Cooler in the 70s - The Rockford Files

What's happening, guys? Long time, no see.

Got a chance to watch the pilot episode of The Rockford Files last weekend, and it got me thinking about the interesting decisions networks (especially in the US) make in between the pilot episode and the beginning of a series proper.

The pilot episode lays out all the basic you need to know about the life of Jim Rockford, Private Investigator. He's usually broke and owes money to someone, he's a bit of a coward but he can often smart-talk or fast-act his way out of a bad situation, he lives in a trailer on the beach with his dad, and he has a thing for the ladies. Well, he's a PI in the 70s, of course he has a thing for the ladies.

What else? He drives a metallic bronze Pontiac (looks like a 73 Firebird, but could be a Grand Am - I'm sure you car buffs out there will be able to help), he spent 5 years in state pen for a robbery he or may not have committed, his was the first time I had ever seen or heard of an answering machine, and he has better dress sense than about anyone else on the show.

As Jim Rockford, James Garner displays the same kind of rugged, easy-going, charmer that made him famous in the earlier Maverick. Were he a little younger, even, he would have made a great Indiana Jones in 1981.

Now once this is all set up in the pilot, once you get to the first real episode you notice a couple of things straight away.

1. His dad is played by a different actor (this kind of thing happens all the time).
2. The Pontiac that was blown up in the desert by a guy in a plane with a machine gun has miraculously returned.
3. The music that opened the pilot, but did not play under the credits, is now the official theme tune of The Rockford Files.

There's also a couple of format additions. First, there's a teaser section where they show you some upcoming scenes from the show you're about to watch, then you get the now-infamous answering machine messages. This did not appear in the pilot, but The Rockford Files wouldn't be the same without them now. There's a great Rockford Files website out there that not only breaks down all the episodes as it ran from 1974 to 1980, but also has audio files of all the answering machine messages, too. Excellent little bit of archiving there. The Museum of Television and Radio should be proud.

I have to admit I do have a soft spot in my heart for this show. It was character-driven, but had fun plots and some great car chases (and, as seen above, truck chases). Testament to some awesome stunt work, the kind you found all through 70s US TV shows.

Until next time, hang loose.