List of The Rockford Files episodes

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The Rockford Files is an American television drama series starring James Garner that aired on the NBC network between September 13, 1974, and January 10, 1980, and has remained in syndication to the present day. Garner portrays Los Angeles-based private investigator Jim Rockford with Noah Beery, Jr., in the supporting role of his father, a retired truck driver nicknamed "Rocky".

The series debuted with a made-for-TV movie simply titled The Rockford Files. During the series run, there were a number of two-part episodes, as well as long (90 or 120 minutes) episodes that were split into two parts for syndication (and on later DVD releases). Filming stopped in the middle of the sixth season (1979–80), on the advice of star James Garner's doctor. Garner, who had filmed many of his own stunts, had injured his back and knees and also developed an ulcer.

In the 1990s, after the settlement of several long-running legal actions between Garner's Cherokee Productions and Universal Studios, Rockford returned to the air in a series of eight TV movies on CBS.

Series overview

Season Episodes Originally aired
First aired Last aired
1 23 September 13, 1974 March 7, 1975
2 22 September 12, 1975 March 19, 1976
3 22 September 24, 1976 April 1, 1977
4 22 September 16, 1977 February 24, 1978
5 22 September 22, 1978 April 13, 1979
6 12 September 28, 1979 January 10, 1980

Episodes

TV movie pilot (1974)

"Backlash of the Hunter", starring James Garner (as Jim Rockford), Joe Santos (as Dennis Becker), and Stuart Margolin (as Angel Martin) all debut in their series roles. Also featured is Robert Donley as Joseph "Rocky" Rockford, a role that would be recast in the subsequent series.

Title Directed by Written by Original air date
"The Rockford Files"
syndicated version retitled "Backlash of the Hunter"
Richard T. Heffron Story by: Roy Huggins
Teleplay by: Stephen J. Cannell
March 27, 1974 (1974-03-27)
A young woman (played by Lindsay Wagner) hires Jim Rockford (played by James Garner) to investigate her father's death.

Season 1 (1974–75)

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James Garner stars as Jim Rockford, and Noah Beery as his father Rocky. Joe Santos is a frequent recurring guest as Dennis Becker. Gretchen Corbett appears on a recurring basis as Beth. Stuart Margolin appears only twice as Angel, but his appearances will become more frequent as the series continues. Tom Atkins is seen on a recurring basis as Lt. Diehl.

