Against his better judgement, Jim Rockford is hired to babysit an ex-cop named Frank Falcone while he's in Los Angeles for a toy convention. See Frank's life has a cop has been dramatized into a movie and is now a hit TV show (one Rocky loves, especially whenever the lead actor says: "Freeze, turkey!). And yes, it is quite a lot like the story of the actual TV show "Toma" which turned into "Berreta" The toy company is planning a role out of a huge line of toys with the Frank Falcone name and they just can't afford any negative publicity at this point. Thus that's why they hire Jim Rockford. But Falcone's past makes this anything but a babysitting assignment in a very watchable episode that mixes both comedy and action.
The Rockford Files (TV Series)
A Good Clean Bust with Sequel Rights (1978)
User Reviews
Review this title10 Reviews
Liked it
pengel-14 December 2013
This is not the greatest Rockford, but it is fun. It's also a great one for "Rockford" insiders, who know the show's origins began with another 1973-74 show called "Toma" that Cannell wrote and produced. It was about the exploits of a Newark, NJ supercop named David Toma, who had an outsized ego.
Clearly Cannell is satirizing the enormous ego of the real David Toma. When the star of "Toma," the late Tony Mustante wanted out of that show after just one season, David Toma insisted taking over the role playing himself. His only acting experience was as an undercover cop and showing up on the TV show in non-speaking roles each week. The network and Universal declined such a generous request.Instead, they completely retooled the show with Robert Blake as "Baretta." Gone were the straightforward family life with hot wife Susan Strasberg and nice kids. Blake replaced all that with shtick. We got a "deese" and "dose" single guy who lived in a fleabag hotel with a pet cockatoo and an old drunk for a best friend.
Toma later he went on to become an anti-drug counselor. Some of his crying, screaming rants are on You Tube.
Clearly Cannell is satirizing the enormous ego of the real David Toma. When the star of "Toma," the late Tony Mustante wanted out of that show after just one season, David Toma insisted taking over the role playing himself. His only acting experience was as an undercover cop and showing up on the TV show in non-speaking roles each week. The network and Universal declined such a generous request.Instead, they completely retooled the show with Robert Blake as "Baretta." Gone were the straightforward family life with hot wife Susan Strasberg and nice kids. Blake replaced all that with shtick. We got a "deese" and "dose" single guy who lived in a fleabag hotel with a pet cockatoo and an old drunk for a best friend.
Toma later he went on to become an anti-drug counselor. Some of his crying, screaming rants are on You Tube.
Hector Rules
beecedog12 February 2008
Warning: Spoilers
Rocky is a big fan of the TV show "Falcone", in which the hero of the show is a tough Chicago cop of the same name with a catch phrase - "freeze, turkey". Wouldn't you know it, Jimmy just got hired to escort the actual Frank Falcone around town and make sure he doesn't get into trouble. Turns out that they are making some action figures and cars and weapons, you know, kids toys that tie into the popular TV show, and the people that represent Frank Falcone are worried that he may get into trouble and screw up the deal. There is also the problem of Falcone's former partner's book and some old enemies from Chicago, and, well, that part gets a little tedious. The real reason this episode worked for me is Hector Elizondo.
Not the Hector Elizondo from Flamingo Kid, or Pretty Woman, or Chicago Hope. No, this is a hyper, hopped up on something kind of Hector, a guy who can't sit still, needs to walk in order to clear his head and gets into bar fights. The bar scene is great, in a seedy part of town, where the reason for going in was to have chili. Hectors order? "A bowl and a beer". That should have been another catch phrase in the TV show. Anyway, he picks a fight with the two dumbest people in the place to get away from Rockford and then bolts out to beat up his former partner, he of the tell all book, as he has found out he is in town and up to no good. Another great Elizondo scene is when he is confronted by a mothers group against violence on TV. Our guy tells them off, calling them bad mothers and demanding that they go back and take care of their own kids instead of busting his you know whats. Priceless stuff, and really well played by Hector, who takes his licks only to give them back times two.
