The Rockford Files (1974–1980)

The cases of an easy going private investigator.

Creators:

Stephen J. Cannell, Roy Huggins

Stars:

James Garner, Noah Beery Jr., Joe Santos

Nominated for 4 Golden Globes. Another 7 wins & 22 nominations.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
James Garner	...	Jim Rockford (122 episodes, 1974-1980)
Noah Beery Jr.	...	Joseph 'Rocky' Rockford (120 episodes, 1974-1980)
Joe Santos	...	Dennis Becker (111 episodes, 1974-1980)

Storyline

Series about an ex-con-turned-private-investigator named Jim Rockford who would rather run away than fight and would rather go fishing than work. He isn't a coward, and he isn't lazy--just a bit on the cautious side, that's all. And he bears a very strong resemblance to Western TV hero Bret Maverick. Rockford is sometimes aided (and sometimes deterred) in his cases by friends Dennis Becker (a police detective), Angel (his cowardly former cellmate) and pretty Beth Davenport (his lawyer).

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Plot Keywords:

malibu | detective | police | trailer home | sting operation | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 September 1974 (USA)

Also Known As:

Jim Rockford, Private Investigator

Filming Locations:

Malibu, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Roy Huggins-Public Arts Productions, Cherokee Productions, Universal TV

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min 60 min (123 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Aspect Ratio:

4:3

Did You Know?

Trivia

The show was a co-production between the production companies of Roy Huggins and James Garner and Universal. Garner sued Universal claiming he was not being paid his share of the syndication profits. After several years of litigation, Universal settled with Garner. Exact terms are not known.

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Goofs

Throughout the series, the Los Angeles Police Department responds to calls at Rockford's trailer in Malibu although it is not part of their jurisdiction. The Los Angeles County Sheriff would be the proper agency.

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Quotes

Marcus Hayes: You have a hair-trigger, Mr.Finch.
Gandolph Finch: That's right, mouth... and you're sitting on the edge of a big disaster.
Marcus Hayes: I like him Jimmy. He's got pluck.

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Crazy Credits

The message left on the answering machine at the opening credits changes from episode to episode, always introducing another case.

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Connections

Referenced in The Big Bang Theory: The Spoiler Alert Segmentation (2013)

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Soundtracks

"The Rockford Files"
(Main Title Theme)
Written by Mike Post and Pete Carpenter

User Reviews

Great Characters

Although this series may look like just another private eye series from the 1970's, it is so much more. The show has great one liners, interesting cases, maybe one or two too many car chases, but above all, the show has some great characters. Every episode has interesting, unusual, complex characters running through it. Jim Rockford himself is a private detective but also a former con man and he is not above pretending to be another person or pulling a con in order to help solve his cases. The writing and acting were always top notch and it is no wonder that alumni from this show went on to do such projects as "Magnum, P.I.", "Wiseguy," and "The Sopranos." Enjoy, you will laugh, you will be surprised and you will be impressed.