- THE FAMILY HOUR
Original Air Date: October 8, 1976
Synopsis. Jim and Rocky’s fishing trip to Baja is interrupted when they discover nine-year-old Marin Rose Gaily sitting outside Jim’s trailer. While Rocky takes care of Marin, Jim searches for her father Stu, a convicted drug smuggler on the run from Al Jollett, a crooked DEA agent. Although Jollett claims that Stu stole $100,000 in government front money, Rockford discovers Jollett had been using Stu and another convict named Marty Goss to plant evidence for a series of drug busts that Jollett had rigged to pad his arrest record. Goss tried to use a log he’d kept of Jollett’s phony operations to negotiate a reduced prison sentence. Instead, Jollett had him killed. Rockford must protect Stu, who has the book, from Jollett and his maniacal agents—one of whom wields a deadly electric cattle prod.
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
Roy Huggins
This Date in MAVERICK TV History: “According to Hoyle,” Diane Brewster’s first appearance as Samantha Crawford, airs on Oct. 6, 1957. MAVERICK: LEGEND OF THE WEST: Revised Third Edition is now available both as an eBook and in softcover paperback through Black Pawn Press
- ACCORDING TO HOYLE
Original Airdate: October 6, 1957
Synopsis. Bret loses more than $17,000 playing poker with Samantha Crawford, a con artist employed by George Cross—who once lost $50,000 to Maverick and is determined to get it back. Samantha claims that Cross is her father and that he needs to recover the money in order to get out of jail. Bret also needs money (two riverboat owners staked him to $5,000, which he promptly lost to Samantha), so he forms a partnership with Samantha. Maverick purchases gambling equipment (with money loaned by Samantha) as part of a scheme to put a crooked game room owner named Joe Riggs out of business. But Samantha and Cross decide to double-cross Maverick by selling the equipment to Riggs.
Besides marking the first appearance of Diana Brewster (Leave It to Beaver, The Fugitive) as con artist Samantha Crawford, “According to Hoyle” features these two famous Pappyisms: “Faint heart never filled a flush” and “Man is the only animal you can skin more than once.”
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: Bo Hopkins makes his first appearance as John Cooper in “The Jersey Bounce,” airing Oct. 6, 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 JERSEY BOUNCE
Original Air Date: October 6, 1978
Synopsis. Rocky and his neighbors have been harassed by Eugene Conigliaro and Mickey Long, a pair of lowbrow hustlers who are anxious to ingratiate themselves with mob boss Artie Nodzak. Conigliaro and Long intimidate the community with their wild parties, loud music, and overt drug dealings. Jim intercedes on behalf of his father and nearly gets into a fight with Conigliaro. Later, Rockford unwittingly becomes an integral part of Conigliaro and Long’s plans to coax their way into the mob. When they discover that Nodzak’s sister dates a man who beats her, Conigliaro and Long kill the boyfriend—and pin the murder on Rockford.
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: “Alias Bart Maverick,” Richard Long’s first appearance as Gentleman Jack Darby, airs on Oct. 5, 1958. MAVERICK: LEGEND OF THE WEST: Revised Third Edition is now available both as an eBook and in softcover paperback through Black Pawn Press
- ALIAS BART MAVERICK
Original Airdate: October 5, 1958
Synopsis. Outside Crescent City, Bart encounters Gentleman Jack Darby (played by Richard Long), a fugitive wanted for embezzlement by the Missouri Surety Company. Although innocent of that charge (a dishonest bank clerk stole the money), Darby is no angel―in order to collect the $1,000 reward money, Darby convinces the Crescent City sheriff that Bart really is Gentleman Jack. While Bart sits in jail, Darby wins $2,600 playing poker, but leaves town after he kills one of the troublemaking Plummer brothers in self-defense. Darby then frees Bart, only to rob him later. With an assist from entertainer Cindy Lou Brown, Darby’s charming but not-too-bright girlfriend, Bart trails Gentleman Jack to Deadwood.
This episode marks Richard Long’s first appearance as Gentleman Jack Darby, another all-out grafter meant to contrast Maverick’s gentle grafter. Series creator Roy Huggins devised the Darby character to replace Dandy Jim Buckley once Efrem Zimbalist began production of 77 Sunset Strip (which, of course, precluded him from making further appearances as Buckley). While Darby and Buckley are essentially the same character, there are a few differences. Unlike Buckley, for example, Darby has some semblance of a conscience, because he helps Bart fend off the Plummer brothers at the end of this 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: Mills Watson guest stars in “Exit Prentiss Carr,” airing Oct. 4, 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
- EXIT PRENTISS CARR
Original Air Date: October 4, 1974
Synopsis. Rockford’s old flame Janet Carr hires him to tail her philandering husband Prentiss. Rockford locates Prentiss at the Bay City Motel, but he finds the man dead—an apparent murder victim. Though Rockford reports the matter to the authorities, he does not tell them that he’s already investigated the scene of the crime (a fact that could implicate Jim and his client to Prentiss’ death). When Lieutenant Furlong and Sergeant Larsen of the Bay City Police report that Prentiss apparently committed suicide, Rockford accuses them of tampering with the evidence. After the cops throw him out of town, Rockford surreptitiously continues to probe. Soon he discovers a link between Prentiss’ death and an embezzlement scheme at the insurance company where Prentiss worked.This episode features character actors Warren Kemmerling and Mills Watson, both of whom were among the early considerations for the role of Dennis Becker in the Rockford Files pilot.
