.  In the middle picture you see a different stairs & window which is from 'The Lonesome Bride.'  The picture on the right is from  'The Lonesome Bride.'  Here you a see a door, but in the episodes of 'The Coward' - no door!  Cowgirl! Micah's office looks different from what we are use to seeing.  Notice the background of the office & the doorway and what about those stands & the one with the smellin' salts on it.  Never saw this stuff before, it came in pretty handy.  Cowgirl!

'Death Trap' #109 — in Dr. office when Lucas and Mark and the girl and her dad (Battle) are in there and outlaws shoot at pot: Battle pushed his daughter across the room; camera cuts away then cuts back to girl and dad and they're back where they were before dad shoved her across the room. (see the curtain in background) Thanks Rob!

'The Queue' episode #110 — (left) While Lucas & Mark are riding to the camp of Wang Chi you see Mark younger & also a different jacket on.  (right) This is where Lucas and Mark have arrived at Wang Chi's camp.  Here Mark has on a denim jacket on and he is older.  The one of course is the file footage.  Sorry the pictures are the best, but both of these are night photos.   Cowgirl! Watch the scene where Lucas, Mark and Micah are eating together in the hotel. They hear shots outside. They run out and see Vince Fergus and his sidekick firing off their two revolvers to scare the Chinese father/son off. It appears that the two drunks have only one revolver each - twelve rounds total. But if you listen closely, you hear a total of 18 gunshots.  Thanks Renewed Fan! Lucas is not riding Razor home from town early in the episode…this horse has some white on its face. Later when he and Mark ride to Wang’s rescue, it looks like he’s on Razor. Probably because it's stock footage, as previously blooped.  Interesting note: episode was written by Beverly Fix, (Micah/Paul's wife).  Thanks Wendy!

'Vaqueros' episode # 111 verses 'Waste' episode #143—Didn't 'Vaqueros' remind you a lot of the 'Waste'? 'Vaqueros' was the first episode of season 4—'Waste' was the first episode of Season 5.   Vaqueros in Mexico Lucas left to die Lucas tied to a tree Mark abducted Lucas befriends attractive Mexican woman Lucas looses his rifle to  banditos Old Man Waste in Mexico Micah left to die Micah buried alive Mark abducted Lucas tries to befriend Mexican woman Lucas looses his rifle to banditos Old Woman There are other similarities, but the point is that they started both seasons off with similar episodes. Point well taken!  Thanks Renewed Fan!  How about you.....can you think of anymore? 'Vaqueros' episode #111— I get a kick out of all the bloopers, so I thought I'd add one that I noticed years ago:  At the end, where Lucas dives in & grabs his rifle & shoots all the outlaws, notice that his rifle is pointing all over the place-nowhere near where the bad guys are, but they all obligingly fall dead. Thanks Jane from Las Vegas! I was just thinking of all those shirtless pictures (sigh!!) and it dawned on me - no scars! He was shot several times, knifed and whipped - and there are no scars. Not to mention Chuck's head. I've lost count of the number of times he was knocked unconscious by a gun, or a tomahawk. If this was TV today, we'd be calling the CSI team because it appears one blow to the head can kill you today. Chuck was made of hardier stock!!  Update—'Vaqueros' episode #111—I was reading your blooper page again last night and read one fans comment on Lucas with his shirt off and he had no scares.  I've noticed [don't laugh] but he has no underarm hair.  Especially the episode where the bandits kidnap mark and hit Lucas in the throat, they tie his arms up to the tree and leave him hanging. Thanks Dianna! Update—Check the alarm clock scene in 'Conflict' episode #155!  He has it! —Anonymous

'First Wages' episode #112 — The pond looks a whole lot like a locale used in filming 'Skull' episode #124. Thanks Renewed Fan! Lucas makes a running jump on his horse. Pretty fancy I think! It looks like it is Chuck who does it because you see his face the whole time. Of course, I know, they can do lots of things with cameras!  'The Sidewinder' — You be the judge!  Cowgirl! When Mark rides away from the ranch, about 3 minutes into the episode, it is clearly a much younger Johnny Crawford.  Thanks Renewed Fan! What a great find.....Ed Nelson played Ben Vargas in 'First Wages' — They showed a wanted post on him "Wanted Dead or Alive" that had just been delivered to Micah's office. The other night on "The Big Valley"—'Into the Widow's Web' - In the sheriff's office they had Liberty show off her shooting skills, they had her aim at the bulletin board full of posters, the same poster of Ben Vargas was on this bulletin board.  Cowgirl! While Mark is working at the blacksmith's, Lucas confronts him about his working and why he needs the money.  Mark is standing on a box to curry the horse, so he is the same height as Lucas, as he explains that he wants his own money, not family money.     You have to watch carefully at what happens next.  As Nils drives up, Mark goes to jump off the box and as the scene cuts away you see him actually falling off the box!!  Thanks PJH!

'Sheer Terror' episode #113—Did ya' notice Mark threw the saddle bags on and didn't tie them down? He put his hand back to hold it. I did that once and they slide off. I bet they were in a hurry to get that scene done so they didn't give him time to tie them down. Whoopee!  Not too pleasant an experience when those bags fall off. I did notice the horse that Johnny rode back to the ranch for Niles was a close second to Razor. Razor has two white socks in the rear and Blueboy one. I can always tell if it's Blueboy he also has a few white hairs on his forehead, Blueboy was a bay with a that tan nose. Razor sometimes is hard to tell. They use the same bit on every horse he rides. Oh by the way I LOVE JOHNNY HANDLING THOSE TEAMS ~ He was so good he never got in the way when they were stopping them! Loved the way he picked up the rein he dropped in Deadly Wait... Am I stuck on Johnny or what??? Did ya notice he threw the saddle bags on and didn't tie them down? He put his hand back to hold it. I did that once and they slide off. I bet they were in a hurry to get that scene done so they didn't give him time to tie them down. Whooopee! While watching 'Sheer Terror' the other night I noticed something on Razor's left hind quarter. Can any of you tell me what this is. I don't recall ever seeing this before in any of the other episodes. Is it a booboo? I don't think it's a brand or is it?  Cowgirl! The villains, Mr. Sloan and Andy, take Millie hostage 24 hours before the stagecoach is going to arrive with the money. They then have her open her store and pretend all is normal for an entire day, while they watch her.  Apparently, their reason is to so that they can pop out of the store at the right moment to rob the stage...ok, but why grab her 24 hours in advance? Why run the risk that she might tip somebody off? Just enter the store 30 minutes before the stage, and hold her hostage at that point. I think this qualifies more as a "plot hole" than a blooper.  Definitely not a "blooper!" You know, a person can take just about any script apart (or novel for that matter), in one way or another, if that is his or her goal. The film industry is especially susceptible, what with all the freeze-frame gizmos we have at our fingertips in this day and age. While that pursuit can in itself be diverting, it can get in the way of simply being entertained which, after all, was the creator's original intent... don'tcha think? What say you?  You be the judge.  Thanks Renewed Fan! Here you have 3 different scenes of Lucas & Mark getting ready to go to town, riding to town and when arrive in town.  All in the same episode & all in the same scene. Cowgirl! This episode must have been shot in another town, for one thing North Fork didn't have the name of the town on their Stage Depot sign and another thing, it looks like they intentionally blurred the name of the town out.  Cowgirl!

'The Stand-in' episode #114 — It was really funny that the director or anyone didn't notice or didn't care, that when the guard rapped the bars with his gun, it left the gun barrel bent about 20 degrees off straight. Thanks Bob!

