Chuck Connors explained why The Rifleman never got complaints about the show's use of violence

As a series, The Rifleman was sort of ahead of its time.

For all the talk about on-screen violence poisoning viewer's minds, there is an argument to be made that, in the proper doses, action-packed moments in a television series have their time and place. They add tension to a scene and encourage audience investment. As a viewer, you're much more likely to tune in if you're watching to see if your favorite hero survives another episode.

In a series like The Rifleman, such violence seemed almost commonplace in a Western series. However, the show premiered in 1958, a few years before television would begin to really push the envelope. Yet as a former military man and current rancher, Lucas McCain managed to find himself in more scraps than you might think throughout the series's five-year run.

However, as Chuck Connors pointed out during an interview with The Washington Post, the show's creators and network didn't receive much pushback from concerned viewers who were worried about the level of violence being depicted on screen.

Connors stated, "Funning thing about The Rifleman, in nearly every episode there were fist fights and shooting scenes. But we never had a complaint about violence."

The actor theorized that while The Rifleman did portray violence, it was the conversation between protagonist Lucas and his son Mark that helped to alleviate those fears. Connors commented, "I think that was because after the fighting and shooting had ended, Lucas McCain would sit with his young son and say, 'Mark, that was wrong. Men shouldn't have to fight.'"

One thing The Rifleman excelled in was portraying its characters in a realistic manner, faults and all. While fighting may not be the best way to solve every problem, sometimes situations come to a head and we act without thinking it through, and mistakes are made. Still, The Rifleman took great pains to ensure that the right lesson was taught before the end of the episode.

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7 Comments

Becki5 4 months ago
I really like watching the Rifleman + have been for a couple of years now, but it's started to dawn on me lately after comparing it with other westerns that no others come close to the level of violence on the Rifleman. In addition to the high amount of shooting- the main character Lucas often gets severely beaten by bad guys. That really gets to me ! (Bc I like the guy + it gets to be over the top violence)
I wonder why there was never a warning put at the beginning of the show about the violence? (Especially back in the 50's)
I start to wonder why
dazeofwine 6 months ago
I remember reading in the later episodes. Some of the people, not the audience. I don't think comma but maybe the tv critics did complain about the violence. I guess it was nude at the time, but it's never graphic. And it's always done in the name of justice.
BrittReid 6 months ago
Three of the best The Rifleman episodes contained violence almost in it's entirety. 'Death Trap', 'Miss Milly' and 'Gunfire' (with Lon Chaney jr) . The characters were as believable as could be and a lesson learned in each story.
Runeshaper 6 months ago
Teaching the right lesson is so important. I remember growing up, watching TV shows, and most of them had a lesson at the end of each episode. It wasn't just entertainment for the sake of entertainment.
Mannixishot Runeshaper 6 months ago
It just seemed more natural in older shows. Current shows seem too preachy.
Irish 6 months ago
The fist fights and gunshooting in the old Westerns were a tip-toe through the tulips compared with the violence on television today.
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