I've been watching these on TV lately, and I guess I was too young when they originally aired to realize how good this show was. It's like he's Marlow, Spenser and Magnum PI rolled up into one. They've been showing a lot of the 1979-1980 shows, many of which were written by David Chase. And the last David Chase one i saw was directed by Klinch himslef - ivan Dixon!! What I love is the way Jim gets beat up, or taken advantage of in about 33% of the episodes.
My favourite episode was the one in which he helps two kids who are planning some kind of a minor heist or something like that stay out of trouble. It sounded like the script writers may've been inspired by a Springsteen song such as "Meeting Across the River". My theory was sort of borne out at the end of the episode when the two characters were off to a Springsteen show and invited Rockford to join them (he declined). I've always enjoyed Jim Garner's self-deprecating humour and acting.
I think that's the one they just showed but the details are different: 1)Jim Goes to newark and is mugged and has his car stolen 2)Two "no so wise" guys are trying to get on the good side of an ex-mafia Don (who is Jim's client via his 26 year old niece who we met in an earlier episode) 3)The two wise-guys find out who has been throwing dead animals onto the ex-Don's (now a born-again Christian) lawn and rough the kid up a bit 4)Jim Rockford quits the case as soon as he finds out the mafia is involved 5)The kids dad happens to be the new mafia boss who is trying to get the old Don to talk to the Catholic Church to have his cousin buried on consecrated ground. He orders a hit on the two guys who roughed up his kid and for the old don's house to be shot up 6)The two guys track down 7)The new boss has the old boss's niece kidnapped and tries to get the two "not so wise" guys whacked. 8)The old don tries to get the church to allow the new boss's cousin to be buried there. it does not happen. 9)Jim shows up (after being mugged at the airport) an advises the Don to stall and maybe go to the FBI. 10)the two "mooks" decide to go find the body of the new Boss's cousin and steal it to make an exchange. They call Jim and tell him of the plan and where it is happening. 11)The two guys are caught while trying to steal the body. meanwhile Jim has called the cops and told them where this is all happening. 12)The two guys survive, the daughter is rescued and on the way to the airport one of the guys says he has been invited to see the daughter at a dance recital and then they are going to a Springsteen concert. I thought this episode was a little weak because the couldn't be fleshed out more, but the last monologue from Vito definitely shows strong signs of Chrissy's charactercharacter on the Sopranos. This episode had very little Rockford in it. And it was written by David Chase and directed by ivan Dixon. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0688017/
Loved it as a kid! I think they used to follow it with Baretta (reruns) here in Portland back in the mid 80's on KPTV Channel 12.
This was one of my favorite shows when it aired originally. I have always been a huge James Garner fan. He has always been the ultimate slacker.
Jim Rockford: [answering machine picks up] This is Jim Rockford. At the tone leave your name and message, I'll get back to you. Angel Martin: Jimmy, old buddy buddy! It's Angel! You know how they allow you one phone call? Well, this is it!
For anyone in the LA area you can catch Rockfish reruns on KDOC, channel 56 in Orange County weekdays at 10 am (was 9 until recently). I have a 15-ep pileup on my PVR right now Always had a crush on Gretchen Corbett
I totally agree about The Rockford Files. I was also a huge fan of Mannix too and Magnum and Spencer of Hire. I miss those types of shows. I love this link on Jim Rockford http://www.thrillingdetective.com/rocj.html
I used to love The Rockford Files too! That was part of my Friday night TV watching ritual for years. Had no idea that David Chase had been a writer for the series. Interestingly enough, I was watching The Sopranos episode the other day where AJ's teacher's car gets stolen and Tony has Paulie and Big ***** looking for it. After mentioning to someone that "it's for the kid's teacher", ***** hangs up the phone and says "I'm f***** Rockford over here!"
You might be interested in these then: http://www.amazon.com/Rockford-File...ef=pd_bbs_2/002-6483595-4365665?ie=UTF8&s=dvd http://www.amazon.com/Rockford-File...ef=pd_bbs_1/002-6483595-4365665?ie=UTF8&s=dvd I'm considering picking them up myself. I need a new series of DVDs to get addicted to. Jason
I still watch this occasionally on superstation WGN - it runs every weekday at 9am. Those of you tempted to buy it online might want to wait for a sale - both seasons showed up on Amazon about 6 weeks ago at $20 each.
I agree with that. It never stooped to gimmicks to try to boost their ratings. It kept true throughout its run.
"The Rockford Files" is indeed a great show...I watched it a lot when it was rerun on A&E in the early-to-mid '90s. James Garner's acting was top-notch, and the series often managed to balance drama, action, and comedy into a well-balanced whole. Angel's moments alone were often priceless. I've been a bit hesitant to buy the DVDs due to the quality-control issues I've heard about with Universal's television DVDs. How do the "Rockford Files" sets fare?
Man oh man, finally a thread in which my avatar will be appreciated. It is amazing how great this show was right from the first few episodes. When I finally get to L.A., my only must sees are Disneyland, the Capitol Records Tower, and Paradise Cove!
Great show!........ James Garner is excellent and it really captures the look and feel of Southern Califorina in the early 70's. I was there in those years and I get nostalgic watching Rockford. So laid back and all those wide open spaces (well compared to now.)...... Southern California really was a great place in the 60s and 70s. Tone
The show was great fun to watch growing up. James Garner is a wonderful actor who I think gets overlooked too much. Sadie
Yes, it was. That character appeared in a couple of episodes of Rockford Files. I didn't read the post right before this before I posted this.
I remember seeing this show off and on as a kid, but I've just started watching the series from the beginning on Netflix. WOW what a great show this is. The two parters are outstanding, particularly the one I just saw entitled "Profit and Loss," with Ned Beatty co-starring. Rockford doesn't have all the answers, makes a lot of mistakes, sometimes goes to jail for a day or two, but his aim is true. Jim Rockford is a fantastic character -- world weary and cynical, yet decent -- and James Garner is brilliant.