'The Journey Back' episode #115 — This scene is near the end where Carney confronts Temple about his brothers, after the Cheyenne were done with them.   Lucas rides in and jumped off his horse and grabs my rifle. Watch Razor - the first picture you see Razor right after Lucas got off of Razor, the second picture you see Razor looking to our left.  He does this twice.  I think someone is trying to get his attention to get him out of the way.  If you look closely & quickly I think someone helps him off the set.  The Next picture Razor is gone before the shootout.  Cowgirl!  What say you?  You might want to watch the video.

'The Decision' episode #116—Harry Devers is suppose to be the older brother of Corey, but yet his name is not Hazlett.  Cowgirl! The McCain's back door—This is only a sample of all the different back doors the McCain's had.  If you take a look around the kitchen you'll see some other things that have changes from time to time.

'Knight Errant' episode #117 ― when Mark is knighted, another house can be seen in the distance, off the left side of the barn.  Thanks Rob! Found a continuity error in episode #117 season 4 - 'Knight Errant' — Lucas plainly states to Don and Colonel Black that he doesn't know anything about the game of chess.  However...in an episode that aired in season two, 'The Hero' episode#59 Lucas and Micah are playing chess in Micah's office...and Lucas is even winning!

'Honest Abe' episode #118 — When Mark holds a gun on Yordy, you can see into 4(?) cylinders and see it is not loaded. Abe tells Mark it is not loaded, and Mark puts it down.  Later, Abe tells Mark it really was loaded - and is shown taking bullets out of the cylinder!  Thanks Renewed Fan! Ann was Abraham Lincoln's very first serious romance.  The love affair between the youthful Abraham Lincoln and the fair maiden, Ann Rutledge, is not 100% proven.   For nearly 140 years historical opinion has vacillated on the veracity of this relationship. However, if the actual New Salem residents are to be believed, the validity of the affair was very real. Mary Todd Lincoln, as well as some professional historians, never believed one word of it.

'The Long Goodbye' episode #119 — as the grandson runs around the corner of the McCain house you can see his SHADOW against the "hills" in the background. Also, as Lucas leaves to go to the boy's grandfather, you can see the shadow of a boom mike against the McCain house. Thanks Rob!  What does this episode/The Rifleman/Yancy Derringer have in common? Thanks Kevin Gallagher & John Gilbert for this great question and piece of information.

'The Shattered Idol' episode #120 — Did anybody notice a similarity between the area where Lucas and Mark go fishing (and meet Twain) and the opening sequence to the Andy Griffith show? I think they may have filmed at the same spot. Somebody who has this episode on DVD/TIVO could perhaps compare it to the Andy Griffith show.  Thanks Renewed Fan! Mark Twain said that the death of his son Langdon caused him to stop work on Huckleberry Finn. Langdon died in the early 1870's, about 4-5 years before Twain started to write Huckleberry Finn, about 10 years before the era portrayed in the show.  Thanks Renewed Fan! In what other episode did Mark mention he wanted to be a writer?  Cowgirl!

'Long Gun from Tucson' episode #121 — At the end of the show you will see Lucas facing four bad guys.  Watch closely while Lucas is walking towards the right.  You can see a reflection of a camera light in the window behind him. Thanks Pete!  Nils said in "Long Gun" that he had been there at least 5 years, and apparently he had probably been in North Fork longer then that from the way it was understood in that episode.  In 'Anvil Chorus,' Nils said that he'd been in North Fork "Nearly as long as Lucas, which may be about five years by that point...  Thanks Michelle! I found this interesting being that the first Blacksmith we see is John Dierkes played Nels in 'Duel of Honor' and in 'The Sister.'  And several others played the Blacksmith until Joe Higgins makes an appearance on The Rifleman and that was in 'Strange Town' as the Bartender.  He didn't play Nils until March 7th, 1961. He even played different characters between playing Nils and others have played Nils since.  Cowgirl!

'The High Country' episode #122 — This is the fight scene between Lucas and Ambrose with fiery torches.  This is not Lucas or Ambrose. Cowgirl!

'A Friend in Need' episode #123 — When Micah is getting ready to leave the saloon when he spots a man by the window. As he looks toward the window, you can see Lucas and Mark just sitting there on their horses, I guess waiting for their scene. After Micah goes out the door, then you see then come riding up rapidly like they just rode into town!!!  Did anyone notice part of the note fell when the Bad guy tore it down?  I was thinking how great it would be to have that note today for memorabilia. Imagine, a handwritten note to Mark from Pa, actually signed by Pa. (Heck, I'd even take the crumpled pieces). I was watching the nail thing too. It was definitely a nail at first. When Carl Avery left the second note he hung it further down on the page, amongst the lettering of the ransom demand. Interesting that when we saw the ransom note as Micah found it, there was no nail hole shown at all. If there was one, it would had to have been closer to the top of the paper than where Avery originally hung it. Thanks Laurie! I had to laugh about the note also because Lucas left this tiny piece of LINED paper on a nail, but the kidnapper left a much larger piece Unlined with more writing on it, but Lucas said "the notes right where I left it.  "Wouldn't you think he would have noticed the difference when he walked by!! Oh well, it was great entertainment back then and still today. 'A Friend in Need' episode #123 blooper - part 2 — Lucas must mortgage his ranch in order to pay off ransom for the kidnapped Mark. Did anybody ever notice the blunder in the General Store at the beginning of this episode. (Maybe it wasn't a blunder per say, but it could have been!) When Lucas sits down to talk to his "friend," Millie asks Mark to help her with the canned goods. Lucas (Chuck) as his elbow and Millie (Joan) tries to pick it up. Joan has to really work at picking up the box because Chuck has his elbow on it fairly solidly. You see an expression cross Joan's face for only a second as she tries to lift the box with Chuck's elbow on it. But Chuck doesn't miss a beat with the scene. He simply lifts his elbow and continues with his scene.  Thanks Michelle! It is Sunday.  We know this because Mark and Lucas always come into town on Saturday afternoon according to the note.  Also, Milly calls to Lucas "Don't forget church!" The bank is open and operating on a SUNDAY!!!!  John Masefield Hamilton would have been lynched first thing Monday morning for doing such a sinful thing!  Not even the banks in my town are open on Sundays!!!  Thanks Michelle!

'Skull' episode #124 — At the end of this episode where Hoyt Coyle is shot.  You never see him fall off his horse.  With all the action going on you don't see him slowly riding off.  (Watch the background. The action in the background keeps changing.)  But yet in the next scene when Pascal gets shot, in the background or anywhere else you do not see Coyle or anyone (Look between Warren & Pascal).   3.  Then if you watch closely (to the right) you can see someone in the background riding, sitting somewhat slouched with a light colored jacket on (I this is suppose to be Coyle).  4.  There are horses tied to a hitching post after the tall white building.  5.  The next scene the man if the light colored Jacket is slumped down & riding off in a gallop.  Lucas is standing there & Mark comes running to him you can see a different rider slumped down and closer then before.  No horses in sight except the rides.    6. Watch closely, you can see him fall off of his horse (Coyle).  Cowgirl Lucas sure jumped off his horse fast enough! It seemed as if the film was sped up for some reason. Did Sam Buckhart and Marshal A. L. Morrison get fired from the Lordsburg sheriff’s office? (Hopefully promoted instead). The Rifleman spin-off ‘‘The Law of the Plainsman’’ was clearly set in Lordsburg, N.M. and I would assume concurrent the time period of The Rifleman. The Lordsburg sheriff refers to Lucas as “your daddy’’ when addressing Mark. Thanks Duane! A big deal was made of the fact that Lucas would have exactly ONE bullet in the rifle as they rode into town. Lucas clearly shoots Hoyt, then appears to shoot a second outlaw (without, of course, reloading).  Thanks Renewed Fan!

