I am – Hercules!!
“The Rockford Files” came to an abrupt end in 1980, but James Garner and Universal resolved their differences by 1994, when CBS launched a new series of Jim Rockford TV movies that demonstrated how the P.I. functioned in the era of cell phones and the Internet.
The best news is the movies brought back the series' original supporting cast and writers. The Rockford Files: Movies Vol. 1 contains the first four:
In “I Still Love L.A.,” written by Juanita Bartlett, Rockford’s lawyer ex-wife puts him to work on a movie-star murder that occurred during the 1992 L.A. riots.
“A Blessing in Disguise,” written by series creator Stephen J. Cannell, sets Rockford against The Temple of the Holy Light Church, which employs Angel Martin as a preacher.
“If The Frame Fits …,” also written by Bartlett, finds Rockford trying to clear his name when a rival P.I. turns up dead.
“Godfather Knows Best,” a hilarious tale with a strong Sicilian connection written by David Chase just three years before he created “The Sopranos,” has Rockford working to clear the name of Dennis Becker’s ne’er-do-well son Scott, who stands accused of murdering a mobster’s fashion-designer daughter. The best character in this one is Mercer Pinetree, a homophobic, money-focused Native American hit man with a terrible memory.
“Superman” (not to be confused with the Fleisher theatrical cartoons of the 1940s or 1966’s “The New Adventures of Superman”) appeared on CBS two years after the end of “Super Friends,” one year after “Superman IV” killed the movie series, and one year before Tim Burton’s “Batman” transformed Bruce Wayne’s alter ego into the world’s dominant superhero.
Marv Wolfman, the veteran comics writer who had just completed the 12-part “Crisis On Infinite Earths” series that reshaped the DC Comics universe, served as story editor and writer on the ’88 series, which utilized John Williams’ music and was more influenced by the Christopher Reeve movies than any of the other TV series before “Smallville.” This Luthor is flamboyant and wisecracking, and never far from his ditzy blonde sidekick. Each episode comes with a (typically dull) four-minute segment exploring Clark Kent’s Smallville years.
If it’s largely forgotten it’s because it only lasted 13 half-hours on CBS Saturday mornings and was quickly overshadowed by the animated 1996 "Superman," which lasted a good deal longer and carried its version of the Man of Steel into "Justice League." Series creators Joe Ruby and Ken Spears started out at Hanna-Barbera, and there’s still a lot of “Super Friends” in the look of the 1988 show.
EXTRA:
“Corporation of he Corrupt: The Rise of LexCorp” (13:32) Amity Pictures’ look at how and why Lex Luthor evolved from a mad scientist into a captain of industry.
At $109.99, The Shield: The Complete Series works out to less than $15.72 per season. (Individual seasons sell for $27.49-$33.99 each.)
Herc’s Popular Pricing Pantry
Eleven months ago a season of “Seinfeld” sold for $38.99. Last month it sold for $27.99. Perhaps to commemorate the reunion on “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” all seasons of “Seinfeld” are momentarily $14.99 each!!
Last month the first season of “The Larry Sanders Show,” one of the two funniest live-action sitcoms ever forged, was $25.49. It’s momentarily at its lowest price ever: $16.99!!
This Week
Afro Samurai: Complete Murder Sessions (Spike Version)
Afro Samurai: Complete Murder Sessions (Director's Cut)
Ancient Lives: The Complete Miniseries
The Christians: The Complete Miniseries
Doctor Who: The Black Guardian Trilogy
Doctor Who: The War Games
The Donna Reed Show 3.x
Edge of Darkness: The Complete Series
Fraggle Rock: The Complete Series
Fraggle Rock 4.x
Fraggle Rock: A Merry Fraggle Holiday
The Genius of Charles Darwin: The Complete Miniseries
G.I. Joe A Real American Hero 1.2
G.I. Joe: Resolute
Here's Lucy 2.x
Hopeless Pictures 1.x
Merry Sitcom!
