Finally!!! Rockford Files - The Movies Collection; Coming November 3rd

#1

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8/12/09 at 5:45pm

Mark Talmadge
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Finally, TV Shows on DVD have announced that the Rockford Files will be completed this November 3rd when Rockford Files - The Movie Collection is released. The release will include all eight movies in this wonderful collection and final release of this fantastic detective series:

http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Rockford-Files-Movie-Collection-Volume-1/12473

#2

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8/12/09 at 6:11pm

Mark Talmadge
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I posted an error, there's hints that these movies will be split into two releases.

#3

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8/12/09 at 6:21pm

younger1968
paul young
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It looks like this release includes all the movies:

[edit] CBS TV movies

Ep.#	Airdate	Title
002	1994-11-27	The Rockford Files: I Still Love L.A. Dedicated to the memory of Noah Beery, Jr. We love you and miss you, Pidge.
003	1995-05-14	The Rockford Files: A Blessing in Disguise
M-3	1996-01-14	The Rockford Files: If The Frame Fits
M-4	1996-02-18	The Rockford Files: Godfather Knows Best
M-5	1996-04-25	The Rockford Files: Friends and Foul Play — a.k.a. Fieldtrip to a Funeral
M-6	1996-09-18	The Rockford Files: Punishment and Crime — a.k.a. Night Fishing
M-7	1997-11-21	The Rockford Files: Murder and Misdemeanors Dedicated to the memory of Luis Delgado.
M-8	1999-04-20	The Rockford Files: If it Bleeds… It Leads — filmed in 1997

#4

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8/12/09 at 6:58pm

jamoon2006
Jack Mooney
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Fantastic! Rockford is such a great show, and these reunion movies kept the same spirit and charm of the series. Only complaint is a split release, but that's a small price to pay, IMO, for getting these on DVD.

#5

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8/12/09 at 7:36pm

Aryn Leroux
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Very Nice! I had been wondering if we would see these or not. It would have been nice to get all of them at once though, instead of a volume 1 and a volume 2 set. But I will be buying them regardless.

the DVD Collection

#6

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8/12/09 at 8:16pm

Jeff*H
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IN for both volumes! I just finished season 6 and have been going through withdrawal, so I started over with season 1 again. By the time November rolls around, I'll have gone through the series a second time around. I'm also currently reading Ed Robertson's excellent "30 Years of the Rockford Files" book, catching up on all the behind-the-scenes stuff about the show, including the movies. I highly recommend it to any fan of the series.

I've never seen any of the movies, so I'm looking forward to this release.

#7

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8/12/09 at 9:12pm

Mark Talmadge
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Well, since I only made it through the midway through Season 3, I'm going to go back and watch the series from the beginning since it's been some time since I last watched the DVD's. At any rate, it's sad that the actor who played Rocky, Noah Beery Jr, passed away and the first movie was a tribute to the actor.

I'd rather Universal release all of the movie in a supersized boxed set as I would be willing to spend $50 or $60 on it.

#8

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8/13/09 at 5:51am

WaveCrest
Richard
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Not sure whether to pre-order this or wait for a boxset containing all 8 reunion TV movies. Universal Playback have stalled with The Rockford Files in the UK. Season 6 has still not been released yet and I doubt they will release the 90's TV movies as well. They've not been releasing many things these past few months (although there have been a few releases these past few months and in the next month or two, including Season 10 of Murder, She Wrote, which is out on 31st August).
Edited by WaveCrest - 8/13/2009 at 11:00 pm GMT

#9

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8/13/09 at 4:16pm

ChrisALM
Chris
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I have heard about these "Rockford Files" movies, but have never seen any of them. I am looking forward to getting these and I hope they are as good as the series was. Thanks Jeff H for the mention of the book on the Rockford Files. I had never heard about the book before.

#10

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8/13/09 at 4:54pm

Mark Talmadge
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While I've never seen any of the movies of the series, it just wouldn't be the same without Rocky Sr. At least I have all six seasons of the television series.

#11

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8/13/09 at 5:18pm

ChrisALM
Chris
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I have the first five seasons of The Rockford Files and Noah Beery, Jr. as Rocky plays such an integral part in so many of my favorite episodes. His absence from the Rockford Files movies causes me wonder how well they hold up without him. I agree with you Mark, it won't be the same without him.

#12

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8/13/09 at 6:31pm

younger1968
paul young
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you also need to remember that the movies where in the 90s as well and James Garner was getting older. Best of Rockford was during the series run. I wull probably buy the set so i can complete my collection.

#13

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8/13/09 at 6:46pm

ChrisALM
Chris
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Quote:

Originally Posted by younger1968

you also need to remember that the movies where in the 90s as well and James Garner was getting older. Best of Rockford was during the series run. I wull probably buy the set so i can complete my collection.

Yes, there were quite a few years between the series end and when the movies were produced. I am curious as to how successful they were at recreating the feel of the original series or if they tried to modernize it too much and turn it into something quite different from the original show.

#14

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8/14/09 at 9:50am

Mark Talmadge
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That's why I probably won't get the RF movies. Columbo is a little different as the series only had one central character ...

