This Date in MAVERICK TV History: Efrem Zimbalist Jr. makes his first appearance as Dandy Jim Buckley in “Stampede,” airing Nov. 17, 1957. MAVERICK: LEGEND OF THE WEST: Revised Third Edition is now available both as an eBook and in softcover paperback through Black Pawn Press

Posted on November 17, 2025 by admin
  1. STAMPEDE!
    Original Airdate: November 17, 1957


Synopsis. Bret teams with Dandy Jim Buckley to settle the score with Tony Cadiz, a cadaverous gambler who took the both of them for $12,000 (and left Bret for dead). Cadiz is traveling to the South Dakota mining town of Deadwood, where he plans to make a fortune by showcasing Battling Kreuger, the bare-fisted pugilist whom he manages. Cadiz offers to pay 2-to-1 odds to any man who can last ten rounds with “the Battler.” After staking themselves to $4,000 (their reward for recovering two bags of gold stolen from the Wells Fargo Bank), Bret and Jim meet Noah Perkins, a giant of a man who seems the perfect opponent for Battling Kreuger. Bret and Jim set up a high-stakes showdown between Noah and Kreuger. When Noah bows out at the last minute, however, Maverick must take his place.

Roy Huggins originally intended Dandy Jim Buckley as a one-shot character, but he ended up bringing him back four more times because he so thoroughly enjoyed what Efrem Zimbalist Jr. brought to his portrayal. Zimbalist, for his part, considered working with James Garner to be among the highlights of his career.

LEARN MORE about this episode in the revised third edition of Maverick: Legend of the West, featuring more than 100 pages of new information about the show that made James Garner a star. 25 percent of the net proceeds from the sales of the third edition will be donated to The James Garner Animal Rescue Fund, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising funds to help rescue organizations, shelters, individuals, fosters, and veterans with emergencies, evacuations, medical care, adoptions, training, pet supplies, shelter, rehabilitation, boarding, transportation, food, and other pressing needs. JGARF is one way for Garner fans to honor Jim’s memory and extend his legacy. The revised third edition of Maverick: Legend of the West is available through Black Pawn Press, Amazon.com, and wherever books are sold online.
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This Date in ROCKFORD FILES History: Hector Elizondo stars in “A Good Clean Bust with Sequel Rights,” airing Nov. 17, 1978. LEARN MORE about this episode in 45 YEARS OF THE ROCKFORD FILES, available in softcover paperback and now as an eBook through Black Pawn Press

Posted on November 17, 2025 by admin
  1. A GOOD CLEAN BUST WITH SEQUEL RIGHTS
    Original Air Date:     November 17, 1978

    Synopsis. Jim becomes a temporary “babysitter” for Frank Falcone (played by Hector Elizondo), a superstar cop from Chicago whose legendary exploits have spawned a best seller, a major motion picture, a popular network TV series, and a new line of toys. While protecting the rambunctious celebrity, Rockford learns that Falcone may be the target of a contract killer.

    According to the writer of this episode, Rudolph Borchert, the Hector Elizondo character in “A Good Clean Bust” was loosely based on David Toma, the New Jersey undercover detective whose exploits provided the basis for both the Toma and Baretta series. There is, of course, a direct line between Toma and the creation of The Rockford Files.

    LEARN MORE about this episode in the revised third edition of 45 YEARS OF THE ROCKFORD FILES, featuring more than sixty new pages of never before published information about both the original Rockford Files and the CBS reunion movies, including twenty new interviews and six new appendices. 25 percent of the net proceeds from the sales of 45 YEARS OF THE ROCKFORD FILES will be donated to The James Garner Animal Rescue Fund, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising funds to help rescue organizations, shelters, individuals, fosters, and veterans with emergencies, evacuations, medical care, adoptions, training, pet supplies, shelter, rehabilitation, boarding, transportation, food, and other pressing needs. JGARF is one way for Garner fans to honor Jim’s memory and extend his legacy. Plus… if you order 45 YEARS OF THE ROCKFORD FILES directly from Black Pawn Press, you will receive an exclusive bonus gift. Go to Rockford45.com for more details.

