Sunday, December 1, 2013

The Rockford Files - Episode: 2 Into 5.56 Won't Go (1975) Wayfarers Chapel 5755 Palos Verdes Drive South, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA


The above two images are from a motel scene from this episode. Based upon the logo on the ice bucket in the top image, this is/was a Sheraton Motel. The actual location is presently unknown other than in California somewhere. I am hoping somebody recognizes this motel.
,
The above image was from a funeral scene from this episode. This location is:
Wayfarers Chapel
5755 Palos Verdes Drive South
Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275
(310) 377-1650

Thursday, October 17, 2013

Rockford Files TV Show Guest Actor Ed Lauter dead at 74 - Played Joseph Bloomberg in the episode: THE DOG AND PONY SHOW (1977)


Having starred in over 204 different projects throughout his 42-year career, Ed Lauter was a man whose face we all recognize from somewhere — something he called a "turn actor” (the character who shows up when the story needs to make a major one). Sadly, the Long Beach, N.Y.

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Wednesday, October 9, 2013

The Rockford Files - Episopde: Claire (1975) James Garner and Linda Evans - White Owl Lounge in Van Nuys, CA which is now Michael's Market Liquors

A big thank you to viewer Jamie Shields who submitted the below information to the blog.
 
ABOVE PHOTOS: Left: James Garner and Linda Evans as they appeared in the 1975 episode "CLAIRE" of the Rockford Files - Right: 70 year old Linda Evans today
 
ABOVE PHOTO: Jim Rockford meets his old troubled flame Claire at the White Owl Lounge.
The White Owl Lounge was once located at 7510 Woodman Ave in VanNuys, CA.
Today it is Michael's Market Liquors.
 
ABOVE PHOTO: Michael's Market Liquors at 7510 Woodman Ave in Van Nuys, CA.
The "White Owl Lounge" front and entrance was actually located on the far left side of this building which faces Woodman Place. The building has since been split in two and the left side is now an appliance sales and service shop.

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

The Rockford Files - EPISODE: GUILT (1979) Ending Airport Scene - Which airport is it??? ANSWER: It's an abandoned part of Long Beach Naval Base

 
Thanks to the below viewer who identified this filming location:
APS221 said...
It's an abandoned part of Long Beach Naval Base. In the image with the explosion, you can read DATC (Development and Training Center) DET LBEACH - FMAG (Fleet Maintenance Assistance Group).
 
ABOVE IMAGE: Jim Rockford & his car is being chased by a helicopter. The scene takes place at an airport. The airport in this scene is surrounded by a fenced off area which contains abandoned residential homes, commercial property and these large airplane hanger type buildings.
In the background of this photo you can see a distinctive looking vehicle bridge.
It appears that the area around this airport was condemned due to either airport expansion or noise abatement in the late 1970's.  
 
ABOVE PHOTO: The markings on this building should help us identify the location of this airport.

Based on the "LBeach" portion of these wall markings, I am guessing the Long Beach Airport.....
 
ABOVE IMAGE: This is the helicopter that was chasing Jim Rockford. Its tail number is: N59613.

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

The Rockford Files - Some of the female guest stars from past episodes - The late great & sexy Elisabeth Brooks - Still looking fantastic & stunning Margaret Blye - Prettiest blue eyes in Hollywood belongs to actress Patricia Hindy - She has the girl next door great looks & smile actress Sharon Spelman who also had a handful of returning roles to the Rockford Files





"The Rockford Files" EPISODE: The Deuce (1979) Mobile Gas Station & Gulf Gas Station at the intersection of Vineland Ave & Moorpark Street Los Angeles CA - Gas was 65.9 cents a gallon

ABOVE IMAGE: Mobile Gas & Gulf Gas at the intersection of Vineland Ave & Moorpark Street  Los Angeles CA - Gas was 65.9 cents a gallon 

ABOVE IMAGE: Actor & WWII Veteran Joe Maross is seen at the steering wheel - He passed away in 2009 at age 86. 

The Rockford Files - EPISODE: GUILT (1979) 1970's Marina del Rey, CA, Washington Square 330 West Washington Blvd, Marina del Rey - Latitude 33 Sky Boardwalk Beach - Marina Towers in Marina del Rey - Merlin's Restaurant - Islands Restaurant Marina del Rey

ABOVE IMAGE: Marina del Rey's WASHINGTON SQUARE was located at 330 West Washington Blvd in Marina del Rey, California - It has since been demolished to make room for the Latitude 33 Condos 

ABOVE IMAGE: Another image of Marina del Rey's WASHINGTON SQUARE was located at 330 West Washington Blvd in Marina del Rey, California
In the background of the left photo the Marina Towers building can be seen. Also Merlin's Restaurant & Lounge can be seen, it is currently Island's Restaurant & Lounge located at 404 Washington Blvd in Marina del Rey.

