Search - The Rockford Files - Season Three on DVD

Season Three-"The Rockford Files" Develops a Social Concienc

givbatam3 | REHOVOT Israel | 02/22/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It was in this season that the series had many of its finest episodes.
Although there is no such thing as a "bad" episode of Rockford Files, and I would give five stars to each season, it was in this season that series really hit its stride. In the first season, most episodes were about Rockford helping some beautiful "damsel in distress", even ones who get involved with mobsters. In the second season, we see Jim getting into serious trouble frequently because he allows himself to be used as a patsy, even by close friends, and frankly, this sometimes gets on my nerves, even if it is by the otherwise lovable Angel Martin (it should be pointed out that the audience didn't care for this either since the ratings for the show declined during that season). However, in Season 3 there was a major turnaround. We now see stories about Jim encountering real problems and real abuses people have with the police and other institutions who often abuse their power. For example, there is the two-part episode "The Bees, the Trees and T T Flowers" where Strother Martin puts in a fine performance of a eccentric older man who is falsely declared senile and incompetant in order to gain control of his property. Another excellent two-parter is "To Protect and to Serve" where Joyce Van Patten plays a lonely, bitter woman who's only pleasure in life is hanging around the police (who mistakenly allow it) and secretly enjoying seeing other peoples' tragedies. Another episode, which is James Garner's favorite is one where he is jailed for contempt of court, showing the abuses of the District Attorney's powers to compel people to testify, in defiance of their concience. It was also in this season the Rockford's biggest police nemesis, Lt Chapman, is introduced.
If someone wants a good introduction to the series, I would recommend this as the first DVD set to purchase."

It only gets better with age....

Terry L. Vinson | Nashville, TN United States | 02/10/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Unlike most long-running (five years or more) TV shows, The Rockford Files only seemed to grow more entertaining as seasons passed. This is, of course, due to solid writing and acting, but also the fleshing out of many of the regular characters, including Angel, Beth and Dennis. It goes without saying that James Garners breezy characterization of Rockford rates as one of the best in TV history. I look forward to collecting the entire series, and hopefully the many TV movies that came in their wake.

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Rockford Files - The Best TV show ever!!

Johnoconnor | Wallingford CT USA | 02/07/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"James Garner is a great actor and Jim Rockford is his greatest character. Backed by an excellent supporting cast and superlative writing, this show never gets old despite the fact that I've seen each episode a gazillion times. Whether he is peddling a slick con to a gullible, greedy crook. bailing sleazy Angel out for the umpteenth time, turning the tables on the bad guys in the end with Dennis and the cavalry coming in the door at the last minute, Jim, (Garner or Rockford - who knows?) makes an extremely appealing character who everyone would like to have as a friend or buddy. Add a number of beautiful woman who never seem to be able to corral Jim and you have a series for the ages."

Rockford strikes back with a strong third season

Wayne Klein | My Little Blue Window, USA | 03/02/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"During the second season of "The Rockford Files" the ratings slumped a bit--fans hated seeing Rockford turned into a chump by the clients he often represented which is too bad because they missed a great season. The third season finds Jim in the driver's seat driving the stories and the ratings improved allowing the show to continue on for a nice long run. Featuring a parade of great guest stars including Sharon Gless, character actor Robert Walden as a psychic working on a case Jim had and top notch writing by Juanita Bartlett and David Chase (who would go on the create "The Sorpranos"), the third season looks extremely good with minimal dirt, debris and the uncut episodes. As usual the terrific supporting including Joe Santos, the lovely Gretchen Corbett, Stuart Margolin and Noah Berry Jr. provide color and humor.

The only extra we get here is "Quickie Nirvana" an episode from the fourth season (written by David Chase) and while I don't mind having a preview of succeeding great seasons (and "Quickie Nirvana" is an extremely good episode), I'd rather see Universal include some interviews with some of the cast including Gretchen Corbett as Beth(am I the only kid who was in love with her when she was on the show? The show had a gaping hole when she left)who stepped in often as Jim's attorney.

Either way this is a top notch season and well worth getting.
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