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 THE FBI History: Roy Thinnes and Marlyn Mason star in “The Escape,” an episode loosely based on the exploits of Pretty Boy Floyd, airing Oct. 2, 1966
- THE ESCAPE
Original Air Date: Oct. 2, 1966
Synopsis. In West Virginia, Erskine and Rhodes must determine the whereabouts of the men responsible for the escape of convicted murderer Larry Drake (played by Roy Thinnes) and the killing of three law enforcement officials—one of whom, Sheriff Abbott, was a personal friend of the inspector.
LEARN MORE about this episode in THE FBI DOSSIER, everything you wanted to know—and more— about the long-running ABC-TV series produced by Quinn Martin and starring Efrem Zimbalist, Jr. THE FBI DOSSIER is available through Black Pawn Press, Amazon.com, and wherever books are sold online.
This Date in MAVERICK and ROCKFORD FILES History: “James Garner: Hollywood Maverick” airs for the first time on the Oct. 2, 2000 edition of A&E’s Biography. The hour-long documentary includes comments, tributes and remembrances from Clint Eastwood, Blake Edwards, Stephen J. Cannell, Bill Robinson, Glenn Jordan, Stuart Margolin, Sally Field, Mariette Hartley, Gigi Garner, author Ed Robertson and more. LEARN MORE in 45 YEARS OF THE ROCKFORD FILES, available in softcover paperback and now as an eBook through Black Pawn Press
LEARN MORE about it 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: Robert Webber stars in “The Oracle Wore a Cashmere Suit,” airing Oct. 1, 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
- THE ORACLE WORE A CASHMERE SUIT
Original Air Date: October 1, 1976
Synopsis. Self-appointed “police psychic” Roman Clementi (played by Robert Webber) publicly accuses Rockford of withholding evidence that would link the investigator to the disappearance of a record company executive who, along with his girlfriend, vanished two days after Rockford was hired to surveil him. In fact, the grandstanding Clementi planted the rumor to make himself look good—and generate publicity for his upcoming book, Crime and the Third Eye. But the accusation causes Rockford no end of trouble. When he discovers that the record executive stashed away more than $80,000 in cocaine, Rockford becomes the target of a drug-crazed drummer. When the executive is found murdered, Rockford becomes the prime suspect.
William Daniels, whom we last saw in “The Italian Bird Fiasco,” was originally cast as oracle Roman Clementi in this episode, but was replaced by Robert Webber after injuring himself during the first day of filming. Daniels returned to Rockford later this season as the ruthless federal prosecutor in “So Help Me God,” the episode for which James Garner won the Emmy for Best Dramatic Actor of 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 MAVERICK TV History: Mike Connors and Karen Steele star in “Point Blank,” airing Sept. 29, 1957. MAVERICK: LEGEND OF THE WEST: Revised Third Edition is now available both as an eBook and in softcover paperback through Black Pawn Press
- POINT BLANK
Original Airdate: September 29, 1957
Synopsis. Maverick settles temporarily in the small railroad town of Bent Forks, where he soon falls in love with Molly Gleason, a woman with a somewhat disreputable past (played by Karen Steele). Bret doesn’t realize that Molly and her lover, a bank teller named Ralph Jordan (Mike Connors), plan to use him as a pawn in their scheme to embezzle $100,000.
“Point Blank” was originally conceived as the pilot for Maverick. As far as series creator Roy Huggins was concerned, it’s still the “real” pilot. The reason why is laid out in “Birth of a Legend,” Part 1 of Maverick: Legend of West.
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: Susan Strasberg and Dick Gautier star in “The Countess,” airing Sept. 27, 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 COUNTESS
Original Air Date: September 27, 1974
Synopsis. Socialite Deborah Ryder (played by Susan Strasberg) hires Rockford to stop Carl Brego (Dick Gautier), an extortionist who knows that Deborah was once linked to a numbers racket in Chicago. As part of his surveillance, Rockford videotapes a meeting between Deborah and Carl. Then, while pretending to be another blackmailer who wants a piece of the action, he confronts Carl and threatens to turn the tape over to the police unless Carl cuts him in. The ploy backfires, however, when Carl is shot to death—Rockford becomes the prime suspect.
Susan Strasberg, daughter of legendary acting coach Lee Strasberg, played the wife of Tony Musante in Toma, the ABC police drama inextricably linked to the creation of The Rockford Files. We’ll see her again in “A Bad Deal in the Valley.” Dick Gautier, aka Hymie the Robot on Get Smart, earned a Tony nomination for his performance as Elvis-like rock ’n’ roll star Conrad Birdie in the original Broadway production of Bye Bye Birdie.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