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This Date in MAVERICK TV History: Bethel Leslie stars in “The Thirty-Ninth Star,” airing Nov. 16, 1958. MAVERICK: LEGEND OF THE WEST: Revised Third Edition is now available both as an eBook and in softcover paperback through Black Pawn Press

Posted on November 16, 2025 by admin
  1. THE THIRTY-NINTH STAR
    Original Airdate: November 16, 1958

Synopsis. Bart celebrates the Fourth of July in a western territory that hopes to qualify for statehood.

More often than not, any script during the Roy Huggins era that featured just one Maverick was doled out to whichever actor was available, be that James Garner or Jack Kelly (although, as a rule, Huggins had always his scripts written with Garner in mind). According to series writer Marion Hargrove, however, “The Thirty-Ninth Star” was one of the few Huggins shows that was specifically written as a vehicle for Jack Kelly.

The episode also features one of the most famous Pappyisms of all: “Work is fine for killing time, but it’s a shaky way to make a living.”

LEARN MORE about this episode in the revised third edition of Maverick: Legend of the West, featuring more than 100 pages of new information about the show that made James Garner a star. 25 percent of the net proceeds from the sales of the third edition will be donated to The James Garner Animal Rescue Fund, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising funds to help rescue organizations, shelters, individuals, fosters, and veterans with emergencies, evacuations, medical care, adoptions, training, pet supplies, shelter, rehabilitation, boarding, transportation, food, and other pressing needs. JGARF is one way for Garner fans to honor Jim’s memory and extend his legacy. The revised third edition of Maverick: Legend of the West is available through Black Pawn Press, Amazon.com, and wherever books are sold online.
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This Date in ROCKFORD FILES History: Tom Selleck, Larry Manetti, James Whitmore Jr., and Simon Oakland star in “Nice Guys Finish Dead,” airing Nov. 16, 1979. LEARN MORE about this episode in 45 YEARS OF THE ROCKFORD FILES, available in softcover paperback and now as an eBook through Black Pawn Press

Posted on November 16, 2025 by admin
  1. NICE GUYS FINISH DEAD
    Original Air Date:     November 16, 1979

    Synopsis. The United Association of Licensed Investigators honors Rockford with the coveted Goodhue Award for his work in a case that set precedent in the field of accident insurance. But the ceremony is cut short when the keynote speaker—a state senator whose legislation banning the use of surveillance devices could adversely affect the P.I. industry if passed—is found dead in the men’s bathroom. When Fred Beamer, who discovered the body, panics and runs away, he becomes the leading suspect. Rockford tries to clear Beamer while also contending with his nemesis Lance White. 

    LEARN MORE about this episode in the revised third edition of 45 YEARS OF THE ROCKFORD FILES, featuring more than sixty new pages of never before published information about both the original Rockford Files and the CBS reunion movies, including twenty new interviews and six new appendices. 25 percent of the net proceeds from the sales of 45 YEARS OF THE ROCKFORD FILES will be donated to The James Garner Animal Rescue Fund, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising funds to help rescue organizations, shelters, individuals, fosters, and veterans with emergencies, evacuations, medical care, adoptions, training, pet supplies, shelter, rehabilitation, boarding, transportation, food, and other pressing needs. JGARF is one way for Garner fans to honor Jim’s memory and extend his legacy. Plus… if you order 45 YEARS OF THE ROCKFORD FILES directly from Black Pawn Press, you will receive an exclusive bonus gift. Go to Rockford45.com for more details

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This Date in MAVERICK TV History: Edgar Buchanan, Nita Talbot and Pippa Scott star in “Easy Mark,” airing on Nov. 15, 1959. MAVERICK: LEGEND OF THE WEST: Revised Third Edition is now available both as an eBook and in softcover paperback through Black Pawn Press

Posted on November 15, 2025 by admin
  1. EASY MARK
    Original Airdate: November 15, 1959

Synopsis. Outside the desert of Santa Fe, Bart encounters Cornelius Van Rensselear Jr., a Harvard graduate and the son of a railroad magnate. Corny takes Bart for more than $1,000 in poker, but offers him double his money back if Bart agrees to impersonate him for a few days. Corny is traveling to his father’s company in St. Louis for an important shareholders meeting (his father faces the danger of being bought out by a rival named Hardiman), but he also needs to complete a paper on cacti that he must deliver to a horticultural society. Maverick takes the job—and immediately finds himself the target of henchmen dispatched by Hardiman to derail Corny. 

