- RETURN TO THE 38th PARALLEL
Original Air Date: December 10, 1976
Synopsis. When his work as an insurance investigator runs aground, Rockford’s former Army commander Al Brennan (played by Ned Beatty) wants to become Jim’s partner. Meanwhile, a woman wants to hire Rockford to find her missing sister; before Rockford can decline, Brennan accepts the case. Jim soon discovers that his “client” actually works for Brennan, who wants Rockford to lead him to a $3 million Chiang Yin vase that was stolen from a New York museum two years before. Rockford and Brennan compete with each other to recover the vase—and claim the 10-percent finder’s fee.
Apparently, Rockford served under three commanding officers during the Korean War: Al Brennan (according to this episode), Daniel Hart Bowie (“2 into 5.56 Won’t Go”), and “Howling Mad” Smith (“The Hawaiian Headache”).
LEARN MORE about this episode in the revised third edition of 45 YEARS OF THE ROCKFORD FILES, featuring more than sixty new pages of never before published information about both the original Rockford Files and the CBS reunion movies, including twenty new interviews and six new appendices. 25 percent of the net proceeds from the sales of 45 YEARS OF THE ROCKFORD FILES will be donated to The James Garner Animal Rescue Fund, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising funds to help rescue organizations, shelters, individuals, fosters, and veterans with emergencies, evacuations, medical care, adoptions, training, pet supplies, shelter, rehabilitation, boarding, transportation, food, and other pressing needs. JGARF is one way for Garner fans to honor Jim’s memory and extend his legacy. Plus… if you order 45 YEARS OF THE ROCKFORD FILES directly from Black Pawn Press, you will receive an exclusive bonus gift. Go to Rockford45.com for more details