Monday, February 15, 2016

The Rockford Files - EPISODE: This Case is Closed (1974) & Columbo - EPISODE: An Exercise in Fatality (1974) - Attempting to identify an unaccredited actress who appeared in these two TV series - My guess is she was a contract actress working with NBC/Universal Studios

We were attempting to identify an unaccredited actress who appeared in these two below titled TV series

The Rockford Files - EPISODE: This Case is Closed (1974) & Columbo - EPISODE: An Exercise in Fatality (1974)

She played Cathy / Kathy in the Rockford Files episode: This Case is Closed

We finally identified her as Susan Jacoby









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BELOW IMAGES: Columbo (TV Series)
EPISODE: An Exercise in Fatality (1974)






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AN UPDATE:
Today, 04/27/2010, I was helping my kids with some stuff when my cell phone rang with a California area code... I was going to ignore it since most long distance calls on my cell phone are usually unsolicited sales calls.
To my surprise the caller identified himself as James McEachin. Mr. McEachin wanted to reach out to me about the letter I wrote him before he left for Kuwait, where he was going to in order to entertain our troops. A true American and also a war hero himself.
Mr. McEachin related that he didn't know the actress I was inquiring about. He stated that most likely it was just an extra that they used at the last minute to fulfill a short speaking role.
How delightful of this gentleman to reach out to me when he is packing for an overseas trip. This man is nothing but class! God bless you James McEachin and may your trip be safe and full of happiness!
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ORIGINAL POSTING IS BELOW

Today, April 24th, 2012, I sent letters to two guest stars from the Rockford Files episode "This Case is Closed" (1974). One being the beautiful Sharon Gless and the other being the talented James McEachin. James is not only a great entertainer and actor but was also a highly decorated US Soldier. At the age of 18 he joined the US Armed Forces and served in the Korean War earning many medals of valor include the Purple Heart and Silver Star. Most of the other stars from this 1970's episode are no longer with us and I wish them Godspeed.

In these letters I enclosed copies of the images of the mysterious actress, asking them if they know who this actress was that appeared in the same episodes as they did. I will keep you informed of any answer(s) I may receive back from the aforementioned entertainers.

Monday, February 1, 2016

The Rockford Files - This location can be seen in many episodes. Dino's Texaco Complete Datsun Service - Lankershim Blvd in the 1970's




Texaco Dino’s Datsun Repairs: 4365 Lankershim Blvd, North Hollywood
The gas station is long gone as well as the 52 cents a gallon price.
It is now a parking lot for the church located there.

Tuesday, January 12, 2016

From our E-Mail - A Red Jaguar (E-Type) seen in different episodes of the Rockford Files

The above photo did not come with the e-mail - I found it searching Google
 
Hello,
 
I’ve been doing a nostalgic binge watching of Rockford Files the last few weeks (my dad and I watched the series religiously when I was a kid in the 70’s.)  So thank you for your RF filming location blog.  A great resource, adding a fun dimension to the experience. 
 
I’m not sure how to post a question on your blog – so hope this email makes it to the expert.
 
One thing I never noticed long ago – but now do notice is that in very many episodes of the show: there is a particular red Jag E-type positioned in various shots – this car is everywhere (near Jim’s trailer, parked on the street in various downtown shots, driving by Jim’s gold Formula on the road, etc.) 
 
It’s similar to Hitchcock showing up in all his films…
 
Do you know the story of this car?   
 
I did a bunch of web searches – but nothing came up.  Perhaps you know…
 
Best,
Bill
 
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Anybody have an answer? Either leave it in the comment section or e-mail it to me at:
 

Friday, January 1, 2016

The Rockford Files - Episode: Coulter City Wildcat (1976) Gilbertson's Oil Tool Works Sign - Santa Paula, CA


This is one we need help with. The Internet is void of any information of Gilbertson's Oil Tool Works. Based on the information contained on IMDB.com this large sign may have been in the city of Santa Paula, CA since part of this episode was filmed there.
Does anybody have any idea where the "Gilbertson's Oil Tool Works" corporation is or was located?

Thanks to Don H. we have the correct address for this filming location. Don's full e-mail was placed in the comment section. A big THANK YOU to DON H!
GILBERTSON OIL TOOL WORKS
17905 E TELEGRAPH RD
SANTA PAULA, CA 93061-0009

UPDATE: Rockford Files - Episode: Deadlock in Parma (1980) Parma is actually Wrightwood CA - Don Oster Realty - Wrightwood Village Realty - Tehachapi Belle Restaurant, East Valley Family YMCA in North Hollywood & THE YODELER RESTAURANT - 6046 Park Drive, Wrightwood, CA

The exterior courthouse scene was filmed at the Inyo County (CA) Courthouse - 168 North Edwards Street, Independence California - Above still frame from the scene and below as the courthouse is seen today in 2016.

