Image: TMDB
About This Quiz
Jim Rockford is a P.I. and an ex-con. How well do you remember his cases, his father, and his Pontiac? Discover interesting facts about one of TV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time.
The Rockford Files aired originally on what network?
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company was started in 1926 as a radio network. They added broadcast television in 1939. Tho logo is a peacock with the rainbow of colors used in the tail.
ABC
CBS
UPN
The show originally aired from 1974 to when?
1978
1979
1980
The show lasted six seasons. The pilot was originally called The Rockford Files but was renamed Backlash of the Hunter after the show went into syndication. The last regular episode, Paradise Cove, aired on January 10, 1980.
1981
Rockford Files was created by Roy Huggins and who else?
Carl Neighbors
Stephen J. Cannell
Stephan was a writer, producer, novelist, and an occasional actor. He was the founder of Cannell Entertainment and the Cannell Studios. He had a very successful career, despite being dyslexic. He died September 2010.
Harry Bing
Ross Harrison
Advertisement
Rockford is an ex-con turned what?
Cop
Fireman
Lawyer
P.I.
Rockford is a Private Investigator who has a P.I. license in CA. In California, a person must have experience/education, get fingerprinted, complete an application packet, and pass the P.I. exam. A person can be a P.I. with or without a licensed firearm.
'Rockford Files' takes place in what U.S. state?
OH
FL
TX
CA
California starts at Mexico and works its way up the coast for 900 miles. It's capital is Sacramento. The last census in 2014 has the population at 38.8 million.
In what year was a series reboot attempted, that never got off the ground?
2010
The TV movie, which was supposed to lead to a reboot of the series, got horrible reviews. Dermot Mulroney played Rockford and Alan Tudyk played Sgt. Becker. The reboot got axed.
2011
2012
2013
Advertisement
Who played Jim Rockford in the series?
James Garner
James Garner started his onscreen career in 1956 with an unnamed credit in Warner Brothers Presents. He had a long career that ended in 2010, with his last credit being the voice of Shazam in DC Showcase Original Shorts Collection. James died in July 2014.
Joe Santos
Stuart Margolin
James Luisi
The Rockford Files grabbed the honor of being ranked in what position on TV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time?
#13
#23
#39
The special aired on ABC in 2002. The creators of the show chose from regularly scheduled TV series, with TV movies and mini-series not eligible. The #1 series of all time, per this list, is Seinfeld.
#50
In a dangerous situation, Jim prefers to do what, rather than use a gun?
Talk his way out of it.
Rockford is a fast talker. Spending time in prison helped him learn how to get into and out of trouble by watching what he says. Thankfully, this is a talent that usually serves him well throughout the series.
Fight his way through it.
Call for help.
Run like a thief.
Advertisement
When Jim needs to use a gun, what kind does he carry?
Colt Detective Special
The Detective Special is carried by plainclothes detectives. It is a short-barreled revolver introduced in 1927. It never sold well and was axed from the product line in 1995.
.38 Special
Snub Pistol
Rifle
Jim lives where?
A house
His car
A trailer
For Season One, his trailer is on the Pacific Coast Highway. Afterward, it's moved to a trailer park. The outside of the trailer always looks rundown and dingy, but the inside is nice and spacious.
An apartment
Jim never takes a case that is still ________ with the police?
Closed
Stolen
On Fire
Open
Rockford takes cold cases, missing person investigations, and insurance claims. He doesn't want any problems with the police, which is why he almost never touches an open case. Usually when he does touch an open case he has more problems with the police than he needs. It's a good thing he knows his way around an arrest.
Advertisement
What or who answers Jim's phone?
An assistant.
His father.
Voicemail
Answering machine
Jim's outgoing message is, "This is Jim Rockford. At the tone, leave your name and message. I'll get back to you." Each episode opens with a new message being played, having nothing to do with the episode at hand. Rockford tells his father that he has the answering machine payments down to $17.50/month.
What kind of car does Jim drive?
Pontiac Firebird Esprit
Starting in 1974, Rockford has a new car each season. Each car has the copper tint for the exterior and interior. Although the car is made to look like an Esprit, as it is a car that Rockford can afford, the car is actually the higher performance Formula model. This way the car will look inexpensive for Rockford but can pull off the stunts that James Garner needs to do.
Chevy Corvette
Dodge Charger
Mini Cooper
His car's license plate is what?
876 Dog
123 Cat
667 COP
853 OKG
In Season One the plate in some early episodes is a different number, 835 OKG. Later they reverse the number to be 853. In Garner's autobiography, he states that OKG is for Oklahoma Garner as he was born in Norman, OK. James had no idea what the numbers stood for or why they changed them around in Season One.
Advertisement
One of the ongoing elements in most of the episodes deals with Jim in his car doing what?
Jim Rockford turn-around.
His turn is also known as a moonshiner's turn or a J-turn. It is an evasive turn used by the Secret Service. As the car travels straight in reverse going about 35 mph, the driver releases the gas petal, turns the steering wheel to the hard left, and pulls the parking break. This whips the front end of the car around fast so that it can take off traveling forward.
Shooting people.
Eating tacos.
Drinking beer.
Jim Rockford's character influenced other TV detectives, most notably which?
Salem PD
Hartford Police
Magnum P.I.
Magnum P.I. starred Tom Selleck and aired from 1980 to 1988. Magnum didn't like to use weapons either and perfered to talk himself out of tioght spots. Tom Selleck made a couple of appearances on Rockford as P.I. Lance White.
Hawaii Five-O
Who is the one woman who broke Jim's heart and is the most difficult for him to get over?
Claire Prescott
They were set to be married when she took off. She shows up again three years later and asks for them to meet in their spot. The spot they used to meet is the Los Angeles Zoo. Claire made her first appearance in Season One and was played by Linda Evans.
Julia Roberts
Susan Dee
Karen Sullivan
Advertisement
What cop does Jim call when he needs a favor?
Sergeant Dennis Becker
Sgt. Becker is played by Joe Santos. Joe started his onscreen career in 1963 as Onlooker Outside Apples' Apartment in the TV series Naked City. His long career lasted until 2015, with his final appearance as Isaac Sr. in Chronic. Joe died in March 2016.
Monarch Smith
Detective Miller
Jim Cast
What drink does Rockford usually order when he goes into a bar?
Coffee
Lemonade
Cola
Scotch and water in a tall glass
On the show the drink costs $.90. If he does not order a scotch, he orders a beer. If it is not a beer, he normally forgoes the drink completely.
What is Jim's usual fee for a case?
$150 per day plus expenses
$200 per day plus expenses
He has his usual fee. However, when he travels, he adjusts his fees to the local economy. If he has a wealthy client, he has been known to raise his fees.
$300 per day plus expenses
$400 per day plus expenses
Advertisement
James Garner did most of his own _________?
Stunts
James insisted on performing most of his own stunts - especially those that involved car chases and fist fights. In 1979 doctors told him to take time off because of his many knee injuries and back trouble. He was also suffering from an ulcer. Because of his pain, James opted to take some time off. NBC canceled the show mid-season.
Speaking
Shooting
Acting
Jim's Rockford's dad, Rocky, is retired from what profession?
Truck driver
A truck driver usually drives a semi-truck, dump truck, or box truck. In the U.S., truck drivers cannot drive more than 11 hours in a 14-hour period. Also, drivers are required to have a CDL (Commerical Drivers License) with either an A class or a B class certification.
Cab driver
Bus driver
Teacher
Who plays Rockford's father, Joseph "Rocky" Rockford?
James Garner
Luis Delgado
Noah Beery, Jr.
Noah Beery, Jr., made his first onscreen appearance in 1920 as Andreas Mellaire in The Mutiny of the Elsinore. He had a long onscreen career, lasting through 1986. His last onscreen appearance was as Daryl Wilcox in 1986's Love Boat.
Tom Atkins
Advertisement
After Season One, Jim's trailer moves into what quiet community?
Beach City
Water's Edge
Paradise Cove
Paradise Cove is an actual trailer park in Malibu, CA. It boasts million-dollar mobile homes. People pay for the view and the beach, not the mobile homes. It's all about location. Celebrities have trailers there for the view and the security.
Calm Horizon
How many years did Jim spend in prison?
5
Rockford served time in California's San Quentin Prison. He was incarcerated due to a wrongful conviction. His cellmate was Angel Martin. Acquaintances from his prison time show up throughout the series.
6
7
8
What crime was Jim convicted of that sent him to prison?
Murder
Armed robbery
Jim was convicted of armed robbery and then pardoned when new evidence came to light. He had to hire another attorney because there was a problem with his parole. Eventually, everything worked out in JIm's favor.
Treason
Blackmail
Advertisement
Where does Rockford hide his gun?
In a desk drawer
In his cookie jar
Rockford's cookie jar is the last place other people would look for the gun - or so he thinks. Jim told others that he doesn't eat cookies or sweets of any kind so it is an excellent place to hide his piece. However, he also keeps his Oreos in that cookie jar. The cookie jar is made of tin and is multi-colored.
In his car
In a closet
What is Rockford's phone number?
555-2368
The number is shown at the beginning of every episode. As a message is played from the answering machine, the camera stops on the phone. The number is clearly visible below the push button numbers.
555-7766
555-1212
555-0001
What is Jim Rockford's full name?
James John Rockford
James Mark Rockford
James Scott Rockford
Rockford also goes by "Jim/Jimmy/Jimbo." He only uses his full name for legal documents, such as bank accounts and lawsuits. james Garner is the star of The Rockford Files and is the only man to play the character throughout the original run and TV movies.
James Tim Rockford
Advertisement
How many Rockford TV movies aired after the TV series went off the air?
5
6
7
8
The TV movies started in 1994, with The Rockford Files: I Still Love L.A. There's one in 1995, four in 1996, and one in 1997. The last one, in 1999, is called The Rockford Files: If It Bleeds... It Leads.
Who is Rockford's former cellmate?
Devil Smith
Art Garfunkel
Killer
Angel Martin
Angel's given name is Evelyn. Angel is a con artist who cannot be trusted. No matter how many times he gets Jim into trouble, Rockford remains a loyal friend. Angel is played by Stuart Margolin.
During the series, it is revealed that Rockford earned a Silver Star in what war?
WWI
Korean
The Korean War lasted from 1950 to 1953. It started when North Korea invaded South Korea. The audience is told Rockford was with the 24th Infantry Division.
WWII
Desert Storm
Advertisement
Rita Capkovic is a good friend. When Jim first meets Rita, what is her occupation?
Prostitute
Rita is also a police informant. She gives up prostitution and helps the police in order to become a hair stylist. A potential romance is hinted at in the series. Rita is played by Rita Moreno.
Dancer
Bartender
Writer
You Got:
/35
TMDB