- THE BIG RIPOFF
Original Air Date: October 25, 1974
Synopsis. Nancy Frazier hires Rockford to investigate the death of her lover Steve Nelson, who allegedly perished in a plane crash. Nancy believes that Steve’s wife Ginny arranged for the accident, but Rockford suspects that Steve is alive—and that he and Ginny faked the accident as part of a scheme to bilk their insurance company out of $400,000. Jim also believes that Nancy may also be part of the scam, because Nancy skipped town almost immediately after Rockford reported back to her. Rockford persuades the insurance company to hire him to find Steve Nelson and recover the money.
“The Big Ripoff” features another Maverick touch. After the two operatives beat up Rockford and leave him to die along the side of a lonely road, model Marilyn Polanski (Oscar and Emmy nominee Jill Clayburgh) rescues Rockford after following him in his car. Marilyn urges Jim to take it easy, but our hero is determined to press on with the case.
“Is there anything you won’t do for money?” asks Marilyn.
“I won’t kill for it, and I won’t marry for it,” replies Rockford. “Other than that, I’m open to just about anything.”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
Ed Robertson
Author ● Journalist ● Radio Host ● Collaborative Writer
Daily Archives: October 25, 2025
This Date in MAVERICK TV History: Joel Grey, Nancy Kulp, and Robert Lowery star in “Full House,” airing Oct. 25, 1959. MAVERICK: LEGEND OF THE WEST: Revised Third Edition is now available both as an eBook and in softcover paperback through Black Pawn Press
- FULL HOUSE
Original Airdate: October 25, 1959
Synopsis. In Denver, Bret wins $2,000 playing cards with a man who is temporarily short of cash. Maverick wants the man’s fancy tie pin as collateral, but the man is reluctant to give up what he calls his “good luck charm.” After a struggle, Bret walks away with the tie pin, while the man is arrested. Later, in the nearby town of Bubbly Springs, Maverick discovers that the man with the tie pin is a renowned criminal operative named Foxy Smith, who has arranged to meet Cole Younger, Billy the Kid, Willie Thimble, Sam Bass, Black Bart, Ben Thompson, Jesse James, and Belle Starr to plan a big job. None of the outlaws have ever seen Smith—they only know him by his trademark tie pin. When Maverick arrives in town, they mistake him for Foxy Smith.
Executive producer William T. Orr first came up with the premise for this episode, which features future Academy Award winner Joel Grey (Cabaret) as Billy the Kid and future Beverly Hillbillies star Nancy Kulp in a small role as a waitress whose tears lead Maverick into a trap.
