- 2 INTO 5.56 WON’T GO
Original Air Date: November 21, 1975
Synopsis. Moments after leaving an urgent message on Rockford’s phone machine, Colonel Daniel Bowie is abducted by his aide, Sergeant Harvey Slate, and a former soldier named Quentin Davis. Bowie is later found dead, the victim of an apparent car accident. When the military discover that Bowie had contacted Rockford before his death, they question Rockford (who had also served under Bowie during the Korean War) for possible involvement. Meanwhile, Bowie’s daughter Shana believes her father was murdered and hires Jim to investigate.
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
Rockford Files Ed Robertson
This Date in ROCKFORD FILES History: “So Help Me God,” the episode for which James Garner won the Emmy Award for Best Actor in the 1976-1977 season, airs on Nov. 19, 1976. 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
- SO HELP ME GOD
Original Air Date: November 19, 1976
James Garner as Jim Rockford in “So Help Me God”
Synopsis. Rockford sees the judicial system at its worst when he is subpoenaed to testify before a federal grand jury investigating the alleged kidnapping of union official Frank Sorvino.“So Help Me God” held a special place in James Garner’s heart on two counts. Not only was the show among his personal favorites, it was the episode for which he won the Emmy for Best Dramatic Actor for the 1976-1977 season.
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: “Irving the Explainer,” the homage to old Hollywood that also marked James Coburn’s only effort as a director, airs on Nov. 18, 1977. 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
- IRVING THE EXPLAINER
Original Air Date: November 18, 1977
Synopsis. A woman who is apparently writing a biography of controversial film director Alvah Korper hires Rockford to help her research the book. Rockford doesn’t realize that his client is Korper’s daughter Katarina, who hopes that the private investigator will lead her to a priceless painting by seventeenth-century artist Antoine Watteau that Alvah Korper allegedly purchased and hid during the 1940s. Rockford soon finds himself thrust into a convoluted mess involving French police officers and German spies (both of whom also want to find the painting) and the long-unsolved murder of Korper’s wife, which may hold the key to the entire puzzle.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: Hector Elizondo stars in “A Good Clean Bust with Sequel Rights,” airing Nov. 17, 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
- A GOOD CLEAN BUST WITH SEQUEL RIGHTS
Original Air Date: November 17, 1978
Synopsis. Jim becomes a temporary “babysitter” for Frank Falcone (played by Hector Elizondo), a superstar cop from Chicago whose legendary exploits have spawned a best seller, a major motion picture, a popular network TV series, and a new line of toys. While protecting the rambunctious celebrity, Rockford learns that Falcone may be the target of a contract killer. According to the writer of this episode, Rudolph Borchert, the Hector Elizondo character in “A Good Clean Bust” was loosely based on David Toma, the New Jersey undercover detective whose exploits provided the basis for both the Toma and Baretta series. There is, of course, a direct line between Toma and the creation of The Rockford Files.
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: Tom Selleck, Larry Manetti, James Whitmore Jr., and Simon Oakland star in “Nice Guys Finish Dead,” airing Nov. 16, 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
- NICE GUYS FINISH DEAD
Original Air Date: November 16, 1979
Synopsis. The United Association of Licensed Investigators honors Rockford with the coveted Goodhue Award for his work in a case that set precedent in the field of accident insurance. But the ceremony is cut short when the keynote speaker—a state senator whose legislation banning the use of surveillance devices could adversely affect the P.I. industry if passed—is found dead in the men’s bathroom. When Fred Beamer, who discovered the body, panics and runs away, he becomes the leading suspect. Rockford tries to clear Beamer while also contending with his nemesis Lance White.
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: Lee Purcell, Linda Kelsey, and Tim O’Connor star in “The Dexter Crisis,” airing Nov. 15, 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
- THE DEXTER CRISIS
Original Air Date: November 15, 1974
Synopsis. Wealthy entrepreneur Charles Dexter (played by Tim O’Connor) hires Rockford to locate his mistress, Susan Parsons (Lee Purcell), but doesn’t disclose his true motives until much later (Susan ran off with over $250,000 of Dexter’s money). Rockford joins forces with Susan’s roommate, law student Louise Adams (Linda Kelsey), who thinks there’s a connection between Susan’s disappearance and the driver of a car that had been following Susan for several days.Because Jim Rockford is essentially Bret Maverick in modern dress, it seems only fitting that he is as much an expert games of chance as his TV Western ancestor. Rockford displays his knowledge of how to play roulette in a scene with Susan Parsons (guest star Lee Purcell).
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: “Coulter City Wildcat” airs on Nov. 12, 1976. 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
- COULTER CITY WILDCAT
Original Air Date: November 12, 1976
Synopsis. Rocky wins a parcel of land in Kern County in a public auction sponsored by the federal government. Two men pistol-whip Rocky into signing away all oil and mineral rights to the property, even though he’d sold back the land for $2,000 two weeks before. A curious Rockford intervenes. Together with his father, Jim discovers that Rocky’s parcel is worth a fortune in oil, and that the auction was part of a plan to cheat the government out of a valuable oil lease.
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: Janis Paige, Robert Alda, and Richard Romanus star in “A Three-Day Affair with a Thirty-Day Escrow,” airing Nov. 10, 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
- A THREE-DAY AFFAIR WITH A THIRTY-DAY ESCROW
Original Air Date: November 10, 1978
Synopsis. A sheik named Talib kidnaps Rockford and demands to know the whereabouts of his daughter, Khedra Aziz, a woman whom a gigolo named Sean Innes (played by Richard Romanus) hired Rockford to find. After escaping Talib’s family, Jim locates Innes, and discovers a bizarre scheme designed by unscrupulous real estate broker Cy Margulies (Robert Alda) to break up Khedra’s marriage so he can sell her home.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: Lynette Mettey stars in “In Pursuit of Carol Thorne,” airing Nov. 8, 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
- IN PURSUIT OF CAROL THORNE
Original Air Date: November 8, 1974
Synopsis. An elderly couple who claim to be the parents of Cliff Hoad hires Rockford to tail Carol Thorne, a recently paroled convict (played by Lynette Mettey) who is also Cliff’s former girlfriend. Rockford doesn’t realize that his client is a con artist named who, along with Cliff and two other men, robbed a Marine Corps payroll of $1.2 million three years earlier. Miles wants Carol to lead him to Cliff—and to where Cliff stashed the 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 ROCKFORD FILES History: Joan Van Ark stars in “Resurrection in Black and White,” airing Nov. 7, 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
- RESURRECTION IN BLACK AND WHITE
Original Air Date: November 7, 1975
Synopsis. Investigative reporter Susan Alexander (played by Joan Van Ark) believes that Dave Krueger was wrongfully convicted of the brutal murder of his girlfriend Cheryl Wilson six years before. Susan hires Rockford to help her prove Krueger innocent.“Resurrection in Black and White” features some of the most memorable lines of the entire series, including Rockford’s classic retort once he learns that reporter Susan Alexander was nearly killed while investigating the Krueger case.
“Why didn’t you tell me [about the man who nearly drove your car off the road]?” Rockford asks Susan.
“Physical violence has a tendency to put some people off,” explains Susan.
“Yeah,” cracks Rockford. “I’m one of them!”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.