Secrets Of TV’s The Rifleman: More Than Just Guns And Good Times

One Love Interest Equaled A Drop In Ratings

The Rifleman was very popular in its first two seasons. Then McCain started dating Miss Milly (Joan Taylor). When she became his girlfriend in season 3, not all the fans were pleased that a woman got between him and his Winchester. Ratings for the show dropped when the love affair was featured on the program. So on season 4, McCain dumped Milly. He turned his attentions to a female adversary named Lou Mallory. Patricia Blair played Lou, who ran the town’s hotel. Her character was more than just eye candy — she needed McCain’s muscle, and his gun, to help her out sometimes.