CTVA
The Classic TV Archive - US Crime Series
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Starring James Garner
Season 5 (NBC) (1978-79)
Episode Guide compiled by The Classic TV Archive
with contributions by: Rina Fox
references:
TV Guide /   Library of Congress (telnet://locis.loc.gov)
Internet Movie Database (https://us.imdb.com)
UCLA Film and Television Archive

############ The Rockford Files ##############
############# season 5 1978-79 ###############
##############################################
NBC Fridays 9:00 PM Eastern
Xp: MR / Sup Pr: SJC
Produced by David Chase & Chas. Floyd Johnson
Associate Producer J. Rickley Dumm
Associate Producers, J. Rickley Dumm, John David

5.01 [--] The Rockford Files: HEARTACHES OF A FOOL
Prod. no. 51106
22Sep78
Xp: MR / Sup Pr: SJC
Produced by David Chase & Chas. Floyd Johnson
Associate Producer J. Rickley Dumm
Written by Stephen J. Cannell
Directed by William Wiard.
director of photography: Andrew Jackson
film editor: George R. Rohrs.
Guest Cast:
Taylor Lacher
Lynne Marta
James Shigeta
Norman Alden
Joe E. Tata
*
Co-Starring: (end credits)
Leo Gordon .......... Clark Streeter
Mark Roberts ........ Hillman Stewart
Robert Phillips ..... Mike Torrance
With:
Don "Red" Barry ..... Shorty McCall
Herb Armstrong ...... Union Armstrong
James Jeter ......... Sheriff Milburn
John Davey .......... Deputy Harnsworth
Raymond O'Keefe ..... Jake Sand
George Kee Cheung ... Harry Lee
Byron Chung ......... David
Ben Jeffrey ......... Dept. Patino
Jayson Kane ......... Howard Pressman
Fred J. Gordon ...... Mel Ullis
*
Songs:
"Good Hearted Woman"
Written by Willie Nelson & Waylon Jennings
Sung by Willie Nelson
"Heartaches of a Fool"
Written and Sung by Willie Nelson
Rocky asks Jim to look into a crooked sausage-making operation,
endorsed by a singing cowboy.

5.02 [--] The Rockford Files: ROSENDAHL AND GILDA STERN ARE DEAD
Prod. no. 51103 / 28Sep78
xp:MR / supp. pr: SJC
Produced by Chas. Floyd Johnson and David Chase
Written by Juanita Bartlett
Directed by William Wiard.
director of photography: Andrew Jackson
film editor: Rod Stephens
Guest Cast:
Abe Vigoda
Sharon Acker
Robin Gammell
John Karlen
And:
Robert Loggia ......... Russell Nevitt
*
Special Guest Star:
Rita Moreno ........... Rita Capkovic
*
Co-Starring: (end credits)
Ron Gilbertt .......... Freddie
JoAnne Meredith ....... Ceil
William Joyce ......... Dr. Rosendahl
Jason Wingreen ........ Earl Stagen
With:
George Planco ......... Sergeant Curcio
Rick Goldman .......... Attorney
Clint Young ........... Harry The Doorman
Rod Masterson ......... Oscar Weinberg
Jack Garner ........... Bartender
Luis Delgado .......... Officer Billings (recurring)
Rita is charged with murdering a doctor she had been "dating."

5.03 [--] The Rockford Files: THE JERSEY BOUNCE
Prod. no. 51109
6Oct78
producers, Charles Floyd Johnson, David Chase.
Associate Producer J. Rickley Dumm
Teleplay by David Chase;
story by Stephen J. Cannell, David Chase & Juanita Bartlett;
Directed by William Wiard
director of photography: Andrew Jackson
film editor: Georg R. Rohrs.
Guest Stars: (to be verified - missing from opening credits)
Sorrell Booke
Eugene Davis
Greg Antonacci
*
Co-Starring: (end credits)
Elta Blake ........... Celeste
Jim Scott ............ D.A. Cowan
Doney Oatman ......... Dawn Nodzak
With:
George Planco ........ Cop
Tony Brande .......... Judge Carmine Rossi
Walter Olkewicz ...... Mac Amodeus
Paul Teschke ......... Carl Gibbons
A prior altercation makes Rockford a prime suspect in the murder
of one of Rocky's disruptive neighbors.