UPDATE: Bill Anderson has pegged the location of the YMCA & Bishop Bus Stop filming location - Look below for the update


ABOVE IMAGE: A small blooper - The above images show Jim Rockford at his motel door. The room only has one entry/exit door. In one scene the door has a deadbolt lock above the doorknob and wood paneling on the wall. The next scene has the door with just a doorknob and plasterboard walls.

 



ABOVE THREE IMAGES: This episode is about saving the park with the bell from being sold by the City of Parma. Somebody from Wrightwood California is going to have to let me know if that really was or is such a park in their town.
UPDATE ON THE BELL'S LOCATION
12/07/2013 - Thanks to many of the kind residents of Wrightwood, CA who supplied us with so much information about their beautiful town!
The park & bell are located in Griffith Park, California
 ABOVE IMAGE: The original DON OSTER REALTY in Wrightwood California. They are still listed on the Internet as being in operation.
 ABOVE IMAGE:  UPDATE: This location was identified by Bill Anderson!
5142 Tujunga Ave. North Hollywood, CA
EAST VALLEY YMCA
ABOVE IMAGE: The "FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH" which also housed the "TIMBERLINE LIONS CLUB"
12/06/2013: Entrance to the Wrightwood Community Center - Thanks to John

ABOVE IMAGE: The late great Mary Munday played the cranky old city hall clerk. 
  
ABOVE IMAGE: Parma Sheriff,  the late Henry Beckman, walks past the old Standard Gas Sign.
 Henry Beckman joined the Canadian military service in WWII by changing his birth date, before he was 18, and served from 1939-1945. Less than 7% of his group survived the Normandy Invasion.

ABOVE IMAGES: Jim Rockford inside the "TEHACHAPI BELLE" restaurant. In this scene Jim talks about how bad the food is there... so needless to say the named used for this restaurant was fictional and not the real name of this eatery. 
12/05/2013: Now Identified -
The Yodeler Restaurant in "downtown" Wrightwood, California.
6046 Park Dr
Wrightwood, CA 92397

ABOVE IMAGE: The Parma Sheriff Office. The address on the wall is correct, 1300 Highway 2 Wrightwood CA. The "Parma Sheriff" sign is fictional.
12/06/2013: Used to be the Wrightwood Travel Agency building now occupied by a motorcycle tour company called Admo - Thanks to John
ABOVE IMAGE: As always the Rockford Files has a beautiful actress in this episode - Sandra Kerns played a news reporter by the name of Carrie Osgood

ABOVE FOUR IMAGES: A trip in time gone by in Wrightwood, California. What a beautiful town. I am placing this location on my travel wish list!

CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE IMDB WEBSITE TO SEE A COMPLETE LIST OF THE CAST FOR THIS EPISODE
Two things you can always count on in a Rockford Files episode were a car chase and Jim Rockford using a payphone, long before the cell phone era.

 In the above still image, James Rockford is eating at one of the cafes location on South Main Street in Lone Pine, CA. Neither this restaurant or the one seen through the open door are still around in Lone Pine. 


In all 3 of the above still images from the episode "Pastoria Prime Pick"  the motel shown is what is now known as the Dow Villa Motel located at 310 South Main Street, Lone Pine, CA

The above image is the Dow Villa Motel (2011) located in Lone Pine, CA


In the above three images, Smith Evans (Now she is Smith Wordes) played Rita, the underage mayor's daughter.
She was born Sep 18, 1955.



Mayor Karen Sanders was played by the late Kathie Browne.
Born: Sep 19, 1930 and died on April 8, 2003. 
Husband: Darren McGavin - Lead actor in Kolchak - The Night Stalker TV Series
Left: Sheriff Cliff Gladish was played by Richard Herd, who was born Sept 26, 1932 and is still alive as of this writing in 2016 - Right: County Prosecutor Gilbert Univaso was played by Don Billett, who was born Dec 26, 1935 and is still alive as of this writing in 2016.


The cranky mechanic Vern Soper was played by the late Warren J. Kemmerling - He died at age 80 in 2005.

The nylon masked thugs: Far left: Luis Delgado - a regular actor on the Rockford Files and the brother-in-law to Roy Huggins, one of the show's producers. He died in 1997 at 71.
Far Right: Bruce Tuthill, born July 26, 1943 and still with us as of this writing in 2016.
Middle: Unknown & Unaccredited
Waitress was played by Barbara Collentine, she was born on June 17, 1924 and is still with us as of this writing in 2016 at age 91. Retired Sheriff Emmett was played by the late Bill Zuckert who died in 1997 at age 81.

Judge Cline was played by a returning favorite to the Rockford Files, Bill Quinn, who died in 1994 at age 81. He appeared four times on the Rockford Files.


BELOW ARE SOME EXTRA STILL IMAGES FROM THIS EPISODE OF THE ROCKFORD FILES