The Rockford Files: Season Six | 
 enlarge | Directors: Corey Allen, Ivan Dixon, John Patterson, Joseph Pevney, Lawrence Dobkin
Actors: James Garner, Noah Beery Jr., Joe Santos, Stuart Margolin, Gretchen Corbett
Studio: Universal Studios
Category: DVD
List Price: $39.98
Buy New: $29.99
You Save: $9.99 (25%)
Rating:  5 reviews
Sales Rank: 756
Format: Box Set, Color, Dolby, Dvd-video, Full Screen, Subtitled, Ntsc
Languages: English (Subtitled), English (Original Language)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Number Of Discs: 3
Running Time: 592 Minutes
UPC: 025195017152
EAN: 0025195017152
ASIN: B001JFKWE4
Release Date: January 20, 2009 (In 12 Days)
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Not yet released
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 The Firebird Jumps the Shark December 5, 2008
Eddie Kasica (New York City)
6 out of 12 found this review helpful
One of the greatest TV shows of all time ends with a sad whimper. Most of us Rockfordians are well aware of the problems between the wonderful James Garner and the corporate cavemen over at Universal, and right was certainly on Mr. Garner's side. However, this terrible tension and the exhaustion it caused -- beyond Garner already becoming tired of the role -- leads us to this final and cruddy 10-episode season. (Yes, you read that right: TEN EPISODES. For which, in classic Universal/MCA style, we are being charged a higher price than we were for the earlier full seasons!)
Anyway, Jimbo huffs and puffs and whines and peeves and looks like he'd rather be doing anything other than reciting these tired old lines. How could he feel otherwise with this lineup?:
"Lions, Tigers, Monkeys and Dogs" -- Holy moly, and absolutely the bottom of the Rockford barrel. A wax museum in the form of a TV episode, this one "stars" everybody they could find from the Studio City Rest Home, including the great Lauren Bacall who in this two-part disaster can only be described as "beige"(from head to toe). And the "plot" is worthy of the rest home: Bacall is a target for murder because she reminds her old high-school friend(now a princess) of their high school days. Really, I'm not kidding.
"Love is the Word" -- poor Jimmy, his old flame is getting married to someone else. Boo hoo. Steven Cannell would have thrown-up at this idea during the early seasons.
"The Hawaiian Headache" -- Rockford's old Korean commander, fresh from overthrowing Allende and assassinating Allard Lowenstein, shows up wanting Rockford's help in organizing Angolan death squads. Jim never liked the guy, so he says "no". Garner must have seen Reagan coming, I guess. Worthy of the bowels of "24".
"No Fault Affair" -- the great Rita Moreno appears for the last time as Rita Capkovic, asking the question that's stumped philosophers for thousands of years: is a 4th-rate hairdresser better than a 1st-rate hooker? (Of course not. Ask Charmane Star.) After watching this episode, you'll still be stumped.
"The Big Cheese" -- confused, anti-union propaganda, reportedly to have actually been written by Ed Meese. Throughout, Garner keeps checking his watch and his wallet.
"Just a Coupla Guys" -- Conigliaro & Long! Wasn't "Jersey Bounce" enough?? And are we supposed to forget that Eugene and Mickey were previously arrested for murder back in Los Angeles??? (Mickey is still picking sand from his teeth.)
"Dreadlocks in Parma" -- the Firebird breaks down and Jim finds himself stuck in a small town having a 3-day Bob Marley festival. Jim smokes a lot of weed, gets down with a serious fox by the name of Carrie Osgood, then leaves town. Okay, that's not the real plot but it's a lot sexier than Proposition 46D.
This is Rockford so of course there are compensations. "Nice Guys Finish Last"(already included in the Season Five set) is maybe the funniest episode of the entire series and one in which Garner is obviously having a hell of a time. "Paradise Cove" is also classic Rockford, beautifully written and acted. And parts of "Only Rock and Roll Will Never Die" is as good as anything from 1970s TV, particularly the great George Loros as Eddie and that moment between Garner and super-rocker Tim Ritchie. They're talking of high-school reunions and how wonderful Ritchie's must have been. "A thousand-to-one shot," says Jim. "Most guys show up overweight and feeling like failures." "Is that how you felt?," insensitive Tim asks Rockford. "No. I like to keep myself in pretty good shape. And I've got my house on the beach. Big house on big wheels. Besides, I was in prison at the time. . ."