No.
overall
No. in
season
Title Directed by Written by Original air date
1 1 "The Kirkoff Case" Lou Antonio Teleplay: Stephen J. Cannell
Story: Roy Huggins aka John Thomas James
September 13, 1974 (1974-09-13)
2 2 "The Dark and Bloody Ground" Michael Schultz Teleplay: Juanita Bartlett
Story: Roy Huggins aka John Thomas James
September 20, 1974 (1974-09-20)
3 3 "The Countess" Russ Mayberry Teleplay: Stephen J. Cannell
Story: Roy Huggins aka John Thomas James
September 27, 1974 (1974-09-27)
4 4 "Exit Prentiss Carr" Alex Grasshoff Teleplay: Juanita Bartlett
Story: Roy Huggins aka John Thomas James
October 4, 1974 (1974-10-04)
5 5 "Tall Woman in Red Wagon" Jerry London Teleplay: Stephen J. Cannell
Story: Roy Huggins aka John Thomas James
October 11, 1974 (1974-10-11)
6/7 6/7 "This Case Is Closed, (Parts 1 & 2)" Bernard L. Kowalski Teleplay: Stephen J. Cannell
Story: Roy Huggins aka John Thomas James
October 18, 1974 (1974-10-18)
8 8 "The Big Ripoff" Vincent McEveety Teleplay: Robert Hamner
Story: Roy Huggins aka John Thomas James
October 25, 1974 (1974-10-25)
9 9 "Find Me If You Can" Lawrence Doheny Teleplay: Juanita Bartlett
Story: Roy Huggins aka John Thomas James
November 1, 1974 (1974-11-01)
10 10 "In Pursuit of Carol Thorne" Charles S. Dubin Teleplay: Stephen J. Cannell
Story: Roy Huggins aka John Thomas James
November 8, 1974 (1974-11-08)
11 11 "The Dexter Crisis" Alex Grasshoff Gloryette Clark November 15, 1974 (1974-11-15)
12 12 "Caledonia -- It's Worth a Fortune" Stuart Margolin (Angel Martin) Teleplay: Juanita Bartlett
Story: Roy Huggins aka John Thomas James
December 6, 1974 (1974-12-06)
13 13 "Profit and Loss, "Profit" : Part 1" Lawrence Doheny Teleplay: Stephen J. Cannell
Story: Roy Huggins aka John Thomas James
December 20, 1974 (1974-12-20)
14 14 "Profit and Loss, "Loss" : Part 2" Lawrence Doheny Teleplay: Stephen J. Cannell
Story: Roy Huggins aka John Thomas James
December 27, 1974 (1974-12-27)
15 15 "Aura Lee, Farewell" Jackie Cooper Teleplay: Edward J. Lakso
Story: Roy Huggins aka John Thomas James
January 3, 1975 (1975-01-03)
16 16 "Sleight of Hand" William Wiard Teleplay: Stephen J. Cannell and Jo Swerling Jr.
Based on the novel "Thin Air" by: Howard Browne
January 17, 1975 (1975-01-17)
17 17 "Counter Gambit" Jackie Cooper Howard Berk and Juanita Bartlett January 24, 1975 (1975-01-24)
18 18 "Claire" William Wiard Edward J. Lakso and Stephen J. Cannell January 31, 1975 (1975-01-31)
19 19 "Say Goodbye to Jennifer" Jackie Cooper Teleplay: Juanita Bartlett and Rudolph Borchert
Story: Roy Huggins aka John Thomas James
February 7, 1975 (1975-02-07)
20 20 "Charlie Harris at Large" Russ Mayberry Teleplay: Zekial Marko
Story: Roy Huggins aka John Thomas James
February 14, 1975 (1975-02-14)
21 21 "The Four Pound Brick" Lawrence Doheny Teleplay: Leigh Brackett and Juanita Bartlett
Story: Leigh Brackett
February 21, 1975 (1975-02-21)
22 22 "Just by Accident" Jerry London Charles Sailor & Eric Kaldor February 28, 1975 (1975-02-28)
23 23 "Roundabout" Lou Antonio Teleplay: Mitchell Lindemann and Edward J. Lakso
Story: Michell Lindemann
March 7, 1975 (1975-03-07)


Season 2 (1975–76)

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Garner, Beery and Santos are now all billed as stars. Corbett, Margolin and Atkins are frequently recurring guests.