5.04 [--] The Rockford Files: WHITE ON WHITE AND NEARLY PERFECT
Prod. no. 51105
20Oct78
xp: MR
Supervising Producers, Chas. Floyd Johnson, David Chase.
Written, Produced, and Directed by Stephen J. Cannell.
Associate Producer J. Rickley Dumm
director of photography: Andrew Jackson
film editor: Diane Adler.
Guest Stars:
Tom Selleck
Jason Evers
Frank R. Christi
James Luisi
*
Co-Starring: (end credits)
Peter Brocco .......... Meyer Siegler
Bill Quinn ............ Armand Teasdale
Eddie Fontaine ........ Augusto De Palma
With:
Raynold Gideon ........ Tuner Watson
Jay Rasumny ........... Manolo
Karen Austin .......... Veronica Teasedale
Carolyn Calcote ....... Angela
Julienne Wells ........ Bell LaBelle
Freddye Chapman ....... Maggie
Luis Delgado .......... Officer Billings
Rockford meets the too-good-to-be-true investigator Lance White
while searching for an industrialist's daughter.

5.05 [--] The Rockford Files: KILL THE MESSENGER
Prod. no. 51110,
27Oct78
xp:MR / supp. pr: SJC
Produced by David Chase and Charles Floyd Johnson
Written by Juanita Bartlett
Directed by Ivan Dixon.
director of photography: Andrew Jackson
film editor: Roderic G. Stephens.
Guest Cast:
W.K. Stratton
Byron Morrow
Pat Finley .......... Peggy Becker (Sgt. Becker's wife)
James Luisi (recurring)
Co-Starring: (opening credits)
Alex Colon
*
Co-Starring: (end credits)
Ed Harris ........... Rudy Kempner
Tony Crupi .......... Bandit
Don Diamond ......... Lt. Alvarez
Lee Farr ............ Booking Suspect
Robert Cleaves ...... Leo Benbrook
Nancy Parsons ....... Miss Buettner
Frank McCrae ........ Junior
With:
Michael LaGuardia ... Officer Shumway
Sterling Swanson .... Store Manager
Bucklind Beery ...... Officer Mazursky
Tiger Williams ...... Little Den
Joey Miller ......... Scotty
Doris Donaldson ..... Maude
John Wheeler ........ Cliff
Edward Dogans ....... Guard
Luis Delgado ........ Officer Billings (recurring)
Becker can't find time to study for his lieutenant's exam while
investigating the murder of the deputy police chief's unfaithful wife.

5.06 [--] The Rockford Files: THE EMPTY FRAME
Prod. no. 51114, 3Nov78
Produced by Chas. Floyd Johnson and David Chase
Written by Stephen J. Cannell
Directed by Corey Allen.
director of photography: Andrew Jackson
film editor: Roderic G. Stephens.
Guest Stars:
Stuart Margolin (recurring)
Richard Seff
Paul Carr
Jonathan Goldsmith
James Luisi (recurring)
And:
Dale Robinette ....... David Jones
*
Co-Starring: (end credits)
Milt Kogan ........... Aaron Kiel
Troas Hayes .......... Carolyn Corkill
Marianne Bunch ....... Cynthia Daskin
Dennis Robertson ..... John Jeffries
Eddie Ryder .......... "Cat Eye" Wilson
Lee Delano ........... Capt. Salducci
With:
Luis Delgado ......... Officer Billings (recurring)
Michael J. London .... Norman Deekus
Sonny Klein .......... Pritzer
Douglas Ryan ......... Finter
Rockford investigates an art theft at a private party, much to
the annoyance of the police.

5.07 [--] The Rockford Files: THREE DAY AFFAIR WITH A THIRTY DAY ESCROW
Prod. no. 51101, 10Nov78
xp:MR / supp. pr: SJC
Produced and Written by David Chase
Associate Producer J. Rickley Dumm
Written by David Chase
Directed by Ivan Dixon
director of photography: Andrew Jackson
film editor: George R. Rohrs.
Guest Stars:
Richard Romanus
Robert Alda
Maria Grimm
Gilbert Green
Joshua Bryant
James Luisi (recurring)
And:
Janis Paige ......... Miriam
Co-Starring: (opening credits)
Andrew Masset
Maurice Sherbanee
*
With: (end credits)
Socorro Swan .......... Concepcion
Richard Moll .......... Ludes
James Gavin ........... Pilot
Rockford is cornered by Arabs who believe he has information they want.