The whole episode goes poorly for Frank Falcone, as he ends up thwarting a mob hit which costs him his toy deal and the TV show in return. Rockford even ends up hogging the reward for the good Samaritan work and when Frank comes back, all Jimmy offers Frank is to go out for a beer. Presumably not to the same place they busted up earlier in the episode. He refuses, as he wasn't offered to go out for a "bowl and a beer" and then one of the worst ending scenes in Rockford Files history ensues. Hint - catch phrase recall.
Not the Hector Elizondo from Flamingo Kid, or Pretty Woman, or Chicago Hope. No, this is a hyper, hopped up on something kind of Hector, a guy who can't sit still, needs to walk in order to clear his head and gets into bar fights. The bar scene is great, in a seedy part of town, where the reason for going in was to have chili. Hectors order? "A bowl and a beer". That should have been another catch phrase in the TV show. Anyway, he picks a fight with the two dumbest people in the place to get away from Rockford and then bolts out to beat up his former partner, he of the tell all book, as he has found out he is in town and up to no good. Another great Elizondo scene is when he is confronted by a mothers group against violence on TV. Our guy tells them off, calling them bad mothers and demanding that they go back and take care of their own kids instead of busting his you know whats. Priceless stuff, and really well played by Hector, who takes his licks only to give them back times two.
The whole episode goes poorly for Frank Falcone, as he ends up thwarting a mob hit which costs him his toy deal and the TV show in return. Rockford even ends up hogging the reward for the good Samaritan work and when Frank comes back, all Jimmy offers Frank is to go out for a beer. Presumably not to the same place they busted up earlier in the episode. He refuses, as he wasn't offered to go out for a "bowl and a beer" and then one of the worst ending scenes in Rockford Files history ensues. Hint - catch phrase recall.
lighter fare
stones7813 April 2011
This was one of those OK episodes, where it wasn't that great nor that bad, but a fun ride along the way. Solid actor Hector Elizondo plays Frank Falcone, who has a line of toys named after him, plus a TV show to boot, which Rocky is a big fan of. Jim is hired to basically be Frank's bodyguard, as his "new" client sometimes gets involved in troubling situations and Rockford tries his best to avoid them. I can't be 100% certain of the contract placed on Falcone's life, but the hoods believe Rockford is now linked to him and both are in danger; I believe the contract is coming from bad dudes in Chicago, but that's as much as I can recall. There are a few cool scenes for which I'll remember this episode for, such as Jim finding a fish head in his soup, made especially for him by his dad for "flavor"; another real fine moment is when Jim is fishing, he notices 2 goons with knives ready to attack him, then soon after he jumps into the pacific ocean for his escape(not sure if that was a stunt man or not, as I know James Garner did most of his own stunts, but by 1978 he had major knee problems); lastly, I was pleasantly surprised to see the famous J-turn with the Firebird later in the show, as Jim and Frank escape this big, ugly sedan. The final scene ends on a happy tone, as Jim says "freeze, turkey" to Falcone, then he turns quickly to Rockford with his finger pointed like a gun with a smile on his face. As I said above, this is more of a lighter fare variety, as most of the scenes revolving around Rockford and Falcone is almost like good cop, bad cop with some entertainment along for the ride. Not among my favorites, but certainly not the worst of the bunch.
Interesting and fun riff on cop tv shows and celebrity cops
ronnybee211223 December 2019
Warning: Spoilers
This here is a lively and comical episode,which offers a wry perspective on the phenomenon of celebrity cops and cop tv shows. This episode's beginning shows the opening of a fictitious cop tv show,with hilarious over-the-top car crashes,explosions,gunplay,etc.
