- IN HAZARD
Original Air Date: February 6, 1976
Synopsis. Joseph Campanella stars as Arnold Bailey, a stockbroker accused of tax fraud. After taking on Bailey as a client, Beth finds herself arrested on contempt-of-court charges, learns that her office has been burglarized, then nearly dies after drinking cyanide-laced coffee. Rockford finds that the attempt on Beth’s life is tied to the partnership between Bailey and another of Beth’s clients in a scheme to skim money from the pension fund of a textile workers union controlled by syndicate leader Marty Jordan (played by Frank Campanella).
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
This date in MAVERICK TV History: “Diamond Flush,” the 100th episode of the original MAVERICK series, aired on Feb. 5, 1961
- DIAMOND FLUSH
Original Airdate: February 5, 1961
Synopsis. A dapper con artist and his equally devious wife frame Beau for the theft of a priceless diamond necklace.
“Diamond Flush” is not only the second of two episodes in which Roger Moore (as Beau) whistles the theme from the Maverick series, but the third of four episodes written by Leo Gordon, the actor who played Big Mike McComb during Maverick‘s first two seasons.
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: “South by Southeast” airs on Feb. 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
- SOUTH BY SOUTHEAST
Original Air Date: February 3, 1978
Synopsis. Government agents who have mistaken Rockford for an operative named Terence Halsey fly the private investigator to Mexico to prevent heiress Christine Van Deerlin from selling 50,000 shares of her father’s aircraft company to Arab countries—a move that could adversely impact both the economic structure and strategic defense of the United States. Without any choice, Rockford meets Christine and discovers that she’s being blackmailed by her fortune-hunting husband John, who threatens to expose the unsavory truth behind her father’s legend unless she carries out the sale. Although Rockford has a chance to walk away once the matter of his identity is straightened out, he decides to stay—even at the risk of his own life—when he learns that Christine’s safety is endangered.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 Mayflower Women’s Historical Society,” an episode of BRET MAVERICK that reunited James Garner with NICHOLS co-star Neva Patterson, aired on Feb. 2, 1982
THE MAYFLOWER WOMEN’S HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Original Airdate: February 2, 1982
Synopsis. A research librarian for a historical society coerces Maverick into signing a contract that grants her organization exclusive rights to produce goods that bear our hero’s likeness.
The third of three attempts to revive Maverick in the late 1970s and early 1980s, Bret Maverick (NBC, 1981-1982) saw James Garner reprise the role that originally made him a star. This episode features Neva Patterson, Garner’s co-star in Nichols (NBC, 1971-1972), the short-lived turn-of-the-nineteenth-century Western that Garner also produced for Warner Bros. Television.
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: “Duel at Sundown,” the famous episode featuring Clint Eastwood, aired on Feb. 1, 1959
- DUEL AT SUNDOWN
Original Airdate: February 1, 1959
Synopsis. In the town of Sundown, Bret finds himself snookered into breaking up a romance between ranch heiress Carrie Christiansen and a gold-digger named Red Hardigan. Maverick has to think quickly when Hardigan, the fastest gun in the county, challenges him to a duel.
Guest star Clint Eastwood had just started starring in the CBS Western Rawhide at the time this episode aired. More than forty years later, Eastwood and James Garner worked together again in the feature motion picture Space Cowboys.
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: Linda Evans stars as “Claire,” airing Jan. 31, 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
- CLAIRE
Original Air Date: January 31, 1975
Synopsis. Rockford’s former fiance Claire Prescott (played by Linda Evans) asks him to find Charlie Manning, an undercover police detective who used Claire as an informant as part of an important narcotics investigation. When Manning is found dead, Claire becomes the prime suspect.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: “Guatemala City” airs on Jan. 31, 1960
- GUATEMELA CITY
Original Airdate: January 31, 1960
Synopsis. In San Francisco, Bret sets out to apprehend two jewel thieves and collect the $25,000 reward for their capture.
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: Michael Ansara stars as “Joey Blue Eyes,” airing Jan. 30, 1976. James Luisi also appears in this episode, but not as Lieutenant Chapman. 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
- JOEY BLUE EYES
Original Air Date: January 30, 1976
Synopsis. Michael Ansara stars as Joseph “Joey Blue Eyes” DiMina, a reformed hood who has become a successful restaurateur. Joey finds himself the victim of a conspiracy between his business partner Bert Striker (James Luisi, in a pre-Lieutenant Chapman role) and his attorney Larry Mitchell to force him out of his own business. To make matters worse: Joey borrowed money from loan shark Sweet Tooth London, who has Joey’s daughter Paulette beaten up as a warning in case Joey fails to make payment. An enraged Joey assaults Sweet Tooth and ends up in jail. Although Rockford initially clashes with Joey, Beth (a friend of Paulette’s) implores him to help. When Rockford learns that Striker also has financial problems, he sets up an elaborate con aimed at forcing Striker to pay Joey’s loan with his own 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 MAVERICK TV History: “The Ice Man,” featuring Andrew Duggan and Shirley Knight, aired on Jan. 29, 1961
- THE ICE MAN
Original Airdate: January 29, 1961
Synopsis. In Temple City, California, Bart becomes embroiled in the gubernatorial election between town boss Rath Lawson and Reform Party candidate Calvin Powers.
“The Ice Man” is the only episode in which Bart, or any other Maverick, dispels some wisdom from his dear old mother.
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: John Pleshette and Rick Springfield star in “Dwarf in a Helium Hat,” airing Jan. 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
- DWARF IN A HELIUM HAT
Original Air Date: January 27, 1978
Synopsis. After receiving a strange phone call from a man who tells him “your dog is dead” and that “you and that Lansing girl are next,” Rockford determines that the message was meant for Jay Rockfelt (played by John Pleshette), an irresponsible playboy whose name appears directly above Jim’s in the phone book. Jay’s problems stem from a lavish birthday bash that he threw for Gianni Tedesco, an aspiring actor who also has connections with the mob. Gianni suffered the embarrassment of having to pay the $30,000 tab for his own party—an incident that has made him a laughingstock in Hollywood. Although Rockford doesn’t like Jay, he feels compelled to help him after learning that Gianni has kidnapped Rockfelt’s sister.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.