Roy Huggins

This date in MAVERICK TV History: Jane Darwell and Hans Conried guest star in “Black Fire,” airing on Mar. 16, 1958

BLACK FIRE
Original Airdate: March 16, 1958

Synopsis. Maverick meets Agatha Christie’s Ten Little Indians in an episode that sees Bret impersonate his friend Homer Eakins. Homer’s wealthy uncle has summoned his offspring to his ranch to determine which one is most worthy of inheriting a $2 million fortune. One by one, however, each potential heir is mysteriously murdered.

“Black Fire” features the following Pappyism: “A man who can’t find his own troubles doesn’t deserve to share somebody else’s.” Guest stars include Oscar winner Jane Darwell (The Grapes of Wrath) and Hans Conried (The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T, Make Room for Daddy).

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 MAVERICK TV History: Connie Stevens and Adam West guest star in “Two Tickets to Ten Strike,” airing Mar. 15, 1959

TWO TICKETS TO TEN STRIKE
Original Airdate: March 15, 1959

Synopsis. Frankie French, a somewhat ditzy young woman from Tucson, is summoned to Ten Strike by a mysterious benefactor—the town banker. Unbeknownst to Frankie, the banker is really her father, an escaped killer named Frankovich who surfaced in Ten Strike eight years earlier and assumed the identity of a deceased man named Scott. Only one person in town knows Frankovich’s secret: saloon owner Mae Miller, who knew him from her days as a showgirl. When Frankovich learned he was dying, he set about taking care of his affairs, including establishing an inheritance for Frankie. Mae decides to kill Frankovich and pin the crime on Frankie.

Connie Stevens not only starred as lounge singer Cricket Blake on the Warner Bros. detective series Hawaiian Eye, but helped launch Warner Bros. Records with the release of “Kookie, Kookie, Lend Me Your Comb” (a duet with 77 Sunset Strip star Edd Byrnes that became a Top Five record for the label) and “Sixteen Reasons,” which Stevens recorded as a solo artist and reached No. 3.

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 MAVERICK TV History: “Greenbacks, Unlimited” airs on Mar. 13, 1960

GREENBACKS, UNLIMITED
Original Airdate: March 13, 1960

Synopsis. In Denver, Bret teams up with blackjack dealer Foursquare Farley in an effort to prevent notorious safecracker Big Ed Murphy from robbing the Denver Bank.

Guest stars include John Dehner, the noted character actor best known to Maverick fans as the mark in “Shady Deal at Sunny Acres.”

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 MAVERICK TV History: Dawn Wells guest stars in “The Deadly Image,” airing on Mar. 12, 1961. This episode was among Dawn’s earliest network TV appearances

THE DEADLY IMAGE
Original Airdate: March 12, 1961

Image from jackkellytribute.blogspot.com

Synopsis. Rod Claxton, a onetime federal deputy marshal who found more profit in murder and robbery, is wanted by both the Army and Gus Tellson, a former gang member whom Claxton double-crossed. After the Army mistakenly arrests Bart—who bears an uncanny physical resemblance to Claxton—Tellson breaks Maverick out of prison as part of an effort to capture Claxton.

Jack Kelly has a dual role in “The Deadly Image,” an episode that also marked one of the very first network television appearances of actress Dawn Wells.

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 w

This date in ROCKFORD FILES history: Louis Gossett Jr. stars in “Foul on the First Play,” airing Mar. 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

FOUL ON THE FIRST PLAY
Original Air Date: Mar. 12, 1976
Synopsis. Rockford learns that his conniving parole officer Marcus Hayes (played by Louis Gossett Jr.) has become a private investigator (after he was fired by the Parole Board). Marcus was hired by NBA Commissioner Bob Tremayne to find out which of the three prospective bidders of the Santa Monica expansion franchise has been using pressure tactics to influence the Commissioner’s decision on who will get the new team. To get a lead on the case, Marcus tricks Rockford into acting as a decoy—but when Jim catches on, he forces Hayes to surrender half of his $10,000 fee. When Tremayne is found dead on the night before the announcement of the final decision—and one of the bidders implicates Marcus—Rockford must clear Hayes of the charges.

The cagey Marcus Hayes was tailored specifically for Emmy and Oscar winner Louis Gossett Jr. (Roots, An Officer and a Gentleman), who had previously co-starred with James Garner in the 1971 Western satire Skin Game.

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 Maverick Report” airs on Mar. 11, 1962

THE MAVERICK REPORT
Original Airdate: March 11, 1962

Synopsis. In Denver, Colorado, Bart wins $15,000 playing poker with his friend Jonesy, owner of the Porterville Clarion newspaper. Up to his ears in debt, Jonesy hands over the Clarion to Bart, provided that Maverick allow him a week to raise the money so that he can buy back the paper. Before long, Maverick finds himself facing a libel lawsuit from a political candidate and a murder charge after Jonesy is found dead.

