The Rockford Files brought a newness to the small-screen detective genre when it began airing on NBC in 1974. It was not just a track-em-down and shoot-em-up show, but one that focused more on the relationships and personalities of the characters. The story lines were well written and the plots were complex, which gave the show a large cult following, an original five-and-a-half-year run and syndication that continues to this day.

Jim Rockford was an iconic private eye for many reasons. Not only was he an endearing and funny detective, but also one who preferred not to shoot people. He lived and worked in a run-down trailer near the beach in Malibu, after being pardoned from San Quentin, after serving five years for a crime that he didn’t commit.

James Garner played the quick-talking private investigator, who charged $200 a day for his work—not to mention expenses. Because he often didn’t have work, and killed time fishing with his father  ‘Rocky’ Rockford (Noah Beery Jr.), he always seemed to be in a credit crunch. Each episode featured his answering machine regurgitating messages to that effect, such as, “Jim, It’s Norma at the market. It bounced. You want us to tear it up, send it back, or put it with the others?” and “This is Shirley from the bank. The answers are: no, no and yes. No, we won’t loan you money. No, we won’t accept any co-signers; and yes, your account’s overdrawn. I get off at 4:30.” Listen to them for a chuckle and some great memories.

Rockford’s cellmate Evelyn “Angel” Martin was played by Stuart Margolin, who won an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for the role in 1979 and 1980. Also in 1980, the series was nominated for five additional Emmy awards, including Outstanding Drama Series, which it won in 1978. All told, the crime drama was nominated for nine Emmy Awards and won four.

Sadly, the show was unable to continue, when halfway through its sixth season, Garner left due to injuries which he sustained while doing most of his own stunts. For loyal fans, all six seasons have been released on DVD and there is always Hulu for your viewing pleasure.