The main idea of this episode is that somehow Rockford is roped into babysitting a famous ex-cop,and keeping this joker out of trouble for awhile. This famous ex-cop has a successful tv show based on dramatizations of his cases. Most of the public knows the actor that plays this cop on the tv show,he is famous,but the actual cop is relatively anonymous,most would not recognize him for who he is. The real cop is helping promote a line of police-themed toys,and the toy company is nervous about the cop's loose-cannon behavior,and doesn't want trouble because of him. (Possibly inspired by the Evel Knievel/Ideal toy company fiasco)
It turns out that Rockford has been given a fool's errand,a job that nobody reasonable would really expect someone to succeed at. The cop himself is a wild goose,used to doing as he pleases, and as he is obnoxious he can pretty much be guaranteed to have problems in public. Rockford has been appointed here as the fall-guy,a job that has come to fit him like a glove.
The show rollicks along in fits and starts at first but picks up pace quickly and hits a lively stride..However,before you know it,the story plays-out and comes to an abrupt end that I found rather unsatisfying,considering how much fun the first 90% of the show is. Not perfect but overall this is a really great episode that you will remember.
"Why don't I get us turkeys some chickens"
whiteh522 July 2010
Great, funny episode that holds up after more than 32 years. While this episode delivers the usual Rockford action of car chases and humor, this episode stands out for what was not usual fare. If you are looking for Angel, forget it, he doesn't appear. Jim was often left without payment, but in this episode, he is handed a bunch of $100 bills. The overall- TV show within a TV show was well written and funny. Another theme that nothing lasts forever hangs over every scene. This episode also featured solar powered kids toys. I think I noticed an early limp in Jim which, perhaps foreshadowed Jims subsequent knee problems which led to the early demise of this terrific show.
Babysitting a cop
bkoganbing3 July 2012
A contact through an insurance company that employs Jim Rockford gets him a job babysitting a celebrity cop played by Hector Elizondo. And does this guy need babysitting. He can't let go of the job no matter what the circumstances. His manner would get him punched out for general principles and in fact Elizondo and James Garner do get into a bar brawl during which time Elizondo gets away from Garner and assaults an ex-partner from Chicago.
Everybody caters to Elizondo including Joe Santos and Noah Beery, Jr. who's just thrilled to death to be having a celebrity in his home. But there are some real people out to get him and by proximity Rockford himself.
The role Elizondo plays is clearly based on David Toma who did have a couple TV series based on him. Elizondo is some loose cannon out there.
Not as good as some Rockford episodes, but better than most television.
Everybody caters to Elizondo including Joe Santos and Noah Beery, Jr. who's just thrilled to death to be having a celebrity in his home. But there are some real people out to get him and by proximity Rockford himself.
The role Elizondo plays is clearly based on David Toma who did have a couple TV series based on him. Elizondo is some loose cannon out there.
Not as good as some Rockford episodes, but better than most television.
I like this meta episode of The Rockford Files
safenoe8 September 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Hector Elizondo stars as a TV detective who gets himself in hot water, and the merchandise deal is at stake due to his contretemps with some out-of-towners. I like the in-jokes, especially with the portrayal of TV cops, and how starstruck fans can be.
Worst episode in the series
mikemikeparker17 August 2022
lame episode,...where Rockford Files jumps the shark.
johnfmiller317 January 2008
This episode from season 5,lacks good action and an intelligent plot...most Rockford Files episodes are pretty good for the most part. But the "freeze,turkey" episode is an overcooked turkey of an episode. It's almost embarrassing to watch that's how bad it is.....I highly recommend buying season 5 as well as the other seasons,but this episode is extremely cheesy....this definitely one the worst and most embarrassing Rockford Files episodes ever made.....The beginning of this episode is painful...to see Rocky play such a fool,....made me lose respect for him. This season of 1978-79 had many good episodes in the same great Rockford Files mode like "The Empty Frame" and an excellent two-part "The Black Mirror" ....however "A Good Clean Bust With Sequel Rights" (freeze,turkey) made Rockford Files officially 'jump the shark' in 1978. Rockford Files canceled in 1980 from James Garner's knees being ravaged with pain and injury....as well as being exhausted. But this episode didn't help.
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