'The Princess' episode #125—Jennifer must have borrowed Mark's shirt.  I wonder if they are his jeans too!  Cowgirl! Lucas brings Jennifer back from North Fork, and Mark and her brother are in the wagon, too; they arrive at the McCain ranch, the boys bail out of the wagon and run off toward the back of the house while Lucas helps Jennifer from the buckboard, only IT IS NOT LUCAS.  As they pull up, you can see the actor won't keep his head up, trying to hide it from the camera. Then, watch closely as he takes her from the seat and turns. Not Lucas.—Thanks Chris!   Chris is Rob's wife.  Rob is a regular here at "The McCain Ranch."  "Welcome to the McCain Ranch.....Chris!"  ; )   Great catch Chris!

'Gunfire' episode #126 — At the end of this episode Lucas is lying on the street after being shot. The bad guys are walking away from him towards their horses. Lucas rises to his knees and shoots the bad guys. What is interesting about those scenes is this: The Flipspecial appears to have jammed towards the very end. You can see the lever in a position that suggests that this is what  happened. Lucas gets to his feet and walks over to the bad guys jammed rifle and all.     Thanks Pete! When Micah is in the jail, he leans out the window with his double barreled shotgun and fires at the two outlaws on the hotel porch. You hear the heavier, deeper boom of the shotgun, which is very distinctive from the pistol shots. . . and there are three shotgun blasts in rapid succession, from the double-barreled shotgun.  I think it is another "too many shots" blooper.  Thanks Renewed Fan!   Did you notice on Gunfire when Lucas and Micah had loaded up, when Ben Johnson said he didn't want to be deputy any longer because he had a family, after he died they loaded him onto a wagon and as wagon was leaving them the, dead man lifted his head up slightly just as they were pulling away.  Lucas picked up the badge and pinned it on the right side of his shirt.   "You’re supposed to wear that over your heart," said Micah.  "I've got a big heart Micah."  Cowgirl!

'Quiet Fear' episode #127 — Abby was a deaf/mute, why was her father telling her (at the end, when they were about to board the stage) to 'come along, Abbey', and while she was kissing the guy, her Pa yelled 'Abby' as if she could hear him. Wishful thinking on his part?  Thanks Mary!

'Sporting Chance' episode #128 — Just after Micah takes the Englishman into his office, Lucas is seen riding into town. Look at his shirt and hands. His shirt has small buttons and is not corduroy and he doesn't have gloves on. The next scene that shows Lucas getting off his horse he is wearing a corduroy shirt with large buttons and he is wearing gloves. This is the shirt that Lucas wears through out the rest of the show.  Also, watch when Lucas and Mark are talking at their ranch. Mark is wearing a denim jacket. Lucas tells Mark to go to school. Mark mounts his horse and rides off and he doesn't have a jacket on, Mark is also quite a bit younger.  The next time you see Mark, he has the jacket back on.  Thanks Pete S!

'Man From Salinas' episode #130 — I notice that in the credits that Jack Hogan was credited as playing the role of Rudy "Gay", but during the show his name was Rudy "Gray."  Thanks Gene Tinsley !   Where are we here?  The Bank of North Fork has a totally different look & it looks like we have a Territorial Saloon here.  Boy I bet Sweeny's not gonna like this!!!!!  ; )   Cowgirl

'Two Ounces of Tin' episode #131—When Tip Corey (Sammy Davis Jr.) and Lucas face each other in the street, Tip starts to draw.  Lucas fires his rifle and shoots Tip.  Watch as Tip falls with his hands in the air and his gun still in his holster.  The next scene shows Tip lying in the dirt with his gun in front of him.  Thanks Pete! Here you see Ted (Johnny Ginger) standing with this lady in the scene where Tip Corey asked....."Go ahead McCain, go ahead and ask them! Ask them.....who will pick up the badge?"  "I'll pick it up! Yelled Mark.  (The picture to the right which is the next scene) You see Archie Butler in the same spot where Johnny stood, next to the lady. Mark appears to be wearing a holster as he stands along side of the building when Corey asks who will pick up the badge?  But when he steps out to face Corey, no holster.  Thanks Rob!

'The Deadly Image' episode #132 — In the saloon the bartender throws Bantry a full black bottle of whiskey and the twin catches a third full clear bottle !!!!!  Thanks Mee! 'The Deadly Image' & 'The Sidewinder' episode #158 — Look at the pictures above the fireplace.  Thanks Rob!   UPDATED — Look at the horns above the fireplace. I think the fireplace looks different.  'Knight Errant' & 'Home Ranch' — Look what's above the fireplace. Cowgirl Mark and Lucas ride into town together on their horses. Lucas has to "take" Mark to school (don't understand that). Then when he rides home to deal with the deadly image, he rides his horse. But when he finally gets back into town, he has the wagon and takes Mark home in it. So, did Mark get out of school and ride home only to find his father missing, then ride all the way back into town to find him, or is this a blooper?   Thanks Michelle Palmer! When Bantry and K.C. leave the saloon, K.C. says, "Come on, Earl.  We can miles away from here by dark."  IT IS dark!  Thanks Michelle Palmer!

'The Debt' episode #133 — Some weeks ago Dianna she thought the torn hat that Mark wore was burned in the fire, which, if so, would constitute a blooper if he later wore it in other episodes. She was not 100% about the fire loss.  Thanks Renewed Fan! I also made a point of watching this episode again, closely to see if what I thought about his torn hat getting burned up was right.  And that's how I take it.  His hat falls off in the saloon, then he's rescued from the burning saloon without his hat and afterwards when they're all standing outside-no hat, and when they get on their horses and ride out of the ghost town Mark has no hat on.  That was just my opinion of how I saw it, that it did burn.  Thanks Renewed Fan for remembering to watch for that, and I see that you think as I do.  I too, had made a comment on seeing it reappear on following episodes.  Maybe it had become such a trademark for him, they just couldn't really do away with it.  I watched the episode - when Mark was tied up in the saloon and struggling to get free, he loses his hat. He is then rescued from the flaming saloon, without his hat. The remaining two scenes involve Mark, without his hat. So, it would appear that the torn hat was burned up in the fire.  Thanks Dianna! I do agree with what you guys are saying, I just know after that he still had that torn hat. I can't imagine after that fire that the hat would have survived. Good mystery! That's one for the marshal in 'The Bullet' and Deputy Ben." size="2"  Buildings in ghost town are close together....if not attached..."Saloon" in ghost town catches fire.... How come the buildings attached to the "saloon" did not go up in flames?  I presume they were constructed of wood and by that time were highly flammable.  How did the fire get put out?  Most all the buildings on that side of town should have been a total loss.  Thanks Deanne Bertram! Mark's Hat  Renewed Fan & Cowgirl! This one was a bit TOO obvious.  When the fire starts, you see Renolds  filling the canteens.  Behind him sit two horses as calm as can be. Flash to Mark in the burning building screaming for help. Flash to Renolds filling up the canteens - only one horse.  Then he turns and runs to the building, he slaps the one horse still tied there.  So...where's Blue Boy??? Thanks Michelle! What I find interesting is that Renolds dumps out the kerosene and then re-fills them.  I don't think that taste would go away with just a rinsing.  Cowgirl!

'None So Blind' episode #135 — About 3.5 minutes into the episode - Lafe, who is wearing a cap, tells Mark he is blind. Mark reacts with shock - scene break immediately follows (apparently it was originally intended to have a commercial there, but the Western channel did not insert a commercial). Immediately after the scene break, Mark is still reacting to the news that Lafe is blind - so it must be a matter of seconds later, but Lafe is no longer wearing his cap.  Thanks Renewed Fan!  ♫ "Battle Hymn of the Republic" plus Two more wavs to this episode 'None so Blind' *Please be patient while this song loads, it may take a few seconds to load but is well worth the wait!