“The Maverick Report” went through an interesting metamorphosis between concept and production. Among other things, the episode was originally written as a solo vehicle for Brent Maverick, the character briefly played by Robert Colbert late in 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, 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: “To Protect and Serve,” the two-parter that introduced George Loros as “Anthony Boy” Gaglio, airs on Mar. 11, 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

TO PROTECT AND SERVE (Part 1)
Original Air Date: March 11, 1977
Synopsis. New York attorney Michael Kelly hires Rockford to locate his fiance Patsy Fossler, who apparently fled to Los Angeles after she abruptly canceled their wedding a few days earlier. After two thugs from the East Coast who are also looking for Patsy break into Rockford’s trailer and beat him up, Jim tries to quit the case. Kelly, however, not only refuses to let Rockford quit, but threatens to kill him if he can’t find Patsy within twenty-four hours. The matter becomes clearer to Rockford once he tracks down Patsy. Kelly represents New York crime lord Joseph Manett, who was recently acquitted of jury tampering charges. Because Kelly told Patsy about many of the Manett family dealings, Manett wants her silenced for his own protection. Rockford must therefore protect Patsy from both his client and Manett’s goons. Complicating the situation: Lianne Sweeney, a meddlesome “police buff” whose efforts to assist the investigation nearly get Rockford and Patsy killed. This episode marks George Loros’ first appearance as East Coast mobster “Anthony Boy” Gagglio, the character that David Chase has since said was a prototype for New Jersey mobster Tony Sopranos in The Sopranos (HBO, 1999-2007). Loros, who had a recurring role as Raymond Curto on The Sopranos, reprised Anthony Boy in the fifth-season episode “The Man Who Saw the Alligators.” Loros also played another tightly-wound bad guy in “The Dog and Pony Show,” as well as a good guy in “Only Rock ’n’ Roll Will Never Die.”

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: Ruta Lee guest stars in “Plunder of Paradise,” airing Mar. 9, 1958

PLUNDER OF PARADISE
Original Airdate: March 9, 1958

Synopsis. In the Mexican town of Paraiso, Bart, Big Mike McComb, and Grace Wheeler search for a legendary fortune in gold, diamonds, doubloons, and rubies that has been buried for more than one hundred years.

Ruta Lee previously appeared in “Comstock Conspiracy,” one of the most famous episodes of Maverick. Other guest stars in “Plunder of Paradise” include Jay Novello, the character actor arguably best known for playing Martini in It’s a Wonderful Life.

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: “Roundabout,” the episode with perhaps the slowest chase in the history of television, airs on Mar. 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

ROUNDABOUT
Original Air Date: March 7, 1975
Synopsis. An insurance company hires Jim to deliver a $10,000 check to Nancy Wade, the sole beneficiary of her late mother’s policy. Rockford travels to Las Vegas, where Nancy works as a lounge singer. There, Jim discovers that Nancy’s manager, Tom Robertson, who has been using her money to fund business ventures owned and operated by the syndicate. After he is attacked and robbed of the check by some of Robertson’s men, Rockford schemes to turn the tables on the slick operator. Aiding him in the cause is Japanese electronics executive Kenneth Mamato, another victim of Robertson’s maneuvers. Filmed partly on location in Las Vegas, “Roundabout” features one of the slowest chases in the history of prime time television (and quite possibly, in all of film). In Act IV, Rockford is wired for sound when he meets Robertson outside Hoover Dam. As soon as Rockford says the code word (“Geronimo!”), FBI Agent Hanzer and the rest of the police are supposed to converge on the scene. But Robertson panics and dashes inside, forcing Rockford to chase him on foot throughout the entire Hoover Dam building and grounds.

Because Rockford, unlike most private eyes, is a little out of shape, it doesn’t take long for him to become winded. However, Robertson is not in great condition, either—in fact, both men are gasping and chugging by the time Rockford finally catches up to Robertson and tags him (“I got you!”). As the two men both sit down and catch their breath, the camera pulls away, enabling the viewer to see that Rockford had chased Robertson to the bottom of the dam.

Lou Antonio, who directed this episode, took us behind the scenes of “Roundabout” in a 2018 interview on TV Confidential.

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: Sherry Jackson stars in “Red Dog,” the final episode featuring Roger Moore as Beau Maverick, airing Mar. 5, 1961

RED DOG
Original Airdate: March 5, 1961

Synopsis. Beau stumbles onto the cave site meeting place of five outlaws, only to find himself held hostage.

The last of Roger Moore’s fifteen appearances as Beau Maverick, “Red Dog” also features Sherry Jackson, Lee Van Cleef, and legendary character actor John Carradine.

When Sherry Jackson appeared on TV Confidential in 2012, she mentioned that her appearances on Maverick were among her very first “grown up” roles. She shared some memories about working with Roger Moore and Jack Kelly in the podcast posted below:

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.

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