The Rockford Files was one of my favorite shows, and I loved the fact that a series of TV movies were done after the show ended. James Garner was perfection in the role of the down on his luck detective, who depended upon the kindness of a friend in the police department, a low-life sleaze, and a sympathetic attorney for help when he needed it.
This one, "If the Frame Fits," was done in 1996 and brings back the cast, with the exception of Noah Berry, Jr. as Joseph Rockford, who died in 1994. You couldn't pick a better cast and better relationships with Jim -- Joe Santos as Dennis, Gretchen Corbett as Beth, Stuart Margolin as Angel, and who can forget James Luisi as that nasty Lieutenant Chapman?
In this one, Jim Rockford is arrested when a rival of his, Bud Monckton, also a detective, is murdered. The two of them had some public arguments, and Rockford is dragged down to headquarters as a likely suspect. For some reason, Dennis seems to think his superiors aren't aware that "Jimbo" is a friend of his and keeps pretending they barely know one another, as he's afraid for his job.
Soon it becomes obvious that Jim has been framed, but by whom and why? An old friend of Rocky's, Jess (Dyan Cannon) offers to help prove his innocence.
There's not much to say about this or the other movies -- when you have good actors who have worked together for so long and have such excellent chemistry, the story almost doesn't matter because they're so much fun to watch.
You'll enjoy untangling the mystery, though, and hearing the fun dialogue.
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