LEFT PHOTO: Image of the new Latitude 33 condo complex that replaced Washington Square in Marina del Rey.

"The Rockford Files" EPISODE: The Deuce (1979) 1970's Burbank California - The Ramp Restaurant & Lounge - Gary Bric's Ramp Restaurant & Lounge

ABOVE IMAGES: Left Photo is a still image from The Rockford Files "The Deuce" episode showing "The Ramp" Restaurant & Cocktails in Burbank, CA. Right Photo is a photo of Gray Bric's Ramp Restaurant & Lounge as it appears in 2013. LOCATION: 7730 N. Hollywood Way, Burbank, CA

ABOVE IMAGE: Former Burbank California Mayor & Current City Council Member Gary Bric, the current owner of Gary Bric's Ramp Restaurant & Lounge. Mr. Bric was not the owner of "The Ramp" when the Rockford Files filming occurred. Mr. Bric purchase the business about 20 years ago.
I personally spoke to Mr. Bric when I was following up this location for this article. Mr. Bric was very pleasant and helpful in regards to my inquiries.
Thank You Mr. Bric!!!

 ABOVE IMAGE: A night time image of "The Ramp" as it appeared in the Rockford Files in 1979.

 ABOVE PHOTO: Actor Mills Watson can be seen on the left hand bar stool inside The Ramp Restaurant & Lounge in the 1970's.

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Actor Dennis Burkley dead at 67 - had reoccurring roles on THE ROCKFORD FILES


The Rockford Files (TV series)
Bartender / Howard / Thomas 'Animal' Nicholas
The Return of the Black Shadow (1979) … Thomas 'Animal' Nicholas
Just Another Polish Wedding (1977) … Bartender
Coulter City Wildcat (1976) … Howard
 
Date of Birth: 10 September 1945, Van Nuys, California, USA
Birth Name: Dennis Henry Burkely

Nickname: Big D            Height: 6' 3" (1.91 m)
Trivia:A 300 pound character actor who usually wears a beard and speaks with a southern accent.
Personal Quotes:
[When asked how much he weighed] "Let me put it this way, a few more pounds, I'd have my own area code."

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

THE ROCKFORD FILES - EPISODE: Profit & Loss Part II (1974) Car chase ends at 2313 4th Ave Los Angeles, CA (Cul-de-sac)

ABOVE PHOTO: Jim Rockford holds Leon Felder (Ned Beatty) at gun point in the cul-de-sac located at 2313 4th Ave in Los Angeles, CA. Above left photo is a still image from "Profit & Loss" and above right photo is how it appears like today. 



Wednesday, June 5, 2013

This Question Came Up - What Rockford Files episode ends overlooking a lake made by a dam?


This Question Came Up -  What Rockford Files episode ends overlooking a lake made by a dam?

ANSWER:

The Rockford Files: Season 5, Episode 1

Heartaches of a Fool (22 Sep. 1978)

Thursday, April 4, 2013

The Rockford Files - The Dexter Crisis (1974) - Doctor's Office & Drug Store 10657 Riverside Drive, Los Angeles - University Apartments 10703 Riverside Drive, Los Angeles - 4500 Block of Cartwright

ABOVE TWO PHOTOS: Corner of Cartwright & Riverside in Los Angles.
10657 Riverside Drive, Los Angeles, CA
The brown building once housed a physician's office and a drug store.
The pay phone Jim Rockford is using in this scene is the actual payphone that was once in front of this business.
At the rear of the bottom photo you can see the apartment building that was used in this episode, belonging to the missing girl JimRockford was hired to find.
 
 
ABOVE PHOTO: Jim Rockford goes to the apartment of a missing girl he was hired to find. This apartment building is located right behind the Tolucan Times Newspaper office located at 10700 Riverside Drive, Los Angeles. The numerical portion of this building's address was shown as 10703 in this episode. The building actually sits at the dead end street of 4500 Cartwright Ave.
BELOW PHOTO: The same apartment building as it looks in 2013.
 
Three Chicago, Illinois born actors appeared in this episode of the Rockford Files
The Dexter Crisis
ABOVE PHOTO: All three actors were born in my hometown of Chicago, IL.
Tim O'Connor - Ron Soble - Joyce Jameson
Only Tim O'Connor is still with us today...
 
