Why Rockford Files?
Growing up, The Rockford Files was one of my favorite shows. Thanks to syndication, then cable TV, then videos/DVDs, and finally streaming, I have been able to see every episode numerous times. I love the show, largely due to James Garner. He played the role perfectly. A little bit sarcasm, a little bit exasperation, a little bit charm, and whole lot of street smarts.
Jim was an ex-con who was wrongly convicted, eventually receiving a pardon from the Governor. However, his time in prison shaped who he was and how he dealt with the vast array of characters who would come in and out of his life.
The most important character was his father, Joseph Rockford, played by Robert Donely in the pilot, but played by Noah Beery for the remainder of the series.
Joseph Rockford (Rocky), was a semi-retired long-haul truck driver, who was not too keen on Jim's chosen line of work as a private investigator. In one episode, Rocky says to Jim, "...you really never gave trucking a chance."
Then there was Sargent Dennis Becker (Joe Santos). Dennis was a detective in the LA Police Department . Dennis would often feed Jim information such as the name that belonged to a license number or other tidbits on a case. Dennis often did this in exchange for tickets to a Lakers game or points on personal bets between the two of them. Sgt. Becker did benefit on many occasions as Jim would give him the credit when he solved a case.
Becker's friendship with Jim did not always make him popular with his superiors in LAPD. Two in particular, Lieutenant/Captain Deal (Tom Atkins) and Lieutenant Chapman (James Luisi). Needless to say, they would have loved nothing better than to implicate Rockford in crime to get rid of him. And why? He often made them look bad.
Another recurring character was Angel Martin (Stuart Margolin). Jim and Angel served time together in San Quentin. The relationship between Jim and Angel is an example of Jim's character. He was loyal to to a fault. Angel, did not always return the favor.
One other recurring Character was Beth Davenport (Gretchen Corbett), Jim's patient and very competent attorney. It's implied that Jim and Beth dated, although the extent of their relationship is never made clear.
Other memorable characters popped in and out of Jim's life, including: Sara Butler (Lindsay Wagner), John Cooper (Bo Hopkins), Rita Capkovic (Rita Moreno), Lance White (Tom Selleck), Gandolph Finch (Isaac Hayes), Marcus Aurelius "Gabby" Hayes (Louis Gossett Jr.), Dr. Megan Dougherty (Catherine Harrold), Fred Beamer (James Whitmore Jr.), Richie Brockelman (Dennis Dugan), and Vern St. Cloud (Simon Oakland) just to name a few of my favorites.
In many ways Jim was unassuming. He lived an ordinary life filled with spurts of extra-ordinary moments (usually revolving around his latest case). Sometimes he worked on closed police cases, sometimes he would be thrust into a precarious situation due to his being at the right place at the wrong time, sometimes he was tasked with finding a missing person, and sometimes he had to be his own client!
Jim lived in a run down trailer in Malibu. A place called Paradise Cove. Life could be simple but good for Jim. Walks on the beach, fishing from the pier or surfcasting, no mortgage payment etc. On the other hand, the PI business could be hit or miss. While he charged the now famous $200 a day, plus expenses, he was often shafted by his clients. On more than a few occasions he had to dig into his own pocket when the case was over. And when he found himself in jail, Rocky had to put his truck or his house up for bail. His fridge was mostly empty and his answering machine was full of messages asking for payment. He was on first name basis with the tellers at his bank, in case he needed them to hold a check for just a day or two more. His one luxury was his his gold Pontiac Firebird.
Jim was a Korean War vet, and always kept his principles, such as they were; however, he was not above quitting a case when it got too dangerous. He only used violence when it was necessary and definitely didn't like guns, but he kept one in a cookie jar in his kitchen, just in case.
While having his principles, he was not above putting on a con. He carried with him a business card maker that one of his previous clients made for him, which he put to good (case-wise) use. He also could put on glasses and play a salesman or accountant, or insurance adjuster, or some other type of bureaucrat. Whatever he needed to do, to solve the case (or get out of trouble). As we go through the various seasons we will find that Jim was a pretty good actor and could take on various personas like the southern oil man "Jimmy Joe Meeker."
For more information and a very loving tribute to the show, you should read this.
My goal is to review each episode and to post them regularly.
In my reviews I will follow the format below.
This Case is Closed: Description of the case.
Get a Real Job: Was Rocky in the episode?
He's no Angel: What was Angel up to?
Sgt. Becker: Did Jim deal with Becker
Get Him Outta Here: Chapman, Deal et al
I Want My Attorney: Did he need Beth Davenport?
What's in the Cookie Jar? Did he use his gun?
Accents, business cards, hats and glasses What's the con? Game?
Tacos, Hot Dogs and Hot Sauce: Food in the episode
29 Cove Road: Was the trailer ransacked?
Firebird Count: How many dents
$200 a day, plus expenses - Did Jim get paid?
Guest Stars:
Written and Directed by:
Is there anything you won't do for money? Show trivia and quotes: For example, Jim was once asked: "Is there anything you won't do for money?" To which he replied: "I won't kill for it, and I won't marry for it. Other than that, I am open to just about anything."
Episode Rating:
