1. THE BIG RIPOFF
    Original Air Date:     October 25, 1974

    Synopsis. Nancy Frazier hires Rockford to investigate the death of her lover Steve Nelson, who allegedly perished in a plane crash. Nancy believes that Steve’s wife Ginny arranged for the accident, but Rockford suspects that Steve is alive—and that he and Ginny faked the accident as part of a scheme to bilk their insurance company out of $400,000. Jim also believes that Nancy may also be part of the scam, because Nancy skipped town almost immediately after Rockford reported back to her. Rockford persuades the insurance company to hire him to find Steve Nelson and recover the money.

    “The Big Ripoff” features another Maverick touch. After the two operatives beat up Rockford and leave him to die along the side of a lonely road, model Marilyn Polanski (Oscar and Emmy nominee Jill Clayburgh) rescues Rockford after following him in his car. Marilyn urges Jim to take it easy, but our hero is determined to press on with the case.
    “Is there anything you won’t do for money?” asks Marilyn.
    “I won’t kill for it, and I won’t marry for it,” replies Rockford. “Other than that, I’m open to just about anything.”

    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