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Noah Wyle was surprised, in the most adorable fashion, by the cast and crew of “The Pitt” to celebrate his newly announced star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

In a video, shared by Warner Bros. TV on X, the actor seemed genuinely shocked as a colleague recounted highlights from his career. At one point, he covered his face with a gloved hand — fittingly, since he was dressed in character as Michael “Robby” Robinavitch on the set of the Max medical drama.

Huge congratulations to our dear friend and colleague, Noah Wyle, on getting selected for a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame! pic.twitter.com/llNVitulpx

— Warner Bros. TV (@warnerbrostv) July 3, 2025

Wyle joked, “we got babies on the clock, we gotta wrap this up fast” before giving an impromptu speech reflecting on achieving the lifelong dream of his.

“I’m so embarrassed,” Wyle said with a laugh and broad smile.

Throughout his 50-year filmmaking career, John Wayne was not much of a risk taker when it came to material. Once he broke through as a movie star with John Ford's template-setting Western "Stagecoach" in 1939, he mostly bounced back and forth between oaters and rah-rah war films. When he did futz with his image, he did so with great directors like Ford and Howard Hawks, whose judgment he implicitly trusted.

When it came to experimenting with emerging cinematic technology and new formats, however, Wayne was open to giving anything a whirl that would help movies stave off the stay-at-home threat of television. He made lots of films in Cinemascope and starred in "How the West Was Won," one of the first three-strip Cinerama movies. You might think the 3D fad of the 1950s would've been too sweaty for the Duke, but he actually teamed with director John Farrow to shoot...

War movies offer a unique look at real history, adding weight to the action and exploring ethical questions of violence for mass audiences. Influential war films like Sergeant York and Paths of Glory challenge propaganda and bureaucracy in wartime narratives, advancing the genre. Movies like The Hurt Locker and Come and See reframe modern conflicts, while Grave of the Fireflies uses animation to depict the harsh truths of war.

War movies have been popular since the early days of cinema, but there are a few movies which have helped to shape the genre into what it is today. War movies offer things which no other genre can deliver, since they show real chapters from human history that are more extreme and more shocking than most fiction. The real-world context adds extra weight to the action of war movies.

The war genre has been fairly controversial. There has always been a...

As far as investigators go, Jim Rockford (James Garner) is a bit of a departure from the mostly-polished (Columbo excepted) detectives of television's first decade. A slouchily dressed detective who lived in a trailer and served time in San Quentin, Rockford was cool — if not always collected. "The Rockford Files" ran for six seasons on NBC beginning in 1974 and was later resurrected for a series of '90s TV movies. In that time, audiences were introduced not only to Rockford, but to a cast of supporting characters including his truck driver dad Rocky (Noah Beery Jr.), LAPD pal Becker (Joe Santos), and the con artist Angel (Stuart Margolin).

Garner passed away in 2014, and only a few "Rockford Files" castmates are still with us today. Those who are still around include notable recurring guest stars like famously mustachioed "Blue Bloods" star Tom Selleck, Egot-winning multi-hyphenate Rita Moreno, and "Happy Gilmore" director...

In the decades since a trio of “The Rockford Files” cast mates and two “Lou Grant” costars took up every slot in the 1979 Best Drama Supporting Actor Emmy lineup, the primetime category has seen 53 more battles concerning multiple same-program performers. Although the corresponding comedy category’s showdown total is significantly higher at 67, the drama cases have involved a greater number of individual series: 28 versus 22. Scroll through our chronological photo gallery to find out more about this category’s many instances of dual, triple, quadruple, or quintuple nominations.

The most sizable chunk of Best Drama Supporting Actor clashes is attributed to “L.A. Law,” for which four different combinations of cast members were recognized between 1987 and 1992, making for half a dozen distinct battles. Ranking behind the NBC show with four entries apiece are the same network’s “Hill Street Blues” and “The West Wing,” the former of which made history in 1982 as...

In the decades since a trio of “The Rockford Files” cast mates and two “Lou Grant” costars took up every slot in the 1979 Best Drama Supporting Actor Emmy lineup, the primetime category has seen 53 more battles concerning multiple same-program performers. Although the corresponding comedy category’s showdown total is significantly higher at 67, the drama cases have involved a greater number of individual series: 28 versus 22. Scroll through our chronological photo gallery to find out more about this category’s many instances of dual, triple, quadruple, or quintuple nominations.

