The Dog and Pony Show (21 Oct. 1977)

Helping a young woman with a history of mental illness leads Jim into crossing paths with the Mob and federal intelligence.

Director:

Reza Badiyi

Writers:

David Chase, Roy Huggins (creator),

Stars:

James Garner, Noah Beery Jr., Joe Santos

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
James Garner	...	Jim Rockford
Noah Beery Jr.	...	Joseph 'Rocky' Rockford (as Noah Beery)
Joe Santos	...	Dennis Becker
Joanne Nail	...	Mary Jo Flynn
Walter Brooke	...	NIA Agent Bill Simonds
George Loros	...	Tommy Lorentz
Michael Bell	...	NIA Agent Mike Krasny
Ed Lauter	...	Joseph Bloomberg
Stuart Margolin	...	Angel
Gary Crosby	...	Beau
Al Ruscio	...	Vic Cassell
Howard Honig	...	Dr. Alan J. Adler
Bill Quinn	...	Judge Raymond Ordonez
Robert Lussier	...	Leon
Louisa Moritz	...	Helen

Storyline

Helping a young woman with a history of mental illness leads Jim into crossing paths with the Mob and federal intelligence.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 October 1977 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Stage 30, Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Roy Huggins-Public Arts Productions, Cherokee Productions, Universal TV

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The title refers to the dog and pony shows that used to travel the Midwestern United States in the 19th century in small towns that did not attract the big circuses that performed under the big top tents. The term currently means any elaborately staged performance or presentation designed to sway or convince people at a meeting, convention or public event.

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Quotes

Evelyn 'Angel' Martin: A-a-ah now we're getting the nitty-gritty! Now it's beginning to make sense! Come over to Rocky's for dinner, Angel! Serving my favourite food! First time I've been invited over here for so much as a glass of water!
Joseph 'Rocky' Rockford #2: [to Mary Jo] Think I could use a little help in the kitchen with coffee and dessert...
Evelyn 'Angel' Martin: Forget about the dessert! You don't buy Angel with a coupla drumsticks and red-eye gravy!
Jim Rockford: Angel! Now, she's in trouble; so am I! And you got me into it!
Evelyn 'Angel' Martin: I may have had a minor role in getting you ...
[...]

User Reviews

Rockford and Angel show

This episode highlighted the quirky relationship between the men, and how they really need each other when trying to solve a case. The show begins with a judge sentencing them both to community service, and I don't recall the exact reason they're in court, but they somehow wind up in a group therapy session, and a reluctant Rockford is hired by a woman there to find out who's been following her; she(Joanne Nail)has a history of mental illness and others think she's only paranoid. I thought her performance was perhaps average, and could've added more to the show. George Loros, on the other hand, gives a great performance as the confused mobster Tommy, as the scenes with him and Rockford at the mobster's house is riveting, especially when Tommy smashes a table right in front of Jim before deciding to kill him. Ed Lauter makes a small appearance, but I wished he had more screen time as the delusional Joseph Bloomberg, plus I recognized Al Ruscio playing the part of Vic. There is a cool chase scene with the Firebird running from Tommy's car, and we also get to see Rockford driving Rocky's truck. Rocky and Dennis have important scenes, and I had to chuckle when Jim pinches Dennis' cheek at the station. The real star for me though is the performance of Angel by Stuart Margolin, as he gets the majority of screen time and has several memorable scenes, especially in Rocky's house for dinner, and when he helps Jim distract a security guard. I also really liked how Jim uses Vic's gun to hit a fire alarm in order for the authorities to rush to the factory where Jim and a few agents were being held. This was a terrific episode, and keep an eye on the performance of Angel, who gets the award this time around.