 When a replacement for Dennis Weaver  (qv)was needed when he was  leaving the show it was Andrew V. McLaglen (qv)s suggestion that  Ken Curtis  (qv)be brought in for a tryout as Festus Haggen in a  few episodes. Andrew had directed Ken in a similar role in an  episode of "Have Gun Will Travel." Festus was given the job of  Deputy to make him different from Denniss character of Chester (who  was never a deputy).