List of The Rockford Files episodes

The Rockford Files is an American detective drama television 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

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SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
123September 13, 1974March 7, 1975
222September 12, 1975March 19, 1976
322September 24, 1976April 1, 1977
422September 16, 1977February 24, 1978
522September 22, 1978April 13, 1979
612September 28, 1979January 10, 1980

Episodes

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TV movie pilot (1974)

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"Backlash of the Hunter", starring James Garner (as Jim Rockford), Joe Santos (as Dennis Becker), and Stuart Margolin (as Evelyn "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. Lindsay Wagner plays the role of Sara Butler.

TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
"The Rockford Files"
syndicated version retitled "Backlash of the Hunter"
Richard T. HeffronStory by : Roy Huggins
Teleplay by : Stephen J. Cannell
March 27, 1974 (1974-03-27)

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 Evelyn "Angel" Martin, 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
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
11"The Kirkoff Case"Lou AntonioStory by : John Thomas James
Teleplay by : Stephen J. Cannell
September 13, 1974 (1974-09-13)
22"The Dark and Bloody Ground"Michael SchultzStory by : John Thomas James
Teleplay by : Juanita Bartlett
September 20, 1974 (1974-09-20)
33"The Countess"Russ MayberryStory by : John Thomas James
Teleplay by : Stephen J. Cannell
September 27, 1974 (1974-09-27)
44"Exit Prentiss Carr"Alex GrasshoffStory by : John Thomas James
Teleplay by : Juanita Bartlett
October 4, 1974 (1974-10-04)
55"Tall Woman in Red Wagon"Jerry LondonStory by : John Thomas James
Teleplay by : Stephen J. Cannell
October 11, 1974 (1974-10-11)
66"This Case Is Closed"Bernard L. KowalskiStory by : John Thomas James
Teleplay by : Stephen J. Cannell
October 18, 1974 (1974-10-18)
77
88"The Big Ripoff"Vincent McEveetyStory by : John Thomas James
Teleplay by : Robert Hamner
October 25, 1974 (1974-10-25)
99"Find Me If You Can"Lawrence DohenyStory by : John Thomas James
Teleplay by : Juanita Bartlett
November 1, 1974 (1974-11-01)
1010"In Pursuit of Carol Thorne"Charles S. DubinStory by : John Thomas James
Teleplay by : Stephen J. Cannell
November 8, 1974 (1974-11-08)
1111"The Dexter Crisis"Alex GrasshoffGloryette ClarkNovember 15, 1974 (1974-11-15)
1212"Caledonia – It's Worth a Fortune"Stuart Margolin (Angel Martin)Story by : John Thomas James
Teleplay by : Juanita Bartlett
December 6, 1974 (1974-12-06)
1313"Profit and Loss: Part 1"Lawrence DohenyStory by : John Thomas James
Teleplay by : Stephen J. Cannell
December 20, 1974 (1974-12-20)
1414"Profit and Loss: Part 2"Lawrence DohenyStory by : John Thomas James
Teleplay by : Stephen J. Cannell
December 27, 1974 (1974-12-27)
1515"Aura Lee, Farewell"Jackie CooperStory by : John Thomas James
Teleplay by : Edward J. Lakso
January 3, 1975 (1975-01-03)
1616"Sleight of Hand"William WiardTeleplay by : Stephen J. Cannell and Jo Swerling Jr.
Based on the novel "Thin Air" by : Howard Browne
January 17, 1975 (1975-01-17)
1717"Counter Gambit"Jackie CooperHoward Berk and Juanita BartlettJanuary 24, 1975 (1975-01-24)
1818"Claire"William WiardEdward J. Lakso and Stephen J. CannellJanuary 31, 1975 (1975-01-31)
1919"Say Goodbye to Jennifer"Jackie CooperStory by : John Thomas James
Teleplay by : Juanita Bartlett and Rudolph Borchert
February 7, 1975 (1975-02-07)
2020"Charlie Harris at Large"Russ MayberryStory by : John Thomas James
Teleplay by : Zekial Marko
February 14, 1975 (1975-02-14)
2121"The Four Pound Brick"Lawrence DohenyStory by : Leigh Brackett
Teleplay by : Leigh Brackett and Juanita Bartlett
February 21, 1975 (1975-02-21)
2222"Just by Accident"Jerry LondonCharles Sailor & Eric KaldorFebruary 28, 1975 (1975-02-28)
2323"Roundabout"Lou AntonioStory by : Mitchell Lindemann
Teleplay by : Mitchell Lindemann and Edward J. Lakso
March 7, 1975 (1975-03-07)


