Customer Reviews

Thirty Years of The Rockford Files: An Inside Look at America's Greatest Detective Series

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've been a "Rockford Files" junkie almost as long as the series began its original network run in 1974 and it's still my favorite show of all time. When the first edition of this book "This is Jim Rockford" was released ten years ago I was amazed at the amount of research that went into making it one of the best books on the history on any television show I'd ever read. It was so chock full of detail, from the draft notes of series creator Roy Huggins' original concept from 1972 to the return of "Rockford" to network television in 1994, that I was sure there was nothing more that could be said on the subject of "Rockford."

Well, I was wrong! With this updated version Robertson has dug even deeper, providing the reader with over 200 pages of new facts and information on the original NBC series (much of which wasn't available ten years ago), plus detailed analysis of the eight "Rockford" reunion movies that aired on CBS in the late 1990s. The new edition also includes an honest and critical perspective on the career of James Garner: why he excelled as Jim Rockford, and why he remains one of America's most cherished film and television actors. There's also invaluable insight from "Rockford" insider Rob Howe, behind-the-scenes photos of Garner on the set you don't normally see, and a further look at the various internal conflicts with the studio which were very telling and rather surprising in light of the show's continued success.

THIRTY YEARS OF THE ROCKFORD FILES is not only a complete history of "Rockford" on television, but an important chapter in the history of television. With the first season of "Rockford" due out on DVD later this year (finally!), this book is the perfect companion guide. I highly recommend it.

Thirty Years of the Rockford Files has everything that you would ever want to know about (in my opinion) the greatest television series ever. The book is an updated version of Robertson's original book "This is Jim Rockford..." which was written over 10 years ago. Thirty years has much of the same info. as the original book with plenty of interviews of cast and crew members as well new photographs. There is an episode guide which is as comprehensive as they come and there is also an expanded summary of information regarding the 8 CBS Rockford File movies. All in all, this book is a must for all Rockford Files fans, along with the season 1 DVD set which has just come out.

With the classic 1974-1980 NBC detective show "The Rockford Files" finally coming out on DVD, the time is right for a comprehensive series guide book such as Ed Robertson's "Thirty Years of The Rockford Files." As portrayed by veteran actor James Garner, hard-bitten (and hard-luck) private detective Jim Rockford virtually defined the genre for many years. The show was incredibly popular at the time, and has played continuously in reruns ever since--hence the "Thirty Years" in the title. Garnering five Emmy Awards, including a Best Actor for Garner and a Best Dramatic Series, "The Rockford Files" was one of the most successful and unforgettable television series ever made.

"Thirty Years of The Rockford Files" is packed with "insider" information about the show. It includes rare behind-the-scenes photographs, interviews with writers, producers, directors and actors, fascinating trivia, the story of "the world's most famous Firebird" and complete episode guides for all six seasons. The description of each episode typically spans a few pages, and includes a cast list, a transcript of the humorous telephone answering machine message that opens each show, a plot summary and a discussion of interesting features of the episode. The plot summaries are very brief, usually just a short paragraph. At first I thought they were too short, but after watching a few episodes and then reading the related summaries, I concluded that they are "just right." Interestingly, most of them don't reveal the resolution of the mystery--you'll have to watch the episode to find out how it ends. Mr. Robertson also briefly summarizes the eight post-series Rockford movies that aired on CBS, and includes a short section on the two "Rockford Files" novels by Edgar-Award-winning mystery writer Stuart Kaminsky that appeared in 1996 and 1998. Finally, he discusses four of the ten unproduced scripts from the sixth season, which ended after only 12 (instead of 22) episodes after James Garner became ill.

If you're buying "The Rockford Files" DVDs as they become available, you'll definitely want to pick up a copy of this book. Of all the television series and movie "companion" books, this is one of the best. Very highly recommended for all Rockford fans.