A beautiful moment from a classic work of popular art going down for the count.
 A Good Friend Says Goodbye November 10, 2008
Bobby Underwood (Bakersfield, California United States)
15 out of 16 found this review helpful
If ever a star had that certain something which put him in the same category as those shining ones from the 1930's and 1940's, it was James Garner. He had a fine film career, to be sure, but it was his laconic charm as Jim Rockford on television with which he will always be most identified. He was an ex-con given a full pardon when it was discovered he was innocent after all. Working as a P.I. and parking his gold Firebird in front of his trailor on the L.A. beach, Rockford could never quite shake the ex-con tag, nor could he shake his old cellmate, Evelyn "Angel" Martin.
Stuart Margolin was Angel, always looking for the easy buck, and getting his old buddy Jimmy into trouble with him. Neither Rockford or the viewing audience could stay mad at Angel for long, however, because in Margolin's hands, Angel was really a stand-up guy at heart and you had to admire his enthusiasm. Noah Beery, Jr. portrayed Rockford's lovable dad, Rocky, with equal aplomb.
Rocky was an easygoing retired trucker who loved to fish, and passed on the hobby to Jim. Between the car chases, cons, and mad scrambles to stay out of jail were simple moments of life we all recognized from our own. It was that down to earth formula, coupled with Garner's charm and some excellent writing from Juanita Bartlett which kept Jim Rockford coming into our homes week after week for years. Rockford would only work on closed cases in an effort to avoid the cops which, of course, never quite worked out.
Joe Santos was Rockford's often exasperated police pal, Dennis Becker. He was the buffer between Rockford and Becker's superiors, who in season 6 was James Luisi as Lt. Chapman. He hated Rockford and wanted any excuse to pull his P.I. license. Becker was a pal, but could only do so much for Jim as he had to stay out of hot water himself. He had a wife and kids to support, and for some strange reason, that sometimes took priority over helping his old buddy Jim out of a complicated jam. Beth was gone by this season, but Rita Moreno lit up the small screen as Rita Capkovic.
Season 6 only had 12 episodes, but some really fine ones, and some terrific guest stars. Rockford got to go to Hawaii in one installment. In a way, looking back, as someone has already mentioned, it was sort of the changing of the guard type of season. Tom Selleck would reprise his role of Lance White, the detective so perfect it drove Rockford nuts! Larry Manetti would guest star on an episode as well. They would make Magnum P.I. a television staple the following year, and by the end of its long run, Joe Santos would star on that classic also.
Season 6 episodes are: PARADISE COVE (MARIETTE HARTLEY) -- LIONS,TIGERS, MONKEYS AND DOGS (LAUREN BACALL--2 PARTER) -- ONLY ROCK AND ROLL WILL NEVER DIE (MARCIA STRASSMAN--2 PARTER) -- LOVE IS THE WORD -- NICE GUYS FINISH DEAD (TOM SELLECK) -- THE HAWAIIN HEADACHE -- THE NO-FAULT AFFAIR -- THE BIG CHEESE -- JUST A COUPLE OF GUYS -- DEADLOCK IN PARMA
It was only from December of 1979 through January of 1980 that we got to enjoy Mike Post's Rockford Files theme song, which only began after we'd heard one of those crazy messages on Jim's answering machine. It had only been a couple of years since Garner had finally gotten his Emmy Award for his fine portrayal of the affable Rockford. There is comfort food, and comfort television, and Rockford certainly falls into that category. A really fine television show worthy of its fan base.
Best is saved for Last November 4, 2008
Movie Mania (Southern Calfornia)
7 out of 8 found this review helpful
The Rockford Files was always a fun show to watch but this show definitely saved the best for last. This is a short season of 12 episodes. But it has two of the best ever - the reunion show with his commercial partner Mariette Hartley and recent movie costar Lauren Bacall.
