MovieChat Forums > The Rifleman (1958) Discussion > Faster than Lucas

Faster than Lucas

posted 9 years ago by jangoq
18 replies | jump to latest

I believe the show actually contained at least two characters that may have been faster than Luke McCain. Johnny Drako and Tom King (The Money Gun). In both episodes neither get off a shot, but are verbalized as being faster than anyone in Northfork by either Micah, Mark, or someone else.

Even though this is not proven in a fight, the other characters seem to think so and the writers of the show do not let Drako or King demonstrate their skill. I interpret that as their way of saying Drako and King are faster than Luke.

Is there anyone else who may be faster?

[–] uoflcardfan2003 9 years ago

Maybe Tip Corey, after their fight, Lucas implied Tip wasn't as fast as he could've been

[–] jangoq 9 years ago

Yeah I thought about him too. I didn't want to get into any "yeah but Lucas shot him" debates, but I think you may be right.

[–] paulmccomas 8 years ago

Tip Corey was faster. (See: knife-and-bullet trick.) He *chose* to die, rather than condemn Mark to a sad, vengeful life like his own. Best episode ever, imho. ("Two Ounces of Tin")

[–] hankgillette 9 years ago

How can you even compare? The people Lucas went against were using handguns and had to pull them from the holster, cock them, and then fire. Lucas held his rifle in his hands and simply had to cock his rifle which was modified to fire after being cocked. Any gunfighter would be crazy to go up against Lucas.

[–] jangoq 9 years ago

What if the handgun is already cocked smart guy?

[–] Skye_Reynolds 9 years ago

It's been years since I've seen the series, but I believe there were five in total who were presented as being just as fast, if not faster than Lucas.

Tip Corey (Two Ounces of Tin)
Johnny Drako (Death Never Rides Alone)
Tom King (The Money Gun)
Reuben Miles (The Promoter)

I can't remember who #5 was though. If I remember correctly, I think they were in that vague category where they weren't shown to best faster on the draw, but verbally implied. It seems like the character would have been on McCain's side, but I can't place who that might have been.

Corey was absolutely faster though. That episode was built around McCain entering into a battle he couldn't win. Corey was slow on the draw because of his conflicting emotion. Early in the episode, we saw an exhibition of his talents and Mark even acknowledged that Corey was faster. Incidentally, that happens to be my favorite episode.

[–] allenm-01050 9 years ago

I was going to say Reuben also. The gamblers literally said he was faster and changed their bets from Lucas.

[–] Skye_Reynolds 9 years ago

That's one of the things I like about the series. He's strong, but there are characters who are stronger. He fights well, but there are characters who fight better. He's fast with a gun, but there are characters who can outdraw him.

He's not the best in any one field, but he's collectively the most capable and most suited to be the hero of the story.

[–] uoflcardfan2003 9 years ago

I like how they had characters who weren't afraid of Lucas, like the guy Lucas fought years before, but now he's a doctor, but said if they fought again, the results would be different, he was a great character

[–] Skye_Reynolds 9 years ago

Yeah. Simon Battle. That was a good character.

He was a good counterpart to Lucas. He was as soft spoken as Lucas was loud, he wore darker clothing, and had a customized pistol in contrast to Lucas's custom rifle. They even gave him a daughter around Mark's age.

I wonder if they ever considered using him in another episode. He felt like he could have been a return character.

[–] jangoq 9 years ago

"Careful McCain! Or it'll be just like it was ten years ago. A fast gun against a fast rifle. Only I guarantee the outcome will be different this time!"

[–] uoflcardfan2003 9 years ago

Thanks for posting that, love that quote

[–] TennesseeTarheel 9 years ago

Lucas is just lucky he never met up with Glenn Ford- fastest gun in Hollyweird!

[–] memphis-19091 9 years ago

They do say that Glenn Ford was the fastest of the TV/movie shootists.

[–] liscarkat (19418) 3 years ago

Sammy Davis, Jr. competed in quick draw target shooting contests.

[–] janet-conant 9 years ago

Gridley Maul from Sidewinder was just as fast if not faster than Lucas. I think the very young Simon Lee in Face of Yesterday was fast but as I recall Lucas got him in the hand.

[–] mwmtampa 9 years ago

While its always discussed who might be the "fastest" draw, let's not forget that precise accuracy under the intense pressure is always quite a significant factor also.

[–] Bilwick1 8 years ago

"Speed's fine, but accuracy's final."--Old West lawman Bill Tilghman.