The most sizable chunk of Best Drama Supporting Actor clashes is attributed to “L.A. Law,” for which four different combinations of cast members were recognized between 1987 and 1992, making for half a dozen distinct battles. Ranking behind the NBC show with four entries apiece are the same network’s “Hill Street Blues” and “The West Wing,” the former of which made history in 1982 as...

The Spider Woman Strikes Back

Blu ray

Kino Lorber

1946/ B&w / 1.33:1 / 59 Minutes

Starring Gale Sondergaard, Brenda Joyce, Kirby Grant

Directed by Arthur Lubin

People are measured by the company they keep—in a superhero’s case, that company is usually the supervillain. Villains, besides giving the hero a reason to exist in the first place, can liven up the joint; a dam burst here, a toppled bridge there, chaos and special effects ensue, and the popcorn munchers are happy. Sherlock Holmes was one of the few heroes who was fun all by himself (due respect to Dr. Watson)—the detective’s obsessive-compulsive brilliance, his monkish lifestyle, and his fondness for beekeeping and cocaine were just some of his more endearing quirks.

The filmed versions of Conan Doyle’s most famous character—not a superhero but seemingly immortal—were not so concerned with Holmes’s idiosyncrasies. This was especially true...

All hail Blu-ray 3-D … a format still hanging on as one of the best features of home theater. Budd Boetticher’s trim action meller gives us Van Heflin (good) and Julie Adams (respectable) in a Mexican rebellion mini-epic with a backlot feel but rather good 3-D. The 3-D Film Archive’s experts have optimized the depth effect and included a colorful, very depth-y Woody Woodpecker cartoon. And Boetticher advocate Jeremy Arnold provides the audio commentary.

Wings of the Hawk

3-D Blu-ray

Kl Studio Classics

1953 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 81 min. / available through Kino Lorber / Street Date February 9, 2021 / 29.95

Starring: Van Heflin, Julie Adams, Abbe Lane, George Dolenz, Noah Beery Jr., Rodolfo Acosta, Antonio Moreno, Pedro González González, Paul Fierro, Mario Siletti, Rico Alaníz, Rodolfo Hoyos, Jr., Rosa Turich, Lyle Talbot.

Cinematography: Clifford Stine

Film Editor: Russel Schoengarth

Original Music: Frank Skinner

Written by James E. Moser, Kay Lenard from the novel by Gerald Drayson Adams...

Ya like quality pro-intervention propaganda? Warners’ filmic call to arms inspired America’s reluctant warriors via a superhuman feat by a highly decorated WW1 veteran… and promptly got into hot water with the United States congress. Howard Hawks’ highly effective load of sentiment and sanctimony makes Tennesseans look like denizens of Dogpatch, U.S.A.. But America loved it, even favorite Gary Cooper’s cute ‘aw shucks’ mannerisms that compare shooting the enemy with shooting a turkey. That’s how we baby boomers learned about patriotism.

Sergeant York

Blu-ray

Warner Archive Collection

1941 / B&w / 1:37 Academy / 134 min. / Street Date October 13, 2020 / available through the WBshop / 21.99

Starring: Gary Cooper, Walter Brennan, Joan Leslie, George Tobias, Stanley Ridges, Margaret Wycherly, Ward Bond, Noah Beery Jr., June Lockhart.

Cinematography: Sol Polito

Second Unit Director: Don Siegel

Film Editor: William Holmes

Original Music: Max Steiner

Written by Abem Finkel, Harry Chandlee, Howard Koch, John Huston...

Bid welcome to five westerns guaranteed to make one fall in love with the genre all over again. Each stars the ultra-virtuous man of the West Randolph Scott, pitted against some of the most colorful antagonists on the range: Richard Boone, Lee Van Cleef, Claude Akins. Indicator’s extras constitute the best collection of research materials ever assembled on the underrated director Budd Boetticher.

Five Tall Tales: Budd Boetticher & Randolph Scott At Columbia, 1957-1960

The Tall T, Decision at Sundown, Buchanan Rides Alone, Ride Lonesome, Comanche Station

Blu-ray

Powerhouse Indicator

Color / 1:85 and 2:35 widescreen / 380 min. / / Street Date May 28, 2018 / available from Powerhouse Films UK / £42.99

Starring: Randolph Scott.

