Loved the Rifleman tv series. In my opinion, one of the top five westerns ever, on television. It was a show that had great morals, and life lessons. I also liked the father and son element of the show as well. Rifleman packed a lot of action, adventures, thrills, suspense, drama, humor, and they were able to accomplish this fact inside of a half an hour too. My top five westerns include: 1) The Rifleman 2) Bonanza 3) The Virginian 4) Big Valley 5) Kung-Fu
@@jdsundstrom: No problem Dave. As for my top five list...it's right below my reply on the Rifleman tv series. It is numbered as well. However, if it is somehow not showing up....here it is again. 1) The Rifleman 2) Bonanza 3) The Virginian 4) Big Valley 5) Kung-Fu
@@usmc-veteran73-77: Thank you. I grew up on westerns. Even though by the late 60s, and into the 70s & 80s...most were all re-runs by then, except for shows like: Gunsmoke, Kung-Fu, Alias Smith & Jones, Grizzly Addams, and How The West Was Won. However, to me it didn't matter. I simply watched them, because they entertaining, with so much action mixed with adventures. Always giving you great life lessons to learn from. Westerns had excitement, drama, humor, and sometimes even romance too....and they do it all in an hour or less even.
The Rifleman was one of my favorite shows when i was a kid. I've been watching reruns on Me TV and I realize what a well written and acted show it was. I was a tomboy who loved westerns as a kid and Lucas McCain was so cool. Chuck Connors was good in anything he was in. We miss you.
Chuck Connors was like a storm, quiet and gentle like the first wisps of wind ahead of the storm but could build up in intensity and become a mighty force of nature. That was how he came across to me, that gentle smile but behind those eyes was a fire and passion for life that would not be denied. I watched the Rifleman in early reruns on TV and was amazed at how I liked the opening sequence of the lever action of the rifle squeezing off those rounds before the gun was lifted and the camera followed to show Chuck's ruggedly handsome face on the screen. Good times indeed.
My favorite episode from 'The Rifleman' was one titled 'The Sheridan Story'. It involved General Phil Sheridan and a sick, raggedy former Confederate soldier coming face to face at Lucas McCain's ranch. What impressed me was not only the marvelous concept and writing, but that Chuck Connors backed off to a supporting role and allowed the other two fine actors to carry the story. Few stars are willing to give up the spotlight, especially on their own show, and I think this is just one more example of what a truly big man he was.
Happy heavenly birthday Mr Chuck Connors hello Dave I have watched Chuck on the riflemen my favorite episode was when he had to leave for a job out of town and his son mark was left behind to be cared for by Millie and Micah and he didn't think his dad was ever coming back and then when he. Was standing at there homestead with Micah and Millie he was crying saying he would have to take on the responsibility of taking care of there farm when all of a sudden he hears his father's horse coming down the hill and he said pa pa and then takes off running to greet his dad jumping in his arms and hugging and kissing his dad Everytime I see this episode I start crying it's such a heartwarming episode I sure miss Mr Chuck Connors and all of the greats that are now gone thank you for remembering Chuck on his birthday Dave you are amazing and praying for Mr Johnny Crawford who is battling demintia
Chuck Connors rest in peace, Chuck Connors my mother favorite actor he was good in the rifle man he is fast drawing the rifle and he is left handed and also use his right hand too and I am lefty too, you forgot Chuck Connors had role part in roots to in the 70s.💙🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹
I love The Rifleman so much ! The biblical principals Lucas McCain lives by and teaches Mark . It really grips my heart :) my dad Introduced me to the Rifleman and I watch it to this day . Such a great show and will always be
Underrated actor, and a very funny guy. The warmth between him and Johnny Crawford, as father and son, still moves me to tears. He was also in another amusing movie with James Garner, "Support Your Local Gunfighter", which had quite a cast, including Suzanne Pleshette, Jack Elam, Harry Morgan, Dub Taylor, Ellen Corby, John Dehner, Henry Jones, and Joan Blondell. Wow. His talent and charm vastly surpassed his vices.
Branded was such a great series. I recently saw it playing on one of the over-the-air digital broadcast channels and was seriously disappointed, not with the original show, but with the butchery committed by the people who cut the one hour show down to a half hour of continuity free segments.
Thank you for posting this, and yes, it was unsettling and strange to see a beloved actor play an unsavory (I'd go as far as say creepy) character like Tom Moore in "Roots". But that is a credit to Chuck Connor's acting ability. (Tom Moore was basically a rapist and the biological father of Chicken George.)
