The Rockford Files (1974)

The Rockford Files (1974)

starring James Garner, Lindsay Wagner, William Smith

directed by Richard T. Heffron

90 minutes

Sara Butler (Lindsay Wagner) hires ex-con and private investigator Jim Rockford (James Garner) to figure out who killed her father, after the police abandon the case. Rockford turns to Angel, another ex-con, and LAPD Detective Dennis Becker for some help with digging up some information on Sara's father and Mildred Elias. a woman who seems to have taken a curious interest in Sara's brother.

Rockford's investigation into the case arouses the suspicion of Jerry Grimes (William Smith), who killed Sara's father and knows Mrs. Elias. Rockford gets wise to the fact that Jerry is tailing him and turns the tables on him. Jim and Sara head to Las Vegas, NV where Mrs. Elias was married to her late husband less than a year ago.

Jim and Sara cross paths with Jerry while tracking down the minister who married Mr. and Mrs. Elias just before she became a widow. A car chase leads them out into the desert outside Las Vegas where everything finally gets settled. 

Thoughts

I don't think I had ever seen this movie before. I watched a half dozen or more episodes of the Rockford Files about 10 to 15 years ago. I was curious to see the movie that started it all. It didn't hurt that Lindsay Wagner and William Smith were part of the cast. The story gets a little weird towards the end between first the airplane and then the cement mixer, which seems to come out of nowhere. The airplane was at least mentioned before it showed up, but still.

There is a bit of romance between Jim and Sara. I'm not sure how old the characters are supposed to be but Garner was 46 and Wagner was 25 at the time this movie was made.

Rockford insinuates to Jerry's face that he is "queer" at one point. He didn't need to go there. He had already insinuated the Jerry was overcompensating for something. Adding the suggestion that Jerry was gay did not add anything positive to the movie.

Is this movie great or essential viewing? No, but it was for the most part a fun watch. 

Notes

I've seen James Garner in a few other movies but this is the only one that I have seen in recent years. I know Lindsay Wagner best from The Bionic Woman which I watched now and then when I was much  younger. William Smith has been in a number of films I have seen but usually not in the starring role. The only other film that I have seen in recent years that he was in was The Outsiders (1983). Nita Talbot played the part of Mildred Elias. Her face didn't look familiar but I have also seen her in Buck and the Preacher (1972).

This made-for-TV movie was the pilot for The Rockford Files TV show. It was retitled (Backlash of the Hunter) and split into two episodes when it was added to the first season in re-runs.

The Rockford Files TV show was nominated three times (1978, 1979, 1980) for a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series but won just once, in 1978. James Garner was nominated five consecutive years (1976-80) for a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his portrayal of Jim Rockford but won it just once, in 1977. Stuart Margolin was nominated twice (1979, 1980) for a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his portrayal of Angel and won both times.