The Rifleman – “The Spiked Rifle”

The Rifleman Season Two DVD

Original Air Date: November 24, 1959
Starring: Chuck Connors, Johnny Crawford, Richard Devon
Directed by: John English

Cat Out of the Bag Alert!  This review contains spoilers for this episode!

Synopsis: Lucas McCain (Chuck Connors) agrees to ride shotgun on an expensive stagecoach delivery but doesn’t realize that the bad guys who plan to rob the stage intend to threaten his son to get what they want.

Cat Burglar (Scene Stealer): Austin Stark (Richard Devon) is the man planning to rob the strong box from the stage.  After finding out that McCain is going to be riding on the stage, Austin walks to the saloon to meet his men.  For some reason a tiny tabby kitten is sitting outside the saloon doors.

The Rifleman - The Spiked Rifle - tabby kitten sitting in front of saloon

Stark reaches down to pick up the kitten.

The Rifleman - The Spiked Rifle - hand reaching down to pick up tabby kitten sitting in front of saloon

Stark then looks over the saloon doors with the kitten in his hands.

The Rifleman - The Spiked Rifle - Stark standing in front of saloon with tabby kitten

After entering the saloon, Stark sits with his men, still holding the kitten.

The Rifleman - The Spiked Rifle - Stark sitting at saloon table with tabby kitten

Stark’s men want out of the job now that McCain is riding along, but Stark has seen McCain’s son and plans to threaten the boy’s life to assure McCain won’t use his famous rifle.  Stark emphasizes this by saying, “Mr. McCain is about as dangerous as this kitten.”

The Rifleman - The Spiked Rifle - Stark places tabby kitten on saloon table

Final Mewsings: Stark never saw that kitten when enraged!

Many thanks to Melissa for letting us know about this adorable television kitty!


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