LEARN MORE about this episode in the revised third edition of Maverick: Legend of the West, featuring more than 100 pages of new information about the show that made James Garner a star. 25 percent of the net proceeds from the sales of the third edition will be donated to The James Garner Animal Rescue Fund, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising funds to help rescue organizations, shelters, individuals, fosters, and veterans with emergencies, evacuations, medical care, adoptions, training, pet supplies, shelter, rehabilitation, boarding, transportation, food, and other pressing needs. JGARF is one way for Garner fans to honor Jim’s memory and extend his legacy. The revised third edition of Maverick: Legend of the West is available through Black Pawn Press, Amazon.com, and wherever books are sold online.
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This Date in ROCKFORD FILES History: Lee Purcell, Linda Kelsey, and Tim O’Connor star in “The Dexter Crisis,” airing Nov. 15, 1974. LEARN MORE about this episode in 45 YEARS OF THE ROCKFORD FILES, available in softcover paperback and now as an eBook through Black Pawn Press

Posted on November 15, 2025 by admin
  1. THE DEXTER CRISIS
    Original Air Date:     November 15, 1974

    Synopsis. Wealthy entrepreneur Charles Dexter (played by Tim O’Connor) hires Rockford to locate his mistress, Susan Parsons (Lee Purcell), but doesn’t disclose his true motives until much later (Susan ran off with over $250,000 of Dexter’s money). Rockford joins forces with Susan’s roommate, law student Louise Adams (Linda Kelsey), who thinks there’s a connection between Susan’s disappearance and the driver of a car that had been following Susan for several days.

    Because Jim Rockford is essentially Bret Maverick in modern dress, it seems only fitting that he is as much an expert games of chance as his TV Western ancestor. Rockford displays his knowledge of how to play roulette in a scene with Susan Parsons (guest star Lee Purcell).

    LEARN MORE about this episode in the revised third edition of 45 YEARS OF THE ROCKFORD FILES, featuring more than sixty new pages of never before published information about both the original Rockford Files and the CBS reunion movies, including twenty new interviews and six new appendices.

    25 percent of the net proceeds from the sales of 45 YEARS OF THE ROCKFORD FILES will be donated to The James Garner Animal Rescue Fund, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising funds to help rescue organizations, shelters, individuals, fosters, and veterans with emergencies, evacuations, medical care, adoptions, training, pet supplies, shelter, rehabilitation, boarding, transportation, food, and other pressing needs. JGARF is one way for Garner fans to honor Jim’s memory and extend his legacy. Plus… if you order 45 YEARS OF THE ROCKFORD FILES directly from Black Pawn Press, you will receive an exclusive bonus gift. Go to Rockford45.com for more details.

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This Date in MAVERICK TV History: “Thunder from the North” airs on Nov. 13, 1960. MAVERICK: LEGEND OF THE WEST: Revised Third Edition is now available both as an eBook and in softcover paperback through Black Pawn Press

Posted on November 13, 2025 by admin
  1. THUNDER FROM THE NORTH
    Original Airdate: November 13, 1960


Synopsis. Two crooked Army shopkeepers named Marsh and Lawson have cheated the local Indian tribes by supplying faulty or inferior goods. When a tribeswoman named Pale Moon threatens to report them to the Army Commission, the shopkeepers start a war with the Indians, knowing that the Army will not investigate the claim at a time of war. Marsh and Lawson murder Pale Moon’s brother, then decide to pin the crime on the stranger who won $1,500 from them the night before: Beau Maverick. 

LEARN MORE about this episode in the revised third edition of Maverick: Legend of the West, featuring more than 100 pages of new information about the show that made James Garner a star. 25 percent of the net proceeds from the sales of the third edition will be donated to The James Garner Animal Rescue Fund, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising funds to help rescue organizations, shelters, individuals, fosters, and veterans with emergencies, evacuations, medical care, adoptions, training, pet supplies, shelter, rehabilitation, boarding, transportation, food, and other pressing needs. JGARF is one way for Garner fans to honor Jim’s memory and extend his legacy. The revised third edition of Maverick: Legend of the West is available through Black Pawn Press, Amazon.com, and wherever books are sold online.
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This Date in MAVERICK TV History: Maverick pokes fun of Bonanza in “Three Queens Full,” airing Nov. 12, 1961. Guest stars include Jim Backus, Merry Anders, Kasey Rogers and Allyson Ames. MAVERICK: LEGEND OF THE WEST: Revised Third Edition is now available both as an eBook and in softcover paperback through Black Pawn Press

Posted on November 12, 2025 by admin
  1. THREE QUEENS FULL
    Original Airdate: November 12, 1961


Synopsis. In this loose parody of the popular Western series Bonanza, wealthy rancher Joe Wheelwright (played by Jim Backus) hires Maverick to chaperone the three brides he purchased for his sons Henry, Moose, and Small Paul. Bart soon discovers that the women are linked to Wheelwright’s rival Brazo, who hopes to use the women to buy his way into the family fortune.