'The Jealous Man' episode #136 — After Lucas calls Owen a fool, Lucas puts his rifle in the buckboard.  The next time you see Lucas he has his rifle in his hand and again puts his rifle in the buckboard.  Thanks Pete! Mrs. Pritchard is the school teacher in this episode.  You never see her but Lucas does mention her.  Wonder what happen to Miss Adams?  Mark is quite the little inventor isn't he?  Which did Mark like to do, wash or dry? He comes up with some pretty good ideas.  This one ― "Suppose you had a box.....I mean a box that didn't leak water and you put the dirty dishes in it."  "The rest would be simple.....you'd just tie the soapy water box on the back of a horse and jog him around the house a few times." And what about the one using a windmill to agitate a box with soap?  Pretty good stuff.....huh?  How about his idea to eat only sandwiches so that the bread can act as a plate?  Can you think of anymore ways Mark tried to get out of the dishes?

In 'Guilty Conscience' episode #137 — When Lucas rode into Stud City looking for "Charming Billy," did anybody else notice that the actual riding in part was the scene also used when he rode into La Mesa in 'The Wyoming Story?' (episode #97)  Thanks Barb Z.! Lucas wore a hat until he went to fetch Norman from Stud City.  While fetching Norman and returning to North Fork, Lucas was wearing an old hat.  After Lucas returns to North Fork he was wearing his new hat again. Thanks Pete! This clip that Pete is talking about file footage from 'The Wyoming Story' part 1.  Cowgirl! Lucas shows Wilbur Dickey, Dick Hickey, Major Rantoul, and 'Charming Billy' Carraway his shooting skills.  Funny.....I don't see any bullet holes in the wall when he is finished.  Cowgirl!

'Day of Reckoning' episode #138 — North Fork only has one church but here we see two different churches.  Cowgirl! 'Day of Reckoning' episode #138 — At the beginning of the duel, one of the outlaws is on the roof (of the saloon?). You see a close up of his revolver - the cylinders are empty. Thanks Renewed Fan!

'Day a Town Slept' episode #139 — (pictures left to right) When Mark looks out of the window (from the vantage point of the second story window) you can see the deputy leaning against the building, with horses to the left of him.  Thanks Renewed Fan! Mark told Micah that he was the best marshal they ever had.  Micah ask him how many marshal's has he know.  "None except you," said Mark.  Cowgirl!

'Millie's Brother' episode #140 — At the end of the show, after winning a lot of money at poker, "Mr. Chase" puts his gun on the table, borrows McCain's book on statistics for the Civil War, and leaves all the money he just won at poker and his gun on the table!  When he gets on his horse after confessing to Millie that he lied about his time in the war, he has a gun (or at least it looked like a gun) in his holster. But he never goes back to the saloon so unless he had two guns, he never picked up the one on the table or  his money!  Thanks Rock Creek Trail Guide!

'Outlaw's Shoes' episode #141 — Did you notice that when Mark is getting ready to leave Mr. Stevens' ranch, he, Stevens, calls Mark by his real name, Johnny?  Thanks Jerry E.!

'The Executioner' episode #142 — I sure wish Johnny Crawford had learned how to properly pronounce "Arkansas".  Thanks Renewed Fan! I wonder if Sanchez's horse has a W on it for the brand.  It sure looked like the horse in 'Outlaw's shoes.'  The one George Vale stole from the 16 year old Weiden boy.

'Waste' part 2 episode #144 — Micah was talking to Mark about his mother. Mark says he doesn't remember much because he was only 3 at the time.

'Lou Mallory' episode #145 — Lucas & Lou were to meet the next day to finalize their business deal for Millie's, General Store.  Lucas goes looking for Lou when she's no where to be found.  When he first goes into the hotel, notice how he slowing approaches and peeks thru the curtains, not the the day before when he just entered them, catching Lou in her arms before she fell.  But when he comes back with Micah to look again for Lou the curtains are partially opened.   Cowgirl The Jackman's characters appeared in these two episodes, but check out the pictures of the Jackman brothers, they had changed.  Pa Jackman is still played by Peter Whitney & Halsam Jackman played by Conlan Carter.  Love that Peter Whitney!  He sure was one of the greatest character actors.  "The Rifleman" sure had it's share of them character actors!  Cowgirl FYI—"Madera" is the name of a city in the San Joaquin Valley & "North Fork" is the name of a town in the nearby Sierra Nevada foothills. The late screenwriter/director Sam Peckinpah & grew up in the Valley & used those names in many of the TV shows & movies he wrote.  Also, Peckinpah's family ranch was called The Dunlap Ranch same as in "Home Ranch." This script for 'Lou Mallory' was originally named 'Ellen O'Toole'  Cowgirl! The hotel sure has change throughout the episodes. And where Eddie had billiard tables Lou had a bar & a dining area  Cowgirl!

'Quiet Night, Deadly Night' episode #146 — Just saw the episode with Ed Ames. When Nils is playing checkers with Mark, he calls him "John".  Thanks Jon! The stage arrived in North Fork after "two days" of hard traveling from Denver.  Well, Denver to the New Mexico line is right at 200 miles. From geographic clues in other episodes, North Fork seems to be closer to Mexico than to Colorado.  That stage coach must have been flying!!! I think that a reasonable pace for a stage coach would be 6-8 miles an hour. Allowing for a 10 hour travel day, 60-80 miles a day would have been reasonable. (The Butterfield Overland Stage did about 2800 miles in about 25 days, but they were the fastest, or one of the fastest, lines- - even assuming that the Denver to North Fork stage went just as fast, it still barely had time to reach the New Mexico line.  Thanks Renewed Fan! How about the part where Lou demands that Coyle, the gunslinger, pay for his whiskey.  He throws a coin right at her face.  Lucas snatches it right out of the air. "Good catch, Cowboy!"  Cowgirl! And how about the part where Nils was going to offer Mark a drink?  "Would you like―can I get you a drink of water or something?" Asked Nils. Cowgirl!

'Death Never Rides Alone Blooper' episode #147—About 7 minutes in - Drago goes into the bar, gets a drink, and sits down - Sweeney is talking to one man standing at the bar, and there are about 4 others seated. The door flies open and a couple of cowhands enter - but suddenly the bar is very crowded with people who seem to have mysteriously materialized out of thin air.  Thanks Renewed Fan! Take a look a the photo on the right  — The pot belly stove is in the corner.  The picture on the wall is to the left of the stove - our right - and it has a light above it. Take a look a the photo on the left  — The pot belly stove is up further, not in the corner.  Also the picture is to the left - our right - of the stove & no light above it. One more thing - on both pictures the men in the background are different.  Drago is in the picture on the left and another man is in the picture on the right unless they changed Drago's position.  Cowgirl! This is just a sample of the different types of curtains that was in The North Fork Saloon. If you happen to find a different combination of curtains, I would be glad to add them to this page.  Cowgirl!

'I Take this Woman' episode #148 — Poor Razor.....did you see him in the background when Lucas knocked Dennis out of the window in to the street?  He got spooked and ran off.   I wonder if he went back to the McCain Ranch. ; )  It looked like Lucas might have tied Razor up outside of the hotel.....now that's a no.....no, Lucas!  Remember what Lou told Lucas about that in the episode. "Lou Mallory?"    Cowgirl!

'The Assailant' episode #149 — Did you notice that when Nils enters Micah office to attend the Cattlemen Association's Meeting, he closes the door behind him (camera angle, outside). Then when Nils is taking his seat and Lucas is addressing the members, the door is wide open (camera angle, inside).  Thanks BluewindFarm!

