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
This Date in ROCKFORD FILES History: “The Empty Frame,” James Luisi’s favorite episode, airs on Nov. 3, 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
- THE EMPTY FRAME
Original Air Date: November 3, 1978
Synopsis. Despite a security force led by Lieutenant Chapman, political activists crash a party honoring the appointment of Aaron Kiel to the Los Angeles Police Commission and steal a set of paintings worth two million dollars. After landing in the doghouse with the chief of police over the embarrassing incident, Chapman swallows his pride and asks Rockford for help.
Mostly known for playing hard-ass cops or steely-eyed killers, James Luisi got a rare opportunity to showcase his comic skills in “The Empty Frame.” Not surprisingly, the episode remained the actor’s personal favorite for many years.
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: Fredd Wayne and Sheb Wooley star in “Relic of Fort Tejon,” airing Nov. 3, 1957. MAVERICK: LEGEND OF THE WEST: Revised Third Edition is now available both as an eBook and in softcover paperback through Black Pawn Press
- RELIC OF FORT TEJON
Original Airdate: November 3, 1957
Synopsis. Bret wins an old Army camel named Fatima as partial payment in a poker game. After several unsuccessful attempts to sell Fatima, Bret travels to Silver Springs, where he hopes to trip up Carl Jimson, a notorious card shark who has snowed the entire town into believing his reputation for an “honest deal.” Among those whom Jimson has fooled is Donna Seely, his fiancée—and a former girlfriend of Bret’s. After Bret exposes him as a fraud, Jimson tries to kill Maverick.
Guest stars include Fredd Wayne, the actor known for his portrayals of American statesman Benjamin Franklin, and singer/actor Sheb Wooley (Rawhide, High Noon, The Outlaw Josey Wales, “Purple People Eater”).
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 through Black Pawn Press, Amazon.com, and wherever
This Date in MAVERICK TV History: “The Judas Mask” airs on Nov. 2, 1958. MAVERICK: LEGEND OF THE WEST: Revised Third Edition is now available both as an eBook and in softcover paperback through Black Pawn Press
- THE JUDAS MASK
Original Airdate: November 2, 1958
Synopsis. After winning more than $20,000 playing poker in Silver City, New Mexico, Bart plans to buy half-ownership of the Bella Union with the current owner Walter Delourne. Karen Gustavsen, a showgirl at the hotel, steals Bart’s money and flees to Mexico. Bart and Elliot Larkin (Karen’s protective lover) follow her south of the border. Karen doesn’t have the money (it’s at a bank in Silver City), but she explains why she stole it: Delourne is a ruthless man who drove her sister, also a showgirl, to suicide. Karen convinces Bart not to purchase the hotel. But a jealous Elliot, afraid of losing Karen to Bart, summons Delourne to Mexico.
This episode features one of the most remembered Pappyisms of the entire series: “He who plays and runs away, lives to run another day.”
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 through Black Pawn Press, Amazon.com, and wherever
This Date in MAVERICK TV History: Carole Wells and Joanna Moore star in “The Lass with the Poisonous Air,” airing Nov. 1, 1959. MAVERICK: LEGEND OF THE WEST: Revised Third Edition is now available both as an eBook and in softcover paperback through Black Pawn Press
- THE LASS WITH THE POISONOUS AIR
Original Airdate: November 1, 1959
Synopsis. While riding a mare he won in a poker game in Denver, Bart meets, and immediately becomes attracted to, Linda Burke (played by Joanna Moore)—a woman of great beauty, few words, and many secrets. Unbeknownst to Bart, Linda’s husband is a mining tycoon with gubernatorial aspirations. Maverick secretly meets Linda every day at a secluded spot in a nearby meadow, much to the suspicion of Linda’s love, Phil Dana, the son of Burke’s former partner. Bart and Phil soon become rivals in cards and in love. When Phil is found shot to death, Maverick becomes the prime suspect.
The title for this episode was derived from “The Lass with the Delicate Air,” the classic eighteenth-century British song written by Michael Arne.
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 through Black Pawn Press, Amazon.com, and wherever
This Date in ROCKFORD FILES History: Joan Van Ark and Paul Michael Glaser star in “Find Me If You Can,” airing Nov. 1, 1974. 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
- FIND ME IF YOU CAN
Original Air Date: November 1, 1974
Synopsis. Barbara Kelbaker (played by Joan Van Ark) approaches Rockford with an unusual request: she wants to hire him to find out if she can be “found.” But Barbara refuses to explain why—she doesn’t even give Rockford her real name—because she’s frightened for her life. Barbara witnessed her boyfriend, Denver crime lord Ralph Correll (Paul Michael Glaser), murder a man. Barbara believes that Correll is after her, and she figures that if Rockford can find her, so can Correll.
