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 119 episodes, 1974-1980
Noah Beery Jr.	...	Joseph 'Rocky' Rockford 118 episodes, 1974-1980
Joe Santos	...	Dennis Becker 109 episodes, 1974-1980

Storyline

James Garner stars as the offbeat Jim Rockford, an ex-con-turned-private-investigator who would rather fish than fight but whose instinct on closed cases is more golden than his classic Pontiac Firebird. From his mobile home in Malibu, this wisecracking private eye takes you on the cases of the lost and the dispossessed, chasing down seemingly long-dead clues in the sun-baked streets and seamy alleys of Los Angeles.

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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:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

The show was a co-production among three companies, the production companies owned by Roy Huggins and James Garner and Universal Television. Garner sued Universal claiming he was not being paid his share of the syndication profits. After several years of litigation, "Universal" settled out of court. Exact terms are not known, and it was agreed between the parties that the settlement would remain confidential. Cherokee Productions was the name of Garner's production company, which was known to own 37.5 percent of the series, leaving 62.5 percent to be split between Huggins' company and Universal, but it was not known how much of the show was owned by each after Cherokee's share.

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Goofs

There are numerous scenes of Jim or Rocky (or both) crossing the Vicent Thomas Bridge over Los Angeles Harbor. Since neither one lives anywhere near it and the episodes don't indicate that they are going to the harbor or San Pedro, there's no reason for this to occur.

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Quotes

Karen Hall: You met up with the Surete; they actually followed me. That's why I had that horrible feeling I was being watched. And they're the ones who ransacked my room.
Jim Rockford: Oh no, not nearly so simple. Your room was ransacked by an Olympic wrestling champion and a German ex-neurosurgeon.
Karen Hall: What? Who are they?
Jim Rockford: That's multiple choice. They're were either two former members of Wermacht Intelligence, two old friends of your father's or two cops from East Berlin.

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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 The Ghouls (2003)

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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!

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

27 March 1974 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Rockford Files

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:

50 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

4:3