The Rockford Files: A Blessing in Disguise

I really loved this Rockford Files TV movie, "Blessing in Disguise," during which Jim has to deal with Angel (Stuart Margolin) as a phony TV preacher who, with his congregation of crazies, is boycotting the film Little Ezekial as being anti-Christian. Unfortunately, Laura, the star of the film's (Renee O'Connor) life is being threatened, and Jim's car is trashed, with the word Satan in red paint along the side.

That, plus the fact that Angel is wearing some of his clothes, has Jim ready to murder Angel himself. Not only that, but Angel's bodyguards are two thugs he met in prison who are constantly bouncing Jim around.

It's such a joy to see Margolin and Garner together - their chemistry is fantastic. Also on board was Joe Santos (Dennis), and Morton Downey, Jr., when Angel, Laura Sue, and the films' producers (modeled on Golan and Globus) battle it out on his show, which ends in chaos.

Then a producer brought on at the last minute is found dead.

It doesn't take Jim too long to figure everything out, but the script is just a fun excuse for the delightful sparring between Jim and Angel.

Not all of the eight Rockford Files TV movies are as good as this one, but I'll take any one of them.

This movie was the most enjoyable Rockford Files By FAR. It beautifully featured the friendship between Angel and Jim.

This is a classic Angel Martin story that really explorers the depths of his scaming in a very humorous way. If you love the friction that so often played between Jim and Angel then this will be one Rockford Files story you cant beat. ENJOY.

"A Blessing in Disguise" proved very entertaining, with James Garner reprising his droll "Jim Rockford" character from the "Rockford Files" series. Mr. Garner has definite chemistry with Renee O'Connor, later of "Xena: Warrior Princess" fame. Here, O'Connor does a fine job as a plucky, self-centered-but-likable actress whose life is threatened by religious zealots. But all is not what it seems -- and Rockford aims to get to the bottom of it to keep his client/friend alive. The Garner-O'Connor relationship has a special "father-daughter" charm.

While the plot seems a bit far-fetched, there are cute send-ups of the Hollywood celebrity scene and Televangelists who scam their viewers. Listen especially for O'Connor's character's remarks about bodyguards and a certain famous Hollywood TV starlet. Worth a chuckle.

The interplay between Garner and O'Connor and Garner and Stuart Margolin ("Angel Martin" from the original "Rockford Files" series) really makes "A Blessing in Disguise" worth catching when it's available.