The Rockford Files is an American detective drama television series starring James Garner that aired on the NBC network between September 13, 1974, and January 10, 1980, and has remained in syndication to the present day. Garner portrays Los Angeles-based private investigator Jim Rockford with Noah Beery Jr., in the supporting role of his father, a retired truck driver nicknamed "Rocky".
The series debuted with a made-for-TV movie simply titled The Rockford Files. During the series run, there were a number of two-part episodes, as well as long (90 or 120 minutes) episodes that were split into two parts for syndication (and on later DVD releases). Filming stopped in the middle of the sixth season (1979–80), on the advice of star James Garner's doctor. Garner, who had filmed many of his own stunts, had injured his back and knees and also developed an ulcer.
In the 1990s, after the settlement of several long-running legal actions between Garner's Cherokee Productions and Universal Studios, Rockford returned to the air in a series of eight TV movies on CBS.
Series overview
Episodes
TV movie pilot (1974)
"Backlash of the Hunter", starring James Garner (as Jim Rockford), Joe Santos (as Dennis Becker), and Stuart Margolin (as Evelyn "Angel" Martin) all debut in their series roles. Also featured is Robert Donley as Joseph "Rocky" Rockford, a role that would be recast in the subsequent series. Lindsay Wagner plays the role of Sara Butler. Sara Butler’s brother is played by Bill Mumy
Season 1 (1974–75)
James Garner stars as Jim Rockford, and Noah Beery as his father Rocky. Joe Santos is a frequent recurring guest as Dennis Becker. Gretchen Corbett appears on a recurring basis as Beth. Stuart Margolin appears only twice as Evelyn "Angel" Martin, but his appearances will become more frequent as the series continues. Tom Atkins is seen on a recurring basis as Lt. Diehl.
Season 2 (1975–76)
Garner and Beery are billed as stars. Santos, Corbett, Margolin and Atkins are frequently recurring guests.
Season 3 (1976–77)
Garner, Beery and Santos are the series stars. Corbett and Margolin are frequently recurring guests. James Luisi begins his recurring role as Lt. Chapman.
Season 4 (1977–78)
Garner, Beery and Santos are the series stars. Corbett, Luisi and Margolin are frequently recurring guests, though Corbett leaves the show halfway through the season. Atkins returns for one episode.
Season 5 (1978–79)
Garner, Beery and Santos star. Luisi and Margolin are frequently recurring guests. Bo Hopkins is a recurring guest as John Cooper for this season only.
Season 6 (1979–80)
Garner, Beery and Santos star. Luisi and Margolin are frequently recurring guests.
Unproduced The following four episodes were scripted and slated for production during season six. However, when Garner was forced to leave the series due to medical issues, the series was shut down and these episodes were never filmed.
· "Happy Father's Day" by Mark Griffiths · "Some People Are Trouble" by Shel Willens · "Never Trust a Boxx Boy" by Stephen J. Cannell · "What Do You Want From Us?" by Juanita Bartlett
CBS TV movies
Writers Stephen J. Cannell and Roy Huggins John Thomas James They created the Rockford files together and wrote many episodes together and separately. Robert Hamner Gloryette Clark Edward J. Lakso Juanita Bartlett Gordon Dawson David Chase David C. Taylor Rudolph Borchert Shel Willens Rogers Turrentine James Crocker William R. Stratton Charles Sailor Eric Kaldor
Directors William Wiard directed 26 episodes
Lawrence Doheny directed 12 episodes Ivan Dixon
Directed 8 episodes Jerry London Directed 8 episodes
Reza Badiyi Directed 7 episodes Russ Mayberry Directed 7 episodes
Meta Rosenberg Directed 6 episodes
Jackie Cooper Directed 5 episodes
Lou Antonio Directed 3 episodes Corey Allen Directed 3 episodes Stephen J. Cannell Directed 3 episodes
John Patterson Directed 2 episodes Jeannot Szwarc Directed 2 episodes Vincent McEveety Directed 2 episodes Stuart Margolin (Angel Martin) Directed 2 episodes
Joseph Pevney Directed 1 episode Michael Schultz Directed 1 episode Bernhard Kowalski Directed 1 episode Alex Grasshoff Directed 1 episode Charles S. Dubin Directed 1 episode Winrich Kolbe Directed 1 episode James Coburn Directed 1 episode James Garner Directed 1 episode Richard Crenna Directed 1 episode
External links List of episodes at imdb.com