Leading Ladies: Maureen O’Sullivan, Karen Steele (2), Valerie French, Nancy Gates.

Noble Villains: Richard Boone, John Carroll, Craig Stevens, Pernell Roberts, Lee Van Cleef, Claude Akins.

Hopeful Sidekicks: James Best, James Coburn, Skip Homeier (2), Henry Silva, Noah Beery Jr., L.Q. Jones, Richard Rust.

Considering everything that's been happening on the planet in the last several months, you'd have thought we're already in November or December – of 2117. But no. It's only June. 2017. And in some parts of the world, that's the month of brides, fathers, graduates, gays, and climate change denial. Beginning this evening, Thursday, June 1, Turner Classic Movies will be focusing on one of these June groups: Lgbt people, specifically those in the American film industry. Following the presentation of about 10 movies featuring Frank Morgan, who would have turned 127 years old today, TCM will set its cinematic sights on the likes of William Haines, James Whale, George Cukor, Mitchell Leisen, Dorothy Arzner, Patsy Kelly, and Ramon Novarro. In addition to, whether or not intentionally, Claudette Colbert, Colin Clive, Katharine Hepburn, Douglass Montgomery (a.k.a. Kent Douglass), Marjorie Main, and Billie Burke, among others. But this is ridiculous! Why should TCM present a...

Redford's back and Pollard's got him! Or is it Lauren Hutton? Sidney J. Furie fully earns his shaky reputation with this motorcycle buddy picture. Most of the energy seems to have gone into the deal, not the movie. Great cinematography, but it's for fans that want to look at a shirtless Sundance Kid. I know you're out there. Little Fauss and Big Halsy Blu-ray Olive Films 1970 / Color / 2:35 widescreen / 99 min. / Street Date October 18, 2016 / available through the Olive Films website / 29.98 Starring Robert Redford, Michael J. Pollard, Lauren Hutton, Noah Beery Jr., Lucille Benson, Ray Ballard, Linda Gaye Scott, Erin O'Reilly. Cinematography Ralph Woolsey Film Editor Argyle Nelson Jr. Art Direction Lawrence G. Paull Songs Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, Carl Perkins Written by Charles Eastman Produced by Albert S. Ruddy Directed by Sidney J. Furie

Reviewed by Glenn Erickson

I purposely didn't look up reviews for Little Fauss and Big Halsy before writing my own,...

By Doug Oswald

Three teenage boys discover a gunshot outlaw and nurse him back to health in “The Spikes Gang,” a 1974 western directed by Richard Fleischer available for the first time on Blu-ray by Kino Lorber. Lee Marvin plays Harry Spikes, an outlaw who inspires Gary Grimes, Ron Howard and Charles Martin Smith to join him as outlaws. Harry is calm, cool and calculating, endearing himself to the boys who have romanticized his life as an outlaw.

Will (Grimes), Les (Howard) and Tod (Smith) are farm boys seeking excitement and adventure and find it in Harry who recovers from his wounds with the boy’s help. The three boys are bored with the farm life as well as the harsh treatment they receive from their parents. Harry offers the boys a reward for helping him, but they turn him down instead asking to join Harry who declines their offer. The boys,...

Since 1989, the National Film Registry of the Library of Congress has been accomplishing the important task of preserving films that “represent important cultural, artistic and historic achievements in filmmaking.” From films way back in 1897 all the way up to 2004, they’ve now reached 675 films that celebrate our heritage and encapsulate our film history.

Today they’ve unveiled their 2015 list, which includes classics such as Douglas Sirk‘s melodrama Imitation of Life, Hal Ashby‘s Being There, and John Frankenheimer‘s Seconds. Perhaps the most popular picks, The Shawshank Redemption, Ghostbusters, Top Gun, and L.A. Confidential were also added. Check out the full list below.

Being There (1979)

Chance, a simple-minded gardener (Peter Sellers) whose only contact with the outside world is through television, becomes the toast of the town following a series of misunderstandings. Forced outside his protected environment by the death of his wealthy boss, Chance subsumes his late employer’s persona,...

