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:

private detective | ex convict | beach | police detective | malibu california | 

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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

Jim was a Korean War veteran, to which was referred various times throughout the series. There was a late season one episode which dealt with Rockford's service in more detail, and included a clip from a supposed "home movie" taken while he was in the service, along with his squad mate, portrayed by Hector Elizondo, but unfortunately it is very clear that for the creation of the "look back" footage, that the make-up artists were unable to make Garner look like he would have in 1952.

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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: Hey, I'm sorry Dad, you just caught me at a bad time. Reading that detective fiction doesn't help. I mean things aren't like that you know? They're not black and white. They're aren't any heroes left, they die young. (pointing to a book cover) His gun is deadly? Mine's in a cookie jar.

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Crazy Credits

The message left on the answering machine at the opening credits changes from episode to episode, usually as some kind of gag. Occasionally it dealt with some part of the forthcoming story. Frequently the voice was of supporting actors on the show, either as themselves or as a completely unrelated character.

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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

good private eye tales

I thought this was one of the better private dick programs. Rockford was a realistic guy, making statements like: "I'm not going in there, I could get KILLED!" Wise guys like Bogart would have bravely gone in and cleaned house, and looked corny doing it. Issac Hayes wasn't listed as a player, but was on enough to have been - if memory serves he did become a regular for awhile. Hayes added a nice touch to the show with his tough image and his reference to Rockford as "Rockfish", which drove Rockford nuts. Don't miss Stuart Margolin as the sleazy "Angel", one of his better parts.