James Garner was such a fantastic actor. It was, by far, my favourite show as a kid. And I still enjoy watching it on Netflix 33 years later. It leaves a bitter taste in my mouth to this day to hear how it was cancelled; cancelled despite Garner's commitment to the show. Because they wouldn't give his knee time to heal! Unreal how some people just know how to destroy a good thing.
Garner was the One Guy in Hollywood who wasn't afraid to tell it like it was. Everyone else was to afraid of being Shit Canned by the studios. RIP Jimbo.
The Rockford files had much more Patience, thinking, better camera shots.... and a hell of better writing crew than todays Detective shows.... Rockford files was the best and James Garner
Where else would you get characters like Dennis Becker, his dad Rocky, Evelyn "Angel" Martin, Captain Towne, and police buff Lee Ann Sweeney? Nowhere. The show is the gem of the 70's!
Support your local sheriff hands down one of the funniest westerns ever. "I was on my way to australia...." He knew what he did that people loved, and he kept doing it!
Great actor. May God rest his soul in peace. Thank you Mr. Garner for all the joy you brought us through the Rockford Files and other shows and movies.
How different James Garner was to the crop of current young actors who are so caught up in their own glamour and ego. James Garner was just a normal man with barely a hint of ego but lurking there a great sense of humour and a philosophical attitude to what life threw at him. A brilliant actor you just knew you would enjoy in his every scene. Greatly missed.
The Rockford Files was my favorite T.V. detective show, followed closely by Cannon. Together they ruled the 70's. Rest in Peace, Jimbo. You were the greatest!
The movie studio people really are the dregs of the earth! The Rockford Files was a great show and the star should have been treated with alot more respect and payed acourdingly.
I really like James Garner, because he reminds me of my dad. I told my dad that one day, back when I was a young boy, but I think he didn't understand that this was my way to tell him that he is my hero and that I love him.Now he is 79, we live in the same house and he is still my hero. Thank you dad for beeing my "pabba"
Now we can discuss the end of Jim Garner himself, may he rest in peace. He was one of my favorite actors of all time, from his old movies right through the Rockford Files. Jim always gave his parts his all, Thank You James Garner for a thousand great memories. Art T., hernando fl.
In this year (2012) they are showing The Rockford Files on Danish TV. Gosh I love it. Watch one episode each night. Totally cool and relaxing 1970´s style.
The Rockford Files were great, Loved him with Doris Day, and his part as the Cadger in the Great Escape was brilliant.........Loved this guy. One of the greats.
I remember seeing James Garner limping in several episodes, and had read about his bad knee, but didn't know it was his health that lead to the show's cancellation. That's how things were when there were only 3 networks; now it would probably be put on hiatus for a few months, and then back on the air. Of course, there aren't any James Garners or "Rockford Files" on TV any more.
That interview is the reason why i almost ever try to avoid to look behind the "stage". How can these people do such a great show, where justice and humanity is such a big player and sue and blackmail James Garner? It's just sad.
I have to agree. I watch an episode just last night. It was the first time that I had seen the show since the mid 1970's! It was fantastic, so well made! The greatest detective show ever. You are spot on.
Another gret actor who made acting look so easy, but behind the scenes James shows the hard businesslike and the more serious side of him, which to be successful in one's career one has to be. As a person, he still maintains that sense of humour that seems to keep one alive and that helps him to become a great prsonality and legend in his old age that serves as a lesson for the younger generation.
I loved The Rockford Files. No one could BS the way Jim Rockford could. I still remember one episode where he introduces himself to be a road boss for some trucking company and the guy he's trying to BS asks, "Where's Matt?". Jim with his quick thinking answers, "Matt? Oh, ha, Assistant road boss I should have said". What makes it even funnier is when he's about to leave, Jim tells the guy, "I'll say hi to Matt for you." Jim wouldn't know who Matt is from Adam.....so funny.
