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
Anything with a light blue background is newly posted as of—5/2/08
| 'Eight Hours to Die' episode #6—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! |
| 'Eight Hours to Die' episode #6—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! |
| 'Eight Hours to Die' episode #6—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! |
| 'Duel of Honor' episode #7—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. Thanks Linda C.! |
| 'The Indian' episode #21—'Day of Reckoning' episode #38—North Fork only has one church but here we see two different churches. Cowgirl! |
'Tension' episode #45—'A Case of Identity' episode #57—In both of these episodes you see that Lucas records everything in his Bible. Take a look at the 2 Bibles. Cowgirl! |
| '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! |
| In the episode 'Conflict' episode #155 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! |
| I wonder if the guy loading the wagon, bottom right on "stock" town scenes ever finished loading it....Thanks Jim! |
| 'The Sharpshooter' episode #1—We even have a blooper found buy Jeff Connors, son of Chuck Connors. 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. Take a close look at the cowboy hats Lucas is wearing. Good catch Jeff! | |
| 'The Sharpshooter' episode #1—(A) Johnny C. 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! | |
| 'The Sharpshooter'—episode #1—When Mark was having lunch with Vernon, he told Vernon that he can shoot his "Dad's" rifle. Does this count as a blooper? Thanks Linda C! | |
| 'The Sharpshooter' episode #1—When Lucas & Mark came to North Fork.....what horse was Lucas riding? Cowgirl | |
| 'The Sharpshooter' episode #1—I deleted the episode 'The Sharpshooter' from my DVR, but was then struck with the thought that 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? This has been done - Thanks Renewed Fan! 'The Sharpshooter' episode #1 versus ''Home Ranch" episode #2 Cowgirl | |
| 'The Sharpshooter' episode #1—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' episode#3? I have a blaze-faced Sorrel myself. He's my big boy :) Thanks Deltaqueen! 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. Thanks Lu! | |
| There were a lot of changes between the pilot 'The Sharpshooter' episode #1 and 'The Home Ranch' episode #2. 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' episode #1— 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! | |
'Home Ranch' episode #2 —who is this guy that Jackford is hitting in the tummy? It's suppose to be Lucas McCain—"WhatsayU?" Cowgirl | |
| Love this finger pointing!—'End of a Young Gun' episode #3—'The Gaucho' episode #14—'Hostage to Fortune' #160—'The Sidewinder' episode #158—'The Three-Legged Terror' episode #30 Lucas was good at getting his "point" across! Thanks Linda C & Cowgirl too! | |
| '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! | |
| 'End of a Young Gun' episode #3—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 | |
| 'End of A Young Gun' episode #3—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 | |
| 'The Marshal' episode #4—What about about Sheriff Fred Thomlinson? Cowgirl! | |
| 'The Marshal' episode #4—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' episode #1—says: 4 miles South. Just how far was it to The McCain Ranch? Thanks Renewed Fan! | |
| 'The Marshal' episode #4—When we meet Micah, his "bad" arm is nearly useless. It gets better in the other episodes. Thanks Rob! | |
| 'Brother-in-law' episode#5—I THINK that 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. 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! updated 9/2/07 | |
| 'Brother-in-law' episode #5 . Lucas is breaking in the new horse and during the ride his hat falls off and pops right back on during the breaking in - LoL . Thanks Mee! | |
| 'Brother-in-law' episode#5—Maybe I'm wrong. but the corral they were breaking the horse in isn't seen again, at least not to my knowledge. Thanks Deltaqueen! | |
| 'The Brother-in Law' episode # 5—this is the 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. "WhatsayU?" Thanks Pete & Rob! | |
| 'The Brother in Law' episode #5—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? Thanks Lu Young! | |
| '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! | |
| 'Eight Hours to Die' episode #6—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.! | |
| 'Eight Hours to Die' episode # 6—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 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! | |
| 'Eight Hours to Die' episode #6—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! | |
| 'Eight Hours to Die' episode #6—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! | |
| '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! Thanks Linda C.! | |
| 'Duel of Honor' episode #7—Jack Elam calls Sweeney "Frank" in the bar scene. That may be Sweeney's first name - but I never heard it before. Thanks Linda C.! | |
| 'Duel of Honor' episode #7—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. | |
| 'Duel of Honor' episode #7—Did ya'll notice the land office which in the next episode The Safe Guard is the bank Also, Did you take notice the area outside of town where the duel was to take place? Cowgirl! | |
| A wonderful story that makes you think. Tonight I watched '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! | |
| 'The Safe Guard' episode #8—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.! | |