'7 Faces of Dr. Lao' with Tony Randall. '7 Faces of Dr. Lao' movie: 'Things are not as they seem' Director George Pal's 7 Faces of Dr. Lao surprises on multiple levels: its witty screenplay by Twilight Zone writer Charles Beaumont, an odd assortment of well-defined characters, a bravura performance by Tony Randall, and some of the best special effects of that time. In the film, a strange traveling magician drifts into a small western American town, announcing that he is bringing with him a “Magic Circus.” Calling himself Dr. Lao, the eccentric Chinese character places an ad in the local newspaper and makes friends with the editor. But things are not as they seem. When the Magic Circus magically appears, Dr. Lao changes appearances and personalities, interfering in the lives of everyone in the community. Love with the properly repressed widow John Ericson plays the handsome newspaperman who rebels...

The Mark Of Zorro Screens Sunday, December 13th at Webster University’s Winifred Moore Auditorium (470 E. Lockwood Ave., St. Louis, Mo 63119) with Live piano by Ben Model, one of the nation’s leading silent film accompanists.

I used to check out The Mark Of Zorro on 8mm film from the library and watch it over and over in my basement when I was a kid in the early ‘70s and I can’t wait to see it in glorious 35mm (the print is from the Museum of Modern Art) this Sunday night (December 13th) at Webster University’s Winifred Moore Auditorium. Admission is $6 ($4 for seniors and free for Wu students)

In The Mark Of Zorro (1920), Don Diego Vega (Douglas Fairbanks), a foppish son of a wealthy rancher, disguises himself with a mask and cape and becomes the legendary Zorro, defender of the people when corrupt Governor Alvarado (George Periolat) crushes...

'Saint Joan': Constance Cummings as the George Bernard Shaw heroine. Constance Cummings on stage: From sex-change farce and Emma Bovary to Juliet and 'Saint Joan' (See previous post: “Constance Cummings: Frank Capra, Mae West and Columbia Lawsuit.”) In the mid-1930s, Constance Cummings landed the title roles in two of husband Benn W. Levy's stage adaptations: Levy and Hubert Griffith's Young Madame Conti (1936), starring Cummings as a demimondaine who falls in love with a villainous character. She ends up killing him – or does she? Adapted from Bruno Frank's German-language original, Young Madame Conti was presented on both sides of the Atlantic; on Broadway, it had a brief run in spring 1937 at the Music Box Theatre. Based on the Gustave Flaubert novel, the Theatre Guild-produced Madame Bovary (1937) was staged in late fall at Broadway's Broadhurst Theatre. Referring to the London production of Young Madame Conti, The...

Gary Cooper movies on TCM: Cooper at his best and at his weakest Gary Cooper is Turner Classic Movies' “Summer Under the Stars” star today, Aug. 30, '15. Unfortunately, TCM isn't showing any Cooper movie premiere – despite the fact that most of his Paramount movies of the '20s and '30s remain unavailable. This evening's features are Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936), Sergeant York (1941), and Love in the Afternoon (1957). Mr. Deeds Goes to Town solidified Gary Cooper's stardom and helped to make Jean Arthur Columbia's top female star. The film is a tad overlong and, like every Frank Capra movie, it's also highly sentimental. What saves it from the Hell of Good Intentions is the acting of the two leads – Cooper and Arthur are both excellent – and of several supporting players. Directed by Howard Hawks, the jingoistic, pro-war Sergeant York was a huge box office hit, eventually earning Academy Award nominations in several categories,...

There have arguably been bigger stars in television history than the late James Garner, but none who ever made it look quite so easy. Garner, who reportedly died in his home on Saturday at the age of 86, first hit it big in 1957 with "Maverick," a comical Western in which he played Bret Maverick, a Wild West cardsharp who was as quick on the draw as he was with a quip. At a time when TV was dominated by Westerns — and very solemn ones, at that — Garner was happy to play the same material lighter, to occasionally be the clown or the guy who gets punched in the face, and yet always made it clear that Maverick could easily kill you if he wanted to — it just wasn't his preferred way of doing things. Garner left Maverick after only a few seasons (and had spent much of that time alternating episodes...

Red River

Written by Borden Chase and Charles Schnee

Directed by Howard Hawks

USA, 1948

Howard Hawks’ Red River is supposedly the film that convinced John Ford of John Wayne’s talent (apparently opposed to his abilities to simply perform or suggest a powerful screen presence). Ford had, of course, worked with Wayne previously, and Wayne had appeared in dozens of other films prior to this point, but when Ford saw what Wayne did in the role of the aged, bitter, driven, and obsessive Thomas Dunson, it led him to comment to his friend Hawks, “I didn’t know the big son of a bitch could act.” If it were only for Wayne’s performance, which is excellent, Red River would be a vital entry into the Western genre. But there is more, much more to this extraordinary picture. That’s why it’s not only one of the greatest Westerns ever made,...