No.
overall
No. in
season
Title Directed by Written by Original air date
24 1 "The Aaron Ironwood School of Success" Lou Antonio Stephen J. Cannell September 12, 1975 (1975-09-12)
25 2 "The Farnsworth Stratagem" Lawrence Doheny Juanita Bartlett September 19, 1975 (1975-09-19)
26 3 "Gearjammers: Part 1" William Wiard Teleplay: Don Carlos Dunaway
Story: Stephen J. Cannell
September 26, 1975 (1975-09-26)
27 4 "Gearjammers: Part 2" William Wiard Teleplay: Don Carlos Dunaway
Story: Stephen J. Cannell
October 3, 1975 (1975-10-03)
28 5 "The Deep Blue Sleep" William Wiard Teleplay: Juanita Bartlett
Story: Chas. Floyd Johnson
October 10, 1975 (1975-10-10)
29 6 "The Great Blue Lake Land and Development Company" Lawrence Doheny Juanita Bartlett October 17, 1975 (1975-10-17)
30 7 "The Real Easy Red Dog" Ivan Dixon Stephen J. Cannell October 31, 1975 (1975-10-31)
31 8 "Resurrection in Black and White" Russ Mayberry Juanita Bartlett and Stephen J. Cannell November 7, 1975 (1975-11-07)
32 9 "Chicken Little Is a Little Chicken" Lawrence Doheny Stephen J. Cannell November 14, 1975 (1975-11-14)
33 10 "2 Into 5.56 Won't Go" Jeannot Szwarc Stephen J. Cannell November 21, 1975 (1975-11-21)
34 11 "Pastoria Prime Pick" Lawrence Doheny Gordon Dawson November 28, 1975 (1975-11-28)
35 12 "The Reincarnation of Angie" Jerry London Stephen J. Cannell December 5, 1975 (1975-12-05)
36 13 "The Girl in the Bay City Boys Club" James Garner Juanita Bartlett December 19, 1975 (1975-12-19)
37 14 "The Hammer of C Block" Jerry London Gordon Dawson January 9, 1976 (1976-01-09)
38 15 "The No-Cut Contract" Lou Antonio Stephen J. Cannell January 16, 1976 (1976-01-16)
39 16 "A Portrait of Elizabeth" Meta Rosenberg Stephen J. Cannell January 23, 1976 (1976-01-23)
40 17 "Joey Blue Eyes" Lawrence Doheny Walter Dallenbach January 30, 1976 (1976-01-30)
41 18 "In Hazard" Jackie Cooper Juanita Bartlett February 6, 1976 (1976-02-06)
42 19 "The Italian Bird Fiasco" Jackie Cooper Edward J. Lakso February 13, 1976 (1976-02-13)
43 20 "Where's Houston?" Lawrence Doheny Don Carlos Dunaway February 20, 1976 (1976-02-20)
44 21 "Foul on the First Play" Lou Antonio Teleplay: Stephen J. Cannell
Story: Chas. Floyd Johnson and Dorothy J. Bailey
March 12, 1976 (1976-03-12)
45 22 "A Bad Deal in the Valley" Jerry London Donald L. Gold & Lester Wm. Berke March 19, 1976 (1976-03-19)


Season 3 (1976–77)

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Garner, Beery and Santos are the series stars. Corbett and Margolin are frequently recurring guests. James Luisi begins his recurring role as Lt. Chapman.

No.
overall
No. in
season
Title Directed by Written by Original air date
46 1 "The Fourth Man" William Wiard Juanita Bartlett September 24, 1976 (1976-09-24)
47 2 "The Oracle Wore a Cashmere Suit" Russ Mayberry David Chase October 1, 1976 (1976-10-01)
48 3 "The Family Hour" William Wiard Gordon Dawson October 8, 1976 (1976-10-08)
49 4 "Feeding Frenzy" Russ Mayberry Teleplay: Stephen J. Cannell
Story: Lester Wm. Berke & Donald L. Gold
October 15, 1976 (1976-10-15)
50 5 "Drought at Indianhead River" Lawrence Doheny Stephen J. Cannell November 5, 1976 (1976-11-05)
51 6 "Coulter City Wildcat" Russ Mayberry Don Carlos Dunaway November 12, 1976 (1976-11-12)
52 7 "So Help Me God" Jeannot Szwarc Juanita Bartlett November 19, 1976 (1976-11-19)
53 8 "Rattlers' Class of '63" Meta Rosenberg David Chase November 26, 1976 (1976-11-26)
54 9 "Return to the Thirty-Eighth Parallel" Bruce Kessler Walter Dallenbach December 10, 1976 (1976-12-10)
55 10 "Piece Work" Lawrence Doheny Juanita Bartlett December 17, 1976 (1976-12-17)
56 11 "The Trouble with Warren" Christian I. Nyby II Juanita Bartlett December 24, 1976 (1976-12-24)
57 12 "There's One in Every Port" Meta Rosenberg Stephen J. Cannell January 7, 1977 (1977-01-07)
58 13 "Sticks and Stones May Break Your Bones, but Waterbury Will Bury You" Jerry London David Chase January 14, 1977 (1977-01-14)
59 14 "The Trees, the Bees and T.T. Flowers: Part 1" Jerry London Gordon Dawson January 21, 1977 (1977-01-21)
60 15 "The Trees, the Bees and T.T. Flowers: Part 2" Jerry London Gordon Dawson January 28, 1977 (1977-01-28)
61 16 "The Becker Connection" Reza Badiyi Teleplay: Juanita Bartlett
Story:Chas. Floyd Johnson and Ted Harris
February 11, 1977 (1977-02-11)
62 17 "Just Another Polish Wedding" William Wiard Stephen J. Cannell February 18, 1977 (1977-02-18)
63 18 "New Life, Old Dragons" Jeannot Szwarc Teleplay: David C. Taylor
Story: Bernard Rollins & Leroy Robinson
February 25, 1977 (1977-02-25)
64 19 "To Protect and Serve: Part 1" William Wiard David Chase March 11, 1977 (1977-03-11)
65 20 "To Protect and Serve: Part 2" William Wiard David Chase March 18, 1977 (1977-03-18)
66 21 "Crack Back" Reza Badiyi Juanita Bartlett March 25, 1977 (1977-03-25)
67 22 "Dirty Money, Black Light" Stuart Margolin (Angel Martin) David C. Taylor April 1, 1977 (1977-04-01)