5.08 [--] The Rockford Files: A GOOD CLEAN BUST WITH SEQUEL RIGHTS
Prod. no. 51102, 17Nov78
Produced by Chas. Floyd Johnson and David Chase
Written by Rudolph Borchert
Directed by William Wiard.
director of photography: Andrew Jackson
film editor: Diane Adler.
Guest Stars:
James Sikking
Nicolas Coster
James Murtaugh
Jerry Douglas
And:
Hector Elizondo ....... Frank Falcone
Co-Starring (opening credits)
Louisa Moritz
Patricia Donahue
Hank Brandt
*
With: (end credits)
Joanna Lipari .......... Mrs. Stern
Jenny Sherman .......... Linda
Derek Murcott .......... Abels
Marland Proctor ........ Clerk
Loni Ackerman .......... Brochure Girl
A toy manufacturer asks Jim to look after a cop turned writer who keeps falling into trouble.

5.09/5.10 [--] The Rockford Files: BLACK MIRROR (2hrs)
Prod nos. 51111/12 , 24Nov78
xp:MR / supp. pr: SJC & CFJ
Written and produced by David Chase
Directed by Arnold Laven.
director of photography: Andrew Jackson;
film editor: Diane Adler.
Guest Stars:
Kathryn Harrold
John Pleshette
Carl Franklin
Allan Arbus
Denny Miller
And:
Stuart Margolin (recurring)
Co-Starring: (opening credits)
Alan Manson
*
Co-Starring: (end credits)
Leo Gordon .......... Charles Martell
John Howard ......... Mort
Peter Tomarken ...... Commercial Director
With:
Thomas Ageas ........ Maitre 'D
Jack Garner ......... Janitor
Luis Delgado ........ Officer Billings (recurring)
Julia Ann Benjamin .. Bonny
Wallace Earl ........ Myra
Melvin F. Allen ..... Mr. Engel
Rockford falls for a blind psychologist with a dangerously  psychotic patient.
NOTE: This was a 120 min TV movie.

5.xx [--] The Rockford Files: A FAST COUNT
Prod. no. 51108 / 1Dec78
xp:MR / supp. pr: SJC
Produced by David Chase and Chas. Floyd Johnson
Written by Gordon Dawson
Directed by Reza S. Badiyi
director of photography: Andrew Jackson
film editors: Diane Adler & George R. Rohrs.
Guest Stars:
Kenneth McMillan
Mary Frann
Rocky Echevarria
Lawrence Casey
Len Wayland
Bert Kramer
*
Co-Starring: (end credits)
Carl Anderson ........ Tony Malavida
Woody Eney ........... F.I. Blassette
Don Starr ............ Bernard Caplan
John Kerry ........... Dixon
With:
Fredric Franklyn ..... Priest
John Yates ........... 2nd FBI Agent
Tamara Eliot ......... Secretary
Lisa Marie Effler .... Lucy
Rosa Turich .......... Mama Aquilar
A murder investigation leads rockford to a TV personality who
is trying to frame a boxer's manager.

5.xx [--] The Rockford Files: LOCAL MAN EATEN BY NEWSPAPER
Prod. no. 51113 / 8Dec78
xp:MR / supp. pr: SJC
Produced by Chas. Floyd Johnson and David Chase
Associate Producers: J. Rickley Dumm and John David
Written by Juanita Bartlett
Directed by Meta Rosenberg
director of photography: Andrew Jackson
film editor: George R. Rohrs.
Guest Stars:
Scott Brady
Rose Gregorio
Joseph Hindy
Gianni Russo
Kenneth Tiger
Joe E. Tata
And:
Bo Hopkins ............ John Cooper
Special Guest Star:
Scott Marlowe
*
Co-Starring; (end credits)
Pat Renella ............ Vincent
Harlee McBride ......... Monica
Dallas Mitchell ........ Dr. Hagens
With:
Ed Crick ............... Ken McNaugh
Bill Cross ............. Security Guard
Marland Proctor ........ Policeman
Luis Delgado ........... Officer Phillpps (recurring)
Rockford receives unfavorable notice from a tabloid and thugs
when he digs into a shooting of a doctor to the stars.

