Robert Ward Movies
- 1979
In the first half of a two-part story, greenhorn detective Richie Brockelman (Dennis Dugan) asks Jim (James Garner) to help get back the printing plant that has been swindled from Richie's father (Harold Gould) by sleazy sports promoter Harold Jack Coombs (Robert Webber). This undertaking requires an elaborate "sting" operation--so elaborate that Jim must hold auditions to pick the right con artists for the right job. This episode is essentially a promo for guest star Dennis Dugan's own series, Richie Brockelman: Private Eye. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1977
While defending pro football player Davy Woodhull (Howard McGillin) on a robbery-murder charge, Beth (Gretchen Corbett) is harrassed by an unknown psycho. Jim (James Garner) must not only protect Beth, but also locate Doreen Carpenter (Sondra Blake), the only person who is able to clear Woodhull. Alas, Doreen is killed just before testifying in court--the first of several clues leading to the inexorable conclusion that Beth's tormentor is much closer to her than she thinks! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1975
Once again, Jim Rockford (James Garner) finds himself neck-deep in trouble when he develops car trouble in a small town. The town in question is Pastoria, where thanks to a series of "misunderstandings" Jim is accused of several crimes, including grand theft auto, narcotics smuggling, statutory rape, and worst of all, posing as an insurance agent! Protesting his innocence on all but the last charge, Jim refuses to cop a plea and demands his day in court. Unfortunately, the entire economy of Pastoria is based upon collecting huge fees from strangers charged with phony crimes--and the powers-that-be aren't about to let Jim mess up a good thing. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1975
Hired by an insurance company to locate Nancy Wade (Jesse Welles), Jim (James Garner) finds the woman living in poverty in Las Vegas. Despite her reduced circumstances, Nancy is hesitant to bank the $10,000 cashiers' check she received upon the death of her mother. In his efforts to find out why, Jim runs afoul of a pair of mobsters who have enmeshed poor Nancy in a money-laundering scheme. Boulder Dam provides the backdrop for the climax of this, the final episode of The Rockford Files' first season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
