MovieChat Forums > The Rockford Files (1974) Discussion > Question about Rocky

Question about Rocky

posted 9 years ago by mjd_subs2
12 replies | jump to latest

I've been binge watching "Rockford" on Netflix. Love it! I just rewatched the Pilot and honestly don't recall that Noah didn't play "Rocky" for it. I didn't recognize the actor that played him either.

I know there are often changes from the Pilot in many shows ("Three's Company" comes to mind) but was surprised about this one. Was there some kind of test audience feedback or contract problems? Does anyone know why he was replaced when the show was picked up?

- Get busy living, or get busy dying. Andy (The Shawshank Redemption)

[–] Fletcherj119 9 years ago

The Rocky in the pilot may have been too seedy in the eyes of the network or producers.

[–] mjd_subs2 9 years ago

I'm not sure what you mean exactly. I'm not trying to be obtuse but didn't they have to "screen test" him for the pilot? Why would that suddenly change AFTER it was filmed? I'm not an "insider" so I don't really know how all that works. I absolutely love the chemistry between Rockford and his dad in the series and didn't really care for his pilot "dad" because of that but SOMEBODY had to have liked him, right?

- Get busy living, or get busy dying. Andy (The Shawshank Redemption)

[–] Fletcherj119 9 years ago

The pilot was actually a TV movie, without the immediate plans to turn it into a series, so the cast at that point (other than Garner) was incidental. Stuart Margolin didn't join the series until well into season one.

[–] mjd_subs2 9 years ago

Ah, that makes sense. Thanks for taking the time to explain it.

- Get busy living, or get busy dying. Andy (The Shawshank Redemption)

[–] aroian_99 8 years ago

Actually Noah Berry wasn't available to film the pilot. He was contractually obligated to another TV show. As soon as his contract ended he was supposed to come over and join Rockford.

[–] carolineno 8 years ago

Even though Beery and Garner were considerably closer in age than Jim and Rocky, I think the casting of these two as father and son was sheer genius. They don't really look alike but there are some similarities in facial structure and build that make them really seem like father and son. I loved Rocky!

[–] eddy0081 8 years ago

I always assumed Jim just took after his mother, and that's why Rocky put up with so much and part of why he wanted him in a safer line of work.

Valar morghulis

[–] jaystarstar 8 years ago

They do look alike facially, especially around the nose, eyes and eyebrows.

Body-type they are quire different; Jim is a big tall broad shouldered type while Rocky is more medium height and barrel Chested.

I always assumed Ma Rockford had to be a big boned black haired beauty.

[–] Tresix 8 years ago

I didn't like the Rocky from the pilot. He almost looked homeless and I couldn't buy him and James Garner being father and son.

Annoying the world since 1960!

[–] Fletcherj119 8 years ago

Reportedly Noah Beery wasn't available for the pilot. Yah the pilot Rocky looked and acted like a scuzball.

[–] rwilkins2 8 years ago

Quoting from the book. Executive Producer Meta Rosenberg was particularly involved in the casting of secondary characters and guest stars for TRF's. Rosenberg had always wanted Noah Berry Jr to play Joseph Rockford, but Berry was unable to film the pilot ( he had been starring in a series with James Franciscus called "Doc Elliot"). By the time The Rockford Files was ordered as a series, Doc Elliot had been cancelled- which meant that Berry was now available.
From the book "Thirty Years of The Rockford Files"
I recommend this book to anyone that is a fan of the show as it goes into detail about each episode and the characters involved. It also gives the back story of the writers and the Roy Huggins who is the creator of James Rockford. Well worth the money thats for sure.

[–] Fletcherj119 8 years ago

Sounds interesting