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Evelyn "Angel" Martin is one of Rockford's closest, yet least trusted friend.  Angel served time in the joint with Jim in San Quentin. Though Jim was eventually pardoned, no mention is made of how Angel was released.

Background Information[]

Angel did three of four years at San Quentin Prison. He got out for good behavior.[1]

[According to the pilot episode] About six years after Jim started The Rockford Agency, Angel is working at a Newspaper Firm owned by his brother-in-law as a condition of his probation (no word on how long he has been on parole), having to check in with his parole officer Norman Carter once a week. Jim would seek his help gaining information on occasion while he worked there.[2]

Despite his employment, Angel is a 2-bit con man, a grifter, and a generally spineless and cowardly petty criminal. On occasion, he would play a critical role in assisting Jim to solve cases.  Despite his constant betrayals and scams, Jim Rockford does his best to protect Angel, treating him as family.

Angel is from Texas and was also in the Korean War in the Army where he received a court-martial for attempted desertion.

Rockford describes Angel "as the worst con-man in the business."[citation needed]

Angel "married" a woman as part of a marriage scam with the result that both he and Rockford almost get killed![citation needed]

Angel is the brother-in-law of a police commissioner and tries to act like a big shot with "influence" - the result is that he is arrested by Lt. Chapman![citation needed]

Another time Angel becomes a figurehead of a corporation, which is actually run by the mob![citation needed]

Angel accidentally witnesses a hitman committing a murder; his testimony is discredited, the hitman is acquitted, and Angel ends up almost dead. In the end, everyone except Angel wins out. Jim consoles Angel by telling him that he does end up with something even though it's not very much value - his life![3]

Ironically, on one occasion, Angel tries to pose as a hitman to a gang in order to collect a payment for a hit he has no intention of fulfilling. Once the mob finds out, they come after him![citation needed]

Angel runs up a $50.00 bar tab and tries to con the Bartender into thinking that Rockford will pay it![4][citation needed]

Angel calls Jim after being arrested.[5][citation needed]

Tropes[]

  • Angel wears a jew-fro and a thick beard.  He almost always wears a red wide collared shirt and black pants. 
  • When pressed Angel will always turn coat on his friends to preserve himself (most often implicating Jim Rockford in the process, regardless of whether Jim is actually involved). The funniest example of this is "Dirty Money, Black Light" when Angel is picked up by Feds.  Jim talks with Beth about the situation, saying "C'mon, Beth.  Angel knows better than to say anything without his attorney, and you're his attorney."  The scene then cuts to Angel in custody and he's spelling out the word R.O.C.K.F.O.R.D. to the Feds.[6]
  • Angel often manages to scam his way into unexpected luxury, which he exploits to the maximum, but which quickly turns to disaster, and Jim is always on the hook to rescue him.  During one of these situations, Angel insists that Jim refer to him as "Angelo."
  • Angel's most identifiable characteristic after his hair and beard is his odd dialect and elocution.  He's a smooth talker, and it's a tribute to actor Stuart Margolin's talent that Angel is most always able to talk his way out of trouble.


Appearances[]

Pilot[]

Syndicated Version Retitled "Backlash of the Hunter"

Season 1 (1974–75)[]

  • [117] Counter Gambit (January 24, 1975)
  • [121] The Four Pound Brick (February 21, 1975)

Season 2 (1975–76)[]

  • [202] The Farnsworth Stratagem (September 19, 1975)
  • [209] Chicken Little Is a Little Chicken (November 14, 1975)
  • [213] The Girl in the Bay City Boys Club (December 19, 1975)
  • [215] The No-Cut Contract (January 16, 1976)
  • [217] Joey Blue Eyes (January 30, 1976)

Season 3 (1976–77)[]

  • [301] The Fourth Man (September 24, 1976)
  • [303] The Family Hour (October 8, 1976)
  • [305] Drought at Indianhead River (November 5, 1976)
  • [307] So Help Me God (November 19, 1976)
  • [308] Rattlers' Class of '63 (November 26, 1976)
  • [312] There's One In Every Port (January 7, 1977)
  • [316] The Becker Connection (February 11, 1977)
  • [322] Dirty Money, Black Light (April 1, 1977)

Season 4 (1977–78)[]

  • [404] Second Chance (October 14, 1977)
  • [405] The Dog and Pony Show (October 21, 1977)
  • [409] The Mayor's Committee from Deer Lick Falls (November 25, 1977)
  • [410] Hotel of Fear (December 2, 1977)
  • [411] Forced Retirement (December 9, 1977)

Season 5 (1978–79)[]

  • [509/510] Black Mirror (November 24, 1978)
  • [517] The Man Who Saw the Alligators (February 10, 1979)
  • [519] A Material Difference (February 24, 1979)
  • [520/521] Never Send a Boy King to Do a Man's Job (March 3, 1979)

Season 6 (1979–80)[]

  • [601] Paradise Cove (September 28, 1979)
  • [602/603] Lions, Tigers, Monkeys and Dogs (October 12, 1979)
  • [608] The Hawaiian Headache (November 23, 1979)
  • [609] No Fault Affair (November 30, 1979)
  • [610] The Big Cheese (December 7, 1979)

TV Movies[]

The character of Angel Martin was in all eight TV Movies that aired on CBS.


References[]

  1. As revealed in the 9th episode of Season 2, entitled: Chicken Little Is a Little Chicken.
  2. As revealed in the pilot episode.
  3. This is revealed in an ultimate Angel episode "Hotel of Fear", the 10th episode of Season 4.
  4. As revealed in the answering machine gag in the -----
  5. As revealed in the answering machine gag in the -----
  6. See clip at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNjv35DfSo4 Link.
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