The Rockford Files 

The cases of an easy going ex-convict turned private investigator.

Creators:

Stephen J. Cannell, Roy Huggins

Stars:

James Garner, Noah Beery Jr., Joe Santos

Nominated for 4 Golden Globes. Another 8 wins & 23 nominations.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
James Garner	...	Jim Rockford 122 episodes, 1974-1980
Noah Beery Jr.	...	Joseph 'Rocky' Rockford 121 episodes, 1974-1980
Joe Santos	...	Dennis Becker 112 episodes, 1974-1980

Storyline

Series about an ex-convict-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 rather on the cautious side, that's all. And he bears a very strong resemblance to Western television hero Bret Maverick. Rockford is sometimes assisted (and sometimes deterred) in his cases by friends Dennis Becker (a police detective), Evelyn "Angel" Martin (his cowardly former cellmate) and pretty Beth Davenport (his lawyer).

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Plot Keywords:

ex convict | beach | police detective | malibu california | different gags during credits | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Certificate:

TV-PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 March 1974 (USA)

Also Known As:

Jim Rockford, Private Investigator

Filming Locations:

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

Company Credits

Production Co:

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

Technical Specs

Runtime:

60 min (123 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

4:3

Did You Know?

Trivia

Even though Jim didn't have a permit to carry a gun, he did have one that he kept either in the cookie jar or in the coffee canister in his kitchen. "The coffee keeps it from rusting", which is actually true, coffee grounds absorb moisture.

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Goofs

Even though Jim Rockford always drives a current model Firebird, many episodes feature stock footage shot with older models, especially in the 1975-77 seasons.

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Quotes

Jim Rockford: But I will need a diversion so I can get back to Bloomberg's room and try to talk to him.
Angel Martin: Ohh. Now we're getting to the nitty-gritty. Now it's beginning to make sense. 'Come on over to Rocky's, Angel.' Serve my favorite food. First time I been invited over here for so much as a glass of water.
Joseph 'Rocky' Rockford: I could use a little help in the kitchen with the coffee and dessert.
Angel Martin: Forget about the dessert, you don't buy Angel Martin with a couple of drumsticks and some redeye gravy.

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Crazy Credits

The credits for guest stars, writers and other upper-level crew did not always appear right away, sometimes appearing as late as ten minutes into the episode.

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Connections

Referenced in Justified: Ghosts (2013)

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Soundtracks

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

User Reviews

Reality Private Investigating

This show destroyed the Private Detective show formula.

At the time, most TV PI's had cutie pie secretaries (Mannix' secretary Gail and Barnaby Jones' ex Miss America Lee Meriweather in particular), Jim Rockford had an answering machine...

All TV PI's had nice offices with dark wood paneling, Rockford's office was the living room of his decaying mobile home parked in the lot outside a diner...

It took at least 3 guys fighting dirty to subdue the average TV PI, even short, fat, aging Cannon. Jimmy was always the one getting his head handed to him unless he figured a way to sucker punch his opponent...

At the climax, other TV PI's would pull their guns, shoot it out with the baddies and save the day. Rockford's gun, often as not was still at home in his cookie jar...

TV PI's always had a friend on the police force who would gladly do favors, looking up DMV records, etc. Rockford's friend on the force was always getting in trouble for even knowing Rockford. The Captains & Lieutenants on the force universally viewed Jim as low life scum & not worth the time of day...

The average detective would go about his business, assembling clues to solve this weeks mystery. That is the way it was with Rockford except that he was always dealing with hustlers, con men, ex-convicts and the occasional ex-girlfriends, every one of whose purpose in life seemed to be the bedevilment and aggravation of Jim Rockford. Not to mention the recurring role of Jim's dad Rocky (deftly played by that Trojan actor, Noah Beery) who was always after Jim to give up PIing and do something "respectable" like truck driving.

When this show appeared on TV, every other PI looked dull and one by one they disappeared as they lost ground in the ratings.

This is also the show that put Steven J Cannell on the map. Nothing that he ever did subsequently equaled this. In fact most of it was crappy formula detective shows.

The Rockford Files is the REAL DEAL!

Simon Sez, CHECK IT OUT!