Season 2 (1975–76)

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

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
241"The Aaron Ironwood School of Success"Lou AntonioStephen J. CannellSeptember 12, 1975 (1975-09-12)
252"The Farnsworth Stratagem"Lawrence DohenyJuanita BartlettSeptember 19, 1975 (1975-09-19)
263"Gearjammers: Part 1"William WiardStory by : Stephen J. Cannell
Teleplay by : Don Carlos Dunaway
September 26, 1975 (1975-09-26)
274"Gearjammers: Part 2"William WiardStory by : Stephen J. Cannell
Teleplay by : Don Carlos Dunaway
October 3, 1975 (1975-10-03)
285"The Deep Blue Sleep"William WiardStory by : Chas. Floyd Johnson
Teleplay by : Juanita Bartlett
October 10, 1975 (1975-10-10)
296"The Great Blue Lake Land and Development Company"Lawrence DohenyJuanita BartlettOctober 17, 1975 (1975-10-17)
307"The Real Easy Red Dog"Ivan DixonStephen J. CannellOctober 31, 1975 (1975-10-31)
318"Resurrection in Black and White"Russ MayberryJuanita Bartlett and Stephen J. CannellNovember 7, 1975 (1975-11-07)
329"Chicken Little Is a Little Chicken"Lawrence DohenyStephen J. CannellNovember 14, 1975 (1975-11-14)
3310"2 Into 5.56 Won't Go"Jeannot SzwarcStephen J. CannellNovember 21, 1975 (1975-11-21)
3411"Pastoria Prime Pick"Lawrence DohenyGordon DawsonNovember 28, 1975 (1975-11-28)
3512"The Reincarnation of Angie"Jerry LondonStephen J. CannellDecember 5, 1975 (1975-12-05)
3613"The Girl in the Bay City Boys Club"James GarnerJuanita BartlettDecember 19, 1975 (1975-12-19)
3714"The Hammer of C Block"Jerry LondonGordon DawsonJanuary 9, 1976 (1976-01-09)
3815"The No-Cut Contract"Lou AntonioStephen J. CannellJanuary 16, 1976 (1976-01-16)
3916"A Portrait of Elizabeth"Meta RosenbergStephen J. CannellJanuary 23, 1976 (1976-01-23)
4017"Joey Blue Eyes"Lawrence DohenyWalter DallenbachJanuary 30, 1976 (1976-01-30)
4118"In Hazard"Jackie CooperJuanita BartlettFebruary 6, 1976 (1976-02-06)
4219"The Italian Bird Fiasco"Jackie CooperEdward J. LaksoFebruary 13, 1976 (1976-02-13)
4320"Where's Houston?"Lawrence DohenyDon Carlos DunawayFebruary 20, 1976 (1976-02-20)
4421"Foul on the First Play"Lou AntonioStory by : Chas. Floyd Johnson and Dorothy J. Bailey
Teleplay by : Stephen J. Cannell
March 12, 1976 (1976-03-12)
4522"A Bad Deal in the Valley"Jerry LondonDonald L. Gold & Lester Wm. BerkeMarch 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
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
461"The Fourth Man"William WiardJuanita BartlettSeptember 24, 1976 (1976-09-24)
472"The Oracle Wore a Cashmere Suit"Russ MayberryDavid ChaseOctober 1, 1976 (1976-10-01)
483"The Family Hour"William WiardGordon DawsonOctober 8, 1976 (1976-10-08)
494"Feeding Frenzy"Russ MayberryStory by : Lester Wm. Berke & Donald L. Gold
Teleplay by : Stephen J. Cannell
October 15, 1976 (1976-10-15)
505"Drought at Indianhead River"Lawrence DohenyStephen J. CannellNovember 5, 1976 (1976-11-05)
516"Coulter City Wildcat"Russ MayberryDon Carlos DunawayNovember 12, 1976 (1976-11-12)
527"So Help Me God"Jeannot SzwarcJuanita BartlettNovember 19, 1976 (1976-11-19)
538"Rattlers' Class of '63"Meta RosenbergDavid ChaseNovember 26, 1976 (1976-11-26)
549"Return to the Thirty-Eighth Parallel"Bruce KesslerWalter DallenbachDecember 10, 1976 (1976-12-10)
5510"Piece Work"Lawrence DohenyJuanita BartlettDecember 17, 1976 (1976-12-17)