| 'The Safe Guard' episode #8—Look for the dancing bucket and a "very phony" looking horse hoof. Thanks Chawin' Charlie! | |
| 'The Safe Guard' episode #8—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! | |
A Picture of Margaret? 'New Orleans Menace' episode #10—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. Thanks Linda C.! | |
| 'The Apprentice Sheriff' episode #11—look at Sandy Dixon's shirt. Cowgirl | |
| "The Angry Gun" episode #13—After the men rode away and things settled down I put Mark on the stage and asked the driver to take Mark to Mrs. Peterson's house. Cowgirl! | |
| This is not exactly a blooper, but it is more of a 'revealing mistake' made in 'Angry Gun' (and in 'Ordeal' and in several other episodes). Lucas is always well-shaven. Consider 'Angry Gun' episode #13 - 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! | |
| '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 | |
| 'The Pet' episode #15―When Lucas fights with Haskins in the barn, there's a quick view of an obvious stunt double. Thanks Rob! | |
| 'The Sheridan Story' 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! | |
| 'The Sheridan Story' episode #16—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! | |
| 'The Sheridan Story' episode #16—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! | |
| 'The Sheridan Story' episode #16— 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! | |
| '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, right? Thanks Rob! | |
| '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 on? Lucas never showed this to Mark. Thanks Linda C.! Boy would I had loved to have seen that picture! Cowgirl! | |
| The Photographer' episode # 18— 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! | |
| 'The Photographer' episode #18—Notice the US on the wagon, I wondered if this was used as a Calvary wagon before? Cowgirl! | |
| '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 | |
| 'Shivaree' episode #19—In 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! | |
| '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 | |
| '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 Indian' episode #21—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! | |
| 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 | |
| '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....." | |
| 'One Went to Denver' episode #25—we can see the front of the McCain barn ... from THE BEDROOM of their house. Thanks Rob! | |
| 'One Went to Denver' episode #25—Rumor has it that the rifle Lucas threw at Tom Birch was a rubber rifle. Cowgirl | |
| 'One Went to Denver' episode #25—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! | |
| 'The Deadly Wait' episode# 26—Dan Maury drinks all day & isn't drunk, apparently he doesn't need any sleep either. Thanks Rob ! | |
| 'The Deadly Wait' episode #26—Dan Maury is in front of this building called "North Fork Eagle?" Cowgirl | |
| 'The Deadly Wait' episode# 26—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 | |
| '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! | |
| 'The Wrong Man' episode #27—Lucas gets into a fight with carnies, it ain't Lucas. Thanks Rob! | |
| 'The Challenge' episode #28—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! | |
| 'The Challenge' episode #28—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? | |
| '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! | |
| 'The Challenge' episode # 28—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... Thanks Linda! | |
| 'The Hawk' episode #29—In McCain's house the character "Flack" gets in a fight, but it ain't him. Thanks Rob! | |
| 'The Hawk' episode #29—When Mark and Lucas was 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! | |
| 'The Hawk' episode #29—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! | |
| 'The Hawk' episode #29—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' episode #29—'The Jailbird' episode #73—check out the difference in the Hardware Stores & the Hardware signs Cowgirl | |
| 'The Three-Legged Terror' episode #30— Lucas thanks Fremont, Johnny's uncle for being very cooper-A-tive (Long A). Thanks Linda C. ! 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—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! 'The Angry Man' episode #31—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! | |
| 'The Woman' episode #32—Check out the action with the hat. Cowgirl | |
| 'The Woman' episode #32—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! | |
| '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' episode #33—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 | |
| 'Money Gun' episode #33—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! | |
| 'The Money Gun' episode#33—Notice the bars on The Marshal's office windows & door / 'Man from Salinas' episode #130—No bars 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! | |
| 'The Blood Brothers' episode #35—(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—A few other things I noticed too were when Mark was in the wagon playing with the sword, you could see his shadow on the hills outside, plus when he 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!! Thanks Linda! | |
| 'Stranger at Night' episode #36—Very Obvious painted background scenery at the McCain Ranch. Thanks Rob! | |
| '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 | |
| 'The Raid' episode #37—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! | |
| 'The Raid' episode #37—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. Thanks Linda! | |