'Mark's Rifle' episode #150 — New Merchants in North Fork?  While Lucas waits in the Livery to see if Marty will try to grab his horse and leave town. We see a scene of nighttime outside the Livery. Two signs are visible. One says Joe Calhoun, M.D. The other says Culver's Livery Stable- Stanley Culver, Prop.  Watch were the bullet hole appears that Lucas shoots through the hotel door. Now look at the hole from the other side when Lucas opens it. The hole appears much lower in the door. Lucas was kneeling when he shot so if anything the hole should be higher not lower. Thanks Pete! Remember the part where Lucas and Lou get back to the hotel and Lucas told Lou he had never seen her look prettier then she did that night as he took a piece of straw from her hair? In Chuck's book....."The Man Behind the Rifle" by David Fury, there is a part something like this, I wonder if this episode and the quotation in the book go together?  Remember in 'The Photographer' and 'The Surveyors', Mark  and Lucas had different opinions there too, and Mark was the one who was right. "One time we we're walking in, and we knew we'd been out in the wagon − so Chuck sprinkled hay all over me, and he was picking it out of my hair as we came in! And we were carrying our shoes, which sort of told everyone what we were out doing! And that was the way Chuck was, he would do things on the spur of the moment − and it was always with the movement, and the interplay in the scene.  He was just wonderful to work with," said Patricia Blair. Cowgirl!

'The Most Amazing Man' episode #151 — Or am I confused? Lucas is in the dining room. Lou comes in and says "Good Morning, Lucas." Then Mark walks in, apparently just coming in from school to show Lucas his first A+ (which from what I heard of the composition definitely didn't deserve an A or a B or a 14 year old kid!!! After Randall's speech, it's apparently supper time.  So, apparently Lou was confused about what time it was... Thanks Michelle Palmer!

In 'Squeeze Play' episode #152 — near the end, Mark is locked up by the baddies. When Lucas lets him out, it's from a tiny shed built onto the side of the house or barn.. It is clearly an outhouse, with moon on the door and all.  I'm sorry I didn't make note of this blooper, was this you?  In the scene where Carver puts Mark in the shed, take a close look, Mark has a shirt on.....no jacket.  In the shed when Mark is pounding on the door; he has a denim jacket on, he even looks somewhat younger on the right then he does on the left.  I think the clip on the right is file footage from 'Squeeze Play' & 'The Score is Even' Thanks Pete!

'Gun Shy' episode #153—Watch the scene where Mark and Fred are struggling for the rifle, and accidentally shoot Charlie - the muzzle of the gun is not pointed anywhere near Charlie when you hear the shot - but Charlie falls down anyway.  Thanks Renewed Fan! Did you notice where Lou kept the ham?  Cowgirl  Did you notice when Lucas rode into town looking for Mark that he had a shirt on but no jacket.  But when he walks into the hotel he had a denim jacket on.  This looks like film file from 'The Anvil Chorus'  Cowgirl  Lucas & Mark's rifle - side by side  Cowgirl

'The Anvil Chorus' episode #154 — recycled ideas from so many older episodes (a) No one can carry guns on the street - 'The Day the Town Slept' (b) Mark and another are held overnight by outlaws, so that a bank robbery can be carried out in the morning -- 'Sheer Terror' (c) Nils calls someone "Lucas" to tip them off that something is wrong - - Micah called Mark "Nils" in 'The Assailants'. And, one last comment -'The Anvil Chorus' episode #154—Did I actually hear Nils call Lucas "Lucasboy"??    Thanks Renewed Fan! When Lucas ran from behind the jail to the front to stop Platte, for all of you who have this episode that is so neat the way he approached Platt, running off the porch. "The man behind that gun could take the head off a pop weed at 50 yards."  Sound byte

'The Conflict' episode #155 — Lucas wasn't wearing his wedding ring any longer. Have you noticed it before now?  Chuck wore a wedding ring in the first few seasons, but we noticed he didn't wear one in the last couple of seasons. We are assuming he took it off when he was divorced from his first wife. But we don't really know. He just wasn't wearing a ring anymore. In one of the early shows 'The Vision' Mark tells his "mother" that his father still wears his ring.  "If you would have been shooting target practice you wouldn't have been so riled," said Micah.  "I keep seeing that cat leaping at Mark's throat instead of running away."  "If that had happened....."  Micah interrupted Lucas....."'If' is a troublesome word."  'The Indian' and 'Conflict'— Margie, Remember that 'mullein bush with five pods' that I pointed out to you in 'The Indian' episode #21?  Not only does it make a return appearance in 'Conflict' episode #155— but they actually re-use that very same shot. Thanks Pete Villafea! In the episode 'Conflict' they show an alarm clock. Can you give me a little history on it and is about when this alarm clock is dated?  Alarm clocks have been around for a LONG time. There was a medieval water powered alarm clock that monks used to wake up to pray (no kidding!). It was a container of water that slowly dripped into a second, lower container. When the water level of the second container reached a certain level, a floating piece of wood tripped a release latch, which caused a tightly round spindle to unwind, striking a bell repeatedly as it did so. Rube Goldberg would have been very proud of this device, but it actually worked! Inventors had been working on mechanical alarm clocks from the 1500's onward. By the late 1700's, they had clocks that worked pretty well, but were very bulky. In 1876, Seth Thomas patented the first small bedside alarm clock - and by the time that the Rifleman is set (early 1880s) these would have been very common. Thanks Renewed Fan! After Lucas speaks to Micah, he actually mounted his horse from the right side! Not often seen!   Rhodes Reason as *Ben Todd/Ben Kendrick.  He was the one who Lucas threw out of Lou's hotel.  Lou calls him Ben Todd and the credits say he is Ben Kendrick????? He is the younger brother of Rex Reason. ("Man Without a Gun" and "The Roaring 20's") Has anyone kept track of how many times they have used the same rock scene they use in 'The Conflict' episode #155? I can think of two other times, but I'm sure there have been more, 'Suspicion' & 'First wages'?  Thanks MilVC!  "If you would have been shooting target practice you wouldn't have been so riled," said Micah.  "I keep seeing that cat leaping at Mark's throat instead of running away."  "If that had happened....."  Micah interrupted Lucas....."If' is a troublesome word." Cowgirl! Lucas & Mark's Hat - side by side.  Would you like to own a hat just like Lucas's?

'Incident at Line Shack Six' episode #156 — Jeb—Davey —Vale Croton

'Suspicion' episode #157 — When Mark is leaning against the water trough and talking to Lucas, about 10-12 minutes into the episode, he calls the salesman "Quincy." The man's name was actually Quince.  Thanks Renewed Fan! What do you think of Winslow's philosophy....."Better to have more and not need than to have less and want?"   We never did get to see Matt Larson. Twenty dollars for the wheel and Ten for the horse?  Go figure! Kurt says.....I recently saw the Mark Twain episode w/Kevin McCarthy—'The Shattered Idol.'  Two days later they aired an episode w/McCarthy—'Suspicion' and he appeared to be using the same makeup props from the Twain episode (just darker.)  He's dressed in eastern clothing, sitting upon a huge boulder. —Thanks Kurt Burgess! This is not the only episode that a painter visited "The Rifleman."  What was the other episode and who was the painter?  (Hint: He was a painter, but not a sign painter, although he did paint the walls of Micah's office).