Mission: Impossible 7.x
Mission: Impossible: The Complete TV Series
Pie In The Sky 2.x
The Rockford Files: Movies Vol. 1
The Shield: The Complete Series
Six Feet Under: The Complete Series
Star Wars: The Clone Wars 1.x
Star Wars: The Clone Wars 1.x (Blu-ray)
Superman: The Complete 1988 Series
Spin City 3.x
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 7.x
Wolverine and the X-Men Vol. 3
Wolverine and the X-Men Vol. 1-3
Zorro 1.x
Zorro 2.x
Zorro-Generation Z Vol. 5
Next Week
Batman: The Brave and the Bold Vol. 2
Dawson's Creek: The Complete Series
Discovery Atlas: The Complete Series
Discovery Atlas: The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
Elvis Costello: Spectacle 1.x
G.I. Joe: Complete Series Collectors Set
Heartland 1.x Vol. 2
JAG 9.x
JAG: 9-Season Pack
Judy Garland Show Box
Justice League: Complete Series
Keeping Up With The Kardashians 2.x
Krod Mandoon And The Flaming Sword Of Fire 1.x
Nash Bridges 3.x
Sandbaggers: $29.49 Sets
The Sarah Jane Adventures 2.x
Sesame Street: 40 Years of Sunny Days
Show Me Yours: The Complete Series
SpongeBob SquarePants: Truth or Square
Stories from the Vaults 2.x
Touched By An Angel: Inspiration Collections
The Untouchables 3.x Vol. 2
Xavier: Renegade Angel 1.x/2.x
November 17
Andy Barker, P.I.: The Complete Series
Ben 10 Alien Force Vol. 5
Drawn Together: The Complete Series
Elvis Costello: Spectacle 1.x <--- NEW!!
Elvis Costello: Spectacle 1.x (Blu-ray)
Farscape 1.x
Farscape 2.x
Farscape 3.x
Farscape 4.x
Farscape: The Complete Series
Hammertime 1.x
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia: A Very Sunny Christmas
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia: A Very Sunny Christmas (Blu-ray)
The Little Couple 1.x
Monk: Best Of
Patton 360 1.x
Rome: The Complete Series
Rome: The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
Scrubs 8.x (Blu-ray)
7th Heaven 9.x
Smurfs Vol. 3
Smurfs Vol. 1-3
The Sopranos: The Complete Series
Spectacular Spider-Man Vol. 5
7th Heaven: 9-Season Pack
Star Trek (2009)
Star Trek (2009): Two-Disc
Star Trek (2009) (Blu-ray)
Star Trek Limited Edition Replica Gift Set
Star Trek: Best Of Vol. 2
Star Trek The Next Generation: Best Of Vol. 2
Wagon Train 1.x
November 24
Aeon Flux: The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
Alfred Hitchcock Presents 4.x
Beverly Hills 90210 8-Season Pack
Daniel Boone: The Best of Mingo
Daniel Boone: Fess' Favorites
The Golden Age of Television: Criterion Collection
Hogan's Heroes: The Complete Series
The Jerry Lewis Show Collection
Laredo: The Complete Series
Law & Order: Criminal Intent 4.x
Life On Mars (UK) 2.x
Melrose Place 5.x Vol. 2
Melrose Place 5-Season Pack
Russia's War: The Complete Miniseries
Sopranos 1.x (Blu-ray)
The Spike Jones Show: Best Of
Stories From The Vaults 2.x <--- NEW!!
Stories From The Vaults 2.x (Blu-ray) <--- NEW!!
Superman: The Complete Animated Series
Three Sheets 4.x
December 1
Better Off Ted 1.x
The Donna Reed Show 3.x
Interpol Investigates 1.x
Mental 1.x
Mystery Science Theater 3000 XVI
Pale Force: The Complete Series
Saturday Night Live 5.x
December 8
Dhani Tackles the Globe 1.x
Friday: The Complete Animated Series
The Fugitive 3.x Vol. 2
Get Smart 5.x
The Judy Garland Show Collection <--- NEW!!
Lost 5.x
Lost 5.x (Blu-ray)
Lost: The Complete Fifth Season Dharma Initiation Kit
Lost: The Complete Fifth Season Dharma Initiation Kit (Blu-ray)
Lost 1.x-5.x
Lost 1.x-5.x (Blu-ray)
McLeod's Daughters: The Pilot
Perry Mason 4.x Vol. 2
Perry Mason: Four Season Pack
Rescue Me 5.x Vol. 2
SpongeBob SquarePants 6.x Vol. 1
December 15
Cake Boss
Criss Angel Mindfreak: The Complete Series
Ice Road Truckers 3.x
The Paper Chase 2.x
Robot Chicken 4.x
Star Trek 3.x (Blu-ray)
Star Trek: The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
The Tudors 3.x
December 22
Family Guy Presents: Something Something Something Darkside
Family Guy Presents: Something Something Something Darkside (Blu-ray)
Family Guy Star Wars Parody Two-Pack
Kyle XY 3.x
The Secret Life of An American Teenage 3.x
Taxi 5.x
Taxi: The Complete Series
December 29
Glee Vol. 1
Time Warp 2.x
United States of Tara 1.x
Whale Wars 2.x
January 5
Battlestar Galactica 1.x (Blu-ray)
Big Love 3.x
Brava Italia <--- NEW!!
