There's nothing better than a Rockford episode in which Jim has to pull off a "big con" and this is no exception. Steven Cannell provides a great script in which Rockford is conned by Eddie Marks (Howard Duff, who appeared with Garner in "Boys Night Out" and would later do "Young Maverick") an old friend who leads Jim to believe he's dying. With the help of Eddie's beautiful daughter Christina (Joan Van Ark, back for her third Rockford appearance) he gets in to a high stakes poker game to win the money Eddie needs for a dialysis machine. Only Rockford's been set up. Eddie's used Rockford to find out where this poker game's located so he could set up a heist.
One of the poker players is the shady Victor Sherman (John Mahon) and he's decided Rockford set them up intentionally and wants his money back or Rockford's head on a stick. Jim sets about trying to con the money back out of Eddie Marx.
Brilliantly written and acted, this show has comedy, jeopardy and the great characters we've come to expect from "The Rockford Files". Howard Duff is convincing as the old con man who smells the big score; Joan Van Ark again displays great chemistry with Garner and is a big plus; and Stuart Margolin also is in top form as Angel, who on Jim's orders tries to organize a team of top operators and only ends up recruiting the Lyman Brothers (John Dehner, who appeared in one of Garner's best "Maverick episodes, "Shady Deal at Sunny Acres" and Jack Riley, "The Bob Newhart Show"'s Mr. Carlin) and Kenny Hollywood (comedian Steve Landesberg, before he got a regular role on "Barney Miller") much to Jim's dismay. Also not to be forgotten is the great work of Byron Morrow, who plays Greenleaf.
Rockford discovers Eddie needed the money to pull a variation of the "old Brooklyn Bridge" game involving an oil tanker. Once he knows what Eddie's up to, he works on turning the con against Eddie--and its a good one. This is a very strong Rockford episode and one that shouldn't be missed.
Interestingly, the syndicated version of this show ends with Angel still locked in the trunk of Sherman's goons' car. We can only assume Jim gets him free when he returns the money!
One of the poker players is the shady Victor Sherman (John Mahon) and he's decided Rockford set them up intentionally and wants his money back or Rockford's head on a stick. Jim sets about trying to con the money back out of Eddie Marx.
Brilliantly written and acted, this show has comedy, jeopardy and the great characters we've come to expect from "The Rockford Files". Howard Duff is convincing as the old con man who smells the big score; Joan Van Ark again displays great chemistry with Garner and is a big plus; and Stuart Margolin also is in top form as Angel, who on Jim's orders tries to organize a team of top operators and only ends up recruiting the Lyman Brothers (John Dehner, who appeared in one of Garner's best "Maverick episodes, "Shady Deal at Sunny Acres" and Jack Riley, "The Bob Newhart Show"'s Mr. Carlin) and Kenny Hollywood (comedian Steve Landesberg, before he got a regular role on "Barney Miller") much to Jim's dismay. Also not to be forgotten is the great work of Byron Morrow, who plays Greenleaf.
Rockford discovers Eddie needed the money to pull a variation of the "old Brooklyn Bridge" game involving an oil tanker. Once he knows what Eddie's up to, he works on turning the con against Eddie--and its a good one. This is a very strong Rockford episode and one that shouldn't be missed.
Interestingly, the syndicated version of this show ends with Angel still locked in the trunk of Sherman's goons' car. We can only assume Jim gets him free when he returns the money!