'The Sidewinder' episode #158 — When Lucas puts the six matches in the hitching post and shoots them to light them, and Gridley Maule (Billy Hughes Jr.) shoots them out, note that they are both shooting right towards the front of a building which is behind the hitching post - oops, hope nobody minded getting their store shot up, or got killed inside it. According to imdb.com Billy Hughes Jr. was probably not yet 14 when this episode was filmed - his gunhandling, at least on film, was impressive for someone of any age and well worth re-watching to pay attention to. When he first confronts Mark McCain at the house, he does a pretty impressive twirl of his revolver and drops it right into the holster; later when he returns to try to force Mark into a duel, he throws a pistol on the ground and orders Mark to "Pick it up or I'll kill you - pick it up!" and as he does so he draws his own gun - if you watch, he's incredibly quick. In the match-shooting scene he also rips off six quick shots from a revolver. Of course they're blanks and aim meant nothing but a revolver is not the simplest gun to fire quickly and reliably. Hughes must have spent quite some time on his own learning gunhandling because he didn't get that good just by rehearsing for TV shows. I also got a kick out of the fact that he's smoking a cigar while waiting in the house for Lucas to return. I doubt they'd allow that these days even for filming just one scene of a TV show. Unfortunately, the last part of the episode kind of 'jumps the shark' when this young gunslinger suddenly changes from an intense hateful character into a polite young man. All through the episode this pint-sized gunslinger is a powderkeg ready to kill people, and a few minutes later he's passing out exploding cigars (but agrees that he himself is too young to smoke now). Thanks rooster davis! Another blooper—file footage—before Lucas realized that Grid is on his way to the ranch he has on a short sleeve shirt.  When they show him on the way to the ranch he has on a long sleeve shirt/gloves—when he gets to the ranch he has short sleeves on again. Cowgirl When Mark rode to the north ridge to tell Lucas about Gridley Maule, pulling a gun on him, watch Blueboy!  He keeps nudging Mark (Johnny) and all the while Mark's talking he's trying to keep Blueboy in control.

'The Sixteenth Cousin' episode #159 — Did anyone notice when they were fighting in the street, and the one cowboy was thrown into the building, the whole set moved? I thought maybe the window was going to break or the barrel tip over, but when the whole set moved I just started laughing.

'Hostages to Fortune' episode #160 — I Stanford Jolley played Joe Fugnar/Bulgutch-according to the credits at the end of this episode his name is Joe Fugnar—according to IMDB/TV Tome his name is Joe Bulgutch—In the beginning of this episode Sylvester/Paul Mazursky calls him brother Joe.  Sylvester's last name is Bulgutch.  I would say they are brothers.  Cowgirl Percy dressed like Mark towards the end of the episode?  Cowgirl! Tony Haig played Percy Bullock Jr. in 'Hostages to Fortune' — Remember....."A Percy! A Percy?!"  I met Tony in 2004 when I went to Tehachapi for Chuck Connors Day.  Cowgirl

'And the Devil Makes Five' episode #161 — The grave at the end. They must have used stock footage. You see a hat hanging on it. AND you see a gun and gun belt - - since the criminal was in chains and was under arrest, where did his gun/gun belt come from?  Thanks Renewed Fan! Micah uses the word "bamboo". I doubt that word was in general use in New Mexico in the 1880's (I think it would have been called "cane") but I am not sure enough to call it a blooper. Thanks Renewed Fan! As to if the word 'bamboo' was in general use or not in that area and time-frame, I have no idea how such a determination might be made; however, the plant was used for many things in the good ol' USA, even back then: Thomas Edison used it in a light bulb that he patented in the year 1880. (That bulb still burns today, in the Smithsonian.) Thanks Rob! While filming this episode the scene where Lucas is still wrapped in the blankets and can’t move because of the rattlesnake, the Connors’ boys were fooling around and accidently pulled a cable that put the entire set in darkness.  From out of that darkness, they heard a very loud, angry voice yell, “You kids get off the set NOW!”  Knowing that was their father’s voice, they didn’t wait for a second request but took off as fast as they could away from that set!  Later on Chuck tried to find out which son had pulled the cable, but they didn’t rat Steve out.

'End of the Hunt' episode #162 — John Gilbert played the boy who came to tell Lucas that Granny Mede's kin was at her place. John is the son of Herschel Burke Gilbert.  Thanks John!  If you look at the scene where Mark gets a chance to shoot the deer (Old Spike), Mark is standing behind a big tree trunk that is itself shaped like a deer!  Check that scene out, it's a wonderful picture!  Thanks Pete Villafea! Mark took his rifle and went deer hunting. Lucas was out to kill Reef Jackson. North Fork is in NM, right? You were out west to the ranch.   Did you ever see 40 and 50 foot pine trees in NM? Mark is sitting among all these pine trees and looked out to see the deer less than a 100 feet away and not a pine tree in sight.  Amazing what they got away with.  Thanks Bob Booth! What does "The Rifleman" & "The Westerner" with Brian Keith have in common?  Spike aka Old Spike Here we have another sighting of Spike in 'The Angry Man'  Cowgirl! When Lou asked Harry Finley if he would watch over the hotel while she went out.  It sure sounds like Lou says Harry.....what say you? Maybe Lou called him by his real name by mistake. ♫ Mark's theme — This is the music you hear in the beginning of this episode when Mark is cleaning his rifle. A special thanks to John Gilbert for sending this to us.  John is the son of Herschel Burke Gilbert *Please be patient while this song/sound byte loads, it may take a few seconds to load but is well the wait!

'The Bullet' episode #163 — Lucas cocks his rifle after already doing so: he would have ejected a live round. Thanks Rob! Watched one last night about the ballistics and fingerprints. Good episode. The Bullet Double blooper right at the beginning.  When Lucas broke up the party. It started by fast cocking the rifle and shooting Harry. Then he did the complete rotation and cocked the rifle again and this time it didn't fire. Then he told Richard to dig up the buried guy and swung the rifle down and cocked it again. Enough time must have elapsed between shooting the scenes they forgot what they did. The editor couldn't take it out because then the story would have been short.  Thanks Bob! After watching the episode 'Bullet' it impressed me as an attempt to create a spin-off series. By the time Bullet was made, the producers/writers/directors for The Rifleman clearly knew that the show was about to end. They created an interesting character (a lawman who uses science and his brains to solve crimes in the old west) with a side-kick, then had an episode in which Lucas McCain was basically the guest star to introduce the new characters. Note that the focus of the episode (and of the camera!) is usually on the sheriff, not on Lucas. Obviously, while the concept was interesting, the idea did not "take".  Thoughts?  Thanks Renewed Fan!

'Requiem at Mission Springs' episode #164—Stuntman Jesse Wayne worked in just about every TV western of the 1960's and doubled such young stars as Johnny Crawford of "The Rifleman" and Kurt Russell in "The Travels of Jamie McPheeters."  This shot is from the TV pilot of The Wrangler in 1959.  Not sure who doubled for Johnny in the episode of 'Requiem at Mission Springs,' but he is a possibility, but thought you might be interested in this, especially after that bad tumble Mark took.   Cowgirl Did anybody notice when Lucas was hiding from the convicts he was next to a rock and when he leaned against the rock...IT MOVED! Thanks Christine! There's a scene where Lucas is behind a boulder, watching the bad guys; this is just before he gets into the shootout with them, I think. Anyway, Lucas has his shoulder against the boulder and pushes off a bit ... and the "boulder" wiggles! Can see it move ... (makes me think, didn't Chuck play Superman once??)  Thanks Rob!

