carsellinfool Started watching when I was a kid and show was on NBC 's prime time line-up. Haven't stopped watching. Reruns, Netflix, and DVD. Anytime I need a feel-good reminder of the "the good ole days". Great main actors, Jim , Rocky, Angel, Dennis, and Beth.... and an endless supply of all the classic character actors of the period. Great stories and filming locations! Great car chase scenes in nearly every episode! And Jim is always getting into trouble because of a case. Or Angel is getting him into trouble! And even though show wrapped up it's original run 35 years ago, it's a blast to watch, NOW! Rewind back to when TV was clean, simple, and most of all, FUN!

stones78 Everything about the Rockford Files is done fairly well, especially James Garner's performance and laid back charisma he presents in Jim Rockford, a somewhat struggling private investigator living in a trailer in Paradise Cove. He also happens to be an ex con, but was released from prison on a pardon. The writing is also terrific, and many of the episodes revolve around murders, robberies, kidnappings, etc. Many colorful characters include Sgt. Becker, Angel, and Rocky Rockford(Jim's dad), and they all make this show click, and there's hardly any boring moments, except for maybe a few too many car chases. Even the theme song was a minor radio hit in 1975. What impresses me, other than the writing, is many great outdoor shots in different parts of California, and yet I heard the show became too expensive to keep producing because of the cost of filming in these locations all over the state. I know that Garner had major knee problems too.As I said earlier, the glue to this show is Garner's portrayal of Rockford, especially because he doesn't overact or make him larger than life, rather underplays the character to make him more human, unlike other characters in similar shows.

John T. Ryan Private Investigators have long been an item of fascination for the avid mystery novel reading public and Movie Goers and TV Viewers alike. The hard-boiled, tough-guy, womanizer character has long been both an easily accessed vehicle of escapism as well as a sort of steam release for those facing so many of the daily problems of living in modern highly "civilized" society.One thing that just about all of these fictional "Gumshoes" have in common is that they do not have the restraints of convention, specially mandated code of conduct and the responsibility of being a public servant. The Private Detective has only one rule to follow in conducting their private investigations. And that would be, we hear you ask? Well, quite plainly and to be blunt, the only rule they follow is, "It ain't illegal if they don't catch you at it!" So don't wonder about what the Police are up to or why they haven't caught the guy(s) who stole your Uncle Elmer's hubcaps the last time he and Aunt Elmira came to visit.OUR STORY…….Jim Rockford (James Garner) is a Private Detective out L.A. way. Instead of an office, he operates out of his own abode, a house trailer. He often enlists the help of people like his own Father, known as "Rocky" (Noah Beery, Jr.), Detective Sergeant Dennis Becker, Los Angeles Police Department (Joe Santos), 'Angel' Martin (Stuart Margolin), Beth Davenport-Attorney & Main Squeeze (Gretchen Corbett) and others.To accompany the lack of Glamour in his business façade, Jim Rockford has had a stay in "The Big House" for a Robbery he didn't commit. He was later exonerated, but as the wise man once asked, "Okay, I've been exonerated. So now where do I go to get my Good Name back?" A reputation, any reputation, once bestowed on one, is nigh well impossible to shake. Of course, this can also work for one's financial benefit. It would surely bring in certain less-than-respectable clientèle.It was one Roy Huggins (1914-2002) was the Creator of "THE ROCKFORD FILES". His work was quite prolific and popular, with a resume that would surely would not rank second to anyone's in and among the Hollywood Crowd.His creations numbered the following as some of his credits, which is a partial compilation. The output included: motion pictures, THE FULLER BRUSH MAN ('48), I LOVE DANGER ('48), THE LADY GAMBLES ('49) and THE GOOD HUMOR MAN ('50). He also was the creative force behind Television Series such as "MAVERICK", "77 SUNSET STRIP", "THE FUGITIVE", "BLUE THUNDER" and "HUNTER". (The last two was as Executive Producer.) "THE ROCKFORD FILES" was a real hit TV Series. And there was small wonder as to why' After all it had the easy going charm and style of James Garner. That there was superb support of his regulars, Joe Santos, Noah Beery, Jr., Stuart Margolin and Gretchen Corbett. The series boasted of a premise and style that were both realistic and entertaining. Top this off with Music by Mike Post, just for good measure and we have a sure winner.It ran on NBC in Primetime from 1974-1980. It could have continued longer, save for the fact that the Lead, Mr. Garner chose to walk away from it.

James Carbajal Jim Rockford aka James Garner, the 1 main reason that I can think of that made this show outclass any others, also would be the sincerity of the actors in their roles, and most undoubtedly off screen. From Noah Berry Jr(Dad), to Stuart Margolin(Angel), and Joe Santos(Dennis Becker), and lets not forget our favorite character of all James Luisi(Lt.Chapman), with this type of cast, how can you go wrong! Jimmy is the kind of guy that anyone would want for a friend, someone who goes beyond the boundaries of friendship, he sees each person independently, each with their own flaws and strengths, the same way he sees himself, thus having the ability to laugh at himself, it is these traits that Mr Garner brought to the role, I'm afraid being yourself is the one thing they cannot teach you in acting school. Bravo to James Garner and to the entire ensemble of actors, writers and directors, for giving us some of the most memorable characters we will ever have the chance of witnessing on TV ever again, because they sure don't make them like that anymore!