- ANYTHING FOR A FRIEND
Original Airdate: December 15, 1981
Synopsis. Bret and Tom protect a wounded Billy the Kid from bounty hunters by hiding the outlaw at The Lazy Ace.
Ed Robertson
Author ● Journalist ● Radio Host ● Collaborative Writer
Roy Huggins
This Date in ROCKFORD FILES History: “Just a Coupla Guys,” an episode that David Chase reportedly revisited when he began to develop The Sopranos, airs on Dec. 14, 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
- JUST A COUPLA GUYS
Original Air Date: December 14, 1979
Synopsis. Renee Lombard flies Rockford to Newark, New Jersey to help her father Joe, a prominent member of the Catholic Church (and, unbeknownst to Rockford, a former mobster). Tony Martine, the lord of New Jersey crime, wants Joe to convince the Archdiocese to reverse its decision barring Martine’s late brother Vincent from receiving a full Catholic burial. The Church will not allow Vincent, an unrepentant murderer, to be buried on consecrated grounds.
Originally designed as a pilot for a possible spin-off series called The Jersey Bounce, “Just a Coupla Guys” later provided the foundation for a far more successful venture. According to an interview with David Chase that was published in 2004, the origins of The Sopranos are partly rooted in this episode.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: Adele Mara stars as “The Spanish Dancer,” airing Dec. 14, 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 SPANISH DANCER
Original Airdate: December 14, 1958
Synopsis. While peddling goods in the New Mexico mining camp of Riverhead, Bart and Gentleman Jack Darby fall for Elena Grande (played by Adele Mara), an exotic dancer who hopes one day to buy back the ranch that her family once owned. When Bart wins a flooded mine from crooked camp owner John Wilson, he enlists Jack and Elena’s help in an elaborate scheme to drain the mine at Wilson’s expense.
Adele Mara was a perfect choice for the title role. A popular pin-up girl earlier in her career, she also performed as a classical Spanish dancer for renowned bandleader Xavier Cugat. Although Mara had danced many times before on film (including her unforgettable performance in the “Seed of Deception” segment of Maverick), this episode marked the first time she performed an actual Spanish dance on film. The dances she performs were authentic dances from the 1876 period.
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 MAVERICK TV History: Richard Long, Fay Spain, and H.M. Wynant star in “The Goose-Drownder,” one of the few straightforward dramatic episodes of Maverick, airing Dec. 13, 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 GOOSE-DROWNDER
Original Airdate: December 13, 1959
Synopsis. Stranded in the ghost town of Silverado, Nevada, Bart and Gentleman Jack Darby (Richard Long) spend the night with the town’s lone resident, Boone Gillis (played by Will Wright). They are later joined by a hold-up gang that just robbed the stagecoach of its payroll. Among the passengers: Rance, a wounded gunslinger (H.M. Wynant), and Stella Legendre (Fay Spain), a dance hall girl whom Maverick once met in Abilene.
One of the few episodes of Maverick that has little to no comedy in it, “The Goose-Drownder” is a taut, tense drama that showcases Jack Kelly’s range as a performer. Besides exhibiting cool under pressure during the surgery sequence, Kelly as Maverick displays a rare show of anger when Darby questions Bart’s love for Stella.
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 MAVERICK TV History: Audrey Landers stars in “Hearts o’ Gold,” an episode of YOUNG MAVERICK, airing Dec. 12, 1979. MAVERICK: LEGEND OF THE WEST: Revised Third Edition is now available both as an eBook and in softcover paperback through Black Pawn Press
- HEARTS O’ GOLD
Original Airdate: December 12, 1979
Synopsis. Young Maverick follows Billy Peachtree—a lousy poker player who ran out on a gambling debt—into the town of Saddlehorn, where he learns that Peachtree is planning a bank robbery.
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 MAVERICK TV History: “Dodge City or Bust” airs on Dec. 11, 1960. MAVERICK: LEGEND OF THE WEST: Revised Third Edition is now available both as an eBook and in softcover paperback through Black Pawn Press
- DODGE CITY OR BUST
Original Airdate: December 11, 1960
Synopsis. In the mining town of Dangerfield, Bart wins $3,000, but he can’t collect his winnings until the town banker returns with his money. The matter becomes complicated when Bart learns that the banker has been killed.
Although Roger Moore is billed as the star in the opening credits, “Dodge City or Bust” is really a Jack Kelly show. Moore does not actually appear onscreen until the last few minutes of the episode.
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: Ned Beatty and Veronica Hamel star in “Return to the 38th Parallel,” airing Dec. 10, 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
- RETURN TO THE 38th PARALLEL
Original Air Date: December 10, 1976
Synopsis. When his work as an insurance investigator runs aground, Rockford’s former Army commander Al Brennan (played by Ned Beatty) wants to become Jim’s partner. Meanwhile, a woman wants to hire Rockford to find her missing sister; before Rockford can decline, Brennan accepts the case. Jim soon discovers that his “client” actually works for Brennan, who wants Rockford to lead him to a $3 million Chiang Yin vase that was stolen from a New York museum two years before. Rockford and Brennan compete with each other to recover the vase—and claim the 10-percent finder’s fee.Apparently, Rockford served under three commanding officers during the Korean War: Al Brennan (according to this episode), Daniel Hart Bowie (“2 into 5.56 Won’t Go”), and “Howling Mad” Smith (“The Hawaiian Headache”).
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: Larry Hagman, Ron Masak, and Denny Miller star in “Forced Retirement,” the episode that marked the first of Rockford’s four appearances as Jimmy Joe Meeker, airing Dec. 9, 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
- FORCED RETIREMENT
Original Air Date: December 9, 1977
Synopsis. Beth asks Jim to investigate the Minerva project, a highly speculative offshore drilling venture whose investors include Beth’s boss.“Forced Retirement” marks the first appearance of Jimmy Joe Meeker, the Oklahoma oilman who’s “smoother than oil on a blister.” Rockford adopts this alter-ego on three other occasions throughout the remainder of the series. As Gigi Garner notes her in her Foreword to 45 Years of The Rockford Files, much of her father’s innate wit “bled through in some of his Rockford funny bits where he played Jimmy Joe Meeker.”
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: Rockford takes on a tabloid publisher in “Local Man Eaten by Newspaper,” airing Dec. 8, 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
- LOCAL MAN EATEN BY NEWSPAPER
Original Air Date: December 8, 1978
Synopsis. Richard Hagans, the prominent Beverly Hills physician known as “the Doctor to the Stars,” hires Rockford to infiltrate the tabloid newspaper The National Investigator after he suspects that someone at the paper broke into his office and raided his medical records.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: John Randolph stars in “Welcome to Sweetwater,” an episode of BRET MAVERICK, airing Dec. 8, 1981. MAVERICK: LEGEND OF THE WEST: Revised Third Edition is now available both as an eBook and in softcover paperback through Black Pawn Press
- WELCOME TO SWEETWATER
Original Airdate: December 8, 1981
Synopsis. Maverick settle into his new home of Sweetwater, Arizona, only to face an immediate fight: a railroad company plans to build right in the middle of his land.