Tuesday, June 16, 2015

The Rockford Files - Episode: Just by Accident (1975) Actress Susan Keller - Actor Sal Acquisto - the late great Fritzi Burr - funny man Gordon Jump - Michael Fox - Actress Beatrice Colen - Actor Oliver Clark - the beautiful actress E.J. (Edra Jean) Peaker - the late actor Fred Sadoff - Actor David Spielberg - Steven Keats - Joey Aresco - Neva Patterson - RACE TRACK LOCATION: Ascot Park (Speedway) in Gardena, California

WE HAVE AN ANSWER THAT APPEARS TO BE RIGHT
A blog viewer asked this question regarding this episode:
A large building was under construction in this episode. Does anyone know what building this would be? Under construction around 1974-1975 
 ABOVE IMAGE: Still image from The Rockford Files - Episode: Just by Accident (1975) showing the building under construction that is in question.
ANSWER: The exterior shots of the building under construction was the BUNKER HILL TOWER APARTMENTS located at: 234 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA
 
The second filming location used was a building under construction at
 
Universal Studios. This would be the filming that James Garner appeared in on the top floor of a building under construction.
 
Thank you to the viewer who sent us this information.  
 
 ABOVE IMAGE: I was able to capture this image during the building scene. The still scene image partially shows the SHERATON UNIVERSAL Building directly behind the large building being built.

The SHERATON UNIVERSAL is located at: 333 Universal Hollywood Dr, Universal City, CA
ABOVE IMAGE: The SHERATON UNIVERSAL (1970's) located at: 333 Universal Hollywood Dr, Universal City, CA
So this narrows down the location of the building under construction being located very closed to the Sheraton Universal Building.
If any viewers have a possible answer to question... please let us know either in the comment section or
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Above Photo: Pioneer Used Cars Lot in North Hollywood, California

Above Photo: Hall of Records  227 north Broadway 
Los Angeles, CA

Above Photo: The Standard Gas Station that was once located at the corner of Lankershim Blvd and Riverside Drive - across the street from Mayberry Ford
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Below Photos: Some great actors and actresses appeared in this episode of The Rockford Files

 Above Photo: The late actress Neva Patterson

 Above Photo: the late actor Steven Keats and the very much alive actor Joey Aresco.
 
 Above Photo: Actor David Spielberg
 
 Above Photo: the late actor Fred Sadoff
 
 Above Photo: E.J. (Edra Jean) Peaker
 
 Above Photo: Great character actor Oliver Clark
 
 Above Photo: the late great character actress Beatrice Colen


Above Photo: Actor Michael Fox - He is the reason why Michael J. Fox added the "J" to his name. 
 
 Above Photo: Late great character actor Gordon Jump of WKRP fame.
 
 Above Photo: A regular on The Rockford Files, Fritzi Burr
 
 Above Photo: His only acting credits are for his two appearances on The Rockford Files, Sal Acquisto
 
Above Photo: The beautiful Susan Keller 






CORRECTED LOCATION THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING COMMENT LEFT BY A VIEWER:
RACE TRACK LOCATION: That is NOT Riverside International Raceway. Anyone who believes it is has never attended a race there or knows anything about automobile racing in Southern California. The location is the famous and now defunct Ascot Park (Speedway) in Gardena, California.

Ascot was a short oval track that hosted a variety of races including "Figure 8" and Demolition Derbys. In the episode, you can clearly see the figure 8 portion of the track inside the oval.

Riverside was a long road course that never hosted figure 8 or demolition derbys.

An advertisement for radio station KIEV is clearly seen at the track. KIEV is a Los Angeles AM station (why would you advertise in Riverside County, CA).

Yes, I attended several races at both locations.


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Hello, I commented on the website regarding Bunker Hill Towers Apartments in the "Just by Accident" episode page. According to the county assessor's website, it was built in 1968. So, they must have used old video footage when putting together the scene for this episode, and combined it with the scenes from the building near the Sheraton Universal. This was the first of two apartment towers to be built (222 S. Figueroa and 234 S. Figueroa).
I attached 2 photos I took this morning.
Eric Hudak
 

 

14 comments:

OneMeditator said...

I love The Rockford Files. Not only was it a great show but it also had the BEST theme song ever. I love this episode here "Just by Accident" because it had my favorite actor in it, the late, great Steven Keats. Great blog by the way!

Anonymous said...

Just watched this episode on Hulu! Where did they film the racetrack scenes?

Anonymous said...

That is NOT Riverside International Raceway. Anyone who believes it is has never attended a race there or knows anything about automobile racing in Southern California. The location is the famous and now defunct Ascot Park (Speedway) in Gardena, California.

Ascot was a short oval track that hosted a variety of races including "Figure 8" and Demolition Derbys. In the episode, you can clearly see the figure 8 portion of the track inside the oval.

Riverside was a long road course that never hosted figure 8 or demolition derbys.

An advertisement for radio station KIEV is clearly seen at the track. KIEV is a Los Angeles AM station (why would you advertise in Riverside County, CA).

Yes, I attended several races at both locations.

Anonymous said...

A large building was under construction in this episode. Does anyone know what building this would be? Under construction around 1974-1975

Anonymous said...

The building under construction in the first picture looks like B roll footage. I do not believe that the building Rockford was on is the same building. Rockford was most likely on a building located inside Universal Studios Hollywood. The Sheraton Universal sign is noticeably above the "construction" site.
The B roll building under construction is at 13 floors and growing. Looks to be a large hotel or government building.

Anonymous said...

I have to agree with the previous posters opinion....that the locations don't match up.
When Jim visits the site....and goes up that long elevator ride...he gets off at the 5th floor. You can see a two story apartment complex behind the building...and the tops of trees are at the same height as the building. Also the elevator door has a big V and a big 5 on the door.
The location has to be on the Universal lot.
Thanks for the site.
Jeff Morrison(mozilla)

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Unknown said...

I really love the Rockford files. It was the best as ever. From the story, actors, scenes, locations and musics it was absolutely awesome. The filming locations are so nice and it really fits every scenes they took.

Anonymous said...

Hi everybody! The building shown under construction is Bunker Hill Towers Apartments in downtown LA. I live here!

Anonymous said...

Wow! Never would have thought that was downtown. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Is it possible that the footage of the crowd is also B-roll? Judging from the photo by itself, it looks like it was shot sometime closer to 1965 than 1975. But maybe it's just that that particular group of people happened to be dressed a little anachronistically.

Anonymous said...

Correction on your correction! Islip Speedway, NY was the demolition derby, the home to 1st demo derby. The footage of the 2 drivers was at Ascot, notice, asphalt during most of it, the walls and tight confines. When the drivers get out and talk, it's Ascot, again look at the footage on youtube.

rick schaefer said...

^^^ Anonymous is absolutely correct. I worked Islip 62-70. Recognized the infield, guard rail, and announcers stand and aLAWRENCE BROTHERS tow truck as it enters the track to clear Demo cars. I'll never forget Islip.