The Rockford Files (TV Series)

Backlash of the Hunter (1974)

James Garner: Jim Rockford

Photos 

Quotes 

• Jim Rockford : You know what's wrong with karate Jerry? It's based on the ridiculous assumption that the other guy will fight fair.

• Jim Rockford : You got to be one of the dumbest looking apes I ever saw.

• Sara Butler : You aren't afraid of him are you?

  Jim Rockford : You damn right I am.

• Mildred Elias : [Trying another method to get some information on the death of Sara Butler's dad, Jim goes to Mrs. Elias' house - the gorgeous Stahl House - in the Hollywood Hills, hoping she'll say something. Jim's pretending to be the dean of admissions at the medical university Sara's brother would attend - with Mrs. Elias' financial support. As Jim walks towards Mrs. Elias, who's lying out back, on a chaise, with owl-sized sunglasses on, overlooking Los Angeles, Mrs. Elias is rubbing suntan lotion on, and he stops at the foot of the recliner]  You don't look much like a 'dean of admissions'.

  Jim Rockford : [Jim - dressed in a medium-grey blazer, and wearing glasses, is slightly caught off-guard, smiles, and stumbles for a reply]  Well what do I look like?

  Mildred Elias : [Mrs. Elias takes her sunglasses off with both hands, holding a cigarette burning in one of them]  You look like a truck driver in a suit.

  [Jim nervously chuckles] 

• Nick Butler : You're a cop, huh?

  Jim Rockford : No, what I am sonny, is about fifty pounds heavier and one hell of a lot meaner so you better straighten up your act, I don't think I like you.

• Jim Rockford : [Jim notices Jerry Grimes is again following, so, he drives to the Mayfair Theatre in Santa Monica.Jim sits at the bar, until Jerry comes in, then he goes to the men's room, where, he gets the only other customer to leave, as Jim is planning something. Jim takes the soap dispenser off it's wall bracket, and pours it on the floor - especially in the space between him, and where Jerry will be. Then, Jerry comes into the bathroom, as well. Facing Jim, Jim - smirkig - goes into action]  You got to be one of the dumbest looking apes I ever saw.

  [Jerry stands there - 3ft. away from Rockford. Glowering] 

  Jim Rockford : Of course, you big muscle-bound guys - you're usually compensating for feelings of inadequacy

  Jerry Grimes : [Jerry - who's been silent - his eyes enlarge, his jaw muscles tense]  Meaning?

  Jim Rockford : [Chuckles, then chortles]  You know... queer.

  Jerry Grimes : [Jerry's eyes get bigger, yet, and he's obviously seething, but, all of the sudden, he smiles, and in a breathy voice speaks]  Well, that's fine, mister. That's just right. Everything's gonna be all right.

  [Jery's silent for a moment, then, let's out a yell, and takes one step towards Jim, and his leg goes up, and his back goes straight down to the floor. Jim - who's got a roll of quarters in his fist, gives Jerry a right-hook, and knocks him out] 

• Sara Butler : Tell me how you got this wonderful finishing school approach, Mr Rockford.

  Jim Rockford : People come to me all the time, and they all have problems. Sit down. I used to be soft-hearted, and I'd sit and listen, but they couldn't pay the freight. So they'd leave and be all depressed, and I'd be depressed. It was turning me off to my own business, so now I do it this way.

• [Rockford is trying to convince his client to go undercover] 

  Sara Butler : How much of my own money am I going to earn back?

  Jim Rockford : I usually pay my operatives 20 bucks an hour for this kind of thing.

  Sara Butler : I wouldn't do it for less than 50.

• Jim Rockford : It's not important to me anymore. It used to be. Yeah, I wanted everybody to know I was innocent. The governor gave me a pardon, said it never happened. I took that pardon, and I had it framed, and I put it up on the wall in my office. Then one day I looked at it, and suddenly it wasn't important anymore so I took it down.