Jeanne Crain: Lighthearted movies vs. real life tragedies (photo: Madeleine Carroll and Jeanne Crain in ‘The Fan’) (See also: "Jeanne Crain: From ‘Pinky’ Inanity to ‘Margie’ Magic.") Unlike her characters in Margie, Home in Indiana, State Fair, Centennial Summer, The Fan, and Cheaper by the Dozen (and its sequel, Belles on Their Toes), or even in the more complex A Letter to Three Wives and People Will Talk, Jeanne Crain didn’t find a romantic Happy Ending in real life. In the mid-’50s, Crain accused her husband, former minor actor Paul Brooks aka Paul Brinkman, of infidelity, of living off her earnings, and of brutally beating her. The couple reportedly were never divorced because of their Catholic faith. (And at least in the ’60s, unlike the humanistic, progressive-thinking Margie, Crain was a “conservative” Republican who supported Richard Nixon.) In the early ’90s, she lost two of her...

Wallace Beery from Pancho Villa to Long John Silver: TCM schedule (Pt) on August 17, 2013 (photo: Fay Wray, Wallace Beery as Pancho Villa in ‘Viva Villa!’) See previous post: “Wallace Beery: Best Actor Oscar Winner — and Runner-Up.” 3:00 Am The Last Of The Mohicans (1920). Director: Maurice Tourneur. Cast: Barbara Bedford, Albert Roscoe, Wallace Beery, Lillian Hall, Henry Woodward, James Gordon, George Hackathorne, Nelson McDowell, Harry Lorraine, Theodore Lorch, Jack McDonald, Sydney Deane, Boris Karloff. Bw-76 mins. 4:30 Am The Big House (1930). Director: George W. Hill. Cast: Chester Morris, Wallace Beery, Lewis Stone, Robert Montgomery, Leila Hyams, George F. Marion, J.C. Nugent, DeWitt Jennings, Matthew Betz, Claire McDowell, Robert Emmett O’Connor, Tom Wilson, Eddie Foyer, Roscoe Ates, Fletcher Norton, Noah Beery Jr, Chris-Pin Martin, Eddie Lambert, Harry Wilson. Bw-87 mins. 6:00 Am Bad Man Of Brimstone (1937). Director: J. Walter Ruben. Cast: Wallace Beery, Virginia Bruce, Dennis O’Keefe. Bw-89 mins.

The Rockford Files to star Vince Vaughn in feature adaptation of NBC series. Universal's hired Brian Koppelman and David Levien for scripting duties on The Rockford Files, adapted from the series which ran on NBC from 1974-1980, reports Deadline. The original series created by Roy Huggins and Stephen J. Cannell, also included Noah Beery Jr. and Joe Santos, and was a Golden Globe nominee, as well as winner of several Emmy Awards. Story told of an easy-going private detective who served time in San Quentin and, after being pardoned, lived in a mobile home in Malibu. Vaughn will also produce The Rockford Files with Victoria Vaughn via their Wild West Picture Show Productions.

The Rockford Files to star Vince Vaughn in feature adaptation of NBC series. Universal's hired Brian Koppelman and David Levien for scripting duties on The Rockford Files, adapted from the series which ran on NBC from 1974-1980, reports Deadline. The original series created by Roy Huggins and Stephen J. Cannell, also included Noah Beery Jr. and Joe Santos, and was a Golden Globe nominee, as well as winner of several Emmy Awards. Story told of an easy-going private detective who served time in San Quentin and, after being pardoned, lived in a mobile home in Malibu. Vaughn will also produce The Rockford Files with Victoria Vaughn via their Wild West Picture Show Productions.

Cheap genome sequencing will let doctors treat individual patients rather than diseases. That will save lives, because people are often much more complicated than just their symptoms.

A 39-year-old woman visits her doctor with a lump on her breast and a family history of breast cancer. After a biopsy, she is diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer. The medical community names her: "Welcome, Ms. Stage 2 Breast Cancer, please have a seat in the waiting room." Ms. Stage 2 Breast Cancer undergoes a full mastectomy, chemotherapy, and then radiation.