#15

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8/14/09 at 11:31am

jamoon2006
Jack Mooney
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I'll probably regret sticking my head in the lion's mouth, but if you're a Rockford fan, I can almost guarantee you'll enjoy these movies. I have I Still Love L.A. taped from TV and while it definitely brings Rockford into the 90s, the same wry humor and style is there. James Garner is one of TV's all-time greatest actors and he eases back into the character without missing a beat.

Dennis and Angel (who branches out into televangelism, among other things) are back. Dennis and his family even have a movie focused on them (Godfather Knows Best, when Dennis' son and Rockford's godson lands in trouble). Plus, Jim gets reunited with Rita and Beth. Gretchen Corbett slipped out so suddenly it was nice to see some closure on their semi-romance. Chapman is back to annoy (and be annoyed by) Rockford. Even Megan, the blind psychiatrist returns. Their chemistry with Garner is as good as it ever was.

Perhaps just as importantly, the writers are back. As much as the cast made Rockford a classic, David Chase, Stephen Cannell, Juanita Bartlett and others created the array of characters and bizarre situations for Rockford to encounter every week. Chase arguably has a trial run at the Sopranos in one of the TV movies...Jim is roughed up by an irritable mob boss who can't find his lithium.

Noah Berry was terrific as Rocky (you could actually believe he and Garner were father and son and had spent all those years together), and while he's missed, it would be a mistake to write off these movies because of Rocky's absence.

PS - I almost forgot...if you are going through Rockford withdrawal, check out your library for Stuart Kaminsky's two Rockford novels from the mid-90s. Highly recommended!

#16

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8/14/09 at 4:30pm

WaveCrest
Richard
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Front cover artwork has been posted on TVShowsOnDVD.com for The Rockford Files: Movie Collection - Volume One. The URL link to the news article is below:

The Rockford Files: Movie Collection - Volume One (Region 1 DVD boxset) - TVShowsOnDVD news article

#17

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8/14/09 at 6:19pm

Mark Talmadge
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Goodness Gracious!!! James Gardner looks older than dirt in that cover art!!! ARGH!!!

#18

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8/16/09 at 8:03am

younger1968
paul young
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you need to remember how old james garner is now. James Garner was in his mid to late 40s when he did Rockford Files.

He is still a funny actor, but, i still think his old rockford files series was some his best work. I also did like him in the great escape.

#19

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8/16/09 at 11:09am

Mark Talmadge
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Maybe, But UNiversal should have used a picture featuring a somewhat younger Gardner. That's like using a current picture of Dick Van Dyke on the cover of a Dick Van Dyke DVD Boxed Set. It's just wrong.

#20

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8/16/09 at 12:39pm

docdoowop
Curt
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Rockford is the gold star in Cannell's repertoire. Self-deprecating and wry humor and great supporting actors. I'm just amazed Maverick isn't happening. It's the same captivating Garner charm and the humor is just as clever.

#21

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8/16/09 at 1:31pm

younger1968
paul young
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I cant debate Rockford and or why the studio used a recent picture of him for the box cover. In either case it will not detract me from buying the sets. I am huge Rockford Files fan and having the movies just add more to my collection.

#22

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8/16/09 at 3:19pm

WaveCrest
Richard
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I would have thought Universal were using the correct image of James Garner for this first volume of the 90's Rockford TV movies. In the 30 Years of The Rockford Files book the images of James Garner from these movies are the same or similar to the image of him on the front cover for The Rockford Files: Movie Collection - Volume One.

#23

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8/17/09 at 3:23pm

WaveCrest
Richard
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I'm hoping the discs in the set will be single-sided. They could fit two TV movies on one disc.

#24

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8/18/09 at 1:02pm

Richard Gallagher
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Quote:

Originally Posted by jamoon2006

PS - I almost forgot...if you are going through Rockford withdrawal, check out your library for Stuart Kaminsky's two Rockford novels from the mid-90s. Highly recommended!

I have both of the Kaminsky books, "The Rockford Files: The Green Bottle" (1996) and "The Rockford Files: Devil on My Doorstep" (1998). They are out of print, but copies for sale can be found online. Kaminsky is an accomplished mystery writer and as you say the books are very good.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stuart_M._Kaminsky

Rich Gallagher

#25

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8/19/09 at 12:01pm

Mark Talmadge
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Quote:

Originally Posted by WaveCrest

I'm hoping the discs in the set will be single-sided. They could fit two TV movies on one disc.

Won't happen for the simple fact that Universal will milk these movies for all they're worth.

#26

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11/2/09 at 3:55pm

WaveCrest
Richard
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Has anyone received their copy of The Rockford Files Movies Collection: Volume 1 in the post yet? Amazon.com haven't shipped my copy yet.

#27

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11/2/09 at 5:32pm

EdG
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My copy shows backordered so I won't be getting it tomorrow.

#28

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11/3/09 at 7:18am

jamoon2006
Jack Mooney
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Mine shipped Sunday - should be getting it today or tomorrow.

#29

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11/3/09 at 7:37am

cajunhillbilly
Willard Onellion
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mine is also on the way.

#30

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11/3/09 at 1:55pm

WaveCrest
Richard
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I had an email from Amazon.com earlier today to say it had been shipped. I'm guessing it will be the size of a standard DVD case (with the two discs inside). It wouldn't surprise me though, based on Mark's post further up this page, if Universal have created a cardboard outer case with two slipcases inside (one disc in each).

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[edit] CBS TV movies

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