The Rockford Files: Season 04  (1977)

Theatrical Release Information:
The Rockford Files: Season 04

Ex-con turned private eye Jim Rockford (James Garner) continues serving the cause of justice by reopening closed cases in his own cynical, deceptively disheveled fashion in season four of The Rockford Files. The proceedings begin with "Beamer's Last Case," in which Jim must deal with someone who is impersonating him -- and taking all of his business in the process! The guest stars on this one include James Whitmore Jr. as the titular Fred Beamer, as well as James Garner's former Maverick co-star Jack Kelly. Later on, Isaac Hayes returns in the role of enterprising ex-convict Gandolph Fitch, this time in the company of Dionne Warwick, in "Second Chance." Also: veteran kiddie-show host and voice-over expert Chuck McCann is seen as a comedian whose precious collection of jokes is "kidnapped" and held for ransom in "Requiem for a Funny Box"; a pre-Dallas Larry Hagman appears in "Forced Retirement"; a post-M*A*S*H Larry Linville shows up in "A Deadly Maze"; and the two-part season closer "The House on Willis Avenue" serves to introduce Dennis Dugan as baby-faced greenhorn private eye Richie Brockelmann, who would soon be spun off into his own series. Best of all, "The Paper Palace" showcases Rita Moreno in her Emmy-winning performance as troublesome prostitute Rita Capkovic. In addition to Moreno, The Rockford Files itself was also honored with an Emmy this season, for Outstanding Drama Series. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide