Much like his trusty Pontiac Firebird, The
Rockford Files was a particularly well-oiled machine by the
third year. Everything was clicking into place, from the writing to
the acting (writer/producer David Chase went on to create The
Sopranos). Despite a terrific supporting cast, James Garner was
always the main draw, and he received an Emmy for the series during
year three (1976-1977). Considering that the show was carefully
pitched between drama and comedy, it was well deserved as Garner
excelled at both. Notable episodes include "Feeding Frenzy," in
which Rockford returns stolen loot for a client; "Drought at Indian
Head River," in which informant Angel (Stuart Margolin) reinvents
himself as a real estate developer; and "Rattler's Class of '63," in
which Angel ties the knot. Among the guest stars are such hip cats
as Blazing Saddles's Cleavon Little ("Sticks and Stones May
Break Your Bones...") and Cool Hand Luke's Strother Martin
("The Trees, the Bees, and T.T. Flowers"). Ned Beatty also drops by
as a buddy from Korea ("Return to the 38th Parallel"), while R&B
legend Isaac Hayes returns as prison pal Gandy Fitch ("Just Another
Polish Wedding").
As usual, there are plenty of good lines,
like Robert Loggia's "I expect him to tell me the truth. If he
doesn't, he's gonna end up in the flower business--as a soil
additive" ("Drought at Indian Head River") and Garner's "Stop
batting your eyes like that or you're gonna get a muscle spasm"
("Return to the 38th Parallel"). The best part about season three is
simply that it adds depth to Rockford's relationships with the four
people most important to him: Angel, dad Rocky (Noah Beery Jr.),
detective Becker (Joe Santos), and attorney Beth (Gretchen Corbett).
The only extra feature is "Quickie Nirvana," an episode from the
fourth season. --Kathleen C. Fennessy
Season 3
Ep.#
Airdate
Title
301
1976-09-24
“The Fourth Man”
302
1976-10-01
“The Oracle Wore a Cashmere Suit”
303
1976-10-08
“The Family Hour”
304
1976-10-15
“Feeding Frenzy”
305
1976-11-05
“Drought at Indianhead River”
306
1976-11-12
“Coulter City Wildcats”
307
1976-11-19
“So Help Me God”
308
1976-11-26
“Rattlers’ Class of ‘63”
309
1976-12-10
“Return to the Thirty-Eighth Parallel”
310
1976-12-17
“Piece Work”
311
1976-12-24
“The Trouble With Warren
312
1977-01-07
“There’s One in Every Port”
313
1977-01-14
“Sticks and Stones May Break Your Bones,
But Waterbury Will Bury You”