'The Guest' episode #165 — A couple of minutes into the episode, Mark and Lucas ride away from the ranch - it is obviously a MUCH younger Johnny Crawford with a different shirt.  Thanks Renewed Fan! Lucas is heading off to bed and reaches up to "dim" the light on the wall just outside their bedroom, the light either dims or goes out, but if you listen closely you can hear a "click" just like a light switch. Speaking of lights, has anyone else noticed that the lights never flicker, like a lamp with a wick would. Oh, maybe North Fork was one of the first towns in 1881 to get electricity!!! File footage — The picture on the left is Lucas & Mark getting ready to leave the ranch.  The picture on the middle is when they are riding away from the ranch. The picture on the right is when they return to the ranch. Mark forgot to take his wallet out of his right rear pocket before filming started? The scene where he and Pa are coming out of the House, head to the horses and talk about having to go move the cattle because 3 - 4 fence posts appear to have rotted off.  Look at Mark's back right pocket, I swear he's got his wallet in there.  Thanks Deanne!

'Old Man Running' episode #166 — When Lou shows Mark the hotel register, his grandfather's address is simply "Bensonville". All the other addresses are very odd for a 19th century hotel register. Like " P. O. Box 2876" or "1867 S. 28th Street" None of the other addresses in the hotel register named a city or a town - just a street or a P.O. box. I am wondering if some of the crew may have listed their own personal addresses on the register, figuring it would be an inside joke that would flash by the viewers in an instant, and not knowing that later Tivo users could freeze a frame and read it?  Thanks Renewed Fan! Even though Chuck was older then John, John played Chuck's father-in-law in "Old Man Running" aka "The Wanted Man."  That makes him Johnny Gibbs "Pa!" Still, having a father-in-law just a few months younger is an interesting concept! A credit to Anderson's ability to morph into a character. He's listed as 6' 51/2" too.   Thanks Kurt Burgess!

'Which Way Did They Go' episode #167 — In the ending scene where they're all at the bar, Lucas's beer changes colors, from light to dark! Thanks Lone Star Mama! What about the brand LMc?  What would you have used for the brand?  Would you have included Mark?  How about McR—McCain Ranch?  Maybe if the show went on longer we would have seen a different brand.  This was the first time we ever saw the/their brand.  Remember this from "Long Gun from Tucson"—"Waller & Son. Gee Pa that makes them partners!" Said Mark.  "That's right!"  "That gives me an idea.....why don't we put a sign like that up on our barn?" Asked Mark.  "Do you think we need a sign.....partner?" I asked.  We both laughed.  We had something more then that.  We didn't need a sign to have that!  Did they really need a brand with both of their names on it or a brand that covered both of them?  Not really but it would have been nice.  "What say you?"   Cowgirl In the beginning of the episode when the sheriff is hanging the Sheriff's Sale sign.....Ned Jackman calls "Hi W"?  How comes Micah's not the one to hang the sign? Paradise sure looks a lot like North Fork.....  Cowgirl

'Old Tony' episode #168 — Mark's ideal woman is pretty and can cook real good. Lucas's ideal woman is—remember this from "The Sister?"  "Yes, I'd like to take another wife someday, that's only natural."  "When?" Ask Mark.  "When I find the right woman."  "How will you know her?" Ask Mark.  "I think I'll know her when I meet her son."  With a big grin on his face Mark asked, "What will she be like?"  "Well, she'll have to cook and sew and scrub. Her hands gotta be soft, she's gotta have hair like the crimson as the setting sun. Eyes as brown as chestnuts. She's gotta wear a flower because that's womanly. Ride a horse like a man." I think Lorrie's shirt looks just like Mark's, just a tad darker.  Something like the shade in the earlier episodes. When Lucas rides into town and goes into Micah's office, he's wearing his shirt sleeves rolled up.  (Before Joe arrives in town and insists that Micah arrests Tony.)  Lucas, Micah, and Joe ride to Old Tony's place looking for Mark and Lorie, Camera angle from the back shows Lucas is wearing a long leave shirt.  Camera angle changes to the front and Lucas is back to wearing his sleeves rolled up.  Thanks Deanne Bertram! What I also find interesting is when Lucas rides into town the first time he had long sleeves on at this time to start.  Cowgirl! Lorie asked Mark if he's ever thought about what his wife would be like, when he's married.  Mark recalls a conversation he had with his Pa, he mentions his Pa smoking a 'PIPE'.  I don't remember a pipe, I always remember the cigar.  Does anyone else know if Lucas did smoke a pipe or is this really a "blunder"? Thanks Deanne Bertram! It's a blunder!  Lucas NEVER smoked a pipe - he always smoked cigars!!! (except for the first episode where he smoked a cigarette...) In The Vision, Mark stated this as well. Thanks Michelle!

Our favorite rifle, the one that Lucas used in North Fork, is sort of an oddity for the show. Winchester didn't even make that rifle (the model 92) during that time period. It was not even introduced until 1892. Lucas kept law and order way before than. So one might say that not only Lucas was one heck of a shot but also had great foresight. And that doesn't even touch on his gunsmithing skills. He was quite a man! Can you put that under bloopers? Is this the greatest blooper of all?  Thanks Pete S.!

Throughout the series, in North Fork, it's obvious from the prints made by people's footsteps and the marks left by wagon wheels and hoof prints, that the dirt in the street has been laid down to cover the real surface (wood staging? tarmac?)     Thanks Rob!

Pictures of what was Chuck Connors "real" ranch — Medicine Hat Oaks  Cowgirl

How many of you know who Archie Butler is?

Love this finger pointing! — Lucas was good at getting his "point" across!  Cowgirl !

I had someone in the messageboard ask me if I knew how Johnny got the hole in his hat?  I found an article from an old TV Guide that quotes Johnny as  saying.....Crawford treasures his Rifleman memorabilia, including the first felt hat he wore on the series.  "One of my dogs chewed a hole through the peak." Not sure how many of you have seen Mark (Johnny) wet his lips a lot?  I have noticed this in a lot of the episodes.  Here is another part from the article....."Sometimes my voice sounds scratchy, I blink or I have a tendency to wet my lips. I have to watch that."

Yuma Prison—Yuma prison has been referenced a number of times on The Rifleman.  The prison received it's first inmate in 1876 and released it's last inmate in 1909 when a larger facility was built in Florence, Arizona.  It was a territorial prison so a person convicted in New Mexico would not have been sent there.  Today Yuma prison is a state park and museum.  Thanks Earl!

Of course Sweeney the bartender would notice something like this—When and why did Micah become a heavy drinker? Has anyone else noticed that there seem to be more inconsistencies about Micah's background than about the location of the McCain Ranch? When we first meet Micah, Sheriff Fred Tomlinson ('The Marshal' episode #4) remarks that when he knew Micah about 10 years ago and he was one of the finest peace officers on the border. It seems to be implied that Micah lost his nerve and started drinking heavily when his arm was hurt in a gunfight. Later we learn that this happened 5 years ago in a gunfight with Dan Maury ('The Deadly Wait' episode # 26). Yet there are several references to Micah having a long term drinking problem. In 'Closer Than a Brother' episode #98—He remarks that for 16 years he has had been afraid of Ansel Bain, a man who was nothing without his eyeglasses. In 'The Guilty Conscience' episode #137 with his evil twin Charming Billy. Micah tells Lucas that for 22 years, he rarely drank less than a quart of whiskey a day (would be dead in a week from a quart of whiskey a day) I don't know why this hit me now but does anyone out there have any theories about this? Has anyone else even noticed it? Thanks Sweeney! Yes, there are some discrepancies with Micah's history. In one story he says he's been a lawman for 26 years, in another it's 30. He did say he drank a bottle of whiskey every day for years. I think it was Dan Maury's bullet that damaged his arm. I'm not sure but I don't think that he started drinking when he was shot, but that he lost his nerve and left being a lawman and drank more heavily. After hearing him tell of losing his wife and his farm 30 years ago, I assumed that's when he started drinking. I don't think the different writers ever keep track of what was said in each episode and tried to keep continuity. The other discrepancy I noticed –'The Blood Brothers' episode #35, the Elizabeth Cook, Micah indicates that just like Lucas, he is a widower.  Thanks Duane! Then in 'Guilty Conscience' episode #137—he makes a comment that implies he was never married. I also noticed that in 'The Day The Town Slept' episode #139—it is stated that Micah has been North Fork’s marshal for 5 years. This is not possible because: • We know from 'The Wyoming Story' episode' episode #96/97 that Lucas and Mark came to North Fork in 1881 (which is roughly when the show’s first season takes place). Micah became marshal not long afterward, I would assume. • The fourth season takes place circa 1884, which would have been at the most 3 years since Micah became marshal. I say 1884 because in 'Two Ounces of Tin' episode #131— Tip Corey’s grave is marked 1884. Unfortunately continuity and consistency was a weakness throughout the series. Of course in the 1950s/60s we didn’t have VCRs or DVDs to help us pick up on the slip-ups. As far as Micah’s drinking, I think I have to go with Lucas’ explanation to Mark from 'The Marshal' that Micah was wounded, then he turned to alcohol to assuage his fear. I guess I consider 'The Marshal' an official reference to everything else that happened because it was the episode that first introduced Micah. (Maybe some of the writers should have watched it when THEY were writing their episodes.)