Season 4 (1977–78)

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Garner, Beery and Santos are the series stars. Corbett, Luisi and Margolin are frequently recurring guests, though Corbett leaves the show halfway through the season. Atkins returns for one episode.

No.
overall
No. in
season
Title Directed by Written by Original air date
68 1 "Beamer's Last Case" Stephen J. Cannell Teleplay: Stephen J. Cannell
Story: Booker Bradshaw & Calvin Kelly
September 16, 1977 (1977-09-16)
69 2 "Trouble in Chapter 17" William Wiard Juanita Bartlett September 23, 1977 (1977-09-23)
70 3 "The Battle of Canoga Park" Ivan Dixon Juanita Bartlett September 30, 1977 (1977-09-30)
71 4 "Second Chance" Reza Badiyi Gordon Dawson October 14, 1977 (1977-10-14)
72 5 "The Dog and Pony Show" Reza Badiyi David Chase October 21, 1977 (1977-10-21)
73 6 "Requiem for a Funny Box" William Wiard Teleplay: James Crocker
Story: Burt Prelutsky
November 4, 1977 (1977-11-04)
74 7 "Quickie Nirvana" Meta Rosenberg David Chase November 11, 1977 (1977-11-11)
75 8 "Irving the Explainer" James Coburn David Chase November 18, 1977 (1977-11-18)
76 9 "The Mayor's Committee from Deer Lick Falls" Ivan Dixon William R. Stratton November 25, 1977 (1977-11-25)
77 10 "Hotel of Fear" Russ Mayberry Juanita Bartlett December 2, 1977 (1977-12-02)
78 11 "Forced Retirement" Alexander Singer William R. Stratton December 9, 1977 (1977-12-09)
79 12 "The Queen of Peru" Meta Rosenberg David Chase December 16, 1977 (1977-12-16)
80 13 "A Deadly Maze" William Wiard Juanita Bartlett December 23, 1977 (1977-12-23)
81 14 "The Attractive Nuisance" Dana Elcar Stephen J. Cannell January 6, 1978 (1978-01-06)
82 15 "The Gang at Don's Drive-In" Harry Falk James Crocker January 13, 1978 (1978-01-13)
83 16 "The Paper Palace" Richard Crenna Juanita Bartlett January 20, 1978 (1978-01-20)
84 17 "Dwarf in a Helium Hat" Reza Badiyi Stephen J. Cannell and David Chase January 27, 1978 (1978-01-27)
85 18 "South by Southeast" William Wiard Juanita Bartlett February 3, 1978 (1978-02-03)
86 19 "The Competitive Edge" Harry Falk Gordon Dawson February 10, 1978 (1978-02-10)
87 20 "The Prisoner of Rosemont Hall" Ivan Dixon Teleplay: Stephen J. Cannell and David Chase
Story: Chas. Floyd Johnson and Maryann Rea
February 17, 1978 (1978-02-17)
88/89 21/22 "The House on Willis Avenue, (Parts 1 & 2)" Hy Averback Stephen J. Cannell February 24, 1978 (1978-02-24)


Season 5 (1978–79)

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Garner, Beery and Santos star. Luisi and Margolin are frequently recurring guests. Bo Hopkins is a recurring guest as John Cooper for this season only.

