The Gang at Don's Drive-In

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.

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.

Anthony Zerbe is a wonderful character actor. During the 1960s-80s, he was very prolific...playing all sorts of scumbags, jerks and outright villains on such shows as "Mission: Impossible", "Cannon" and "The FBI". Now he didn't always play these sorts and occasionally played semi-normal guys...but that was rare. When I saw he was on "The Rockford Files", I automatically thought he would be the villain...and I was suprised to see he instead played a great author who has become a raging alcoholic.

Jack (Zerbe) has hired Rockford to help him do research on his latest crime exposee. However, Jack is VERY slow on paying Rockford and he keeps making promise after promise...but it's clear Jim's old friend is just a mess. Rockford threatens to resign...but comes to Jack's aid when some goons beat him up and as a result, Jack's in the hospital...where the doctor tells Jim his friend is dying from cirrhosis of the liver. What's next? See the show.

Zerbe definitely takes a chance with such a role...and he's good as a drunk who lies and promises constantly. He's a pathetic guy...one who lies to everyone including himself. An interesting characterization, that's for sure.

As for the plot, it's very good and involves a murder that happened long ago...and Jack's bumbling manages to alert some very bad people!

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 !🌞

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 5 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.