Saturday, February 18, 2012

The Rockford Files - Episode: Beamer's Last Case (1977) Starring James Whitmore Jr. as Beamer

James Whitmore Jr. plays the nerdy car mechanic who takes over Jim Rockford's identity while Jim is on vacation...Fred Beamer
James Whitmore Jr. has become one of Hollywood's most worked Director, Actor & Producer. His work credits go on forever.

Bibi Besch plays the cheating spouse, Monica Steel, in this episode. Sadly Bibi Besch passed away from breast cancer in 1996 at the young age of 56.



In the above image, Fred Beamer is walking back to his apartment building located at 10729 Acama Street in Los Angeles (North Hollywood).
Jim Rockford can be seen in Rocky's truck sitting behind what is now Motorville Tire Shop at 4165 Lankershim Blvd in Los Angeles, CA. The below image shows that not much has changed in the 35 years since this episode was filmed. Even the "Tires" sign is still there.


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Above Two Images: WOW... apartments with a FREEWAY VIEW! Not sure how much of a selling point that is.... But that was the apartment building that Fred Beamer was living at in this Rockford episode. The address of this apartment building is 10729 Acama Street, Los Angeles, CA.

Below Image: How the above building appears today,  now covered by trees and bushes.


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Above Image: It wouldn't be a Rockford Files episode if Jim didn't get into a car chase and smash up his car... but in this case Fred Beamer "borrowed" Jim's car and smashed it up for him. Jim takes his damaged vehicle in this episode to TONY'S GARAGE. This filming location is actually All Valley Auto Body, 4730 Lankershim Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91602. The below image shows how it looks like today.
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Speaking of car chases, this episode closes with one. The chase circles around this area of Valleyheart Drive and Riverton Ave in Los Angeles. The last image shows what this intersection looks like today.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

The Rockford Files - Multiple Episodes - Los Angeles Police Station Western Division - Magnolia Blvd & Colfax Ave, Los Angeles, California

We need a little help with this one....  We asked and got it! Thank you!

This police station is actually the North Hollywood High School located at Magnolia Blvd & Colfax Ave, Los Angeles, California

Thanks to a thoughtful viewer who sent this to us!


The above image shows Jim Rockford and his attorney Beth Davenport speaking right in front of this police station. Seen across the street is a gas station and a hot dog stand.


The above two images show the police station and the police station sign: Los Angeles Police Department - Western Division.

Does anybody know the location of this police station?

The Rockford Files - Episode: Exit Prentiss Carr (1974) 10708 Bloomfield, Los Angeles, CA

THE BEAUTIFUL ACTRESS ROBERTA COLLINS PLAYED NANCY HELLMAN IN THIS EPISODE OF THE ROCKFORD FILES. THE CHARACTER IS MURDERED AFTER HER INVOLVEMENT IN A BLACKMAIL SCHEME. ROBERTA COLLINS DIED IN REAL LIFE ON AUGUST 16, 2008 AT THE AGE OF 63 (accidental overdose of alcohol & drugs).

Her birth name was Roberta Lee Hefley





Jim Rockford is seen at this residence several times during this episode. Jim was drawn to this house because the resident, Nancy Hellman, was under investigation. This was a tough one... The above residence that was once located at 10708 Bloomfield in Los Angeles was the filming location for the above 4 still images. The home was clearly marked "10708" on the building itself and the curb in these scenes. In searching for this residence I ended up figuring out that this residence was torn down sometime after this filming and a new large apartment or condo building was built on its original location. I ended up using the two house next to this residence to locate this filming location.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

"The Most Interesting Man In The World" Actor Jonathan Goldsmith had two different acting roles on THE ROCKFORD FILES


Jonathan Goldsmith has become an international sensation playing "The Most Interesting Guy In The World" for Dos Equis Beer commercials. In the 1970's Jonathan had two separate acting roles on the TV series The Rockford Files.

In the above two images Jonathan Goldsmith played Nino (his TV credit was under Jonathan Lippe, his name at the time).

A few years later in 1978, Jonathan Goldsmith appeared in the episode "The Empty Frame" playing the character Yossi Hendel