- 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.