Series synopsis
The Rockford Files is an American crime drama mystery television series that premiered on NBC on September 13, 1974. It ended on January 10, 1980. It was created by Stephen J. Cannell, Roy Huggins. It stars James Garner, Noah Beery Jr., Joe Santos and James Luisi.
Cranky but likable L.A. PI Jim Rockford pulls no punches (but takes plenty of them). An ex-con sent to the slammer for a crime he didn't commit, Rockford takes on cases others don't want, aided by his tough old man, his lawyer girlfriend and some shady associates from his past.
Premise
Cranky but likable L.A. PI Jim Rockford pulls no punches (but takes plenty of them). An ex-con sent to the slammer for a crime he didn't commit, Rockford takes on cases others don't want, aided by his tough old man, his lawyer girlfriend and some shady associates from his past.
Premise: This is Jim Rockford. At the tone leave your name and message, I'll get back to you.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- James Garner as Jim Rockford
- Noah Beery Jr. as Joseph 'Rocky' Rockford
- Joe Santos as Dennis Becker
- James Luisi as Doug Chapman
- Stuart Margolin as Angel Martin
- Glenn Corbett as Agent Spelling
- Michael Alldredge as Dobson
- Rick Springfield as Keith Stuart
Supporting cast
- Marie Reynolds as Janique
- Paul Mace as Festus
- Linden Chiles as Elliot Malcolm
- James Woods as Larry Kirkoff
- Roger Davis as Travis Buckman
- Nancy Malone as Elizabeth
- Julie Sommars as Tawnia Baker
- Patricia Smith as Ann Calhoun
- Art Lund as Mike Ryder
- Richard Gautier as Carl Brego
- Harold J. Stone as Sorrell
- James Cromwell as Terry
Guest cast
- James Luisi as Doug Chapman
- Stuart Margolin as Angel Martin
- Glenn Corbett as Agent Spelling
- Michael Alldredge as Dobson
- Rick Springfield as Keith Stuart
- Marie Reynolds as Janique
- Paul Mace as Festus
- Linden Chiles as Elliot Malcolm
- James Woods as Larry Kirkoff
- Roger Davis as Travis Buckman
- Nancy Malone as Elizabeth
- Julie Sommars as Tawnia Baker
Episodes
This series spans 7 seasons with 124 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 0 | 2 | March 27, 1974 | March 27, 1974 |
| Season 1 | 22 | September 13, 1974 | March 7, 1975 |
| Season 2 | 22 | September 12, 1975 | March 19, 1976 |
| Season 3 | 22 | September 24, 1976 | April 1, 1977 |
| Season 4 | 22 | September 16, 1977 | February 24, 1978 |
| Season 5 | 22 | September 22, 1978 | April 13, 1979 |
| Season 6 | 12 | September 28, 1979 | January 10, 1980 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Backlash of the Hunter (1) Jim helps a young girl whose father was murdered and LAPD has closed the case on without finding the killer. |
March 27, 1974 |
| 2 |
Backlash of the Hunter (2) Jim helps a young girl whose father was murdered and LAPD has closed the case on without finding the killer. |
March 27, 1974 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The Kirkoff Case Rockford is hired by Larry Kirkoff to find the identity of his parents killer. There are a number of possible suspects including Travis Buckman and Tawnia Baker who were lovers of Mrs. and Mr. Kirkoff respectively. The police actually suspect Larry of the crime, but, lack of evidence prevents them from making a case against him. Rockford's investigation runs him afoul of some pretty bad men who want everyone to go on thinking Larry killed them. |
September 13, 1974 |
| 2 |
The Dark and Bloody Ground Jim reluctantly agrees to work for Beth Davenport. His job is to help her prove her client, Ann Calhoun, is innocent of the crime she is accused of; murdering her husband Kevin Calhoun. Jim's investigation takes him to the town of Parker, Arizona, where the Calhouns are from. He digs up info someone doesn't want found out and is almost killed trying to return to L.A. Socialites Clyde Russell and Elizabeth Gorman, who were throwing a party the Calhouns attended, are also investigated. Jim's investigation is making someone nervous as another attempt is made on his life. |
September 20, 1974 |
| 3 |
The Countess Jim is helping a Countess avoid a blackmailer but is then charged for the Blackmailer murder... |
September 27, 1974 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The Aaron Ironwood School of Success Rockford's wealthy foster brother is wanted by the mob and the government. |
September 12, 1975 |
| 2 |
The Farnsworth Stratagem Becker and a young writer ask for Rockford's help after they purchase a share in a condominium and discover they only own part of the lobby. |
September 19, 1975 |
| 3 |
Gearjammers (1) Becker and Rockford investigate a hijacking scheme as killers pursue crime-witness Rocky. |
September 26, 1975 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The Fourth Man Jim helps a friend who works in the airline industry, who's apparently being pursued by a hit man, and she's no idea why she's being targeted. |
September 24, 1976 |
| 2 |
The Oracle Wore a Cashmere Suit Rockford finds himself getting unwanted attention from the media and police, when a popular psychic fingers him as having important information on the disappearance of two people. |
October 1, 1976 |
| 3 |
The Family Hour Jim and Rocky find an abandoned young girl that leads to Jim finding and helping her father. |
October 8, 1976 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Beamer's Last Case Rockford returns from vacation in Puerto Rico to discover someone has been using his identity, his trailer and totaled his Firebird. And that's just the beginning of his problems... |
September 16, 1977 |
| 2 |
Trouble in Chapter 17 Jim is reluctantly drawn into being bodyguard for a famous author, who believes her popular book on the perfect wife is the cause of death threats against her. |
September 23, 1977 |
| 3 |
The Battle of Canoga Park Jim finds himself in an explosive situation when the gun he hides in his cookie jar is used in a murder. |
September 30, 1977 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Heartaches of a Fool Jim finds that a country music star, corrupt union boss and Chinese triad all have one thing in common with why Rocky ended in hospital after his rig was forced off the road: sausages. |
September 22, 1978 |
| 2 |
Rosendahl and Gilda Stern Are Dead A doctor's murder has direct connections to the Mob, and Jim comes to the assistance of hooker friend Rita Capcovik (Rita Moreno) when she finds herself entangled in it. |
September 29, 1978 |
| 3 |
The Jersey Bounce Wrongly accused of beating a man to death, Jim discovers the best legal advice he can find is from disbarred lawyer John Cooper. |
October 6, 1978 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Paradise Cove Jim's Malibu neighborhood becomes the site of a treasure hunt for a stash of gold bullion, stolen fifty years earlier. |
September 28, 1979 |
| 2 |
Lions, Tigers, Monkeys and Dogs (1) Jim rubs shoulders with royalty when a princess hires him because she believes someone is trying to kill her friend (Lauren Bacall). |
October 12, 1979 |
| 3 |
Lions, Tigers, Monkeys and Dogs (2) Jim traces a killer via a barman, florist and gangster in order to establish who ordered the Princess' friend killed… |
October 12, 1979 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | NBC |
|---|---|
| First aired | September 13, 1974 |
| Last aired | January 10, 1980 |
| Runtime | 60 minutes |
| Status | ended |
| Schedule | Thursday at 21:00:00 |