I suppose every TV series must have its Nazi episode, and this is "The Rockford Files" one. However, the brilliant script by David Chase is a hilarious parody of overcomplicated murder mysteries that bog everyone down with details so before you know it, NOBODY quite knows what's going on! At the beginning, Rockford thinks he's being hired by Karen Hall (Barbara Babcock) to research and find old associates of a 1930's film director named Alva Korper. Before he knows what's happening he finds himself involved with a missing painting, Herman Goering, former Nazi members of the Abwehr led by Ruprecht (Peter Von Zerneck, who made a career playing out of playing cold, sadistic Prussians and Nazis) and a man who was a former German Olympic wrestler, the French police, the LAPD and several old murders. It's great.
Paul Stewart plays Julius Richards, Korper's old cameraman. He has a terrific death scene where he gives Jim all sorts of information before he dies--just as the film on his movie-ola runs out (very corny, but perfect for this script!). There's another hilarious scene at police headquarters when Rockford demands the French police tell him what's going on--and insist they start at the beginning--which is in the 1700's. The story goes on and on and on (with Dennis frantically trying to take notes throughout) and on and when its done, everyone still seems a little confused. Rockford eventually even hires an assistant who's a major in logic (Irene Tsu) to help him figure out what's going on! The bottom line is he knows there's a missing painting and a recovery fee of $100,000 if he can find it. So Jim is very, very motivated in figuring this out. Just when he thinks he has it all figured out, Irving/Patrick (Bryon Morrow, just as great here as he was in "There's One in Every Port") shows up and confesses, going on and on with new confusing details that destroys Jim's (and everyone else's) theories.
Coburn brings out some of the best in Garner in this episode as he plays the confusion so very well. But you can also see Rockford is loving trying to figure this out as well. It's not your average File. He's quite satisfied when he thinks he does figure it out and Rocky even tells him how proud he is of him, when he is instantly deflated by Irving's sudden and unexpected appearance.
Coburn appeared with Garner in "The Great Escape" and "The Americanization of Emily" as well as the "Maverick" movie. It's too bad Coburn never appeared on the show. He would have made a great character.
But hats off to David Chase on this one for providing a great script, one that all mystery and detective fans should appreciate.
Paul Stewart plays Julius Richards, Korper's old cameraman. He has a terrific death scene where he gives Jim all sorts of information before he dies--just as the film on his movie-ola runs out (very corny, but perfect for this script!). There's another hilarious scene at police headquarters when Rockford demands the French police tell him what's going on--and insist they start at the beginning--which is in the 1700's. The story goes on and on and on (with Dennis frantically trying to take notes throughout) and on and when its done, everyone still seems a little confused. Rockford eventually even hires an assistant who's a major in logic (Irene Tsu) to help him figure out what's going on! The bottom line is he knows there's a missing painting and a recovery fee of $100,000 if he can find it. So Jim is very, very motivated in figuring this out. Just when he thinks he has it all figured out, Irving/Patrick (Bryon Morrow, just as great here as he was in "There's One in Every Port") shows up and confesses, going on and on with new confusing details that destroys Jim's (and everyone else's) theories.
Coburn brings out some of the best in Garner in this episode as he plays the confusion so very well. But you can also see Rockford is loving trying to figure this out as well. It's not your average File. He's quite satisfied when he thinks he does figure it out and Rocky even tells him how proud he is of him, when he is instantly deflated by Irving's sudden and unexpected appearance.
Coburn appeared with Garner in "The Great Escape" and "The Americanization of Emily" as well as the "Maverick" movie. It's too bad Coburn never appeared on the show. He would have made a great character.
But hats off to David Chase on this one for providing a great script, one that all mystery and detective fans should appreciate.