No.
overall
No. in
season
Title Directed by Written by Original air date
90 1 "Heartaches of a Fool" William Wiard Stephen J. Cannell September 22, 1978 (1978-09-22)
91 2 "Rosendahl and Gilda Stern Are Dead" William Wiard Juanita Bartlett September 29, 1978 (1978-09-29)
92 3 "The Jersey Bounce" William Wiard Teleplay: David Chase
Story: Stephen J. Cannell, David Chase and Juanita Bartlett
October 6, 1978 (1978-10-06)
93 4 "White on White and Nearly Perfect" Stephen J. Cannell Stephen J. Cannell October 20, 1978 (1978-10-20)
94 5 "Kill the Messenger" Ivan Dixon Juanita Bartlett October 27, 1978 (1978-10-27)
95 6 "The Empty Frame" Corey Allen Stephen J. Cannell November 3, 1978 (1978-11-03)
96 7 "A Three-Day Affair with a Thirty-Day Escrow" Ivan Dixon David Chase November 10, 1978 (1978-11-10)
97 8 "A Good Clean Bust with Sequel Rights" William Wiard Rudolph Borchert November 17, 1978 (1978-11-17)
98/99 9/10 "Black Mirror, (Parts 1 & 2)" Arnold Laven David Chase November 24, 1978 (1978-11-24)
100 11 "A Fast Count" Reza Badiyi Gordon Dawson December 1, 1978 (1978-12-01)
101 12 "Local Man Eaten by Newspaper" Meta Rosenberg Juanita Bartlett December 8, 1978 (1978-12-08)
102 13 "With the French Heel Back, Can the Nehru Jacket Be Far Behind?" Ivan Dixon Rudolph Borchert January 5, 1979 (1979-01-05)
103 14 "The Battle-Ax and the Exploding Cigar" Ivan Dixon Teleplay: Rogers Turrentine
Story: Mann Rubin and Michael Wagner
January 12, 1979 (1979-01-12)
104 15 "Guilt" William Wiard Juanita Bartlett January 19, 1979 (1979-01-19)
105 16 "The Deuce" Bernard McEveety Gordon Dawson January 26, 1979 (1979-01-26)
106 17 "The Man Who Saw the Alligators" Corey Allen David Chase February 10, 1979 (1979-02-10)
107 18 "The Return of the Black Shadow" William Wiard Stephen J. Cannell February 17, 1979 (1979-02-17)
108 19 "A Material Difference" William Wiard Rogers Turrentine February 24, 1979 (1979-02-24)
109/110 20/21 "Never Send a Boy King to Do a Man's Job, (Parts 1 & 2)" William Wiard Juanita Bartlett March 3, 1979 (1979-03-03)
111 22 "A Different Drummer" Reza Badiyi Rudolph Borchert April 13, 1979 (1979-04-13)


Season 6 (1979–80)

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Garner, Beery and Santos star. Luisi and Margolin are frequently recurring guests.

No.
overall
No. in
season
Title Directed by Written by Original air date
112 1 "Paradise Cove" Stephen J. Cannell Stephen J. Cannell September 28, 1979 (1979-09-28)
113/114 2/3 "Lions, Tigers, Monkeys and Dogs, (Parts 1 & 2)" William Wiard Juanita Bartlett October 12, 1979 (1979-10-12)
115 4 "Only Rock 'n' Roll Will Never Die: Part 1" William Wiard David Chase October 19, 1979 (1979-10-19)
116 5 "Only Rock 'n' Roll Will Never Die: Part 2" William Wiard David Chase October 26, 1979 (1979-10-26)
117 6 "Love Is the Word"
"Some Things You Can Tell Yourself"
John Patterson David Chase November 9, 1979 (1979-11-09)
118 7 "Nice Guys Finish Dead" John Patterson Stephen J. Cannell November 16, 1979 (1979-11-16)
119 8 "The Hawaiian Headache" William Wiard Stephen J. Cannell November 23, 1979 (1979-11-23)
120 9 "No Fault Affair" Corey Allen Juanita Bartlett November 30, 1979 (1979-11-30)
121 10 "The Big Cheese" Joseph Pevney Shel Willens December 7, 1979 (1979-12-07)
122 11 "Just a Coupla Guys" Ivan Dixon David Chase December 14, 1979 (1979-12-14)
123 12 "Deadlock in Parma" Winrich Kolbe Rudolph Borchert, Donald L. Gold & Lester Wm. Berke January 10, 1980 (1980-01-10)


Unproduced

The following four episodes were scripted and slated for production during season six. However, when Garner was forced to leave the series due to medical issues, the series was shut down and these episodes were never filmed.

