The Rockford Files (TV Series) The Gang at Don's Drive-In (1978) User Reviews

Significant hush money

[bkoganbing · 7/10 · 24 May 2013]

Anthony Zerbe guest stars in this Rockford Files episode as a Norman Mailer like writer who is about to write a book on an old 1961 murder case where a young high school girl was killed and a very powerful man has been paying significant hush money. For Zerbe this could be something like Truman Capote's In Cold Blood.

I think the writers at The Rockford Files might have had the case where Ethel Kennedy's nephew was long suspected for a homicide of a teen. These blackmailers who include Arlene Golonka and Mills Watson were not the folks mostly likely to succeed in their working class high school back in the day. Now they're among the rich and powerful and want to stay that way. So when Zerbe hires James Garner to investigate them, they feel good and threatened.

I have to say that Anthony Zerbe really makes this episode. He's got the makings of something more than he realize, but he's a total alcoholic with all the excuses of why he drinks and why he can just stop anytime he wants to. Garner also has to keep him sober as well as investigate and get his money as well from someone who's looking like a deadbeat as well.

I enjoyed this episode I think the readers will as well.

Not the most realistic story but still worthwhile !

[ronnybee2112 · 8/10 · 5 July 2020]

The actual story was rather far-fetched,but the professionalism of the actors and crew save the show. I thought that James Garner and guest-star Anthony Zerbe worked together well. Zerbe put his heart into the part and made his character quite believable. The other co-stars put in a solid effort and kept things moving along. There are indeed better,more exciting episodes in the Rockford Files collection,with more action and stronger plots,there is no denying that. This episode is still entertaining in it's own way,check it out for yourself and see what YOU think !🌞

A great story!

[mm-39 · 7/10 · 14 March 2019]

A great story. Jimmy has to help out an alcoholic writer buddy who is a has been. The writer wrote one of those acclaimed books no one can get past chapter 3. The on going joke which is mentioned by several character. A true crime book is on the on the works with Jimmy investigating an old murder case. Well written, directed and acted. The ending has Jimmy in a mess with a hired hit man, which is memorable. Worth checking out! 7 stars.

The Odd Couple

[stones78 · 1 March 2012]

Right off the bat, I very much disagree with the other reviewer for this episode, as I do believe the chemistry between James Garner and Anthony Zerbe was solid for the most part, and they genuinely seemed to enjoy each other's company. I've only seen Zerbe a few other times, but I felt that he played both a straight and a drunk very well here, and the man can definitely act. Even though I was impressed with Zerbe's work, I would hesitate to call this episode one of my favorites, as there isn't much action or memorable scenes, but the story is still well written as usual; the story revolves around Jack(Zerbe)writing a book about an old murder case of a young woman, who was first believed to have died from a burst appendix, but was in fact, murdered by a rich snob. Look for familiar faces in Mills Watson and Arlene Golonka as those who were part of the conspiracy to keep the girl's murder a secret. Rocky and Dennis make appearances, and the former gets to throw a punch to a hood in the trailer, although he busted his hand pretty good. There were some nice shots of the Firebird, and a very shot of a boat marina also. The ending was underwhelming, but I did like the writing and I especially like the performance of Zerbe, who brought a different type of character to this great series.

Freefall to Mediocrity

[zsenorsock · 7/10 · 19 January 2007]

Jim is hired by an old buddy he DIDN'T know in prison for a change: alcoholic novelist Jack Skowran (Anthony Zerbe). Skowran has been battling writer's block and has hired Jim to help track down the graduates of a 1961 high school (the Gang at Don's Drive In) for a book on what's become of the lives of an average high school class (actually not a bad idea--What Ever Happened to the Class of '65 and Is There Life After High School? both were successful books based on the same idea!)...or at least that's the story he's given Jim. Instead Rockford finds himself in the midst of a 16 year old murder involving the publisher of the LA newspaper (not the one Angel works for) and a powerful group of citizens (Mills Watson, Arlene Golonka, Lawrence Casey) who once were that gang that hung out at Don's.

This is probably one of the lesser Rockford Files; the mystery doesn't play out in a very intriguing way at all. Often when this happens the characters save the day, but not this time. Anthony Zerbe and Garner have little or no chemistry, At one point Jim decides this relationship isn't working and wants to dump Jack. We cheer him on.

The lovely Arlene Golonka, who was so lovable and sexy as the girl next door type playing Millie on "Mayberry R.F.D." is totally miscast here as the ethnic Hollywood agent Jeannie Rosenthal. I think she's terrific, but its like asking Stuart Margolin to play the President of the United States: It's just not believable.

Mills Watson is back for his third appearance on the "Files" but he's pretty much wasted and given very little to do.

The only really amusing bit is the running joke about Jack Skowran's best selling novel, "Freefall to Ecstasy" in which everyone's heard of it, but NOBODY has finished reading it!

Just like real life

[oneklt · 9/10 · 15 January 2023]

Jim is hired by an old buddy of his named Jack Skowron to help research an ambitious new novel the man is writing concerning a downtrodden high school class of 1961 "virtually wiped out in the Vietnam conflict." Skowron himself was a once promising novelist turned failed alcoholic and desperately hopes this new book will restore him to the limelight. Turns out that's just the tip of the iceberg.

While never among my favorites, this episode has stayed with me over the years, especially that line, "he bought everyone on-board the boat that night a whole new life." As someone else here mentions there isn't a lot of action in this episode and Zerbe seems to get the lion's share of screen time, not Garner. Zerbe is a highly unusual presence and totally believable as the aimless alcoholic. Life isn't always so cut and dry and I appreciate the ambiguous ending to the story as well.

A Swing & A Miss - or is it a Mess (or both)?

[jon-890-677060 · 6/10 · 29 June 2020]

The Rockford Files is an all time personal favorite, the best TV Series ever produced (a solid 10).

Out of 119, The Rockford Files episodes, 118 of them could literally be modernized & successfully repackaged today, as a detective series, by merely updating decor & perhaps swapping out some stock-footage of dated automobiles (going back 4 decades), and that was how far ahead of its time -it was...

The ONLY episode that arguably comes close, to something being a miss & not hitting on all 8 cylinders, surfaced in Season 4 Episode 15 {January 13, 1978} : 'The Gang at Don's Drive-in'...

Granted, there's different strokes for different folks, and the uniqueness of so many different (guest) actors, coupled w a (diverse) plot each week, was all part of the recipe that, appealed to such a large fanbase & was responsible for making this Television Series, an All Time Favorite!

But this insight being stated, the referenced ingredients that made, for such a will kept secretive recipe, were seemingly devoid in the production of the 15th episode in the fourth season: 'The Gang at Don's Drive-in'...

Not missing in this particular episode, is the exceptional acting that, James Garner & the Cherokee 'gang' always brought to the table, nor was it an issue w any of the guest actors. But, there was something obviously a miss, in this one episode that, separates it from the other virtually flawless (118) episodes.