The Rockford Files (TV Series) Never Send a Boy King to Do a Man's Job (1979) User Reviews

The best of the best

[luannjim · 10/10 · 9 February 2009]

The commenter who called "Never Send a Boy King to Do a Man's Job" an homage to THE STING was on to something; I would add only that THE STING should have been half this good. This two-parter, taken as one feature-length episode, is quite simply the best single installment of the best private eye series in the history of television.

Jim Rockford was always at his best (from the viewpoint of the series' audience) when he was running a scam on someone ("There's One in Every Port" was another winner), and here he runs a game to end them all, helping his pal Richie Brockelman (Dennis Dugan) get half a million bucks from a cutthroat businessman who bilked it out of Richie's father (Harold Gould, the one cast member who was also in THE STING). A pox on anyone who spoils one word of this one; suffice it to say there are games within games, and it's a swell ride all the way.

Special kudos to writer Juanita Bartlett, too.

Best Episode in the Series

[splambo100 · 10/10 · 3 June 2022]

A tour-de-force for crime-noir fans. This 2 hour special show is dynamite. I have read all of the reviews listed here and I see all of the comments and sentiments could be valid. My view on this episode is that it appears we see a new and darker side to Jim Rockford. We see a con-man in action. If you consider the progression of the entire series, one could say that Rockford is not a con-man, he is someone who, through 5 years in San Quentin and 5 years of Private Investigation as a profession, has learned the tricks of the con-man's trade, and is able to help. I thought the pacing of the episode, casting, writing, and direction were flawless.

A good way to end season 5

[mm-39 · 10/10 · 28 March 2019]

Never Send a Boy King to Do a Man's Job is a classic Rockford. What we have here is a classic Jimmy con game. Never Send a Boy King to Do a Man's Job is done in the style of the 73 movie classic The Sting. There is the heavy taking Richie's dad's business. Richie, the young Rockford wannabe, is asking for Jim's help. Like The Sting there is the set up, interviews, and humorous Angel Marten's for comic relief. Jim does the Southwest Oilman bit, while using the honey pot women for bait, and the heavy bad guy is set up to be the mark. There is much tongue an cheek humor and Never Send a Boy King to Do a Man's Job is less a serious episode and more on the comic side for the series. Well directed and acted, but what really works for the season final is the story's plot twist; Jim gets out witted, and plan B is the curse of the King Tut. The plot twist is comic and creates a hilarious memorable ending. If you like American Hustle you will love Never Send a Boy King to Do a Man's Job.

Bits of Business

[cutterccbaxter · 26 February 2022]

As I have been watching The Rockford Files for the past year I have noticed some traits with a couple of the screenwriters.

David Chase usually tosses in a pop culture reference in his scripts. (Example: "She stole all my George Harrison albums!" Quickie In Nirvana).

Juanita Bartlett was really good at creating scenes where the actors often are engaged in some physical activity. When Richie Brockelman first approaches Jim to help him in this episode, Rockford is packing up stuff to donate to Goodwill. He isn't just sitting at his desk listening to Richie plead for his help.

Whatever other weaknesses her scripts might have, she definitely aspired to avoid static scenes in giving the actors bits of business to do.

An enjoyable and amusing later episode.

[ronnybee2112 · 9/10 · 18 November 2023]

This is a fun episode that covers a lot of ground with a large and talented cast. The story seems complicated but it is not really that-hard to follow,overall. Exactly how plausable or believable all of it is,really is up to the viewer to decide.

Basically we have a casual acquaintance/friend of Jim Rockford whose father has been strong-armed out of his life's work by a greedy charlatan. Mr. Rockford is then asked to help get the friend's father his money back and away from the greedy charlatan. This sets the stage for an elaborate con-game that Mr. Rockford organizes with a colorful cast of characters and con-artists from his large pool of old cronies,crimeys,friends and past acquaintances. The con-game rollicks-along in fits and starts,with several curveballs that leave the viewer wondering what will happen next and how it might all turn-out. The fact that this con-job operation involves a large sum of money,and it is all hinging on the peculiarities and quirks of some pretty-dishonest people,makes for a wild ride from start to finish.

All-in-all this is a good and entertaining later episode of a great series. I liked it. 9/10.

The oldest of weaknesses

[bkoganbing · 7/10 · 1 October 2014]

This is part two of a two part episode where James Garner is working a Sting like con on businessman Robert Webber who strong armed The Brockelman business away from Dennis Dugan's father Harold Gould. Webber is nobody's fool so it won't be easy to take him. But Garner has a few schemes organized.

As always Rockford Files stories are that much better when Stuart Margolin is on the scene. Angel pinch hits for one of Rockford's characters and plays an Egyptologist. His qualifications are that he's seen everyone of those old Universal Mummy pictures. Good qualifications as it turns out.

The coup de grace or the final Sting is delivered by Trisha Noble. She plays an official with the Egyptian embassy who gets Webber thinking with his male member. That's the oldest weakness around.

Again a fine episode kudos to the whole cast.

Slow & Confusing

[sd72667 · 3/10 · 2 January 2019]

This 2 part episode was one of my least favorites. I get they were trying "The Sting" theme, but the plot was bad. Trisha Noble is worth watching, but even she can't carry it. Garner's hillbilly character was unnecessary. He should've just played a character based more on Paul Newman. Seems Angel should've had more airtime since he's always trying to run a con on previous shows.

His exploitable weaknesses

[bkoganbing · 7/10 · 1 October 2014]

Jim Rockford's friend and kind of protégé Richie Brockelman who was briefly the protagonist in his own series comes to James Garner for help. It seems as though a ruthless businessman played by Robert Webber when he couldn't get Harold Gould to sell his printing business uses some strong arm tactics. Gould is Richie's father and Kim Hunter plays his mother.

