- GUATEMELA CITY
Original Airdate: January 31, 1960
Synopsis. In San Francisco, Bret sets out to apprehend two jewel thieves and collect the $25,000 reward for their capture.
Ed Robertson
Author ● Journalist ● Radio Host ● Collaborative Writer
Monthly Archives: January 2024
This date in ROCKFORD FILES history: Linda Evans stars as “Claire,” airing Jan. 31, 1975. LEARN MORE about this episode in 45 YEARS OF THE ROCKFORD FILES, available in softcover paperback and now as an eBook through Black Pawn Press
- CLAIRE
Original Air Date: January 31, 1975
Synopsis. Rockford’s former fiance Claire Prescott (played by Linda Evans) asks him to find Charlie Manning, an undercover police detective who used Claire as an informant as part of an important narcotics investigation. When Manning is found dead, Claire becomes the prime suspect.
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.
This date in ROCKFORD FILES history: Michael Ansara stars as “Joey Blue Eyes,” airing Jan. 30, 1976. James Luisi also appears in this episode, but not as Lieutenant Chapman. LEARN MORE about this episode in 45 YEARS OF THE ROCKFORD FILES, available in softcover paperback and now as an eBook through Black Pawn Press
- JOEY BLUE EYES
Original Air Date: January 30, 1976
Synopsis. Michael Ansara stars as Joseph “Joey Blue Eyes” DiMina, a reformed hood who has become a successful restaurateur. Joey finds himself the victim of a conspiracy between his business partner Bert Striker (James Luisi, in a pre-Lieutenant Chapman role) and his attorney Larry Mitchell to force him out of his own business. To make matters worse: Joey borrowed money from loan shark Sweet Tooth London, who has Joey’s daughter Paulette beaten up as a warning in case Joey fails to make payment. An enraged Joey assaults Sweet Tooth and ends up in jail. Although Rockford initially clashes with Joey, Beth (a friend of Paulette’s) implores him to help. When Rockford learns that Striker also has financial problems, he sets up an elaborate con aimed at forcing Striker to pay Joey’s loan with his own money.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.
This date in MAVERICK TV History: “The Ice Man,” featuring Andrew Duggan and Shirley Knight, aired on Jan. 29, 1961
- THE ICE MAN
Original Airdate: January 29, 1961
Synopsis. In Temple City, California, Bart becomes embroiled in the gubernatorial election between town boss Rath Lawson and Reform Party candidate Calvin Powers.
“The Ice Man” is the only episode in which Bart, or any other Maverick, dispels some wisdom from his dear old mother.
LEARN MORE about this episode in the revised third edition of Maverick: Legend of the West, featuring more than 100 pages of new information about the show that made James Garner a star. 25 percent of the net proceeds from the sales of the third edition 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. The revised third edition of Maverick: Legend of the West is available both in softcover and, very soon, as an eBook through Black Pawn Press, Amazon.com, and wherever books are sold online.
This date in ROCKFORD FILES history: John Pleshette and Rick Springfield star in “Dwarf in a Helium Hat,” airing Jan. 27, 1978. LEARN MORE about this episode in 45 YEARS OF THE ROCKFORD FILES, available in softcover paperback and now as an eBook through Black Pawn Press
- DWARF IN A HELIUM HAT
Original Air Date: January 27, 1978
Synopsis. After receiving a strange phone call from a man who tells him “your dog is dead” and that “you and that Lansing girl are next,” Rockford determines that the message was meant for Jay Rockfelt (played by John Pleshette), an irresponsible playboy whose name appears directly above Jim’s in the phone book. Jay’s problems stem from a lavish birthday bash that he threw for Gianni Tedesco, an aspiring actor who also has connections with the mob. Gianni suffered the embarrassment of having to pay the $30,000 tab for his own party—an incident that has made him a laughingstock in Hollywood. Although Rockford doesn’t like Jay, he feels compelled to help him after learning that Gianni has kidnapped Rockfelt’s sister.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.
This date in MAVERICK TV History: “Diamond in the Rough,” the second of two episodes featuring Fredd Wayne, aired on Jan. 26, 1958
- DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH
Original Airdate: January 26, 1958
Synopsis. In San Francisco, Bart sets to even the score against Van Buren Kingsley, a ruthless New Orleans aristocrat who cons people into buying stock in a worthless diamond company. Kingsley not only pilfered $17,000 from Bart, but had our hero shanghaied.
Best known for his portrayals of American patriot and founding father Benjamin Franklin, Fredd Wayne previously appeared as card shark Honest Carl Jimson in “Relic of Fort Tejon.”