Paradise Cove - Jim gets hired to be the security guard at his trailer park. While on rounds he discovers three men digging up the beach -- what are they looking for? Guest star Mariette Hartley and yes the continue their Polaroid commercial antics.
Lions, Tigers, Dogs and Monkeys (parts 1&2)- Jim goes to a posh restaurant but when a party is seated before him, he makes a scene. When one of the party is almost killed, Jim is hired to investigate. This starts a romance between Jim and Kendall (and a real life romance between Garner and Bacall!) Guest Stars Lauren Bacall and Dana Wynter. This is the best episode of the entire series.
Only Rock 'n' Roll Will Never Die (parts 1&2) - Jim is hired to find a missing friend of a rock star by an old prison mate.
Love is the Word - An old flame asks Jim to clear her fiance of murder.
Nice Guys Finish Dead - Rockford is ask to find the killer of a Senator with the help of another, and very vain private eye. Guest stars Tom Sellick and Larry Manetti (no this is not the pilot for Magnum)
The Hawaiian Headache - Jim is lured to Hawaii by his old Army Commander but winds up in a CIA plot.
No Fault Affair - Rita Moreno returns as the hopeful hooker and gets Jim into more trouble.
The Big Cheese - Jim is mailed evidence of union corruption by a murdered reporter.
Just a Coupla Guys - Jim goes to New Jersey to help a retired mob boss.
Deadlock in Parma - Jim gets involved in local politics.
This is was a great send off to a fun show.
Where are the post tv movies ? October 29, 2008
V. K. Manglaveras (thessaloniki, greece)
7 out of 13 found this review helpful
At last the final season is here but without the tv movies which followed the end of the regular series and we can't complete our collection until the company decides to release them in dvd as well.
I think there are 6 or 8 telefilms and we need those stories on dvd as well that's why i give this release 4 stars. It's not a complete release.
Rockford's Farewell Season October 29, 2008
Taheen Lopez (United States- San Diego, CA)
5 out of 24 found this review helpful
It's about time Universal got this short-lived 1979-80 Season of THE ROCKFORD FILES released on DVD, especially since it's been nearly a year since Universal had Rockford's 5th Season on DVD along with the fact that this was the last and final season of THE ROCKFORD FILES, since this season was cut short when Rockford was cancelled all of the sudden in January of 1980, due to James Garner having health issues, which was similar to how and why CBS had cancelled THE INCREDIBLE HULK all of the sudden in the middle of it's short-lived 5th Season back in November of 1981, due to the fact that the special effects on THE INCREDIBLE HULK were becoming too expensive in the Hulk's last 2 seasons, due to budget cuts, because of the recession that was going on back in 1981-1982.
In other words, THE ROCKFORD FILES and THE INCREDIBLE HULK were both cancelled on short notice, but not cancelled because of low ratings and both shows would've lasted longer and wouldn't have been cut so short if James Garner hadn't had any health problems and if it wasn't for the recession we were in back in 1981-82 when Ronald Reagan was the president.
Therefore, THE ROCKFORD FILES Sixth Season was only half a season just like THE INCREDIBLE HULK's Fifth Season was only half a season along with the fact that it coincidentally just so happens that both Rockford's final season and the Hulk's final season were both cut short.
Unfortunately, neither THE ROCKFORD FILES or THE INCREDIBLE HULK had a series finale episode, which therefore lead us wondering for a while if Rockford(James Garner) had actually continued being a private investigator and if David Banner(Bill Bixby) ever really ended up finding a cure to his havoc infliction with the Hulk(Lou Ferrigno) along with the fact that THE ROCKFORD FILES and THE INCREDIBLE HULK were both cancelled without sufficient warning on top of that.
In addition to what lead NBC to cancel THE ROCKFORD FILES all of the sudden, THE ROCKFORD FILES had started getting a slight decline in ratings when THE DUKES OF HAZZARD joined the Friday night line-up on CBS in 1979, which kind of interferred with THE ROCKFORD FILES Friday night line-up on NBC, since Rockford and the Dukes were shown within the same time slot along with the fact that THE ROCKFORD FILES was starting to lose a lot of viewers through THE DUKES OF HAZZARD, because for one thing the Dukes were a lot funnier than Rockford was.
