Secrets Of TV’s The Rifleman: More Than Just Guns And Good Times
Chemistry Set
Producers already saw something in Conners, and with some help from Old Yeller, he got the part. He had a box office hit in 1957 with the Disney film, which he co-starred with charismatic child actors Tommy Kirk and Kevin Corcoran.
When producers saw the chemistry between the actors on screen and that Connors could talk to a kid with such respect and understanding, they knew Connors was worth more money. They upped the ante and Connors accepted their revised offer. The rest, as they say, is history.