Rockford Files Pilot Episode

riverclown

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Jan 21, 2010, 5:43:33 PM1/21/10

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I've always felt like this was one of the best episodes of the series.
I can see why NBC snatched it right up.

This episode is grittier than the regular series. Here's the scene in
the nightclub Rockford apparently frequented, which I put on YouTube
(Rockford pours liquid soap on the bathroom floor to make the karate
guy slip):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tks061-Y0oI

Some real good acting there and creative script.

Has Lindsey Wagner guest starring. Even includes Angel and Becker. The
only downside is Robert Donley instead of Noah Beery as Rocky.
Basically, though, the show pretty much had it all together from the
get go.

AlbertClarkson

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Jan 26, 2010, 5:45:26 PM1/26/10

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Google on "Famous picture of Ali standing over Liston" (shot in 1965)
and compare image to how they pose Jim over Jerry Grimes after Jim has
dropped him and in the split second before Jim starts nursing his sore
knuckles.

riverclown

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Feb 1, 2010, 4:10:13 PM2/1/10

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> knuckles.- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

Nice way to subtly enforce Jim's with heroic qualities. Did you see
this on your own, or has it been discussed elsewhere, maybe by writer
or director?

AlbertClarkson

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Feb 2, 2010, 1:03:35 AM2/2/10

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I haven't seen it discussed elsewhere but am strongly guessing it has
been. That image, and the still picture of Marciano's 13th round
knock-out right to Walcott's jaw in their first fight, were somewhere
(can't recall where or when) said to be the most famous of fight
images. The Rockford writers and directors in this peerless series
sometimes give us "subliminal" stuff like mirroring that photo of Ali
standing over Liston. I think the parallels between Ali-Liston and Jim-
Grimes are lurking in there too. Once years ago coming through the San
Francisco airport with friends after a business trip, there he was!
Liston, unmistakable, big, muscular in a shiny suit, sitting by
himself on a long wall heater along a hallway to the main concourse
(it wasn't winter!), and looking at us like he'd just as soon deck us
as not. Malevolent glare. Scary. He just radiated being a nightmare.
You didn't want to maintain eye contact, as they say. (He was at one
time a night club bouncer...I know I'd have left quietly!) A lot
scarier than Grimes, but Grimes is of his type.

riverclown

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Feb 2, 2010, 12:43:33 PM2/2/10

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> scarier than Grimes, but Grimes is of his type.- Hide quoted text -

>
> - Show quoted text -

William Smith was a perfect choice to play Grimes. He radiated that
malevolence perfectly and is an excellent actor. Lots of these sorts
of characters were in multiple episides, as different characters. But
I believe this was the only episode that Smith appeared in,
unfortunately.

Keltec

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Feb 8, 2010, 10:15:12 PM2/8/10

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> I've always felt like this was one of the best episodes of the series.
> I can see why NBC snatched it right up.

Yeah, it's a good one, but I never considered it an episode of the
series.

Nope ... Kirkoff kicked it off for me.

I've often though what a hoot it would be if these two would agree to
do a remake of Backlash. This time, she could be the owner of a
beachside mattress shop, and her brother (Billy Mumy) could play a
hungry mortician hounding Jimbo for his signature, while he attempts
to do something he can no longer do for an old friend. Can you imagine
the tender scenes?

They could even ask William Smith, but somehow I doubt he'd be
interested.

riverclown

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Feb 9, 2010, 7:15:06 PM2/9/10

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On Feb 8, 10:15 pm, Keltec <denizen...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> > I've always felt like this was one of the best episodes of the series.
> > I can see why NBC snatched it right up.
>
> Yeah, it's a good one, but I never considered it an episode of the
> series.
>
> Nope ... Kirkoff kicked it off for me.

And, for you, has the alphabet always started with "B"? (rhetorical
question - no need to answer.)