James Garner who occasionally had to con people to get results on his cases and has Stuart Margolin available works a big con on Webber and it takes two episodes. This first part is setting it up and doing research on Webber to see what his exploitable weaknesses are. They come up with a few of them.

Nice two part story, a homage to The Sting.

The Big Con

[zsenorsock · 7/10 · 7 September 2006]

This is another one of those episodes where Rockford turns "Maverick" and decides to pull off a big con. It is terrific.

Dennis Dugan returns as Richie Brockleman, seeking Rockford's help to get revenge on Harold Jack Coombs (well played by heavy Robert Webber), a businessman who forced Ritchie's father (Harold Gould) to sell him his factory for a 10th of what its worth.

Although at first reluctant, Rockford decides to help out. He resurrects his Jimmy Jo Meeker millionaire character, and with a wide array of confidence men, runs a game on Coombs that is a joy to watch unfold.

Terrific performance by Garner and he's given a strong adversary in Robert Webber. Even Dugan puts in a good turn as Brockleman. As a series lead, Brockleman always seemed too weak to me. But as a secondary character in this episode, he works. But why pray tell has his beautiful red mustang gotten a PINK paint job??? Ugh!

The Sting redux, a 'la Rockford

[UNOhwen · 30 August 2015]

Way back when.... I was a 'little pup,' and watched The Rockford Files when they were first on, the character of 'Richie Brockleman,' as well as (the actor portraying him) Dennis Dugan annoyed me.

Perhaps it was his 'gosh, gee-wilickers'-ness, but, back then, I couldn't get into watching him - either here, or, his spin-off series.

Jumping up to present-day, when we've the ability to watch a series, like this from it's first to last episode, I started watching the series in its entirety (back then, I stopped after about the 3rd season, or so).

I re-watched this episode about 6 months ago, and at the time, I gave it an '8.' I'm watching Rockford again, this summer, and am now again beginning to watch the two-part 'Never Send A Boy King...,' and it really is even better this time around.

I'm sure I'm not the only Rockford fan who also loves The Sting, and this two-parter - which, is really movie-length - is akin to a latter-day take on that great con movie.

I'm still not finished watching the first part, which, is really the back-story for the hustle, and it's set-up, but, it's very apparent how much fun was had making this episode by all.

When Rockford...or, is that perhaps Mr. Garner... takes the race car on the track to race Coombs for the pink-slip, the joy he had driving is palpable, and the smile on his face is there, even though his mask covers his face.

This episode pulls out all-the-stops.

The Rockford Files is well-known for its quality writing, as well as in casting, and this episode is a veritable who's-who of great 70's character actors - all those faces you know, but, not always know their names.

The hustle, or should I say, the opening acts of the hustle are so well-staged, down to using grifter idioms, to me, it's a pleasure to watch experts - no matter what their forté - ply their craft.

And, yes; I can even find Brockleman/Dugan 'okay' to watch - in this delicious bite-sized treat.

Richie's return

[safenoe · 7/10 · 2 October 2020]

Richie Brockelman returns for this two-partner where he helps out his father, bringing in Rockford to do a Sting type situation. The Rockford Files is pure 70s nostalgia and required viewing in these pandemic times. Trisha Noble makes a guest appearance to do her charms on the mark.

Rockford meets "The Sting"

[btimmer · 1 April 2006]

An homage to "The Sting" as Rockford's protégé, Richie Brockelman, returns to ask for help with a con that would help Richie get his father's printing plant (or at least full value for it) back from a devious sports promoter, played by Robert Webber.

The episode has many elements from "The Sting" including an audition for con artists to play various roles in an elaborate long con. The episode (a 2-parter) also has a femme fatale and some elaborately faked deaths in order to catch the villain.

Harold Gould, who plays Richie Brockleman's father, was in "The Sting" as well.

The Revenge of King Tut

[zsenorsock · 7/10 · 7 September 2006]

Part two of this Jim Rockford-Ritchie Brocklemann combo episode is a bit of a letdown, but only a bit. The way they eventually pull the big con over on Coombs seems a bit of a disappointment after the promise of part one.

But otherwise this episode has a good appearance by Stuart Margolin as Angel, Garner is in top form as his Jimmy Jo Meeker character, and we find out more about the past relationship between Rockford and the beautiful Odette (Trisha Noble, doing a fine job). The joy of the confidence men when a big con is pulled off smoothly is a pleasure to behold.

solid, but unrealistic

[stones78 · 23 August 2013]

I know this won't be a popular review, but I can't simply write one just so others will agree with it and give me positive feedback. Let me first say that this was a solid episode and well written as usual, and had many fine performances, especially by Robert Webber(Harold Jack Coombs), but I'm not a huge fan when Jimmy Joe Meeker(James Garner) takes over most of the show, as he does so here. My personal preference is when Rockford is himself and works mainly alone, and not when there's too many characters involved, such as the case here. I saw many other positive reviews for this episode, so maybe it's just me, but I found it unrealistic that this entire con could take place with too many folks involved, and everything fall into a neat little package. I also thought it was a tad silly when Jim and Richie(Dennis Dugan)host an event for con artists to see who's fit for the job at hand; I just didn't buy it that it would be so easy to assemble a group to fool such a corrupt and wealthy man in Coombs, who gets more and more gullible as the show progresses. Look for a few familiar faces in Harold Gould and Kim Hunter, and look out for a Trans Am station wagon, possibly the ugliest car ever assembled. While most of what I said seems a little harsh, that doesn't mean this episode wasn't solid, as it certainly was, and very entertaining as well, but it's not the type of subject matter that usually makes me love this great show.