· "Happy Father's Day" by Mark Griffiths
· "Some People Are Trouble" by Shel Willens
· "Never Trust a Boxx Boy" by Stephen J. Cannell
· "What Do You Want From Us?" by Juanita Bartlett

CBS TV movies

No. Title Directed by Written by Original air date
1 "I Still Love L.A." James Whitmore Jr. Juanita Bartlett November 27, 1994 (1994-11-27)
Jim Rockford investigates a carjacking that led to murder.
2 "A Blessing in Disguise" Jeannot Szwarc Stephen J. Cannell May 14, 1995 (1995-05-14)
Jim Rockford helps an actress whose movie is being boycotted by Angel's church.
3 "If the Frame Fits" Jeannot Szwarc Juanita Bartlett January 14, 1996 (1996-01-14)
Jim Rockford works to clear his name in the murder of a P.I. with a bad reputation.
4 "Godfather Knows Best" Tony Wharmby David Chase February 18, 1996 (1996-02-18)
Lt. Becker's drifter son - whose godfather happens to be Jim Rockford - gets mixed up in the murder of a fashion model.
5 "Friends and Foul Play" Stuart Margolin Stephen J. Cannell April 25, 1996 (1996-04-25)
Jim Rockford investigates the murders of his friend Babs and her son by taking a criminal behavioral class.
6 "Punishment and Crime" David Chase David Chase September 18, 1996 (1996-09-18)
Jim Rockford gets involved with Russian mobsters.
7 "Murder and Misdemeanors" Tony Wharmby Juanita Bartlett November 21, 1997 (1997-11-21)
Jim Rockford struggles to deal with both a prostitute complaining about two Vice cops and his old cellmate's terminal illness.
8 "If It Bleeds, It Leads" Stuart Margolin Story by: Stephen J. Cannell & Juanita Bartlett
Teleplay by: Reuben Leder
April 20, 1999 (1999-04-20)
Jim Rockford helps his old friend Rita Capkovic when her husband is suspected of being the "Westside Rapist".

Writers

  • Stephen J. Cannell and Roy Huggins a.k.a. John Thomas James
They created the Rockford files together and wrote many episodes together and separately.
  • Robert Hamner
  • Gloryette Clark
  • Edward J. Lakso
  • Juanita Bartlett
  • Gordon Dawson
  • David Chase
  • David C. Taylor
  • Rudolph Borchert
  • Shel Willens
  • Rogers Turrentine
  • James Crocker
  • William R. Stratton
  • Charles Sailor
  • Eric Kaldor

Directors

  • William Wiard
directed 26 episodes
  • Lawrence Doheny
directed 12 episodes
  • Ivan Dixon
Directed 8 episodes
  • Jerry London
Directed 8 episodes
  • Reza Badiyi
Directed 7 episodes
  • Russ Mayberry
Directed 7 episodes
  • Meta Rosenberg
Directed 6 episodes
  • Jackie Cooper
Directed 5 episodes
  • Lou Antonio
Directed 3 episodes
  • Corey Allen
Directed 3 episodes
  • Stephen J. Cannell
Directed 3 episodes
  • John Patterson
Directed 2 episodes
  • Jeannot Szwarc
Directed 2 episodes
  • Vincent McEveety
Directed 2 episodes
  • Stuart Margolin (Angel Martin)
Directed 2 episodes
  • Joseph Pevney
Directed 1 episode
  • Michael Schultz
Directed 1 episode
  • Bernhard Kowalski
Directed 1 episode
  • Alex Grasshoff
Directed 1 episode
  • Charles S. Dubin
Directed 1 episode
  • Winrich Kolbe
Directed 1 episode
  • James Coburn
Directed 1 episode
  • James Garner
Directed 1 episode
  • Richard Crenna
Directed 1 episode

External Links