5611"The Trouble with Warren"Christian I. Nyby IIJuanita BartlettDecember 24, 1976 (1976-12-24)
5712"There's One in Every Port"Meta RosenbergStephen J. CannellJanuary 7, 1977 (1977-01-07)
5813"Sticks and Stones May Break Your Bones, but Waterbury Will Bury You"Jerry LondonDavid ChaseJanuary 14, 1977 (1977-01-14)
5914"The Trees, the Bees and T.T. Flowers: Part 1"Jerry LondonGordon DawsonJanuary 21, 1977 (1977-01-21)
6015"The Trees, the Bees and T.T. Flowers: Part 2"Jerry LondonGordon DawsonJanuary 28, 1977 (1977-01-28)
6116"The Becker Connection"Reza BadiyiStory by : Chas. Floyd Johnson and Ted Harris
Teleplay by : Juanita Bartlett
February 11, 1977 (1977-02-11)
6217"Just Another Polish Wedding"William WiardStephen J. CannellFebruary 18, 1977 (1977-02-18)
6318"New Life, Old Dragons"Jeannot SzwarcStory by : Bernard Rollins & Leroy Robinson
Teleplay by : David C. Taylor
February 25, 1977 (1977-02-25)
6419"To Protect and Serve: Part 1"William WiardDavid ChaseMarch 11, 1977 (1977-03-11)
6520"To Protect and Serve: Part 2"William WiardDavid ChaseMarch 18, 1977 (1977-03-18)
6621"Crack Back"Reza BadiyiJuanita BartlettMarch 25, 1977 (1977-03-25)
6722"Dirty Money, Black Light"Stuart MargolinDavid C. TaylorApril 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
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
681"Beamer's Last Case"Stephen J. CannellStory by : Booker Bradshaw & Calvin Kelly
Teleplay by : Stephen J. Cannell
September 16, 1977 (1977-09-16)
692"Trouble in Chapter 17"William WiardJuanita BartlettSeptember 23, 1977 (1977-09-23)
703"The Battle of Canoga Park"Ivan DixonJuanita BartlettSeptember 30, 1977 (1977-09-30)
714"Second Chance"Reza BadiyiGordon DawsonOctober 14, 1977 (1977-10-14)
725"The Dog and Pony Show"Reza BadiyiDavid ChaseOctober 21, 1977 (1977-10-21)
736"Requiem for a Funny Box"William WiardStory by : Burt Prelutsky
Teleplay by : James Crocker
November 4, 1977 (1977-11-04)
747"Quickie Nirvana"Meta RosenbergDavid ChaseNovember 11, 1977 (1977-11-11)
758"Irving the Explainer"James CoburnDavid ChaseNovember 18, 1977 (1977-11-18)
769"The Mayor's Committee from Deer Lick Falls"Ivan DixonWilliam R. StrattonNovember 25, 1977 (1977-11-25)
7710"Hotel of Fear"Russ MayberryJuanita BartlettDecember 2, 1977 (1977-12-02)
7811"Forced Retirement"Alexander SingerWilliam R. StrattonDecember 9, 1977 (1977-12-09)
7912"The Queen of Peru"Meta RosenbergDavid ChaseDecember 16, 1977 (1977-12-16)
8013"A Deadly Maze"William WiardJuanita BartlettDecember 23, 1977 (1977-12-23)
8114"The Attractive Nuisance"Dana ElcarStephen J. CannellJanuary 6, 1978 (1978-01-06)
8215"The Gang at Don's Drive-In"Harry FalkJames CrockerJanuary 13, 1978 (1978-01-13)
8316"The Paper Palace"Richard CrennaJuanita BartlettJanuary 20, 1978 (1978-01-20)
8417"Dwarf in a Helium Hat"Reza BadiyiStephen J. Cannell and David ChaseJanuary 27, 1978 (1978-01-27)
8518"South by Southeast"William WiardJuanita BartlettFebruary 3, 1978 (1978-02-03)
8619"The Competitive Edge"Harry FalkGordon DawsonFebruary 10, 1978 (1978-02-10)
8720"The Prisoner of Rosemont Hall"Ivan DixonStory by : Chas. Floyd Johnson and Maryann Rea
Teleplay by : Stephen J. Cannell and David Chase
February 17, 1978 (1978-02-17)
8821"The House on Willis Avenue"Hy AverbackStephen J. CannellFebruary 24, 1978 (1978-02-24)
8922