Known around the world as Valene Ewing on Dallas and Knots Landing, Joan Van Ark was among the actresses under consideration for the part of Mildred Elias in the Rockford Files pilot. We’ll see her again in “Resurrection in Black and White” and “There’s One in Every Port.”
Enjoy the podcast of our conversation in which Joan discusses the advice that James Garner once gave her, early in her career.
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: Stefanie Powers and Sherry Jackson star in “The Real Easy Red Dog,” airing Oct. 31, 1975. LEARN MORE about this episode in 45 YEARS OF THE ROCKFORD FILES, now available both as an eBook and in softcover paperback through Black Pawn Press
- THE REAL EASY RED DOG
Original Air Date: October 31, 1975
Synopsis. A woman who identifies herself as Jennifer Sandstrom hires Rockford to delve into the apparent suicide of her sister Alice. Jim doesn’t realize that his client is a private investigator, Christina Dusseau, who has paid him to play decoy. But Tina’s charade turns up an unexpected dividend. Although Tina pulled the Sandstrom suicide from a newspaper article, Jim stumbles onto evidence suggesting that Alice was murdered. When Rockford and Tina link Alice’s death to a black market baby racket, their lives become endangered.
Guest stars include Stefanie Powers (Hart to Hart, The Girl from U.N.C.L.E.) and Sherry Jackson (The Danny Thomas Show).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: Kathleen Crowley and Arch Johnson star in “A Bullet for the Teacher,” airing Oct. 30, 1960. MAVERICK: LEGEND OF THE WEST: Revised Third Edition is now available both as an eBook and in softcover paperback through Black Pawn Press
- A BULLET FOR THE TEACHER
Original Airdate: October 30, 1960
Synopsis. Beau wins half-ownership of the Golden Wheel Casino in St. Joseph, Missouri. But the business venture is short-lived when his partner Rand Storm, a notorious ladies’ man, is shot to death by Flo Baker, a female entertainer who was resisting his advances. Just before he dies, Rand tells his younger brother Luke that the shooting was an accident. But Luke, who has long wanted to own the casino, has Beau framed for Rand’s murder so that he can take over the business.
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 through Black Pawn Press, Amazon.com, and wherever
This Date in MAVERICK TV History: Edd Byrnes, Michael Dante, and Peter Brown star in “Stage West,” airing Oct. 27, 1957. MAVERICK: LEGEND OF THE WEST: Revised Third Edition is now available both as an eBook and in softcover paperback through Black Pawn Press
- STAGE WEST
Original Airdate: October 27, 1957
Synopsis. Bret and the widow Linda Harris are held hostage by rancher Mart Fallon and his two sons. Fallon murdered Linda’s husband, a miner who has found gold near Indian territory. Unfortunately for Fallon, only Bret knows where the mine is located. Maverick takes advantage of the situation—and of Fallon’s greedy nature—by selling a map indicating the mine’s location. What Bret doesn’t tell Fallon is that the mine is worthless.
Based on a short story by Louis L’Amour, this episode features Edd Byrnes (a few months away from his breakout role as Kookie on 77 Sunset Strip) and Michael Dante (Winterhawk, Kid Galahad, The Legend of Custer, Michael Dante: From Hollywood to Michael Dante Way). Michael Dante was one of the actors considered for the role of Bart Maverick on Maverick.
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 through Black Pawn Press, Amazon.com, and wherever books are sold online.
This Date in ROCKFORD FILES History: “Kill The Messenger,” Joe Santos’ favorite episode, airs on Oct. 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
- KILL THE MESSENGER
Original Air Date: October 27, 1978
Synopsis. As a nervous Becker prepares to take the examination for lieutenant, he’s assigned a departmental hot potato: the homicide of parole officer Eileen Towne, wife of Deputy Chief of Police Eugene Towne. When Rockford decides to help Dennis by conducting a preliminary investigation, he inadvertently jeopardizes their friendship and nearly sabotages Becker’s chances for promotion.
Reportedly Joe Santos’ favorite episode, “Kill the Messenger” also marks one of the first screen appearances of future Oscar winner Ed Harris.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