This is Jim Rockford

 

It's Dr. Soter's office again, regarding that root canal? The doctor's in his office...waiting. He's beginning to dislike you ...

Jim's answering machine: Piece Work, 1976
Guest star: Michael Lerner

This is Jim Rockford

 

Tompkins of Guaranty Insurance. About your burglary claim...major loss, all right. Funny...you remembered to file, but you didn't pay your premium.

Jim's answering machine: Return to The Thirty-eighth Parallel, 1976
Guest star: Ned Beatty

This is Jim Rockford

 

Gene's 24-Hour Emergency Plumbing. Your water heater's blown? We'll have somebody out there Tuesday -- Thursday at the latest.

Jim's answering machine: Rattlers' Class of '63, 1976
Guest stars: Elayne Heilveil, James Wainwright

Note: Angel nearly gets married but chickens out after a past scam on his potential inlaws when the truth is revealed.

This is Jim Rockford

Dr. Soter's office. This is the third time you've canceled. Now, you have to have that root canal -- a sort foot has nothing to do with your mouth!

Jim's answering machine: So Help Me God, 1976
Guest star: William Daniels

This is Jim Rockford

 

It's Shirley at the Plant and Pot. There's just no easy way to tell you this, Jim--we did everything we could. Your fern died.

Jim's answering machine: Coulter City Wildcat, 1976
Guest star: John Anderson

This is Jim Rockford

Hi, this is the Happy Pet Clinic. Your father gave us this number when he left town. The calico stray had six kittens. Please come and get them --- today?!?

Jim's answering machine: Feeding Frenzy, 1976 

Guest stars: Eddie Firestone, Susan Howard

This is Jim Rockford

Hey, Jim, it's Frank. Me and Ellie's down here for our convention. Can't wait to see you. [Hiccups] We should be over at your place around 1:00 a.m. Bonzai, buddy!

Jim's answering machine: The Family Hour, 1976

Guest stars Burt Young, Ken Swafford, and Kim Richards

This is Jim Rockford

 

Hi. Just want to put your mind at rest --- found your address book in the theater last week. It's in the mail. By the way, Carol's okay. But Linda...?

Jim's answering machine: 
The Fourth Man, 1976; written by Juanita Bartlett
Guest star: Sharon Gless

This is Jim Rockford

 

Uncle Jim? It's Ralph! I got your letter -- but I moved out here anyway. I really want those detective lessons ...

Jim's answering machine: 

A Bad Deal in The Valley, 1976; written by Donald L. Gold and 

Lester William Berke
Guest star: Susan Strasberg

This is Jim Rockford

 

Jim? It's Eddie. You were right about Sweet Talk in the 7th --- he breezed in, paid $7,250. But I didn't get your bet down...

Jim's answering machine: 

Foul On The First Play, 1976; written by Stephen Cannell
Guest star: Lou Gossett, Jr.

This is Jim Rockford

 

Jim -- Madame Arcana at the Zodiac Restaurent. You don't pay that dinner tab, we're gonna repo your birthday...

Jim's answering machine: 

Where's Houston? 1976; written by Don Carlos Dunaway
Guest stars: Lane Bradbury

This is Jim Rockford

 

Jim -- Sally. Hey, I just found out you're an Aries. Listen, if you have Virgo rising, give me a call.

Jim's answering machine: 

The Italian Bird Fiasco, 1976; written by Edward Lakso
Guest stars: William Daniels, Camilla Sparv

Note: Rockford's first meeting with the arrogant Thomas Caine (Daniels) is a joy to watch.

A Noted Television Theme

 

Cashing in on the popularity of Magnum P.I, handsome Lee Horsley played Matlock "Matt" Houston, squeezing out three seasons in the early Eighties before running out of cases to solve or cast members to add. Houston was a likable and wealthy mustachioed Texas oilman working as a private investigator as a hobby more or less. The show possessed enough humor and action to be popular but it was nearing life-support by the time producers brought in Buddy Ebsen as Uncle Roy Houston in the final season. He owned a unique automobile, though Magnum owned none. Pamela Hensley played his data specialist. A number of Houston's friends or business associates were murdered during the show's run as this might often make up an episode's premise. Dominic Frontiere wrote the original Magnum pilot theme and wrote this great action-packed theme as well.

This Is Jim Rockford

Hi, Jim --- thanks for the dinner invitation. I'd love to 

but does it have to be the taco stand?

The Rockford Files Message: The Deep Blue Sleep, 1975
Janet MacLachlan guest stars