From: "RG Naylor"
Newsgroups: alt.tv.rockford-files
Subject: ON LINE REVIEW-BACKLASH OF THE HUNTER
Date: Tue, 8 Jun 1999 01:38:55 -0700
Here is the review of the pilot episode of the Rockford
Files, Backlash of the Hunter. It starred James Garner (of
course) as Jim Rockford, Lindsay Wagner (excellent choice,
very hot) as Rockford's client (damsel in distress), Sara
Butler, and William Smith as the villain, Jerry Grimes
(very psycho bad guy). Smith later co-starred in Any Which
Way You Can as Clint Eastwood's antagonist, and I bet he
got that role because of this Rockford pilot.
The story begins at Pacific Palisades, where Sara Butler's
father (Harvery Butler) is murdered by Jerry Grimes. Grimes
tells his victim to "relax" like a true wacko as he
strangles him. This hot dog wears bright red pants and a
yellow shirt to do a murder. The actor playing Harvey
Butler (Bill Quinn) plays other characters in other
Rockfords as well. This murder goes to the inactive files
due to the heavy caseload of sergeant Dennis Becker.
Rockford's father in the pilot was played by a different
actor than that of the subsequent Rockfords, and I for one
preferred Noah Beery because of his jovial personality and
tendency to henpeck Rockford. Lindsay Wagner is in her
prime as a twenty-something California babe. Sara Butler's
brother is played by Bill Mumy of Lost in Space fame.
A witty remark from Rockford when Sara lays "bad paper" on
him: "People who like each other hardly ever do that sort
of thing." And: "Don't drop it, it may bounce up and hit
you on the chin." This episode marks the first appearance
of Angel Martin (Stuart Margolin).
When Rockford visits Mrs. Elias at her posh home, he shows
his skills as an actor for the first time. It's clear that
he bones up for these little performances because as she
becomes suspicious, he sidesteps her query with hands on
knowledge.
Here is the SCENE OF THE EPISODE. Rockford lures Grimes
into the funky circus/bar, and baits a trap for him in the
bathroom. He acts like a drunk to get the only patron out
of the bathroom (hilarious),and then squrts soap all over
the floor. Then, when Grimes come in, he calls him "queer",
and eggs him into attacking with a karate kick. He slips on
the soap, and Rockford sucker punches him with a roll of
quarters in his fist. He then ties his legs to the coat
hook on the stall door, and "interrogates" Grimes. Garner's
brother Jack then enters the bathroom in the middle of
this. All very well done.
Another classic line: Sara Butler asks him is he's afraid
of Grimes, and he says, "You're damn right I am." While
Rockford and Sara search the apartment, Grimes tries to get
up (he's been slipped a mickie), creating a suspenseful
scene. He never makes it though.
After Angel spills the beans about Jim's prison stint, they
have a talk about it at Sara's place. Here, Jim states for
the first and only time (as far as I know) that he was in
prison for an armed robbery he didn't commit. Rockford and
Sara then figure out the answer to the case. Harvey Butler
is used as a stand in for the dead Mr. Elias, so that Mrs.
Elias can inherit the money. Very clever plot. Sara is
aghast that Jim didn/t have a gun on him when she played
decoy to Grimes, saying, "He could have raped me." And
Rockford delivers a witty retort, "He wouldn't do a thing
like that.'
So the climax to the story ends in the Nevada desert
outside of Las Vegas. Rockford shoots the plane that
carries Grimes and his cohorts, then they borrow someone's
cement truck and corner the two crooks. Rockford holds them
at gunpoint inside the mixer, as Sara drives into town with
the mixer spinning.
The end of the episode finds Jim being arrested for
shooting down light aircraft. As he's being booked, Jim
puts a nickle into a slot machine, and says, "I bet you
don't get many winners in here." alluding to the
possibility that the machine is rigged by the cops. A good
episode all in all. I can see why they were able to make it
a series based on this pilot.