The Rockford Files (TV Series) Paradise Cove (1979) User Reviews

Treasure of Sierra Rockford

[zsenorsock · 10/10 · 29 September 2006]

This season opening episode, written, produced and directed by Steven Cannell is one of the series best. The mystery is good, there's a lot of humor mixed in and everyone gives a strong performance.

The story opens with Jim having suffered a judgment in court against him in a case where he hit CC Calloway ("High Chapparel" star Leif Erickson) and awarded him $35,000 in damages (why Rockford's insurance company isn't responsible for this is beyond me). Calloway has been working for a long time to try and get Rockford thrown out of the beach community for some time, and now appears to have a chance to do it.

Marriette Hartley (who starred with Garner in a series of popular Poloroid commercials) plays Althea, a court appointed receiver that has to determine if Rockford can pay the $35,000 or if his entire worth should be liquidated--including his business, his trailer and all his personal property.

But with all this going on, Cannell gives us a great little mystery involving buried gold, 1930's rum runners and a lot of old skeletons of Paradise cove. Add Angel Martin and his lust for a big score, and you have one of the best episodes of the 6th season.

Hartley and Garner display a lot of the chemistry that made them work so well in the commercials. Erickson is excellent as the bad guy in this episode and Stuart Margolin is in top form. Another nice character is CC's nephew, who keeps trying to act tough ("I ain't afraid of you") but bolts at the first sign of trouble.

If nothing else, this episode should have proved that there was still a lot of life left in this series.

A Polaroid moment

[safenoe · 8/10 · 7 October 2020]

Mariette Hartley, who had superb on-screen chemistry with James Garner in Polaroid commercials, guest stars in this season 6 opener. Maybe this episode was the inspiration of The Goonies, with the hunt for buried gold and all. It's a shame this episode was only one of 12 in season 6, before the series abruptly ended.

The scene where a disgruntled neighbor has audio recordings of gunfire at Jim was kind of an in-joke, as we wonder how the neighborhood coped with the presence of Jim and the likes he attracted.

Ticket to Paradise

[stones78 · 4 May 2011]

This is a terrific episode which starts the final season of the epic Rockford Files, and it revolves around a buried treasure of gold which happens to be buried under Jim's trailer, of all places. Marriet Hartley guest stars and it's obvious of the chemistry between her and James Garner, as only a few years later they would star in many commercials together; they seem at ease with each other and it clearly shows. Speaking of guest stars, Stuart Margolin really shines here as Angel, who is more prominent in the latter half of this segment and has many terrific scenes and is eagerly awaiting his chance of finally making the big score he's always dreamed of; he and Rockford are usually great together and even more so this time around. Leif Ericson, he of the very skinny legs, also stars as a former sheriff searching for the gold. Dennis and Rocky also have a few scenes as well. There's a rather sad moment for me when Jim mentions that maybe it's time to move the trailer after living there for 6 years, and I have to wonder if this was a portent of things to come, considering that the show is nearing its' end in slightly more than 3 months. This episode has several funny aspects, which is always great for this show, and perhaps the funniest moments are when the Firebird, Althea's(Hartley)car, Angel's car, and Rocky's truck all are involved in accidents throughout the duration. There aren't many solid episodes in the last season, but make sure to catch this true golden gem(pun intended)if you get the chance. It turns out that the gold was stolen from the military and it belongs to them, and the entire excavation was for nothing, but it made for a great episode I'll make certain to watch again if it comes on.

Humorous Rockford!

[mm-39 · 7/10 · 29 March 2019]

Paradise Cove is a Humorous Rockford episode! What do we have here. Jim is in a pickle with a law suit and attempted eviction from the trailer court from a retired cop. There is a love interest, while being audited for a law suit. Jim is forced to be trailer park security and is sent into an interesting mystery. When hidden gold treasure is involved an Angel gets the information the humor begins. A mix of action and humor as Jimmy does smooth moves as Jimbo outwits the retired grouch of a cop. The memorable humorous ending with Angel's ranting is memorable. Worth watching. 7 out of 10 stars.

What a way to go!

[UNOhwen · 5 September 2015]

For those of you too young, or not yet born, during the late 70's, James Garner and Mariette Hartley starred in a delightful series of commercials for Polaroid camera (true - there was a time when people actually bought JUST instant cameras, and the Polaroids - which were printed 'instantly' - in under a minute, was the cool way to take pictures).