Burn Notice 1.x/2.x
Chuck 2.x <--- NEW!!
Chuck 2.x (Blu-ray) <--- NEW!!
Doctor Who: The Keys of Marinus <--- NEW!!
Doctor Who: Twin Dilemma
Kendra 1.x
Mighty Mouse: The New Adventures - The Complete Series
The Philanthropist: The Complete Series
Super Friends 1.x Vol. 1
January 12
Becker 3.x
Becker: 3-Season Pack
Bugs Bunny's Cupid Capers
Damages 2.x <--- NEW!!
Detonators <--- NEW!!
ER 12.x
Fame 2.x
Jon & Kate Plus Eight 5.x <--- NEW!!
Make It Or Break It: Vol. 1
The New Adventures of Black Beauty 1.x <--- NEW!!
Robin Hood 3.x
The Simpsons 20.x <--- NEW!!
The Simpsons 20.x (Blu-ray) <--- NEW!!
10 Things I Hate About You Vol. 1
Top Gear 11.x
Top Gear 12.x
Transformers 2.x Vol. 2
The Whitest Kids You Know 2.x
January 19
Dallas 12.x
Defying Gravity <--- NEW!!
Fraggle Rock: The Animated Series <--- NEW!!
The Game 2.x
Girlfriends 8.x
Girlfriends: The Complete Series
Girlfriends: The Complete Series Set
Jonathan Creek 4.x
Law & Order 7.x <--- NEW!!
New Tricks 2.x
Pawn Stars 1.x
Scooby’s All Star Laff-A-Lympics Vol. 1
thirtysomething 2.x <--- NEW!!
Waking The Dead 4.x
Weeds 5.x
Weeds 5.x (Blu-ray) <--- NEW!!
January 26
Bonekickers: The Complete Series <--- NEW!!
Bridget's Sexiest Beaches <--- NEW!!
Dirty Jobs Vol. 5 <--- NEW!!
Kong: Return To The Jungle (Blu-ray)
MI-5 Vol. 7
Parker Lewis Can't Lose 2.x
Pie In The Sky 2.x
Rhoda 2.x
The Universe 4.x
The Waltons: Movie Collection
You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown
February 2
Batman: The Brave and the Bold Vol. 3
Doc Martin 3.x <--- NEW!!
Hitler's Bodyguard <--- NEW!!
Murder She Wrote 11.x <--- NEW!!
Tom and Jerry's Greatest Chases Vol. 4 <--- NEW!!
February 16
The Dog Whisperer 4.x
February 23
18 Kids And Counting <--- NEW!!
Lock N Load 1.x
Midsomer Murders Vol. 14
Nurse Jackie 1.x
Nurse Jackie 1.x (Blu-ray)
Taggart Vol. 2
The Universe 4.x (Blu-ray)
April 20
Big John, Little John: The Complete Series
Huckleberry Finn and His Friends: The Complete Series
Selected sets containing some of Herc’s all-time favorite TV!!
$12.91 Dinner For Five 1.x (10 episodes)
$12.99 From The Earth To The Moon (12 episodes)
$14.49 The Venture Bros. 1.x (13 Episodes) <--- VASTLY ENCHEAPENED!!
$14.99 Seinfeld 3.x (23 episodes) <--- VASTLY ENCHEAPENED!!
$14.99 South Park 1.x (13 episodes) <--- VASTLY ENCHEAPENED!!
$15.49 ER 1.x (26 episodes) <--- VASTLY ENCHEAPENED!!
$15.99 Soap 1.x (25 episodes) <--- VASTLY ENCHEAPENED!!
$15.99 Kung Fu 2.x (23 episodes) <--- VASTLY ENCHEAPENED!!