ABOVE PHOTO: The beautiful Linda Kelsey played Louise Henderson - Still looking sexy as ever almost 40 years later!
 
 
ABOVE PHOTO: Sexy Lee Purcell played the missing / run-away girl Jim Rockford was hired to find & return.
 
ABOVE PHOTO: Bing Russell played the Lt. on the Sheriff's Police Force. Bing died in 2003 at age 74.
Although best known as the deputy on "Bonanza" (1959) and Robert in The Magnificent Seven (1960), Russell's notoriety on a national level was as the owner of the Portland Mavericks Baseball Club. Helming the only independent team in the class A Northwest League, Russell was an innovator. Before Bull Durham (1988), there were the Mavericks. Russell kept a 30 man roster because he believed that some of the players deserved to have one last season. His motto was simply one three lettered word - not WIN - although the Mavericks did just that - no, the word was FUN. He created a park that kept all corporate sponsorship outside the gates, hired the first female general manager in professional baseball, and the following year hired the first Asian American GM/Manager. That same season his team set a record for the highest attendance in Minor league history, and went on to win the pennant. Ex-major leaguers and never-weres who couldn't stop playing the game flocked to his June tryouts, which were always open to anyone that showed up. From as far away as Capetown, and France, players would head to Portland for a chance with Russell's Mavericks.

Saturday, February 16, 2013

Did you know? James Garner loves his race cars!


 
(5/25/1975) Driver of pace car at 59th Indianapolis 500

(5/29/77) Driver of pace car at 61st Indanapolis 500

(5/26/85) Driver of pace car at 69th Indianapolis 500

Every episode of the Rockford Files are on IMDB - Look up the actors, characters and more


IMDB - The Internet Movie Database is more than just movies. It has complete information on almost every TV program, TV series and motion picture ever made.

You can look up any episode of the Rockford Files to ascertain who appeared in it, the cast of characters, complete behind the scenes credits such as producer, director, writers and more.

CLICK HERE TO GO TO IMDB's WEBSITE

SEARCH HINT AT IMDB: If you are looking up a TV program by the episode title - example instead of searching the "Rockford Files" you enter in the IMDB search box the episode title such as "The Hawaiian Headache" (which was a Rockford Files episode title) make sure you change the search ALL box to TV EPISODE by clicking on that box.

For some reason when you enter a TV series episode title instead of the TV series main title under the ALL box it doesn't search individual episode titles.




 

Saturday, February 9, 2013

"Godfather Knows Best" Rockford Files (1996) Santa Monica Place, Pacific Towing, Wacky Wax Cart, John Anthony Store, Gift Time Store, Santa Monica Broadway Theater, Santa Monica Civic Auditorium in 1996, Santa Monica Police Station, Dennis Fimple, Victor Aaron, Jack Garner as Capt. McEnroe, Pat Finley as Peggy Becker, Joe Santos as Lt. Dennis Becker, Nicole Avant as Punch, Dennis Chappa, Pat Lalama, Gerry Gibson, Stuart Margolin as Angel, Dan Lauria, Maxwell Caulfield, Barbara Carrera, Kimberly Oja, Al Mancini, Edita Brychta, Chicago born actor Jim O'Heir

ABOVE PHOTO: James Garner (Jim Rockford) and Joe Santos (Lt. Dennis Becker) in "Godfather Knows Best" Rockford Files - The TV characters Jim Rockford, Dennis Becker and Angel Martin was the best casting ever in the history of television.
 
ABOVE PHOTO: The Rockford Files "Godfather Knows Best" begins at the Santa Monica Place shopping area in Santa Monica, California. The "Santa Monica Place" sign can be seen in the background of this still image from said episode.

ABOVE PHOTO: Santa Monica Place - Wacky Wax Cart, where patrons pay to dip their hand or hands in hot wax can be seen in this still image from "Godfather Knows Best" Rockford Files.

ABOVE PHOTO: Santa Monica Place - John Anthony Store & Gift Time Store can be seen in the background as a street performer plays for donations in this still image from "Godfather Knows Best" Rockford Files.

ABOVE PHOTO: The Santa Monica Broadway Theater - 1441 3rd Promenade - can be seen in this still image from "Godfather Knows Best" Rockford Files. The movie "THE BRIEF" was a fictitious movie listing, it was suppose to be a movie made from Beth Davenport's novel (Beth is Jim Rockford's female attorney friend). The other three movies - Twelve Monkeys - Sudden Death - Bordello of Blood - were all real movies playing in theaters at the time this episode was filmed.

