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Title: The Rockford Files (1974–1980)
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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 | |
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Plot Summary
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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). Written by Marty McKee <mmckee@wkio.com>
Plot Keywords:
ex convict | beach | police detective | malibu california | different gags during credits |Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parents »
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Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
27 March 1974 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Jim Rockford, Private Investigator See more »Filming Locations:
Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA See more »Company Credits
Production Co:
Roy Huggins-Public Arts Productions, Cherokee Productions, Universal Television See more »
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IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
(123 episodes)Sound Mix:
MonoColor:
Color (Technicolor)Aspect Ratio:
4:3
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(Main Title Theme)
Written by Mike Post and Pete Carpenter
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Did You Know?
Trivia
During the run of the series, a green Chevrolet Vega can be seen often. This car is usually parked some where nearby during filming. This Vega was also used during some car chases, usually pulling out and blocking one of the chase vehicles and at least in one episode, it was used by a character as his car. See more »Goofs
Throughout the series Rockford's trailer, parked in a parking lot, has electricity and running water, yet there is no evidence of a power line or plumbing attached to the unit. What's more,it often changed position, alternating with it sometimes being parked parallel to the beach and sometimes perpendicular to it. See more »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. See more »Soundtracks
The Rockford Files(Main Title Theme)
Written by Mike Post and Pete Carpenter
See more »
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I only qualify this show's classic status in reference to the 70s because the fashion & overall style of the show is sooooooo 70s. I was a young kid in the mid-to-late 70s (when this show was on the air) and watching it is always good for a flashback or two. It's a reminder that although 70s fashion has made a big comeback, they still managed to filter out some of the really tacky stuff (as cool as Rockford was, I doubt his plaid jackets will ever come back in style).
The Rockford Files is about Jim Rockford, a single, 40-something Private Investigator who lives in a rundown trailer house in sunny Southern California (Malibu, to be precise), drives a gold Pontiac Firebird, and has a dad he simply calls "Rocky". Rockford served in Korea (same as the real-life Garner) and did time in prison for a crime he didn't commit, although he was later pardened. Despite being sharp as a tack and tough on his feet, Rockford is forever getting himself entangled with con men, mobsters, and non-paying clients that keep him from the getting any respect.
Other recurring characters on the show include police Sgt. Dennis Becker (Rockford's close friend and seemingly the only member of the LAPD who doesn't hate his guts), Angel Martin (Rockford's former cellmate in prison & constant source of aggravation), and Beth Davenport (his attorney who frequently has to show up and bail Rockford out of jail).
The typical episode finds Rockford taking on a seemingly simple case that turns into something much bigger, or stumbling onto an unrelated mess while in the course of his regular investigations. Sometimes trouble seeks Rockford in the form of ex-cons he associated with in prison or as a PI, and as you can guess, it's never boring. Rockford routinely gets in over his head and some of his escapes tended to be a bit too Houdini-like, but James Garner's laid-back, easy charm always made sure you kept rooting for him.
Highly recommended!