The Rockford Files Quiz

 From 1974 to 1980, James Garner starred in The Rockford Files.  He played Jim Rockford, an easy-going ex-convict who became Los Angeles-based private detective.  Here is a quiz to test your knowledge of the popular NBC series.  Ready, set, go!

1.  Where did Jim Rockford live?

A.  He lived in a high rise apartment.

B,  He lived in a townhouse.

C.  He lived in a trailer on the beach.

D.  He lived in a mansion.

E.  He lived in a cottage.

2.  Why was Jim Rockford sent to prison?

A,  He was convicted of tax evasion.

B.  He was convicted of drunk driving more than once.

C.  He was convicted of embezzling funds from an insurance company.

D.  He was convicted of credit card fraud.

E.  None of the above

3.  What was the name of Jim Rockford's girlfriend?

A.  Beth Davnport

B.  Anne Dupont

C.  Jane Davenport

D/  Jane Dupont

E,  Diane Draper

4.  What was the occupation of Jim Rockford's girlfriend

A.  Teacher

B.  Psychologist

C.  Librarian

D.  Lawyer

E.  Hair stylist

5.  What is the name of the actress who played Rockford's girlfriend.

A,  Susan St. James

B.  Gretchen Corbett

C.  Amanda Corbett

D.  Stephanie Powers

E.  None of the above

6.  Jim Rockford did not have an secretary.  He worked from home, using one the following.

A,  A tape recorder

B.  Rolodex cards

C.  An answering machine

D.  A small filing cabinet

E.  None of the above

7.  Why was the final season of The Rockford Files cut short?

A.  Due to low ratings

B.  Three cast members, including James Garner, suffered from injuries.

C.  Several cast members wanted to move on.

D.  James Garner left the show abruptly.  He was tired of the role and he was battling several ailments.

E.  NBC felt that the show was too costly and did not want  to invest the money to keep it going.  

8.  What kind of car did Jim Rockford drive on The Rockford Files?

A.  Pontiac Firebird

B.  Ford Thunderbird

C.  Pontiac Sunbird

D.  Ford Fiesta

E.  Ford Pinto

9.  What was the name of Jim Rockford's father?

A.  James Rockford Sr.

B.  Tom "Rocky'  Rockford

C.  Bill "Rocky" Rockford

D.  Ralph Rockford

E.  Joseph "Rocky" Rockford

10.  Who was the actor who played Jim Rockford's father, Rocky Rockford?

A.  William Beery Jr.

B.  Noah Beery Jr.

C.  Lloyd Nolan

D.  Nelson Berry

E.    Ken Nolan

11.  Who was Angel Martin on The Rockford Files?

A.  Jim's attorney

B.  A former inmate

C.  Jim's fellow private eye

D.  A police chief

E.  A judge

ANSWERS

!.  C                

Jim Rockford lived in a dilapidated trailer in a parking lot on a Malibu beach.

2.  E

None of the above

Rockford was imprisoned for a crime he did not commit.  He was exonerated when new evidence proved his innocence.

3.  A

Rockford's girlfriend was Beth Davenport.

4.  D.

Beth Davenport was a lawyer.  She would bail Jim out when he ran afoul of the law.

5.  B

Gretchen Corbett played Jim Rockford's girlfriend, Beth Davenport, from 1974 to 1978.

G. Corbett 1975 press photo 

6.  C

Jim Rockford did not fit the stereotype of a private eye.  Instead of a secretary, he had and answering machine.

7.  D         

The sixth and final season of The Rockford Files was cut short because James Garner decided to leave the show.  He was tired of his role and he had health issues.  

8.  A

Jim Rockford drove a Pontiac Firebird.  During the show's pilot and its first season (1974-1975), Jim drove a 1974 Pontiac Firebird.  Every following season of The Rockford Files, he would change to the next model year of the Firebird.  However, in the sixth season (1979-1980), he continued to drive the 1978 Firebird because James Garner did not like the 1979 model's restyled front end.

Rockford's 1977 Pontiac Firebird

9.  E.

Jim Rockford's father was Joseph "Rocky" Rockford.  Rocky was a retired truck driver who Jim on occasion.

10. B

Rocky Rockford was played by character actor Noah Beery Jr., who passed away in 1994.,  Rocky helped his son on occasion.

Berry  Jr.  Rockford Files 1974

11.  B

Evelyn "Angel" Martin, played by Stuart Margolin,  was an ex-con friend of Jim Rockford.  Martin was Jim's former cellmate, and was often in need of Jim due to his involvement with his ex-criminal associates.

Stuart Margolin in Rockford Files episode

- Joanne