2x19 The Italian Bird Fiasco - The Rockford Files Episode Guide

The Rockford Files

- Episode 02x19

Episode: 02x19
Title: The Italian Bird Fiasco
Type: Regular Episode
Production Code: 42605
First Aired: Feb. 13, 1976

Season 2 » Episode #19 - The Italian Bird Fiasco

The Rockford Files - 02x19 The Italian Bird Fiasco

Summary: Art dealer Thomas Caine hires Rockford to purchase a particular piece at auction. It is a cormorant, a rare copy of an even rarer original. Thieves attempt to steal the piece from Rockford in the auction house parking lot; in the scuffle the bird falls and breaks open. Rockford knows he’s got problems, so he returns to see Caine and discovers the hotel room empty and the manager certain it was never rented. Why did Caine want the bird so badly and why does he no longer seem to? Is his unwholesome reputation earned, or merely the badmouthing of competitor Evelyn Stoneman? And why are Lloyd’s of London and Scotland Yard both interested?

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02x19 Italian Bird Fiasco (50:08) (Full Episode)

Who appeared in this episode?

Guest Stars:

Thomas Caine	played by William Daniels
Evelyn Stoneman	played by Camilla Sparv
Maggie Donnegan	played by Camilla Sparv
Jeffers	played by William Jordan
Stack	played by Peter Palmer (II)
Ted Haller	played by Ron Silver
Cryder	played by Ivor Barry
Collins	played by Dean Santoro
Whitlock	played by Eric Server

Season 2 / Episode 19: - The Italian Bird Fiasco

Jim Rockford: [Rockford is at a restaurant with a Lloyds of London representative discussing his reward for having helped recover stolen diamonds - a case that lead to the breaking of three priceless works of art] Mr. Cryder, I don't want to seem anxious, but I was wondering about my five percent recovery fee?
Cryder: Ohhh yes. I called my people at Lloyds, they agreed.
Jim Rockford: [smiling] Five percent, a million dollars worth of jewellery, that's fifty thousand dollars isn't it?
Cryder: Yes... Unfortunately each of the cormorants was insured for fifteen thousand making a total of forty-five thousand.
Jim Rockford: Well, what has one got to do with the other?
Cryder: Well they feel that since you were hired to protect them, and since all three were destroyed, that you should... bear the loss...
Jim Rockford: That's preposterous!
Cryder: Unfortunately that is how they... feel. So, ah, forty-five thousand from fifty thousand leaves five thousand...
Jim Rockford: [looking rather peeved] Well I didn't break the damn things!
Cryder: ...I've been doing some perliminary figuring... Now from the five thousand there's of course, ah, English inheritance and English income taxes [he starts subtracting on a pad of paper]... ah yes, we will have to inform your IRS [he chuckles] and there's the rate of exchange to consider and, oh yes, then there's...
Jim Rockford: One minute, just one minute.
Cryder: Yes?
Jim Rockford: Do you think there's going to be enough for me to pick up this tab?
Cryder: I really don't know, Mr. Rockford, that depends... Do you intend to keep on drinking?

Season 2 / Episode 19: - The Italian Bird Fiasco

Jim Rockford: This is Jim Rockford. At the tone leave your name and message, I'll get back to you.
Sally: [Beeep: a sultry female voice comes on] Jim, Sally. Hey, I just found out you're an Aries. Listen, if you have Virgo rising, give me a call...

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