Heartaches of a Fool (22 Sep. 1978)

Jim finds that a country music star, corrupt union boss and Chinese triad all have one thing in common with why Rocky ended in hospital after his rig was forced of the road: sausages.

Director:

William Wiard

Writers:

Stephen J. Cannell, Roy Huggins (creator),

Stars:

James Garner, Noah Beery Jr., Joe Santos

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
James Garner	...	Jim Rockford
Noah Beery Jr.	...	Joseph 'Rocky' Rockford (as Noah Beery)
Joe Santos	...	Dennis Becker (credit only)
Taylor Lacher	...	Country singer Charlie Strayhorn
Lynne Marta	...	Carrie Strayhorn
James Shigeta	...	Clement Chin
Norman Alden	...	Roland Eddy
Joe E. Tata	...	Norman Abbott Kline
Leo Gordon	...	Clark Streeter
Mark Roberts	...	Hillman Stewart
Robert Phillips	...	Mike Torrance
Don 'Red' Barry	...	Shorty McCall
Herb Armstrong	...	Union Official
James Jeter	...	Sheriff Milburn
John Davey	...	Deputy Harnsworth

Storyline

Jim finds that a country music star, corrupt union boss and Chinese triad all have one thing in common with why Rocky ended in hospital after his rig was forced of the road: sausages.

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Plot Keywords:

willie nelson

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

22 September 1978 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Stage 30, Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

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

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor) Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Country singer Charlie Strayhorn: I've been thinkin' of takin' some time off. Maybe spending it with Ched or gettin' Carrie tuh understand somethin'. I've got this German tour comin' up. Hill says I've gotta put some of that dough in a Swiss bank and I'd beat the Feds outta their share. In fact, I've gotta do that cuz Carrie's goin' tuh wipe me out.
[laughs]
Country singer Charlie Strayhorn: she don't want it that way, but I don't want it this way, but we're doin' it any way... there may be a lyric in there somewhere?

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Soundtracks

"Good Hearted Woman"
Written by Willie Nelson & Waylon Jennings
Sung by Willie Nelson

User Reviews

Rockford Goes Country

Rocky is driving a semi full of Charlie Strayhorn's Breakfast Sausages for a friend when he is run off the road and his load set on fire. Jim has to find out what happened so Rocky won't lose his license, his pension and his medical insurance when he finds out the truck was a non-union truck. This episode has a lot of great twists and turns in it. As a special added attraction for country music fans, two Willie Nelson songs are used in the episode as examples of Charlie Strayhorn's singing. This show also features a good mix of comedy (Rockford and Strayhorn have a good knock down, drag out fight) and action.A good start to season #5.