5.xx [--] The Rockford Files:
WITH THE FRENCH HEEL BACK, CAN THE NEHRU JACKET BE FAR BEHIND?
Prod. no. 51115 / 5Jan79
xp:MR / supp. pr: SJC
Produced by David Chase and Chas. Floyd Johnson
Associate Producers: J. Rickley Dumm and John David
Written by Rudolph Borchert
Directed by Ivan Dixon
director of photography: Andrew Jackson
film editor: George R. Rohrs.
Guest Stars:
Rene Auberjonois
Erin Gray
W.K. Stratton
Marisa Pavan ........... Sophia
Co-Starring: (opening credits)
Howard Witt
*
Co-Starring: (end credits)
Christopher DeRose ..... Luigi
Chris Palmer ........... Carol
Jim B. Smith ........... Officer Kline
John Zenda ............. Security Chief
Albert Carrier ......... Monty
Marguerite Ray ......... Margo
With:
Michael Des Barres ..... Keith
Frederick Castellano ... Pietro
Sandra DeBruin ......... Nurse
Suzanne Copeland ....... Girl
Paula Victor ........... 1st Buyer
Dolores Quinton ........ 2nd Buyer
John Furlong ........... Dr.Bosca
Luis Delgado ........... Officer Billings (recurring)
Rockford looks into the death of a top fashion model, who dies
the same night a jet-setter gets killed.

5.xx [--] The Rockford Files: THE BATTLE AX AND THE EXPLODING CIGAR
Prod. no. 51104, 12Jan79
xp:MR / supp. pr: SJC
Produced by David Chase and Chas. Floyd Johnson
Associate Producers, J. Rickley Dumm, John David
Teleplay by Rogers Turrentine
Story by Mann Rubin and Michael Wagner
Directed by Ivan Dixon.
director of photography: Andrew Jackson
film editor: Diane Adler.
Guest Stars:
Marge Redmond
Sully Boyar
Lane Smith
Charles Weldon
Lawrence Casey
And:
Glenn Corbett (as Agent Spelling)
Co-Starring: (opening credits)
Mitzi Hoag
Dawson Mays
*
Co-Starring: (end credits)
Mary-Nancy Burnett ..... Jill
Lindsay V. Jones ....... Susan
Antonie Becker ......... Stacy
With:
Roscoe Born ............ Tallafero
James McAlpine ......... 1st Policeman
Dennis Holahan ......... Agent Kaiser
Joe Bratcher ........... 2nd Policeman
Bob O'Connell .......... Col. Huxley
Kirk Mee ............... Agent Pearce
John Trujillo .......... Deputy
After getting cleaned out in Las Vegas Rockford hitches a ride
with a guy who leaves him with a stolen car full of illegal arms.

5.xx [--] The Rockford Files: GUILT
Prod. no. 51117, 19Jan79
xp:MR / supp. pr: SJC
Produced by Chas. Floyd Johnson and David Chase
Associate Producers, J. Rickley Dumm, John David
Written by Juanita Bartlett
Directed by William Wiard.
director of photography: Andrew Jackson
film editor: Diane Adler.
Guest Stars:
Pat Crowley (Patricia Crowley)
Ted Shackelford
Rita Gam
Robert Quarry
Elisabeth Brooks
*
Co-Starring: (end credits)
Eldon Quick .......... Singleton
Timothy Wayne ........ Allen Hough
With:
James Lough .......... Brian Tegg
Al Stevenson ......... L.J.
Ben Young ............ Mr. Goldstone
Luis Delgado ......... Officer Billings (recurring)
Rockford's former girl friend is being terrorized apparently without motive.

5.xx [--] The Rockford Files: THE DEUCE
Prod. no. 51118 / 25Jan79
Produced by Chas. Floyd Johnson and David Chase
Associate Producers: J. Rickley Dumm and John David
Written by Gordon Dawson
Directed by Bernard McEveety.
director of photography: Andrew Jackson
film editor: Roderic G. Stephens.
Guest Stars:
Mills Watson
Margaret Blye
Sharon Spelman
Richard Kelton
Patricia Hindy
Robert Sampson
Edward Walsh
*
Co-Starring: (end credits)
Joe Maross ........... Al Corbett
James Karen .......... Martin Horvath
With:
Michael O'Dwyer ...... Pete Johnson
Ed McCready .......... Bartender
Nancy Bond ........... Juror
Frank Downing ........ Jury Foreman
Rockford takes up the case of a habitually drunken driver who is
accused a causing a traffic death.

