MovieChat Forums > The Rifleman (1958) Discussion > Best Villian

Best Villian

posted 9 years ago by vestdennis
8 replies | jump to latest

Of all the baddies Lucas faced, who was your favorite. The most fearsome villian of all?

[–] jangoq 9 years ago

Tom King and the Major that imprisoned Lucas. Both played by the same actor.

[–] janet-conant 9 years ago

The show was full of baddies. Alfonzo comes to mind in Waste the way he acts so friendly towards them then becomes ferocious. "Dig the hole." I remember he scared me when I saw this back in 1962 or 63.

How about Lee Van Cleef as Dan Maury and the way he goes to the ranch and just shoots Lucas at the lumber pile in Deadly Wait. He was diabolical as was Richard Devon as Potter in The Stand In when he denies him food and water and plans to turn Lucas in as Rudy Croft.

[–] DanD1963IM 9 years ago

I forget the character's name, but he was played by Chuck Connors, as an evil twin with a mustache and scar. Old Judge Burton that was bent on revenge was also good.

[–] jangoq 9 years ago

Earl Bantry. Probably Conners' best performance in the series.

[–] DanD1963IM 9 years ago

Thanks jangoq, and I also agree.

[–] anthny_platt 9 years ago

Lon Cheney.

Nobody's more frightening than a Cheney. Thank God Lon didn't do like Dick and go into politics!

[–] rj-27 9 years ago

Julie Adams, from "Nora". She was beautiful, beguiling, bewitching and evil. And almost caused Lucas to murder someone. And then murdered the guy herself when that didn't work.

If it weren't for Lucas' steel willed moral fiber, he would have fallen in her trap.

Democracy is the pathetic belief in the collective wisdom of individual ignorance. H.L. Mencken

[–] janet-conant 9 years ago

Love the comment about Dick Cheney.

I have to add Miguel the patrone in Vaqueros. (Martin Landau) pure evil the way he hangs Lucas out in the sun.

Lonny Chapman was dangerous in both episodes even though he was handcuffed and shackled. He was such a good actor he could carry the episode alone.