ABOVE PHOTO: Dennis Fimple played Toothless Bob - Dennis Fimple was killed in a motor vehicle accident in 2002. Fimple was the second actor from the "Godfather Knows Best" Rockford Files to be killed in a motor vehicle accident. Victor Aaron was the first actor from this episode to also be killed in a motor vehicle accident (see Below).



ABOVE THREE PHOTOS: Actor Victor Aaron played hitman Mercer Pinetree. Sadly Victor Aaron was killed in a motor vehicle accident in 1996 at age 39. Mr. Aaron never had the chance to view this aired episode of the "Godfather Knows Best" Rockford Files which was produced in 1996.

ABOVE PHOTO: A beautiful looking Pat Finley who has played Peggy Becker the wife of Lt. Dennis Becker  since the beginning of the Rockford Files. James Garner's real life brother Jack Garner who played Capt. McEnroe (LAPD) and standing next to his brother is James Garner who of course played Jim Rockford.

ABOVE PHOTO: Jim Rockford at Pacific Towing 1646 Euclid Street in Santa Monica, CA attempting to have his towed Pontiac Firebird released from the tow yard.

ABOVE PHOTO: Actor Nicole Avant played "Punch" and her legs & outfit were packed with a punch!

ABOVE PHOTO:  In this episode of  "Godfather Knows Best" Rockford Files the audience is introduced to Lt. Dennis Becker & Peggy Becker's adult son Dennis Scotty Becker (Jim Rockford's Godson). Actor Damian Chapa played Scotty Becker who goes from a street person to a buddhist monk who's arrested for murder to later becoming a LAPD officer after Jim Rockford & Lt. Dennis Becker clears his name of any wrong doing.

 ABOVE PHOTO: In this episode of "Godfather Knows Best" Rockford Files the audience is introduced to Lt. Dennis Becker & Peggy Becker's adult son Dennis Scotty Becker (Jim Rockford's Godson). Actor Damian Chapa played Scotty Becker who goes from a street person to a buddhist monk who's arrested for murder to later becoming a LAPD officer after Jim Rockford & Lt. Dennis Becker clears his name of any wrong doing.

ABOVE PHOTO: In this episode of "Godfather Knows Best" Rockford Files the audience is introduced to Lt. Dennis Becker & Peggy Becker's adult son Dennis Scotty Becker (Jim Rockford's Godson). Actor Damian Chapa played Scotty Becker who goes from a street person to a buddhist monk who's arrested for murder to later becoming a LAPD officer after Jim Rockford & Lt. Dennis Becker clears his name of any wrong doing.

ABOVE PHOTO: News Pro Pat Lalama plays herself in this episode of "Godfather Knows Best" Rockford Files

ABOVE PHOTO: Actor Gerry Gibson played "Critch" in "Godfather Knows Best" Rockford Files

ABOVE PHOTO: Jim Rockford & Lt. Dennis Becker at the Santa Monica Police Station in "Godfather Knows Best" Rockford Files.

ABOVE PHOTO: The Santa Monica Civic Auditorim in 1996 as seen in the "Godfather Knows Best" Rockford Files located at 1855 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA.

ABOVE PHOTO: What would be an episode of the Rockford Files WITHOUT Angel Martin? Stuart Margolin as Angel Martin in the "Godfather Knows Best" Rockford Files.

ABOVE PHOTO: Actor Dan Lauria played Lt. Gene Gencher in "Godfather Knows Best" Rockford Files.

ABOVE PHOTO: Actor Maxwell Caulfield played the murdering husband Ian Levin in the "Godfather Knows Best" Rockford Files.

ABOVE PHOTO: Barbara Carrera whose birth name is Barbara Kingsbury played Elizabeth Fama who ended up being killed by her husband in the "Godfather Knows Best" Rockford Files.

ABOVE PHOTO: The beautiful & sexy actor Kimberly Oja played "Meadow" in the "Godfather Knows Best" Rockford Files.

ABOVE PHOTO: the late great actor Al Mancini played mafia boss Don Gaetano in this episode of "Godfather Knows Best" Rockford Files.

ABOVE PHOTO: Super sexy Edita Brychta played "Katinka" in this episode of "Godfather Knows Best" Rockford Files.

ABOVE PHOTO: Chicago born actor Jim O'Heir played the crazy chef in "Godfather Knows Best" Rockford Files.