The
Rockford Files: Season 3 (1974)
Universal
Cast:
James Garner, Noah Beery Jnr, Stuart Margolin, Joe Santos.
Rating:
G.
Run
time: 18 hours, 9 mins.
Genre:
Science fiction.
Verdict:
Beautiful
(see rating
system)
This
great show, which ran from 1974-79) was really into its stride
by the third series.
The
role of ex-con turned LA private detective Jim Rockford was
a perfect vehicle for James Garner to use his boyish charm
and rugged good looks. And the chemistry with a tight ensemble
of actors playing similarly great characters made for compulsive
viewing.
Rockford`s
dad Rocky (Noah Beery Jnr.) is a perfect example and the two
of theme often go head to head over the risks Jim takes to
earn a measly $200 a day plus expenses. Despite dodging bullets
and getting beaten up for a living, Rockford doesn`t even
have a decent home, just a trailer parked by the beach. Rocky
is constantly nagging ``Jimbo`` to get a real job.
Then
there's low-life former cellmate Angel Martin (Stuart Margolin)
This so-called friend goes MIA when the going gets tough,
and he often complicates Rockford`s investigations. There
are clashes aplenty too with Sgt Dennis Becker (Joe Santos),
Rockford`s inside source in the LAPD and sometime bowling
buddy. Becker often finds himself in trouble with his superiors
for ``helping`` Rockford out with a little information.
Whenever
Rockford cuts too many legal corners and winds up being charged
by the cops, loyal lawyer and sometime lover Beth Davenport
(Gretchen Corbett) is there to bail him out.
This
set includes all 22 episodes from Season 3 plus the bonus
episode “Quickie Nirvana” from season 4. The cases
range from murder and stalking to insurance claims and missing
persons. Many Rockford fans say Season 3 marked the a high
point of this show`s success. I agree!
It
would have been nice to see some cast interviews - hopefully
Universal will get around to that later in the series.