LEARN MORE about this episode in the revised third edition of Maverick: Legend of the West, featuring more than 100 pages of new information about the show that made James Garner a star. 25 percent of the net proceeds from the sales of the third edition will be donated to The James Garner Animal Rescue Fund, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising funds to help rescue organizations, shelters, individuals, shelters, individual, 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. The revised third edition of Maverick: Legend of the West is available both in softcover and, very soon, as an eBook through Black Pawn Press, Amazon.com, and wherever books are sold online.
This date in ROCKFORD FILES history: Mills Watson and Richard Kelton star in “The Deuce,” airing Jan. 26, 1979. LEARN MORE about this episode in 45 YEARS OF THE ROCKFORD FILES, available in softcover paperback and now as an eBook through Black Pawn Press
- THE DEUCE
Original Air Date: January 26, 1979
Synopsis. Mills Watson guest stars as George Bassett, a chronic drinker accused of vehicular manslaughter. Though the circumstantial case against Bassett is strong, Rockford is the only juror on Bassett’s trial who believes that Bassett is innocent. After receiving a reprieve (the judge ordered a new trial as the result of a hung jury), Bassett hires Rockford to clear him of the murder charges.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.
This date in MAVERICK TV history: “The Rivals,” the famous adaptation of the Richard Sheridan play that also featured Roger Moore and Patricia Crowley, aired on Jan. 25, 1959
- THE RIVALS
Original Airdate: January 25, 1959
Synopsis. Wealthy John Vandergelt III hires Bret to switch identities with him as part of an elaborate attempt to woo the lovely Lydia Linley.
“The Rivals” is the only episode of Maverick to feature the three “principal” Mavericks: James Garner, Jack Kelly, and Roger Moore. Although Moore plays another character (millionaire and incurable romantic John Vandergelt III), the storyline has Van switching identities with Bret. In that respect, Moore “plays” Maverick, which he eventually did in real life during the fourth season.
LEARN MORE about this episode in the revised third edition of Maverick: Legend of the West, featuring more than 100 pages of new information about the show that made James Garner a star. 25 percent of the net proceeds from the sales of the third edition will be donated to The James Garner Animal Rescue Fund, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising funds to help rescue organizations, shelters, individuals, shelters, individual, 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. The revised third edition of Maverick: Legend of the West is available both in softcover and, very soon, as an eBook through Black Pawn Press, Amazon.com, and wherever books are sold online.
This date in ROCKFORD FILES history: Mary Frann and M. Emmet Walsh star in “Counter Gambit,” airing Jan. 24, 1975. This episode also marks Stuart Margolin’s first appearance as Angel since the Rockford Files pilot. LEARN MORE about this episode in 45 YEARS OF THE ROCKFORD FILES, available in softcover paperback and now as an eBook through Black Pawn Press
- COUNTER GAMBIT
Original Air Date: January 24, 1975
Synopsis. Insurance agent Edgar Burch (played by M. Emmet Walsh) hires Rockford to recover a $250,000 pearl necklace that was stolen by Moss Williams (Eddie Fontaine) three years before—shortly after Williams asked Jim to locate the woman who supposedly stashed the pearls. Rockford decides to play both sides of the fence, but instead gets burned. The “stolen” necklace was never stolen. Williams hired Burch to get Rockford to find the pearls so that he can steal them and frame Jim for the theft. With the help of Valerie Thomas, the owner of the pearls (played by Mary Frann), jewel appraiser Manny Tolan (Ford Rainey), and his old stir mate Angel Martin, Rockford sets out to clear himself.“Counter Gambit” marks Stuart Margolin’s first appearance as Angel since the pilot movie. Margolin appeared in twenty-nine episodes, winning two Emmy Awards for Best Supporting Actor along the way.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
This date in MAVERICK TV history: Julie Adams stars as “The White Widow,” airing Jan. 24, 1960
- THE WHITE WIDOW
Original Airdate: January 24, 1960
Synopsis. Bart wins $5,000 playing poker in Fairview and stores the money in a hotel safe. The next day, he discovers that the money has been stolen, and the hotel clerk killed. Needing money, he applies for a loan at the bank, where he discovers that the bank president, a widow named Wilma White (guest star Julie Adams), is being threatened. Wilma hires Maverick to protect her.
Julie Adams, whom we also saw as the queen of King City in “Brasada Spur,” had previously co-starred with Jack Kelly in a live presentation of “Just Across the Street” that aired on Lux Video Theatre in January 1957.