Unfortunately for this patient, she also has a deletion in the tp53 gene--a tumor-suppressing gene--that will cause her to develop ovarian cancer two years later, leukemia three years after that, and lead to her death before age 45. Regular full-body scans may have significantly increased the length of her life. Doctors could have treated the other cancers sooner. But no one knew. After all, her disease had a name,...

Given the success of Warner’s Archive program, we’re thrilled to see other studios scouring their vaults for content aimed at the discerning cinephile. Here’s a release showcasing the latest coming from MGM via Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment:

Los Angeles (April 14, 2011) – Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment is bringing even more classics to DVD in April through its unique “manufacturing on demand” (“Mod”). The newest group of films will be part of the MGM Limited Edition Collection and available through online retailers. The vast catalog ranges from 1980’s Defiance to 1965’s four-time Academy Award® nominated A Thousand Clowns.

Enjoy your favorite movies from across the decades including:

1950′s

● Davey Crockett, Scout (1950): A U.S. military scout is assigned to stop Indian attacks on a defenseless group of wagon trains making their way West. Stars George Montgomery, Ellen Drew, Noah Beery Jr. Directed by Lew Landers.

● Cloudburst...

TV series remakes aren't typically very successful, and NBC's planned redo of The Rockford Files is facing a really big critic in Tom Selleck. Meanwhile, NBC keeps forging ahead with casting the pilot.

The Rockford Files originally ran on NBC for six seasons back in the 1970s, until star James Garner was so physically exhausted that he had to leave the show. He starred as Jim Rockford, a private detective who didn't see himself as a hero, and seemed to be looking more for the money than the glory. His costars on the show are Noah Beery Jr. and Joe Santos, while Stuart Margolin, Gretchen Corbett, James Luisi, Tom Atkins, Bop Hopkins, Pat Finley, Isaac Hayes, and one Mr. Tom Selleck play recurring characters.

NBC has tapped movie star Dermot Mulroney, star of My Best Friend's Wedding and Burn After Reading, for the role...

Beau Bridges and Alan Tudyk have signed on to star opposite Dermot Mulroney’s Jim Rockford in an update of the classic detective TV show The Rockford Files, which is being produced for NBC by Steve Carell and House creator David Shore.

Beau Bridges will play Rocky, the constantly exasperated, former truck-driving father of Mulroney’s Jim Rockford in the series. The character was originally played by Noah Beery in the original James Garner-starring series.

Meanwhile former Firefly star Alan Tudyk will portray Rockford’s old friend and Police Detective Dennis Becker in the new series. Becker is Rockford’s inside man on the Lapd and the detective gets into all sorts of trouble for begrudgingly helping out his old pal. The brilliant Joe Santos played the character in the original show.

While Bridges is a good addition to the show because of his homey charm (which is something...

The "Rockford Files" reboot has added another.

The Emmy-nominated Beau Bridges will join the David Shore-produced revamp of "Rockford Files," according to The Hollywood Reporter.

He joins the previously cast Dermot Mulroney, who plays P.I. Jim Rockford, and Alan Tudyk.

Bridges is Rocky, Rockford's dad and a truck driver who's pretty helpful, but tends to offer unsolicited advice.

In the original 1970s series starring James Garner, Noah Beery, Jr. played the role of Rocky.

Bridges has had a healthy film and TV career that includes "Norma Rae," "The Fabulous Baker Boys" and "Max Payne" on the big screen and the "Stargate" franchise, a guest run on "My Name Is Earl" and numerous telepics on the small screen.

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Related:

Alan Tudyk joins 'The Rockford Files'

'Rockford Files':...

It's rare when you hear about a casting and just say to yourself, "Oh, perfect." Well, that happened today. The Hollywood Reporter confirmed that Beau Bridges is going to be Dermot Mulroney's father on NBC's new 'The Rockford Files.' It's not just that Bridges, older brother of Oscar winner Jeff Bridges, is a terrific actor; he's really right for the role.

In the original 'Rockford Files,' Noah Berry, Jr. played Rocky, Jim's father, who served as both Jim's buddy and foil. They hung out together and understood each other. Rocky had been a truck driver and had a no-nonsense, clear vision of things.

He'd give Jim advice or just voice his opinion, often in a wry way. Presumably in NBC's version, which 'House' creator David Shore is overseeing and also involves 'The Office's' Steve Carell as executive producer, Beau Bridges as Rocky will be the same kind of guy.