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
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
901"Heartaches of a Fool"William WiardStephen J. CannellSeptember 22, 1978 (1978-09-22)
912"Rosendahl and Gilda Stern Are Dead"William WiardJuanita BartlettSeptember 29, 1978 (1978-09-29)
923"The Jersey Bounce"William WiardStory by : Stephen J. Cannell, David Chase and Juanita Bartlett
Teleplay by : David Chase
October 6, 1978 (1978-10-06)
934"White on White and Nearly Perfect"Stephen J. CannellStephen J. CannellOctober 20, 1978 (1978-10-20)
945"Kill the Messenger"Ivan DixonJuanita BartlettOctober 27, 1978 (1978-10-27)
956"A Good Clean Bust with Sequel Rights"William WiardRudolph BorchertNovember 3, 1978 (1978-11-03)
967"A Three-Day Affair with a Thirty-Day Escrow"Ivan DixonDavid ChaseNovember 10, 1978 (1978-11-10)
978"The Empty Frame"Corey AllenStephen J. CannellNovember 17, 1978 (1978-11-17)
989"Black Mirror"Arnold LavenDavid ChaseNovember 24, 1978 (1978-11-24)
9910
10011"A Fast Count"Reza BadiyiGordon DawsonDecember 1, 1978 (1978-12-01)
10112"Local Man Eaten by Newspaper"Meta RosenbergJuanita BartlettDecember 8, 1978 (1978-12-08)
10213"If the French Heel is Back, Can the Nehru Jacket Be Far Behind?"Ivan DixonRudolph BorchertJanuary 5, 1979 (1979-01-05)
10314"The Battle-Ax and the Exploding Cigar"Ivan DixonStory by : Mann Rubin and Michael Wagner
Teleplay by : Rogers Turrentine
January 12, 1979 (1979-01-12)
10415"Guilt"William WiardJuanita BartlettJanuary 19, 1979 (1979-01-19)
10516"The Deuce"Bernard McEveetyGordon DawsonJanuary 26, 1979 (1979-01-26)
10617"The Man Who Saw the Alligators"Corey AllenDavid ChaseFebruary 10, 1979 (1979-02-10)
10718"The Return of the Black Shadow"William WiardStephen J. CannellFebruary 17, 1979 (1979-02-17)
10819"A Material Difference"William WiardRogers TurrentineFebruary 24, 1979 (1979-02-24)
10920"Never Send a Boy King to Do a Man's Job"William WiardJuanita BartlettMarch 3, 1979 (1979-03-03)
11021
11122"A Different Drummer"Reza BadiyiRudolph BorchertApril 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
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
1121"Paradise Cove"Stephen J. CannellStephen J. CannellSeptember 28, 1979 (1979-09-28)
1132"Lions, Tigers, Monkeys and Dogs"William WiardJuanita BartlettOctober 12, 1979 (1979-10-12)
1143
1154"Only Rock 'n' Roll Will Never Die: Part 1"William WiardDavid ChaseOctober 19, 1979 (1979-10-19)
1165"Only Rock 'n' Roll Will Never Die: Part 2"William WiardDavid ChaseOctober 26, 1979 (1979-10-26)
1176"Love Is the Word"
"Some Things You Can Tell Yourself"
John PattersonDavid ChaseNovember 9, 1979 (1979-11-09)
1187"Nice Guys Finish Dead"John PattersonStephen J. CannellNovember 16, 1979 (1979-11-16)
1198"The Hawaiian Headache"William WiardStephen J. CannellNovember 23, 1979 (1979-11-23)
1209"No Fault Affair"Corey AllenJuanita BartlettNovember 30, 1979 (1979-11-30)
12110"The Big Cheese"Joseph PevneyShel WillensDecember 7, 1979 (1979-12-07)
12211"Just a Coupla Guys"Ivan DixonDavid ChaseDecember 14, 1979 (1979-12-14)
12312"Deadlock in Parma"Winrich KolbeStory by : Donald L. Gold & Lester Wm. Berke
Teleplay by : Donald L. Gold & Lester Wm. Berke and Rudolph Borchert
January 10, 1980 (1980-01-10)


Unproduced

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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

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No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
1"I Still Love L.A."James Whitmore Jr.Juanita BartlettNovember 27, 1994 (1994-11-27)
In the midst of the 1992 Los Angeles riots, Jim Rockford investigates a carjacking that led to murder.
2"A Blessing in Disguise"Jeannot SzwarcStephen J. CannellMay 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 SzwarcJuanita BartlettJanuary 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 WharmbyDavid ChaseFebruary 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 MargolinStephen J. CannellApril 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 ChaseDavid ChaseSeptember 18, 1996 (1996-09-18)
Jim Rockford gets involved with Russian mobsters.
7"Murder and Misdemeanors"Tony WharmbyJuanita BartlettNovember 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 MargolinStory 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

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  • 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.

Directors

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  • 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
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