Has anybody ever come up with a body count? How many folks did Lucas actually shoot in the series? My guess is 300-400.  Thanks Renewed Fan for this question..... As far as a body count goes I will quote a part from Chuck's book.....The Man Behind the Rifle..... "And there was a lot of violence on 'The Rifleman.' We once figured out that I killed on the average of two and a half people per show."  There were 168 episodes X 2 1/2 = 420 people for the whole 5 seasons.  Be sure & check out Donna's Casualty list At one time "The Rifleman" and "The Untouchables" were consider the two most violent shows on TV.   What is your opinion?  We'd sure like to hear it!  How many shots..... Pete's theory How many shots were fired in the opening scene of The Rifleman? Video

The "reading the rights" business came up in the 1960's. Some petty hoodlum named Miranda appealed to the Supreme Court because he contended he made incriminating statements without a lawyer present. Years later, Miranda supported himself by selling cards with the "Miranda warning" and his autograph on them. He was stabbed to death in a bar room fracas. Legend has it the police forgot to read the Miranda rights to the murderer. Thanks Renewed Fan! You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to speak to an attorney, and to have an attorney present during any questioning. If you cannot afford a lawyer, one will be provided for you at government expense."  I use to love this on "Hardcastle & McCormick!"  Judge Hardcastle was something else.  He was a stickler for the "Miranda warning."  Love this show!  It's my modern day western!  "Hunt 'em.....Hear 'em and Hang 'em.....That's the code of the west!  Cowgirl!

North Fork Saloon curtains  Cowgirl!

Watching Rifleman now and something seems odd to me. While Lucas and Mark are not wealthy and Lucas has chastised Mark for tearing his shirt fighting in one episode ("shirts don't grow on trees") how on Earth is it that on such tight money, Mark has bedroom slippers to wear with his nightshirt? In The Prisoner, Lucas goes to town and he buys Mark several new shirts. He does buy them a few sizes too big, so he gets more wear for his money out of them. Millie comments on this. Seems like a silly thing for a kid in the old West to have in his wardrobe, especially when basic clothing is such an expense.  Thanks rooster davis! roosters follow-up—I read somewhere that back in those days shirts were expensive and most guys didn't have a lot of them. When guys would get into a fight they usually took off their shirts first rather than get them torn or ruined, because they were costly, hence the old saying "Keep your shirt on" meant keep your cool, don't get into a fight". So with the cost of replacing shirts (as Lucas mentioned) it just seemed to me like a kid or even adult in the 1870's would've just gone barefoot in the house. With outdoor plumbing they'd have had to put on regular shoes anyhow to go out to use the 'facilities' and they sure weren't spoiled against some inconvenience and discomfort. The slippers just seem like an unnecessary expense for someone in Lucas' situation. The relative expense of buying shirts would explain Lucas' displeasure over Mark's fighting and tearing his up, as well as Lucas' reluctance to buy a new one for the church supper.  Thanks rooster davis!

I wonder if the guy loading the wagon, bottom right on "stock" town scenes ever finished loading it....Thanks Jim!

Date Discrepancy—Okay, I know we've talked about this issue before but I really noticed a big date blooper. In the first season, Mark is 10 and in 'The Vision' episode #66 - season 2—we learn that Mark was 6 when his mother died. In 'The Wyoming Story' episode #96 & 97 - season 3—the sign on the McCain Ranch says it was rebuilt by Lucas and Mark in 1881 - so we think Mark is 10 in 1881 when they moved to North Fork. Well, in 'Tension' episode #45 - season 2—Lucas said he buried his wife in June of 1871 and that proves he couldn't have been robbing a bank hundreds of miles away. That would have meant that Margaret died when Mark was born. Let's not even bring in Mark's telling Micah he was 3 when his mother died in 'Waste' episode #143 & 144 - season 5— Did anyone else pick this up?  Well I also noticed that Mark aged funny throughout the series. When he starts the show he's 10. Near the end of season one, in 'The Raid' episode #37 - season 1—Mark is still 10. Only a few episodes later, in 'A Case of Identity' episode #57 - season 2—Mark say's he's 12. Then, over a year later, in 'The Actress' episode #94 - season 3—when asked how old his son his, Lucas says he's 12.  What happened to 11? And why was he 12 for so long?

I also wanted to let you know that you finally ended a mystery for us re: someone we noticed years ago on "The Big Valley" (my real passion) who appeared continuously in nonspeaking, character type roles. He is one of the main reasons, other than the producers, who made us realize that these two shows  were intertwined, but we just couldn't find any information on him. The Virtual Valley site, which I've been on for years, hasn't picked up on him yet, at least I've never found any info.  We were so glad to find him on your site and wanted to write to you sooner about Archie Butler. We enjoy looking for him and really get a bang how they often have him in two shots in the same scene. For instance, in 'The Brother-in-law' when Uncle Johnny is riding the bronc, Archie is the wrangler holding the horse before he blasts off. Cut to the cowboys sitting on the fence, and there is Archie clapping.  Thanks Charlene F.!   It is so neat to see that you noticed Archie.  Archie was on all those shows back then, you just need to look in the background.  Sadly he went unaccredited for the most part.  Arnold Laven speaks very highly of him.

Razor, Chuck's horse was given by Chuck to the president of the Houston Livestock Show, Neill Masterson, to be auctioned off, with the proceeds going into a scholarship fund.  Cowgirl - from Chuck's book by David Fury

It is not really a blooper, but ... I have noticed that the first aid is nearly always the same: " Bring some water! " Okay, if they are in the desert ... But I do not believe that they are very thirsty with a bullet wound in the body or other injuries.  Thanks Kira!

There are three episode were either a cinch was cut or broken..... can you name those three episodes.

The Gunsmith Shop sure changes a lot in North Fork.

In real, life, Enid wasn't even founded until the late 1890's by the railroad, the area was barely settled and had been Indian Territory. But the settlers and cattle drives were using that land before it became Enid. Enid was named after a mythical character in a book by a railroad worker.  Anyhow, this isn't to say Lucas couldn't have come from there, It just wouldn't have been called Enid at the time. Enid, Oklahoma Thanks Frank aka Weinerdawgy!

*please feel free to send me anything you might find interesting or any bloopers and I'll see if I can capture it and add it to one of these pages.

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