The Rifleman (TV Series) Mark's Rifle (1962) User Reviews

Will Mark ever learn?

[kfo9494 · 8/10 · 27 June 2014]

We have progressed into the fifth season and we, as the viewers, know that when Lucas McCain has an opinion, people should listen. But in this story it appears that the person that knows Lucas the best, Mark, has trouble heeding the words of his father.

It all begins when a quick-talking handsome young man named Marty Blair rides into town demonstrating his shooting skills. He advises that he is in town to promote the arrival of a circus that will be in town in a few days. Mark likes the young skillful man and begins a friendly relationship where it almost feels like Mark is being mentored by the traveling drummer.

One evening when Lou and Lucas are out on a buggy ride, they hear someone trying to open the hotel's safe. Lucas comes in just in time to see a shadow close and door. He shoots through the door. On the other side of the door lays Marty Blair with a gunshot to the shoulder. Marty claims he tried to apprehend the crook but was shot when passing the door.

Of course Lucas believes this is hogwash and says that Marty was the one trying to open the safe. But for some reason, it appears that the entire town is taken in by the slick-talking Marty and is giving him the benefit of the doubt. And the people on Marty's side include Lucas's own son, Mark.

This was a fine western story that was played out well by all involved. Mark Goddard was perfectly cast as the young, easy-likable character that charms Mark with his skills. But the entire episode will again come down to the relationship between father son. When will Mark learn?

The Smiling Villain

[gordonl56 · 8/10 · 20 May 2014]

THE RIFLEMAN – Mark's Rifle – 1962

This is the 150th episode of the 1958 to 1963 western series, THE RIFLEMAN. Over the course of 168 episodes we follow the life of Lucas McCain and his son, Mark. They have moved to the small western town of North Fork where they hope to start a new life. Chuck Connors headlines the series with Johnny Crawford as his son. Connors is a world class hand with a Winchester rifle which of course ends up getting him in no end of trouble.

Chuck Connors and his boy, Johnny Crawford, are in North Fork to pick up a few supplies. They see a crowd gathering in the street, so they go for a look. A young cowboy, Mark Goddard, is doing a few trick shots with a fancy rifle. He says he is an advance man for a Circus, and wants to get the word out. Sheriff Paul Fix asks the man to stop with the gunfire. Goddard is all smiles and says no problem. Goddard glad hands his way through the crowd, telling everyone to come out and see the Circus when it come in several weeks.

Goddard grabs a room from hotel owner, Patricia Blair. He notices a fair amount of cash in Blair's safe when she opens it to make change. Johnny Crawford is quite taken with the always smiling Goddard. He asks Goddard to join his father and himself for lunch. There he regales Crawford with tales of the big top.

After lunch, Goddard gives Crawford a few tips on how to use the new rabbit gun Connors' had just bought his son. Connors is not sure he likes the Circus front man. "Anyone who smiles that much is up to something". He says to son Crawford.

That evening, Connors takes Miss Blair out for a buggy ride and a bit of tongue wrestling. When they return, Blair discovers someone trying to get into the safe. She calls to Connors in fright. Connors grabs his always handy rifle and comes a running. Shots are exchanged in the darkness with the robber, who dashes out the back without being identified. Connors sends a few more rounds after the man.

Out back, they find Goddard down with a bullet in his shoulder. He claims that a man knocked him down and fled after shooting him, Connors does not believe a word of it. Sheriff Fix however cannot arrest the man unless Connors or Blair can make a definite identification. They can't.

Goddard is patched up by the local doc and retires to his room. He plans on leaving town in 3-4 days after his shoulder is feeling better.

Crawford is sure that his father is wrong about Goddard and tells him so. Connors says that he can prove Goddard is guilty, if Crawford will help. He has Crawford visit Goddard that afternoon at his room. There he tells Goddard that Sheriff Fix has sent off a telegram to the Circus asking if Goddard did indeed work for them. Goddard says thanks.

That evening Goddard sneaks out to the barn to grab his horse and skedaddle. Needless to say he does not work for a Circus. He uses the line as cover while he looks for someplace to rob. Connors, who has been waiting in the barn, steps out. Goddard does not like the idea of jail and goes for his iron. Needless to say who is on the losing end of the draw.

Why didn't people believe Lucas?

[ebertip · 8/10 · 16 October 2019]

A closing line from Lucas sums up the story: one way to learn is to make the other fellow prove his point.

The storyline is implausible as to no one crediting Lucas' version of the robbery as true, compared to that of the town newcomer.

Mark gets a rifle, as compared to the slingshot of the previous episode.

"Mark's Rifle" is fun but fantastical.

[swog85 · 9/10 · 1 September 2021]

Marty Blair was SO slick, presumably being oily and slimy just as Lucas described him. Only a child, as a kid of Mark's age should be taken in by his foolery. Yet, the savvy Lou Mallory, Micah the U. S. Marshal, and the town doctor all bought into his fantastical story when he was attempting to commit robbery. So viewer, suspend your sense of realism, sit back and enjoy this terrific episode. Mark Goddard is perfect as Marty Blair, who provides the catalyst for the rift between Lucas and Mark.... a situation which is known to every parent of a teenager. Lucas and Mark resolve their dispute in a way which provides a very satisfying conclusion. Whether or not Mark gets or even keeps said rifle of his own is an excellent vehicle for the story's moral. It shows the audience whether the youth has learned any lesson or is still not yet mature enough to handle the responsibility that comes with owning a rifle. "Mark's Rifle" is one of my favorite episodes.

Poor Mark He Was So Wrong

[janet-conant · 5/10 · 31 January 2024]

In this one poor Mark acts like a very naive pantywaist. Season 5 never gave Johnny a chance to break out of that claustrophobic cocoon and shine like he should. He acts like Marty is his first real friend and gets too excited. There is no way that a kid Mark's age would not be a crack shot with a rifle being the son of Lucas McCain. However he is to never get the best of the rifleman. He actually misses every bottle and acts like a 10 year old. When Lucas taught that kid to shoot a rifle in Boomerang he tells Mark he'll teach him sometime. He doesn't.

Lucas shoots the burglar in the hotel through the door and it's Marty groaning and moaning acting like he was shot by another man running away. Everyone knows it is the charming Marty trying to rob Lou. Why is he protected and why does Micah not believe Lucas. The relationship between Mark and Marty is so overdone you think they are dating and Mark sees only good in him. Not a believable episode and Lucas is so insipid throughout he never smiles because for a change Mark isn't kowtowing to Pa until he delivers that lame apology.

Season 5 was the worst season as Mark was no longer a scrapper as he was in seasons 1-3 but rather laid back and subdued. He should have gotten better scripts and been good with a gun as Crawford could act.