5.xx [--] The Rockford Files: THE MAN WHO SAW ALLIGATORS (90 min.)
Prod. no. 51121 / 10Feb79
Producers (on description): Charles F. Johnson & David Chase
written and produced by David Chase
directed by Corey Allen.
director of photography: Andrew Jackson;
film editor: George R. Rohrs.
Guest Cast:
George Loros
Sharon Acker
Joseph Sirola
Joseph Perry
Julie Parrish
Joey Aresco
Penny Santon
Angel gives away Jim's hideaway to a just-released hitman with a score to settle.

5.xx [--] The Rockford Files: THE RETURN OF THE BLACK SHADOW
Prod. no. 51119 / 17Feb1979
xp:MR
Supervising Producers, Chas. F. Johnson & David Chase;
Produced by Stephen J. Cannell
Associate Producer, John David
Written by Stephen J. Cannell
Directed by William Wiard.
Director of Photography: Andrew Jackson
film editor: Roderic G. Stephens.
Guest Stars:
Paul Koslo
Dennis Burkley
Joseph Burke
Special Guest Star:
Bo Hopkins (as John Cooper)
Co-Starring: (opening credits)
Laurie Jefferson
Andy Jarrell
Jerry Ayres
Ken A. Anderson
*
Co-Starring: (end credits)
Noah Keen ........... Dr. Greenberg
Paul Mace ........... Festus
With:
Jack Garner ......... Gas Station Attendant
Sandra DeBruin ...... Nurse
Scott Walker ........ Hilliard
Cooper goes after the motorcycle gang that brutalized his sister and her date.

5.xx [--] The Rockford Files : A MATERIAL DIFFERENCE
Prod. no. 51116, 24Feb79
xp:MR / supp. pr: SJC
Produced by David Chase and Charles Floyd Johnson
Assocoate Producer John David
Written by Rogers Turrentine
Directed by William Wiard.
director of photography: Andrew Jackson A.S.C
film editor: Diane Adler.
Guest Stars:
Michael McGuire
Joshua Bryant
David Trees
Rod Browning
Michael Alldrege
James Luisi (recurring)
And:
Stuart Margolin (as Angel)(recurring)
*
Co-Starring: (end credits)
John Davey ........... Cowboy
Donald Bishop ........ Randolph
with:
Phil Chambers ........ Old Man
Alex Rodine .......... 1st Man
Ari Barak ............ 2nd Man
Ron McCabe ........... Patrolman
Van Davis ............ Cop
Lidia Kristen ........ Woman
Cynthia Nigh ......... Receptionist
Luis Delgado ......... Billings (recurring)
Synopsis 1:
Angel involves Rockford in his scam of posoing as a high powered
hit man, resulting in both of them being pursued by Russian and
U.S. agents.
Synopsis 2:
Angel poses a high priced hitman but Rockford must save his
life when he collects his fee without making his hit.


5.xx [--] The Rockford Files:
NEVER SEND A BOY KING TO DO A MAN'S JOB (2hr)
03Mar79
(a.k.a. "The Return of Richie Brockelman")
Prod. no. 51122
xp:MR / supp. pr: SJC
Produced by Charles Floyd Johnson and David Chase
Associate Producer, John David
Written by Juanita Bartlett
Directed by William Wiard.
Director of photography: Andrew Jackson, A.S.C.
film editors: Diane Adler & George R. Rohrs.
Guest Stars:
Robert Webber
Trisha Noble (as Odette)
Pepper Martin
Gary Crosby
David Hooks
Stuart Margolin (as Angel)(recurring)
Special Guest Stars:
Harold Gould (as Richie Brockleman's father)
Kim Hunter
Special Appearance by:
Dennis Dugan (as Richie Brockelman)
Co-Starring: (opening credits)
Salt Walther
*
Co-Starring: (end credits)
Stanley Brock ......... Cowboy Mickey
Jack Collins .......... Dr. Weatherford
Todd Martin ........... Robert Wendkos
Stephanie Hankinson ... Toulie
Bob Basso ............. Auctioneer
With:
Danny Ades ............ Egyptian Consul
Michele Hart .......... Maggie
Jennifer Holmes ....... Amy
Jack Garner ........... 1st Workman
John Wyche ............ Museum Guard
Robert Ward ........... 2nd Workman
Shirley Anthony ....... Recepionist
Rockford sets up an elaborate con involving a cursed museum exhibit
to get even with a swindler who duped Richie Brockelman's father out of his business.