Dave, you scored another hit my friend. You covered so much on Chuck Connors that I never could have imagined. His charitable work for crippled children showed what a great 👍 individual he was. Thank you 🙏 for covering the Werewolf TV 📺 show, I did watch it back then. I always wondered why there was never a movie based on The Rifleman series. Thank you 🙏 sir for another great story on a true American 🇺🇸 Patriot
I loved the rifleman Chuck Connors was great in this show I knew he played sports never knew he was in the war i liked him in werewolf tv series where he played skorzeny he was great at that also loved him in old yeller I own it on DVD I also remember him in Geronimo never knew he was in pat and Mike I own some of the seasons of the rifleman on DVD but yea the role of Lucas McCain is what made him really famous loved it Dave it was great one of the best western shows of all time I wish they released werewolf on DVD id like to own it it was great also I knew he was a heavy smoker I'll always remember him Dave he was great
Well, hello again there Dave S! Here is another amazing series I never missed ever day after school. Ah, The 1960's B&W television, Nothing Better! Clean & Wholesome Viewing is what I always enJoy! CJ-4-JC
@@jdsundstrom "Howdy Rowdy!" Watts uP? You seem pretty CooL to me Mr. Sundstrom. EnJoy your day as you go out to play. "Tag-Yer It!" "Knuck-Knuck-Knuck!"
A few more tidbits on him, he got the name Chuck from his early baseball days and his habit of telling the players to "chuck" the ball to him. He was also drafted by the Chicago Bears but never played. His biggest deal was when at that time the US and Soviet Union were at odds big time. The Soviet President Breznev had agreed to visit the US and this was a first time ever. No one knew but Breznev was a huge Rifleman fan and had each show translated to him. His plane touched down at LAX and he walked down the ladder toward the tarmac. Bands were playing and every local and national politician was there to greet him. He looked out in the crowd and saw his idol The Rifleman sticking up in the throng. Breznev walked right past all the dignitaries and their out reached hands. He went straight to Chuck. Chuck handed him a carved wooden box and inside were a pair of custom western six shooters in a hand tooled western belt and big silver buckle. "Breznev" was engraved on the back. Breznev put those on over his suit and Chuck reached down and picked him up in a big bear hug. The politicians and secret service all crapped their pants. If you google chuck and breznev and look at the images, you'll see the infamous bear hug.
I live in Paducah, KY, which is about 50 minutes away from Fort Campbell where Chuck Connors was stationed. For years, there was a gentleman who was a greeter at one of our Walmarts who played on the Celtics with Connors. He said they stayed in touch until Connors' death in 1992. The local media did stories on him.
A very imposing man. I remember seeing him in various TV and movie roles over the years, but nothing specific that comes to mind. And I’d never heard of the show The Rifleman. Maybe because I grew up in the UK and it might not of been aired over there? Something just came to mind! I had a game as a kid (and still actually have it, wrapped up in its original box) I really enjoyed playing and playing with friends...Tin Can Alley. It’s made up of a toy rifle with a light in it, that you aim at a faux-wood plastic log with light detectors inside. On which you place supplied empty Dr Pepper cans. If you aim the rifle’s light directly at those light detectors, a lever of some sort flips the cans off the log as if you’re shooting them off. And there on the games cover box is one Chuck Connors standing next to a young lad while the kid aims the rifle at the cans! I’m looking at it right now 🙂
I may get in trouble for saying this and feeling the way I do about growing up with men like Chuck Connors as hero's. I was given an education about morality fairplay Patriotism and standing up for myself by my Parents other family members and family friends. Men like Chuck Connors and the parts they played reaffirmed those lessons weekly and in some cases daily with TV shows in syndication. I think because I grew up with real men playing these types of men like Lucas McCain I am a better man father husband and now Grandfather. Outstanding post Dave my thanks.
For much of my early years of life, we did not have a television set. But we eventually had a black and white TV. The only show I remember Chuck Connors from was The Rifleman. My own father had to deal with cancer in his prostate, lungs, and when the cancer moved to his brain there were no effective treatments other than chemo and radiation. His tumors were inoperable and he died about a month after he turned 71, just a few months before his father, my grandpa, died. My mom blamed the years long smoking and was convinced that if he quit smoking at the same time she did, it may have saved his life.
What I remember most about The Rifleman was the music by composer Herschel Burke Gilbert. It was so iconic and stirring. The opening scene where Lucas McCaine is walking and firing his lever action rifle in rapid succession is quite a way to begin a show. I saw Branded and loved it. I remember an episode of Here’s Lucy when Chuck made an appearance on that show. He looked like a giant standing next to Lucy. Even more so when he lifted Lucy into his arms. Chuck Connors did a lot of things on the big and small screen. I remember seeing an episode of Fantasy Island where his fantasy was to hunt and kill Mr. Roarke. To me, he was equal to James Arness as Matt Dillon on Gunsmoke. Werewolf reminded me of The Fugitive and The Incredible Hulk. However, Eric Cord kind of gained control of the werewolf and didn’t really kill people. In the werewolf form, he tried to rescue people. I guess the show’s Frank Lupo was a fan of The Night Stalker because of the name Janos Skorzeny. Janos Skorzeny went from a vampire in the 70’s to a werewolf in the 80’s.