$15.99 Curb Your Enthusiasm 1.x (10 episodes) <--- VASTLY ENCHEAPENED!!
$16.49 Rocky & Bullwinkle 1.x (26 episodes) <--- VASTLY ENCHEAPENED!!
$16.99 The Larry Sanders Show 1.x (13 episodes) <--- VASTLY ENCHEAPENED!!
$17.99 Moonlighting 1.x/2.x (25 episodes) <--- VASTLY ENCHEAPENED!!
$17.99 Friends 1.x (24 episodes)
$18.49 Cheers 1.x (23 episodes)
$18.49 Wonder Showzen 1.x (eight episodes) <--- VASTLY ENCHEAPENED!!
$19.49 Oz 1.x (eight episodes)
$19.99 Hill Street Blues 1.x (17 episodes)
$20.49 Alias 1.x (22 episodes) <--- VASTLY ENCHEAPENED!!
$20.49 Mad Men 1.x (13 episodes) <--- VASTLY ENCHEAPENED!!
$20.70 The Andy Griffith Show 5.x (32 episodes)
$21.99 The Bob Newhart Show 1.x (24 episodes)
$21.99 The Mary Tyler Moore Show 1.x (24 episodes)
$21.99 Wonderfalls: The Complete Series (13 episodes)
$21.99 The Tick: The Complete Series (nine episodes)
$22.99 Pushing Daisies 1.x (nine episodes)
$23.99 The Simpsons 2.x (22 episodes)
$23.99 Taxi 1.x (22 episodes)
$23.99 Veronica Mars 1.x (22 episodes)
$24.49 Futurama Vol. 2 (19 episodes)
$24.49 TV Funhouse: The Complete Series (eight episodes)
$24.99 The Tick Versus 1.x (12 episodes)
$26.99 The Dick Van Dyke Show 1.x (31 episodes)
$26.99 Mission: Impossible 1.x (28 episodes)
$26.99 The Wild Wild West (28 episodes)
$26.99 Murder One 1.x (23 episodes)
$28.99 Newsradio 1.x/2.x (29 episodes)
$28.99 Buffy The Vampire Slayer 4.x (22 episodes)
$28.99 Six Feet Under 1.x (13 episodes)
$28.99 Carnivale 1.x (12 episodes)
$28.99 Aeon Flux: The Complete Series (10 episodes)
$29.99 Angel 5.x (22 episodes)
$29.99 St. Elsewhere 1.x (22 episodes)
$29.99 Columbo 1.x (nine TV-movies)
$31.99 The Sopranos 1.x (13 episodes)
$31.99 The Wire 1.x (13 episodes)
$32.49 Deadwood 1.x (12 episodes)
$32.49 Rome 1.x (12 episodes)
$34.49 Northern Exposure 3.x (23 episodes)
$34.49 Fawlty Towers: The Complete Series (12 episodes)
$34.99 Lost 1.x (24 episodes)
$34.99 The Office 3.x (24 episodes)
$34.99 Battlestar Galactica 1.x (13 episodes plus miniseries)
$35.99 The Twilight Zone 1.x (36 episodes) <--- VASTLY ENCHEAPENED!!
$36.99 The OC 1.x (27 episodes)
$36.99 Undeclared: The Complete Series (17 episodes)
$38.49 My So-Called Life: The Complete Series (17 Episodes)
$38.99 The West Wing 1.x (22 episodes)
$39.99 Star Trek: The Next Generation 3.x (26 episodes)
$39.99 Firefly: The Complete Series (14 episodes)
$39.99 24 1.x (24 episodes)
$41.99 Star Trek: Deep Space Nine 3.x (26 episodes)
$41.99 Brideshead Revisited (11 hours)
$42.99 Gilmore Girls 4.x (22 episodes)
$43.99 Saturday Night Live 1.x (24 episodes)
$45.99 The Prisoner: The Complete Series (17 episodes)
$45.99 Fawlty Towers: The Complete Series (12 episodes)
$49.99 Star Trek 2.x (26 episodes)
$49.99 SCTV Network 90 Vol. 1 (Nine 90-minute episodes)
$58.49 Monty Python's Flying Circus: The Complete Series (45 episodes)
$74.99 Twin Peaks: The Complete Series (30 episodes)
$93.00 Once and Again 1.x (22 episodes)
$9: All Hail The King, Baby!!
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