If you're as into TV... and TV Private Eyes... as I am, you've got to buy yourself Ed Robertson's "Thirty Years of THE ROCKFORD FILES." The book covers every aspect of the classic series, from the making of the pilot through the production of the eight reunion movies (as well as unproduced scripts and the tie-in books by Stuart Kaminsky among other things). Robertson interviews all the key players in front of, and behind, the camera, including James Garner, Steve Cannell, Roy Huggins, and Charles Floyd Johnson, and provides detailed episode synopses.

Technically, this isn't a new book. It's an update and revision of two earlier books Robertson wrote about THE ROCKFORD FILES ... "This is Jim Rockford" and "The Rockford Files: A 20th Anniversary Tribute." I have both of those books, too (told you I was a geek) and, like improved software, it's well-worth "upgrading" to this new edition.

In Germany "The Rockford Files" is "Detektiv Rockford", and is still shown now and then on small private channels that (bless 'em) specialize in old American TV series and films. I got hooked on the series years ago by the catchy intro harmonica and swift LA photo montage, the stylish bronze Firebird, and of course the irony and whimsicality of the all-too fallible but ever-persistent Jim Rockford. The book is a supremely helpful companion to the series, with background, commentary and deft summaries of every episode made, including supporting cast. There is a nice chapter on the Firebirds in which our anti-hero tools through the streets and suburbs (and those wonderful hick towns out beyond the 'burbs) of Greater Los Angeles. Bar Columbo, James Garner's Rockford is the most entertaining of the TV detectives, and one of the most memorable (let's not forget somber Jack Webb in "Dragnet"). And this book is about the most entertaining I've yet read on a TV series.

A MUST read if you are a fan of the show. I love this book because not only do you get so much knowledge about the history of the show, this book also goes into depth about every colaborator and things about the show you never knew. I was impressed with vintage photos and all the episodes descriptions. A MUST for newcomers also!!! ENJOY.

This is a great book. If you are a Rockford Files fan, this book is a must buy. The author (Ed Robertson) has gone to great lengths to even include the phone messages at the begining of each and every episode.

The Rockford Files was easily the best of the 70s PI series genre. Much more realistic than Mannix or Cannon or any of the others from that era. Between James Garner's acting, the fabulous dialog, and the great supporting cast of Noah Beery, Joe Santos, Stuart Margolin, and Gretchen Corbett this show always seemed so real. Jim Rockford seemed like a regular guy.

It still stands up today for all of the same reasons it was great over thirty years ago. What Magnum was to the 80s Rockford Files was to the 70s.

I couldn't be happier it is finally out on DVD and I can't wait until all seasons of it are out on DVD.

As author Ed Robertson accurately points out "The Rockford Files" was, in many respects, "Maverick" imported into the 20th century. Created by the late Roy Huggins ("Maverick", "The Fugitive")and the late Stephen Cannell, "The Rockford Files" last for six years on TV and eight original TV movies. Robertson does a great job of of summarizing each episode, bringing us behind-the-scenes struggles and conflicts between Universal, Garner and Huggins. It's amazing that Universal could claim that "The Rockford Files" didn't make a profit. Rockford and, later, Huggins had to sue Universal to get an undisclosed settlement to receive their cut of the profits from the series. The entertainment industry must have learned bookkeeping from the Mafia.

Robertson covers every episode from the pilot episode all the way to the last TV movie that was produced for CBS and aired two years after it was produced. He also looks at some of the parallels between "Rockford", Huggins' other series, Garner's movies and the influence that "The Rockford Files" had on other series.

Robertson interviewed all of the major participants (including Garner)and Robertson has revised this edition in 2005 to include the TV movies produced for CBS. For those who know the episodes well like myself I appreciate the fact that Robertson gives a brief synopsis of the plot for the episode and focuses mostly on production information, analysis and trivia.

Robertson's book is an essential addition for fans of the 1970's TV series.

lots of great insider information on episodes, guest stars, writers, etc. Episodes are dealt with individually. Would have liked more pics and more great lines from the actual episodes. A few inaccuracies. This book is a great accompaniment to viewing the actual episodes.