| 'Day of Reckoning' episode #38—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! | |
| 'Boomerang' episode #39—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 'Martinet' episode #83 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! | |
| '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! | |
| 'Bloodlines' episode #42—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! Thanks Linda C.! | |
| 'Bloodlines' episode #42—(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, on 'Blowout' episode #43— 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! | |
| 'Obituary' episode #44—Panama Billings trying to run Lucas down. Only thing, it's not Lucas! Cowgirl | |
| 'The Obituary' episode #44—How many do-dads did Lucas shoot? Tom & Cowgirl | |
| 'The Obituary' episode #44—If you noticed there was no hitching posts in front of The Marshal's office. Thanks Renewed Fan! | |
| In "Tension" episode #45—the hutch does not have curtains. In "Hostages to Fortune" episode #160—Lucas looking for his bottle of whiskey. Notice the curtains on the hutch. In "Deadly Image" episode #132—Mark gets the whiskey out of the kitchen cupboard—do they kept it in the hutch or the cupboard?. See odds n' ends 9 You see this all throughout the different episodes. Cowgirl | |
| 'Tension' episode# 45—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! | |
| 'Tension' episode# 45—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! | |
| '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 | |
| 'Panic' episode#47—"I'll see ya' tomorrow Dad," said Mark Thanks, Chawin' Charlie! | |
| Look at the difference in the Gunsmith's building & signs in 'The Letter of the Law' episode #50—'Mail Order Groom' episode#56—'Long Gun from Tucson' episode #121 | |
| '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 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? WhatsayU? Thanks Pete Villafea! | |
| 'The Baby Sitter' episode #52—(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! | |
| '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! | |
| 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?—Linda C. 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 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! | |
| 'The Visitor' episode #58—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! | |
| 'The Visitor' episode #58—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. Thanks Lu! | |
| '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. Thanks Lu! | |
| 'The Visitor' episode #58—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????? Cowgirl! | |
| 'The Hero' episode #59—Mark went off to school when he was caught teasing Colly. Yet, Lucas took him home in the buckboard. Where was Blueboy? Thanks Delta! | |
| 'The Hero' episode #59— 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! | |
| "The Horsetraders" episode # 60—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! | |
| 'The Horsetraders' episode #60—Lucas and Mark are riding into town. Lucas is to the right of Mark wearing a vest. The next scene Lucas is to the left of Mark without a vest. Thanks Pete! | |
| 'The Horsetraders' episode #60—Lucas has a vest on and Mark a coat on as they ride into North Fork/Lucas & Mark has shirts on after they arrive in North Fork. Cowgirl | |
| 'The Spoiler' episode #61— 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! | |
| 'The Spoiler' episode #61—Within the first few minutes a Brud Evans stabs Joey Berrick 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! | |
| '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!" Cowgirl! | |
| '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! | |
| 'Heller' episode #62—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'. Thanks Kaye! 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 | |
| 'The Grasshopper' episode #63 - Look at the spot on Johnny Denver's jacket. Cowgirl | |
| '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 & Linda C.! | |
| 'The Vision' episode #66—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! | |
| 'The Vision' episode #66—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! Thanks Linda C.! | |
| In 'The Vision' episode #66—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 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. Thanks Linda ! | |
| 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' episode #66—"Here (as Lucas showed Mark his Mother's picture), the year you died, you were six. How can you forget?" In 'The Prodigal' episode #71—Billy St. John/William Havecourt about Mark's age. 'Waste' part 2 episode #144—"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' episode #166—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! Thanks Linda C. | |
| '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' episode #66, ice could not be obtained when Mark was sick with a fever, except by riding to the mountains. In 'Sins of the Father' episode #70, Mark is going to a friend's birthday party - and ice cream is being served. Also in 'One Went to Denver' episode #25, 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! | |
| The jail —'Meeting at Midnight' episode #74—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. | |
| 'Meeting at Midnight' episode #74—I knew I saw this picture some in another episode—Thanks Renewed Fan for helping me find it! | |
| '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! | |
'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 th |