LEARN MORE about this episode in the revised third edition of Maverick: Legend of the West, featuring more than 100 pages of new information about the show that made James Garner a star. 25 percent of the net proceeds from the sales of the third edition will be donated to The James Garner Animal Rescue Fund, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising funds to help rescue organizations, shelters, individuals, fosters, and veterans with emergencies, evacuations, medical care, adoptions, training, pet supplies, shelter, rehabilitation, boarding, transportation, food, and other pressing needs. JGARF is one way for Garner fans to honor Jim’s memory and extend his legacy. The revised third edition of Maverick: Legend of the West is available through Black Pawn Press, Amazon.com, and wherever books are sold online.
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This Date in ROCKFORD FILES History: “Coulter City Wildcat” airs on Nov. 12, 1976. LEARN MORE about this episode in 45 YEARS OF THE ROCKFORD FILES, available in softcover paperback and now as an eBook through Black Pawn Press

Posted on November 12, 2025 by admin
  1. COULTER CITY WILDCAT
    Original Air Date:     November 12, 1976

    Synopsis. Rocky wins a parcel of land in Kern County in a public auction sponsored by the federal government. Two men pistol-whip Rocky into signing away all oil and mineral rights to the property, even though he’d sold back the land for $2,000 two weeks before. A curious Rockford intervenes. Together with his father, Jim discovers that Rocky’s parcel is worth a fortune in oil, and that the auction was part of a plan to cheat the government out of a valuable oil lease. 

    LEARN MORE about this episode in the revised third edition of 45 YEARS OF THE ROCKFORD FILES, featuring more than sixty new pages of never before published information about both the original Rockford Files and the CBS reunion movies, including twenty new interviews and six new appendices. 25 percent of the net proceeds from the sales of 45 YEARS OF THE ROCKFORD FILES will be donated to The James Garner Animal Rescue Fund, a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising funds to help rescue organizations, shelters, individuals, fosters, and veterans with emergencies, evacuations, medical care, adoptions, training, pet supplies, shelter, rehabilitation, boarding, transportation, food, and other pressing needs. JGARF is one way for Garner fans to honor Jim’s memory and extend his legacy. Plus… if you order 45 YEARS OF THE ROCKFORD FILES directly from Black Pawn Press, you will receive an exclusive bonus gift. Go to Rockford45.com for more details.

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TV CONFIDENTIAL Show No. 713.1: Tribute to June Lockhart is now available for listening on demand for free wherever you find podcasts

Posted on November 11, 2025 by admin


June Lockhart’s passion for space travel
Original Airdates: Nov. 7-10, 2025
TVC 713.1: TV Confidential remembers June Lockhart (Lassie, Petticoat Junction, Lost in Space) with an encore presentation of our conversation from June 2014 with the beloved actress. June Lockhart passed away on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025 at the age of 100. At the time we spoke to her in June 2014, June had just been honored by NASA with its Exceptional Public Achievement Medal for inspiring the public about space exploration. Topics this segment include June’s longtime interest in both space travel and air flight; the back story of the famous TV Guide cover from September 1965 featuring June and Guy Williams; plus June shares a few memories of working with Edgar Buchanan on Petticoat Junction and with Jon Provost on Lassie.

June Lockhart having fun with Groucho Marx during one of her appearances on the NBC game show Who Said That?


June Lockhart, Jim Lange, and H.V. Kaltenborn
Original Airdates: Nov. 7-10, 2025
TVC 713.2: From June 2014: June Lockhart talks to Ed about some of the many TV game shows on which she appeared throughout her career, including Who Said That? (NBC, 1948-1955), a show that also began June’s long association with the White House press corps, and Take My Word For It (Synd., 1982-1983), a show hosted by Jim Lange that was filmed at the studios of KGO-TV in San Francisco. June Lockhart passed away on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025 at the age of 100.

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