In the move over darling photo, the short guy with the glasses was Pat Arrington who played Schneider in "One Day At a Time". He was also in a lot of other TV shows. Don Knotts also played a part in the movie.
That's awesome, MGPB! (Beautiful dog on your avatar, by the way. Is he/she yours?) :-) I dated a guy named "Chuck" (His given name was Charles but he preferred "Chuck") in high school. :-)
@@MaryWhiteWolf .. I've pretty much imagined the name Chuck always derived/came from the Name Charlie or Charles if so, Where does Chip come from? Ha!!! :p] .v (Nmcfmamf) ..
@@MaryWhiteWolf .. Yup ain't heard that one in a whiles, I thought Chip may have been a name like Charles is to Chuck Chip would be to Chris or something one of the younger Siblings from "My three Sons" Was called Chip ..
He was known as the Rifleman the role that defined him. He appeared in movies and made also TV appearances. I remember when he appeared in " Roots " as a slave owner . He was fathering kids among the Black maidservants. One woman in particular by the name of Kizzie that had a child by him . That child became known as Chicken George when he grew up . Later in 1989 he appeared in a movie called " Skinheads ". He was killed in his home defending some kids against the Neo-Nazi group. He wasn't related to Mike Conners who played played Mannix. These are 2 entirely different actors , because Mike Conners is of Armenian descent . But that's another story if it hasn't been made . Chuck Conners was a wonderful actor as well as an athlete.
@@jamescarter8421 , I don't know. Spell Check didn't correct me. Maybe either is acceptable. No intention of correcting you, just emphasizing a very apt description.
I loved the opening scene of "The Rifleman" and would count the shots each time. I loved Westerns as a kid, (Still do! I grew up on a working Quarter Horse, Paint Horse and Appaloosa and Black Angus ranch while growing up) watched The Red Rider, High Chaparal, Bonanza, and Big Valley on re-runs during the summer and any John Wayne movie I could. Always thought Chuck Connors so handsome and manly. :-)
@@jdsundstrom It was, but a lot of hard work as well. A lot of time spent in the saddle and in all kinds of weather. Rain and drought were always a worry as well as getting the cattle to market and calving/foaling time. The new babies always were such a treat to see and to dream about their lives. Hopes and dreams fulfilled, or broken. To this day I still watch the sky and the horizon for the slightest change in weather or plans. These days I have a much smaller ranchette but still love the life. :-D
I still remember The Rifleman, even though it hasn't been on TV here since I was about 6. He made two episodes with Red Buttons. Lucas' patience with that Eastern traveling salesman was classic. But for me Chuck's regular intro to Thrillseekers was the all-time classic. To coin a phrase, he was "... a special breed of cat!” 🤠😸
It was very cool to find out that Mr. Connors served at Fort Campbell. I live about 15 miles from there and had never heard that. Jimi Hendrix also served at Ft.Campbell. The Rifleman and Ole Yeller were fantastic, but my personal favorite was his role as Frank Briggs in "The Capture of Grizzly Adams". I appreciate your work on this channel and look forward to new videos.
The Rifleman was great and can still be viewed in many palces on cable and broadcast. Recently, Branded has been rediscovered and can be seen an several retro cable stations.
Love the The Rifleman and The Adventures of Superman 50s version and also some movies but I can't name how many 📺 and movies shows but Chucky was a good man and I didn't know he played the Celtics enjoying be played baseball not the Celtics thank you on acknowledgement Dave
Gosh Dave, I feel bad that you felt that you had to redo the video. The wee slip wasn't really enough to require the change. I'm just one of those guys who listen pretty intently. Probably no one else said anything. Anyway, you perfected it now.
I was going to leave it...but since the video had only been out for a few hours, it felt like it might be worth fixing before there were hundreds of comments on the video. If there is one thing that I really wish RU-vid would allow me to do would be the ability to replace a video with a newer version without having to delete and re-upload and, by doing so, losing a ton of great comments. Anyway, I'm glad you heard it J W.
"I can still hear the sound of his rifle as Luke "cuts loose" with 6 repeating shots in the first few moments of the opening, just before the man says= "The Rifleman" then, music, show opens. Whew, it has been awhile! '=-) C'ya later Wally Gator! CJ-4-JC Most XLNT 'n Great work yer doin' here for All to EnJoy! Thank You Dave!