For another, Bo and Luke Duke(John Schneider, Tom Wopat) were eye candy and were more attractive and better looking than Rockford(James Garner) was, since Bo and Luke were a lot younger and a lot more spunky than Rockford was.
For another, the General Lee had outclassed Rockford's Firebird, especially since the Dukes General Lee was a lot more flashy and a lot more upgraded than Rockford's Firebird was along with the fact that the General Lee was the hottest car on Friday nights at the time on top of that.
Therefore, you could say that THE DUKES OF HAZZARD had pretty much K.O.'d THE ROCKFORD FILES, especially in the ratings department.
Overall, for the record Rockford's short-lived 1979-80 Season was still a great season and it still had some awesome guest stars like Mariette Hartley, Tom Selleck, and Larry Manetti, especially in the episode "Nice Guys Finish Dead" episode when Rockford ends up reuniting with hot shot fellow gumshoe(Lance White) at a private eyes convention where Rockford ends up teaming up with the impeccable Lance White again to help solve a senators murder that took place at the hotel where the private eyes convention was held at with the phenomenal Lance White outclassing Rockford by making all the leads and finding all the clues and nearly tarnishing Rockford's reputation practically K.O.ing Rockford in the process, just like the exceptional Lance White did in the "White On White & Nearly Perfect" episode in the previous season.
In addition to what makes THE ROCKFORD FILES short-lived 6th Season so interesting is Rockford's 6th Season was also the season and year before MAGNUM premiered on CBS and made Tom Selleck a superstar as well as a sex symbol, which practically made MAGNUM, P.I. a spin-off of THE ROCKFORD FILES and HAWAII 5-0, especially since Tom Selleck did a couple of guest starring roles as a goody two-shoes private investigator(Lance White) on THE ROCKFORD FILES before being a private investigator on his own show, which was obviously MAGNUM, PI along with the fact that THE ROCKFORD FILES and MAGNUM were both private detective shows like MATT HOUSTON, MANNIX, and SIMON & SIMON all were.
Therefore, it was almost like a preminition of Tom Selleck's days on MAGNUM along with the fact that Tom Selleck wasn't even famous yet when he guest starred on THE ROCKFORD FILES along with the fact that the "Nice Guys Finish Dead" episode was my favorite episode from Rockford's Sixth Season and the "White On White & Nearly Perfect" episode was my favorite episode from Rockford's Fifth Season.
It's just too bad that Tom Selleck's role as Thomas Magnum on MAGNUM, P.I. couldn't be as intelligent or as successful as his astonishing private detective(Lance White) role on THE ROCKFORD FILES, because Magnum(Tom Selleck) used to get himself into just as much trouble and just as much mischief as Rockford(James Garner) did.
It was also interesting seeing Larry Mannetti in the "Nice Guys Finish Dead" episode before his days as Magnum and TC's buddy(Rick Wright) on MAGNUM, P.I. too, not to mention that Larry Mannetti plays the culprit and murderer of the homicide that took place at the private eyes convention in the "Nice Guys Finish Dead" episode.
This was also the last season with Joe Santos playing Rockford's cop buddy Detective Dennis Becker before his co-starring days as Magnum's cop buddy(Lt. Nolan Page) in the last 2 seasons of MAGNUM, P.I.
In the meantime, I can hardly wait till Rockford's 6th Season gets released on DVD in January and I would highly recommend this DVD season to anybody who was a Rockford fan back in the 1970's like I was and/or to anyone who religiously watched THE ROCKFORD FILES every Friday night when it was on NBC.
So now that Universal has released just about all 6 seasons of THE ROCKFORD FILES on DVD, hopefully this will inspire Warner Bros. to finally put the private detective drama MATT HOUSTON with Lee Horseley and Pamela Hensley out on DVD, starting with MATT HOUSTON's First Season.
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