It was inevitable for Mariette Hartley to guest star on The Rockford Files.

The chemistry these 2 had was - as others have said - so wonderful, many people thought they were a couple.

I was just a kid, and, I remember them so fondly, that, while I type this, I've a big grin on my face.

This season premiere would turn out to be The Rockford Files last. As many know, the wear and tear, physically - his knee in particular - on Mr. Garner, was becoming so bad that, despite Rockford still being as popular as ever, Mr. Garner decided his health was more important.

I can't blame him, though.

I know I'm not alone when I wish Rockford never ended. He - the character of Jim Rockford - had become so fully developed, that he was someone we felt he was a friend.

This last season was truncated, but, it sure started out with what is essentially a gift to the fans of this terrific series (as well as Polaroid, who, I'm certain we're delighted as well).

Jim's got some real pain in the behind on his ... behind, in the form of C.C. Calloway, who's one of those neighbours who feels they're the 'centre' of everything - be it simple stuff, like community issues, to being just a real annoying pr--k, and butting in to everyone's private issues.

The episode begins with an issue between the 2 men - Rockford and Calloway - in which Jim lost - big. Apparently, he owes Calloway $35,000 ($138417.75 in 2015) as the result of a lawsuit, of a car accident (and as zsensorrock said in their terrific review of this episode; why the insurance company didn't foot the bill is anybody's guess).

For anyone, least of all 'Jimbo,' that's an insurmountable amount - so-much-so, that his trailer, and all his belongings will be sold off, auctioned off to pay this debt.

Ms. Hartley shows up, as Althea Morgan, the court-appointed assessor, and she gets involved with trying to help Jim (because, let's face it; Jim is a likable guy) at least be still able to make some money after the sell-off of his stuff.

This leads to the meat episode.

I don't recite plots - that's not a 'review.'

I'm just going to say the on-screen chemistry between these 2 is superb - it's a treat to watch them interact; they fit together so beautifully, and it's easy to see why their commercials were as successful as they were.

This episode has it all; terrific writing, terrific acting, and it shows how - like Rockford's Firebird - this series fires on all its pistons, and the results for viewers is an hour of fun.

I read the reviews here, and they, like me, all gush about the Hartley/Garner pairing and how wonderful they are in this episode.

I'm definitely on-board as well, and I highly recommend it.

Could Have Been Better

[aramis-112-804880 · 7/10 · 10 June 2018]

James Garner was a television star ("Maverick") who made an easy transition to movies in serious and comedy roles ("The Great Escape"; "Support Your Local Sheriff"; &c). When his movie career faded a bit he returned to television and after one hiccup ("Nichols") had a success playing a variation on Maverick in "The Rockford Files."

In the run-up to this episode, Garner used his laid-back, amiable persona in a series of Polaroid commercials (worth a look today; and it's amazing how far cameras have come). His costar in those commercials was long-time actress Mariette Hartley. The two had such a great rapport (some people, strangely, assumed they got along so well because they were married--huh?), it was natural Hartley should snag a guest star spot in "Rockford." The kickoff to the show's final season was a good spot to draw viewers who enjoyed the camera commercials.

The story: Rockford was sued by a former sheriff living in Paradise Cove (Lief Erickson) who wants the Private Eye and his junky trailer expelled from the community. But what is his ulterior motive? Hartley is an officer of the court assigned to decide whether everything Rockford has should be liquidated to pay the judgment.

On the good side, Garner and Hartley have the same chemistry they had in the commercials. In the most charming role of her career she breathes life into a rather dull character. It's too bad she didn't become a regular in the final season; after the departure of Beth (Gretchen Corbett) "Rockford" needed a strong-female touch and was thrown out of whack without it.

Here there be spoilers: On the bad side, the episode appears rough. The cuts to commercial are ragged. The characters lack their usual subtlety, especially Angel, who is no longer the lovable rogue but is mean and extremely rude (offering, for instance, to take Rocky hostage). Rocky himself (with his leg in a cast) is too bumbling and more in the way than ever. And are we really expected to believe Rockford's trailer (inexplicably moved by Rocky's truck) has been sitting on a virtual gold mine all this time and Rockford had no clue?

Overall, a silly episode (well, in "Rockford" they're often they best episodes) that would not have been worth a second look without the highlight of Hartley's character.