@@jdsundstrom Say Dave, did Did I ever mention my living in "The Swamp Tent" out at the 4077th M*A*S*H? 8 Years of "The Big Camping Trip!" "Twas Awesome! I Knew everyone there quite well. If you can see my picture there clear enough, I am sitting inside "The Swamp" wearing my "M*A*S*H" T-shirt. Boy, the stories I have, along with tons of pictures. And the Food at sound stage 9 was The Best I have Ever eaten! Well, just thought I'd mention it 'cause of All The Groovy things you place on-line for all to EnJoy. I certainly & simply Love All You put into it Mr. Sundstrom! Stay Groovy Dave! '=-) TTFN= Ta-Ta-For-Now, that's "Tigger-Talk" C'ya, CJ-4-JC
Always awesome. Brings back wonderful memories as a kid watching these shows with my mom and dad. Thank you very much for the work you put into your channel. Cheers brother.
A fan of the Rifleman as well. If I remember correctly, he did a great job in the two part series opener of Police Story. Couldn't believe seeing him as a psychopath. He did such a good job, I forgot all about the Rifleman.
My dad loved the rifleman when he was growing up and so we had to watch the reruns in syndication as a kid. I like it know but didn't when I was little. It is nice to know the back story to all of these stars. Thanks Dave. Could you possibly do so some of these videos on 80s shows. I really loved Family Ties, Facts of LIfe, etc. I only see a few of these people around today. Thanks!
He chose Chuck because he was always calling out "chuck it to me" when he wanted the ball & fans started calling out "chuck it". He claimed the name for his own & as they say...the rest is history!!!
That was such a great show. And I remember it's showing up on the local UHF channel is well. The opening credits within shooting a rifle as always in my mind when I see a rifle
Hi Dave, this was a very interesting video. I never knew that Chuck Connors was into any kind of sports. I should have known with his physique. Of course I enjoyed The Rifleman especially the bond between the father and son but I used to watch it with my little sister Who Loved Annie show that had a cowboy hat a gun and a horse in it. But it was a great show and I still watch it once in awhile. But to be honest with you, I loved Flipper, that was my favorite show, well one of my favorite shows! Take care and God bless!
I loved the movie Move Over Darling Chuck was great in that. It was supposed to be a movie called Something s Got To Give with Marilyn Monroe but she was fired and then passed away. 20th Century Fox bought the rights and did the movie with Doris Day.
There are clips of the incomplete Something's Got To Give from 1962 with Marilyn Monroe. She did look good in the movie but so did Doris Day in her version. I would love to see a segment on Doris Day including her television show
Ah, Chuck. I watched him on TV for years -- The Rifleman, Branded, that Superman episode you mentioned, Move Over Darling (one of my fave films) etc. I have to tell ya, though, that after his role in Roots, he just scared me to death. He was so evil and bad in that mini-series that it was jarring. After that, every good guy role seemed to pale to that one nasty role in Roots. He was a good actor obviously.
I think Chuck Connors is too often overlooked. He wasn't flashy like other actors. I think his understated delivery was ahead of its time... And I wonder how many elitist directors ignored him as a "ball-player".
Concerning Connors' name change, while playing baseball for Setan Hall, he would repeatedly yell to the pitcher from his position on first base, "Chuck it to me, baby, chuck it to me!" The rest of his teammates and spectators at the university's games soon caught on, and the nickname stuck.
Your memorial of "The Rifleman" was born Kevin Joseph Connors, in Brooklyn, NY. A fine gentleman! WITH 2 YOUNGER SISTERS ! Lucas was A profesional Baseball player, and a Pro- basketball player! Anyone should now, and look up his pedigree. It stands now, as it did then. The losers we have now, in WA DC, should be drawn into 4 quarters! Draw 'em up, Micah! Let the Karma split its' ways! Todays politicians are not worth their salt. Sad to say.. . . . The Rifleman was right
Sorry to mention this but Larry Cohen who created "Branded" talks about Chuck on the DVD extras to that show and his comments aren't all positive. Chuck was a bit of a prima donna actor on the show, he didn't get along with Larry, and he refused to promote the show, which upset the sponsor. Years later Larry sat next to Chuck at some dinner event and by that time (around 1991) they had forgotten their differences and were able to have a few laughs together. I think Larry said he got the idea for "Branded" from the famous novel "The Four Feathers". Larry said that the guy who pulls the buttons off of McCord's shirt in the title was a famous character actor, which would explain his very theatrical performance.