One of my favorite shows. Always wanted a gold Firebird like his. Fellow Okie, James Baumgarner shortened his name to Garner for stage name. Small world, I met his sis at the University of Oklahoma. She'd called me into her office to tell me I was on academic probation. I saw a photo of him on her desk & she explained. Otherwise I'd've never known. Too much partyin' ! ! Didn't graduate, but had A LOT of fun. Go Sooners ! ! Long live Jimmy Garner, Noah Berry & Angel "This is bad Jimmy." (Stuart Margolin) ! !
Just compare the Eastwoods and the Garners (and maybe even Schwarzenegger or Stallone) to what we have in Hollywood today- and you will understand why all they make now is "Reality Shows" or crap that they (or anyone) can generate on a computer.
Thank you Mr Garner- Respect, I cant find the words to thank you enough, if only I could achieve so much myself, Affable and humourous, James Rockford ROCKS. Good Luck Mr James Garner.
some men can't,won't, live a simple life,they just gotta live,this man has done it all,acted with the great STEVE MCQUEEN,the best england had to offer,in the great escape,raced cars,played in the dirt with mcqueen and bronson,hell he's done it all,and besides that my mom loved him from afar,yeah he has it all
On this day in 1974 {September 13th} the detective series "The Rockford Files" debut on the NBC-TV network... The series ran until January 10th, 1980, with a grand total of 122 episodes... It won eight prime time Emmy Awards... In 1975 Mike Post took the series' theme song to #10 on Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart... The series's star, James Garner {born James Scott Bumgarner}, will celebrate his 86th birthday this coming April 7th...
agree with rockyracoon1979 and diapertommy. im 42 yrs old female i tell my friends how great this show is.they bust on me and tell me i have to watch shows from this century if i want to continue to hang with them.when i was 17,i force my friends to watch move over darling.they started to complain when they realized it was an older movie.soon they became glued to the set eyes peeled.they thought is was great.rockford files he and the writers pure poetry.jimmy is brilliant.always on.i love him...
I like it also,I grew up watching late 70s and 80s shows,I love the older cars and trucks,and just the way it was made,Nothing will ever compare to these shows we grew up watching.Now days,its garbage.
Poor Jimmy couldn't catch a break - Rockford or Garner. There are a handful of episodes where Jimmy gets a windfall at the end - notably the two-parter where he's working for the Clapton-esque rocker. I just loved it when Jimmy got paid. Thanks to Netflix I can watch any episode at any time. They really hold up well.
One of the few celebrities I would like to meet from my childhood 'shows.' Martin Milner, Kent McCord, Randolph Mantooth and Kevin Tighe round out the list. Don't care about most other celebrities then or today.
I hope those people who lie and cheat people in show biz. Get what's coming to them sooner than later.its just plain wrong.mr Gardner your the beat!!!!
Hey Narrangold, yeh Jimmy reminds me of my father also, in looks and his affable, humorous and charming way that he gets what he wants in a cool cool laid back way- no stress, eh those were the days
I always wondered what happened to the Rockford Files I like James Garner really didn't care too much for the episode with the dad in it. Sorry that you are hurt and had to quit the series I really enjoyed it thank you.
I love me some Rockford Files.Great show.I have been ordering these.I am now on season 4.The shows today are about one thing"murder'too depressing.Thanks Jim for a great show.
@rockyraccoon1979 I agreed with you rockyraccoon1979.Its the best PI series so far.I love Rockford as down to earth PI who always did his job well but at the end he dont get paid..
No you didnt, the Rockford files finished at the latest in the early eighties unless there was a revamp in 94 which i missed, which is quite possible but it must have sunk without trace. . .
@tokingbiker420 Had occasion to visit Malibu Beach where the trailer was parked. I forgot about Rockford because all of the woman were wearing string bikinis and little trianggles on their nipples! I was about 30 and I had to tie my shirt around my waist to hide something. I also went inside of the restaurant, and yeah the beach was nice. Vince was just up the road.
Rockford was an excellent show, especially for the times; most of the programming in that decade was terrible. But it's far from the greatest detective show ever. I'm sure Garner would even say that. Mr Garner really added to what would have been an otherwise forgettable show.
