The Rockford Files. Season 2, Episode 6. "The Great Blue Lake Land and Development Company" Jim's $10,000 is stolen.
Six episodes into Season Two and there's still no sign of Jim to have a normal client, or for an episode to be structured like the majority of stories in Season One. In this one, we are told that he has a client (in jail) but it's mostly incidental to the story.
The story is really about what happens when Jim is forced (by car trouble) to stay overnight in a small town. And has $10,000 stolen. The money belongs to his client and Jim needs to get it back, but when he starts to investigate he finds that nobody in the town believes him, or has heard of the man Jim dealt with the night before.
It's a compelling mystery. And Dana Elcar is great as the local Sheriff who tries to hear Jim out, but eventually runs him out of town.
The midpoint of the story is a little odd. Jim sends for his dad and a character called Fast Eddie and the three of them appear to be starting off a major scam/con to get the money back.
Except... None of that every materialises and - pretty soon - Jim framed for murder and on the run.
So, I have to wonder why were Fast Eddie and Rocky written into the story, and why did they get three/four major scenes in the middle that, ultimately led to nothing. Don't get me wrong. The scenes are great fun, and Noah Beery Jr. displays absolute star quality. He's funny on his own and his chemistry with James Garner is off the chart. It's great stuff. But adds nothing to the story, and doesn't even move it forward. In fact, it slows it down...
Things pick up when our hero is framed for the murder of the man who took his cash. There's a very funny break-out-of-jail scene and a fairly good looking desert chase to end the tale.
Richard B. Shull is funny as Fast Eddie, but you can't help but wish it was Angel instead who came to town.
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The Rockford Files. Season 2, Episode 6. "The Great Blue Lake Land and Development Company"
