The Rockford Files does it again with this episode, create some memorable characters in this case a pair idiots who've seen too much of Dance Fever and The Godfather and have patterned their Italo-American lives after same.
Greg Antonacci and Gene Davis are a couple who would like to make the grade in the mob and while they're figuring it out they've moved next door to Rocky and are keeping him up with their non-stop parties. Noah Beery, Jr. introduces them to his son and the relationship degenerates from there.
In the bone making department though Antonacci has heard that the local Godfather has a sister who is serving as a punching bag for her boy friend. They decide to kill him and James Garner's altercation with them just happens to give them a fall guy. Not that they planned it, these guys are not real good in the planning department. But they do they're better than they are.
That charge of murder leads to the need for an attorney and worst luck in that Gretchen Corbett has left her firm. But for old time sake the firm gives him Sorrell Booke who's not that great, but he has on retainer a disbarred attorney in Bo Hopkins making the first of four appearances as John Cooper. The relationship is sort of like the one on Suits.
Or better yet fans of classic literature will no doubt recognize the Tale Of Two Cities gambit with Hopkins like Sidney Carton pulling the strings on Sorrell Booke. Problem is that Carton had more to work with in Strivers than Hopkins does.
Antonacci and Long would be back though in Rockford's final season. These two are priceless. Watch how Garner bags Antonacci in the climax. I split a gut laughing.
Greg Antonacci and Gene Davis are a couple who would like to make the grade in the mob and while they're figuring it out they've moved next door to Rocky and are keeping him up with their non-stop parties. Noah Beery, Jr. introduces them to his son and the relationship degenerates from there.
In the bone making department though Antonacci has heard that the local Godfather has a sister who is serving as a punching bag for her boy friend. They decide to kill him and James Garner's altercation with them just happens to give them a fall guy. Not that they planned it, these guys are not real good in the planning department. But they do they're better than they are.
That charge of murder leads to the need for an attorney and worst luck in that Gretchen Corbett has left her firm. But for old time sake the firm gives him Sorrell Booke who's not that great, but he has on retainer a disbarred attorney in Bo Hopkins making the first of four appearances as John Cooper. The relationship is sort of like the one on Suits.
Or better yet fans of classic literature will no doubt recognize the Tale Of Two Cities gambit with Hopkins like Sidney Carton pulling the strings on Sorrell Booke. Problem is that Carton had more to work with in Strivers than Hopkins does.
Antonacci and Long would be back though in Rockford's final season. These two are priceless. Watch how Garner bags Antonacci in the climax. I split a gut laughing.