· Two weeks after casting Dermot Mulroney in the leading role of the Rockford Files reboot, NBC has enlisted Beau Bridges to play Jim Rockford's father and best friend, Rocky. A truck driver for the past 30 years, Rocky regularly helps his son out of investigative jams while providing unwelcome commentary. Noah Beery, Jr. originated the role of Rocky 35 years ago. Bridges' last NBC gig was on My Name Is Earl, where he played Earl's father. [THR]

Ashley Tisdale connects with her inner Hellcat, Skeet Ulrich takes a few notes from Patrick Dempsey, and more TV Bites after the jump.

Beau Bridges is set to co-star opposite Dermot Mulroney on NBC's "Rockford Files" reboot.

"Rockford," written and executive produced by "House" creator David Shore and executive produced by Steve Carell, stars Mulroney as roguish private detective Jim Rockford.

Bridges will play his father and closest friend, Rocky, a truck driver for thirty years who always helps his son in a tough situation, though he tends to offer a commentary that Jim doesn't always appreciate. Noah Beery, Jr. played the role on the original series.

"Rockford" marks Bridges return to NBC where he recently played the father of another title character on comedy series "My Name Is Earl."

On the show, he played Earl's (Jason Lee) dad Carl, earning an Emmy nomination for his recurring turn.

Dermot Mulroney has joined NBC's "The Rockford Files." This marks the actor's first regular TV role. He'll play the iconic private eye in the updated take on the 1970s drama that starred James Garner in the title role. Also in the original cast were Noah Beery Jr. and Joe Santos. Stephen J. Cannell and Roy Huggins created the original series. The new Jim Rockford is described as "slightly crumpled, wry humored, cynical, world weary, compassionate when it's called for and easily irritated by morons."...

It looks like NBC has found their Jim Rockford for their remake of the 1970s TV show. Actor Dermot Mulroney has been signed to follow in the footsteps of James Garner.

The Rockford Files ran for six seasons on NBC, from 1974 until 1980. James Garner stars as Jim Rockford, a private detective who's more interested in getting paid and staying out of trouble than being a hero. Of course, he usually ends up doing do the right thing. Costars include Noah Beery Jr. and Joe Santos. Recurring characters are played by Stuart Margolin, Gretchen Corbett, James Luisi, Tom Atkins, Bo Hopkins, Pat Finley, and Isaac Hayes.

The original series stopped in 1979 in part because Garner was physically exhausted from the grind of the show. That didn't stop him however from reprising the role in eight TV movies in the 1990s for CBS.

Here’s a list of some of the new movie and TV shows coming to DVD and Blu-ray this week that we’re looking forward to seeing. Also, there’s some classic, and not-so-classic, movies hitting Blu-ray for the first time this week as well.

Of all the new releases, we’re particularly interested in the Blu-ray versions of movies and TV shows such as G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, North by Northwest, It’s a Wonderful Life and The Rockford Files. Plus, there’s some classic Dr. Who coming out this week as well.

Check them out.

Movies

A Christmas Carol ~ Alastair Sim, Jack Warner (Blu-ray)

Aliens in the Attic ~ Kevin Nealon, Doris Roberts (DVD and Blu-ray)

Columbia Pictures Film Noir Classics, Vol. 1 (The Big Heat / 5 Against the House / The Lineup / Murder by Contract / The Sniper) ~ (DVD)

The Claudette Colbert Collection (Three-Cornered Moon / Maid of Salem / I Met Him in Paris (1937)I Met...

There was something unique--in fact, unrepeatable--about "The Rockford Files." A private-eye hero with a gun stashed in a cookie jar instead of on his hip, James Garner's Jim Rockford was an iconic decent, regular guy struggling to get through the week. More awed than icy-blooded in his dealings with women, Rockford often seems as interested in the per diem as the solution to the case, and the spin-outs of his boozing, elderly dad (Noah Beery) many times addle Jim as much as the machinations of the bad guys. "Rockford" had a delicate, very particular tone, like Elmore Leonard or Carl Hiaasen mentholated, chilled out, and made melancholy. You could call it Chekhovian pulp, and there has never been anything like it since.. Season 6 ought to be well in shark-jumping territory. Oddly, these episodes struck me as prime Rockford--especially ...