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The Rockford Files TV Show Overview
 The Rockford Files
is a private investigator television
drama that had its first run on the NBC television network
between September 13, 1974 and January 10, 1980 and has been
in constant syndication to the present day. The
Rockford Files is notable for the quality of its writing
(mainly from Stephen J. Cannell, Juanita Bartlett, and David
Chase), the easy charm and charisma of actor James Garner, who
starred as Jim Rockford, and a classic golden Pontiac Firebird.
The Rockford Files television show was created by Roy
Huggins and Stephen J. Cannell. Huggins had produced
the television show Maverick, which had also starred James Garner,
from 1957 to 1962, and wanted to try and recapture that
magic in a "modern day" detective setting. He teamed with Cannell, who had written for Jack Webb productions such as
Adam-12 and Chase (1973–74, NBC), to create the Rockford
Files show. The
television show was credited as "A Public Arts / Roy Huggins Production
in association with Cherokee Productions and Universal
Studios" (later NBC Universal). Cherokee was the name of
James Garner's own company, which he ran with partners Meta
Rosenberg and Juanita Bartlett, who doubled as story editor
during most of the Rockford Files run.
The Rockford Files TV series' memorable theme by composers
Mike Post and Pete Carpenter received Top 40 radio airplay.
The Rockford Files TV theme song stayed on the charts for 44 weeks and even
went to number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. The TV
show's song won a Grammy Award for Best Instrumental
Arrangement.
The Rockford Files television series continues to air in
reruns today; as of 2008, Sleuth, RTN and a handful of
syndicated affiliates carry the program.
For more
information, visit
The Rockford Files Store at Amazon.com.
Following are some
of the more popular Rockford Files season episodes on DVD available through Amazon.com
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The
Rockford Files - Season One on DVD
The
world's most unlikely detective comes to DVD for the
first time ever in all 23 thrilling Season One
episodes of The Rockford Files. Emmy(r) winner James
Garner stars as the offbeat Jim Rockford, an
ex-con-turned-private-investigator who would rather
fish than fight, but whose instinct on closed cases
is more golden than his classic Pontiac Firebird.
From his mobile home in Malibu, this wisecracking
private eye takes on the cases of the lost and the
dispossessed, chasing down seemingly long-dead clues
in the sun-baked streets and seamy alleys of Los
Angeles. Including an interview with James Garner
himself, this phenomenal DVD set contains 23 TV
hours of classic Rockford action and includes such
stellar guest stars as Lindsay Wagner, James Woods,
Abe Vigoda, Suzanne Somers and Ned Beatty. The
Rockford Files are now open and declassified for
mystery fans everywhere.
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The
Rockford Files - Season Two on DVD
Jim
Rockford is back and better than ever in all 22
Season Two episodes of the celebrated detective hit
The Rockford Files. Join James Garner in his
breakout Emmy-winning role as the cool, calm and
collected ex-con-turned-detective who loves to mouth
off but avoids using his fists at all costs. He
takes his time, but always solves the crime -
whether it be blackmail, theft, scams or murder!
Along for the ride on this five-time Emmy-winning
series are such stellar guest stars as Rob Reiner,
Louis Gossett Jr., Linda Evans, Isaac Hayes and Dick
Butkus. Also included for the first time on DVD is
the original series pilot. With his no-nonsense
approach and wisecracking wit, it’s no mystery that
Rockford always gets his man. |
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The
Rockford Files - Season Three on DVD
Amazon.com
DVD Review -
Much like his trusty Pontiac Firebird, The Rockford
Files was a particularly well-oiled machine by the
third year. Everything was clicking into place, from
the writing to the acting (writer/producer David
Chase went on to create The Sopranos). Despite a
terrific supporting cast, James Garner was always
the main draw, and he received an Emmy for the
series during year three (1976-1977). Considering
that the show was carefully pitched between drama
and comedy, it was well deserved as Garner excelled
at both. Notable episodes include "Feeding Frenzy,"
in which Rockford returns stolen loot for a client;
"Drought at Indian Head River," in which informant
Angel (Stuart Margolin) reinvents himself as a real
estate developer; and "Rattler's Class of '63," in
which Angel ties the knot. Among the guest stars are
such hip cats as Blazing Saddles's Cleavon Little
("Sticks and Stones May Break Your Bones...") and
Cool Hand Luke's Strother Martin ("The Trees, the
Bees, and T.T. Flowers"). Ned Beatty also drops by
as a buddy from Korea ("Return to the 38th
Parallel"), while R&B legend Isaac Hayes returns as
prison pal Gandy Fitch ("Just Another Polish
Wedding"). |
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The Rockford Files - Season Four
on DVD
Open an exciting new file from one of
the most celebrated TV detective shows as all 21
Season four episodes of The Rockford Files come to
DVD! James Garner returns in his Primetime Emmy
Award-winning role as Jim Rockford, the wisecracking
ex-con-turned-private investigator who solves the
biggest crimes in Los Angeles from his no-frills
mobile home in Malibu. From identity theft to death
threats, Rockford uses his experience behind bars to
get an inside edge on crooks even the police can't
find. Along for the ride this season are such
celebrated guest stars as Robert Loggia, Larry Hagman, Rita Moreno and more. Also included is a
bonus episode from Season Five, starring Tom Selleck
in a role that ultimately became the foundation for
the hit TV show
Magnum P.I.
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The Rockford Files - Season Five
on DVD
James
Garner returns in his Primetime Emmy®-winning role
as detective Jim Rockford, an ex-con whose instinct
for solving cases is as cool as his Pontiac
Firebird. From his mobile home in Malibu, this
wisecracking private eye takes on the cases of the
lost and the dispossessed. |
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The
Rockford Files Television Series - Season Six on DVD
Season Six
of the popular detective television show series.
James Garner stars as Jim Rockford.
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Thirty Years of The Rockford
Files: An Inside Look at America's Greatest
Detective Series (Paperback)
He looked
like
Steve McGarrett. He dressed like
Joe Mannix,
but Jim Rockford acted like no detective we’d ever
seen - and television audiences have loved him for
over 30 years.
Fueled by innovative writing, unforgettable
characters, and the star power of James Garner, The
Rockford Files (NBC, 1974–1980) is one of the most
popular, successful and endearing TV series ever
made. Winner of five Emmys, including Best Actor
(Garner) and Best Dramatic Series (1978), Rockford
came back with a splash in 1994 as a series of
movies on CBS. Reruns of the original Files have
played continuously throughout the world since 1980,
while the CBS movies have been a staple on cable
since 2001.
Get the inside scoop on this landmark series in
Thirty Years of The Rockford Files, featuring
insight from series star James Garner; commentary
from the show’s principal writers, producers and
actors; interesting factoids about the original NBC
series and the CBS reunion movies; original artwork;
rare, behind-the-scenes photographs; and much, much
more. |
For more
information, visit
The Rockford Files Store at Amazon.com. |
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